How to save money on food while traveling?
We have already written about where to eat cheaply in Europe. Today we will continue this topic and give you some tips on how to save money on food during your trip.
Grocery Stores
Grocery stores, especially their culinary departments, can be much better than many budget eateries. Judging by the assortment in stores in the centers of European cities, locals don’t like to spend a lot of time in the kitchen and would rather buy a semi-finished product that just needs to be heated in a microwave. So don’t worry about the choice; there are dozens of options for salads, sandwiches, grilled items, various national dishes (Chinese, Thai, Indian, etc.)…
Another advantage of foreign grocery stores is price reductions towards the end of the day. The deli and bakery sections reduce prices on their goods by 20–50% a few hours before closing or after a certain time if they operate 24/7. Additionally, some stores have special shelves with semi-finished products that are nearing their expiration date, and these are also sold at a discount.
Markets
All major cities have farmer’s markets; in some places, they are even considered a unique attraction. But the advantage of markets is that you can snack there for free. Farmers are happy to let you try their products, especially if you show interest and a desire to buy:)
Stay in Hostels
Most hostels have a free kitchen, fully equipped with everything needed for cooking. You can buy groceries and semi-finished products from a store and prepare your own meals. In the kitchen, you might find a shelf with food items left by previous guests, which you can use for free. If you also have similar items left over, don’t throw them away; leave them on this shelf.
Quite often in a hostel, there’s someone (among travelers) who will cook not only for themselves but for others too. It’s enough to pay for the groceries and sometimes a little extra, and a delicious dinner or lunch is ready. Besides, buying groceries together is much cheaper. Another advantage of hostels is free breakfasts. They are not everywhere, but they are quite common. However, to get a good meal, you’ll have to wake up early, but then you won’t have to spend time looking for a place or money on breakfast. By the way, hostels often have small bars where you can also eat very cheaply, and they offer an additional discount to their guests.
Don’t Let Yourself Get Too Hungry
Don’t let yourself get too hungry. When you’re starving, you’ll likely go into the first establishment you see to satisfy your hunger, and it will, of course, be far from budget-friendly. If your goal is to save money, always carry something to snack on, so you’ll have time to find something suitable for your budget.
Decide Where to Eat in Advance
It’s very difficult to plan every little detail in advance. But if you at least approximately know the area where you plan to walk, make a list of budget-friendly cafes and restaurants where you can stop for lunch. Reviews on Tripadvisor can help you compile this list.
Drink Coffee at the Bar
This tip always works in Italy. The cost of a cup of coffee at the bar counter and at a table can differ by 2 times.
Look for Restaurants with Set Menus
Many restaurants offer a fixed-price lunch or dinner. You will be offered 2–3 types of soup, the same number of hot dishes, and salads. Sometimes drinks and dessert are included in the price. Depending on the country, this is called prix fixe, set meal, set menu, lunch special, fixed menu or table d’hôte.
