Sustainable Travel Tips for Lower Impact, More Meaningful Trips

Our Impact

No matter the reason for traveling, there is always a reason to do so sustainably. Traveling sustainably is a great way to lower our negative impact on the environment and help preserve the ecosystems around us. Knowing how to do so and putting it into practice is not difficult, nor does it have to be expensive. Even small changes to how we travel can minimize our impact in a big way and help build more sustainable habits.

Travel & Transportation 

Air travel is often the most efficient way to get to a far away destination but it’s easily the largest contributor of emissions while traveling. There are multiple ways to help reduce or offset your emissions on a global and local scale. 

Use Google Flights.  Google Flights allows travelers to search for flights based on emissions. Each departing and returning flight option lists the percentage of increase or decrease in emissions depending on the flight you choose. 

Choose Direct Flights.  The more times you take off, the more fuel is burned resulting in extra emissions. Choose direct flights whenever possible, especially for traveling short distances. 

Purchase Carbon Offsets.  Carbon offsets do not reduce emissions but are designed to counteract them by investing in green energy, planting trees and funding the protection of vulnerable species and environments. Most major global airlines offer ways to purchase carbon offsets separately from your tickets either on their site or through a partner company.

Travel by Bus or Train.  If you’re traveling regionally, look into buses or trains. In some cases, these are often comparable in time, more cost effective and result in fewer emissions than air travel. 

Bike, Walk or Hike.  Once at a destination, opt to bike, walk or hike. In addition to being the best way to see and experience a new place, it results in little to no emissions. 

Take Public Transit.  Use local public transportation like buses, metros or shuttles as opposed to renting a car. 

Eco Car Rentals.  If renting a car, choose the eco model or electric option. 

Choosing Where to Stay

Research your destination and the options available. We often stay at small and communal accommodations like hostels, eco-hotels, campgrounds, treehouses and bed and breakfasts. They typically have the least negative environmental impact and often benefit the local community. 

Stay at a Hostel.  Hostels often have a low environmental impact. They typically consume less energy and produce less waste than traditional hotels. In many cases, they’re run by locals who care for and promote their community, culture and environment. Hostel World and Booking are great places to discover hostels while traveling. 

Book an Airbnb.  Our favorite place to search for accommodations is Airbnb. You can search by property types including houses, apartments, guesthouses and hotels. It’s common to find hostels, private rooms and entire spaces as well as more unique stays like earth homes, cabins, huts, tents and treehouses. These types of listings are often sustainable and make for unique places to stay.

Look for Eco Ratings.  Many hotels, whether large chains or small boutiques, may have eco ratings for certain environmental policies such as using renewable energy, low flow fixtures or simply recycling. Some booking sites allow travelers to search and filter by eco ratings such as Booking andExpedia. 

Accommodations to Avoid.  Avoid booking cruises and stays at mega resorts or big hotels without eco-friendly ratings. These accommodations tend to generate higher emissions and more waste, especially in developing areas. 

Sustainable Habits & Activities 

Outside of getting to the destination and where you stay, there are a number of ways to minimize your emissions, waste and negative environmental impact while travel planning and at your destination. 

When to Travel.  Travel to a place during the shoulder or off seasons. This helps limit the strain on the environment and local community. We’ve found you’ll often have a much more enjoyable time with fewer crowds, better service and be able to make stronger connections with local culture and other travelers. 

Water Usage.  Be mindful of water usage, especially in regions of the world with water scarcity or supply issues. Some helpful habits are to take shorter showers, turn off faucets while grooming and wash full loads of laundry.

Electrical Usage.  Turn off the AC, heater, TV and lights when not in your accommodation. 

Hotel Laundry.  Avoid requesting new/extra towels or sheets until your third or fourth day to avoid an extra wash and dry cycle. 

Water Bottles.  Bring a reusable water bottle and metal straw to avoid using plastic bottles and single-use straws. 

Waste/Recycling.  Recycle when possible. Pay attention to waste/recycling bins and what products are actually recyclable as they often differ from country to country.

Clean Ups.  Participate in a beach, trail or roadside clean up. Whether on your own or with a local organization, bring a bag and collect as much waste as you can carry in it. Recycle what you can.

Low Impact Activities.  Participate in low impact activities like visiting museums or parks, go on a picnic, take a snorkeling lesson, go hiking or stargazing. Avoid high impact activities like jet skiing, quad tours and scenic flights. 

Souvenirs & Shopping.  Search for locally made souvenirs as opposed to mass produced ones seen everywhere. Try visiting vintage shops, local markets, art galleries and boutiques. Bring home handmade, useful or edible items instead of tchotchkes. 

Use Eco-Friendly Toiletries.  Wear reef safe sunblock and eco-friendly insect repellent free of harmful chemicals and aerosols, especially when visiting bodies of water. Use travel as an excuse to research the products you use regularly for eco-ratings.

Eat Plant Based.  Eat more plant based and locally sourced meals. Visit a farmers market for local produce. Don’t waste food, always take home leftovers or give them to someone in need. 

Back Home

Many of these sustainable efforts can be practiced back home and continue to minimize our negative environmental impact on a daily basis. The privilege to travel is a wonderful thing, and doing it sustainably helps ensure that the environment, as well as the cultures and species it supports, have a better chance at being preserved for future generations.