The moment you step out of line with the norm, people start talking. Not about the animals spared or the emissions cut or the quiet discipline of saying no to what’s wrong - but about you. They reduce the choice to a performance, a trend, a way to signal moral superiority. “She just wants attention.” “It’s not about the planet, it’s about the likes.“ But what’s more revealing is that these criticisms say less about the vegan and more about the society watching her.
Because if compassion is dismissed as “showing off,” then what does that say about our collective conscience? If caring about the environment is branded as a fad, maybe it’s because indifference has become the baseline. And if someone needs attention to change a broken system, perhaps we should ask why attention is the price of caring at all.
At its core, veganism unsettles people not because it’s extreme but because it holds up a mirror. It quietly exposes the fact that the status quo, where animals are treated as mere machinery and consumption is unquestioned, is itself a choice. And in that light, the accusation of “attention-seeking” feels more like a defence mechanism than a critique. After all, attention isn’t inherently bad. True change starts when someone is willing to be seen doing what others won’t. If choosing compassion makes noise, maybe the real question isn’t “Why is she doing this?” but “Why aren’t we?”
So yes. If you did it, congratulations. The change starts with you and it should never feel heavy, even when the world tries to make it so. Because this choice can travel with you. It fits into your suitcase, it walks through airports, it crosses borders. Everywhere you go, you carry it with you. In the quiet cafés where you find soy milk on the menu. In the street markets where vegetables shine brighter than any packaged meal. In conversations with strangers who tilt their heads and ask why, you realise you are not just passing through a place - you are leaving an imprint!
So travelling as a vegan is not about missing out. Not at all. Actually, we are here to show you how to make the best out of your trip, while also highlighting the importance of staying safe online when travelling abroad, because, honestly, that is a dilemma all on its own and, frankly, sometimes vegans are subject to more hate online than lots of other people.
Yes, you want to connect to that café Wi-Fi to check your messages, post a photo, find the nearest vegan (or failing that 'vegan-friendly') restaurants and make life a little easier while you’re far from home. But stop for a second. That little convenience can become a trap. Open networks are hunting grounds for hackers and every tap, every login, every “easy access” is an invitation. They don’t need to be visible to take what’s yours - your accounts, your passwords, your online identity.
At its core, veganism unsettles people not because it’s extreme but because it holds up a mirror. It quietly exposes the fact that the status quo, where animals are treated as mere machinery and consumption is unquestioned, is itself a choice. And in that light, the accusation of “attention-seeking” feels more like a defence mechanism than a critique. After all, attention isn’t inherently bad. True change starts when someone is willing to be seen doing what others won’t. If choosing compassion makes noise, maybe the real question isn’t “Why is she doing this?” but “Why aren’t we?”
So yes. If you did it, congratulations. The change starts with you and it should never feel heavy, even when the world tries to make it so. Because this choice can travel with you. It fits into your suitcase, it walks through airports, it crosses borders. Everywhere you go, you carry it with you. In the quiet cafés where you find soy milk on the menu. In the street markets where vegetables shine brighter than any packaged meal. In conversations with strangers who tilt their heads and ask why, you realise you are not just passing through a place - you are leaving an imprint!
Vegan Travel Tips & Advice
So travelling as a vegan is not about missing out. Not at all. Actually, we are here to show you how to make the best out of your trip, while also highlighting the importance of staying safe online when travelling abroad, because, honestly, that is a dilemma all on its own and, frankly, sometimes vegans are subject to more hate online than lots of other people.
Don’t Let Convenience Become a Trap
Yes, you want to connect to that café Wi-Fi to check your messages, post a photo, find the nearest vegan (or failing that 'vegan-friendly') restaurants and make life a little easier while you’re far from home. But stop for a second. That little convenience can become a trap. Open networks are hunting grounds for hackers and every tap, every login, every “easy access” is an invitation. They don’t need to be visible to take what’s yours - your accounts, your passwords, your online identity.
Using the same password everywhere, ignoring updates, letting your devices wander freely… it all adds up! One of the simplest armours you can carry? A password manager which it keeps your credentials locked down, random, impossible to guess so even if the world tries to reach in, it can’t. One slip is all it takes but with care, vigilance and the right tools, you can navigate the online world fully without losing yourself.
Every journey begins with a question: are you chasing flavours or chasing landscapes? Are you looking for already like-minded folks to connect with or are you looking to introduce veganism to people who have never even heard of vegetarianism, let alone veganism.
If your compass points toward vegan gastronomy and vegan pals, the map is marked with hotspots like London, where vegan fish and chips are no longer a novelty but tradition, or Berlin, where doner kebabs and currywurst have been reimagined in fully plant-based form. In both of these places (and in other European cities), you'll find that you're not just able to find a few vegan friends (who you might not have anything else in common with) but because there are so many vegans there, you'll be able to find friends who are both vegan and have other things in common with you! What luxuries!
If, instead, your path winds through quieter terrains, say, the rugged cliffs of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula or the misty trails of Patagonia, your survival kit may not be guidebooks but oat bars, roasted chickpeas and good ol' beans and rice. Here, you might find people who not only don't know the word vegan, they might have no concept of anything like this.
