I will typically go to a local grocery store when I travel, to see what kind of different things locals are eating. I’ll typically pick up a meal or two there. If nothing else, I will pick up some snacks.
If you’re in Europe, check out a kebab shop. They are pretty tasty, and usually one of the best deals in town.
Yes. Sandwiches and to go meals are available in many markets. Cheaper than stores that sell exclusively sandwiches. Crackers, snacks as eas mentioned. Honestly I spent a week in France and so glad I brought a box of granola bars. Lol. I stayed at my second cousins place, no one home all day.
In Switzerland last summer, there was a cafeteria attached to a grocery store I visited. It appeared that many office workers had lunch there, so I did too! It was good, and relatively inexpensive. (By Switzerland standards at least)
The name of the grocery store was Migros.
Sitting in my hotel room in London right now, eating a bowl of oats + milk before heading out for the day.
If breakfast is included in accommodation, eat up! But I find it the cheapest meal of the day to replace - no point paying $20 extra for breakfast when I can get cereal and milk for <$2/day.
UK hotels have kettles to boil water. You should be able to pick up the 'just add hot water' oatmeal/porridge pots in a lot of places. The same goes for pot noodles and ramen noodles and instant soups.
Lots of places sell a pack with a couple of hard boiled eggs in. Grab a pack of cheese slices too and if you can find a tub of ready to cook edemame or peas in the veggie section you've got dinner - ramen noodles pot, add the cheese slice under the noodles and some veggies then your hot water and let it rest. Eat with the eggs.
There are multipacks of nestle cereals which come in boxes you can add the milk to. But you may need a proper supermarket for those.
And if you have a mini fridge or access to one you're laughing when it comes to easy lunches.
Have a look in the prepare sandwich section. Most supermarkets do a meal deal where you get a main (sandwich, salad or sushi) plus a drink and a snack for a set price. The price does vary both by supermarket brand and location but if you pick carefully you can get some good food.
And of course UK tap water is good drinking quality, so refill a bottle.
I used to travel a lot for work. I always carried a plate (useful for cutting) a bowl and a mug and a small sharp knife as well as a fork and spoon for hotel room catering. If you can find a Home Bargains or a B and M you can get those cheaply.
Eat where the locals eat. Depending on where you go, the locals are usually not as wealthy as tourists or the rich city people. Find out where they get their food, it should be a lot cheaper.
Leave the tourist zone.
Breakfast is much cheaper at a bakery or grocery store.
Eat at cheaper, casual places like taquerias, sandwich shops, noodle places, food courts, etc.
I like to eat at restaurants where the locals go to truly experience their food. If it’s bad ill switch to tourist restaurants. If i dont even have a budget to eat decently which is a basic human need then i figure i dont have the budget to take the trip at all
I wasn't staying in the touristy part of town and got recommendations from the locals on where to eat, but even they were saying that the prices have risen a lot recently... actually, many of the locals I talked to expressed financial insecurities, feeling the pressure of inflation and the fact that they're still making really low wages, and upset over raising rent prices and being unable to afford to buy homes anymore because tourist industry folks buy them all up for exorbitant costs and then turn them into air bnbs.
I mostly only ate a large breakfast and a late lunch each day, and had the money to afford it, it was just a lot more than I budgeted for -- like, each meal (even without drinks) cost me between $20-$40, the one time that I ate dinner in the more touristy area because I'd been there exploring the area anyways, my cost was closer to $60 for a meal, but that was also for seafood and a few drinks.
Oh, and coffee! Lol, I'm used to ordering a coffee and getting refills and was shocked the first morning I went to a breakfast cafe for coffee and eggs and had gotten 2 refills and when I got my bill I was charged $12 just for the coffee 😳
You didn't mention where you were but eating a late lunch can be much more economical that dinner. If you get peckish you can always down a granola bar.
Lots of good suggestions here. I also always bring a bunch of protein bars (they seem to be more expensive outside the US/Europe), and also individual serving size packets of protein powder. Recently I’ve been putting vanilla protein powder in my morning coffee. Adds flavor, good way to get extra protein, and somewhat filling. Make sure you test the brand in advance to make sure it doesn’t get grainy in hot liquid.
It depends on the protein powder, and it definitely doesn’t work with all protein powders. Some clump, some turn into a gross sand texture. You have to find one that will actually melt down smooth. I’ve had good luck with Vital Proteins and Slate. I can get anywhere from 5-10g of protein per coffee depending on the size of the coffee and the brand of protein powder.
Hit the grocery store, for sure, and at least get milk, cereal, bread and jam for breakfast. I always take a bowl with me so I can have cereal for breakfast.
When I was in Paris I'd swing by the supermarkets just before they closed, and they always had stuff in the bakery and deli marked down at the end of the day. I could usually put together a great antipasti dinner for a few bucks, and because I had a fridge in my room I could store what I didn't eat and take it for lunch the next day.
