New to Couchsurfing? Start With Hangouts, No Couch Needed

Couchsurfing Hangouts is an opt-in feature that helps you meet travelers and locals nearby, right now, with no stay required. Open the app, see who is up for something today, and join them or start your own.

Hangouts is a friendly entry point to Couchsurfing and, later, stays (sleeping at a Member’s home, or hosting a traveler at yours). Some Members try it first, then start hosting or staying with others. Others keep coming back to Hangouts just to meet people while traveling.

Updated November 2026

Ready to try it? Open the Couchsurfing app, tap Hangout, and see who is around.

What is Couchsurfing Hangouts?

Couchsurfing Hangouts is an opt-in way to meet other Couchsurfing Members in the same city. You turn Hangouts on, pick what you are in the mood for, and your Hangout shows up on the map and the events list for nearby Members.

You choose the vibe. Options include Up for Anything, Chill Outside, Explore Nearby, Go Out, Grab Food, and Watch a Game. Want to add detail? Write a short note. Want to plan for later today instead of right now? You can do that too.

If you would do it anyway, there is probably someone nearby who would do it with you. Coffee, a market, a museum, a rooftop view, a night out.

Why is Couchsurfing Hangouts a good way to start?

Couchsurfing is not only about stays. It is about finding people to connect with wherever you are. Hangouts is the lowest-pressure way to see that in action, and a good way to ease into the rest of Couchsurfing at your own pace. Plenty of Members keep using it to meet cool people on the road.

You do not need to ask anyone for a bed. You meet in a public spot, stay as long as you like, and head home when it is done. Along the way, you learn who is on Couchsurfing and what Members are like in real life.

Both travelers and locals use Couchsurfing Hangouts. One night you might meet someone passing through. The next, you might meet someone who has lived in the city for ten years and knows the best noodle place.

How can I meet people while traveling without staying with a stranger?

Use Couchsurfing Hangouts. You meet other travelers and locals in the same city for a few hours, in public, on your own terms. Staying with a Host is one part of Couchsurfing. Hangouts is the part where you simply meet people.

It works for solo travelers who are tired of doing everything alone. It works for travelers with a partner or friends who want to meet more people. It also works for locals at home who want something to do tonight.

How do Hangouts help me get my first References on Couchsurfing?

References are how Couchsurfing Members build trust. They are written by other Members, they are public, and they are visible on a profile before any stay or meetup is planned.

Couchsurfing Hangouts is a friendly way to collect your first ones. Meet someone, have a good time, and ask for a Reference. When you later send a stay request, a Host can see that other Members have met you and enjoyed it. That makes it easier for a Host to say yes.

How do I start a Hangout on Couchsurfing?

You can create your own Hangout, or join an existing one, including group Hangouts, by seeing who is already looking to hang out on the map.

Open the Couchsurfing app and tap Hangout on the Explore or Events page.
Choose what you’re in the mood for, like grabbing drinks or chilling outside.
Tap Join Hangouts. Your pin shows up on the map near your location.
Browse Members nearby and request to join a Hangout that’s already happening, or wait for someone to request to join yours.
Once a request is approved, a group chat opens so you can plan the details.

Other Members can request to join your Hangout, and you can request to join theirs. When someone is approved, Couchsurfing creates a group chat so everyone can pick a time and place.

Is Couchsurfing Hangouts safe?

Couchsurfing built Hangouts to be opt-in and consent-first. You control when it is on. Nobody is added to a Hangout automatically. Members see only a general nearby pin, never your exact location. An exact spot is public only if you choose a public meeting point.

Before you say yes to anyone, check their profile and References. Meet somewhere public, tell a friend where you are headed, and trust your gut. No platform can promise zero risk.

Members also leave each other References after they meet, and Members can get their ID verified to earn a check mark. A badge confirms who someone is, not how they will behave, so read their References too. You can report a profile or message in a couple of taps, and real people on the Safety & Support team review every report, 24/7.

Do I need a Couchsurfing Membership to use Hangouts?

Yes. Hangouts is included with a paid Couchsurfing Membership, which also covers hosting, staying, Events, Communities, CouchCrashes, and more. Membership helps keep the community safe and running. Read more in what a Couchsurfing Membership actually pays for. To join a Hangout you also need the Couchsurfing mobile app, a profile that meets the completeness requirement, and location permission turned on for your device.

What should I do after my first Hangout?

Keep going. Join another Hangout, ask for a Reference, or start your own. More than 25 million registered Members have joined Couchsurfing across 200,000+ cities, so there is a good chance someone near you is up for something today.

After a Hangout or two, you will know what the Couchsurfing community feels like. A stay request stops feeling like a leap, because you have faces, stories, and References behind you. If you are spending a trip solo, Hangouts is also a good way to find local plans wherever you land.

FAQ

Can more than two people join a Hangout?

Yes. As many people can join as you approve.

Can I leave a Hangout whenever I want?

Yes. You can leave a Hangout at any time to take your pin off the map.

What happens to the group chat after a Hangout?

The group chat stays open until everyone leaves it, so you can follow up afterward. A Hangout stays active while at least one Member is still in it, and it is archived when the last person leaves.

How are Hangouts different from Events?

Events are planned gatherings with a set time and topic, like a language exchange or pub crawl. Hangouts are casual meetups that happen now, and you decide what you want to do.

Do I have to meet someone who asks to join?

No. You approve each join request, and you can say no, leave, or walk away whenever something feels off.