Couch Surfing

The relatively recent phenomenon of online hospitality clubs can make the roaming freeloaders dream of free accommodation around the world a reality.

All you have to do is register on one of these sites for access to heaps of people willing to give you some floor space for nothing.

www.couchsurfing.com gives you links to over 70,000 residents worldwide willing to give up their couch or floor space for free.  The couch surfing website is a little different to other similar sites in that you are not expected to reciprocate the favour by registering your place for use online (though its good practise).

Other similar options are the Hospitality Club www.hospitalityclub.org , or Global freeloaders www.globalfreeloaders.com.  These two tend to be stricter on you giving your place in return for your freeloading abroad.

There are heaps of security measures in place, with online reviews and descriptions of where you will be staying. If you are worried be sure to let people know where you are staying and keep your phone charged and at hand in case of any dramas.

For solo women travellers you can check out the women only, memberships based 5W www.womenwelcomewomen.org.uk

This option, along with hostelling, makes a cheap trip a reality.  You just need to be able to step out of your comfort zone a little (or what might be allot in the case of couch surfing).

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