8 Genius In-Flight Dining Hacks

If you want to save money, don't go for the food they sell in the airports or on the plane. Not only is it expensive, but it may not taste as good as it looks. Your best bet is to make and bring your own fuel for the long trip ahead...

Make your own cereal mix.

Get a Tupperware or Ziploc bag and fill it up with a healthy cereal brand, muesli and mixed nuts. From there you can add extra bits as you see fit. Dried fruits, like figs, raisins, cranberries and apples all go well together! Bring a little plastic spoon and then ask for milk, and there you go!

Pack a fruit salad that won’t turn to mush.

Mix a bit of firm fruits together - fruits like peaches, plums, apples and cherries.

Prepare a portable breakfast ahead of time.

There is nothing better than homemade breakfast good. Try making blueberry muffins, rosemary scones or even breakfast burritos. They're yummy and easy to devour!

Go with the grain salad.

A grain salad is healthy, filling and it won't wilt like a fresh green salad. Try dressing the salad with olive oil to add a bit of flavour and then shake it up in a container before eating. Add chopped cucumber, tomato, dried cherries, carrots, red onions, cheese. 

Veg out.

You don't want to sit in a plane for 12 hours after eating a stodgy meal filled with salt. Try something fresh! Pack a few chopped up veggies, such as celery, carrots, cucumbers, baby corns and broccoli. Pack hummus for a yummy dip.

Get popping.

Pop a bit of popcorn on the stove before you leave and you won't be disappointed. It is a healthy way to fill up and a great source of energy. 

Stow an edible souvenir.

When you leave, you'll probably want to take something delicious back with you —and sandwiches are a great portable way to do so, since almost every region has its own signature version. Headed back from South Africa? Pick up a Gatsby. Memphis? A pulled pork slider. 

Sweat the small stuff.

Stash some little staples, like plastic utensils and salt and pepper packets, in an easy to reach bag. Other must haves: wet wipes to clean hands and disinfect arm rests and tray tables, as well as a small garbage bag to make passing off refuse to the stewardess quick and easy. And finally, don’t leave home without some common sense: Out of courtesy to your fellow travellers, don’t pack or eat smelly food such as tuna fish, cabbage and boiled eggs.

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Breakfasts from around the world

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day – it keeps us sharp and healthy! And as with any meal of the day, breakfast is interpreted differently around the world. So, if you’re a traveler and you love trying out different cuisines, here are the best places in the world for a delicious breakfast…

A full English breakfast

Other countries do include meat in their breakfast, but no one does it quite like the English! A typical English breakfast or otherwise known as a fry-up must consist of beans, sausages, bacon, egg, fried mushrooms, hash browns, toast and a salty disc of black pudding.

The French breakfast

French food is known for being rich and very delicious, that’s why they choose to only eat sweet food (nothing with salt) for breakfast. A French breakfast includes tea, coffee or juice with breakfast pastries like croissants, baguettes, French bread and plenty of butter and jam.

Breakfast in Japan

Tofu is a popular choice for breakfast in Japan. But, often a simple bowl of miso soup and rice or rice porridge sometimes with a piece of cooked fish and pickled vegetables, is a typical breakfast in Japan. Of course, don’t forget your cup of green tea.

The famous American breakfast

Breakfast in America is very varied. You will find different takes on the meal across the states. But the most popular breakfast options in America are always doughnuts, cereals and homemade pancakes. However one of the best breakfasts has to be in New York, where you will find the best bagels in the world.

A traditional German breakfast

The traditional first meal of the day in Germany usually consists of wursts, a variety of yummy local cheeses and freshly baked breads. And, the normal fare for a German breakfast is all washed back with a delicious coffee.

An Indian breakfast

Indian breakfast cuisine varies hugely depending on the region, but it is often similar to lunch or dinner. A breakfast plate in South India may consist of vegetable stew with lentil and rice bread, while breakfast in central India will be a thick pancake served with different dips and chutneys.

A Turkish breakfast

Turkey certainly has an exotic breakfast meal. A typical breakfast will include cheese, olives, tomatoes, boiled eggs, cucumbers, bread, jam, honey and spicy meat. A more traditional Turkish breakfast will also include menemen.

Breakfast in Mexico

A delicious, spicy breakfast is the norm in Mexico. A delightful Mexican breakfast plate may often have ingredients such as tortillas, eggs, cheese, beans and sauces. Another common breakfast item is chilaquiles – fried corn tortilla chips topped with green or red salsa, eggs, chicken, cheese and refried beans.

Polish breakfast

Known locally as Jajecznica, a traditional Polish breakfast includes scrambled eggs covered with slices of custom-made kielbasa (a sausage) and joined by two potato pancakes.

Breakfast in China

Breakfast is a lot like lunch and dinner in China, so you can expect food items like noodles, dumplings, and rice in vegetable soup. A popular comfort food and breakfast cuisine in China is congee (rice porridge), it can be eaten plain or topped with ground meat or squid.

Breakfast can be a tricky meal, some people won’t leave the house without their daily morning nourishment and others never eat because of lack of appetite or time. Hopefully this variety of delicious breakfast meals may even inspire you to travel the world.

Planning a trip soon? Contact 808 Cartwright for a luxurious, self-catering apartment with amazing views of Cape Town. Plus, Airport Shuttle can transport you to and from Cape Town International Airport.

Written By: Christine Romans 

How to save money on food when you travel

Food is one of the most expensive things to buy while you travel, but it is also one of the main areas where you can cut costs. Sometimes it is worth it to have that meal to make memories and taste the local cuisine, but not every meal should fall into that category. Here’s how to save on food expenses when you travel…

Bring a Water Bottle – During your travels you should have a reusable water bottle to keep yourself hydrated. You can fill up at some places that have accessible, safe drinking water, but just check beforehand. In especially warm climates, this tip can save you quite a bit! Although there may be vending machines or shops with drinks available, all those purchases can add up, so bring along your own water to avoid making that mistake.

Navigate Grocery Stores – It’s best to get familiar with the location of grocery stores near where you’ll be staying and where you’ll be around meal times. This is a clever way to stock up on snacks instead of buying them when you are near attractions (these are usually marked up for tourists). If you know where the local grocery stores are then you can also get supplies to create your own meals for breakfast, lunch and supper. Rather do this than eat out and waste money.

Fill Up on Breakfast and Lunch – Get your daily adventures off to a good start with a filling breakfast that gives you plenty of energy. Some places may not serve large breakfasts, so finding a restaurant can be quite challenging. To avoid missing breakfast or wasting money on a meal, simply pick up some fruit or bread. Focus on getting your fill at lunch time and rather have a lighter supper, this way you can fuel the rest of your day’s activities and keep the coats of snacks low.

Find Meal Deals – If your accommodation includes meals, like breakfast, take full advantage! You don’t really have to stay somewhere expensive to have this benefit included either, many offer bread, jam and fruit and coffee/tea. You can also choose to split meals with others.

Avoid Tourist Traps – Generally, the restaurants near tourist attractions aren't going to provide you with a true local experience and they won’t be cheap either. Try to find places that are away from the tourist swarm, they are often worth the extra travel!

When you save money on food, it frees up quite a lot of funds for other things like attractions, better accommodation and memorable souvenirs. What are your tips on cutting travel food costs.

For a shuttle service to and from Cape Town International Airport, contact Airport Shuttle today! Need a luxurious, self-catering apartment with amazing views of the Mother City? Book in at 808 Cartwright.

Written By: Christine Romans