Saving enough money for a family vacation can be tough. The airplane tickets, hotel reservations, and daily activities your family wants to do can all add up quickly. For people who want to take a fun trip without breaking the bank, you can easily save some bucks on food throughout the day. Here are six ways to lower your food expenses during vacation while still enjoying the country’s authentic cuisine.
Pack your own snacks.
When you’re out exploring and start feeling hungry, it can be easy to justify spending a lot of money on simple snacks. Stay away from those expensive snacks targeted at desperate tourists and pack your own. You can simply stop by the local grocery store and stock up on some essentials for quick lunches or snacks. Cheap and simple snacks like granola bars, apples, bananas, and instant oatmeal can be found almost anywhere you go and can curb your hunger between meals and make your money go further during the trip.
Get a room with a kitchen.
Yes, meal prep while on vacation is doable. If you want to make the most of your vacation budget, making your own meals is a fun way to save money for other activities and get to know local dishes. Lots of hotels have small kitchens in them so you can cook simple meals. In fact, some have fully fitted kitchens, such as Orlando hotels at Westgate Resorts with rates from $99/night. Make an activity out of it by researching some popular easy recipes in that country, visit a local grocery store to stock up on ingredients, and have a fun evening making an authentic meal while also learning about the area’s culture.
Take advantage of street food.
Sit down meals can be pretty expensive when on vacation—especially if you’re feeding an entire family. Street vendors, on the other hand, often sell food for cheap. When you order street food, you’re not only getting absolutely delicious food at a killer price, you’re also supporting small businesses in that community. Just keep in mind that different countries have different bacteria in the food and water than your body may not be used to. If you don’t want to get food poisoning on your trip, stick to bottled water and focus on street food that’s been thoroughly cooked.
Avoid the Instagram-famous spots.
Tourist traps always mean increased prices on everything. If you want to get a picture of you with the most Instagrammable plate ever, you can expect to pay a lot for the food. Just like any real New Yorker is going to avoid Times Square like the plague, you should steer clear of the touristy spots on your vacation to get to the good food. If you want to get the real, authentic experience of what it’s like to live in a new place, you’re going to need to visit areas that aren’t tourist traps. That’s where you’ll find good and reasonably priced food. It’s a win for your wallet and your taste buds.
Hotel breakfasts are your best friend.
Everyone loves food. If you’re going to be staying in a hotel while on vacation, make sure you get one that includes breakfasts. Getting full on a fancy breakfast so you’re ready to take on the day without spending extra is a plus. And if you’re travelling with little kids who are often picky eaters, it’s usually much easier to get them to eat foods they know like waffles, cereal, OJ, and muffins.
Try out hostels.
Hostels get a bad rap sometimes. But the hostel industry has gotten much better over the years—they aren’t just for single, 20-somethings looking for a fun party scene (although those are also everywhere). With a little digging and research, you can find hostels that cater to your specific needs and budget. And alongside a plethora of free/discounted activities and cheap lodging, you can often get access to a full kitchen, cheap meals, and free snacks. It’s a great way to save money, make friends, and explore a new city.
