Photo: Opspin / Flickr

This is not a new ‘sport’ invented by people who are too lazy to get off the couch in the first place. It’s actually a phenomenon that gathered momentum around the early noughties and is even endorsed by the United Nations. If you have always wanted to explore the world but are limited by finances, then couchsurfing is just for you. How does it sound to meet interesting people and experience a culture from the inside for next to nothing?

World peace, dude

The idea behind couchsurfing was originally about finding cheap or free accommodation while backpacking. It has expanded over the years and evolved into a system that enables travellers and hosts to learn about one another’s culture, form friendships and experience the world in a peaceful way.

Bigger than ever

There are now a few websites that supply information on couchsurfing but one of the largest and most trusted is, you’ve guessed it, Couchsurfing.com. It’s an international non-profit network that was started in 2004 by Casey Fenton, Dan Hoffer, Sebastien LeTuan and Leonardo Bassani de Silveira. Travellers and hosts who have registered and made use of the site come from 230 countries and territories. The site is operated entirely by donations from members.

Initially just about surfing or living with a local as a guest, there is much more on offer once you’ve signed up as a couchsurfer. It’s all about creating meaningful connections and hopefully lasting friendships. As such, there is great emphasis on language exchange programmes and shared trips so couchsurfing is no longer the relatively solitary endeavour it once was. In addition, travellers now have the opportunity to really become part of the local community for the duration of their stay.

How it all works

CouchSurfing is a non-profit organisation run by volunteers and a small group of long-term staff. It is legally mandated to use all available resources directly on achieving its mission. This mission consists of bringing about the vision of a better, more understanding world through exchange of culture and ideas. Basically, world peace.

Couchsurfing in six facts

• The top three couchsurfing countries are the United States, Germany and France.
• The largest number of couchsurfers comes from Europe, with 1,263,441 surfers making up just over half of worldwide members.
• The top three languages spoken by couchsurfers are English, French and Spanish.
• The top couchsurfing cities are Paris, London and Berlin.
• More men than women couchsurf.
• The average couchsurfer is 28 years old.

Tags: travelling