Traveling While Vegan: 9 Budget-Friendly Tips to Eat Well Anywhere
Trying to stay plant-based on the road? It’s totally doable — even on a budget. Whether you're navigating an overnight layover or spending a week exploring a new city, these practical tips will help you eat well, stay energized, and still save for your next trip.
The Tips:
🥡 1. Book stays with a kitchen (or at least a fridge)
Airbnbs, hostels, and even budget hotels often have kitchenettes or communal kitchens. Even a mini-fridge lets you keep fruit, hummus, and wraps on hand — major budget saver.
🧃 2. Bring your “vegan kit”
Pack a few small, travel-safe essentials: a collapsible bowl, reusable cutlery, instant oats, and shelf-stable almond milk or protein powder. Instant breakfast in a pinch.
🧭 3. Use HappyCow and Google Maps like a pro
HappyCow is great for vegan spots, but Google Maps lets you check “cheap eats” + filter for “vegan” or “plant-based” in reviews. Save spots to a custom travel list before you go.
🍛 4. Try local grocery stores or markets
This is where the magic happens — fresh fruit, snacks, and regional plant-based gems for a fraction of the restaurant price. Bonus: great way to see what locals actually eat.
🍜 5. Seek out street food (just ask questions!)
In many countries, the cheapest and tastiest food comes from carts or stalls. Ask about ingredients politely or learn a few phrases like “no meat, no dairy” in the local language.
💸 6. Look for “accidentally vegan” dishes
Many cuisines have default vegan options: falafel, pasta marinara, rice & beans, dosas, etc. Learn what local staples happen to be plant-based and lean into those.
🥪 7. Keep a budget-friendly emergency meal on hand
For long bus rides or airport delays: tortilla + peanut butter, dried fruit + nuts, instant soup cups you can make with hot water at a café.
🍽 8. Lunch specials > dinner splurges
In many cities, the same restaurants offer lunch for half the price. Eat your bigger meal mid-day, then grab groceries or something light for dinner.
🌍 9. Travel with a flexible mindset, not perfection
If you’re in a place where options are limited, prioritize staying kind to yourself. You can be vegan and still eat imperfectly sometimes.
Being vegan shouldn’t mean missing out on new experiences. In fact, eating plant-based can make travel even more exciting — you’ll try ingredients you never knew existed, and you’ll meet a ton of locals along the way. 🌍✈️
Got a favorite vegan travel hack? Drop it in the comments below — I'd love to add it to the list.