Preparing for the ultimate vegan camping adventure and wondering where to start? Then you’ve come to the right place! Camping while vegan does present its own unique challenges, but it’s fairly straightforward once you know what you’re doing and how to prepare.

Not only will you have to plan your meals ahead of time and source plant-based items that won’t go sour on you, but you’ll also have to bring camping supplies that suit your ethics as well.

From easy camping meals to the best vegan-friendly camping supplies, here is the ultimate guide to vegan camping!

The Ultimate Guide To Vegan Camping

Step 1: Research Your Campsite

Before you start shopping and preparing for your vegan camping trip, you’ll want to take your campsite into account. Are you staying in an area with a ton of amenities such as potable water, electricity, and a firepit? Are you going totally off-grid with plans to fend for yourself every step of the way? Or are you traveling in a campervan or RV with access to a bunch of kitchen utensils?

Any of these options will require you to plan differently, so think about what you’re going to need as far as cooking, shelter, and sleeping goes.

Read more: The Ultimate Packing List for Campers (Must-Have Essentials!)

Step 2: Plan Your Meals

Planning healthy plant-based meals ahead of time is the ultimate key to having a great vegan camping trip. Using the ideas below, I recommend going to the grocery store with a detailed shopping list, and then meal prepping the day before you leave.

In planning your meals, it’s all about easy food that you can whip up in seconds and that doesn’t require a million kitchen utensils. And keep in mind that planning meals ahead of time for one person is super easy, but planning for multiple people with different tastes can get a bit hectic. For this reason, go into the meal situation knowing exactly how much you’ll need of everything.

Too much food could go bad, but too little food could be a disaster. In storing your food, use high-quality reusable containers, a cooler, and a lunch bag. 

And don’t forget any supplements you may be taking — they’re just as important camping as they are at home!

Easy vegan camping breakfast ideas:

• Chia oats soaked in water with raisins and walnuts (these wide-mouth mason jars are the perfect size to prepare with beforehand)
• Sliced banana or apple with peanut butter on whole grain or gluten free bread
• Single serve protein sample packs to add to oats or water
• No-sugar added granola
• Your favorite instant coffee or tea

Easy vegan camping lunch & dinner ideas:

• Amy’s lentil vegetable soup (or any other easy-open Amy’s low sodium soup)
• Plant based burgers & hot dogs (you can purchase these in a store or make your own)
• Skewers: Beyond meat plant-based or vegetable skewers (you can use tempeh or tofu instead of beyond meat if you prefer)
• Frozen quinoa, kale, and beans (these are super easy to put in a pot and heat over the fire or stove
• Burritos: bring wraps, cooked rice, veggies, refried beans, hot sauce, nutritional yeast, and avocado
• Steamed “carrot dogs”: use carrots instead of hot dogs and fill them with all the fixings
• Corn on the cob
• Vegetables in foil: wrap your fave veggies in tin foil with some olive oil and spices, then grill

Vegan camping snack ideas:

• Hummus
• Bag of power greens
• Mary’s crackers
• Fruit on fruit: apples, oranges, bananas, kiwi, peaches, plums, including dried fruit
• Avocado & whole grain or gluten free bread
• Boiled sweet potato (made ahead and packed)
• Veggie crisps (gluten free vegetable crackers) or kale chips
• Forager vegetable chips
• Larabars, or similar
• Trail mix of walnuts, raisins, dates, pumpkin seeds, etc. in a ziplock bag
• Corn thins or brown rice rice cakes with peanut butter or plain
• Quinoa/black bean salad

Vegan camping desserts:

• Smores: Dandies vegan marshmallows, vegan chocolate, and vegan graham crackers
• Campfire banana boats with bananas, vegan dark chocolate, peanut butter, and maple syrup
• Grilled fruit: brush brown sugar on peaches or pineapple and grill over the fire
• Apple crisp: coat apples with brown sugar, nutmeg, granola, vegan butter, and oats, wrap in foil, then grill over the fire

Read more: 20 Genius Camping Hacks Every Camper Should Know

Step 3: Source Your Gear

Now that you know the amenities at your campsite and have a general meal plan, it’s time to start compiling vegan camping equipment. Though finding animal-free camping equipment can be a bit of a search, there are thankfully quite a few reputable options on the market:

Vegan bedding: When choosing bedding that will keep you warm and dry out in the backcountry, skip anything made with down or wool and opt for synthetic fibers. This sleeping bag from Coleman is 100% synthetic and will keep you cozy, and I also recommend bringing a sleeping pad, some hand warmers (if you’re in a cold climate), and a cruelty-free pillow.

