How to Travel Sustainably: 20 Tips to Reduce Your Impact
Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or planning your first adventure, adopting eco-friendly practices can make a big difference.
In this post, we share 20 practical tips for sustainable travel. These simple steps not only help protect the planet, but also enrich your travel experiences, making them more meaningful and fulfilling.
Ready to make your next trip a sustainable one? Let’s get started!
1. Pack Light
Limit packing to essential items and choose versatile clothing. Aim to use eco-friendly luggage that’s lightweight.
Key Benefit: Reduces carbon emissions as lighter luggage consumes less fuel during transportation.
2. Choose Slow Travel if You Can
Choose to travel by train or bus instead of flying. Additionally, aim to spend more time in fewer destinations to minimise transport emissions.
Key Benefit: Reduces emissions and fosters a deeper connection with the local culture.
3. Use Digital Boarding Passes and Maps
Download digital versions of boarding passes, tickets, and maps. Save them to your mobile device or travel apps for offline use.
Key Benefit: Reduces paper waste and conserves resources.
4. Choose Direct Flights When Possible
If you have to flight, then book non-stop flights, which often emit less CO2. Use flight comparison tools that highlight eco-friendly options.
Key Benefit: Direct flights have a lower carbon footprint than multiple short flights.
5. Offset Carbon Emissions
Calculate your carbon footprint for flights and offset it through verified programmes. Many airlines now offer this service for your booking.
Offsetting services offered through verified carbon credit standards are also an option. These invest in renewable energy or reforestation projects.
Key Benefit: Offsets help mitigate the environmental impact of travel by funding activities that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, counteracting the equivalent emissions reduced by your travel.
6. Choose Sustainable Tour Operators
Research and book tours with companies that emphasise sustainability and aim to benefit local communities.
Key Benefit: Promotes responsible tourism that supports local communities and conservation efforts.
7. Use Public Transport
Make use of local buses, trains, or trams when exploring destinations. Research routes beforehand for convenience and to familiarise yourself with the local transport setup.
Key Benefit: This will Lower your carbon footprint compared to using private cars or flights.
8. Choose Eco-Friendly Accommodation
Look for hotels or lodgings with sustainable practices such as energy-efficient lighting, water conservation programmes, and recycling policies.
Those with eco-certifications, such as Green Key, are a good indicator of accommodation taking a proactive approach to sustainability.
Key Benefit: Choosing eco-friendly accommodation supports growth of sustainable tourism at your destination and reduces environmental impact.
9. Support Local Businesses
Eat at locally-owned restaurants, shop at local markets, and book tours with community-based organisations.
Key Benefit: Promotes the local economy and reduces the environmental footprint associated with large corporations.
10. Practice Leave No Trace Principles
Always carry out your trash, avoid disturbing wildlife, and follow designated trails. Respect local environments by leaving them as you found them.
Key Benefit: Protects natural habitats and reduces pollution.
11. Conserve Water and Energy
Take shorter showers, turn off lights, and reuse towels during your stay at accommodations. Unplug electronics when not in use.
Key Benefit: Reduces resource consumption and supports sustainable tourism practices.
12. Bring a Reusable Water Bottle
Carry a sturdy, portable water bottle and refill it at safe water stations available in cities, airports, or accommodations.
Key Benefit: This will minimises plastic waste and reduces reliance on single-use plastics.
13. Carry Reusable Utensils and Bags
Pack reusable cutlery, straws, and tote bags to avoid using disposables. Many cities have bans on plastic bags, so this helps you stay prepared.
Key Benefit: Reduces plastic waste and supports zero-waste travel.
14. Eat Local, Plant-Based Foods
Choose locally sourced and plant-based meals at restaurants or markets. Look for dishes unique to the area that use seasonal produce.
Key Benefit: Lowers your carbon footprint and supports the local food economy.
15. Use Sustainable Sunscreen
Purchase reef-safe sunscreens labelled as biodegradable and free of oxybenzone and octinoxate.
Key Benefit: Protects coral reefs and marine life from harmful chemicals found in conventional sunscreens.
16. Respect Local Cultures and Traditions
Learn about cultural norms before arriving at your destination. Dress modestly when needed, participate respectfully in local customs, and support cultural heritage sites.
Key Benefit: Encourages cultural preservation and creates a positive tourism impact.
17. Avoid Animal Tourism Exploitation
Research animal encounters before participating. Choose wildlife sanctuaries or reserves that focus on conservation instead of entertainment.
Key Benefit: Protects animal welfare and promotes ethical tourism.
18. Travel During Off-Peak Seasons
Plan trips during the shoulder or off-seasons when fewer tourists are present. It also often results in more affordable travel and better experiences.
Key Benefit: Reduces over-tourism and pressure on local resources.
19. Participate in Environmental Clean-Ups
Join local beach or park clean-up efforts when visiting natural attractions. Many destinations offer eco-volunteering opportunities for tourists.
Key Benefit: Helps preserve natural areas and gives back to the community.
20. Limit Use of Single-Use Toiletries
Bring your own reusable toiletry bottles, solid shampoos, or eco-friendly soaps instead of using hotel-provided single-use items.
Key Benefit: Reduces plastic waste and supports minimalistic, eco-friendly practices.
Final Thoughts on Travelling Sustainability
Travelling offers incredible opportunities to explore new places, connect with cultures, and experience nature’s beauty.
But as our world becomes increasingly interconnected, it’s crucial to consider the environmental and social impacts of our journeys. Sustainable travel is about making choices that minimise our carbon footprint, support local communities, and protect the natural environment.
With this in mind, the tips we’ve covered here will help minimise your environmental impact while traveling, and promote a more sustainable approach to exploring new places!
If you’d like to learn more about Sustainability there check out some of related posts below.
Lastly, we’d love to hear about your own sustainable travel tips. Let us know about your tips and experiences in the comments section!
Happy travels!
