How to travel sustainably while maintaining comfortability and cheap prices

According to the Institute of Sustainability Studies, sustainable travel "seeks to conserve the planet while improving the economic and social conditions for local people."

In simpler terms, it can be anything from taking public transport instead of a car or ditching your plastic straws - as long as it minimizes the impact on the planet, animals, and people.

Later in this post, I’ll share tips on how you can start your sustainable travel journey!

Why should you consider sustainable travel?

The travel and tourism sector contributes 8-10% of global CO2 emissions, with most of these emissions coming from transportation to the destination, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council. That’s a significant portion of global emissions - a tenth of the world’s total, to be exact!

As the pandemic’s effects on the tourism industry fades, this sector is rapidly growing. In fact, the Travel & Tourism market is expected to see a substantial increase in revenue. According to Statista, by 2024, revenue is projected to reach US$916 billion, with an annual growth rate of 3.99%, reaching an estimated US$1.114 trillion by 2029.

It's a well-known fact that flights make your carbon footprint significantly larger than choosing the train or bus, for instance. So let’s take a look at the exact numbers:

In 2022, the UK Government's Department for Energy Security and Net Zero published statistics on the carbon footprint of various transportation methods, measured in grams of carbon dioxide-equivalents per passenger kilometer.

Domestic flights top the list, leaving the largest carbon footprint at 246g. Long- and short-haul flights follow closely with about 150g. City buses are a better option at approximately 79 to 97g. The tram, underground, and coach (bus) are even more sustainable, with just under 30g of carbon dioxide-equivalents per passenger kilometer.

The ferry, as a foot passenger, is also a sustainable option at 19g.

Lastly, one of the most eco-friendly alternatives for taking a flight, the Eurostar from London to Paris, produces just 4g per passenger kilometer!

When you take a look at these facts combined, along with the rise in travel options and overall increase in travel, it’s clear why it’s more important than ever to choose more sustainable ways to go on vacation!

Why are more people travelling more frequently?

One reason is that people are now able to travel again! After the pandemic led to the cancellation of trips, a phenomenon called "revenge travel" has emerged.

Forbes describes “revenge travel” as people making up for missed travel opportunities during the pandemic. This could mean anything from exotic vacations to finally visiting that place far away on your bucket list or simply visiting long-distance family and friends. It's all about reclaiming lost travel opportunities.

Another reason for the surge in travel is social media. Seeing others constantly on vacation can create pressure to travel frequently. And with lower flight prices and increased availability, more people are able to do so.

With the rising options of travel offers, it’s even more important to support sustainable choices! Traveling sustainably doesn’t have to be difficult and it’s an important step towards protecting the planet while exploring it.

Stay tuned for my tips on how you can start traveling more sustainably!

Tips for Starting Your Sustainable Travel Journey

Sustainable travel doesn’t have to mean making drastic changes to your entire trip. You can start small and still have a positive impact!

Here are some simple tips on how to travel more sustainably:

Start with Short Distances

When trying to travel more sustainably, it's okay to start small. There are small changes you can implement into your everyday life that make a difference!

For local or regional trips, consider using eco-friendly options like biking, walking, or public transportation. Instead of driving or taking a short flight, why not take a beautiful train ride or hop on a bus? These alternatives not only reduce your carbon footprint but also allow you to enjoy more of the journey. Imagine taking a train through snowy Norway or along the Italian coast - you can see so much more beautiful places of a country than when you're just flying from airport to airport!

If you’re visiting a nearby city, think about renting a bike to explore. Many cities now offer bike-sharing programs that make it easy and affordable to move around sustainably. Picture yourself biking along a coastal path, feeling the warmth and breeze on your skin - much better than renting a car!

Other Ways to Be Sustainable on Vacation

Aside from how you travel, there are other ways to make your vacation more sustainable:

• Choose eco-friendly accommodations: Many hotels and rental properties are implementing green practices like energy-efficient lighting, water saving systems and waste reduction. Looking for eco-certified accommodations helps you support businesses that care about sustainability. 

• Support local businesses: Instead of eating at large chain restaurants or shopping at big retailers, try supporting local markets and restaurants. This helps boosting the local economy and reduces the carbon footprint associated with importing the goods.

• Reduce waste: Bring your own reusable water bottle, bags and containers to minimize one-use plastics. Many popular tourist destinations struggle with waste management, so every bit you can reduce helps. And it’s cheaper than buying bottled water every day!

• Respect nature and wildlife: Avoid tours or activities that exploit animals or damage natural environments. Stick to sustainable tours that focus on preserving the local ecosystem and protecting wildlife.

Traveling to Your Destination Sustainably and Affordably

The journey itself plays a significant role in sustainable travel. So, how can you get to your destination in a more eco-friendly and cost-effective way?

• Take a train or bus instead of flying: For shorter distances, trains and buses are great options. Not only are they better for the environment, but they can also be more affordable. Most of the time it's way less stressful than having to go to the airport early, waiting for your luggage etc. Plus, like I mentioned before, traveling by train and bus allows you to sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Maybe you've also heard of services like Interrail-tickets. They allow you to travel to many places on several days for a really affordable price! You can see lots of places without leaving a big carbon footprint!

• Fly smarter: If flying is unavoidable, consider booking direct flights, as takeoff and landing are the most unsustainable parts of the journey. You can also look into airlines that offer carbon offset programs.

• Combine sustainable transport with other forms of travel: If using a rather unsustainable mode of transport is unavoidable, consider completing the rest of your journey with more eco-friendly options. For example, if you're taking a cruise, you could travel to the port by train instead of flying. This choice is not only more sustainable, but often cheaper and far less stressful than navigating airports!

Don't worry if you're only able to start with small changes. As long as you start, small changes make a difference!

Conclusion

Sustainable travel is not only achievable, but it’s also essential as the tourism industry continues to grow. The travel and tourism sector already accounts for 8-10% of global CO2 emissions, with flights contributing significantly more to our carbon footprints than alternative modes of transportation. These numbers highlight the importance of considering more eco-friendly alternatives whenever possible.

As travel demand rises, it’s critical to make conscious choices about how we explore the world. By choosing sustainable options like taking trains or buses, supporting local businesses and choosing eco-friendly accommodations, we can reduce this impact while still enjoying beautiful and easy travel experiences.

Sustainable travel is about balance - enjoying the world while ensuring that future generations can do the same.

Every conscious decision you make - even if you can only start with small changes - brings us one step closer to a more sustainable future for travel!

Ready to start traveling more sustainably? Share your eco-friendly travel tips or tell us where you're planning to go next!