Vegan Shoes: If you’ll be doing any hiking or water-based activities on your camping trip, then opt for shoe companies that are certifiably vegan. These Asics hiking shoes are 100% synthetic and highly-rated for their gel cushioning system.

Cooking supplies: Though it’s pretty easy to get vegan-friendly cooking supplies (anything that’s plastic or metal), you’ll want to pack a camping stove, re-usable camping plate and cutlery set, camping kitchen utensils, biodegradable vegan soap, bin for doing dishes, camping grill, and washcloths.

Vegan luggage: As demand grows, more and more companies are switching from using animal products in their luggage and daypacks to synthetic and plant-based fibers. In particular, all of Osprey’s luggage and daypacks are vegan and well-made.

Sunscreen and Bug Spray: More than just about the food and supplies, having a great camping trip requires a few comfy extras. These vegan sunscreen and bug spray products will keep your skin feeling great and protected from the elements. Alternatively, you can make your own vegan bug spray by mixing together 1 part eucalyptus or lavender essential oil with 10 parts witch hazel — put it into a spray container and apply!

The post The Ultimate Guide To Vegan Camping appeared first on Ordinary Traveler.

You’ve booked your flight and are ready for your trip, when the airline sends you an email to notify you of a flight schedule change.

Passengers are regularly affected by a modification of their flight schedule, now more than ever as a result of COVID-19. With most flights cancelled because of coronavirus, passengers are left with the option to either get a refund for flight cancellation or change the flight schedule.

In general, the further in advance you book your flight, the higher the chances of having a schedule change.

While this may ruin your trip, know that when this happens, passengers can sometimes claim a flight schedule change compensation.

But that isn’t always the case. Sometimes, you just have to accept the change of flight time. You may also be entitled to a refund or rerouted via a different flight.

Flight Schedule Change due to Coronavirus

Let’s get one thing out of the way first: because it is (thankfully) an extraodinary circumstance, coronavirus doesn’t make you eligible for compensation when your flight is canceled as a result of it.

While airlines are not obligated to compensate passengers, most of them have set up policies that consist in offering one of two things:

• A travel voucher for you to travel with them at a later date when air traffic will be back to normal
• A refund of your ticket

In general, we do NOT recommend accepting travel vouchers as compensation. However, the air travel industry is among the most seriously hit by the pandemic. Air carriers especially are at risk, with several of them having already declared bankruptcy or been nationalized.

That’s why when given the option, we encourage travellers who believe that they will fly with the airline in the future to accept the voucher rather than the refund, as it will help your air carrier financially.

Of course, the decision is yours, and you may have been finally affected yourself, so the refund is also an option!

Flights Schedule Change Rules

What is considered a change of schedule?

A flight schedule change occurs when the airline announces a change to your flight time after you’ve booked your ticket. There are 3 categories of flight change: minor, significant, or cancellation.

Each airline has their own definition of what constitutes a “minor” or “significant” schedule change. Usually, a significant change is one that doesn’t fall within the limits of what they have defined as a minor delay.

For example, an airline can define a schedule change as “minor” when they postpone the flight to less than 6 hours later than what was originally planned. If the time of your flight is delayed by over 6 hours, then you’re victim of a “significant flight schedule change”.

The distinction matters because it will influence what your rights are. More on that below.

A flight schedule change can also occur when your direct flight becomes a connecting one, or when the airline change the aircraft that will operate the flight.

However, if the airline changes your flight altogether (i.e. you will travel on a flight that has a different flight number than the one you initially book), this is regarded as a flight cancellation instead of a flight schedule change.

What are your rights when the airline modifies the time of you flight?

Your rights depend on the type of schedule change. And the definition of type of schedule change varies from one airline to another.

We’ve listed what is regarded as a minor change by some airlines below. To know what your airline defines as a minor delay, refer to their Terms and Conditions.

• Minor change

Passengers victim of a minor schedule change have generally no choice but to accept it. If this happens to you, feel free to ask a refund or an alternate flight, but keep in mind that you are not covered by any law and the airline doesn’t have the obligation to refund or reroute you on a different flight.

• Significant change

A significant change of schedule gives passengers more options. In most cases, the airline will offer you the choice between getting a refund or a rerouting on a comparable flight.

