Vegan Travel: Exploring the World Without Compromising Your Values

VanderlustJourney was created out of a simple question: “Can we travel the world and still stay true to our vegan lifestyle?” The short answer: Yes, we can – and it’s incredibly rewarding and fun! The long answer, with useful tips for your own vegan travel plans, will be in the article below 🙂

Why Vegan Travel?

Before diving into the world of vegan travel, your first question might be: Why vegan in the first place? To find out about the different reasons why people choose a vegan lifestyle and discover our personal stories, we invite you to check out this blogpost: Why Vegan? The Reason We Travel the World Plant-Based.

The direct contact to animals opened our hearts to vegan travel

Introduction to Vegan Travel

Starting to live in alignment with our values has been one of the best choices we’ve ever made. If we can live healthy and happy lives without harming others – why wouldn’t we?

The main reason we started this page was to show just how accessible and fun a vegan lifestyle can be, wherever you are in the world. It’s been an amazing adventure so far, and we’re excited to keep exploring and sharing – always traveling with kindness. Traveling as a vegan may sound complicated, but with a bit of preparation and the right mindset, it’s an incredibly rewarding way to explore the world.

Preparation for your Vegan Travel

Full disclosure: Neither of us are big fans of lots of preparation when it comes to travel. However, we take our food very seriously 😀 And to make sure we don’t go hungry, we’ll do some research before arriving at the new place.

Research Vegan-Friendly Restaurants

Tools we use:

HappyCow: The gold standard for vegan restaurant reviews around the world 😉 You can simply select your country, city or village and filter by “vegan,” “vegetarian,” or “veg-options” and sort by distance or rating.

Google Maps: Search “vegan” or specific dishes like “falafel,” “tofu,” or “bowl” and save the different places to a custom map.

TripAdvisor & Instagram: Browse hashtags like #vegan[cityname] to find spots and hidden gems at your destination.

Pro Tip: Screenshot opening hours, menus, or directions in case you don’t have internet connection at your destination.

Vegan-Friendly Accommodations

Hotels: If we book a hotel that includes breakfast, we make sure to contact them in advance to ask about vegan options. To avoid misunderstandings, we include a clear list of things we don’t eat — for example: no meat, no fish, no milk, no cheese, no eggs. This way, we’re not just asking for a “vegan option” but giving them the chance to understand our needs more precisely. Most of the time, the hotel replies with specific examples of what they can offer: for example fruit, bread with jam, plant milk, or even cooked dishes like grilled vegetables. And occasionally, they go above and beyond, preparing something special just because we asked! If you feel like the answer from your hotel is vague, don’t hesitate to ask for clarifications. And if you still don’t feel convinced, maybe this feeling is your sign to pack some extra snacks, just in case.
Accommodations with kitchen: Instead of staying in hotels, we often prefer booking accommodations with a kitchen, like those found on Airbnb or other vacation rental platforms. This is especially helpful when we’re traveling to areas with limited vegan food options, or when we simply want the freedom to prepare our own meals. Having a kitchen it’s also often more budget-friendly, particularly for longer stays. And sometimes, we just miss the comfort of a home-cooked dish, and it’s lovely to recreate that feeling while on the road.

Prepare Vegan Snacks Ahead

We already mentioned that we don’t like to go hungry. And so we make sure to always have some vegan snacks with us, whether it’s long-term travel or just a weekend getaway. Here are our go-to-snacks:

Nuts, seeds, dried fruits: These are our ultimate go-tos. They’re light, nutritious, and packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats – perfect for keeping us full between meals. And the best part? You can find them at local markets and grocery stores just about anywhere in the world.
Homemade snacks: When we have a bit of time before a trip, we love baking a loaf of banana bread or date bread. These are not only delicious but also keep well for a few days, making them ideal for road trips or train journeys, as well as the first days in a new destination. Another homemade snack idea are protein bars. And if you don’t have time to make them, you can often find vegan options in (health) stores as well.

Sandwiches & Wraps: When we know we’ll be traveling for hours without guaranteed access to vegan food – whether it’s a flight, a bus ride, or a day hiking in nature – we pack a more filling snack. Sandwiches and wraps are our favorite: easy to make, easy to carry, and endlessly customizable. Here are a few of our fave sandwiches: Peanut butter & banana; hummus, veggies & greens; tofu or tempeh with mustard and pickles; vegan cheese and tomato. And for wrap fillings: Chickpea salad (mashed chickpeas, mustard, celery, onion) or roasted veggies & hummus.

Sandwich with tofu and vegan cheese while hiking

Eating Vegan While Traveling

Learn Key Phrases in the Local Language

One of the most empowering things you can do while traveling is to learn how to say “I’m vegan” in the local language. It’s a small gesture, but it can make a big difference. Not only does it show respect for the local culture, but it also helps build connection and understanding. Locals are often much more open and eager to help when they see you’ve made an effort.

Basic phrases to learn:

“Can you prepare this without butter/cheese?”
“I’m vegan. I don’t eat meat, dairy, eggs, or fish.”
“Does this contain any animal products?”

Helpful Tools:

Google Translate (download the language offline!)
Vegan Passport: A multilingual guide by The Vegan Society that shows your dietary needs in 78 languages
Flashcards or notes on your phone

Pro Tip: Some locals may not know the word “vegan,” but they’ll understand when you explain ingredients.

Build Your Own Meals from Local Side Dishes

Even in places with zero vegan labels, many traditional dishes are already plant-based or easy to veganize.

