Packing for a vegan trip can feel like solving a tasty puzzle. A 2024 survey by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine found that 71 percent of frequent U.S. flyers would happily choose plant-based meals if airports offered them - proof that reliable vegan options are still hit-or-miss when you’re on the move!
With the right items in your carry-on - think protein-rich snacks, a compact spice kit, and a reusable cutlery set - you’ll stay fuelled even when the terminal only has cheese pizza! In the guide ahead, you’ll find a simple, field-tested packing list covering food, gear, and money matters.
This might sounds obvious but let's just start out wit this: the most necessary items in your bag are your documents and money. You won’t be successful in travelling without your ID, visas, and boarding passes! Keep them in a secure and easy-to-access place, such as a document organiser. Always carry physical photocopies or printouts of the passport and insurance policy, and save digital ones on your phone. Having a backup for critical papers can save you in a pinch!
1. Check Your Documents!
This might sounds obvious but let's just start out wit this: the most necessary items in your bag are your documents and money. You won’t be successful in travelling without your ID, visas, and boarding passes! Keep them in a secure and easy-to-access place, such as a document organiser. Always carry physical photocopies or printouts of the passport and insurance policy, and save digital ones on your phone. Having a backup for critical papers can save you in a pinch!
In addition to the essentials, it’s also smart to bring your social security number, proof of income, proof of address, and your bank account details. While you may not need them often, they can be incredibly helpful if you find yourself in a situation where a short-term loan for travel expenses becomes necessary. Being prepared with these details can help you access emergency funds quickly and with less hassle.
Bring two payment methods, such as a debit/credit card and some cash. Many vegan travellers prefer to use cards with no fees and carry a bit of local currency for markets. If you’re country-hopping, consider a multi-currency travel card in your bag to avoid fees (e.g. Wise or Revolut). And don’t forget to let your bank know that you’ll be abroad to avoid any unpleasant situations!
So please double-check you have:
I know it sounds basic, but people usually forget the obvious. Like my ex who tried to use his ID to fly outside of the EU (for that you must have a passport). Also, as a vegan traveller, pack a vegan phrase sheet! For example, the Vegan Society’s Vegan Passport app covers 78 languages with phrases and even pictures to explain your dietary needs.
Your luggage is the foundation of your packing, so choose it wisely. Choose vegan carry-on luggage, bags, and backpacks made from nylon and polyester rather than leather - many brands are offering high-quality travel gear with zero animal products nowadays! And companies like Patagonia and Cotopaxi make durable packs using recycled plastics and ethical practices.
Think about your travel style and destinations when picking luggage. The 'backpack vs suitcase' is the classic debate. Backpacks are great for mobility and can also save you airline baggage fees. A rolling suitcase (or 'trolley bag' as we like to call them in the UK) might be easier if you have back issues or are sticking to paved roads. Whichever you choose, ensure the bag is comfortable!
Bring two payment methods, such as a debit/credit card and some cash. Many vegan travellers prefer to use cards with no fees and carry a bit of local currency for markets. If you’re country-hopping, consider a multi-currency travel card in your bag to avoid fees (e.g. Wise or Revolut). And don’t forget to let your bank know that you’ll be abroad to avoid any unpleasant situations!
So please double-check you have:
- passport/ID
- driver’s license if needed
- insurance info
- any travel tickets
I know it sounds basic, but people usually forget the obvious. Like my ex who tried to use his ID to fly outside of the EU (for that you must have a passport). Also, as a vegan traveller, pack a vegan phrase sheet! For example, the Vegan Society’s Vegan Passport app covers 78 languages with phrases and even pictures to explain your dietary needs.
2. Choose Vegan-Friendly Luggage!
Your luggage is the foundation of your packing, so choose it wisely. Choose vegan carry-on luggage, bags, and backpacks made from nylon and polyester rather than leather - many brands are offering high-quality travel gear with zero animal products nowadays! And companies like Patagonia and Cotopaxi make durable packs using recycled plastics and ethical practices.
