Making the most of Couchsurfing starts with making informed decisions. Here are some practical steps to keep yourself safe before, during, and after a stay.
Set Up Your Account for Safety
First things first: add an emergency contact. It stays private and is only accessible to the Couchsurfing team if they ever need to reach someone on your behalf.
On mobile:
- Tap Library
in the bottom navigation bar
- Tap your profile
in the upper right corner
- Tap Settings
- Tap Emergency Contact
- Fill in your contact's details
- Tap Save
On the web:
- Click your profile
- Click Settings
in the upper right corner
- Click Emergency Contact
- Fill in your contact's details
- Click Save
While you're at it, get verified. It takes less than a minute, puts a Verification Badge on your profile, and makes other members significantly more likely to connect with you.
What to Look for in a Profile
Before you connect with someone, take time to actually read their profile.
- Look for complete profiles: real name, clear photos, a genuine description of themselves and their space
- Read their references. Written by people they've hosted or stayed with, these are your best window into who someone actually is
- Look for the Verification Badge. It means their identity has been confirmed
- Pay attention to what's missing. A sparse profile or no references is worth asking about before you commit
- Check their home details carefully. Know where you'll be sleeping, whether it's a private or shared space, and whether you'll need to bring a sleeping bag
What to Discuss Before You Meet
Good communication before a stay makes everything smoother and safer for everyone.
- Keep conversations on the Couchsurfing platform. It gives our team the ability to help if anything goes wrong
- Let someone you trust know where you'll be, who you're staying with, and how to reach you
- Have a backup plan. Know your accommodation alternatives and make sure your phone will work in the area
A few useful things to ask a potential host:
- How many people live in your home?
- Do guests have access to the kitchen?
- How many people have you hosted before?
- What are your house rules, quiet hours, and who will be coming and going?
- What's the best way to coordinate arrival if our schedules don't line up?
During Your Stay
- If possible, meet somewhere public before going to your host's home
- Trust your instincts. If something feels off, it's okay to say no or to leave
- Be clear about your own boundaries and respect those of others
- If you need someone to leave, or if you need to leave yourself, do it. You don't owe anyone an explanation for putting your safety first
If Something Goes Wrong
Safety Tools are available from the Library menu and from within any active stay:
- Visit Safety Page: links to Couchsurfing's Safety and Support site
- Search Nearby Accommodation: find somewhere else to stay quickly if you need it
- Report: opens the general report flow
- Call Local Authorities (mobile only): connects you to emergency services anywhere in the world, no local number needed
To report a specific member, go to their profile and use the report option. You can also block any member at any time to stop them from contacting you or viewing your profile.
For serious safety concerns, go to Settings → Trust and Safety to reach our team directly.
After Your Stay
Leave an honest reference for every member you stay with or host. References are one of the most important ways this community looks out for itself, and they help everyone make better decisions.
Not comfortable leaving a fully public reference? Submit Private Feedback after your stay. It goes directly to the Couchsurfing team and is never shared with the other member.
A Couple Things to Know:
- If you're in immediate danger, contact local authorities first. Use Call Local Authorities in Safety Tools (mobile) or call emergency services directly.
- Keeping conversations on the platform is one of the most important safety steps you can take. It gives our team the ability to step in if something goes wrong.
Need more help? Get in touch. You can also reach us anytime through Settings → Contact Support.