If you’re heading out on vacation and you’re a food-junkie, then it might seem worrying to consider the fact that you’ll have to scrimp and save on meals to meet your limited budget. Along with entertainment and hotels, food costs when you’re traveling can add up quickly, but that doesn’t mean you have to avoid sampling the local cuisine entirely – or consider starving yourself one night for an expensive breakfast the next morning.
There are plenty of ways you can figure out how to save cash on vacation meals, if you’re willing to be flexible, and creative.
1. Look for a Kitchen
If you want to know how to save cash on vacation meals, then one of the best things you can do is look for hotels that have a kitchen. Having access to your own stove makes meal preparation and cooking easier than ever, which means that you can create your own masterpieces using local produce – instead of having to pay out for gourmet meals.
2. Bring Bottles
Save cash on your meals by ensuring you only have to pay for the food – not the drinks that go alongside it. Bringing your own refillable bottles everywhere you go that you can stock full of water or juice will ensure that you don’t have to pay full price for drinks when you’re out and about. You could also consider packing some snacks too, so you don’t have to stop for food too often.
3. Grab a Free Breakfast
You won’t have to worry as much about figuring out how to save cash on your vacation meals if you track down hotels that come with a “free breakfast” option. Keep the cost of the room in mind, as a less expensive hotel might be better for your budget than paying a larger lump sum for the benefit of added breakfast – but if you can find something that fits into your budget go for it.
4. Use Online Resources
Websites like Restaurants.com will give you an insight into local restaurants in your chosen zip code that offer delicious meals for low prices. Not only will this ensure that when you do go out to eat, you’ll go somewhere that’s been approved by tourists and locals alike, but it can also give you an idea into how much you’re going to have to spend to eat there. In other words, you won’t sit down for a meal just to realize that you’re going to have to dip into your emergency security belt funds in order to afford it.
5. Go for Lunch, Not Dinner
Finally, if you find a local restaurant that you really want to try, consider eating there at lunch time instead of dinner. Usually, lunch prices are far less expensive than their evening counterparts. Of course, if you’re simply desperate to try that steak, then you’ll have to find a way to make up for the money you’re going to spend. For instance, eating sandwiches in your room for a couple of days could help you save back money for a single blowout meal at the end of the vacation.