Think about your travel style and destinations when picking luggage. The 'backpack vs suitcase' is the classic debate. Backpacks are great for mobility and can also save you airline baggage fees. A rolling suitcase (or 'trolley bag' as we like to call them in the UK) might be easier if you have back issues or are sticking to paved roads. Whichever you choose, ensure the bag is comfortable!
Inside your main luggage, organise with packing cubes or pouches. Assign one cube for tops, one for bottoms, one for toiletries, etc. Packing cubes aren’t a must, but once you try them, you might wonder how you managed to live without them so far! And if you’re taking a vegan group travel tour or cruise where you need to unpack/repack quickly, you’ll be the organised one.
You can travel light and follow your ethics too! Pack versatile pieces that suit the climate of your destination, all made from vegan-friendly fabrics. Avoid materials like leather, suede, fur, silk, and wool - for everyday wear, choose cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo, or high-quality synthetic blends. They are lighter, wrinkle-resistant, or quick-drying, which is a huge plus when you’re on the move.
3. Dress in Cruelty-Free Clothing!
You can travel light and follow your ethics too! Pack versatile pieces that suit the climate of your destination, all made from vegan-friendly fabrics. Avoid materials like leather, suede, fur, silk, and wool - for everyday wear, choose cotton, linen, hemp, bamboo, or high-quality synthetic blends. They are lighter, wrinkle-resistant, or quick-drying, which is a huge plus when you’re on the move.
Pack a mix of lightweight and warmer items that you can combine. A typical world vegan travel wardrobe might include:
For hot or humid destinations, pack breathable natural fabrics. Linen pants, cotton sundresses, and moisture-wicking polyester activewear are all great and cruelty-free! They’ll keep you comfortable. And don’t forget your swimwear if needed!
When selecting travel clothes, think about function and respect as well. If you plan to visit temples or churches, wear modest attire, such as a scarf or long pants! However, try not to overpack clothes (either).
Travel often means walking, so packing the right shoes matters. Vegan footwear options are plentiful today. For city travel and general exploring, a pair of comfortable walking shoes or sneakers is a must. Many popular sneaker brands offer styles that are all synthetic. You might already own canvas sneakers or running shoes that are vegan by default.
If you’re looking to buy new ones, look for companies that explicitly market vegan shoes. Even old classics like Converse Chuck Taylors are canvas and rubber - inherently vegan-friendly! Make sure your go-to shoes have good support if you’ll be on your feet all day. If your adventure includes hiking, you’ll need sturdier footwear - remember: you can get hiking boots that contain no leather, you just need to look! For example, look for boots made with synthetic uppers, often polyurethane or nylon mesh, and rubber soles. There are speciality companies like Xero Shoes or Vivobarefoot that produce vegan trekking shoes built for serious comfort and durability.
- a couple of t-shirts or tank tops
- a long-sleeve shirt
- a light sweater or hoodie
- a packable jacket
- a coat with synthetic insulation for cold weather
For hot or humid destinations, pack breathable natural fabrics. Linen pants, cotton sundresses, and moisture-wicking polyester activewear are all great and cruelty-free! They’ll keep you comfortable. And don’t forget your swimwear if needed!
When selecting travel clothes, think about function and respect as well. If you plan to visit temples or churches, wear modest attire, such as a scarf or long pants! However, try not to overpack clothes (either).
4. Add Comfortable Vegan Footwear!
Travel often means walking, so packing the right shoes matters. Vegan footwear options are plentiful today. For city travel and general exploring, a pair of comfortable walking shoes or sneakers is a must. Many popular sneaker brands offer styles that are all synthetic. You might already own canvas sneakers or running shoes that are vegan by default.
If you’re looking to buy new ones, look for companies that explicitly market vegan shoes. Even old classics like Converse Chuck Taylors are canvas and rubber - inherently vegan-friendly! Make sure your go-to shoes have good support if you’ll be on your feet all day. If your adventure includes hiking, you’ll need sturdier footwear - remember: you can get hiking boots that contain no leather, you just need to look! For example, look for boots made with synthetic uppers, often polyurethane or nylon mesh, and rubber soles. There are speciality companies like Xero Shoes or Vivobarefoot that produce vegan trekking shoes built for serious comfort and durability.