Note that if the airline offers you a rerouting as an alternative to the schedule change, you do NOT have to accept it if the flight is not to your convenience. In this case, contact the airline to ask for a different flight or a refund.

• Flight cancellation

If the airline cancels your flight altogether (or presents a change of flight as a schedule change), you have even more rights. First, you must be offered a choice between a refund for cancelled flight or an alternate flight.

Then, you may also be entitled to a flight cancellation compensation. For that, the airline must have warned you about the cancellation less than 14 days prior to the flight. The exact notification date influences the flight compensation amount.

Was your flight cancelled? Or did the airline changed your reservation to book you on a different flight? You may be entitled to up to 600€ in compensation!

Flight Schedule Change Compensation

Can you get compensation if the airline changes the flight schedule?

To be entitled to compensation for a flight schedule modification, the airline must have notified you about the change less than 14 days before the flight.

The schedule change must consists of either:

• a flight cancellation, or
• a flight change (i.e. when the flight number is different than the one that you originally booked)

The compensation amount varies based on when you were notified and the length of the journey. You can get up to $700 per passenger in compensation (cash, voucher, or miles).

The Service app automatically detects and files claims on your behalf:

Can you get a refund if the airline changes the flight schedule?

Except in the case of “minor flight schedule change”, you can get a refund when the airline modifies the schedule of your flight. In other words, you’re entitled to a refund in cases of “significant flight schedule change” and flight cancellations.

Note that the airline may offer you a rerouting instead of a refund. As mentioned before, if the alternate flight doesn’t suit you, feel free to reject it and ask for a refund instead.

Flight Schedule Change FAQ

Can flight times change after booking?

When you book a flight, you agree on its schedule. However, all airlines reserve themselves the right to change the time (and sometimes even the date) of the flight, as per their terms and conditions. Specifically, airlines do not guarantee flight times and stress that those are not part of the contract of carriage.

Here’s an example with this extract from American Airlines’ contract of carriage:

“Sometimes we have to make adjustments to our operation, and between the time you book and the day you depart […]. When there are changes that affect your trip, we’ll try to contact you in advance and move you to a similar seat, though we can’t make any guarantees. We do our best to be on time but our flight schedule is not guaranteed and not part of this contract. We are not liable if we’re late or you don’t make your connection, or we change the schedule of any flight.“

And another from British Airways’ contract of carriage:

The flight times shown in our timetables may change between the date of publication and the date you actually travel. We do not guarantee these flight times to you and they do not form part of your contract of carriage with us.

Regulators like the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) confirm this: while a change to the flight number is covered by the law, a modification of the flight time and date is only covered by the airline’s terms and conditions.

How much can an airline change your flight?

There is no specific limit to how much the airline can change your flight time. However, all airlines define the limits of what they consider to be a “minor schedule change”.

Here are a few examples:

• American Airlines: 1 hour
• British Airways: 2 hours
• EasyJet: 5 hours
• Ryanair: 3 hours
• United Airlines: 30 minutes

As a rule of thumb, if your delay at arrival or departure exceeds this amount of time, the flight schedule change is regarded as “significant” and the airline will offer a rerouting or a refund.

Why do airlines have schedule changes?

Airlines make tickets available for purchase about 12 months prior to the flight, but the airports can confirm the time slots only about 3 months prior to the flight, which can result in schedule modifications.

Airlines themselves can change their schedule, especially when the aircraft that will be used changes.

How will I be warned about a schedule change?

Airlines should tell passengers at least 14 days in advance when they change their flight time. The airline usually contacts you via email to tell you about the schedule change.

You may also log into your account or call the airline directly to inquire about schedule changes.

For last-minute schedule changes, you can use an online flight tracker.

How do I accept or refuse a schedule change?

Usually, you don’t have to do anything when you agree to the schedule change. Just present yourself at the airport after checking-in.

If you want a different flight or a refund, however, you must contact the airline. You can usually get in touch with them over email, via phone, or from the “manage my booking” section of the airline’s website.

Victim of a schedule change? Check if you’re entitled to compensation now with the Service app. You only need to connect your inbox – we take care of the rest:

If you’re still intent on travelling during the coronavirus outbreak, make sure to check our travel advice on the topic:

• Coronavirus: Can you get a compensation for a cancelled flight?
• Is air travel safe during the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Am I able to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic?
• Can I get a refund for a flight cancelled during to COVID-19?
• Coronavirus travel restrictions: Can we travel again?
• Can I travel if I have COVID-19?