17 Mar How to Save On Food When You Travel

Once you’ve booked your flight and lodging, the next big expense when traveling tends to be food. You’re away from home so most of your meals will be consumed at restaurants and you just rack up major debit card receipts.

However, it’s totally possible to save on food when you travel. Check out the tips below to see how you can save and still enjoy delicious cuisine.

Pack Airport Snacks
Airport prices are notoriously and ridiculously expensive. I don’t even know how they can get away with jacking the prices up. Instead of being suckered in, pack light snacks for the flight, which can include a sandwich, bagel, chips, fruit, nuts or whatever you love. I’d stay away from anything with a strong scent. Your seat neighbors will thank you! Also, bring along an empty water bottle that you can fill up once you clear the security checkpoint.

Go Grocery Shopping
If you’re lodging at a destination where you have access to a kitchen {hotel suite, hostel, Airbnb rental, etc.}, take full advantage of the accommodations. I know, I know, the last thing you want to do on vacation is cook, but have a few quick meals you can whip up. A pasta dish, chicken and rice or a vegetarian meal with seasonal produce will fill you up without having to spend too much time in the kitchen. Even if you just cook one big meal, it can last a few days and save you serious cash. Also, if you don’t feel like cooking anything, just buying drinks from the local store can save you money. While I was vacationing in Belize, many of my hostel mates and I bought beer, juice and snacks from the nearby markets. This was much cheaper than buying these items on the beach or at a restaurant.

[bctt tweet=”Travel on a Dime: how to find the best cheap eats on vacation”]
Eat Where Locals Do
I can’t stress this enough, ditch the tourist traps. Seriously, give them a break. 1. The food isn’t necessarily authentic to the region you’re visiting. 2. The prices are seriously inflated. Of course there are exceptions to the rule and you can find touristy spots that are affordable and authentic but for the most part, venture out to enjoy a wallet-friendly meal you can’t get at home.

Continental Breakfast
Hotels and hostels with free wifi are usually big draws for most people {self included!} but if you can also find lodging that offers complimentary breakfast, score! Even if you’re not someone who normally eats breakfast, you’ll appreciate a morning meal when you’ll be out exploring all day. While staying at a hostel in San Francisco, all guest received free breakfast of fruit, toast and oatmeal. And at the Dauphine in New Orleans, the continental breakfast included everything from freshly made waffles to bacon and eggs. A hearty breakfast is enough to hold you over for several hours so you’re not binging {i.e. overspending!} at lunch.

Overindulge at Lunch
Speaking of lunch, let that be your biggest meal. Many eateries have lunch specials that won’t be too much of a burden on your wallet. Sometimes you can even order two lunch specials that might be cheaper than a single dinner. You can eat one lunch now and save the other meal for later!

Splurge on One Special Meal
Sometimes you just want to try that fancy restaurant that’s $40+ for an entree and I say, go for it! Well, go for it once. Maybe it’s your final night of vacation and you want to get dressed up and drop some cash. Live it up! You’ve saved so much on other meals, you can splurge on this one.

These tips will definitely help you save money and still enjoy the food of the new city or country where you’re vacationing.

How do you save money on food when you travel? Do you have a go-to method for finding cheap eats?