For warm climates or beach destinations, pack sandals or flip-flops. These are usually easy to find in vegan materials, such as plastic, rubber, and fabric. Flip-flops are great as shower shoes in hostels and for quick runs to the hotel lobby. Sandals with a bit more support are nice for walking in hot weather. If you’ll be doing water activities or lots of walking in sandals, choose something with straps and cushioning. Also, don’t forget any speciality footwear you might need, such as insulated snow boots, vegan bike shoes, or lightweight slippers if needed!
For footwear maintenance, pack a little travel shoe brush or just use an old toothbrush. If you get caught in the rain, dry your shoes out by stuffing them with newspaper or airing them under a fan. And consider a small blister kit in case new shoes surprise you with a hot spot.
Toiletries are one area where a bit of planning pays off for vegan travellers. It’s best to bring your travel-size essentials that are guaranteed cruelty-free and vegan. This way, you won’t end up using a random hotel soap that contains tallow (rendered animal fat). Start with the basics:
If you wear makeup, take a minimal travel kit of vegan cosmetics! Thankfully, lots of makeup brands are vegan now or have vegan lines. A small foundation, one multi-use stick for lips and cheeks, mascara, and an eyeliner might be all you need (or you can also just go no makeup)!
For footwear maintenance, pack a little travel shoe brush or just use an old toothbrush. If you get caught in the rain, dry your shoes out by stuffing them with newspaper or airing them under a fan. And consider a small blister kit in case new shoes surprise you with a hot spot.
5. Pack Personal Care Items!
Toiletries are one area where a bit of planning pays off for vegan travellers. It’s best to bring your travel-size essentials that are guaranteed cruelty-free and vegan. This way, you won’t end up using a random hotel soap that contains tallow (rendered animal fat). Start with the basics:
- toothpaste
- deodorant
- soap
- shampoo
- sunscreen
- razor
- shaving cream
- lotion
If you wear makeup, take a minimal travel kit of vegan cosmetics! Thankfully, lots of makeup brands are vegan now or have vegan lines. A small foundation, one multi-use stick for lips and cheeks, mascara, and an eyeliner might be all you need (or you can also just go no makeup)!
Important note: make sure your makeup remover is also cruelty-free! Micellar water from brands like Pacifica is vegan and comes in mini bottles. A travel cosmetic organiser is handy to keep all these in place (you might wanna use a silicone or recycled fabric bag). Waterproof is a plus in case something leaks!
No one wants to be hungry while travelling! When you’re vegan, you can’t always count on finding plant-based eats at every pit stop, so packing vegan snacks and easy meals is essential. Plus, having your snacks can save you money and keep you healthy.
Start with high-energy, non-perishable snacks like nuts, dried fruits, granola (which you can easily make at home), energy bars, and vegan jerky. If you enjoy savoury snacks, you can pack things like crackers or rice cakes and little packages of nut butter. Roasted chickpeas or broad bean snacks are also protein-rich and crunchy. And don’t forget some treats: dairy-free dark chocolate, a few fruity gummies, or cookies!
For longer trips or if you expect to be in areas with few vegan restaurant options, consider bringing a few easy meal fixes - for example, instant oatmeal packets. They’re light, just need hot water, and make a decent breakfast or snack (make sure choose the ones without milk powder).
Important note: be mindful of travel regulations! If you’re crossing international borders, certain types of fresh produce, seeds, or nuts might not be allowed through customs (consume or dispose of those before crossing). Processed and sealed snacks are generally fine (do double-check that though, it varies case by case).
6. Pack Your Vegan Snacks!
No one wants to be hungry while travelling! When you’re vegan, you can’t always count on finding plant-based eats at every pit stop, so packing vegan snacks and easy meals is essential. Plus, having your snacks can save you money and keep you healthy.
Start with high-energy, non-perishable snacks like nuts, dried fruits, granola (which you can easily make at home), energy bars, and vegan jerky. If you enjoy savoury snacks, you can pack things like crackers or rice cakes and little packages of nut butter. Roasted chickpeas or broad bean snacks are also protein-rich and crunchy. And don’t forget some treats: dairy-free dark chocolate, a few fruity gummies, or cookies!