Food that you can often find in local restaurants:

Rice, noodles, potatoes
Beans, chickpeas, lentils
Grilled vegetables
Bread or fleatbreads
Veggie soups
Salads with oil and vinegar instead of cream-based dressings

We often combine 2-3 side dishes into a super satisfying main course.

Naturally Vegan-Friendly Cuisines

Some cuisines are naturally rich in plant-based options, for example:

Indian: Lentil dals, veggie curries, rice dishes
Middle Eastern: Falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, tabbouleh
Ethiopian: Veggie platters with injera
Southeast Asian: Thai curries (request no fish sauce), tofu stir fries, noodle soups

Pro Tip: Most restaurants are amazing at customizing dishes – don’t be shy to ask!

Protein while Traveling

“But where do you get your protein?” While often asked with a hint of humor to vegans, this question still deserves a thoughtful answer – especially when you’re on the road. The truth is, most vegans meet their protein needs without much effort, and protein deficiency is rarely a concern with a varied plant-based diet. Still, during long-term travel, it’s helpful to be mindful of your intake – especially in countries where traditional vegan meals might feature lots of vegetables, but not so many legumes or grains.

We noticed this during our trip to Albania, where we encountered lots of naturally vegan dishes like stuffed peppers and grilled vegetables. But after a few days, we found ourselves craving something more filling and protein-rich. Our simple solution? Prepping quick wraps with canned beans, which are easy to find in most supermarkets and require no cooking.

Other great protein-packed travel staples include:

Chickpeas, lentils, beans
Nuts and seeds
Oats
Lentil chips or bean-based crackers
Quinoa
Hummus
Peanut butter or other nut butters
Tofu or tempeh (available especially in Asia, but also many other countries)
Soy milk or pea protein milk
Protein bars (just be sure to check the ingredients)

Tools & Tricks to Make your Vegan Travel Easier

Apps for Vegan Travel

HappyCow: Restaurant locator with reviews and photos.
abillion (for GooglePlay or AppStore): Vegan food and product reviews, plus donations to animal sanctuaries.
Google Translate (for GooglePlay or AppStore): For reading labels and communicating.
Maps.me: Offline maps with saved pins.

Beginner-Friendly Vegan Destinations

Some places are simply easier to travel to as a vegan than others. If your goal is to relax, explore, and eat well without constantly having to plan the next meal, these destinations are ideal. They have a combination of widespread vegan awareness, established plant-based communities, and easy access to delicious food:

Europe

Cities like Berlin, London, Amsterdam and Lisbon are vegan paradises. You’ll find 100% vegan bakeries, zero-waste cafés, and delicious vegan restaurants without any trouble.

Southeast Asia

Countries like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia have a rich tradition of plant-based cooking. Influenced by Buddhist culture, many local dishes are either naturally vegetarian or can be made vegan with minor tweaks. Cities like Chiang Mai in Thailand and Ubud in Bali are especially welcoming to plant-based travelers. These cultural and spiritual hubs are home to vibrant vegan communities, wellness cafés, and health-conscious restaurants and cafés that make finding delicious vegan meals super easy.

North America

Portland, Los Angeles, Toronto, and New York City are famous for their creative vegan restaurants. Wherever you go in these cities, you’ll find variety, creativity, and a welcoming attitude.

Vegan Retreats & Eco-Lodges

If you’re really looking to switch off, consider vegan-friendly resorts or eco-lodges. Many of them offer 100% plant-based food, often organic and locally sourced, with options ranging from yoga retreats to digital detox stays. For a simple and relaxing stay, we can for example recommend the vegan Bed&Breakfast Abriecosy in the South of France.

Leave Reviews and Support the Vegan Community

One of the best ways you can support the vegan movement while traveling is by leaving honest, thoughtful reviews. Not only do they give visibility to small (vegan) businesses and help other vegan travelers feel more confident about where to eat, but they also encourage restaurants and businesses to improve or expand their vegan offerings. Your feedback can create real change, and it’s super easy and quick.

Start by leaving your reviews on platforms where they’ll make the biggest impact. HappyCow is a go-to resource in the vegan world, and it’s the first place many people check when looking for plant-based food. If you’ve eaten somewhere with good vegan options (even if the place is not fully vegan), take the time to leave a star rating, a short written review, and a few photos. This kind of real-world experience helps others decide if it’s worth a visit.

Reviews on Google are another powerful tool. It’s used by nearly everyone, not just vegans, so your feedback has the potential to reach a wider audience. When you leave a Google review, mention specifically which dishes are vegan, how helpful the staff was, and whether the vegan items were clearly labeled. You can also use the “Suggest an edit” feature to tag a place as vegan-friendly.

And let’s not forget social media! A quick Instagram post or story showing your meal and tagging the location can go a long way. Add a short caption explaining what you ordered and whether it was fully plant-based. Hashtags like #vegantravel, #vegan[CityName], or #plantbasedeats make it easier for others to find your post. And if you tag us (@vanderlustjourney) in your story, we’ll make sure to repost it too 🙂

Conclusion

Cows on a field. Vegan travel for the animals.

Traveling as a vegan doesn’t mean missing out – it means discovering the world in a more intentional, compassionate way. Sure, it might take a little more preparation sometimes, but the rewards are worth it: you stay true to your values, support local and ethical businesses, and often discover dishes that you might have otherwise overlooked. For us, vegan travel is full of rich, joyful moments. With the right tools, some go-to phrases, a bit of planning, and a curious mind, you’ll be surprised how easy and fulfilling it can be.

Vegan Travel: Exploring the World Without Compromising Your Values

Why Vegan Travel?

Introduction to Vegan Travel