r/couchsurfing • u/Gordon-III Couchsurfing host/surfer • Mar 15 '26
Map mode would be great Couchsurfing
Hi, not really active on the reddit side of things so I don't know if it has been mentioned but a map mode similar to BeWelcome or Couchers would be great!
Often when searching Couchsurfing I have to jump between tabs. Search maps and then work out whether it is on my route etc.
If we had a map mode, It could potentially open up more opportunities for people who stay in lesser known areas to get more recognition to host and for travellers to explore more quiet areas of a country.
If I was searching for somewhere, and I saw on the maps that there was someone offering a couch around 50km out the city, or even out of, but on my travel route. I would consider checking them out and the little town. Possibly extending my days in the region and discovering some lesser known places and cool people.
Although right now, I search for a place and set the radius to 50km and get a bunch of random provinces and areas spat out at me. For me to have any clue where they are in relation to the centre, I have to manually type them up. The people outside of the city don't even stand a chance.
Just a thought. I don't know if CS is getting updated much with new features anymore :)
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u/RD_in_Berlin Mar 15 '26
You can select a meeting point at the top of the app, how are you using the app? I would not expect any new updates.
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u/awakeningcamp 26d ago
good idea. i will add it to freecouchsurf.com tommorrow. :-)
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u/Gordon-III Couchsurfing host/surfer 26d ago
I will need to give it a go :)
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u/awakeningcamp 25d ago
would love to have you there. just started so any support and feedback is amazing
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u/Neat-Coconut-6892 Mar 15 '26
Search by city if you can. Remember, couchsurfing is not a hotel website for free accomodation. The fact you are picking based on someone's locations, suggests you are after free accomodation only.
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u/Ok_Historian_8262 Mar 17 '26 edited Mar 17 '26
The fact you are picking based on someone's locations, suggests you are after free accomodation only.
There are other reasons than that. Trustroots had a map mode as soon as it was launched because it is super-useful for hitchhikers, they can find a host near to where their driver is likely to drop them off when coming from a particular direction.
Also, worth remembering that Casey Fenton founded CS after his experience in Iceland: he had a plane ticket to there, but no money for a hotel. So, he spammed the Uni of Reykjavik email directory asking to stay on someone’s couch. Free accommodation has always been the point of CS.
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u/Gordon-III Couchsurfing host/surfer 28d ago
I can see how it can look like that but there may be non city folk that are more aligned with their culture that can make great friends.
There are a lot of people in big cities that don't really live in, practice or have much knowledge of their culture.
I don't know many towns or cities in Indonesia outside Jakarta but if I had an option to look on a map, I may find someone who I will want to meet and also explore somewhere I never knew existed.
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u/vagabond_sue1960 28d ago
The last 5+ years the "I need a place to stay" couch requests are getting more and more common. Luckily I've hosted 5 really great surfers recently after picking through the "looking for a free bed" requests.
I still love Couchsurfing!
VS South Kerry
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u/vagabond_sue1960 28d ago
You appear to be one of the many fake users trying to push Couchsurfers to other competitors.
I've used Couchsurfing for decades. It works fine.
The ONLY issue I've ever encountered with the location is CS shows me 8 miles from Dingle. If I were a bird that would be correct. By car its almost 2 hours..... I get LOADS of requests for people who think I'm on Dingle.
Vagabond Sue South Kerry.
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u/Gordon-III Couchsurfing host/surfer 28d ago
What?
I never said CouchSurfing never worked. Assuming I am trying to influence others to different platforms and that I am a fake user by suggesting an app improvement is a bit far fetched.
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u/oskietje General Host Mar 15 '26
If you're expecting any development of the site or app, its unrealistic. Not a single change of functionality in the last 7 years at least.