Originally written August 2024, updated and republished March 2026.
When we surveyed our customers at Biome, one challenge stood out above the rest when it comes to avoiding single-use plastic: finding a reliable source of drinking water while travelling.
It’s all too easy to grab a disposable plastic bottle when you’re on the go. Airports, road trips, unfamiliar cities — hydration becomes urgent, and convenience wins.
Globally, more than 1 million plastic bottles are purchased every minute, and despite recycling efforts, the majority are used once and discarded. Choosing refillable water solutions is one simple way to cut down on single-use waste while you travel.
With a little planning, you can stay hydrated and stick to your eco-friendly values no matter where your adventures take you. The solution? Bring your own water filtration system.
Why You Need a Water Filtration System When Travelling
Travelling exposes you to different water sources, and for many people that means dealing with unfamiliar tastes or even feeling unwell after drinking tap water.
There’s also the concern about water safety in certain regions. Overseas, sanitation standards can differ significantly, and untreated water may contain bacteria such as E. coli or parasites, making the water unsafe to drink.
Carrying your own water filtration system makes it easier to find safe drinking water while travelling, allowing you to filter water wherever you are without relying on single-use plastic bottles.
Solution 1:
Filtering for Better Taste and Consistency
Sometimes the water is technically safe — it just doesn’t taste great.
If you find tap water tastes a bit off when you’re in a new place, or you’ve noticed it doesn’t always agree with you, a simple filter that reduces chlorine and common contaminants can make a big difference.
Even within Australia, water treatment levels vary from region to region, which can affect taste and chlorine levels. A portable filter helps make water taste more consistent while you’re on the move.
A bottle like the LARQ Filter Bottle or the Mini Waterman Water Filter Bottle is ideal for this kind of travel. These are designed to reduce chlorine and common contaminants, helping improve taste and consistency when moving between regions.
These types of filters are perfect for:
- Domestic travel
- Urban destinations
- Airport refills
- Hotel tap water
They don’t overhaul the water — they refine it.
This handy filter is designed to make your water taste great by reducing chlorine and common contaminants, so every sip is refreshing and consistent.
It’s compact, easy to carry, and perfect for those destinations where the water’s safe, but just not quite right. Two sizes: Larq Filter Bottle in 740ml or 500ml size Larq bottle.
Mini Waterman water filter bottle
Lightweight and portable, this bottle is an all-in-one solution for on-the-go hydration.
It’s designed to improve taste by reducing chlorine and other common impurities, giving you peace of mind and a much better-tasting drink wherever you are.
Solution 2:
Filtering Out Bacteria and Other Harmful Contaminants
If your travels take you somewhere the water may not be safe to drink, you’ll want a more robust filtration or purification system.
This could include times when you are:
- Hiking, camping or boating and topping up from streams or rivers
- Living off rainwater tanks
- Travelling in countries where sanitation standards vary
- Visiting remote areas of Australia without potable water (for example, Maria Island in Tasmania)
In these cases, look for filtration designed to protect against bacteria and parasites.
The LifeStraw 2.0 bottles and Peak filters use advanced membrane microfiltration combined with carbon filtration, making them ideal for outdoor adventures and international travel.
If you’re travelling in areas with treated but uncertain water supplies and want additional peace of mind, the LARQ PureVis bottle uses UV-C light technology to neutralise bacteria and keep the bottle itself clean between refills.
These systems are built for situations where safety matters most — without creating plastic waste along the way.
This high-tech system uses UV-C LED light to zap up to 99.9999% of bacteria and viruses, including E. coli and and keep the bottle itself cleaner between refills.
It’s perfect for international travel, backpacking, or any situation where water quality (or bottle hygiene) is a concern.
Lifestraw 2.0 advanced 2-stage filter
Found in Lifestraw’s 2.0 bottles, Collapsible Bottle, Peak Solo filters and staws this is a great choice for serious travellers and outdoor adventures. It filters out bacteria (like E. coli and Salmonella), parasites (such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium), microplastics, sand, dirt, and cloudiness.
The carbon filter improves taste by reducing chlorine, odours, and organic chemical matter. The membrane microfilter lasts up to 1,000 gallons (about five years of daily use), and the carbon filter lasts up to 26 gallons (about two months). Plus, this filter saves the equivalent of 8,000 single-use plastic bottles—how’s that for impact?
Want the full breakdown?
Not sure which filtration option best suits your needs (taste, travel safety, home use, or outdoor adventures)? Head to our Comprehensive Guide to Water Filtration Products at Biome for a detailed comparison of bottles, straws, jugs, tap filters, and benchtop systems.
Looking for a travel-friendly water filter bottle?
A portable filter bottle makes it easier to enjoy clean, great-tasting water wherever you travel — without relying on single-use plastic.
So, pack your reusable bottle, ditch the plastic, and hit the road with peace of mind!
Browse our range of water filter bottles
FAQs
Is it safe to drink tap water when travelling?
Tap water safety varies depending on the destination. In many countries it is treated and safe to drink, but taste and chlorine levels may differ. In other regions untreated water may contain bacteria or parasites such as E. coli. Using a portable water filter bottle can help reduce contaminants and make it easier to find safe drinking water while travelling.
Do water filter bottles remove bacteria and parasites?
Some water filter bottles remove bacteria and parasites, while others mainly improve taste. Bottles with membrane microfilters, such as LifeStraw filters, can remove bacteria like E. coli and parasites such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium. Simpler carbon filters are designed mainly to reduce chlorine and improve taste rather than provide full purification.
How can I avoid buying plastic water bottles while travelling?
One of the easiest ways to avoid disposable plastic water bottles while travelling is to carry a reusable bottle with a built-in filter. You can refill it at airports, hotels, cafes or public water stations and filter the water as you go. This helps reduce plastic waste while ensuring you always have access to drinking water.
Do water filters remove microplastics?
Some water filters can reduce microplastics depending on the filtration technology used. Membrane microfilters and high-quality carbon filters are designed to capture very small particles, including many microplastics. Portable filtration systems such as LifeStraw filters and some gravity filtration systems can help reduce microplastics while also improving taste.
Related Reads
A Comprehensive Guide To Water Filtration Products
How to remove microplastics from tap water
