Get Hosted
On our hospitable and friendly planet Earth, there are tons of hosts available to help you enjoy your journey! These suggestions apply mostly to developed, more-expensive countries (NZ, Australia, Europe, USA, etc) but they exist in virtually every city in the world.
Stay with locals, learn the local language, share stories, make new friends. So many of my hosts (especially from my adventures around Europe on a bike) still drop a line to see where I am and what I am up to. They are friends forever.
To all of my generous and gracious hosts around the world (and you know who you are) - THANK YOU!!!!!
COUCHSURFING
https://www.couchsurfing.org
An extensive network of hosts throughout the world ready and willing to host travellers for a night, or two. The range of accommodation varies dramatically depending on the age and living situation of the host(s). At one end of the spectrum, I have rolled out my sleeping bag on a wooden floor in Kazakhstan. The other end of the spectrum was a Venitian Palace - steps from the Grand Canal.
One caveat: Be careful with Couchsurfing as some hosts use it for dating purposes. Check references/friends/comments on Couchsurfing if unsure of a potential host as it is sometimes used as a social dating network. Pretty easy to avoid if you use some common sense. When in doubt, stay with families.
WARMSHOWERS
https://www.warmshowers.org
Warmshowers is a totally free hospitality exchange for touring cyclists. Sign up, create a profile, get in touch with hosts when you need a break/shower/hot meal on the road. Most hosts are fellow cyclists and know and appreciate the comforts a cyclist craves during a long tour - usually hot water, a comfy bed, and a tasty meal. I have stayed with SOOOO many amazing hosts through Warmshowers. I thank you all!!!! It is a fantastic network and some day when I have a hot shower and cozy extra bed to offer cyclists, I will be a host too. Highly rated!
WOMEN WELCOME WOMEN WORLDWIDE
http://www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk
While I obviously don't use this hosting network, I have heard many positive comments from women traveling and using it. It is 100% hosted by women and 100% used by female travellers. I believe it costs GBP20 per year.
Stay with locals, learn the local language, share stories, make new friends. So many of my hosts (especially from my adventures around Europe on a bike) still drop a line to see where I am and what I am up to. They are friends forever.
To all of my generous and gracious hosts around the world (and you know who you are) - THANK YOU!!!!!
COUCHSURFING
https://www.couchsurfing.org
An extensive network of hosts throughout the world ready and willing to host travellers for a night, or two. The range of accommodation varies dramatically depending on the age and living situation of the host(s). At one end of the spectrum, I have rolled out my sleeping bag on a wooden floor in Kazakhstan. The other end of the spectrum was a Venitian Palace - steps from the Grand Canal.
One caveat: Be careful with Couchsurfing as some hosts use it for dating purposes. Check references/friends/comments on Couchsurfing if unsure of a potential host as it is sometimes used as a social dating network. Pretty easy to avoid if you use some common sense. When in doubt, stay with families.
WARMSHOWERS
https://www.warmshowers.org
Warmshowers is a totally free hospitality exchange for touring cyclists. Sign up, create a profile, get in touch with hosts when you need a break/shower/hot meal on the road. Most hosts are fellow cyclists and know and appreciate the comforts a cyclist craves during a long tour - usually hot water, a comfy bed, and a tasty meal. I have stayed with SOOOO many amazing hosts through Warmshowers. I thank you all!!!! It is a fantastic network and some day when I have a hot shower and cozy extra bed to offer cyclists, I will be a host too. Highly rated!
WOMEN WELCOME WOMEN WORLDWIDE
http://www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk
While I obviously don't use this hosting network, I have heard many positive comments from women traveling and using it. It is 100% hosted by women and 100% used by female travellers. I believe it costs GBP20 per year.