How to use Couchsurfing safely as a solo traveller

Couchsurfing is a platform I have used a lot when travelling. In this video, I share my best tips on how to stay safe and use Couchsurfing to have great adventures!
Read more about my Couchsurfing adventures on my blog: thirdculturenellie.com/catego...
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Websites I use to find the cheapest flights:
- Skyscanner: bit.ly/Skyscannernet
- Momondo: bit.ly/momondocouk
- Jack's Flight Club: tidd.ly/3CzSPIr
- Scott's Cheap Flights: bit.ly/scottcheapflights
Some of my favourite travel products:
- Revolut Pre-paid Contactless Visa or MasterCard: revolut.ngih.net/0MBMO
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#CreatorNow

[@pcabraham2580]

Great video. I am a couchsurfing host and do it as a way of meeting interesting people from all over the world. It also helps me to understand how younger people (I am 60) view the world which is also interesting. It costs me very little to be a host - maybe just a little bit more in electricity and water costs. I have not had a bad experience so far, though in some cases, it was not great because the couchsurfer did not want to interact with me at all. If you are a couchsurfer, please understand that if someone hosts you, it is because they are interested in understanding how you view the world. This is not just a free hotel or hostel. But many experiences have been positive and I am still in touch with some of the people I have hosted.

[@ThirdCultureNel]

That's great to hear! I completely agree

[@OneGlobe360]

Really enjoyed this video Nellie!!

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Thank you, Ellie! 🥰

[@lunadeloba_sounds]

My first time was in 2008! Im from latin américa and I couchsurfed in California, great experiencie!

[@ThirdCultureNel]

That's great, Andrea! Sounds like an incredible experience.

[@peggyw4143]

Your tips are so useful thank you:)

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Thank you, Peggy! :)

[@jeremyjin553]

super useful info, thx for the sharing!!

[@psychopompology]

Yesss great to see you keeping Couchsurfing alive 🙏🙏

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Thank you, Hunter! 😁

[@gurusimanatureriders2269]

I need a host in singapore can u suggest a good safe female host

[@AbhishekYadav-yq5yj]

Hey i just see you first video and it's is really amazing i love it ❤️

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Thank you so much, Abhishek! ☺️

[@AbhishekYadav-yq5yj]

Your Instagram id

[@MichaelsLifeAcademy]

You are such a awesome creator 🙌

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Thank you so much, Michael! 🥰

[@MichaelsLifeAcademy]

@@ThirdCultureNel You're welcome :)

[@AsadtheLionTravelover]

Thanks for honest review about this app m looking forward to register this app 😊

[@ThirdCultureNel]

That's great Asad! Let me know how you get on :)

[@dianawanderlust]

Hey Nelly! I agree with every word you say, especially about one line comments. KZbin just recommended me you channel cause it knows I am couchsurfing too haha! Good luck with everything, you have a very nice personality

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Thank you so much, Diana! Your comment made my day. I've just subbed to your channel. Love your content! 😁

[@dianawanderlust]

@@ThirdCultureNel aww thanks so much! Take care and let’s keep in touch here on KZbin ❤️❤️

[@MsBrieBrutal]

I’m planning to go to europe for 3 weeks and unemployed. I really do not want to pay for hotels or expensive stays. I’ve considered trusted housitters, but its really hard to find someone who will choose a traveler over a local these days. I’m definitely scared to Couchsurf as a solo woman. Thank you for all the advice, resources and tips! Very helpful video ❤

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Thanks so much for sharing! I’ve just put a video out about house sitting with Nomador which might help. Let me know how you get on with Couchsurfing. There are also hostels with private rooms that are cheaper than hotel rooms. Have a great trip! :)

[@asahisagoiboi3517]

I have gotten roommates on craigslist twice before. It was a positive experience. One was a Wall Street executive that was a former champion kickboxer. We were both from Uzbekistan VSO it worked. The other was a maintenance guy that I later found out was friends with my sister's ex-boyfriend. I ended up partying too much and had to move to a different state. Weirdos online are just like the weirdos on the street or the bar. Lol

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Small world! Haha that's one way to look at it!

[@creative8942]

Fantastic information. How to use it safely and what are the alternatives. Thanks

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Glad it was helpful! :)

[@domoSapiens_]

Great video🎉

[@Normanskie]

I was really worried when I heard that my daughter was Couch Surfing then she signed me up as a host, finished up getting a lot of requests from vegetarians as it started with one feedback on a lovely vegan meal that encouraged a lot of vegetarians to stay. I have mat a lot of interesting people over the years but stopped being a member when they wanted to charge me for giving up my time, my home and feeding guests and having to pay for the privilege.

[@aznatsoc4874]

Great Video 👌

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Thank you! 😁

[@WhiteSiroi]

thank you

[@yoludusleyenler6899]

Hello, I'm a member of courtsurfing. However, the membership mail has not arrived yet, what can I do?

