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Eating all of the local cuisine is definitely one of my favorite parts of traveling! Not going to lie, I usually end up planning everything I’m going to eat even before I get to my destination! However, eating out for every meal can quickly add up & drain your budget. Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice great food for affordability—there are plenty of ways to eat on a budget while traveling without overspending!
Finding affordable meals while traveling is all about knowing where to look, what to avoid, and how to embrace local food culture. With a bit of planning and an open mind, you can try out all of the local flavors without breaking the bank. Here are 10 of the best tips to help you save money on food on your next vacation!
1. Find Local Eats
One of the easiest ways to eat on a budget while traveling is to eat where the locals do. Tourist-heavy areas tend to have overpriced restaurants catering to visitors while smaller, family-run eateries often serve authentic and affordable dishes. Not sure where to find these local spots? Check out these tips below!
- Use apps like Yelp or TripAdvisor to check reviews from fellow diners & find hidden gems. Google Maps is also a good place to go, but I often find their reviews are inflated and not always the best indicator of how good a place is
- I also love watching YouTube videos to see where other travel vloggers eat – they often find the best spots!
- Instagram & TikTok can be another way to find local spots, but you have to be careful because sometimes influencers will post “trendy” spots rather than local & authentic spots
- Look for restaurants that have a line of locals—it’s usually a sign of great food at a fair price
- When possible, ask locals for recommendations instead of relying on tourist guides
2. Explore Street Food Vendors & Local Markets
Fresh food markets are a fantastic place to find affordable meals and snacks. Many cities have bustling markets filled with street vendors selling everything from fresh produce to hot, ready-to-eat meals. Street food is not only a cultural experience but also one of the cheapest ways to eat while traveling. From tacos in Mexico to Pad Thai in Thailand, street vendors serve up flavorful, local dishes at a fraction of restaurant prices.
I’m also a huge fan of finding farmer’s markets while traveling, especially if they sell ready-to-eat items or you have a kitchenette where you can prep meals!
- Visit local farmers’ markets or street food stalls for fresh & inexpensive meals
- Be careful about food safety when eating street food – make sure they follow hygienic practices while preparing & serving food especially at international destinations
- Choose food stalls with high turnover for freshness and quality
- Be adventurous & ready try local specialties for an authentic experience!
3. Take Advantage of Lunch Specials At Restaurants
Who doesn’t love a good lunch special?! I’ve definitely taken advantage of lunch specials especially if I am traveling on a weekday. Many restaurants offer discounted lunch menus that feature the same delicious food at a fraction of the price. If you want to dine at a sit-down restaurant without breaking the bank, plan to have your biggest meal at lunch instead of dinner.
- Look for prix fixe (set menu) lunch specials
- Check restaurant websites to see which restaurants feature lunch discounts
- Plan your day around a filling midday meal to avoid excessive dinner expenses
4. Buy Quick Meals & Snacks At Grocery Stores
My friend and I did this on our trip to Paris last year and not only was it so much fun grocery shopping in another country, it was also a great cultural experience that helped us save a decent amount of money! Look up the nearest grocery store or supermarket to your hotel and stock up on bottled water, snacks, & quick meals like sandwiches. If you have a kitchenette where you are staying, you can even pick up a few items to make meals in your hotel while still getting to experience local food!
- Pick up a few fresh items at the local grocery store and put together a budget-friendly picnic with local bread, cheese, & other delicacies
- Try local brands and local snacks for an authentic foodie experience!
- Packaged snacks and cooking meals yourself also ensures hygienic preparation of meals
- This is a useful tip especially if you have specific dietary restrictions
5. Book Accommodations with Kitchenettes
Another great way you can save money and also eat healthy while traveling is by booking a hotel or Air B&B with a small kitchen. This is especially useful if you are traveling for several weeks or have dietary restrictions that may make finding suitable restaurants more difficult. You can purchase groceries towards the beginning of your trip and meal prep quick meals and snacks. You could also just make it a point to cook at least one meal per day in your kitchen, which could amount to a lot of savings!
- Shop at local grocery stores or markets for fresh ingredients and local delicacies
- Prepare simple meals to cut down on food costs – you can prepare & pack sandwiches, wraps, salads, etc
- Make breakfast and snacks at home to avoid spending on expensive cafes
- Make and drink your morning coffee in the hotel or rental. You can even pack a thermos to have coffee for the rest of the day!
6. Use Food Apps and Discount Websites
Technology can be a great ally when looking for budget-friendly eats! Apps like Too Good To Go, Eatigo, and TheFork offer discounts on meals at various restaurants and are easy to use. Even apps like Yelp sometimes offers deals and discounts. This way, you can enjoy local restaurants, but still eat on a budget while traveling!
- Download apps that provide discounts on food
- Check daily deal websites for dining promotions
- Reserve tables through discount platforms to save money
7. Avoid Restaurants Near Major Tourist Attractions
Restaurants near major landmarks often have inflated prices due to high tourist traffic. When my friend and I went to Paris last year, we made the mistake of eating dinner at a restaurant near the Eiffel Tower. It was extremely overpriced, the food was not good, and the service was poor. A good rule of thumb is to walk a few blocks away from tourist hotspots to find more reasonably priced and authentic dining options. Yelp is another great resource for finding these spots!
- Move away from main attractions before choosing a restaurant
- Look for eateries where locals eat rather than tourist-heavy spots
- Avoid places with multilingual menus and excessive food pictures
8. Take Advantage of Reusable Water Bottles
Bringing your own refillable water bottle from home can save you money throughout the day. Bottled water can become expensive pretty fast! Refill your water bottle throughout the day at water fountains or water dispenser machines. You can also bring an empty water bottle and fill it after you pass security at the airport to avoid having to buy expensive bottled water at the airport.
- Bring your own reusable water bottle from home to avoid buying expensive bottled water
- Refill your water bottle throughout the day at convenient dispensing stations or water fountains
- If you have a rental car or drugstore nearby, you could buy a 24-pack of bottled water to use throughout the trip. This works great for road trips!
9. Pack Your Own Snacks
Bring your own snacks from home when possible to save money. Airport food is usually quite expensive and they may not have the snacks you want. You can bring snacks and small meals through airport security and eat them during long layovers. If you have space in your luggage, you can pack snacks to last you throughout your vacation as well.
- Pack some fruit, nuts, or granola bars to keep you energized between meals
- Pack non-perishable snacks for long travel days
- If you forget to bring snacks from home, you can also visit the local grocery store to stock up at the beginning of your trip
10. Book A Hotel With Free Breakfast
When I was a kid, I used to make fun of my mom for booking hotels only if they came with free breakfast. But as an adult, this is literally one of my hotel requirements! If you’re staying at a hotel, I highly recommend booking one that includes free breakfast. Some hotel brands like Hampton Inn, SpringHill Suites, and Homewood Suites offer breakfast at nearly all of their hotels and they can be the same price (if not cheaper!) than other hotel brands that don’t offer breakfast.
Over the years, I also feel like hotels have upped their game and their breakfast buffet choices have improved! The Hyatt chain is one of my favorite free hotel breakfasts because it’s fresh, delicious, and there are a variety of options for all guests.
- Look for hotels that include breakfast in their booking price
- Take advantage of buffet-style breakfasts to fuel up for the day
- Grab some extra fruit or snacks from breakfast to eat later in the day
Eating well on a budget while traveling doesn’t mean sacrificing taste or experience—it just requires a little extra effort and creativity! By following these tips, you can enjoy authentic, delicious meals without overspending. Let me know your favorite tips or if you have any more to add in the comments below!
