Looking for places to sleep for free while traveling can feel overwhelming, but there are still several global communities that help travelers and hosts connect without any sign up or subscription fees.
Below you will find hospitality exchange platforms that, at the time of writing, are free to join and use.
You might still see optional donations or fundraising campaigns, yet access to the core features does not require a paid membership.
Couchers.org
Couchers.org grew out of the classic couch surfing spirit and is run as a non profit project. The team explicitly states that the platform is free forever and community led, with a focus on safe, non transactional homestays and local meetups.
You create a profile, search a map of hosts worldwide and send personalized requests to stay. After a stay, both sides can leave references, which helps build trust over time. Couchers is still developing and adds features gradually, yet it already offers an active global community that works well for budget travelers who care about cultural exchange more than amenities.
Trustroots
Trustroots started among hitchhikers and alternative travelers and has a strong emphasis on openness, transparency and cooperation.
The founders clearly say that Trustroots is completely free to use and that it will remain so.
The interface is map-based and allows you to see where hosts are located, what kind of travelers they prefer and what they can offer at home. Trustroots is particularly popular with overland travelers, hitchhikers and people who like a more grassroots, do it yourself atmosphere. It is a good idea to invest some time in your profile and references, since the community values trust and reciprocity a lot.
BeWelcome
BeWelcome.org is one of the oldest non-profit, volunteer-run hospitality communities still entirely free to use.
The project describes itself as a large free hospitality community, operated by a registered association and powered by open source software.
On BeWelcome you can stay with locals, host travelers in your home or simply meet up for coffee and activities. There are no hidden fees or paid tiers: registration, searching for hosts and sending messages are all free. The platform is quite international and has a long tradition of democratic decision-making, which appeals to travelers who care about ethics as much as free accommodation.
Hospitality Club
Hospitality Club is an early hospitality exchange website that still exists and remains free to join.
The homepage invites people to sign up without payment and describes the project as a network where members offer each other a roof or help while traveling.
The site design feels old-fashioned compared with newer platforms, and some regions have fewer active users than in the past, yet there are still pockets where it works well. If you are traveling through areas with long-standing Hospitality Club communities, it can be worth keeping a profile here as an extra option alongside more modern tools.
Host A Sister (for women and non-binary travelers)
Host A Sister is a large, women-led community hosted mainly on Facebook.
It connects women and non-binary people who are willing to offer free accommodation, meetups and local support to each other. The group presents itself as a global community where members share their homes and friendship for free, and joining the group does not require any membership fee.
To use it, you join the group, read the rules carefully, then either post a request for accommodation in a specific destination or answer offers from potential hosts. Since it is built on social media rather than a dedicated app, conversations happen through posts and direct messages, so it is important to keep good records of who you are talking to and to check profiles and references thoroughly.
How to use these sites wisely
All of the communities above are based on a gift economy idea, not on paid bookings. The stay itself should be free, although you are expected to contribute in other ways, such as sharing meals, offering small gifts, helping with chores or simply being a respectful and considerate guest. Profiles, references and clear messaging are essential for safety and good experiences on both sides, so take time to fill in your information honestly and read host profiles carefully before sending any request.
Some famous names that used to be fully free, such as Couchsurfing or Warmshowers, now require a subscription or joining fee for most travelers, which is why they are not included in this selection. As always, check the current terms on each platform before you sign up, since pricing models and policies can change over time.
For more information, read our updated article ð
Also, visit our Free Hospitality projects section ðïļ
