Next up in my series of blog posts about saving money on vacation…how to save money on food and beverages while traveling! A good portion of your vacation budget can go toward food if you aren’t careful. Eating out every single meal for a week can really add up. So here are some ways to cut down on your food spending while traveling.
Plan Ahead
Look into hotels or rentals that offer kitchenette’s or full kitchens and you will be able to prepare meals for your family at “home” while you are traveling. If that isn’t an option, ask your hotel about the possibility of getting a mini-fridge in your room. That will allow you to keep a few grocery items in your room to snack on or eat for breakfast. We always ask for a fridge and very rarely have we had any problems getting one in our room. If the hotel doesn’t offer them, then either bring a cooler or buy a cheap Styrofoam one at your destination. The good news…most hotels offer free ice so you won’t have to buy it to keep your food cold!
Bring your Own
If you are driving this is much easier, but I suggest bringing your own foods to eat for snacks or even for breakfast or lunch. Pack a bag of apples, box of granola bars, even a box of cereal (pick up some milk from the hotel or a convenience store) and you’ve got breakfast without having to spend $5 per person at a restaurant.
Go Shopping
You may not think about hitting a grocery store on vacation, but we do it all the time! In fact, it’s usually our first stop on the way from the airport to the hotel. Make a list of foods your family will eat for breakfast, picnic foods, and snacks and pick them up when you get to your destination. If you aren’t renting a car or have no way to get to a grocery store, look into whether or not there are any grocery stores in the area that will deliver. I know that there are a few grocery stores that will deliver to Disneyworld resorts…and the charge is usually minimal.
Coupons and Deals
A month or two before you leave, sign up to get daily emails from Groupon and Living Social for the city that you are visiting. You will usually end up finding some great deals on local restaurants. Even better, many of the restaurants featured on those sites are off-the-beaten-path so your family can experience more of the local cuisine and less touristy (overpriced) food. Also check into getting an Entertainment Book for the city that you are visiting. They usually have plenty of restaurant coupons and deals as well as local attractions. This time of year the Entertainment Books are marked down since the coupons expire at the end of the year, so it will be even easier to make it worth the price.
Also ask at your hotel or the local Convention and Visitors Bureau for coupon books or discounts. You can often find these online as well.
Eat Less
Okay, it sounds like common sense, but a good way to save money on dining is to eat less. Split an entrée with your spouse or one of your children, order a smaller portion (look for a tasty appetizer instead of an entrée), skip the meat and order veggie dishes, don’t order dessert, drink only water at restaurants…these are just a few ways to save money while dining out. The bonus is that you won’t have that heavy feeling after your meals and you’ll be ready to get back to exploring your vacation destination!
Last, make sure to plan for one big meal where the budget isn’t as much of a concern…it’s fun to splurge every now and then, especially on vacation!