Post by JJ Judkins on Jun 16, 2011 23:31:01 GMT -6
Good
food doesn't have to be expensive, nor do you have to settle for fast food
while traveling. I firmly believe that food is a MAJOR part of the travel
experience, so I'd never expect you to skimp on quality. You can save a
substantial amount on your food budget and still have a great time by
keeping these handy tips in mind.
If you have additional tips for eating on the cheap, I'd love to hear about
them, please post them to the comments section at the end of this post!
- If you're going to splurge at an expensive restaurant, lunch is a good
time to do so. You can often get the same famous food at a significantly
lower cost. Since most health experts agree that eating the largest meal of
the day in the afternoon is a good idea, you'll be doing more than your
pocketbook a favor.
- Many hotels (especially in countries other than the US) and all B& B's
include breakfast as part of the room price. Take full advantage of this and
fill up so you won't have to buy food until lunch (or depending on your
personal metabolism, dinner).
- Eat where the locals do. Casual restaurants with a large local
clientele are like to be high quality and low cost.
- Eat in ethnic neighborhoods (this tip works in the US or abroad). You
can get some first class feasts for very little money in ethnic
neighborhoods. Using my hometown of Los Angeles as an example, travel to
Korea Town, China Town, Little Tokyo, Thai Town, or in nearby Orange County,
Little Saigon, for incredible food at coffee shop prices. Do I detect an
Asian theme here? Don't worry, there are Mexican neighborhoods all over the
City of Angels serving dirt-cheap but delicious authentic
South-of-the- Border cuisine. There are also plenty of Ethiopian, Cuban,
Indian, Argentinean, Armenian, and Moroccan eateries along with just about
every other ethnic group under the sun. That's one of the things about
living in or visiting a large city that's so wonderful. Take advantage of
the ethnic neighborhoods in whatever cities you visit for great food at
bargain prices.
- Carry snacks and drinks. Having some snacks like granola bars, trail
mix or even fresh fruit along can help save a lot over buying them from
street vendors and convenience stores.
- If you're traveling by car, stock up on bottled water and other drinks
at the supermarket or discount store. A six-pack here will often cost the
equivalent or even less than the price of a single bottle from a convenience
store or street vendor.
- These days you can't carry a bottle of water onto a plane because of
"security" concerns. But you can carry an empty bottle that you can fill
from the water fountain once you clear security.
- Drink water with meals. Even without alcohol, soft drinks, coffees and
teas can add a substantial amount to your check (especially in countries
other than the US). Drink free water with the meal (as long as you're in a
country that it's safe to do so). Buy soft drinks at markets instead.
- Carrying along an immersion heater is great for making coffee, tea or
instant hot chocolate in your hotel room. It can also heat instant soup or
boil water for other purposes. This inexpensive travel accessory is sold at
anywhere travel goods are sold.
- Have picnics! You can save a bundle by having impromptu picnics.
Whether they be a late night snack in your hotel room or a full romantic
meal against a spectacular backdrop like the Grand Canyon or the Eiffel
Tower, picnics are a boon to the budget conscious traveler.**
- **Make a portable picnic pack -- it's light and takes up hardy any
space. This way you can take advantage of local delicacies from the markets,
bakeries and wine shops, without paying restaurant prices. Click here for
how-to instructions for making a portable picnic pack to stash in your
suitcase, backpack, or
vehicle.
food doesn't have to be expensive, nor do you have to settle for fast food
while traveling. I firmly believe that food is a MAJOR part of the travel
experience, so I'd never expect you to skimp on quality. You can save a
substantial amount on your food budget and still have a great time by
keeping these handy tips in mind.
If you have additional tips for eating on the cheap, I'd love to hear about
them, please post them to the comments section at the end of this post!
- If you're going to splurge at an expensive restaurant, lunch is a good
time to do so. You can often get the same famous food at a significantly
lower cost. Since most health experts agree that eating the largest meal of
the day in the afternoon is a good idea, you'll be doing more than your
pocketbook a favor.
- Many hotels (especially in countries other than the US) and all B& B's
include breakfast as part of the room price. Take full advantage of this and
fill up so you won't have to buy food until lunch (or depending on your
personal metabolism, dinner).
- Eat where the locals do. Casual restaurants with a large local
clientele are like to be high quality and low cost.
- Eat in ethnic neighborhoods (this tip works in the US or abroad). You
can get some first class feasts for very little money in ethnic
neighborhoods. Using my hometown of Los Angeles as an example, travel to
Korea Town, China Town, Little Tokyo, Thai Town, or in nearby Orange County,
Little Saigon, for incredible food at coffee shop prices. Do I detect an
Asian theme here? Don't worry, there are Mexican neighborhoods all over the
City of Angels serving dirt-cheap but delicious authentic
South-of-the- Border cuisine. There are also plenty of Ethiopian, Cuban,
Indian, Argentinean, Armenian, and Moroccan eateries along with just about
every other ethnic group under the sun. That's one of the things about
living in or visiting a large city that's so wonderful. Take advantage of
the ethnic neighborhoods in whatever cities you visit for great food at
bargain prices.
- Carry snacks and drinks. Having some snacks like granola bars, trail
mix or even fresh fruit along can help save a lot over buying them from
street vendors and convenience stores.
- If you're traveling by car, stock up on bottled water and other drinks
at the supermarket or discount store. A six-pack here will often cost the
equivalent or even less than the price of a single bottle from a convenience
store or street vendor.
- These days you can't carry a bottle of water onto a plane because of
"security" concerns. But you can carry an empty bottle that you can fill
from the water fountain once you clear security.
- Drink water with meals. Even without alcohol, soft drinks, coffees and
teas can add a substantial amount to your check (especially in countries
other than the US). Drink free water with the meal (as long as you're in a
country that it's safe to do so). Buy soft drinks at markets instead.
- Carrying along an immersion heater is great for making coffee, tea or
instant hot chocolate in your hotel room. It can also heat instant soup or
boil water for other purposes. This inexpensive travel accessory is sold at
anywhere travel goods are sold.
- Have picnics! You can save a bundle by having impromptu picnics.
Whether they be a late night snack in your hotel room or a full romantic
meal against a spectacular backdrop like the Grand Canyon or the Eiffel
Tower, picnics are a boon to the budget conscious traveler.**
- **Make a portable picnic pack -- it's light and takes up hardy any
space. This way you can take advantage of local delicacies from the markets,
bakeries and wine shops, without paying restaurant prices. Click here for
how-to instructions for making a portable picnic pack to stash in your
suitcase, backpack, or
vehicle.