Another site is http://www.tripping.com, which is like a hybrid of couchsurfing and airbnb. It’s new and seems to have a lot of potential.

I’ve been on CS for 2 years and, even though I’ve made great friends, I’m getting tired of the disfunctional site and increasingly serious safety issues.

I also signed up for airbnb a few months ago to make some extra cash, but I didn’t like having guests who expected their own set of keys and breakfast. The site has a nice design though.

And hostels are always great. The nicest one I stayed in was in Mainz, Germany last year.

Anyway thanks for your article – it’s really helpful to see the comparison!

As somebody who’s done a LOT of couchsurfing, I feel pretty qualified to state my views; however, I do understand where you’re coming from. You’ll find that I support both couchsurfing and hostelling equally–but I don’t really think CS is for everyone. Neither is hostelling, for that matter.

Come back soon for a post I’ll be doing on three kids who couchsurfed their way across America. You’ll probably like it

Karol – those all sound awesome. I actually had a great experience in Baltimore, and also made some good connections at the India House in New Orleans. And yes, I always feel bad about creaky beds: afraid to toss&turn because I might keep other people awake. But that just comes back to the earplugs, a hostel necessity…

Thanks for this post which really made me think about this comparison – though I don’t totally agree with some of what you have written.

The point of Couchsurfing is not to save money but to stay with a local person and get an insight into their culture and the way they live, and them you – it’s a cultural exchange. Staying in a hostel with other tourists and walking around the sights with a Lonely Planet – does this really give you an idea of the people, the culture you’re visiting? In my opinion you can’t put a price on couchsurfing for this reason – it’s that valuable.

Opinions of the host – I’m sure plenty of the people in the hostel have opinions on lots of different things which are different to your own. As you say especially across different cultures people sometimes have different ideas which you are unlikely to change or understand.

Free breakfast in the hostel – it’s included in the $40 you paid for the dorm so it isn’t free I’m afraid!

“…practically guaranteed that every single hostel guest will spend some time hanging out, sharing experiences and stories…”
I’ve travelled for nearly 10 years in youth hostels all around the world and I can tell you that they are definitely much less friendly then they were a few years ago. For me it used to be much like how you describe above but not so much now especially if you are travelling alone.

“..It’s almost impossible to stay here without making a personal connection…”
I think being hosted is far more personal.

“…You get what you pay for..” – again I think that’s unfair and misses the point of couchsurfing.

AYH Hostel on Hawthorne in Portland, OR
close to many funky shops and ethnic restaurants in a fun-to-walk neighborhood. Recycling, a “living” roof (grass and fungi and stuff), and more. Free leftover bread from one of the city’s best bakery, Grand Central Baking.

AYH Hostel in downtown Portland is also quite nice. Great to use as a base to walk around downtown, the Pearl, and to catch the light rail.Free leftover bread from one of the city’s best bakery, Grand Central Baking.

Seaside, Oregon also has a terrific hostel though not sure it’s AYH

yes, very Oregon centered list but that’s where I live!