5 Ways I save Money (and Time) on food while I travel

Being part Italian and part French, food is a big part of my life. My friends know that they will never have to worry about eating when they’re out with me because I will either already have food on me or know where to get it. Being prepared in that way is a bit of a Lostman family tradition, so naturally I know all about finding food abroad.

That said, eating out all the time can be expensive when you’re at home, never mind when you’re in a foreign country, so I do have a few tricks up my sleeves to keep my budget balanced. Of course, I always put aside a bit of money for a few splurges and fancy dinners here and there, but when I travel alone, these are the five things I do to save money on food.

#1. Head To The Grocery Store

I love going to grocery stores abroad. I want to see all the different products, where they keep their stuff, everything! It’s always just so fun to explore how different something so mundane can be! Now you’re probably giving me a sideways glance going “Lost … I hate to burst your bubble but my hotel room barely has a functioning coffee maker, never mind an oven.” Hear me out.

If you’re staying in a typical hotel room grab yourself a loaf of bread, some peanut butter and jam, some fruit, and maybe a bit of cheese. With that you can make a simple breakfast and if you purchase a few sandwich bags you can make yourself a lunch for the day. As a bonus, none of those items require a fridge, so they’ll keep for as long as you need them to. Ask for a knife from room service or get a bit of plastic cutlery while you get your groceries. If your hostel, hotel, or B&B does have a little kitchenette I recommend grabbing whatever ingredients you need for your fastest, easiest-to-make meal. Mine is pasta. I’m experienced enough that I can make my own sauce very quickly, but don’t be afraid to try jarred. Whatever sauce it is, be it pasta or tikka masala, it certainly won’t be the same as what you get at home, so I consider it another way of trying out the local cuisine.

Most grocery stores will also have some pre-made foods like salads or sandwiches that they’ll have deals for. Usually it’s something along the lines of a sandwich, a treat (fruit, chips, or chocolate), and a drink for a fairly reasonable price. Pack that in your day-bag and you’ll have a meal you can eat on the tour bus or while you wander. No need to stop unless you want to!

If you’re able, I suggest purchasing a pack of bottled water while you’re there. I can almost guarantee it’ll be much cheaper in the grocery store than it will be elsewhere, and you won’t want to get dehydrated while you’re out trying to have fun.

#2. Look for Food Trucks and Street Food

This one can be a bit tricky but if you do your research street food can be a great way of trying out the local food for a great price. The issue? Cleanliness. I’m very wary of cleanliness when it comes to trucks and street food, so I usually use Tripadvisor to direct me. If you can’t access the internet to do a review search or you’re just wandering and find yourself in dire need of food, go for places that have lots of people around them and that look immaculately clean. You can even watch the workers while you wait in line to make sure their cleanliness practices are up to your standards. If you don’t like what you see, leave immediately! An afternoon spent hungry is nothing compared to a whole trip spent sick in your room!

#3. Eat Fast Food

Oh yes, I know, the horror. I can hear my mother gasping and chiding me as I write. How dare I eat McDonalds when I’m in Paris?! Too late! I did it in Scotland too!

The fact of the matter is that it’s cheap, fast, and is often the only thing that’s open super early in the morning. That’s especially handy when you’re looking for a warm drink or a hot breakfast before getting on the tour-bus. Your tour leaves at seven, you’re up at five thirty to make sure you get there on time, and guess who’s also up? The people working at McDonalds.

If there’s a local or regional ‘fast food’ restaurant by all means try out the local chains instead. There’s absolutely no shame in getting a cheeky Nandos!

#4. Plan Ahead

If you know where you’re going to be on a given day, you can dip into Tripadvisor the evening before and see what restaurants are available. Make sure they’re open during the hours you’ll be there, and have a backup restaurant just in case. You might even be able to sneak a peak at the menu.

This might all seem a bit ludicrous, but honestly, the less time you spend sitting thinking about where you want to eat and what you want to order, the more time you can spend actually enjoying your food and you’ll be back to exploring all that much quicker. Maximize your time!

#5. Get Away From Tourist Hot-Spots

There’s a coffee shop in Paris that is open very early in the morning to take advantage of tourists visiting a local hot spot. I went in one morning, bleary eyed and still half asleep and ordered myself a hot chocolate. The cashier told me the price of my beverage and I paid dutifully, but while it was being prepared I began to do a bit of math. That hot chocolate had cost me nearly ten dollars Canadian! I looked up at the menu board to ensure that I hadn’t just been taken to the cleaners by a crafty employee, but no, that was the proper price. Beneath the menu was a little sign saying that tips were appreciated. I bet!

Cafes and restaurants know that as a tourist you’re either too inexperienced, don’t have a good enough command of the language, or are in too much of a rush to be inconvenienced by questioning their prices. If you have the time, walk a bit and you’ll find that the restaurant prices start to get a bit lower the further you get from tourist attractions. I find that little restaurants owned and run by immigrants usually have amazing food for decent prices. I’d take ten dollar kafta over a ten dollar hot chocolate any day.

Do you have any preferred places to eat when you travel? Let me know in the comments!