Couch surfing - How safe is it?

Travel Forums North America Couch surfing - How safe is it?

1. Posted by mm143 (Budding Member 79 posts) 12y Star this if you like it!

I've always heard about couch surfing but I've been skeptical to try it but I am on a budget so I am considering it.
Can anyone speak from experience? How is it? Do you recommend it? I'm a girl travelling alone so I'm hesitant.
Thanks!:)

2. Posted by sikkinouza (Budding Member 14 posts) 12y Star this if you like it!

Hey! I'm also a girl who travels alone, and I love CS. If you just look at peoples profiles and reviews, you won't get into any sort of trouble. And if you feel uncomfortable in the slightest by your host, you can just leave! I highly recommend it, I use it every time I travel and I've met some truly awesome people through it :)

3. Posted by Niels1303 (Full Member 131 posts) 12y Star this if you like it!

I´m a man so my case is a little bit different, but some of my female friends already used a lot couch surfing opportunities and never encountered any problems or weird people. To be on the safe side make sure you take a look at the members reviews, like Sikkinouza suggested. Personally the only weird thing I ever saw was an ad from a guy in Italy that only accepted female travelers and where you had to share a single bed but that was really obvious. :)

4. Posted by ossifyhart (Budding Member 19 posts) 12y Star this if you like it!

It sounds awesome in theory. I know I'd enjoy hosting someone visiting I think that could be a cool way to meet awesome people and to learn more about my own city. I feel like you discover things or even see old things differently when touring with someone. Like anything though you have to be careful. Unfortunately the world we live in isn't exactly perfectly safe.

5. Posted by Swept Away (Travel Guru 1116 posts) 12y Star this if you like it!

yes, you do see your town in whole new light, when you showing foreigners around.

6. Posted by mm143 (Budding Member 79 posts) 12y Star this if you like it!

Thanks!
Is the best website couchsurfing.com??

7. Posted by vegasmike6 (Travel Guru 3582 posts) 12y Star this if you like it!

No. couchsurfing.org

Post 8 was removed by a moderator
9. Posted by Gelli (Travel Guru 2457 posts) 12y Star this if you like it!

I've both hosted and stayed with numerous single female travellers (as well as all possible other variations of travellers), and have heard very few serious problems. There are a few potentially worrying situations out there, but as noted by Niels, many of these are very obvious from the profiles and message exchanges. At the end of the day, if you don't feel comfortable with a situation/individual surfer, don't stay there (or leave). CS has become increasingly manstream, which also helps. There are always certain people you just don't get along with - personality mismatch as opposed to anything more sinister - and providing you accept that (and certain cultural differences), and trust your own judgement etc, you will have some great experiences.

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