Best Snacks for Your Hotel Room When Traveling Solo
For me, food is one of the best parts of traveling, but I don’t want to eat every meal at a restaurant. I enjoy trying local restaurants, but having a few snacks in my hotel room and something to take with me while exploring gives me the best of both worlds.
After I check into my hotel, I like to stop at a grocery store before my vacation really begins. I don’t just buy snacks. I’ll also pick up a few simple breakfast foods if they aren’t offered at the hotel, something healthy to take with me during the day, and a treat to enjoy while relaxing in my room that evening.
I don’t snack all day long. I simply like having options, so I don’t have to head back out or pay convenience store prices if I get hungry. Keeping a few snacks in my hotel room makes traveling feel easier, more comfortable, and a little more budget-friendly.
Why I Always Keep Snacks in My Hotel Room
Once you get settled in your room after a day out, you probably won’t want to go back out at night. Getting snacks at the start of my trip makes it easy to enjoy the rest of my trip, knowing I have them waiting for me.
Travel days with flights and sightseeing can throw off meal times. Having snacks makes it easier when you are too tired to go out and find food after a day of sightseeing.
Having snacks available in your room prevents you from buying overpriced, possibly unhealthy snacks from the convenience store. I have done this before, then regret it especially if I am hungry, and go into a store, I don’t choose the best stuff.
It’s one less thing to think about when traveling solo if you have a routine for your hotel snacks. Whether you stop at the store or make you own snacks to bring with you on your trip.
Breakfast Foods I Like to Keep on Hand
More often than not, the hotels I stay at offer breakfast. It’s one of the reasons I also enjoy staying at a bed and breakfast. Having one less meal to think about makes my mornings easier.
If my hotel doesn’t offer breakfast, I usually keep a few simple foods in my room. Occasionally, I’ll head out if I find a local café or restaurant with a breakfast menu that looks too good to pass up. I only eat two meals a day, even while traveling, so I don’t need anything elaborate.
When my hotel includes breakfast, I like to grab a banana, an apple, a granola bar, or a muffin to take with me before I head out for the day. It’s a simple way to have a snack on hand while sightseeing.
Here are a few breakfast foods that are easy to find at almost any grocery store. You could also bring some of these items from home.
- Instant oatmeal
- Bananas
- Apples
- Yogurt (if your room has a refrigerator)
- Granola
- Muffins
- Peanut butter
- Coffee or tea
Having something ready before you head out for a busy day of sightseeing can save both time and money. It also means you don’t have to start your day searching for breakfast before you’re ready to begin exploring.
Healthy Snacks for Exploring
If you bring a purse, travel bag, or backpack on your trip, bring snacks while you are sightseeing if you want to avoid getting hangry while exploring, or having to search for something to keep your yummy happy. It’s not like you have to bring many snacks, just enough to sustain your energy and get you through to the next meal.
- Mixed nuts
- Trail mix
- Protein bars
- Cheese sticks (refrigerator)
- Fruit
- Dried fruit
- Beef jerky
These types of snacks are easy to carry, small enough to have between meals, and can help to keep your energy up until dinner. You do not want to run your body down on your trip. Feeding your body well will also help to keep your immune system strong for the trip.
Evening Snacks and Drinks for Your Hotel Room
After a long day of sightseeing and walking, I’m ready to head back to my room, put my feet up, and have a snack if there’s enough time before dinner. If I’ve had a big lunch, I’m often not hungry for another full meal, so I’ll simply enjoy a few snacks while relaxing in my hotel room for the evening.
Some of my favorite things to keep on hand include:
- Popcorn
- Dark chocolate
- Crackers
- Tea
- Coffee
- Bottled water
- Flavored water
- Juice
- Electrolyte packets
For me, these are more than just snacks. They’re part of winding down after a busy day. I’ll watch TV, read, work on my laptop, go over my my itinerary for the next day, or enjoy a quiet evening before getting a good night’s sleep.
I also like having plenty of drinks in my room. Staying hydrated while traveling is important, especially if you’re walking all day, spending time outdoors, or flying. Having a bottle of water or an electrolyte drink ready to go makes it easy to refill before heading out the next morning.
One of the things I enjoy about solo travel is that I can decide exactly how I want to spend my evening. Some nights I’ll go out for dinner, while other times I’m perfectly happy relaxing in my hotel room with a snack and a good book or TV show. It’s all part of enjoying the trip at my own pace.
Money-Saving Tips When Buying Hotel Room Snacks
I do not travel on a budget; however, I also don’t like buying food or snacks for my hotel that are bland, boring, and overpriced. If I have access to a regular grocery store, there is usually a larger variety of choices at a lower cost.
