Food—can't live without it, can't stay on a budget these days with it. And that goes double when you're on vacation.
Eating out can make up a huge chunk of your travel spending, especially if local fine dining is on your must-do list. But there are plenty of smart tricks to make your dollars stretch when you're looking for your next meal. Here are some tips to consider.
1. Follow the Freebies
If your accommodation offers free breakfast—or just free coffee, tea and snacks—take them up on it. There's no need to pay for a meal when you don't have to. And if you're planning to sign up for foodie walks, cooking classes, brewery tours or other outings that might have snacks or meals on hand, time them right so you can take full advantage without spoiling your hard-to-get reservation at a sought-after restaurant.
2. Don't Pay for What You Won't Use
On the other hand, if you suspect the breakfast at your hotel will be worse than mediocre, see if you can get a cheaper rate by forgoing it. The same goes for all-inclusive drinks packages. Do the math on how much you'll actually want to drink and what that might cost on its own, and calculate if a package deal is really worth it to you. You might be better off with the flexibility of à la carte ordering.
3. Pack Some Essentials
The first place a trip hits you in the wallet is inevitably at the airport. (You want to charge me how much for a bottle of water?) Do your bank balance a favor and pack a reusable bottle to fill as you go, plus snacks and meals for the plane journey and beyond.
One caveat, though: Check whether you can bring your hunger survival kit through security, onto the plane and to your destination. There might be restrictions on liquids, fresh produce or other items, and it's better to know ahead of time so you don't pull a Hilary Swank and get slapped with a fine for accidentally importing an apple and an orange into New Zealand.1
4. Hit the Grocery Store
Going grocery shopping on vacation might not sound fun at first, but it can be an interesting way to immerse yourself in local culture (read: try interesting potato chip and candy bar flavors). And whether you're able to cook at your accommodation or you have to shop ready-made, supermarkets often have affordable options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. (Tip: If your hotel room doesn't have a fridge, you can sometimes ask for a mini fridge to be brought to your room.) Plus, it never hurts to have some snacks around for emergency sugar cravings or to keep the kids going for one more lap around the art gallery or museum.
5. Do Your Research
When you really enjoy a meal, it feels worth it even if you spend more than you intended. But when the food is bad? That really stings. We're not saying you have to plan every minute of your getaway and remove all chance for the serendipity of spontaneity. But if you ask around for restaurant recommendations beforehand (which includes asking the internet), you can avoid getting sucked in by overpriced tourist traps in convenient locations.
One smart way to organize food options? Google Maps. Bookmark a few promising spots in the areas and neighborhoods you think you'll be in, and you'll be the genius in your travel group who can lead everyone to delicious eats at a moment's notice.
In addition, see if you can get any discounts or premium experiences via your credit card. One of the perks of the RVC Premier World Mastercard®, for instance, is access to Priceless™ experiences that can make your trip all the more special—think a boutique wine tasting in Australia, a Michelin-starred multicourse lunch in Bangkok or a food tour that shares the specialties of Nantes, France.2
6. Be Strategic
The best food and the highest prices don't have to go hand in hand. Think of where you live: There might be a fancy, pricey restaurant you love for special occasions, but you likely have lots of favorite spots that are affordable, too. The same goes for your destination. Plenty of cheap eats will surely be just as memorable as the places with white tablecloths.
To keep costs manageable, plan to eat at a mix of higher- and lower-priced restaurants and cafés. Also, look for eateries in less prestigious neighborhoods, which tends to mean lower rents and lower prices. Another trick is to book high-end places for lunch instead of dinner. Then you can have grocery store baguette and brie for dinner, or whatever the local equivalent of that classic standby of travelers in France might be.
7. Make a Budget and Stick to It
Traveling is an amazing opportunity to try new foods and experiences, but it can also be expensive. It's easy to spend more than you intended while you're on a trip. To avoid regrets when you get home and crack open your credit card bill, it's important to set a realistic budget and stick to it while you're on the road. And if you plan it right, this kind of budgeting becomes a fun challenge in which everyone can participate. Besides, don't you want to come home and brag about the amazing cheap eats you found?
The World is Your Oyster
Or, if oysters aren't your thing, then make it your Belgian beer, Tokyo ramen or Moroccan tagine. No matter which restaurants, cafés and foodie outings you choose for your next trip, a little planning can make the experience sweeter. (Or more savory. Hopefully both.) And with Riverstones Vista Capital as part of your team for both saving and spending, you're sure to be set up for the vacation you've always dreamed of.
Kat Tancock once spent more than an hour and a half combing every aisle of a London Whole Foods for delicious snacks.
READ MORE: 7 Inspiring Destinations for Every Traveler and Budget
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