#GreyChat is a laid-back series where users share their experiences with Grey. We discuss their relationship with money, tips for financial freedom, and other fun anecdotes. Want to get featured? Let us know here.

What sparked your interest in travel?

I was born to travel; it’s the only thing I’ve wanted to do. Like people are interested in science or medicine, I’ve always wanted to travel and read. One of the reasons why I love Europe is due to the ease of travel. You can easily take a train from Barcelona to Madrid for €9, or take a Friday off and spend the weekend in Geneva. So, I just wanted to explore; last year, I visited 17 countries, staying for a few days or weeks in each.

Before choosing a travel destination and accommodation, what do you consider?

For travel location, I’d say the quality of the transport system and how close my accommodation is to the nearest train or bus station. I learnt this the hard way while visiting Lithuania — I hadn’t considered the distance, and the closest train station was 3km away. I thought I could walk it easily but didn’t realise there was a mountain to climb up and down. It was an unpleasant experience because it was in the middle of December, and it was snowing at -5°C. That’s why ensuring the transport is close to where you’ll be staying is very important.

When choosing accommodations, it mostly depends on whether I’ll be travelling solo or with a group. For solo trips, I’m very flexible, in that I’m okay with hostels. But with a group, finding apartments for better pricing and comfort is more suitable. Another factor is the location. For example, I got an apartment for €30 a night in Bucharest because it was affordable and more comfortable. But I'd rather settle for a hostel in London where I’d spend around £250-£200 for an apartment.

Also read: How to find the perfect place to stay in 2024 as a digital nomad

Do you have any red flags that prevent you from booking a place?

I never stay in a place rated less than 8/10 unless it’s a new property. But 99 per cent of the time, every time I’ve taken a chance on a listing rated seven or less, my experience has been horrible. There was an instance in Estonia where a room I booked had dirty floors, crumpled walls, and narrow beds. I had to forfeit my deposit, around €20;  thankfully, it wasn’t a lot of money.

Do you research the safety of the neighbourhood?

It mainly depends on the location, but many European cities are safe. The only ones I’ve honestly looked into are Paris and London. Paris has some sketchy areas, and London is a big city, so it’s easy to get lost and end up in the wrong place. But when I visit places like Lithuania or Slovakia, I don’t worry much.

Apart from the neighbourhood, do you have any personal safety measures?

When I stay in hostels, I never book mixed rooms. I also lock everything I own, from suitcases to backpacks. Another precaution I take is to stay in hotels when visiting cities or countries that might not be as safe. For instance, I wouldn’t visit Morocco alone — I’d go with friends and stay in a large chain hotel instead of renting an apartment or staying in a hostel.

Also read: Safest cities for female digital nomads!

This is the first time you’ve mentioned hotels. Are they not your preferred type of accommodation?

Oh no. I’d rather stay in a hostel or rent an apartment. As I mentioned earlier, I choose hotels only when I’m in a place where safety is a concern. During my last visit to Sofia, Bulgaria, with a group of friends, we stayed in a large hotel with a casino. Because the country is a former Soviet area, we wanted somewhere that gave us peace of mind, and the hotel offered  a great price.

However, I typically stick with hostels and apartments. I use Booking.com to find good listings, and since I’m a frequent user, I get discounts and perks. I also compare Airbnb and Google Travel prices, but Booking.com is usually cheaper.

Also read: Seven proven hacks to slash accommodation costs

For free accommodations, you can check out Trusted House Sitter. You’ll need to pay €150 annually and go through a verification process for both the traveller and the host. But once you’re confirmed, you can house-sit for people while they are away, sometimes for weeks.

That sounds great! What's the best place you’ve ever stayed at?

This isn’t easy because I’ve stayed at so many good places. A hostel in Rome served the best breakfast I’ve ever had. But if I had to choose the best food and accommodation, it’d be Copenhagen. It was stunning, with an indoor pool, a movie theatre, and impressive architecture.

Last question — what’s your advice for first-time travellers overwhelmed by accommodation options?

As a first-time traveller, you’re probably in the phase where you’re working through a checklist of things to see. I’d recommend staying in a central location to make your life easier. Also, the cheapest option isn’t always the best. It’ll likely stress you, and that’s the last thing you want while travelling. So choose somewhere comfortable and safe to have a great travel experience.

One bonus tip for first-time travellers: get a Grey account. With a UK, EU or US bank account, you can easily manage your finances and spend like a local, wherever you are. Open a free Grey account today to get started.