No such thing as a free bed

Sure, you might not be shelling out dollars, but you're still going to end up paying for sleeping on that couch. Pass over the Hilton on your next trip, and you'll pay for your bed in the currency of undying gratitude (especially if that couch is in New York), lots of chores and maybe some awkward small talk. Just because it doesn't come with a bill at the end of your stay, doesn't mean it doesn't cost you.

And that's why the decision to stay with friends, family, friends of friends, strangers, etc. is not always a bargain. Ask yourself:

• How much of an inconvenience is this going to be for my hosts? How big is their place? Am I going to be on the couch in their one bedroom apartment, or in the coach house on their estate? If these are people you don't know very well and they have a really small place, it might be time to reconsider.


• Where is this place? Is taking the free bed going to mean that you're going to spend an hour getting to anything that you want to see while you're there? If you're only in a place for a short time, it might be worth springing on a hotel in a good location.


• How long am I going to stay? One night might be fine, but sharing your home and routine with anyone for more than a week can get a little tired. Have a look on Craigslist and see if you can housesit for someone or get a cheap sublet instead.


• How expensive is this destination? How much are you really saving by dossing on someone's sofa? If you're in an expensive place like San Francisco, maybe it's worth it, but in a smaller place, the saving might be minimal for a lot of inconvenience. In which case it might be a better option to meet up with these people for dinner somewhere instead.

If you do decide to couchsurf, make sure that you are tidy, respectful and grateful. Afterall, couchsurfing is a tit-for-tat industry and these people might end up in your living room one day.

Photo by Dave Austria via Flickr