American tourist criticized for sleeping in airport restroom to save $17

Ryley Goles, 23, arrived at the airport around 2 a.m. on Sept. 3 for a three-day visit to Serbia.

With benches occupied and city transport not yet running, she decided it was not worth spending US$17 on a hostel, hoping to use the money to visit a video game museum instead, The Mirror reported.

She chose a toilet stall she considered clean enough and dozed for a few hours next to the loo.

In a video she posted, Goles is seen laying clothing on the floor to avoid direct contact, wearing long pants, and using a bag as a pillow.

The clip drew sharp reactions, with some netizens calling the decision "disgusting" and arguing that travelers should budget for basic lodging.

"Girl, I can send you $17," one wrote.

Goles defended the choice as the safest option available at the time because the toilet door locked and her belongings felt secure, though she later said she would choose the airport floor over the restroom if faced with the situation again.

She added that she was not encouraging others to do the same.