couchsurfers.com

johnnydd

anybody tried this out seems pretty good?

Red Soup

* http://www.couchsurfing.com/

yeah seems pretty cool. not sure my housemates would be into some randomer sleeping on our couch though!

Brimmy

Haven't used it personally but met an American in Rome a few months ago who swore by it.

Seems pretty cool and might take avail of it myself in the future next time I go off.

cailinoBAC

I've never used them, just recently signed up (I'm preparing for South America trip later this year). However, I am a member of hospitalityclub.org and have used them loads of times (both staying with people and letting people stay in my house). If you're doing the providing (which you really should make an effort to do if you hope somebody will do the same for you) you obviously have to have agreement of your housemates. Some people don't get it so I don't make a big deal of it with my friends.
You can't think of it as a hotel. If you're staying in somebody's house remember that they probably have their routine, going to work, whatever and you can't impede too much on this. So it's better for relaxed trips, where you're not too bothered about being in certain places at certain times. Also, in order to get a couch you might have to send a lot of requests, plan a few weeks in advance if possible and always have a plan B if you can't find anyone.
I've never had a bad experience, though some stand out better than others. I've stayed with people in St Petersburg, Novgorod, Nizhni Novgorod, Lisbon, Kaunas, Klaipeda, also had a great night out with some HC people in Tallinn. I've hosted people from Sweden, Portugal, Poland, South America (this one guy who had a spare Radiohead ticket, sure I was going to let him stay...) US, Netherlands, Italy, Czech Republic, Switzerland.
I went to Russia when I was absolutely broke (flights had already been booked so thought I'd go for it) and in 3 and a half weeks I spend 4 nights in hostels. I had been signed up, but never used it before, but I couldn't believe the generosity of my hosts and their enthusiasm so when I came home I decided I'd try do the same. To an extent though, judging by some people's profiles they have randomers on their couch every weekend. I actually haven't had anybody since August (though location has something to do with it to). In May I have to spend one night in Vilnius, hostels are cheap, but thought it would be more fun to stay with somebody local as I've been through the city a few times but don't know anybody there. You don't always know whether you're going to have a quiet night in or be invited to some party.

I hope to use it when I'm in South America (HC and couchsurfing, whichever works best) but I don't think I would use it if I was travelling with others. Too complicated. Also it's very much a young person's game. I can't imagine I'll be using it when I'm 40, and maybe this is ageist, but if somebody 'older' requests to stay with me I don't accept. It just seems a bit weird (maybe I'll change my mind when I'm older, who knows?)

johnnydd

Anybody else ????????????