Hostel vs Couchsurfing in Portugal - which saved more?

Headed to Lisbon last spring and couldn't decide between a 12-bed hostel dorm for $28 a night or Couchsurfing for free. Went with Couchsurfing for 5 nights and it worked out ok, but my host lived 40 mins from the city center and that bus fare added up. Next trip I'm thinking hostel is actually cheaper when you count time and transit. Anyone else find Couchsurfing ends up costing more in hidden costs?

2 comments

2 Comments

rosebennett5d ago

Stayed with a host in the Algarve for three nights last fall and it worked out better than Lisbon for me. My host was only 15 minutes from the beach by foot so I didn't have to pay for buses or trains. I ended up cooking dinner one night for him and his roommates, cost me maybe 10 euros total at the local market. @the_wade has a good point about those hidden costs though, because my Lisbon experience was different. The bus fare alone to my host's place in the suburbs ate up over 20 euros that week. So really, it depends on where your host lives and if you can walk or bike instead of paying for rides.

the_wade6d ago

Actually, I think you're mixing up two different things here. Couchsurfing is free, but you're also supposed to chip in for things like groceries or a meal out, which can add up quick. My buddy did Couchsurfing in Porto last year and ended up buying dinner for his host and her friend, costing him about 40 euros just for one night. Plus, the bus fare to his place in the suburbs was another 5 euros each way. Meanwhile, a hostel dorm in the center of Lisbon usually has free breakfast and is walking distance to everything. So yeah, the hostel probably saves you more in the end when you factor in all those little costs.