This week, the podcast focused on Couchsurfing.
We recently backpacked around the world with our kids for a year. Our budget was approx $75 a day for the four of us – which wasn’t easy considering we have two gannets as teenagers.
This week on the podcast we explored the dark murky waters of Couchsurfing.
We recently backpacked around the world with our kids for a year. Our budget was approx $75 a day for the four of us – which wasn’t easy considering we have two gannets as teenagers.
One of the ways we were able to stick to our budget was by Couchsurfing. In case you aren’t familiar with this amazing organization, it is a website that pairs travellers – who are in need of somewhere to stay, with a host, who has a spare room, bed (or sometimes a couch) to offer.
Couchsurfing. What is it and Why Does The Thought Of It Terrify Me?
We wanted to discuss the pro’s and con’s of Couchsurfing and to try and answer the most commonly asked questions that people have. Also, when I tell people that we took our teenagers to sleep on strangers couches they are quite rightly filled with doubt!
There is a misconception (which I too used to have) that Couchsurfing is for twenty-year-olds who are looking for a good time. Not true.
And anyway, when I was twenty I was still boring so that puts an end to that theory.
Some of the points that were raised were:
- Is Couchsurfing free?
- Why would anyone want to couchsurf?
- What is it like to Couchsurf as a family?
- Is Couchsurfing safe?
All of these questions and more were discussed, and hopefully, we convinced you that if you are looking to travel and haven’t got much money (but you have got a great sense of adventure), then Couchsurfing really is the best.
There is a fabulous story that we touched on. We were in Italy and one particular Couchsurfing host was …let’s say ‘eccentric’! I loved him, (because I am weird and slightly vindictive) but the kids were honestly terrified.
Seriously, they were never in any danger – they simply saw how one crazy Italian man lived his life. It was a brilliant experience. Anyway, have a listen to Sonny’s interpretation of this and let me know if your teenagers would have felt the same.
If you would like to hear more about the crazy Italian then leave a comment and we will see to it!
You can read further here:
Couchsurfing with kids, the good, the bad and the bucket
The Couchsurfing Website: https://www.couchsurfing.com
Very informative! How are people screened, both the travelers and the hosts? Letting someone into your home or staying in someone else’s home, we’re still strangers. Just wondering…love your blog and podcasts.
You both have references from other travellers and your address and phone number etc is verified by the site; but no, at the end of the day you are still strangers. But isn’t everyone until you get to know them!
Our twelve months travelling as a family taught me that there are far nicer people out there then we are led to believe. In every single country we visited there was not one person that hosted us (apart from the eccentric Mr L!!) that was dodgy. Not one. They were all simply lovely and kind and just like us (well maybe not as weird as us but you know what i mean!)
I suppose at the end of the day it comes down to trust. I’m not sure if I would be so confident if I were on my own but in saying that, I would never want to discourage either of my kids from couchsurfing. As long as you take the right precautions, do your homework, email, phone, facetime the host before accepting (applies to both sides) letting people know where you are etc I think couchsurfing is one of the best ways to meet locals and make you feel better about humanity as a whole. Wow. That was a big rant.!!
Off to get a glass of wine now Sherry – lovely to hear from you and thank you for your comment x