How can I travel on a budget without spending too much on food?
A few more things you can do to save on food when travelling include buying groceries and eating at local markets instead of restaurants, cooking some of your meals yourself, and carrying water and snacks on you. Also eat your main meal at lunch time if you can, and avoid restaurants in the busiest tourist areas at dinner time. A room with a kitchen will also help. Finally, compare prices, set a daily spending limit, and keep in mind that you should always have a little extra to spend on an occasional special treat.
How to spend less on food while traveling
Before you get there, come up with a basic meal plan. Figure out where you can find a grocery store, local market, bakery, or low-priced restaurant near your lodging. If you stock up on breakfast foods, fresh fruit, snacks, and beverages in advance, you won't need to frantically run to purchase food at airports, train stations, or tourist sites. They tend to be more expensive.
If your housing has a kitchen, you can save money by cooking some of your own meals. You don't have to eat everything you cook, but maybe just breakfast, your own lunch for work, and dinner every other night. This allows you to reduce some expenses on food without giving up the opportunity to sample new foods from your area.
Eat the way local people do
- Look out for lunch specials or set menus.
- Eat a couple streets away from the main tourist areas.
- If you're going out to eat, choose busy local restaurants that show their prices.
- Choose bakeries, food halls, and casual counters for quick, lower-cost bites.
- Bring your own reusable bottle when the tap water is safe to drink.
Look at the menu for service charges, cover charges, or drinks that might be added to the advertised cost. Keep a little cash on hand as some smaller local businesses might not take credit/debit cards, but don't bring more than you'll use.
Allow yourself a daily budget for food. You can stay within your budget without having to make the cheapest choices each day. Leave a portion of the budget for that special meal or treat you've been craving. If you have special dietary needs, do some research on grocery stores and restaurants ahead of time. Speciality foods might be more expensive, and harder to come by in certain locations.