Tips for travelling (successfully) as a vegetarian

Spontaneity and a healthy dose of throwing caution to the wind are part of the fun of travelling. It’s an adventure; you’re supposed to lose some of your inhibitions! But this rarely applies to travelling vegetarians.

There are plenty of reasons to be eating less meat right now. Livestock farming is one of the biggest producers of greenhouse gas emissions, contributing 18 per cent of human produced emissions worldwide (that’s more than the emissions from ships, planes, trucks and cars combined). Animal agriculture is the primary driver of global deforestation and a massive contributor to biodiversity loss, air pollution and land and water degradation. Add in the ethical issues surrounding intensive practices like factory farming, and we get why so many people are stepping away from meat.

That’s not to say that a vegetarian or plant-based diet is without its challenges, even more so when you’re visiting a foreign country. The meat-free eaters of the Freely team have learned the hard way what happens if you throw all culinary caution to the wind and travel without any planning! That I’ll-just-wing-it attitude more often than not ends in disappointment, hungry panic and emotional distress.

So, if you’re planning to leave meat out of your next trip – consider this essential reading. These are our top tips for travelling (successfully) as a vegetarian.  

‍Learn some basic phrases

Learning the basic phrases of a foreign language is always a good idea. It will not only help you get around, but it’s a sign of respect and shows that you don’t expect locals to know English (or your native language) for your convenience. For vegetarians, having a few food-focused phrases in your back pocket is essential. Learn how to say ‘vegetarian’ (though be aware that this word does not exist in some countries), ‘I do not eat meat’ and ‘Is this vegetarian?’ in the local language before you leave. It can also be helpful to have a shortlist of food keywords on standby, including the main words for popular meats like chicken, beef and fish, as this will make meat dishes easy to identify on menus.

Download apps

HappyCow is the most popular and trusted resource for travelling vegos. It recommends vegetarian and vegan restaurants in your vicinty and will also point you in the direction of regular eateries with plant-based options on the menu. Trip Advisor is another helpful guide; just search “vegetarian” or “vegan” in your location. And though not a food-specific app, Google Translate will help you decode food menus and communicate with restaurant staff with ease. It’s also just super handy to have when you’re travelling.

Do your research before you arrive

This tip is up there with knowing how to say ‘vegetarian’ in the local language. Don’t head into your destination on a whim; research the restuarants where you are travelling before you arrive. Most will have their menu online, so you can find ones with vego options and book in advance if necessary.

If you’re struggling to find options in the local cuisine, look for Indian, Mexican and Meditteranean restaurants. These cultures naturally have a lot of (extremely delicious) meat-free dishes on offer.

If you’re staying at a hotel, ask staff for vegetarian recommendations or message your Air BnB host ahead of time and see if they have any tips. Locals always know the places to score the best food (another reason why you should learn a bit of the language). You can also look out for farmer’s markets or health food stores close to where you’re staying, as these always have options for plant-based eaters.

Pack snacks

Having snacks on standby is a certified great idea, especially if you’re travelling with dietary restrictions. Save yourself the (literal) hunger pains and slip a few packaged snacks – protein bars, dried fruit and nuts – into your carry-on and suitcase. They don’t weigh much and will come in handy during long days in transit or when you can’t find somewhere suitable to eat.

Don’t forget you can bring pre-made food with you on your flight. While most international flights have a vegetarian or vegan in-flight meal option (you just need to remember to request in advance), if you’re worried you won’t like it, bring something else onboard with you.

Book accommodation where you can cook

Sampling food from street vendors and exploring local restaurants are essential cultural experiences when visiting a foreign country. But it doesn’t hurt to have the option to cook a few meals in, especially if you’re away for longer stints or spending time in countries with a lot of meat-heavy dishes. Look for self-contained apartments or rooms with a kitchen set-up included (i.e. more than a bar fridge and worn out kettle).

Pick vegetarian-friendly destinations

If having a solid spread of vegetarian options is important to you, think about travelling to destinations where plant-based cuisine is part of the culture. India is a prime example: around 42 per cent of the population are vegetarian and with dishes like chana masala, aloo gobi, dal, punjabi chole masala and palak paneer, you will never run out of delicious options. There are plenty of other places worth considering. Thailand’s Chiang Mai has been hailed the “vegan capital of Asia”, much of Sri Lanka’s traditional cuisine is inadvertently vegan and the Mediterranean diet of countries like Greece, Italy, Spain and Morocco have a natural vegetarian lean.