Couchers is a free couch surfing platform connecting travelers and locals in 180+ countries around the world

Hi there, I used to be a journalist covering business, international affairs and global energy transition. I'm now a freelancer and volunteering for Couchers.

What is Couchers?

Couchers is a community and platform built to facilitate genuine interaction between travelers and locals, centered around couch surfing: free, non-transactional homestays and meetups, while prioritizing trust and safety.

The platform (couchers.org) allows travelers to know the countries they are traveling in and see places through the perspectives of locals. It also allows travelers to know about local niche festivals or events that are not usually known, or promoted, on travel guides or travel agencies.

Couchers gives local residents the chance to present their communities and country through their own voices to travelers. They will have the chance to know their travelers’ countries and culture without leaving their communities. Such cultural exchanges build people to people diplomacy and life long friendships.

If you have reservations about hosting travelers in your home, or staying with locals in a foreign country, fear not because apart from homestays, Couchers also allows locals and travelers on the platform to organize live hangouts and events.

A little more on Couchers:

Couchers is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. This means that Couchers is a charitable organization and none of its profits may be given to any private shareholder or individual.

The people who manage Couchers are all travelers themselves and have repeatedly used the platform during their own travels. We are committed to keeping the platform free and accessible to all, making traveling accessible, and more importantly, safe for everyone.

If this piques your interest, I encourage you to give Couchers a try. You can also read more about Couchers’ mission and values here - couchers.org/landing

If you have any questions, please comment below and I’ll try to answer them. I’m also curious to hear what others in the travel and hospitality sectors have to say. Feedback? Suggestions? I’m listening!

I love Couchers! I was a huuuuuge Couchsurfer back in the day, made so many friends from him, so was super sad to see when it all went downhill and lost the magic. Couchers definitely brings that back, I really appreciate their transparency, that they're a registered non-profit and built along with the community. I've hosted and surfed with them a few times and been to and hosted a couple events and can recommend!

Will you bring me along here next time? Haha.