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How to Eat Cheap

The most common mistake when it comes to meal times is assuming you have to eat out. Of course this isn’t true, especially when you're travelling for a long time. When travelling on a budget, always aim to stay in hostels that have kitchens and don’t be shy to ask to view the kitchen to see it’s usable before you agree to stay. Hostel staff will expect to show you around so take the opportunity to have a good look.

Dinner is always the most expensive meal of the day when you eat out, so definitely try to cook your evening meal. When it comes to ingredients consider going vegetarian some nights, meat is always more expensive then vegetables and, depending where you are in the world the quality can vary dangerously. Buy your food from local markets where possible as well; you will nearly always get a better price and fresher food in doing so than you would from a supermarket. If you are buying from the market, particularly in poorer countries you will often get a better deal if you buy as much as you can from the same vendor. Finish meals with a bottle of wine (optional). Most countries produce some form of alcohol that is cheap enough for even the most budget conscience traveller to afford. Having a drink with your meal will always make you feel better about eating in.

Lots of hostels will also provide a breakfast of sorts. Unfortunately, in a lot of the world, it’s only a piece of bread and a coffee, but of course, this is better than nothing so take it. Lunch is the only other meal to worry about. Depending where you are in the world, street food is often the best and cheapest option. Sitting down in a restaurant will always end up costing you more so it’s better to eat on the run or grab some snacks from a supermarket.