For longer trips or if you expect to be in areas with few vegan restaurant options, consider bringing a few easy meal fixes - for example, instant oatmeal packets. They’re light, just need hot water, and make a decent breakfast or snack (make sure choose the ones without milk powder).
Important note: be mindful of travel regulations! If you’re crossing international borders, certain types of fresh produce, seeds, or nuts might not be allowed through customs (consume or dispose of those before crossing). Processed and sealed snacks are generally fine (do double-check that though, it varies case by case).
Moreover, consider carrying a collapsible bowl and utensils to mix things like oatmeal or instant soups. If you have oats and can get hot water somewhere, you can make a nice oatmeal right in your seat! Just ensure the voltage is compatible abroad and that it’s safe to use where you stay.
Even if you’re headed to one of the best places to travel as a vegan with restaurants on every corner, having a quick snack on hand is reassuring. So pack a few of your favourites, sustain yourself through travel’s ups and downs, and maybe even win over a few taste buds along the way!
Reusable accessories are crucial in your packing list. You’ll reduce waste, save money, and ensure you’re never stuck using something gross or non-vegan out of desperation. Make sure to pack:
If you’re joining any vegan travel tours or group trips, you might find these reusables doubly useful. Many organised vegan tours encourage sustainability, and having your gear fits right in!
Part of packing is what goes on your phone: the right tech can make finding food and foreign places so much easier! So along with your physical gear, make sure to pack your electronics and load up useful apps before you go.
You’ll likely have a smartphone, maybe a camera, e-reader, or laptop, depending on your trip purpose. Pack your chargers, cables, and adapters. If travelling internationally, a universal power adapter is a must-have so you can plug into different outlet types - modern universal adapters cover EU, UK, US, and AU plugs in one - super convenient! Also, consider headphones for long rides or some vegan travel podcast listening, and maybe a lightweight Bluetooth keyboard if you plan to work on the road.
Even if you’re headed to one of the best places to travel as a vegan with restaurants on every corner, having a quick snack on hand is reassuring. So pack a few of your favourites, sustain yourself through travel’s ups and downs, and maybe even win over a few taste buds along the way!
7. Carry Reusable Travel Accessories
Reusable accessories are crucial in your packing list. You’ll reduce waste, save money, and ensure you’re never stuck using something gross or non-vegan out of desperation. Make sure to pack:
- a water bottle (or a collapsible water bottle)
- utensils and cutlery (a fork, spoon, and knife)
- a food container (collapsible silicone or a lightweight tupperware)
- a reusable shopping bag (foldable tote bag or packable grocery sack)
- a travel cup or thermos (optional)
- a textile napkin or towel (carry a small cloth or bandana)
If you’re joining any vegan travel tours or group trips, you might find these reusables doubly useful. Many organised vegan tours encourage sustainability, and having your gear fits right in!
8. Prepare Your Tech and Travel Apps!
Part of packing is what goes on your phone: the right tech can make finding food and foreign places so much easier! So along with your physical gear, make sure to pack your electronics and load up useful apps before you go.
You’ll likely have a smartphone, maybe a camera, e-reader, or laptop, depending on your trip purpose. Pack your chargers, cables, and adapters. If travelling internationally, a universal power adapter is a must-have so you can plug into different outlet types - modern universal adapters cover EU, UK, US, and AU plugs in one - super convenient! Also, consider headphones for long rides or some vegan travel podcast listening, and maybe a lightweight Bluetooth keyboard if you plan to work on the road.
Now, onto the apps! One of the vegan traveller’s best friends is HappyCow, the app that lists vegan and vegetarian restaurants and stores worldwide (the latter usually also have plenty of vegan options). Download it and even we also recommend considering paying for the offline mode so that you can search for food without the internet! This way, you'll be able to read reviews for tips, and sometimes people even mention community events or hidden gems in the comments! Also, don’t forget a translator app (one where you can download language packs offline). Google Translate also has that camera translation feature which has proved super useful for us! Sure, it’s not perfect, but it can help spot words like “meat broth” or “butter” in ingredient lists.
