With the crash of CouchSurfing, a site used by thousands of people all over the world where one can sleep on a couch of yet another couch-surfer rather than stay in a hotel, many budget travellers have found themselves sans their budget accommodation provider.

The loss of couchsurfing data and user profiles means that it may take some time before budget travellers are given the same number of options (where to stay).

Some do not know that there are actually a lot more hospitality exchange services exist out there. Like...

Servas has actually been around a lot longer. Since joining Servas is much more tedious (in comparison to the other services), this is much more advisable for those who plans on "staying with strangers" more than once. Apart from the interview, you need to submit a letter of reference and pay an annual fee.

The Hospitality Club and Global Freeloaders basically work the same way as CouchSurfing.

Home Stay network still offers cheaper accommodations than hostels. It's not for the Faint hearted, though. You need to be adventurous enough to say yes to staying with a stranger.

[source: NYT]