Top Tips for Healthy Vegan Travel

A big challenge in maintaining a vegan lifestyle can be finding wholesome and varied food options when travelling. As we’re nearing the end of summer, I thought I would hold onto those holiday vibes a bit longer and share some of my top tips for healthy vegan travel, focusing on how you can still find plant-based goodness wherever you’re jetting off to.

I pulled most of these ideas from the three weeks of travel I did in the USA this past May. Over the last five years of living in London, I’ve been back to the USA three times, travelling all over the country to see as many family and friends as possible. Last May I visited Washington DC, Northern Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania – it was quite the whirlwind trip!

These vegan travel tips and tricks made plant-based eating pretty seamless and easy for me. I hope they can help you out if you have any last-minute summer holidays that you’re squeezing in, or for your next trip. Let me know some of your favourite travel tips and hacks in the comments!

Plan Ahead

It pretty much always pays off to plan ahead and pack smart. What you pack will, of course, depend on how much room you have in your baggage, how much you’re willing to lug around, and the situation you’re going into (i.e. will there be food shops and markets there to buy from?).

This is a list of food and supplies I work off of when packing. I’ll pick and choose what is necessary and appropriate depending on the trip:

• Reusable water bottle – I never leave the house without one
• Protein bars – Vive, Nutreelife, etc.
• Snack bars – Perkier, Nakd, Good Full Stop, homemade, etc.
• Fruit – apples, bananas, oranges, pears (fruit with skin are usually good at surviving in your travel bag)
• Trail mix – buy pre-made mixes, or easily make your own using nuts, seeds, and dried fruit (add dark chocolate for extra sweetness)
• Peanut butter – pack a whole jar if you’re a hard-core PB consumer (no judgment!); single serving packs are convenient and space-friendly
• Gluten-free bread/wraps (if needed) – sometimes vegan and gluten-free bread can be hard to find
• Tins of beans/lentils – these can add significant weight, but are useful to pack if you’re going somewhere you can’t find them in a shop/store
• Vitamins and supplements – multivitamins, B12, plant-based protein powder
• Apple Cider Vinegar – I like bringing Willy’s ACV travel sized bottles with me, so I can make hot lemon water (a great way to keep a bit of routine and support digestion while travelling)
• Teabags – I love to have herbal tea bags on hand (green, peppermint, rooibas, chamomile)
• Reusable food storage containers/bags -for packing meals out
• Reusable tote bags – you never know when they might come in handy

Airports and Flights

If you’re flying to an international destination, call ahead and order a vegan meal for the flight. Some flights have varying times this needs to be done by (one airline I flew on needed 5 days notice), so it’s best to call as far in advance as possible.

I had one occasion where I was told on the phone my vegan meal was ordered and all set, but then told on the flight it wasn’t – not exactly what you want to hear when you’re already airborne. If this happens to you, don’t panic! The flight attendants were able to track down a tomato soup for me (from first class, so it was quite nice), and some fruit and other little snacks. I also had packed snacks in my carry-on bag (always be prepared!), so I didn’t go hungry.

This taught me to double check with the airline about food for me before getting on the plane. Now I like to ask the flight attendants once I’ve arrived at my flight’s boarding area if they have a vegan meal for me. On another flight I did this only to find that my vegan meal booking had not been recorded. (I haven’t had the best of luck with getting vegan meals on flights…) But because I asked about it before boarding, the flight attendants were able to sort it out and get a meal for me.

Bonus tip(s): For early morning flights I like to get to the airport well in advance, check-in, and find a café to order a matcha or turmeric latte. This is not so much a piece of advice, as it is a strong recommendation! It honestly makes the whole travel experience a bit less stressful (I hate feeling rushed to catch a flight), and is a lovely little treat before a long flight – double win!

Filling up that reusable water bottle after you’ve gone through security is also a good idea – airplanes are super dry, so keep yourself hydrated!

