Travel Hacks for a Kinder, More Compassionate Journey

Traveling opens our eyes to new cultures, foods, and experiences, but it can also challenge us to think about the impact we leave behind. The truth is, the way we choose to travel can either fuel industries that exploit animals and harm the planet or create a ripple effect of kindness.

The good news? You don’t have to sacrifice adventure to travel with compassion. With a few simple travel hacks, you can make sure your trip is filled with joy while protecting animals, people, and the planet along the way.

1. Finding Vegan Food While Traveling

One of the easiest ways to align your travels with your values is through food. Choosing vegan meals supports animals by helping to end factory farming and often gives you a chance to taste authentic, plant-based dishes from local cultures.

Some easy vegan travel hacks include:

• Download apps like HappyCow to find vegan-friendly restaurants and cafés nearby. (Taking a road trip? We’ve got you covered with our vegan-friendly road trip guide.)
• Learn a few key phrases in the local language (like “Does this contain milk/eggs/meat?”).
• Shop local markets for fresh produce and plant-based staples. Many countries have vibrant street food that is free from animal-based ingredients.
• Pack snacks like nuts, dried fruit, or protein bars for long days of exploring.

Eating vegan on the go isn’t about restriction. It’s about discovery. You’ll be surprised at how many cultures have incredible plant-based traditions that have been around for centuries.

2. Choosing Ethical Tourism

Not all tourism is created equal. Sadly, many attractions profit from animal suffering—elephant rides, swimming with dolphins, photo ops with tigers, or roadside zoos. These experiences may look fun on Instagram, but behind the scenes, they rely on cruelty and exploitation.

Instead, try these animal-friendly alternatives:

• Observe wildlife responsibly in their natural habitat with a trained, ethical guide. Use World Animal Protection’s Wildlife-Friendly Travel Guide for more tips.
• Visit reputable sanctuaries that rescue and rehabilitate animals without offering hands-on encounters.
• Support eco-lodges and community-led experiences that reinvest in protecting habitats and empowering local people. Wildlife Heritage Areas are a great place to start!

These choices don’t just protect animals. They also ensure your money goes toward building a kinder, more sustainable tourism industry.

3. Easy Animal-Friendly Travel Hacks

Sometimes the smallest swaps make the biggest impact. Here are a few more ways to make your travels animal-friendly:

• Opt out of horse-drawn carriages or camel rides. Walking tours, bicycles, pedicabs, and van or bus tours are healthier for both you and the animals.
• Skip souvenirs made from animals, like ivory, fur, or seashells (which harm marine ecosystems).
• Pack cruelty-free toiletries. Reef-safe sunscreen and vegan personal care products help protect marine life and ensure no animals were tested on for your trip.

4. Bonus Vegan Travel Hacks

If you’re ready to go all in on compassionate travel, try these:

• Book accommodations with a kitchen (like through Airbnb) so you can prepare easy vegan meals when options are limited.
• Bring reusable cutlery and containers to cut down on single-use plastics while making it easier to grab food on the go.
• Request vegan meals in advance on flights. Thankfully, more airlines are offering them now.
• Join vegan travel groups online to swap tips, get recommendations, and connect with a community of like-minded explorers.

Travel Kindly, Travel Smart

At its core, travel is about connection—to people, places, and the planet we all share. When we make mindful choices like eating vegan, avoiding animal exploitation, and seeking out ethical experiences, we create journeys that are memorable for the right reasons.

World Animal Protection has been working for more than 75 years to make the travel industry more animal-friendly and sustainable—and we’ve had incredible success over these past decades. You can support our ongoing efforts to move the world to protect animals by becoming a monthly donor today.

we should add in reference to accessible options like pedicabs, van/bus tours, etc. for inclusivity