Rick Steves' Simple Advice To Save Money When Shopping At European Markets

Travel expert Rick Steves wants to help people make European travel as accessible as possible. This is why he doesn't just advise his fans on where to go but how to save money along the way. Of course, transportation and lodging are major expenses, but dining can add up as well. To save money on food while traveling, Steves recommends visiting a local market and making a picnic meal. In a blog post, he explained, "You'll eat better while spending half as much as those who eat exclusively in restaurants." 

While opting for some fresh picnic food at a local market in Europe already helps your budget, Steves has a way to maximize the savings and avoid lugging around more food than you need. To get just a few of each item — such as fruit — rather than a whole bundle or bag, the travel guru says to "estimate what it would cost if the merchants were to weigh it and then just hold out a coin worth about that much in one hand and point to the apple, or whatever, with the other. Have a Forrest Gump look on your face that says, 'If you take this coin, I'll go away.' Rarely will they refuse the deal."

Another budgeting tip for visiting a local market in Europe is to watch out for sellers who don't display prices. "Assume any stall without posted prices has a double price standard: one for locals and a more expensive one for tourists," says Rick Steves. In a similar vein, Steves says to act like you understand the prices of each merchant stall. Appearing confident makes sellers feel as though they won't be able to scam you, at least not so easily. This tactic can prevent you from getting overcharged in other situations, too, like taxi rides.

The guidebook author often encourages travelers to seek out authentic cultural experiences when visiting Europe. Therefore, to get the most out of popular European destinations, try to follow the local crowds rather than the tourist crowds. With this in mind, checking out local markets can have more benefits than just monetary. While you stretch your budget with Steves' smart bargaining strategies, you'll also get to see a vibrant and bustling aspect of daily life for your destination's locals.