Help
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about finding a place to crash — and about sharing yours.
For guests
Looking for somewhere to sleep for a night, a weekend or longer.
How do I find a place to stay?
Search by city, state or ZIP code from the homepage or the Places to stay page, then narrow it down by type of stay (couch, room, apartment or condo, house, camper or tent) and the number of guests. Every listing shows its nightly price, how many people it sleeps and the lengths of stay the host accepts.
How do I book a stay?
Open the listing and use “Message the host” to ask about your dates. You and the host agree on the stay directly in your messages — there is no instant booking. You need a free, email-verified account to send a message.
How do I pay?
The site does not take payments. The price on each listing is the host’s asking price in US dollars per night (and per week or month where offered); agree how and when to pay with your host before you arrive.
Can I stay for just one night, or for a month?
Yes — each listing says which lengths of stay it is available for (one night, a weekend, a week, or a month or longer), along with any minimum and maximum number of nights.
How do I know a place is what it says it is?
Read the listing’s details and photos, check the reviews other guests left for the place and for the host, and ask the host anything you are unsure about before you agree to a stay. Some hosts also offer a face-to-face video call from your conversation.
What about cancellations?
Each host sets their own cancellation policy — flexible, moderate or strict — and it is shown on the listing. Confirm it with the host when you agree on your stay.
Can I bring my pet?
Listings say whether pets, smoking, events and children are allowed, and many include house rules. If it is not listed, ask the host.
Where exactly is the place?
Listings show the city, state and ZIP code only. The host shares the exact address with you once you have agreed on a stay.
For hosts
Sharing a couch, a room, a home, a camper or a tent spot.
What kind of place can I list?
Anywhere someone can sleep: a couch, a shared or private room, an apartment or condo, a house or detached house, a barn, an RV or camper, or a tent or tent spot.
How do I start hosting?
Create a free account, verify your email, then apply to become a host from your dashboard. Once a staff member approves your application you can create listings from your host dashboard.
What does it cost to list?
Listing your place is free. You set your own nightly price, plus optional weekly and monthly prices and a cleaning fee.
What do I need to include in a listing?
A title, a description, the type of place, how private it is, how many guests it sleeps, the price per night, the lengths of stay you accept and the city it is in. Photos, amenities, house rules, check-in times and your cancellation policy help guests decide.
How do guests contact me?
Guests message you from your listing and the conversation appears in your host dashboard in real time. You can also switch on video calls so a guest can meet you face to face before agreeing on a stay.
Do I have to accept every request?
No. Nothing is booked until you and the guest agree in your messages, so you can ask questions first and say no to anything that does not suit you.
Is my address public?
No. Listings only ask for the city, state, ZIP code and country. Share your exact address with a guest privately once you have agreed on a stay.
Can I list several places at once?
Yes — your host dashboard can import listings from a CSV file (title, description, city, nightly price and photos). Then open each one to fill in the remaining details.
Still have a question? Contact us.