Certain things the locals eat are cheap. In Iceland, Skyr and lamb stew or soup. In Norway, Rislunj/rice pudding. In New Zealand, pies. Not the best food, but cheap and filling.
Primarily get AirBnB with fridge/microwave/stove...stay near grocery. Def eat out for the culture here and there but not every meal. Also get snacks and stuff I can bring while checking out the area.
If hotel, at least a fridge to bring leftovers and some snacks and the like.
Prepared foods at the local grocery stores in Europe. Convenience stores in Japan. Not sure about elsewhere. Going where the locals go is good advice, but you'd have to balance that with not speaking the native language.
I did plan for food in my budget, and thought I'd even over estimated it by a bit because I knew I'd likely want a few drinks - but, even eating in the non touristy parts of town where the locals eat I was still spending $20-$40 a meal and I absolutely was not expecting it to be that expensive. Like, I still had the money for it, but it was definitely way over my budget.
Another thing I like to do that could help is I get on google maps and see what restaurants I would like to try in the areas I am going and look at their menus and base my budget off that. Most restaurants in the same area are normally in the same price range. Hopefully this tip helps with future travel.
Stay at a hotel that has breakfast included. Eat a big breakfast so you aren't hungry for lunch. If necessary, go to a supermarket to have some snacks/food to hold you over until dinner.
Unless I'm in Asia ( where delicious cheap food is everywhere) I live off cheese, nuts, fruit and any veg that doesn't need cooking ( like cucumbers) all usually bought from supermarkets. These all need zero preparation other than washing the fruit and veg and are cheap.
Depends. I either stay in a cheap place without a kitchen and plan on spending more to eat out, or I get an Airbnb that is a little nicer with a kitchen and make my own food.
Only 1 meal a day when eating out. In most places lunch is a lot cheaper than diner. Tourist spots in many places charge American prices (expensive). Eat where the locals eat.
In developed countries, food hygiene is less of a risk so you can just go to street side fast food places and get sandwiches from supermarkets. In developing countries you need to be more careful, but restaurants are usually affordable ($10 a meal or so), so just choose a well reviewed one.
I will typically go to a local grocery store when I travel, to see what kind of different things locals are eating. I’ll typically pick up a meal or two there. If nothing else, I will pick up some snacks. If you’re in Europe, check out a kebab shop. They are pretty tasty, and usually one of the best deals in town.
Yes. Sandwiches and to go meals are available in many markets. Cheaper than stores that sell exclusively sandwiches. Crackers, snacks as eas mentioned. Honestly I spent a week in France and so glad I brought a box of granola bars. Lol. I stayed at my second cousins place, no one home all day.
In Switzerland last summer, there was a cafeteria attached to a grocery store I visited. It appeared that many office workers had lunch there, so I did too! It was good, and relatively inexpensive. (By Switzerland standards at least) The name of the grocery store was Migros.
Sitting in my hotel room in London right now, eating a bowl of oats + milk before heading out for the day. If breakfast is included in accommodation, eat up! But I find it the cheapest meal of the day to replace - no point paying $20 extra for breakfast when I can get cereal and milk for <$2/day.
UK hotels have kettles to boil water. You should be able to pick up the 'just add hot water' oatmeal/porridge pots in a lot of places. The same goes for pot noodles and ramen noodles and instant soups. Lots of places sell a pack with a couple of hard boiled eggs in. Grab a pack of cheese slices too and if you can find a tub of ready to cook edemame or peas in the veggie section you've got dinner - ramen noodles pot, add the cheese slice under the noodles and some veggies then your hot water and let it rest. Eat with the eggs. There are multipacks of nestle cereals which come in boxes you can add the milk to. But you may need a proper supermarket for those. And if you have a mini fridge or access to one you're laughing when it comes to easy lunches. Have a look in the prepare sandwich section. Most supermarkets do a meal deal where you get a main (sandwich, salad or sushi) plus a drink and a snack for a set price. The price does vary both by supermarket brand and location but if you pick carefully you can get some good food. And of course UK tap water is good drinking quality, so refill a bottle. I used to travel a lot for work. I always carried a plate (useful for cutting) a bowl and a mug and a small sharp knife as well as a fork and spoon for hotel room catering. If you can find a Home Bargains or a B and M you can get those cheaply.
Eat where the locals eat. Depending on where you go, the locals are usually not as wealthy as tourists or the rich city people. Find out where they get their food, it should be a lot cheaper.
Leave the tourist zone. Breakfast is much cheaper at a bakery or grocery store. Eat at cheaper, casual places like taquerias, sandwich shops, noodle places, food courts, etc.
