The Best Way to Save Money on Food When Traveling

When traveling on vacation or even for business, people assume that souvenirs or flights are the most common budget busters. Yet meals can easily max out credit cards and travel finance limits. Finding money-saving ways to eat well when traveling can help people keep their finances in control. Review our following money savings tips and enjoy eating well while on vacation.

Research Meal Discounts Before You Leave

Many restaurants, delis and local eateries feature meal discounts and promo codes. Also, banks and credit card companies offer cash back points when paying for meals. It’s important to compare credit cards because they all offer different types of discounts. Check out these meal discounts before leaving on the trip. Then plan to stop by the eateries if walking or driving through that location. Try out sites such as Yelp, Groupon, LivingSocial, Valpak and Restaurant.com.

Get Hotel Rooms with Kitchens

Restaurant prices are high because travelers pay for the meal prep and for the experience. Cut out these costs by fixing meals in the hotel room. Buying fresh food allows a traveler to make leftovers so they don’t have to dine out every night.

Tips to making meals when traveling:

• Bring along utensils and coolers, if possible
• Shop at farmer’s markets, small groceries, and pantry aisles in retail stores
• Only purchase what everyone will eat to avoid waste
• If using new ingredients that no one has tried before in the travel group, seek advice from locals about meal preparation

Keep in mind that hotel rooms with kitchens normally cost more to book than standard rooms. It’s always best paying through savings, but sometimes getting away is important for your overall well-being. So if you have to take an emergency-like circumstance into consideration then there is an option to use a vacation loans to pay for your trip.

Fill Up at Lunch When Dining Out

Meals during the breakfast and dinner rush hours usually cost more at restaurants. Also, travelers fill up more often during these times.

People can save money if they eat free breakfast meals at the hotel during their continental breakfast hours. When going to a restaurant to eat, consider heading out during the lunch hour. Restaurants usually offer lunch special prices for the exact same food as dinner menu items. Then a person can fill up on lunch and eat in the hotel room for dinner before heading out to enjoy all the evening entertainments.

Share Meals

The great thing about eating meals while traveling is that restaurants won’t skimp on providing large portions. People can save a few dollars by just ordering one meal for the table and splitting it between everyone. Avoid going to tourist traps and instead head out to more affordable places the locals eat as travelers get a great meal at a good price.

Drink Water Instead of Alcohol

No matter where a person travels to, alcohol will be costly to purchase. If a person can avoid drinking alcohol on the trip, they will see a lot of cost savings and that they can use to purchase other entertainment and activities.

Carry water in a reusable bottle to stay hydrated. If a traveler can’t avoid having a glass of wine or beer occasionally, go to bars and restaurants during happy hours or purchase the alcohol at grocery and liquor stores.