Last updated: October 29, 2026
Some of the best travel moments happen when everything comes together: the right host, a great event, a fellow traveler you didn't know you'd meet. And it often starts with finding the right person to stay with. Here's how to send a stay request.
Find the Right Host
Take your time here. The best stays come from genuine connection, not convenience.
-
Search for hosts: Head to Explore
, search your destination, then browse the Hosts tab
- Browse a Location Page: Open the Location Page for your destination to see hosts active in that area
- Dig into profiles: Tap or click any host card to read their full profile, home details, interests, and references from past guests
Send Your Request
Found someone you'd love to stay with? Here's how to reach out. You'll need at least 2 completed profile steps to send a request. If you're not there yet, you'll be prompted to finish those up first.
On mobile:
- Open the host's profile
- Tap Request Stay
- Select an existing trip or tap New Trip to create one
- Write a note to your host, choose your dates, and select the number of travelers
- Tap Send Request
On the web:
- Open the host's profile
- Click Request Stay
- Select an existing trip or click New Trip to create one
- Write a note to your host, choose your dates, and select the number of travelers
- Click Send Request
Once your request goes out, you'll see a "Request Sent" confirmation. Tap or click View to jump straight into your chat request with the host. If you aren't already connected, a chat request is sent along with the stay request and the host will need to accept the chat before they can respond to your stay. Your request is only visible to you and the host.
Not sure what to write? Check out What Makes a Great Stay Request? for tips on crafting a message that actually gets a response.
What Happens After I Send a Request?
Once your request is out, everything happens in your chat with the host:
- The host reviews your request and accepts it
- You'll be asked to confirm the stay
- Once you confirm, your stay is officially on!
You can track it all under Your Stays in your Home . Pending requests show as "Pending stay to [host name]" and confirmed stays as "Staying with [host name]." Once your stay is confirmed, your host's exact address and directions appear in the chat within 24 hours of your stay.
What If My Request Is Declined?
Don't sweat it. Hosts have lives, schedules, and circumstances that have nothing to do with you. Reach out to a few others in the area and you'll find your match. It's totally fine to send requests to multiple hosts at the same time.
Can I Cancel a Stay Request?
Yes, at any time, even after the stay has been confirmed. Open your chat with the host, tap or click the three-dot menu (⋮), and select the option to cancel.
One Thing to Know: The platform doesn't check for date overlap, so it's possible to confirm stays with multiple hosts for the same dates. If that happens, cancel any stays you won't be using as soon as you know.
Not sure how a Trip fits in? Check out Why Do I Need to Create a Trip to Send a Stay Request? for the full breakdown, and see How to Plan Your First Couchsurfing Trip for inspiration. New to Couchsurfing? Create your profile and start exploring hosts today.
Need more help? Get in touch. You can also reach us anytime through Settings → Contact Support.