Eating Well on a Budget While Traveling (No, Not Just Instant Noodles)
Let’s bust a myth right now, just because you’re traveling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to live off instant noodles and sad apples from the bottom of your backpack. Eating well while exploring the world can be affordable, tasty, and way more memorable than overpriced tourist traps. You just need to know where to look.
Hotels That Feed You Twice
If you’re the kind of traveler who thinks free food is a love language, we’ve got great news. Many hotels around the world include breakfast, and we’re not just talking dry toast and mystery juice.
In Norway, for example, a surprising number of hotels also throw in dinner. That’s right. A hot, hearty, often delicious dinner. When you're paying $18 for a sandwich at the airport, this kind of perk is nothing short of magic.
Pro tip: Scope out hotel deals that offer breakfast buffets. Fill up on eggs, yogurt, and pastries, and you might not even need lunch. We’re not saying you should take an extra croissant for later... but we’re not not saying it.
Street Food
Some of the best meals we’ve had came from a folding table on the sidewalk. Street food is fast, flavorful, and feels like getting a delicious secret only locals know.
It’s often times a great way to interact with the locals too, especially if you eating earlier in the morning or between lunch and dinner.
Market Magic
Want to eat like a local and stay under budget? Hit up the nearest food market. Not only do they offer fresh produce and ready-to-eat bites, but they also come with a side of people-watching gold.
Buy a loaf of bread, some cheese, and fruit, and boom: picnic in the park. Grab a few odds and ends and whip up your own feast if your accommodation has a kitchen. Grocery shopping abroad is a mini adventure in itself (and yes, you should try those weird chips/crisps).
In Japan? Say Hello to 7-Eleven
We know what you’re thinking: 7-Eleven? Really? But in Japan, convenience stores are basically gourmet treasure troves. We’re talking bento boxes, onigiri (rice balls), udon noodles, and shockingly good fried chicken. All for a few bucks.
Trust us, a 7-Eleven meal in Tokyo beats an overpriced sandwich at home any day.
In Switzerland? Skip the Restaurants, Embrace the Supermarkets
Here’s the thing about Switzerland: it's gorgeous... and wildly expensive. But don’t panic. Coop and Migros (the big supermarket chains) are your new best friends. Grab ready-made meals, sandwiches, and pastries without taking out a second mortgage.
Pair your snack with a lake view and congratulations, you’ve just hacked the Swiss food system.
Picnics with a view - is there anything better?!
Lunch Is the New Dinner
Here’s a sneaky trick: in many places, lunch is way cheaper than dinner. Restaurants often offer "menu of the day" deals with multiple courses for the price of a fancy coffee.
Eat big at lunchtime, then go light with street food or a market snack in the evening. Bonus: you won’t go to bed too full to move.
Cook
If your Airbnb or hostel has a kitchen, use it! Buy fresh ingredients, make something simple, and turn dinner into an experience. Bonus points for trying local recipes or doing a cook-off with your travel buddies.
Bring Your Own (Budget-Friendly) Bottle
Restaurants can charge a fortune for drinks. Instead, pick up a local bottle of wine or beer and enjoy it in your room, by the beach, or wherever picnics are permitted. Just check the local rules on public drinking first, unless you want your budget blown on a fine.
Final Bite
Traveling on a budget doesn't mean sacrificing flavor or fun. Some of our most unforgettable meals were also the cheapest, and almost always came with a better view than a five-star restaurant.
So next time someone tells you budget travel means boring food, hand them a samosa, raise your bento box, and say, "Bon Appétit."
Hungry for more travel hacks and budget tips? Subscribe to @worthytravels and let us help you travel smarter, tastier, and funnier. Your taste buds (and bank account) will thank you.