How to Stay for Free: CouchSurfing Explained
CouchSurfing is an app where you enter your travel dates and message local hosts. Some will reply saying you can stay at their home for free — a global cultural exchange platform with no accommodation fee. It isn’t very well-known in Japan, but it’s widely used in Europe and North America.
I used this service in Taiwan and stayed with a family who had a 3-year-old child.
※ Always check the host’s profile and reviews before staying.
Which Sites Offer the Cheapest Accommodation?
Europe is extremely expensive, so I frequently used:
- Expedia
- Hotels.com
- Booking.com
Sorting by lowest price usually shows dormitory rooms (shared rooms). Besides being cheap, dorms make it easy to meet other travelers, so actively talk to nice people (but be cautious of theft). Many hostels also offer a kitchen, so you can save a lot on food.
How to Book Accommodation
Popular tourist cities should be booked early.
During high seasons (summer holidays, Christmas, New Year), rooms sell out quickly and only expensive ones remain.
In the Middle East and Eastern Europe, I often found cheaper rooms by searching on-site, but sometimes prices increase suddenly — so I recommend making a reservation first.
Some owners are not familiar with the internet, so there are many hidden-gem accommodations you would never find online.
In Southeast Asia, on-site searching may also be cheaper, but big cities and famous tourist areas should be booked in advance.
※ These methods focus on reducing cost, but for safety reasons, advance booking is usually better.
Carrying heavy luggage while searching for a room is extremely tiring.
What Kind of Accommodation Should You Choose?
When checking reviews, instead of relying only on high ratings, sort reviews by “newest first.” A place that was good years ago may be bad now.
I always check whether the living room/common area looks clean (it’s easier to make friends). If you plan to cook, check for a kitchen as well.
Ask the Accommodation Staff for Help
If the staff are friendly, ask them for recommended places nearby. In Southeast Asia and Africa, saying “Tours are expensive — is there someone who can show me around?” may result in the owner arranging a guide they know personally. Payment is usually upfront.
Asking a random person on the street can lead to getting scammed or abandoned, so I often asked the hotel staff instead. Many times, they took me to beautiful local-only spots (e.g., New Year countdown viewpoints), and it was often cheaper than official tours.
However, prices vary depending on the owner, so refuse if the price is unreasonably high.
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