12 Proven Tips to Save Money on Drinks During Travel

Traveling on a budget doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the pleasure of having a nice drink, be it from your morning coffee, a cold juice, or a locally-brewed beer. Beverages can gradually eat into your travel budget if you’re not careful!

This post has your back and will suggest how to drink better without spending more. We’ll provide you with real-world, practical tips to save money on drinks when traveling that won’t compromise your drinking choices, be it near-home or far-away. Whether you’re in Southeast Asia backpacking, or city-hopping in Europe, you’re sure to have both thirst quenched and budget satisfied.

1. Bring a Reusable Water Bottle

Purchasing bottled water every other day is one of the sneaky travel costs. A $1 bottle doesn’t sound like much, but if you have two or three a day for a week, it adds up quickly. Buying a reusable water bottle could significantly reduce this cost altogether. If you can find one that includes a filter like the GRAYL Geopress or the LifeStraw Go, you can safely drink tap water in even the sketchiest places. You can still run the risk of drinking unsafe tap water wherever you travel, so always check to see if it’s safe to drink in your destination (the CDC provides a good overview on this: Safe Water Guide).

Reasons Reusable Bottles Save You Money

By travelling with your own bottled water you save yourself from purchasing single use bottles every time you get thirsty. Here’s what you might save:

• A bottle of water a day can cost $7 – $10 per week.
• Reusable bottles pay for themselves rapidly and can last for a long time, sparing you cash in the long run.

How to Find Drinking Water

• Many destinations have good tap water, so it’s important to know before you drink.
• You can also do some online research or use water quality report apps to find locations that have safe drinking water.

2. Don’t Buy Drinks at the Airport or Hotel

Travel hacks if you’ve ever flown before; you know that airport drinks are extremely overpriced. The 10-dollar bottle of water that costs 3 dollars anywhere else in the world, doesn’t compare to the price markup at hotels. It is downright crazy, but some hotels charge 400% more for items in their minibar! So, plan ahead so that you don’t buy those overpriced beverages when traveling.

How to Save Money on Drinks at the Airport?

• If you’re flying somewhere, pack a water bottle and fill it up at the water fountain after you get through security.
• Snack shops in the different parts of the airport usually sell water or drinks cheaper than the kiosks or vending machines. The trick is to find the quieter food shops that are further away from your gate.

Hotel Drink Alternatives

• Buy bottled water, soda, or even alcoholic drinks from local grocery stores. They are generally a lot cheaper than what you will find at hotels and some hotels allow you to bring back your beverages to your room to enjoy.
• If liquor or something from the fridge is a temptation, call the hotel to see if they offer a fridge if it is not already part of your room. Remember, don’t purchase drinks from the minibars they will mark them up significantly higher than a grocery store will.

3. Utilize Local Supermarkets and Convenience Stores

Local supermarkets and convenience stores are truly your friend when it comes to discovering cheap drinks. You can find everything from fresh local juices to ready-to-drink coffee for a fraction of the price you would pay at cafes or bars.

Why Convenience Stores Are Your Best Friends as a Budget Traveler?

• Lower prices than tourist shops and local cafes nearby.
• A much more expanded range of local and regional drinks that you may not be able to find anywhere else, so you can try new flavors!

What Should You Look For in Local Supermarkets?

• Fresh juices and smoothies: Healthier than if you order a drink from a café and much cheaper!
• Local brands: These products usually cost less and offer the real experience, such as canned coffee or softer drinks like traditional mate in Argentina.

4. Drink like the locals

A great way to save money on drinks is to get into local drinking habits. In many places around the world, locals drink quite reasonably priced drinks (of course, depending on your definition of ‘reasonable’) and tend to drink beverages socially with friends. Not only will you be able to save cash but you’ll also feel a connection to your trip even something as simple as a beverage can add to the richness of your experience.

Drink to try

• Argentina’s mate – This conventional home grown drink is shared on a road corner with companions. It’s too exceptionally affordably priced.
• India’s chai – If you’re in India, chai is your best companion! It’ll only set you back a few pennies from a street vendor, and you’ll see it consumed in daily life everywhere you go.

How to drink like a local?

• Follow local customs – if you’re in a country forwards a magical drink, drinking it the local way will help you get the full experience, and potential savings.
• Ask locals – when you’re out and about, ask locals where to find the best drinks at the best prices.

5. Bring Your Own Booze

You will pay way mark up for alcohol at bars/clubs. Buy a bottle from a store and drink it in your accommodations instead, you save a significant amount of money! Just be aware of local laws before you start to get your party on!!

Pre-Gaming Saves Big

• Buy alcohol from local supermarkets or convenience stores to drink in your room or a park instead of overpriced ‘touristy’ bars.
• Avoid overpricing at touristy bars by enjoying a few drinks before heading out.

Tips for BYOB Success

• Check local law Don’t assume anything; you shouldn’t drink in public or new places without first checking their laws regarding drinking in public (beer gardens included).
• Use local apps to help you find the best public drinks related deals; Happy Hour Finder is one of many.

6. Take Advantage of Hostel and Guesthouse Perks

Hostels can offer free tea and coffee throughout the day, or even a free happy hour with local beer or sangria. Before you make a booking, check to see if the place you are interested in offers anything free as part of the package to make it worthwhile.

