Traveling the world doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune on food. In fact, some of the most delicious meals you’ll ever eat cost less than a cup of coffee back home. Here are 10 budget meal hacks every traveler needs to know.
1. Eat Where the Locals Eat
Skip the restaurants near tourist attractions — they always charge more. Walk a few blocks away and follow the locals. If a place is packed with locals at lunchtime, the food is good and the prices are honest.
2. Visit Local Markets
Every city has a local food market. From Bangkok’s Chatuchak to Barcelona’s La Boqueria, markets are packed with fresh, cheap, and delicious food. Grab a bag of fresh fruit, local snacks, or a hot meal for a fraction of restaurant prices.
3. Eat the Lunch Special
Many restaurants offer a lunch special or set menu that includes a main dish, drink, and sometimes dessert for one low price. The same meal at dinner can cost twice as much. Always ask for the lunch menu!
4. Shop at Supermarkets
Local supermarkets are a goldmine for budget travelers. Pick up bread, cheese, fruit, yogurt, and local snacks. You can eat like a king for just a few dollars and discover local food products you won’t find back home.
5. Try Street Food
Street food is almost always the cheapest and most authentic food in any country. Tacos in Mexico, Pad Thai in Thailand, Falafel in Israel — street food tells the story of a culture better than any restaurant. Don’t be afraid to try it!
6. Cook Your Own Meals
If you’re staying in a hostel or Airbnb with a kitchen, take advantage of it! Buy ingredients from a local market and cook your own meals. It’s fun, cheap, and a great way to experiment with local ingredients.
7. Avoid Tourist Trap Restaurants
If the menu has pictures, is written in 10 languages, and there’s someone outside trying to pull you in — walk away! These restaurants survive on tourists and charge premium prices for average food.
8. Drink Tap Water or Carry a Bottle
Buying bottled water every day adds up fast. In countries where tap water is safe, drink it freely. Where it’s not, carry a filtered water bottle like a LifeStraw to save money and reduce plastic waste.
9. Learn a Few Local Food Words
Knowing how to say “cheap”, “local food”, “market”, or “menu” in the local language can open doors to amazing budget meals. Locals appreciate the effort and will often point you to the best hidden spots.
10. Eat the Biggest Meal at Lunch
In many countries lunch is the main meal of the day and dinner is lighter and cheaper. Flip your eating habits — eat big at lunch and keep dinner light and cheap. Your wallet will thank you!
Eating well on a budget while traveling is an art — and once you master it, you’ll never overpay for a meal again. Have your own budget meal hack? Share it in the comments below!