If you are a foodie and a globetrotter at the same time, then your food expenses may have continuously been adding up after every travel. I don’t know about you but every time I travel, I do make sure to try the locals’ recommended dishes and visit great restaurants to make the most out of the experience. The good thing is that treating yourself out to decent meals doesn’t necessary have to be expensive. In this post, I’m listing some tips that can help you save money on food and still eat to your heart’s content while traveling.
How Can You Save Money on Food When You Travel?
Plan your schedule.
For tourists, all-you-can-eat restaurants is not just an indulgence but a necessity, too. Dining in a buffet setting can get you through the long afternoon and evening. Though most buffet restaurants are costly, booking your visit on a weekday instead of a weekend can be a cheaper alternative. Some restaurants offer lower rates for their weekday meals especially during lunch time and off-peak hours.
In most cases, restaurants and bars offer higher rates during the holidays as well. Check out their website and social media updates so you can plan ahead. If you want to stick to your budget, go during work days and odd times like afternoons and early evenings.
Pack some snacks.
Packing meals is not only for convenience, but it’s also a smart way of saving money while in transit. Buying “side meals” and drinks when you’re out can quickly add up and throw your budget out of whack. It will be a smart move to pack healthy snacks like nuts, protein bars, pumpkin seeds, or dried fruits in a backpack so you can have something to eat whenever you feel hungry. Bringing a reusable water jug can also save you the trouble of having to buy plastic bottles of water for hydration.
Look for the deals and offers.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on exciting coupons and discount offers that top-notch restaurants and takeaways offer in places where you’ll be heading out for vacation. You would be able to find many exciting ones like Pizza Hut offers and similar deals. All that you have to do is to grab the right one at the right time!
Ask for the locals’ advice.
This is best when you’re in a place where language is not a barrier to communicate. Ask locals for the best places to find affordable but delicious bites. Hole-in-the-wall diners and small neighborhood restaurants are like “hidden gems” that will likely give a high value for your buck. It always feels nice to be served with the same quality food for a fraction of the price. If you have a friend who lives in the area, take the time to get solid advice prior your visit.
Want to save money on your next trip? When you’re out for a vacation, keep these tips in mind when eating out. I am sure you will end up flying back without burning your wallet.
About Rochkirstin Santos-Sioco
Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.
When travelling, I usually make the most of the buffet breakfast that comes with the hotel accommodation. It also helps me to save by packing some lights snacks while on tour.
I always ask the locals where they eat when traveling someplace. That tip has never gone wrong for me and I’ve discovered some wonderful places that wouldn’t have visited if just stuck with the travel brochure recommendations.
Food is definitely a major expense when it comes to traveling. Looking for deals and offers are some of the things I do when traveling. Asking the locals where they eat is an awesome tip. We have eaten in some amazing restaurants off the beaten path by doing this. And the cost is always cheaper than the tourist places.
I try really hard to save money when I’m on vacation. Food is one of the biggest things. Typically I will rent a place that has a kitchen and then buy some groceries. As much as it sucks to cook when you’re on vacation it saves so much money it’s worth it.
We check for deals online before each trip and always seek for deals on the area’s iconic restaurants. We also take advantage of lunch or dinner specials. You really can save money on food when traveling if you create a budget and stick to it.
I always try to look for deals when we go places to eat. And I have snacks! But on vacation, we do eat out because I refuse to cook when I’m on vacation 😉
Researching deals and offers and asking locals about each city’s hidden gems is something I should be focusing on more when I’m traveling. I could be missing out on a lot.
These are great tips. We try and stay at places with a kitchen and buy gift cards for restaurants at our local grocery store that gives money off groceries.
I always find food one of the most expensive parts of going away so it is always good to know hints and tips for being able to save a few pennies, thank you.
Asking the locals is a great way to find the good places to eat. I always do some research before we go to a new area.
These are great tips. I always try to eat where the locals eat. The food is usually cheaper but just as good or better.
I save money on food when I travel by packing snacks and food in my suitcase! I always bring oatmeal and snack bars so at least breakfast is covered!
This is such a great question since hotel food is SO EXPENSIVE! I have finally become brave enough to ask locals for recommendations and they always have great spots to visit!
We always packs some snacks when we travel. I agree, asking the locals’ advise helps a lot.
Such great tips! Saving money helps a ton, but my problem is that I want to eat out when I travel so I can try local stuff. I do need to be more careful about where I’m spending though.
These are smart tips, especially since meals are one of the biggest expenses when we travel. I love finding buffets and filling up on one big meal, then eating smaller meals throughout the day.
It is SO important to make sure you look for all of the available deals! Even internationally, we travel quite a bit and I always look into deals and end up saving a lot! Food can be so expensive and it definitely is something to budget for! Great tips!
My Mom is a genius when it comes to saving money on while traveling. She always hs a nice breakfast, a snack or two during the day and then dinner.
It’s really smart tips. Thanks for sharing.