Couchsurfing Hangouts was brilliant: open the app, see who's free right now, grab a beer. Then Couchsurfing went paid in 2020, and in a lot of cities Hangouts got quiet. If you're looking for the same "who's around right now?" feeling, here's what travelers use instead.
1. nomadtable — the closest thing to hangouts, but built around plans
Nomadtable shows activities travelers near you have posted for today — dinner at 7, a viewpoint hike, a bar night — and you just join one. It solves Hangouts' biggest weakness: "free right now" with no plan usually dies in chat, but "ramen at 8, here's the place" fills up. It's free, the biggest app built only for meeting travelers (2M+ users), and you can post your own hangout in about ten seconds.
2. hostelworld chats — if you're in hostels
Book a hostel and you get access to that hostel's chat and city chats. Great spontaneity, but tied to your bookings.
3. meetup — for locals and recurring events
Language exchanges, running clubs, board game nights. Less spontaneous, but the best way to meet residents.
4. timeleft — for a structured dinner
A matched dinner with strangers on a set night. Not spontaneous at all, but reliable.
5. couchsurfing events and local facebook groups
If you still have a Couchsurfing membership, events can be good in big cities. Facebook "Expats in [city]" groups are noisy but active.
quick comparison
| Option | Spontaneous? | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Nomadtable | Yes — activities happening today | Free |
| Couchsurfing Hangouts | Yes, where active | Paid membership |
| Hostelworld chats | Yes | Free with a booking |
| Meetup | Mostly planned | Usually free |
| Timeleft | No — set nights | Paid per booking |
For the full comparison, see the best apps to meet people while traveling.