“You do not travel to arrive but to travel.”( Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)

Everyone has heard about it, Couchsurfing.

Couchsurfing is an online platform founded in 2004 where people offer an accommodation and receive one in return, for free.

No costs, no risks?

Many opinions have been discussed about this unique concept, where the core of European hospitality was born again.

“Offering someone an accommodation, food and beverages, and receive the same in return.”

But obviously, it would be a dream concept if we wouldn’t have any scandals or horror stories, like a woman which was raped in Hong Kong.

But a headline like that shouldn’t be the norm. So many travellers profited of couch surfing and gained new local experiences and met new people.

When would it be appropriated to use couch-surfing?

Have you ever stayed in a Hotel of a foreign country and missed the contact and accessibility to the locals? To something authentic?

Yes? Your next travel should include a couch-surfing experience. You will meet locals as you did never, and you will experience culture in different ways.

In my opinion, who searches adventures and likes risks, should try it out. This could be a life experience which cannot be bought by any amount of money.

Nevertheless, please, never do it because you think it’s the cheapest way to travel. This shouldn’t be your intention. If you search low budget accommodation Airbnb could be a perfect choice.

This concept is about receiving a favour and giving one. Get an Experiencing and give one. As the history of European Hospitality taught us.

Conclusion

If you decided to travel through couch-surfing, leave always a plan B. for you to be on the safe side and let relatives or friends know where you are. Stay in touch with them so you minimalize the risks that something happens to you.