Spring break is just around the corner. For many college students, this means that they’re gearing up for a trip with friends. After months of planning hotels, flights, and excursions, the plans are finally coming to fruition. Whether you’re traveling to the warm beaches of an island in the Caribbean or to the historic streets of a city in Europe, one thing is for sure — you’re going to have to eat. Unfortunately, planning out meals and food budgeting is not always super fun, so they get excluded from the initial trip planning. No one wants to overspend on food during their trip when they can avoid it. With these budgeting tips, you’ll be sure not to break the bank — no matter where you travel to.
Make a plan of where and when to dine.
Before your plane touches down or your train pulls into the station of your destination, consider making a comprehensive list of restaurant options — paying special attention to prices. Apps such as Beli let you see the price ranges of restaurants, as well as reviews and photos from users so you can know exactly what you’ll be paying for. Know when it’s worth it to splurge on an expensive meal. For your last night of vacation, it might make sense to go a little over your budget on a nicer dinner — but for a casual lunch, consider choosing an eatery on the lower end of the price range.
It’s also a good idea to make a plan of when to dine out. If you’re taking a trip to a tropical location and will be spending your daytime hours at the beach, it can be a good idea to pack lunches to bring along with you instead of eating out every day. If your hotel has breakfast included, opt for that instead of a local cafe everyday.
Buy your own groceries.
Perhaps you’ve booked an Airbnb or an apartment rental that comes equipped with a kitchen — including a refrigerator, a stove, and a microwave. If this is the case, you should consider taking a trip to the grocery store with your friends when you arrive at your destination. By stocking up on basic groceries, you can save money by not eating out for every single meal. On past spring break trips, my friends and I have saved a significant amount of money on breakfast by purchasing bagels, cream cheese, and butter at the start of the trip. That way, we can enjoy breakfast right in our room instead of spending money every morning.
The same goes for dinners. Depending on where you’re traveling to and for how long, it might be costly to eat at a restaurant for dinner every night. Consider having a night where you and your friends each cook a dish to share. Not only is having a makeshift dinner party with your friends a great way to save money, but it’s also a way to spend time with each other and try out new recipes. You can even try out recipes from the place you’re visiting.
Even if your rental is not equipped with a kitchen, you can still stock up on select groceries. If your room is equipped with a mini fridge, you can buy things like cold brew and fruit. Not having to buy a coffee every single day of your trip can subtly save you some dollars.
Look out for hotel deals.
If you’re staying in a traditional hotel, it’s likely that there are some perks included in your stay. Some hotels offer a breakfast buffet — and if yours does, you should take advantage of it. You already paid for the breakfast with your room stay, so it’s basically free (girl math, right?) Besides, you’ll be eating the same thing at a restaurant: eggs, bacon, pancakes.
It’s worth it to ask your hotel if they offer any discounts for nearby restaurants. It’s possible that local eateries work in partnership with your hotel to give guests a discount. Taking advantage of these discounts, no matter how little they may be, is a great way to save money without sacrificing the fun of eating out.