Before departure, charge everything and consider a small cable organiser. Also, take photos of your important documents and store them securely on your phone, or email them to yourself! You might wanna keep a travel folder in your cloud drive with scans of these and any tickets.
Travel can throw your body some curveballs because of different cuisines, irregular meals, jet lag, and new germs, so bring any supplements or medications you rely on to feel your best. The top supplements for virtually all vegans are vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 (like algae-based DHA/EPA), etc. Essentially, any daily vitamins you take, include them, because it might be tough to find your specific vegan brand abroad!
Pack a small supply of protein or superfood supplements if you think you might need a nutrition boost. Some people carry single-serving packets of vegan protein powder (these can be mixed with water or plant milk for a quick protein shake when you’re in a pinch). A sachet of greens powder or multivitamin powder could help if you worry you’re not eating enough veggies on the road!
Before departure, charge everything and consider a small cable organiser. Also, take photos of your important documents and store them securely on your phone, or email them to yourself! You might wanna keep a travel folder in your cloud drive with scans of these and any tickets.
9. Pack Essential Medications!
Travel can throw your body some curveballs because of different cuisines, irregular meals, jet lag, and new germs, so bring any supplements or medications you rely on to feel your best. The top supplements for virtually all vegans are vitamin B12, vitamin D, omega-3 (like algae-based DHA/EPA), etc. Essentially, any daily vitamins you take, include them, because it might be tough to find your specific vegan brand abroad!
Pack a small supply of protein or superfood supplements if you think you might need a nutrition boost. Some people carry single-serving packets of vegan protein powder (these can be mixed with water or plant milk for a quick protein shake when you’re in a pinch). A sachet of greens powder or multivitamin powder could help if you worry you’re not eating enough veggies on the road!
Also, bring any prescription meds you take, in original packaging if possible, and a copy of the prescription. If you have critical meds for example, for asthma, thyroid, etc., pack extra in case of loss or delay! Definitely add pain relievers, something for upset stomach or diarrhoea, and an antihistamine for allergies. Try to check if those pills are gelatin-free and if you can get gelatin-free versions (if not, then not - remember the vegan credo: 'as much as it's doable and practicable' which varies woth each individual and situation). And don’t forget basic first aid items:
Keep everything in a small, waterproof pouch, slip it into your daypack, store it on top for quick grabs, and you’ll never have to dig through your clothes to find it!
Vegan travel isn’t just about where you go - it’s also about how prepared you are when you get there. Whether you're headed to Bali, Berlin, or one of the other best vegan travel destinations, having the right gear, snacks, and documents on hand gives you the freedom to focus on the experience instead of the logistics.
Even if you're travelling on a tight budget, smart packing can help you avoid overpriced airport food and last-minute spending. And if something unexpected comes up - like a flight delay or lost luggage -having access to emergency funding, such as a short-term loan, can be a real lifesaver!
- bandages (plasters)
- antiseptic wipes or cream
- any needed items like blister pads
- probiotics or digestive enzymes
- electrolyte powder packets
- itch/bite cream (1 % hydrocortisone)
- small tweezers and nail clippers/scissors
- activated charcoal capsules (for mild food poisoning)
Keep everything in a small, waterproof pouch, slip it into your daypack, store it on top for quick grabs, and you’ll never have to dig through your clothes to find it!
Final Thoughts
Vegan travel isn’t just about where you go - it’s also about how prepared you are when you get there. Whether you're headed to Bali, Berlin, or one of the other best vegan travel destinations, having the right gear, snacks, and documents on hand gives you the freedom to focus on the experience instead of the logistics.
Even if you're travelling on a tight budget, smart packing can help you avoid overpriced airport food and last-minute spending. And if something unexpected comes up - like a flight delay or lost luggage -having access to emergency funding, such as a short-term loan, can be a real lifesaver!
In the end, travel is unpredictable. But with a little planning and a lot of vegan snacks, you’ll be ready for whatever the road serves up! (Image source: Unsplash)
