Best Vegan Travel Hacks for Cruelty-Free Jetsetting
The excitement of travel is second to none – the booking, the planning, the finally taking off - but as a vegan, there is one more layer of research and preparation to be done before setting off on a journey.
By Sascha Camilli: writer, speaker, activist, and vegan fashion expert.
As awareness of veganism grows, travelling as a vegan has gotten easier - and the trend for vegan adventuring, vegan cruises, and other plant-based explorations is rising. But in some parts of the globe, being a plant-based traveller still presents a challenge. Here are some simple hacks to make your journey a success - and not have to settle for salad and fries even once.
Consider booking somewhere with a kitchen.
We know – cooking, washing the dishes and scrubbing countertops isn't anyone's idea of a holiday. However, if you're headed to a destination where vegan-friendly eateries are few and far between, stocking up on plant-based essentials at the nearest supermarket might beat having to order pasta with tomato sauce for the fifth night in a row.
Bring snacks for the flight.
Your in-flight vegan meal might indeed be heaven. But we aren't always lucky, so to avoid being stuck with two salad leaves and a stale old roll, stock up pre-takeoff. This could also prove useful when you land and aren't yet familiar with your new surroundings. If hunger pangs strike before you've had a chance to locate the nearest veggie spot, those nut and date bars in your bag will come in handy.
Turn to the internet for advice.
Today, we live in a world that offers a wealth of information at our fingertips - chances are you will know your destination inside and out before you even step off the plane. This includes its vegan offerings – check Happy Cow to find the nearest plant-based eateries and scour Pinterest for stylish vegan guides to the location you're visiting. These days, it's safe to say that nearly wherever you're going, there will be a neatly penned guide for that specific location, with addresses and links to the menu. Make a list and enjoy exploring!
Make sure your luggage is leather-free.
Travel cruelty-free with compassionate luggage free from animal exploitation. Brands such as My Vegan Bags offer eco-friendly, 100% vegan weekend bags and holdalls in sturdy technical fabrics that will allow you to travel comfortably and know that no animals died for your journey. Shop our travel selection here.
Overcome the language barrier.
We won't lie, language can be an issue when travelling as a vegan. Sweating at your table while trying to explain "no eggs, no dairy" to restaurant staff that doesn't understand you is never on anyone's bucket list. But there are ways to take the conversation international. The app V Cards easily translates phrases clearly explaining veganism into over 100 languages. Just pull up your desired language and show to the staff. Problem solved!
Be open to trying local cuisine.
While taking all possible precautions to ensure that the food you're eating is free from animal-derived ingredients, it makes no sense to retreat to the nearest Pizza Hut for the duration of your trip. Enjoying the culinary experience is a crucial part of travel. Be courageous and give the local (plant-based) delicacies a chance - you might stumble upon a new favourite dish.
Meet local vegans.
This might just be the most fun part of being vegan abroad. Pretty much any location you can think of will now have a local vegan Facebook group, which you'd be advised to join before embarking on your trip. If you're lucky, this group will also contain info on meet-ups, vegan festivals and more – making it easier to meet like-minded people on your trip. Making new friends is the most magical part of travel, and coming home with new connections is priceless.
By Sascha Camilli
About Sascha
Sascha Camilli is a vegan fashion writer, speaker and activist. Her book Vegan Style is out now on Murdoch Books. For more about Sascha, you can read our interview with her or read her newsletter Kind of Wild. You can also follow her on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Cover image by Nils Nedel. Second photo by Dino Reichmuth. Third photo by Daoudi Aissa. All via Unsplash.
For more great content like this in your inbox, sign up to our newsletter, and save 10% off your next purchase, plus great savings throughout the year.