Hostel Drinks: What to Expect

• Free tea or coffee: Most hostels will include some sort of free hot drinks.
• Happy hours: Some hostels will have events with free drinks, where you get to sample local beers or cocktails without paying for it.

Where to Look for Hostels with Perks

• Check for hostels that include breakfast or snacks with the room rates: There is often coffee or juice included.
• Check other websites: Websites like Travel with Raza’s guide to backpacking Southeast Asia on a budget often list budget accommodation options that come with free drinks — it’s worth comparing when booking.7. Refill at Public Water Fountains

7. Refill at Public Water Fountains

In many cities across Europe, some public water fountains provide free access to clean, safe drinking water. How great is that? Cities like Rome, Berlin, and Paris have fountains of historic significance and still have water flowing through them. How cool is it that the same water is running through significant fountains that Romans used thousands of years ago and is still refreshing and safe to drink?

How to Find Public Fountains?

• Use apps like RefillMyBottle that shows you refill stations around you.
• Look for water fountain signs in tourist cities. A map with the water fountain sign is quintessential, and usually has a blue or green symbol to alert you.

Why Is This Way Better than Bottled Water?

• Free: You aren’t paying for water and you aren’t putting any more plastic into the world.
• Refreshing: Realistically, it is definitely more refreshing than bottled water.

8. Join Free Walking Tours

Most major tourist cities have free walking tours led by local guides, and on occasion, they offer free drinks to participants (typically a small beer, wine, or welcome cocktail).

How do you find tours that include drinks?

• Check for tours that say pub crawl or pub tour; these will normally include one or two drinks.
• Check with your tour guide. If there are drink stops, they may offer discounts at the local bars, or they may offer complimentary drinks at those stops.

Other benefits of walking tours

• Socialize: You’ll likely meet some new people while sipping on a free drink or two.
• Free tips: You’ll learn about the local area, and you won’t have to spend money on drinks!

9. Avoiding high-priced drinks in tourist traps

If you’re at a popular tourist destination, you can expect your drinks to have inflated prices. Tourist traps are notorious for high drink prices, so high you can find them the next block over or street over for half the price.

How to find drinks that are not too expensive?

• Walk away from tourist’s attractions: however you need to be aware of which way you are going because sometimes even walking the way opposite of the tourists district may lead you to a tourist trap. Your drinks will be a much better value a few blocks away from tourist attractions.
• Ask the locals where to go: Your locals will tell you where to drink and have drinks that are reasonably priced.

How to recognize a tourist trap?

• Exorbitant menu prices: If a soft drink is more than your meal and daiquiris are priced over $10, you might be in a tourist trap.
• Menu items that do not have prices: Anytime the price of the item is not clearly stated on the menu, this could result in a price tag that is higher than normal.

10. Bring a Collapsible Cup or Mug

A collapsible container will alter the amusement for coffee consumers out there. A collapsible cup is lightweight and compact, allowing you to take a reusable cup with you while getting a discount at cafes.

Why Collapsible Cups Are Ideal for Budget Travelers?

• Discount: Some cafes will give you a discount for bringing in your own cup.
• Compact: Most collapsible cups store very easily when not being used.

Where Can You Use Your Collapsible Cup?

• Coffee shops: Most coffee chains will allow you a — little, but still — discount for bringing your own mug.
• Public water stations: There are public water stations to refill your cup at no cost throughout the city.

11. Use Happy Hour and Local Deals

Happy hours and drink specials are a great way to handle the cost of drinks – especially in the evenings. Numerous bars have a few frames of two-for-one drinks, discounts, or will offer you free appetizers with drinks.

Best Times to Take Advantage of Happy Hour Deals

• Early evening: Most happy hours will take place in the early evening. Generally happiest hours through to around 5 PM to 7 PM
• Some days of the week: Some bars will offer discounted drinks every weekday, while others may dedicate certain days to discounts on cocktails or other drinks.

How to Find Out Where Deals Exist?

• Local apps: When traveling there are many apps you can use like Happy Hour Finder or similar.
• Social Media: Find your local bars and restaurants on Instagram, Facebook or other social media websites and check them periodically for flash deals.

12. Drink Tap Water Where There is Safe Water

In many countries, tap water is completely safe and you won’t have to buy bottled water each day. There are cities such as Amsterdam, Singapore, and Toronto that have great tap water quality.

Countries That Have Safe Tap Water

• Amsterdam: One of the best tap water qualities in the world.
• Toronto: Another city with clean drinking water.

When to Get Bottled Water Instead?

• Talk to locals/guides: research using internet or ask locals if it is safe to drink tap water.
• Utilize a channel: if you are uncertain, utilize a built-in filter channel and filter the tap water.

Conclusion: Sip Smart, Travel Far

You don’t have to give up the enjoyment of drinks when you are on the road — just think smarter about where and how you get them. There are endless ways to enjoy your favorite drinks at home away from home without forking over the cash a lot of travelers do; from local markets to refillable bottles.

Using local customs, choosing cheaper options and always using free resources can be invaluable for your travel. Saving on drinks doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice comfort — it simply means traveling smarter, staying refreshed, and stretching your travel budget.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)