7 Easy Ways To Save on Food While Traveling

by Savannah Horton

A bit of pre-travel planning will allow you to find the best food for the best prices. Here are some easy ways to do just that so you can have more of your vacation money for fun instead of food.

1. Do your research.

A few quick searches can aid immensely with saving money during travel, both abroad and domestically. Apps such as Yelp, TripAdvisor, and Zagat allow users to list restaurants and eateries within a specific price range. Apps like these not only display customer reviews but also suggest popular local restaurants and their prices.

Planning ahead will allow you to find the best food for the best prices. Researching local restaurants also saves time while traveling, so you can eliminate concerns over where to eat.

2. Think about where you are staying.

Hotels make it difficult to save money on food. Though many include continental breakfasts, most hotel meals are not included and are often pricey. Additionally, with the lack of kitchen amenities, hotels are not particularly conducive to home cooking.

With the rise of Airbnb, renting apartments or homes across the globe has become almost effortless and quite affordable. With the addition of a refrigerator, stove, oven, or microwave, your cooking possibilities proliferate. Instead of paying for three restaurant meals a day, find a place with a suitable kitchen and cook one to two meals at home.

Meals such as breakfast are quick and easy to make, even with just a microwave or stovetop. Storing inexpensive staples like oatmeal, yogurt, or cereal saves a considerable amount of money.

Especially while traveling abroad, grocery store prices are significantly lower than those of restaurants, particularly when currency exchange is set against you.

Related: Overseas Travel for Less

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3. Limit your meals out.

Just because you are on vacation does not mean that you must dine out every chance you get. As stated above, it is quite easy to cook meals if you are renting an apartment or house.

Spending less money on restaurants will allow you to spend more on places you would like to see while traveling. Of course, dining out is a pleasurable experience, but limiting and celebrating these occasions will make them even more memorable.

4. Pack smart.

Depending on your mode of travel, your packing space and what you can pack are limited.

If your trip is a car ride away, bringing a cooler or an extra bag with snacks is easy and beneficial. Handfuls of snacks and small prepped meals fit easily and can be stored in compact spaces.

If you are traveling by plane, space is restricted, but there is still ample room to pack snacks. Foods like granola bars, crackers, and small fruits are easy to store and do not need refrigeration. Bringing your own snacks to the airport and your destination city helps save cash, as you avoid purchasing the expensive food offered in tourist locations. Fortunately, home-brought snacks are often healthier as well.

5. Avoid chains.

Some chains are known to be cheap, yet when it comes to cafes, think carefully before purchasing. Big names like Starbucks charge high prices for their drinks, so if you want to save on your daily coffee, consider bringing your own packets of quick brew or finding smaller cafes with lower prices.

Though purchases like coffee and tea seem small, they can add up quickly. Hot water is almost always available, even at hotels, so providing your own tea bags or coffee grounds is a quick way to save cash.

6. Share meals.

Depending on your appetite and the restaurant’s plate size, think twice before ordering too many meals. Often, portion sizes are large enough for at least two people, and sharing meals not only eliminates food waste but also extra spending.

Additionally, purchasing a few appetizers rather than full meals allows for greater variety in your meals and lower prices. Ask your waiter or waitress about the plate sizes before ordering. This may not be for everyone, but for those who enjoy small, frequent meals, sharing is helpful.

7. Choose your food wisely.

Especially when traveling, ensure that you eat healthy foods to keep you going throughout the day. Macronutrients like protein and complex carbohydrates keep you full longer and give your body the energy it needs. Instead of purchasing copious amounts of processed snacks, choose natural foods and beverages that will hold off hunger and keep you feeling energetic.

Although healthy foods are often seen as more expensive, they can often be found at reasonable prices and you will need less of them to keep you satisfied.

Reviewed December 2023