We all love to travel.
But it can get really expensive, especially the food. While it’s okay to splurge on a great meal occasionally, most of us can’t afford to do it three times a day while traveling.
Here are 10 hacks to save money on food while you’re traveling:
1. Bring Snacks
While this isn’t the most exotic or adventurous way to travel, it is the most economic, especially if you’re on a short trip not far from home.
Bring some snacks along for the ride! The great thing about this is you can bring the stuff you know you love!
2. Be Your Own Chef
Rent a place to stay with a kitchen. Cooking a few of your own meals can save a lot of money. I mean, you don’t eat out every night at home, right? You don’t have to do that when traveling, either.
Of course, you have to balance out the expense of the rental against the cost of eating out.
3. Shop Local
If your room has a kitchen, make sure where you shop is economical.
Search for local farmers markets near your accommodation. They’re usually cheaper than grocery stores, and way more fun to shop.
Also, the produce is always fresher and usually grown with more care and less chemicals.
4. Eat at Your Hotel
Many hotels offer complimentary meals, especially breakfast, but some also have happy hours with free food!
It’s not always 5-star food (depending on the hotel), but hey, it’s cheap! And you’ve already paid for it!
Make sure to consider this when searching for lodgings before you go.
5. Loyalty Programs
Do you eat at a chain restaurant with loyalty cards?
Maybe you’re already a loyalty member at one? Take advantage of any food discounts they offer. Search for a franchise in your destination city.
6. Coupons are Your Friend
Many travel destinations offer coupon savings books on food, lodging, activities
and attractions. Research this before you go. If the book has lots of food options in it, you might save some serious bucks by purchasing one.
If you do, you’ll want to plan out where to eat before you go, or at least a day ahead, so you maximize your investment in the coupons.
7. Pig Out on Breakfast and/or Lunch
Dinners are usually more expensive in restaurants. Eat bigger breakfasts or lunches, so you’re not starving by dinner. If you’re hungry in the evening, you’ll probably spend more money trying to stuff the corners.
8. Can’t Eat it All? Box it Up!
If you order a big breakfast or lunch, don’t eat it all! Ask for a box and take half of it back to your room or AirBnB.
You’ve just scored two meals for the price of one!
9. Locals Know Stuff
Make sure to spend most of your time and money in local, mom-n-pop businesses, instead of the hotel.
One, it helps the local economy. Two, local business owners, bartenders and baristas are great sources for the best food deals in town.
Take advantage of their knowledge, and of other locals you’ll meet in such places.
10. Eat in the Street!
Street food vendors: in trucks, carts, trailers, and tents, are sometimes the best food around, and most of the time, way cheaper. That’s because they don’t have the same overhead as a brick-n-mortar restaurant.
Research ahead of time to find them: “Best food truck in New Orleans…” Ask the locals where to find the best.
Well, there ya go!
10 hacks to save money on food while you’re traveling!
There are, of course, more ways, but these should get you going and eating cheaper while on the road!
Bon Voyage, and Bon Appetite!