Hostelworld vs Couchsurfing

Book hostels worldwide and meet fellow travellers with the world’s leading travel app for backpackers and solo travellers. Find cheap hostels, join city chats, discover local events, and travel solo without feeling alone. Because travelling solo shouldn’t mean staying solo! Hostelworld is the world's leading hostel finder, trusted by backpackers and solo travellers for over 25 years. Search and book from 21,000+ hostels in 187 countries, compare prices, read verified reviews, and find the best cheap hostels for every budget and travel style. “Hostels are the best way to travel and Hostelworld is the best way to find them.” – Elite Daily Meet travellers before you arrive Go from solo to social in seconds! This is where the trip really starts. Create your Traveller Profile Add your name, photo, age, pronouns, languages, interests, travel stats and more Share where you’ve been, what you love, and let people find you before you even arrive See who’s going where next. Share your Travel Plans and discover others heading your way Join plan-based chat groups and connect before you arrive Chat your way into new connections City Chats – join destination-based groups linked to your booking Hostel Chats – connect with people staying at the same hostel Direct messages – keep conversations going one-to-one Get your Social Pass Social Pass unlocks full access to city chats, meetups, and traveller connections in any destination, even without a hostel booking. Attend Events in every city From pub crawls to walking tours – join curated experiences designed to bring travellers together offline. Because the best travel moments don’t happen on a screen. They happen when a “maybe” turns into a night out with people you met an hour ago. Or when a walking tour ends in dinner, then somehow turns into plans for the next city. Events aren’t just activities, they’re how strangers become travel companions. Discover free and paid local activities Say yes to spontaneous plans, shared adventures, and nights you didn’t see coming Find your perfect hostel, anywhere From party hostels to chilled hideouts – we’ve got you covered. Search 21,000+ hostels across 187 countries From European city breaks to Southeast Asian escapes Private rooms, shared dorms, mixed or female-only options Smart filters for price, location, facilities and vibe - find the best affordable hostels for your trip Real photos and real reviews from real travellers Making travel more accessible, affordable and social Trusted by travellers for over 25 years We’ve been helping backpackers and solo travellers meet the world for two decades. 13M+ verified reviews from real guests Ratings based on value, location, atmosphere and more A global community built on honest travel experiences Experiences built for connection Travel is what happens between the plans. Walking tours, pub crawls, yoga sessions and more Free activities designed to bring travellers together Built for every kind of traveller Whether it’s your first trip or your fiftieth: Gap year explorers Solo travellers chasing connection Budget backpackers stretching every euro Groups making memories across continents No matter how you travel, connection changes everything. Sometimes it’s a quick chat in a hostel kitchen. Sometimes it’s a group plan that turns into a week-long detour. That’s what this is built for – not just places to stay, but people to share them with. If you’re chasing freedom, people, and stories worth telling, you’re in the right place. Go anywhere, stay everywhere Hostels in cities, on beaches, in jungles, or wherever the road takes you. Instant booking across 21,000 hostels in 187 countries Exclusive deals and cheap hostel rates for backpackers and solo travellers 24/7 access to the world’s biggest hostel network Free cancellation on most bookings (plans change – we get it!) Discover trending destinations and hidden gems worldwide Travel light. Meet more people. Stay anywhere.

You have friends around the world, you just haven’t met them yet. Couchsurfing is the best way to stay with amazing locals, make lifelong travel friends, or host travelers coming to your hometown. Over 12 million travel enthusiasts use Couchsurfing in more than 230,000 cities around the world. Use the Couchsurfing app to plan and manage your trip itinerary. Find hosts in your next destination • Browse the millions of local hosts offering a place to stay in thousands of cities and towns • Stay with and meet locals and have an authentic travel experience • Explore accommodations options near where you are right now, or near your future destination Make New Friends • Discover thousands of fun events planned by other Couchsurfers in your hometown or in your next travel destination • Use Couchsurfing Hangouts to show you who’s nearby your current location and available to meet up right now Meet Travellers Without Traveling • Host or meet up with incoming travellers coming to your city • Can’t travel right now? Let new cultures and friends come to you And More • Easily create and manage a Couchsurfing profile • Manage your incoming or outgoing requests, messages, and more • Add pictures to document your travel adventures • See which of your Facebook friends also have a Couchsurfing account