For example, I've been to countries where they understand I don't want to eat an egg but don't understand that includes things with egg in them, like pancakes and cakes or even omelettes. Here, your task, should you choose to accept it, is to be an ambassador for animal rights, and explain gently our reasons for leaving animals and their eggs in peace. Be aware that you might be met with resistance, laughter or even people who are insulted - you've been the first to plant a seed though, be proud of it!
In a nutshell: clarifying your intention before you leave transforms the unknown from a gamble into an adventure!
For vegan travellers, HappyCow isn’t just an app; it’s an oracle. Type in almost any city from Berlin to Buenos Aires and it unveils a hidden network of cafés, street stalls and restaurants you’d never stumble across on your own. In Tokyo, it might point you toward a basement bar serving vegan yakitori; in Rome, a gelateria where the pistachio is dairy-free and tastes like a secret passed down for generations (for real).
Know Your Trip’s Vegan Intentions
Every journey begins with a question: are you chasing flavours or chasing landscapes? Are you looking for already like-minded folks to connect with or are you looking to introduce veganism to people who have never even heard of vegetarianism, let alone veganism.
If your compass points toward vegan gastronomy and vegan pals, the map is marked with hotspots like London, where vegan fish and chips are no longer a novelty but tradition, or Berlin, where doner kebabs and currywurst have been reimagined in fully plant-based form. In both of these places (and in other European cities), you'll find that you're not just able to find a few vegan friends (who you might not have anything else in common with) but because there are so many vegans there, you'll be able to find friends who are both vegan and have other things in common with you! What luxuries!
If, instead, your path winds through quieter terrains, say, the rugged cliffs of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula or the misty trails of Patagonia, your survival kit may not be guidebooks but oat bars, roasted chickpeas and good ol' beans and rice. Here, you might find people who not only don't know the word vegan, they might have no concept of anything like this.
For example, I've been to countries where they understand I don't want to eat an egg but don't understand that includes things with egg in them, like pancakes and cakes or even omelettes. Here, your task, should you choose to accept it, is to be an ambassador for animal rights, and explain gently our reasons for leaving animals and their eggs in peace. Be aware that you might be met with resistance, laughter or even people who are insulted - you've been the first to plant a seed though, be proud of it!
In a nutshell: clarifying your intention before you leave transforms the unknown from a gamble into an adventure!
HappyCow Is Always The Way To Go
For vegan travellers, HappyCow isn’t just an app; it’s an oracle. Type in almost any city from Berlin to Buenos Aires and it unveils a hidden network of cafés, street stalls and restaurants you’d never stumble across on your own. In Tokyo, it might point you toward a basement bar serving vegan yakitori; in Rome, a gelateria where the pistachio is dairy-free and tastes like a secret passed down for generations (for real).
The map fills with pins, purple cow icons glowing like beacons, each one backed by reviews and photos from fellow wanderers who found magic before you. Pair it with Google Maps, download your route, and suddenly every unfamiliar street holds the promise of discovery!
When you travel, words can open doors (and sometimes fill up plates). Learning a few essential phrases in the local language can save confusion and even spark smiles, believe me! Some universally helpful examples include:
*N.B.: in some countries (where suing reigns supreme), you're better off telling people you're allergic to animal products because that's something they have to take seriously. In other places (religious ones) you're better off saying you don't eat them for religious reasons - because they are religious themselves, religion is something they tend to respect.
In many countries, carrying a vegan passport - a small card with phrases written in the local language, can be a lifesaver in markets, street stalls or family-run restaurants where English isn’t widely spoken. Even learning just a few key words can transform your dining experience from guessing what’s safe to confidently exploring new flavours.
Even in cities brimming with vegan options, the road is unpredictable. Flights, trains and remote trails can leave you hungry far from a café so having a small arsenal of snacks is essential. Stock up on nuts, dried fruit, trail mix and energy bars. Non-melting options travel especially well!
Speak Vegan in Any Language
When you travel, words can open doors (and sometimes fill up plates). Learning a few essential phrases in the local language can save confusion and even spark smiles, believe me! Some universally helpful examples include:
- “Is this vegan?”
- “I don’t eat meat.”
- “I don’t eat dairy/milk/cheese.”
- “I don’t eat eggs.”
- “Does this contain honey?”
- “I am allergic to [meat/dairy/eggs/fish/honey/etc]" *
- “Can you make this without meat/dairy?”
*N.B.: in some countries (where suing reigns supreme), you're better off telling people you're allergic to animal products because that's something they have to take seriously. In other places (religious ones) you're better off saying you don't eat them for religious reasons - because they are religious themselves, religion is something they tend to respect.
In many countries, carrying a vegan passport - a small card with phrases written in the local language, can be a lifesaver in markets, street stalls or family-run restaurants where English isn’t widely spoken. Even learning just a few key words can transform your dining experience from guessing what’s safe to confidently exploring new flavours.
Wrapping Up
Even in cities brimming with vegan options, the road is unpredictable. Flights, trains and remote trails can leave you hungry far from a café so having a small arsenal of snacks is essential. Stock up on nuts, dried fruit, trail mix and energy bars. Non-melting options travel especially well!
