Couchsurfing is a global community built around real human connection. The kind that turns a stranger into a friend, or reveals a corner of a city no travel guide would ever find.
Millions of members use it to explore the world, share where they live, and meet people worth knowing. Here's how it all fits together.
What Can I Do on Couchsurfing?
Quite a lot, actually. Here's the full picture:
- Find a Stay: send a request to a local member in the city you're visiting
- Host members: open your space to Couchsurfers passing through your city
- Hangout: let nearby members know you're available, see who else is in the Hangout, and connect in real time
- Join Communities: find your people based on shared interests, hobbies, or location
- Discover Events: find in-person meetups and activities happening near you
- Plan Trips: share where you're headed and see who's already there
- Chat: message members directly to plan Stays or just get to know each other
How Do Stays Work?
When you're exploring somewhere new, search for members offering Stays in that city and send a request. Members set their own terms and decide who they'd like to welcome.
When you're at home, you can open your space to Couchsurfers passing through. It's one of the best ways to meet people from all over the world without going anywhere.
After a Stay, both members are invited to write References for each other. References are public and they help the community make informed decisions about who to connect with.
How Does the Community Know Who to Trust?
Trust is the foundation. A few things help build it:
- References: public write-ups from members you've hosted, stayed with, or met in person. Your track record, in their words.
- Verification: confirms you are who you say you are. A verified profile makes other members more likely to connect with you.
- Profile completeness: the more you share about yourself, the easier it is for others to say yes. A full profile gets more responses, full stop.
Who Is Couchsurfing For?
Anyone who thinks the best way to experience a place is through its people.
Frequent explorer, occasional adventurer, or someone who never leaves home but loves meeting people from everywhere… there's a place for you here. With members in nearly every city in the world, your community is already waiting.
Need more help? Get in touch. You can also reach us anytime through Settings → Contact Support.