CouchSurfing: An unusual travel trend

It might sound like a new kind of sport, but CouchSurfing is actually a global online network of travellers who have offered or are seeking couches (or beds, a floor or whatever space is available) on which to sleep. This service includes everything from sleeping place to sharing shower and kitchen to guide assistance. And everything for free.

Since 2003 the CouchSurfing phenomenon has been growing, and today the online hospitality community boasts more than 1.93 million members spread over 237 countries.

To overcome the language barrier, the English-language site can be translated into 32 tongues. Members’ average age is 28, but some are as young as 18 (the minimum age), and there are 355 people in the 80-89 age category. Most are male (50,2 percent) but the margin is tight: Females account for 41,9 percent of the CouchSurfing community. (The rest falls under ‘several people’: 7,1 percent).

Service cum social network, the couchsurfing.org website averages around 40 million page views per day, making it one of the most visited in the world.

Ready to start?
When I decided to join the CouchSurfing community, I had no idea how much fun it would actually be. All I had to do was create an account on the website and decide whether to host or surf, or both.
If having a stranger in one’s house seems like a step too far at first, it is possible to simply offer a service such a guided tour of the city or a coffee meet up.

One thing is for sure, CouchSurfing is not a dating service. Of course meeting so many like-minded people doesn’t rule any romantic encounters out, but it’s not a pick-up opportunity and most couchsurfers stick to this common understanding.

Is it safe?
Part of what makes CouchSurfing special is that we actually don’t know the person we’ll be hosting or staying with. However that leaves an element of danger one needs to be aware of. And awareness is key. As a surfer, or host, its our responsibility to check out the profile of our host or guest. Every couchsurfer’s page contains a lot of information, from photos and friend lists, to previous host/surf references from former hosts/surfers. There are also systems in place to help establish trust, such as verifying (through address and credit card checks) and vouching (a personal web of guarantees that has spread out from the original founders of the website).

My (good) experience
Having recently moved to Maastricht with virtually no friends, I decided to sign up and go to the Maastricht CouchSurfing group meeting. The group’s webpage states that it welcomes ‘everybody who lives in Maastricht and nearby Dutch, Belgian and German towns and also the travelers passing by this area!’

This local cluster today counts 567 members. The first meeting I went to took place in a cozy bar in the city centre. There were around 12 people, mostly Erasmus students from nearby Germany and Belgium and a couple of Dutch people studying at Maastricht University. Since they came to Maastricht, they all became CouchSurfing members and hang out together a lot.

It is always fun to meet new people and couchSurfers in particular tend to come with a lot of fascinating tales of where they’ve been and where they’re going.

One of the most interesting persons I met in Maastricht is Leona Anoel, 22 year old, Dutch/German, moderator of the city’s online group and a key member of the local CouchSurfing community:

Q: How long have you been a member of CouchSurfing (CS)?
A: I joined in December 2007 and have been couchsurfing for more than two years,. I first heard of the CouchSurfing network from my friend in Amsterdam who was already a member. For me it is a perfect way to find friends. Many couchsurfers have a certain mentality of openness, which I really like.

Q: What are – according to you – pros and cons of CS?
A: CouchSurfing can be very nice but also uncomfortable at the same time.
As far as I can say, my negative experience is that people sometimes don’t stick to the rules and don’t treat others the way they would wish to be treated themselves.

The positive sides are the low-cost experience and the fact that people can learn a lot from each other’s lifestyle, culture, language and much more.

Q: What is your most memorable CouchSurfing experience?
A: I have been couchsurfing in Thailand, the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, Austria, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Portugal, Denmark and Sweden. My most striking experience was my very first one. I went to Bangkok and was hosted by a very nice and hospitable Thai guy. We slept in a ‘supersmall’ room at the University campus in the outskirts of Bangkok. The room was badly air-conditioned and the guy gave me his bed and slept on the floor all week. We became good friends.
I’ve also made some good friends on Maastricht meetings. Although most of them are spread all over the world now, they are always there for me and so am I for them here.

Q: How many people have you hosted in Maastricht? What is their first impression of Maastricht?
A: I guess I have hosted around 70-100 people. Many people come to the Netherlands because they want to try smoking marihuana because it is legal. I don’t really like that, but as long as they smoke outside my house and within limits, it is ok. The majority finds Maastricht an adorable little city.

By Veronika Krupova

Veronika Krupova (Czech Republic) is currently doing an internship at the European Journalism Centre in Maastricht.

More information: Maastricht group on CouchSurfing