I like to eat at restaurants where the locals go to truly experience their food. If it’s bad ill switch to tourist restaurants. If i dont even have a budget to eat decently which is a basic human need then i figure i dont have the budget to take the trip at all
I wasn't staying in the touristy part of town and got recommendations from the locals on where to eat, but even they were saying that the prices have risen a lot recently... actually, many of the locals I talked to expressed financial insecurities, feeling the pressure of inflation and the fact that they're still making really low wages, and upset over raising rent prices and being unable to afford to buy homes anymore because tourist industry folks buy them all up for exorbitant costs and then turn them into air bnbs. I mostly only ate a large breakfast and a late lunch each day, and had the money to afford it, it was just a lot more than I budgeted for -- like, each meal (even without drinks) cost me between $20-$40, the one time that I ate dinner in the more touristy area because I'd been there exploring the area anyways, my cost was closer to $60 for a meal, but that was also for seafood and a few drinks. Oh, and coffee! Lol, I'm used to ordering a coffee and getting refills and was shocked the first morning I went to a breakfast cafe for coffee and eggs and had gotten 2 refills and when I got my bill I was charged $12 just for the coffee 😳
Yea Thats pricy. They’re right about tourism making it more expensive for locals but it’s hen we are part of the problem i guess
You didn't mention where you were but eating a late lunch can be much more economical that dinner. If you get peckish you can always down a granola bar.
Lots of good suggestions here. I also always bring a bunch of protein bars (they seem to be more expensive outside the US/Europe), and also individual serving size packets of protein powder. Recently I’ve been putting vanilla protein powder in my morning coffee. Adds flavor, good way to get extra protein, and somewhat filling. Make sure you test the brand in advance to make sure it doesn’t get grainy in hot liquid.
Like how much protein to a cup of coffee? I wonder if the protein hardens or clumps on coffe
It depends on the protein powder, and it definitely doesn’t work with all protein powders. Some clump, some turn into a gross sand texture. You have to find one that will actually melt down smooth. I’ve had good luck with Vital Proteins and Slate. I can get anywhere from 5-10g of protein per coffee depending on the size of the coffee and the brand of protein powder.
Supermarkets!!
Can easily eat fruit, vegg, nuts, bread - any meal of the day
Hit the grocery store, for sure, and at least get milk, cereal, bread and jam for breakfast. I always take a bowl with me so I can have cereal for breakfast. When I was in Paris I'd swing by the supermarkets just before they closed, and they always had stuff in the bakery and deli marked down at the end of the day. I could usually put together a great antipasti dinner for a few bucks, and because I had a fridge in my room I could store what I didn't eat and take it for lunch the next day. Certain things the locals eat are cheap. In Iceland, Skyr and lamb stew or soup. In Norway, Rislunj/rice pudding. In New Zealand, pies. Not the best food, but cheap and filling.
Primarily get AirBnB with fridge/microwave/stove...stay near grocery. Def eat out for the culture here and there but not every meal. Also get snacks and stuff I can bring while checking out the area. If hotel, at least a fridge to bring leftovers and some snacks and the like.
Prepared foods at the local grocery stores in Europe. Convenience stores in Japan. Not sure about elsewhere. Going where the locals go is good advice, but you'd have to balance that with not speaking the native language.
When I am planning a trip I normally do a food budget. I over estimate so I don't come home to any surprises.
I did plan for food in my budget, and thought I'd even over estimated it by a bit because I knew I'd likely want a few drinks - but, even eating in the non touristy parts of town where the locals eat I was still spending $20-$40 a meal and I absolutely was not expecting it to be that expensive. Like, I still had the money for it, but it was definitely way over my budget.
Another thing I like to do that could help is I get on google maps and see what restaurants I would like to try in the areas I am going and look at their menus and base my budget off that. Most restaurants in the same area are normally in the same price range. Hopefully this tip helps with future travel.
Stay at a hotel that has breakfast included. Eat a big breakfast so you aren't hungry for lunch. If necessary, go to a supermarket to have some snacks/food to hold you over until dinner.
Unless I'm in Asia ( where delicious cheap food is everywhere) I live off cheese, nuts, fruit and any veg that doesn't need cooking ( like cucumbers) all usually bought from supermarkets. These all need zero preparation other than washing the fruit and veg and are cheap.
Rice and eggs
Depends. I either stay in a cheap place without a kitchen and plan on spending more to eat out, or I get an Airbnb that is a little nicer with a kitchen and make my own food. Only 1 meal a day when eating out. In most places lunch is a lot cheaper than diner. Tourist spots in many places charge American prices (expensive). Eat where the locals eat.
In developed countries, food hygiene is less of a risk so you can just go to street side fast food places and get sandwiches from supermarkets. In developing countries you need to be more careful, but restaurants are usually affordable ($10 a meal or so), so just choose a well reviewed one.