I want to cut down my food expences on the road.

I know we all have to eat...but 5 Euro per person for coffee and muslei on a breakfast bar is outrageous...
2,50 E for a lukewarm can of Chocomel is also crazy.
WHAT can I do to save my precious $$$ for worthwhile pursuits.....like wine, women and song????

I would think it depends partially on where you are but you could always try grocery stores, street food or markets.

Goto hotel/hostels with breakfast included. The breakfast in hostels is often mediocre but at least it's a free meal. Alternatively go to a hostel with a kitchen where you can cook your own food.

My best recommendation is to go to grocery stores and pick up enough food to last you at least a day. That way you are never tempted to go out and blow a bunch of money for a meal at a restaurant. Also, buy snack food that you can carry around with you while you travel - things like crackers or granola bars or oranges... that way if you get a little hungry you have food on you.

Also great is going to markets - you can pick up very cheap food there that is often good. Lots of fresh fruit, bread, and such.

Of course, another way to save lots of money is to eat the absolute most boring food in the world. Eat bread and cheese every day for lunch (and probably breakfast too). Eat pasta for dinner that you cook yourself (obviously either you have to carry around a camping stove like we did or stay at hostels with kitchens for this). That brings me to another bit of advice - carrying a camping stove is a good way to lower food costs. Instead of buying food, you have a portable way to cook your own hot meals at a great fraction of the price. I found in particular that in Europe the costs of food in the grocery markets was extremely cheap while eating at restaurants and cafes was ridiciously expensive...

These recommendations are for the absolutely cheapest way to live while traveling. It may not be "fun" but it will get you to travel for the max amount of time. This is how me and my boyfriend survived 6 months in Europe on a budget of $1400 a month for the two of us. It was a great experience and I am very glad we did it - even if we had to sacrifice a few good meals. Perhaps on the plus side, we both lost a lot of weight while we traveled .

An example what you you can do in Stockholm (probably in most other cities too):
Half a chicken or spare ribs (grilled), a baguette, plus a bottle of coca cola or mineral water - € 4-5. If you fancy a bottle of wine, add another € 6. Go to the nearest park area where people are pickning (having similar food) and enjoy.
If you prefer something lighter, go for cold cuts and cheese.
All from supermarket.

Btw-
You're not saying where you're in Europe. There are differences between countries.
Just recently, I had a great dinner in Coimbra, Portugal.
Three courses (set dinner), a bottle of red, coffe, and brandy included. € 20 for two.
Central/Eastern Europe is more affordable too.
Avoid centre areas in big cities.

Instant noodles, crackers, peanuts and my favourite - look for a turkish kebab shop - get felafel if you are scared of the meat.

Yeah. go to the grocery store for the 'filler' stuff. Bread, cheese, orange, apple, crackers.
But for me, a meat eater, I dont feel like it's really a 'dinner' or a decent 'lunch' if it doesn't include some sort of chicken or beef or lamb. It just doesn't seem filling enough.
That's when i head to the ghettos. Usually the ghettos in Europe are just a gaggle of Africans and Middle Eaterners. They have the cheapest meat. Also while I'm in the ghetto area i'll visit their deli's and stock up things like instant noodles or whatever.

Still though, I'd make room to splurge at some point. Eating al fresco in Roma or at the cafes in Paris or Amsterdam was a fantastic part of my trip. Oooh and the resturants in Spain...
But I love food. So yeah.

Credit Card?

Breakfast and lunch are on the cheap.
I "spurge" (eat out) for dinner.
Just wondering if I were mising something.

Best meal Iahd in Amsterdam was ralphs asian wonderfood takeaway and sitting by the canal.
Good times.


Tot Ziens

The soldiers of Gengis Khan used to drink blood from their own horses.

quote:

Originally posted by Craze_b0i:
The soldiers of Gengis Khan used to drink blood from their own horses.

How cheap are horses?

The Masai people mix cow or goat blood in with milk to stretch out their supplies and because they believe it gives them strength. They shoot an arrow into the jugular of the animal, collect the blood, and then patch it back up so that it can heal.

This is why you should always travel with a buddy. When you run low on money and get hungry you just need to buy some milk and find a pointy stick...

TSA confiscated my pointy stick

To echo Asheai, your food (and price) options are going to be greatly limited if you don't have a way to cook. Even if it's a small camping stove you use just to boil water, your options are going to be greatly increased with the ability to cook pasta, rice, beans, soup, etc. instead of subsisting only on bread, cheese, and fruit. While without a stove you can get the pre-made stuff at the grocery store much cheaper than at a restaurant, even this is expensive compared to the much wider range of things you can make yourself.

I think one of the best parts of travel is selecting food at a street market. Get fresh fruit and veggies and prepared dishes, cold meats and cheeses, and, of course, pasteries, and dine al fresco. I also make a point of visiting grocery stores wherever I go -- it's fun to explore a foreign town's version of a supermarket, if it exists, and equally fun to learn about their types of individual shops.

While I've never carried a camping stove, I've made plenty of cold or luke warm meals from stores and markets.

I have a "picnic" kit that includes

• Small cutting board and knife
  
• Corkscrew/can opener/multitool
  
• Plastic wine glasses
  
• Collapsible cups
  
• Cloth napkins
  
• Dish towel
  
• Zip-lock bags
  
• Cool knife/fork/spoon combo units I found in Switzerland
  
• Salt and pepper mills
  
• Wine bottle vacuum pump
  
• Champagne bottle stopper
  

I've used it in my room, in my rental car, and in parks.

Finally, I recommend that you make your "splurge" restaurant meals, when you have them, lunches, not dinners. You can get an excellent meal at a very good restaurant for a lot less at lunch time than dinner time.