CouchSurfing

Are you really living? Or merely existing?

CouchSurfing

So you want to know all about CouchSurfing?

First up, what is it?

How do I create a profile that gets me noticed?

Not all CouchSurfing experiences are positive; and sometimes — if you’re lucky – magic happens.

If you really want to get the most out of the experience, you just have to take the risk.

* wip

Part 1: My First Couch Surfing Experience (in Europe)

Posted by Ian in CouchSurfing, featured, Turkey

fairy chimneys cappadocia

My first experience couch surfing in Europe came in Turkey. Ok, technically it wasn’t Europe, it was the other side of the Bosphorus, on the Asian side of the continent; but it was my first country on my Eurotrip, so I’m counting it. This post is the first part of a series on My First

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A leap of Faith

Posted by Ian in CouchSurfing

alexanderplatz

I had been using the CouchSurfing groups and GlobeTrooper boards to try and find a travel partner for the last few weeks. After a month of solo travel, I was keen to partner up with people for an adventure — thinking epic road-trip, or something similar. Being a solo traveller, it meant that I

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Is CouchSurfing Safe?

Posted by Ian in CouchSurfing, Safety

man being swallowed by couch, small

When I tell people that I CouchSurfed my way around Europe and North Africa, I am met with either one of two responses: a cringe and ”You mean, you stay with strangers? …Is it safe?” or an enthusiastic “Wow, how can I sign-up for this free accomodation!” This post is

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CouchSurfing: Creating a Profile that Gets You Noticed

Posted by Ian in CouchSurfing

couchsurfing man blending into couch

I get asked by a lot of new CouchSurfers “How do you get hosts? I’ve had a profile for weeks, I send out requests, but people just aren’t accepting them, or even answering them sometimes”. Over a beer or two, I usually give them a bit of a brain dump on what it takes to have

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Mishaps in CouchSurfing

Posted by Ian in CouchSurfing, Poland

girl surfing couch

Usually I’m the first to brag about how wonderful the world of CouchSurfing is, but today I had one of my few negative experiences. I was fuming mad. But after some time to cool down, and having backup plans, I am calm and collected and ready to relay the story, as well as tips on

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Being part of something beautiful

Posted by Ian in CouchSurfing, Poland

iceskating in krakow, poland

I simply had to share this story. I managed to get a last-minute host in Krakow before my Christmas Festive Trek started, after having a negative CouchSurfing experience. My hosts were a couple, the girl Polish, the guy Mexican. They met through CouchSurfing, he was her surfer, she was his host; bot

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