🎉 Celebrating 200 Episodes with Budget Vegan Travel Wisdom
This week we’re thrilled to celebrate the 200th episode of The World Vegan Travel Podcast! From our first recordings in a little apartment in Bangkok—with GarageBand and lots of learning—to reaching listeners around the world, this journey has been incredible. Thank you for being part of it 💚
To mark this milestone, we’re joined by an inspiring guest who truly embodies everything our podcast is about—Calen Otto, vegan adventurer, activist, and host of The Unruly Podcast. Calen shares how to explore the world on a budget, while staying true to your values and building community along the way.
🌍 Who is Calen Otto?
Calen is the creator of Unruly Travel, a writer, activist, and full-time traveler who’s visited over 30 countries and 20 national parks—often on a shoestring budget. They help others travel ethically and creatively through group trips, travel guides, and their own podcast.
Calen’s journey started young: at just 19, they biked across the USA with $300 and a dream. Today, their work focuses on helping others travel affordably without sacrificing compassion or connection.
✈️ Budget Vegan Travel Tips from Calen
Flight costs are often the biggest barrier to travel. Calen recommends:
- Using travel credit cards with welcome bonuses (and paying them off responsibly).
- Timing purchases around big expenses to maximize points.
- Using Google Flights for flexible date searches and best fares.
“If you’re savvy, flight points could get you a roundtrip ticket to another country.” – Calen Otto
Free Stays & Cultural Exchange Beyond Expensive Hotels
Saving on accommodation means more room for adventure! Calen’s tips include:
- CouchSurfing and its queer-friendly sibling, Quouch, for free and welcoming stays.
- Workaway and house sitting, which trade work or care-taking for lodging.
- Traveling slowly and embracing local connection over luxury.
“You’ve saved a hundred bucks and had great community along the way.” – Calen Otto
🥗 Eating Vegan for Cheap: Kitchen Hacks & Local Secrets
You can eat well and stay on budget as a vegan traveler. Calen suggests:
- Choosing accommodations with a kitchen to cook your own meals.
- Bringing reusable containers, spices, and dry staples from home.
- Looking for small, family-run eateries—often cheaper and more authentic.
“If your meal is huge, save the rest for later!” – Calen Otto
🗺️ Experiences That Don’t Cost a Fortune
Adventure doesn’t have to break the bank. Calen shares:
- How local hosts from CouchSurfing can introduce free or low-cost activities.
- Why smaller tour operators are often cheaper and more meaningful.
- Resources like GetYourGuide (but book direct when possible to save fees).
🏳️🌈 Queer-Friendly + Inclusive Travel
Calen creates safe and inclusive travel spaces. They recommend:
- Platforms like Quouch for queer travelers.
- Connecting with community spaces and inclusive volunteer projects.
- Curating group trips that center intersectionality, activism, and connection.
Their volunteer trip to Costa Rica included plant-based meals, environmental service, and immersive experiences—proving that budget vegan travel can also be transformative travel.
🧳 More from Calen Otto
- 🔗 UnrulyTravel.com
- 📺 YouTube
- 📝 Substack
- 🎧 The Unruly Podcast
🎧 Celebrating 200 Episodes of the WVT Podcast
This episode marks a huge milestone for us – 200 episodes of conversations, stories, and vegan travel inspiration. What started as a hesitant experiment with a microphone and a mission has turned into a global community of compassionate adventurers.
“I never imagined we’d reach this milestone.… and now here we are at episode 200!”
– Brighde Reed, host of The World Vegan Travel Podcast
Thank you for listening, sharing, and supporting us over the years. We’re just getting started.
📣 Join the Celebration: Share Your Story!
🌱 As we celebrate our 200th episode, we’d love to hear from you:
- What’s been your favorite episode so far?
- Has a guest ever inspired your travels or your outlook?
Leave us a comment—or share this episode with a friend and tag us on Instagram @worldvegantravel. Let’s grow together into the next 200 episodes!
Learn More About What is Discussed on the Podcast
- Calen shares tips around bonus point offers and uses tools like Google Flights to find the cheapest routes.
- Learn how platforms like CouchSurfing and Quouch make travel more affordable—and inclusive.
- Calen explains how programs like Workaway offer free lodging in exchange for helping out, making slow travel accessible to more people.
- From packing spices and reusable containers to scouting local markets and kitchens, Calen shares smart tips for eating vegan anywhere—even on a tight budget.
- Don’t miss Calen’s practical guide on trip planning and credit card tips.
- How to Plan an International Trip with Flexibility
- How to Get Free Flights with Credit Cards
- Calen recommends GetYourGuide for finding budget-friendly tours and local activities.
Other World Vegan Travel Content Connected With This Episode
- S2 Ep 6 | Why & How I Quit My Job to Eat at Every Vegan Restaurant in the United States | Kristin Lajeunesse
- Vegan Miami Uncovered | Culture, Cuisine & Hidden Gems
- Discover Delaware with Salisbury House B&B | Michele
- From Flight Attendants to Full-Time Travelers
- Discover the Vegan Oasis: Black Sheep Inn & Spa
- Rancho Vegano: A Gateway to Tucson’s Natural Wonders | Colin Eosom
- 5 Vegan Destinations for Families | Cara Celeste West | Ep 136