Food to Pack for Days Out and About

For those days when you’re out touring a new city, or running around an amusement park, it can save lots of money and time to pack breakfast and/or lunch and snacks. This guarantees one or two healthier meals that will fuel you through your day, and get in some nourishing foods, so that you don’t have to be concerned if dinner isn’t quite as virtuous. Some of my go-to non-cook meals and snacks are:

Meals:

• Overnight oats – oats, chia seeds, plant mylk, fruit, nuts and seeds
• Hummus veggie wrap/sandwich – with added spinach/lettuce and veggies (tomatoes, peppers, etc.)
• Baked potatoes and sweet potatoes – bake ‘em, wrap ‘em, and eat ‘em on the go. I seriously recommend this, it’s so easy, convenient, and tasty! Plus, potatoes and hummus go together like peanut butter and jam. Speaking of which…
• PB&J – another great sandwich to pack
• Sushi rolls – easily eaten on the go, and can help mix things up if you’re getting tired of sandwiches

Snacks:

• Hummus (in a pot) – with rice cakes and veggies for dipping
• Protein bars – a simple and delicious way to get extra protein in
• Trail mix
• Packs of nuts – you can even save yours from a flight
• Roasted peas/beans – Brave and The Food Doctor have great options
• Portable fruit – bananas, apples, oranges, pears, bags of grapes and berries

Eating Out

First of all, treat yourself and go out to eat! A big part of travelling is the chance to try new delicious foods and cuisines. Don’t be afraid to get something a bit more indulgent or spend a little extra – it’s all about balance.

I love exploring vegan eats in cities I visit (more tips on how to find vegan spots below). If you find yourself in a restaurant that doesn’t have vegan options on the menu, don’t be shy and ask your waiter/chef to accommodate you. Every restaurant I’ve been to has always been able to put something together for me. I’ll also create meals for myself by pairing together sides on the menu. You can often make a pretty decent meal that’s cheaper too using this strategy! Some common restaurant vegan sides are:

• Veggie soups
• Salads
• Baked potatoes/sweet potatoes
• Rice
• Beans
• Steamed/cooked veggies

Bonus tip: If you’re trying to pick a restaurant, I have found that there are a few cuisines that are generally safe bets for having healthier plant-based vegan options available:

• Asian – at the very least it’s usually possible to whip up a bowl of rice/rice noodles, steamed veggies, and tofu. It’s worth checking if fish sauce is added to anything.
• Mexican – burritos and burrito bowls, with rice, beans, veg, salsa, and guacamole
• Indian – can’t go wrong with curry/dahl and rice

Accommodations

If you’re staying at a hotel, there’s often a complimentary breakfast buffet. Double check with your hotel about vegan options – sometimes the porridge is made with milk, so it’s always best to make sure. My go-to meal at hotel breakfast bars is oats, topped with fruit, nuts, and seeds (basically my go-to meal all the time). There’s also often bread, peanut butter, jams, and vegan friendly cereals, with non-dairy milk if you ask!

You could also book an Airbnb with a kitchen, and cook for yourself. Sometimes a hotel room will have a little kitchen as well. Even if it’s limited equipment, it’s amazing what you can whip up using just a microwave.

Some Other Resources

Happy Cow has a fantastic website and app. On the site you can search by location and find loads of vegan and vegan-friendly places, with reviews and information as well. I have always used their free website, but there is also an App. This costs a bit of money, but can find spots based on your location.

Make use of the Internet: Google is usually my first port of call for finding vegan places in whatever city I’m travelling to. There’s bound to be food blogs out there with local recommendations that you can explore. Instagram and Pinterest are great for looking up places to eat and to get an idea of what people like to order.

One Final Word

Don’t be too hard on yourself! Travelling and going on holiday is meant to be special, adventurous, and fun. Try not to stress out and get anxious about what you’re going to eat. Instead enjoy the cuisines and foods available wherever you are, branch out and try new things, and enjoy the experience!

Let me know some of your top healthy vegan travel hacks below. I’d love to hear them so we can learn from each other, and I’ll share them back on my Instagram – of course giving you credit, just add your Instagram handle to the comment if you’d like!

AND keep an eye out for some exciting vegan travel guides based on my adventures in the USA, coming soon to a blog near you (hint: it’s this blog)!