Budget Travel - Eating Cheaply
Half the fun of travelling is sampling national delicacies and, whilst food is one area where you can save significant money, it’s important not to let your budget ruin your experience. Certainly, with a bit of thought you can sample those regional dishes without emptying your wallet.
Avoid restaurants recommended in major guidebooks
Unfortunately, the moment a restaurant or café gets a mention in the good old Lonely Planet, prices increase dramatically. Furthermore, many restaurant owners ‘stop trying’ once they have been included and, rather predictably, the quality of the food and service tends to suffer. Unless the restaurant in question is very special, chances are you can eat the same food elsewhere at a fraction of the cost.
Avoid restaurants in tourist areas
Yes, I know it’s convenient to visit a restaurant right outside the city’s main attraction, but you will pay through the nose if you do. Unless you really are in the middle of nowhere, you can bet your bottom dollar that 100 yards down the road there will be a significantly cheaper establishment.
Don’t buy food from your hotel / hostel
Nine times out of ten, food sold by your hotel or hostel will be both expensive and bland. Unless there really is nowhere else to go, you are better off venturing into town. That said, if breakfast is included in your root rate, make sure you eat as much as you comfortably can in the morning and just have a snack for lunch. If you are feeling really sneaky, you can always try taking a few items for later.
Eat street / stall / shop food
Most cities and towns have a wide range of street venders selling - depending on location - everything from fresh bread to fried spiders. This is especially evident in Asia, but most places have something similar. Not only is this a fantastic way to meet the local people and try new and interesting food, but you will also be doing your bank account a favor.
Avoid international restaurants
What is the point of travelling to the other side of the planet only to eat something you can buy back home? In most cases, international restaurants are much more expensive than local restaurants and, quite honestly, are no place for a traveller. That said, international fast food outlets can, if you are travelling in Europe for example, be a source of cheap(ish) food.
Buy food from supermarkets
If you’re after a quick snack, stay away from the expensive cafés and drop into the local supermarket. Whilst you may not have cooking facilities at your hotel / hostel, you may want to consider making your own meals instead of eating out all the time.
Always carry some food with you
Most people are not very good at telling when they are hungry and rush to buy a meal when a small snack may have sufficed. Always try and carry some biscuits or fruit with you so that, when hunger strikes, you don’t have to keep buying food.
Consider not buying alcohol
Whilst it remains a touchy subject among travellers, abstaining from the booze can really help you keep within your budget. If you must, why not try the local brews which, generally speaking, will be much cheaper than the imported stuff.
I agree with you on this article. I have written an article as well about tips on travelling to the Far East and there, I suggested as well to try on local cuisines and buying from supermarkets as well.
Whenever my family and I travel to the Far East, we make it a point to dine out and taste their delicacies (but not the insects though, my daughter won’t have any of that!). We also carry cup-noodles and cookies just in case we get hungry in the hotel so we don’t have to order food there. That way we get to save and spend those savings for shopping and sight-seeing.
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