Seven Tips for Saving Money While Eating Out on Vacation

One of the best ways to cut costs during a vacation is to save money while eating out at restaurants. Many families eat primarily or exclusively at restaurants during vacations, and doing so can greatly increase the cost of a vacation as a whole. In this article, I describe seven ways to save money eating out during a vacation.

Vacation Restaurant Money-Saving Tip #1 - Research Low-Cost Restaurants

Doing research prior to going on vacation is one of the most effective ways to save money eating out while traveling. The internet allows budget-minded individuals to look up restaurant reviews and to find out what restaurants are good deals near where they are staying. Unintentionally eating at restaurants that are even fifteen or twenty dollars over budget can raise the cost of a vacation considerably, if done more than once or twice. This is not to say that a family should plan to eat only at low-cost restaurants during a vacation, but rather that low-to-medium-cost restaurants should be considered as a primary way of saving money while eating out during vacations. Splurging once or twice should be okay, but should also be planned. If you want to dine at some nicer restaurants while on vacation, yet want to save money, then try to select meals that are on the lower end of the cost spectrum.

Vacation Restaurant Money-Saving Tip #2 - Take Advantage of Coupons, Deals, and Discounts

Many restaurants have coupons, deals, and discounts that are readily available for customers. For example, many restaurant take out menus have coupons for 10% off of a meal. Likewise, restaurants often have different deals for each day of the week, such as buy-one-get-one-half-price or an unlimited soup night. If an individual is eligible for a senior citizen or military discount, this can also be used. Again, do research and plan around such deals if possible.

Vacation Restaurant Money-Saving Tip #3 - Drink Water

Not only is drinking water healthier than drinking soda or iced tea, it's also much less expensive. A family of four could save as much as $40, if not more, just by drinking water at five meals during vacation. The savings increase with each additional vacationer and each additional meal. Consider If you wish to drink at a restaurant, investigate their BYOB policies - this will likely save you money as well.

Vacation Restaurant Money-Saving Tip #4 - Buy in Bulk and Share Food

It's often possible to save money at restaurants by ordering bigger portions and splitting a meal between two vacationers. For example, the Carnegie Deli in New York City serves gigantic sandwiches that a single individual would probably not be able to finish on his or her own. Likewise, the food there is fairly expensive. It's more cost-effective for two or three people to share a single $25 sandwich than for each person to get a smaller $13 sandwich. If you're planning to do something similar while eating out during a vacation, make sure that the meal is something easily shared like hot wings or sushi, as opposed to a steak. This is also a good option for desserts, because most travelers are full at the end of a meal. Each might want a few bites of something sweet, but be unable to eat an entire piece of cake or pie by himself or herself. In this case, order one dessert for every two to three vacationers and share them.

Vacation Restaurant Money-Saving Tip #5 - Replace Entrees With Appetizers And Salads

Appetizers and salads almost always cost less than traditional entrees. Granted, a Caesar salad at every meal during a vacation is not very appealing, nor is it particularly sound nutritionally. However, two or three appetizers can often be had for the same price or less than an entree and still retain the style and flavor of a restaurant. This is a good option for travelers that want variety at a restaurant but can't afford to eat at the same location several times during a single vacation. Likewise, eating a lighter lunch or dinner saves money for relatively low-cost treats and snacks later, such as ice cream. The net effect is still that of saving money.

Vacation Restaurant Money-Saving Tip #6 - Plan on Leftovers

If you decide to get an entree while eating out on vacation, try to make it last for two meals by taking home leftovers. You might pay a little more upfront to get a larger meal, but you also will not be spending money on the leftover meal. For example, if you get a dish that costs $20 by itself and you are able to make it last for two meals, you've essentially paid a fairly reasonable $10 per meal. For this reason, it's good to stop eating when you are full so that you will have more leftovers. Even if you aren't interested in your leftovers, someone else on your vacation might be interested in finishing them.

Vacation Restaurant Money-Saving Tip #7 - Tip Conservatively

The standard tipping rate is about 18%, correct? Unless your waiter or waitress offered incredible, extraordinary service, tended to a very large party for which you were responsible, or was in some other way deserving of additional monetary compensation, tip between !8-20%. Tipping 25% or more at every meal can raise the cost of eating out during vacation substantially. You may wish to consider leaving a thank-you note for good service in addition to a tip. The waiter or waitress will appreciate this, and you won't feel as if you must tip a very large amount.

Saving money while eating out during vacation can be difficult because the restaurants in many vacation towns charge higher prices than restaurants elsewhere. However, it is worth it to try to spend conservatively while eating out on vacation. Following the above tips could save a family several hundred dollars on vacation, which could be put towards souvenirs, memorable experiences, or a fund for a future vacation. Do you have any other tips for how a person can save money while eating out on vacation? Feel free to share your thoughts in the form of a comment. Thank you for reading!