7 Smart Tips Every Traveling Vegan Should Know

Traveling vegan can sometimes present challenges, especially when exploring new destinations. Before I embraced a vegan lifestyle seven years ago, finding food on the road was relatively straightforward. However, as a vegan (and gluten-free), I quickly realized that I needed to adapt my approach to food when traveling.

Whether you’re vegan or not, you should be prepared for where you’ll eat when you embark on a new trip. Traveling as a vegan is a choice filled with opportunities, and I’m here to share my insights, ensuring you’re fully prepared for exploring new destinations without the worry of hunger or feeling out of place.

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How To Prepare For A Vegan Trip

• Embrace eating whole foods and not crappy foods. I know people advocate for on-budget trips and that it’s fine, but when you visit other cities, you should try their authentic cuisines, which, most of the time, is whole food instead of fast food (even if they are vegan).
• Always have a backup restaurant plan when you are traveling vegan. It’s not uncommon to find that a restaurant is closed or that the online information is outdated. Being prepared will save you from the stress of hunger.
• Stay open-minded; you may find yourself eating the same meal several days in a row.

Disclaimer: I am vegan and gluten-free by preference. This information reflects my personal experience and is not intended as dietary advice.

1. Best Vegan Meals To Pack For Travel

If you get irritable after several hours without a bite to eat. Then, you need to pack some vegan snacks for traveling. Here are some of my favorite snacks that travel well:

• Pack a sealed plastic bag to keep everything fresh and organized
  • Organic fruits (mandarins, bananas, dates)
  • Carrot sticks and/or broccoli with hummus
• Organic nut mix
• Organic teriyaki seaweed
• Protein vegan bars
• Almond flour crackers

2. How To Find Vegan Food While Traveling Vegan

Thankfully, technology has made traveling as a vegan much easier! One of my go-to resources is the Happy Cow app. This app has become indispensable for planning my trips. Not only does it help me discover vegan restaurants, but it also identifies non-vegan eateries that offer delicious vegan options.

Note: This app is filled by people who contribute to reviewing it, so providing a review is very important for future travelers.

Here are some additional resources for finding vegan food while traveling:

• Veggl app
• Google map
• Yelp
• Reading vegan blogs. Some of my favorites, besides my blog vegan guides (of course), include
  • The Nomadic Vegan
  • My Vegan Travels

3. How To Handle Language Barriers As A Vegan Traveler

When traveling vegan, you may find individuals who don’t fully understand the difference between vegan and vegetarian-friendly foods. It’s often more effective to request food without meat, dairy, eggs, or any other animal products instead of simply saying “vegan.”

To further smooth your dining experiences while traveling vegan, it can be helpful to learn the words for meat, dairy, eggs, and animal products in the local language. This way, you can communicate your dietary needs and ensure your meal is free from animal products.

Another useful tool is Google Translate on your mobile device to help you translate meal ingredients and ensure they align with your vegan lifestyle. I’ve also incorporated some quick translations for animal-based ingredients in different languages, complete with phonetic pronunciations, to make your travels even easier.

4. Explore Local Cuisine In A Vegan Style

Traveling vegan doesn’t have to be intimidating. Nowadays, in many cities, it is easier than in others to find vegan options. Even at non-vegan restaurants, you can customize meals to fit your dietary preferences.

Tip: Always check the sides offered at a restaurant because most of the time, you’ll find options that you can combine to make a complete meal.

Several cuisines tend to have accidentally vegan options or dishes that can be easily tailored to a vegan style. Some of these delicious options come from delightful nationalities, including:

• Mexican (veggie tacos, veggie rice bowl)
• Asian (Vegetable fried rice)
• Italian (Marinara pasta)

5. Vegan Traveling: Where To Stay (Hotel)

There are several fully vegan hotels worldwide, but what if there isn’t one in the city you’re visiting?

• Consider booking a hotel with a mini kitchen. This allows you to stock up on ingredients from the grocery store and prepare your breakfast before heading out for the day.
• If a hotel with a kitchen is beyond your budget, at the very least, opt for one that includes a microwave and fridge. Many convenient microwave vegan meals can be purchased and heated right in your room, making vegan traveling much smoother.

6. Traveling Vegan by Air

If you’re traveling by air, the best option is to have a big meal before heading to the airport. However, for long flights, being well-prepared is essential.

Vegan Food To Take On A Plane

Based on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) food regulations, you’re allowed to bring your snacks, such as dried fruits, vegan protein bars, nuts, cooked vegetables, and other foods.

• Opt for Solid Foods. Pack as much solid food as you can because any liquid food is limited to 3.4 ounces under TSA rules.
• Separate Packing. To facilitate the TSA check-in process, pack your food in separate plastic bags and place them in a bin apart from your other belongings.
• Mind the Liquids. Keep in mind that even hummus and peanut spreads are considered liquids. Instead, you can prepare a vegan sandwich with hummus or peanut spread directly on the bread to avoid hitting the 3.4-ounce liquid limitation.
• Know the International Rules. If you’re traveling vegan internationally, consume all food before landing because any leftovers will be confiscated at immigration.
• Best Airplane Snacks for Long Flights. For those lengthy flights, any instant vegan food that requires only hot water is a fantastic option. You can request hot water at airport cafes or even on the plane. Here are a few vegan (and gluten-free) snacks perfect for long flights:
  • Vegan instant noodles
  • Vegan instant rice ramen
  • Vegan instant pad Thai
  • Instant organic oat mill powder (great for coffee)
  • Instant oatmeal

Check Airport Vegan Options

Before your trip, check these resources to find out what’s available at both your departure and arrival airports.

• PCRM vegan airport guide
• Veggl is an excellent tool for finding vegan options available in several airports across the USA. 

Even if a restaurant isn’t fully vegan, many offer dishes that can be easily transformed into a vegan meal. You can grab your vegan food at the airport and take it on board with you.

7. Vegan Traveling Options On A Cruise 

You’ll find several cruise lines that have incorporated vegan options within their menus. I’ve personally sailed several times on Virgin Voyages cruises, and I find the vegan options truly outstanding.

No matter which cruise line you decide to sail with, I highly recommend that you notify the cruise line before your trip about your vegan lifestyle. To ensure that the cruise is well-prepared to accommodate your dietary needs during your trip.

Note: If you’re planning a Virgin Voyages cruise, don’t miss my top tips for what to know before cruising.

Wrap-Up: Traveling Vegan

Traveling vegan doesn’t have to come with stress or anxiety if you take the time to prepare ahead of your trip. You can enjoy worry-free experiences while trying delicious, plant-based cuisine with a little planning.