A growing network of people and their sofas are taking crashing on a friends couch to a whole new level.

One night at a four star hotel, $189, money for gas $60. Or you could crash on someone's couch. There's no worrying about costly hotel rooms. And you'll get to live like a local instead of a tourist. Its called couch surfing.

It is a network of people and their sofas that are taking crashing on a friends couch to a whole new level.

"Its kind of like sushi. If you like sushi, then there had to have been a time in your life when the thought of sushi didn't sit well. But you try it and your like wow, this is awesome, same thing with couch surfing," explains Jeremy Paulmann.

Paulmann is a surfer, not the "hang 10" kind, but a couch surfer. He is one of thousands riding the wave.

"To go to Taiwan, Beijing, Egypt, Moscow, and just experience it the way you are supposed to experience it, not staying in a 5 star hotel and a guided tour," said Paulmann.

More than half a million travelers are meeting up through the couchsurfing.com. Set-up a profile and search for people with an open couch, from Brazil to China, to right here in Western Mass. That's where Paulmann is staying with fellow surfer Dick McLeester.

"Jeremy has been here a couple weeks, we are making agreement, shifting from couch surfing to house mate for a few months," explains McLeester.

Paulmann is from Maine. He's looking to move to Greenfield and what better way to get a real feel for the area than staying with a local. Talk to any couch surfer and they'll say it goes beyond a free place to stay, but its the most authentic way to see the world and make connections.

"This is about family and community, not just about, can I travel without having to pay high hotel bills. A lot of times, people who live in the area are the best way to get oriented and show you the best spots."

But to be surfer or host one you, don't need a couch. Paulmann has a bed and his own room. Or you can offer to meet someone for coffee and show them around town. And if you are worried about safety, the website has verification and vouching systems.

After a couch surfing visit, the host and surfer can write references for each other. But for most of the surfers, it is an experience they want to do again.

"Its definitely something to do, try it, just get on there and try it," said Paulmann.