[@peggyw4143]

Im about to embark my couchsurfing experience! I’ve never did that before. Feeling quite excited and yet a little anxious 😄

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Have an amazing time! Let me know how your first experience goes 😁

[@peggyw4143]

@@ThirdCultureNel Sure! I can’t wait☺️thanks for all the tips☺️😃

[@passportbro904]

Omg I hope it goes well for you, im about to sign up, I dont want to go Colombia alone 😄

[@peggyw4143]

@@passportbro904 hahaha you’re a guy so it’ll be safer for u I guess 🤣

[@Normanskie]

Although the post was 6-months ago I think it is still relevant, there are rumours that there are those that believe it is sex surfing, my daughter say not, BUT everybody signs up for different reasons, check the references and read between the lines BUT this was when I hosted and they have changed it where they do not publish both references until after (or a deadline) the other person gives theirs to (I believe) to prevent retaliation, when I first started hosting I wasn't going to take young girls not as though I am a against a nightlife, but at 70 years old) as they would prefer and get loads of offers by young males in the City centre for the nightlife, then I realised girls preferred safety and more importantly most didn't want a night life but were genuine travelers on a budget or preferred staying with real people and not plastic hotels. Although I state that I prefer not to show them around, this is the Council House (again) built in (again) arr NO, but I did have a list of places and directions and centre, costs or free available, (a welcome pack) and is was not unusual for them to meet up with another host in the City Centre for coffee. Although there is an element of risk, that includes the host as insurance would not pay out for theft, I think it is a brilliant opportunity not to be missed and just wished they had it when I was 19 years old.

[@-DIEU-TE-CHERCHE-9923]

Super vidéo Merci pour votre aide, et si on est nouveau donc pas de référence.

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Merci !

[@quosain635]

How can i join couchsurfing

[@gurusimanatureriders2269]

Plz can u help me to get some good couch surfing host in singapore plz

[@passportbro904]

So I come to the reviews for the people's perspective 😎

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Yes! 😎

[@mikehandbite4035]

Hi

[@roshanpethigala3219]

I hosting in sri lanka. I like to all people in courchsurfing visit sri lanka.#visitsrilanka..

[@ThirdCultureNel]

That's great! I'd love to visit Sri Lanka one day 🙏🏽

[@roshanpethigala3219]

Hope to see you there.❤

[@marinakn2474]

Is couch surfing is free of charge? I get a message that in order to use the app I have to pay a monthly fee

[@ThirdCultureNel]

It’s not free anymore. I mention this in the downsides section of this video.

[@dickeyboyenglishnotbritish2462]

Thanks for the tips. Pity i isn't a girl for the siter account lol. But i do have my trust roots and be welcome sites up and running. yeah such a shame about CS for charging money to me its just not worth it. :D

[@ThirdCultureNel]

What has been your experience with Trustroots and BeWelcome? :)

[@dickeyboyenglishnotbritish2462]

@@ThirdCultureNel trust roots 3 people contacted me with very new profiles and no references.

[@flappyhenderson4839]

I considered using Trustroots and Bewelcome but I'm not sure about the risk given the lack of reviews on the site. Any help?

[@dickeyboyenglishnotbritish2462]

@@flappyhenderson4839 yes don't trust anyone as i nearly bad terrible experience...saying that mine was bad, now i see why some free sites can be little bit dangerous. Since then i had to create a new trustroots website.

[@dickeyboyenglishnotbritish2462]

so sorry about this late comment, I can this to you that trust roots can be I think a little dangerous for to host people as some people can be weird and disrespectful with my culture, also create lies and last min changes from staying longer rather than few days. so my experience with trust roots from last year was quite bad. @@ThirdCultureNel

[@hallhoups6243]

Bonjour, Le souci avec couchsurfing c'est qu'il faut payer 2 euros par mois, et ce pour tous, alors que j'accueille plus que je ne vais chez les gens. Donc je dois payer 24 euros par an pour recevoir des personnes gracieusement! Il faut revoir, et ne faire payer que ceux qui sont accueilli.

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Bonjour Hall Houps. Oui, je suis d'accord. C'est dommage que il faut payer pour recevoir des personnes gracieusement. L'hôte ne devrait pas avoir à payer.

[@hallhoups6243]

@@ThirdCultureNel peut être liront il nos messages 😊

[@ThirdCultureNel]

@@hallhoups6243 Oui, peut-être 😅

[@YoshiToshiSamYou]

I would like to host I'm from morocco

[@ThirdCultureNel]

That's great to hear, Younes Aboutaleb! I recently returned from Morocco and loved it. I will be uploading videos from Morocco soon :)

[@YoshiToshiSamYou]

I'm new to the app and since I heard the story of the 60$ fees I'm so upset rn I think the app is dead

[@ThirdCultureNel]

It is sad how they handled the fees. In some countries the fee is much lower. But it is wrong to charge hosts who open their homes for free.

[@drchoe7720]

Yes. Bad things never happen... Until it happens and completely changes everything about your life. 20 good reviews does not guarantee the host is not a psychopath. I’m a clinical psychologist and I believe that there are too many naive young people out there. Good luck for you all.

[@ThirdCultureNel]

You could say that about everything in life. I say in the video to follow your gut feeling and use common sense. It’s a sad life to avoid meeting strangers completely.

[@roadlover8033]

Come to visit India 🇮🇳 😊 I'm a small creator here in India west Bengal 😊 it's my channel I'm commenting from

[@TravelWithSattar]

I am trying to login but this what monthly and annual fees???

[@ThirdCultureNel]

Yes, unfortunately you can't login without paying for the month. The price is adjusted based on the country you are based in.

[@yup7773]

It’s a scam.. $3 to just open the account then they want $60 no trial and you haven’t even seen a single person yet.