When you’re planning a holiday there is a lot you need to take into consideration: destination, weather, visas, flight times and one of the most important things is cost. You could spend a small fortune on a holiday if you wanted to, but if you’re trying to stick to a budget it’s important that you’re savvy with your money.
Even if you have to make a sizeable down payment on getting there, once you’re away there are a number of ways you can be frugal to avoid breaking the bank. If you’re looking for inspiration for your next holiday destination, we’ve put together a list below. This guide will look at the best destinations for cheap (but equally delicious) food and drink, so you can save the pennies while you’re away.
Table of Contents
1.Bulgaria
Bulgaria is becoming an increasingly popular holiday destination thanks to its beautiful sandy beaches and budget food and drink. Eating is a very social occasion to the Bulgarian people and meals are hearty and traditional. A typical meal starts with cold soup or a salad, followed by meats and vegetables. The drinks are also cheap here, the average beer will cost you £1.70 a pint and a family of four can dine for as little as £30 all in.
2.Turkey
You may already be familiar with delicious Turkish cuisine and it is often regarded as some of the best food in the world. And best of all, it’s cheap! If you want to eat like a local, you can find yourself a three course meal out for as little as £8.24 per person. Not to mention if you’re sampling delicious street food this could be even cheaper. That said, food can be considerably more pricey in hotel resorts, so if you want to keep to a budget it’s best to venture further afield and track down the local eateries.
3.Thailand
Chang Mai, Pai, Bangkok – there are so many beautiful places to visit in Thailand. What’s more, the food here is so tasty and costs next to nothing. If you choose to visit the islands or bigger cities you may pay more, but on average you can grab a meal in a Thai restaurant for as little as 100 baht, which is the equivalent of around £2.70. What’s more, a big bottle of beer will set you back just £1.60.
The street food in Thailand is also legendary. As fresh as you could ever want these delicious dishes are even cheaper than dining in a restaurant. So if you travel to this wonderful nation, be sure to sample the street food at least once!
4.Prague
Prague, Czech Republic, can be the perfect place for a nice getaway. The city is so full of culture, there’s plenty to see and do – plus you can dine out on cheap food and drink all week! A pint will set you back just £1.60 in this fine city, a big difference when you compare that to the average £5 pint back home! A typical Czech meal of meat, dumplings and veg will cost you just £4.80 per person or if you want to grab a bite on the move you can find take away food for as little as £1.40.
5.Portugal
Stunning beaches, beautiful old towns and great food; it’s easy to see why Portugal is such a popular holiday destination. Whether you’re on the Algarve or in one of the bigger cities, the relaxed vibes of Portugal will have you falling in love with this nation straight away. Plus, you can enjoy a three course meal from just £13 and a delicious bottle of wine from the local vineyards will set you back as little as £6.40.
6.Sri Lanka
Another stunning Asian nation well regarded for its cuisine is Sri Lanka. The small island is breathtakingly beautiful and the food is delicious! A firm favourite of the nation is rice and curry dishes and you can eat like a king for a whole day on just £6.55. Water will cost you just 66p, and if you want a few alcoholic drinks too, add an extra £7.00 to your day. We’re sure you can agree that’s still an absolute bargain for a whole day of sipping beer by the pool.
7.Indonesia
Asia is a popular destination for budget food and drink and Indonesia is another breathtaking destination for you to visit there. If you want beautiful beaches, sunshine and a beer that will cost you just 53p (yep, you read that right!) then Indonesia is the place for you! The average meal here costs about £1.53, so you really can stick to a budget whilst on your holiday. Read in French here: https://www.jouerenlignefr.org
8.Morocco
Moving away from Asia for a moment, let’s turn our attention to Africa and more specifically to the wonderful country of Morocco. This nation has a culture that’s as rich as its foods, and if you want sweeping deserts, jaw-dropping mountain views and ancient cities (as well as cheap food and drink of course), then book a trip to Morocco. Think cos cous, tagine, mint teas and traditional pastry, eating here costs just £9.70 for the day, but drinking is even cheaper at just £5.39 a day per person.
9.Nepal
Nepal is one of the cheapest, but also the most beautiful countries to visit in the world. If you love adventure, wildlife, national parks, hiking or heritage sites not to mention yummy food, there’s so much to see and do here. Plus with hotels costing as little as £3 a night, you really can’t go wrong. Dinner for two costs an average of £8.21 here and you can choose from delicious dishes such as curries, rice, dumplings and lentil soups.
10.Serbia
Serbia is perfect if you love a good night out, great food, friendly locals and discovering interesting customs. Not always the first destination that springs to mind when you think of holidays, this wonderful country has so many fascinating cities and cultural sites for you to see. Not to mention that food and drink here is super cheap. An entire days worth of food and drink (including alcohol) costs an average of around just £19 per person.
Written by Stuart Cooke, Blog Editor at MyBaggage.com a luggage delivery service based in the UK.