Food is one of the most memorable parts of travel, but it’s also one of the easiest ways to overspend. From airport snacks to gourmet street food and sit-down meals, costs can climb quickly if you’re not intentional. Fortunately, there are several ways to enjoy delicious local fare without straining your travel budget.
Here’s how to eat well abroad while saving more on every bite.
Avoid airport food markups
Airport dining is notoriously overpriced. When possible, pack TSA-approved snacks or light meals in reusable containers to get through security with sustenance in hand. If you do need to buy food at the airport, use apps like Grab to see menus and prices in advance and reduce time spent browsing terminals.
For fast-casual meals pre- or post-flight, you can save money with a Panera Bread gift card or earn cashback with a Starbucks gift card via Fluz, allowing you to reduce out-of-pocket costs even while in transit.
Eat like a local, not like a tourist
Tourist traps often serve overpriced, underwhelming food. To find affordable, authentic meals, walk a few blocks away from major attractions. Use Google Maps or TheFork to search for places with high ratings and lots of local reviews. If you’re visiting Asia or Latin America, explore local markets or food courts where meals are cheaper and often more flavorful.
Apps like Culture Trip and Spotted by Locals can help you discover local favorites that rarely make it onto tourist lists.
Use restaurant gift cards to earn rewards
Before dining at popular chain restaurants, check if you can purchase a discounted or cashback-eligible gift card. With Fluz, you can get rewards with a Chipotle gift card, earn cashback with a Buffalo Wild Wings gift card, or save money with a Shake Shack gift card—all of which can be purchased and used on the spot.
Since you buy the gift card for the exact amount you plan to spend, there’s no waste—just instant cashback that makes every meal more affordable.
Take advantage of daily specials and lunch menus
Many restaurants abroad offer discounted lunch sets or daily specials that are significantly cheaper than dinner menus. This is especially common in Europe, where a three-course prix fixe lunch may cost half of what you’d pay for à la carte dinner. Eating your main meal at lunch and going lighter in the evening can help stretch your budget further.
Cook occasionally if you’re staying longer
If you’re staying at an Airbnb or hostel with a kitchen, take advantage of local grocery stores. Cooking a few simple meals gives you control over your food budget and allows you to try regional ingredients firsthand. Apps like Too Good To Go can also help you buy surplus food from restaurants at a discount—perfect for light dinners or snacks.
Use cashback apps on groceries and delivery
If you’re ordering delivery, use platforms like Rakuten to earn cashback when ordering through services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, or Grubhub. Fluz also allows you to save on Uber Eats with a gift card, offering an easy way to offset the cost of convenience meals.
For groceries, Ibotta offers cashback on common travel staples such as bottled water, fresh produce, and packaged snacks.
Final thoughts
Eating well doesn’t mean eating expensively. With a combination of local insights, strategic timing, and cashback-savvy tools, you can make your travel meals more affordable—and more enjoyable. The key is to plan ahead just enough to avoid tourist traps while still leaving space for spontaneous, flavor-filled discoveries.
