10 Tips on How To Eat On A Budget While Traveling

Last Updated on July 15, 2023 by Tyler

One of the biggest expenses while traveling is food. It’s so easy to overspend on meals while exploring new destinations. However, with a bit of planning and creativity, it’s possible to eat well while sticking to a budget.

With so many options out there, you might not know where to start when looking for something to eat. In this post, we’ll provide tips for saving money on food while traveling.

Research local food options and prices before arriving at your destination. Look for affordable restaurants or street food vendors and make a list of potential meal options. Consider bringing snacks or making sandwiches to save the most money while out exploring.

Visiting local markets is a great way to experience the culture and taste local produce while saving money. Look for fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, cheese, and other local specialties to make a picnic lunch or prepare a simple dinner. There is endless options of meal ideas when you shop for food.

When it comes to food, the best deals are often found where the locals eat. Ask for recommendations from locals or other travelers and be open to trying new foods. Avoid tourist areas where prices may be inflated. Make sure to research the menu to get a better idea of how much money is going to be spent.

When trying to find affordable food options, you may not know where to start or you’d want to get a better idea of whats around the area. There are websites like Yelp and TripAdvisor that will be the best guides to help better assist your decision on what to eat. For certain restaurants you can view their menu on Yelp to determine your budget on eatery.

Portions at restaurants can often be large and expensive. Consider sharing a meal with a friend or partner to save money and be able to try more dishes. Sharing a large meal and going half is effective for those on a budget. Splitting the cost of dining out saves a lot of money in the long run within a vacation.

If you have access to a kitchen or are staying in a hostel with a communal kitchen, consider cooking your own meals. This can be a fun and budget-friendly way to experiment with local ingredients and flavors.

If you follow the tip above to shop at a local market, this is where the magic happens. Cooking a meal that can last for multiple times of the day or throughout the trip is essential for saving money.

Many bars and restaurants offer happy hour specials, which can include discounted drinks and food. Plan your meals around these deals. At times you can get up to half off on meals. It is worth researching different happy hour specials around your travel destination.

Happy Hour is usually around lunch time, but each restaurant has different hours. Make sure to check the website, social media pages or call the restaurant for more details.

This continues along with what was said above about Happy Hour. Many buffets have discounted prices which are fantastic for the price for how much food and plenty of options that a buffet has to offer. We recommend going with this method to make this your main meal of the day.

Carrying a reusable water bottle saves money from buying drinks or plastic water bottles throughout the trip. There are many locations to refill a water bottle. Use websites like FindTap and WeTap to find different areas to refill your water.

In the long run water is healthier compared to other drink options and saves the most money while you can receive water for free at fast food, restaurants, and Starbucks.

As tempting dessert may be, it is important to skip this option of dining if you are on a tight budget. As delicious dessert is, it is better overall to skip out on this to save your money towards meals throughout your trip. It doesn’t hurt to get dessert if you can afford it, but if you are on a tight budget for food, skip dessert.

Always go for the free breakfast hotels offer. Wake up early and get some free breakfast so you don’t have to spend money eating out in the morning. Not all hotels offer free breakfast sometimes. We’ve had an experience where a hotel was charging for breakfast and it was overpriced.

Overall to avoid this from happening to you, make sure to research your hotel or motel. If you are not able to find information online, make sure to call before you book your accommodation.

Eating well while traveling doesn’t have to break the bank. By planning ahead – shopping at local markets, eating like a local, sharing meals, cooking your own meals, taking advantage of happy hour, carrying a reusable water bottle and looking for coupons and discounts – you can save money on food without sacrificing the taste or the experience of trying new cuisine.

Remember to include a budget for food expenses in your travel plans. This way, you can enjoy the delicious flavors of your destination while staying on track with your budget. Stay safe traveling!

Click here to read more blog post on this website.