Eating at McDonald’s when you’re traveling: It’s a topic that can really get people fired up. Is it a do or a don’t? While most travelers are traveling for the express purpose of experiencing new things, there are certain times when finding something familiar, like a McDonald’s restaurant, is just right – and that doesn’t make you a bad traveler, does it?! We checked in with frequent travelers who each have their own reasons for eating at McDonald’s when they’re traveling. Here’s what they had to say:
I’m going to be honest … I used to feel so ashamed to admit that I eat McDonald’s when I travel! I’m all for eating local cuisine and trying out new things, but since becoming a vegetarian who eats fish occasionally, finding food can sometimes be tricky. The thing I love about McDonald’s when traveling (or any major fast food chain), is that I know exactly what I can get and that it will be the same pretty much anywhere in the world (I’m a Filet o’ Fish fan), if I’m in a pinch or in a heavy meat-eating country or city. And I can’t tell you how many times McDonald’s fries have saved me from major hangry moments! –Jennifer Weatherhead Harrington, Travel & Style
RELATED: My Favorite International-Inspired Foods from Trader Joe’s
I almost always stop by McDonald’s when I travel, especially in a new country. Hear me out. I don’t go there to eat necessarily (although sometimes I do). No, instead I’m there to learn about the local culinary customs. McDonald’s has long had a history of adapting its menu to better fit in with local sensibilities, even here in the U.S. lobster rolls in Maine are a great example of how McDonald’s adapts its menu, but it gets really interesting outside of the United States. In Vienna you’ll find Emmentaler cheese with cranberry sauce, in Paris you’ll see both McBiere and macarons and in Bangkok, choices include chicken and rice bowls with a corn pie for dessert. These variations are a fantastic window into the local culture, and a fun way to learn about what foods they love the most. –Matt Long, Landlopers
When I’m visiting a foreign country and am unsure of the culinary choices, I’ll admit that if I find a McDonald’s, I might just consider it for a quick breakfast or lunch. It might not be the healthiest or most adventurous dining choice out there, but I pretty much know what to expect and the familiarity is kind of comforting. And the efficiency of the experience allows me to spend more time exploring the sights of whatever country I am visiting. –Justin Harrington, Justin Harrington Photography
I’m guilty of eating at McDonald’s from time to time when I travel, but I do so for two reasons: one, sometimes I just want a quick, cheap lunch that’s “like home”, and McDonald’s fits that bill. Other times, I choose McDonald’s because of my nut allergy: if I’m travelling through airports or places in Southeast Asia, McDonald’s is sometimes the safest thing for me to eat because I know the company is based around providing a consistent product around the world. A Big Mac in China is very much the same Big Mac served in Canada. –Aaron Saunders, From the Deck Chair
RELATED: A Great, Free App for Travelers With Food Allergies
I have a love hate relationship with McDonald’s. On one hand, the fries and Big Macs are soooo tasty. On the other hand, it is not at all healthy. When I travel, McDonald’s falls into two camps for me: one is running through an airport or train station and I am just hungry and want to eat without looking at a menu. And the other is knowing exactly what I am eating as I travel. As someone with a number of serious food allergies, I know if I walk into a McDonald’s in Tokyo or Seoul, and there is a language barrier, I can order a meal where I know precisely what I am ordering. –Steven Frischling, Flying with Fish
So: What do YOU think? Do you eat at McDonald’s when you’re traveling? Why or why not? Leave a comment below!
I will eat at a McDonald’s if I’m at the airport, but if I’m traveling around town, NEVER! For an example, I was in Munich near the Marianplatz looking for a place to eat. There is a McDonald’s on Tal, just east of Marianplatz. Just across the street there is a nice German restaurant called Schneider Brauhaus. Much better food and pretty much the same cost. Coke might be cheaper, but who goes to Munich to drink coke?
Great place to get really large soft drinks at reasonable prices compared to typical local restaurants or cafes. And they are typically served cold, or with plenty of ice.
Safe quick choice and economical. Airport food is outlandishly priced. Unless you are traveling on the companies dollar another choice would be ChicFil-A.
I love to eat out, however, one, during covid times, I prefer the drive through cause I’m still leary to eat indoors….#2, I love fast food burgers, straight out. I’m rarely let down. As far as health wise, I find it better to eat a burger with no fries, no coke, and I’m sure I’m eating healthier than many restaurants where I overeat a variety of unhealthy food. Also, I’d rather get a quick bite and spend my time in a number of other ways, and also, save my money from expensive dining and spend that on things I like better than food. Perhaps saving for my next vacation!
Full disclosure: We own stock in McDonalds.
Yes, we eat there as we can usually find healthy choices, e.g. salads or fruit cups. Next I like their coffee and think it is way superior to that other company that is on every street corner in USA. They have Diet Coke and my wife loves Diet Coke. They always have chilled bottled water. As you mentioned, they often have foods typical of an area that are actually really tasty. Finally, it is a rare occasion in deed that we eat their fries, Fish sandwiches or burgers anywhere in the world, although they were serving a breakfast thing that looked like a “french fry” coated in sugar and cinnamon – bit of puff pastry.
For me, often when I do eat at a Macdonald’s it’s because I’m having a bit of a digestive issue – the local cuisine isn’t sitting too well with me at the moment – and McDonald’s will go down a bit easier as far as eating something.
I don’t eat there as a routine matter, but more so as perhaps a “time out” to get my stomach back on track
I live on Maui for 6 + years and I love to go to McDonalds there for breakfast, rice and good Portuguese sausages.
Now, I am here on Mainland I missed McDonalds on the island. I don’t know why making at home it’s so different eating at McDonalds on the island.
I haven’t even in a McDonalds since the 70s when they would not let me use the bathroom in New Orleans during Mardi Gras. I went to the Popeyes around the corner instead and haven’t eaten in a McDonalds since – anywhere in the world (although I might take a peak at the menu). I’ve eaten at a lot of Popeyes, however.
Once, and only once did we eat at a McDonalds when traveling internationally. It was 1997, Paris traveling with twin 9 year olds. There was no Yelp, in fact, we didn’t have cell phones. In part, we went to McDonalds just to grab something to eat to fuel us through our day of museums and cathedrals. What was different is that they sold wine and espresso coffee. I find local fare always preferable to McDonalds.
I love to try all the different pies around the world at McDonald”s..They have so many kinds. pineapple,peach, lemon,mostly fruit…And they still fry them….Oh so good.
I was in china last year stopped at a MC Donald’s had a big mac they make it better than the us.
I was in china last year stopped at a McDonald and had a big Mack it tasted better than what they have have here.
I believe that people eat at McDonald’s when traveling just because they don’t know the local language. This is why you need to learn the culture and at least basic words in the language of the people where you are going on a trip, so you can easily eat in restaurants of delicious local cuisine, and learn a lot of new things.
KFC saved me in Spain more than once when stopping work at 5 after no lunch. One of the few places open at the time. Usually at the end of a long international trip if there is a McCafe in the airport I will get McNuggets and fries because it’s exhausting sometimes dealing with unfamiliar languages and customs and you just want something from home.