I like to stop at a grocery store after I arrive at my accommodations, rather than shop at the hotel market whenever possible. Hotel markets are convenient, but they usually have limited choices and much higher prices.
Only buy what you know you’ll actually eat during your trip. If you do have leftovers, choose items that are easy to pack in your carry-on or eat on your way home.
I also look for foods that can serve more than one purpose. For example, fruit can be part of breakfast, an afternoon snack, or even dessert. The more versatile the food is, the less you need to buy.
The same goes for drinks. Before buying bottled water, juice, or other beverages, think about how much you’ll realistically drink before it’s time to head home.
Make Your Own Travel Snacks Before You Leave
One of the easiest ways to save money while still enjoying foods you like is to make a few snacks before you leave home. This is especially convenient for road trips, but you can also bring homemade snacks on many flights.
If you’re taking a cruise, be sure to check your cruise line’s food policies before packing snacks, since many cruise lines have restrictions on what food and drinks you can bring onboard.
Homemade Energy Bites
These no-bake energy bites are easy to make before your trip and are perfect for packing in your purse or travel bag while sightseeing.
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- ½ cup sunflower seed butter (or peanut butter)
- ¼ cup honey
- ¼ cup mini chocolate chips (optional)
- 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed or chia seeds (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
In a medium bowl, stir together all of the ingredients until well combined. Roll the mixture into 1-inch balls and place them on a plate or baking sheet. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes, or until firm. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until you’re ready to travel.
Homemade Trail Mix
Homemade trail mix is one of the easiest travel snacks because you can customize it with your favorite ingredients and make only as much as you need for your trip.
Use as much or as little of each ingredient as you like to create your own favorite trail mix.
Ingredients:
- Pretzels
- Pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- Sunflower seeds
- Dried cranberries
- Raisins
- Banana chips
- Coconut flakes
- Mini chocolate chips
Directions:
Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl, then divide the trail mix into individual snack bags or reusable containers. It’s easy to grab while sightseeing and makes a great snack between meals.
Foods That Work for Travel Day and Your Hotel Room
Some foods are perfect because you can enjoy them while traveling and then store the leftovers in your hotel refrigerator for the rest of your trip. It saves money, reduces waste, and gives you ready-to-eat options after you check in. Simply pack your snacks in reusable snack bags and tuck them into your travel bag before you leave.
Ideas include:
- Sandwiches or wraps
- Cut fruit
- Cut vegetables
- Cheese cubes or cheese sticks
- Hard-boiled eggs
- Grapes
- Pasta salad
- Chicken salad with crackers
- Yogurt (if you can keep it cold)
I like choosing foods that can do double duty. If I don’t finish everything on my travel day, I can put the leftovers in the hotel refrigerator and enjoy them later for breakfast, lunch, or a snack.
Don’t get me wrong, I love eating out and trying local restaurants when I travel. I simply like having a few extra options in my hotel room when I need them.
FAQs
Can I bring snacks through airport security?
Yes! Solid foods are generally allowed through airport security. Just remember that liquids and gels, such as yogurt, peanut butter, or pudding, are subject to the TSA’s liquid rules.
If you’re traveling somewhere other than the airport, such as on a cruise or to a theme park like Disneyland, be sure to check their food policies before you pack.
Is it cheaper to buy snacks before I travel or after I arrive?
Buying snacks at a grocery store is usually much less expensive than purchasing them at the airport or in your hotel’s market. If you don’t want to pack food from home, consider finding a grocery store near your hotel before your trip so you know where to shop when you arrive.
What if my hotel room doesn’t have a microwave or refrigerator?
Before your trip, check your hotel’s website or call the front desk to see what amenities are included in your room. If your room doesn’t have a microwave, the hotel may have one available in a common area. If there isn’t a refrigerator, choose snacks that don’t require refrigeration, or buy only small amounts of perishable foods you can eat the same day.
Should I pack snacks from home or buy them after I arrive?
I do both. I’ll often pack a few snacks for my travel day, then stop at a grocery store after checking into my hotel. That gives me fresh food for the rest of my trip without having to pack everything from home.
Final Thoughts on Snacks for Your Hotel Room
Having a few snacks in your hotel room doesn’t mean skipping local restaurants. Trying local cuisine is one of my favorite parts of traveling! Having snacks on hand simply gives you more flexibility.
Whether you’re heading out early, relaxing after a busy day, or just don’t feel like leaving your hotel again that evening, a few simple foods can make your trip more comfortable and enjoyable.
Packing or buying a few snacks can also help you eat a little healthier, save money, and save time, so you can spend less time worrying about your next meal and more time enjoying your vacation.
