Sustainable travel

Sustainable travel means making conscious choices to minimize the negative impact of your trip on the environment, local people and nature. This can be done in various ways, such as choosing environmentally friendly transportation, staying in sustainable accommodations and being respectful of the culture and nature at your destination. The goal is not only to make travel memorable for yourself, but also to contribute to preserving our beautiful world for future generations. Small changes in your travel habits can make a big difference! Read our 11 tips on how to make your vacations more sustainable. 

Sustainable travel helps reduce the negative impact of tourism and has many benefits. Here are the main reasons why it is so important:

• Protection of nature: mass tourism and pollution threaten many fragile ecosystems. Sustainable travel helps reduce the impact on flora and fauna.
• Reduction of carbon emissions: transportation, especially flying, contributes to climate change. By traveling more consciously, such as by train or direct flight, you can reduce your carbon footprint.
• Preservation of local cultures: tourism can change or displace traditional communities. By staying local and eating local, you support the culture and economy of the destination.
• Less plastic and waste: Many popular destinations face a plastic problem. By using reusable water bottles and bags, you avoid additional waste.
• Fair economy and employment: By choosing sustainable accommodations and excursions from local guides, you support fair wages and improve the living standards of local people.
• Animal Welfare: sustainable travel also means being respectful of animals and not supporting attractions that involve animal suffering, such as elephant rides or selfies with wild animals.
• Future-proof tourism: by traveling more sustainably now, we ensure that future generations can also enjoy the most beautiful places on earth.

Many people think that sustainable travel is automatically more expensive, but that is not always the case. It depends mostly on the choices you make. Sometimes eco-friendly options are actually cheaper. For example, a train trip can be cheaper than a flight, especially if you book early. Plus, you save on extra costs such as luggage and transfers.

Eating at local restaurants and staying in small-scale accommodations is often more economical than tourist hotspots, plus you support the local economy. Also slow travel (staying longer in one destination instead of making many short trips) saves money on transportation costs and lowers your carbon emissions.

Some sustainable choices, such as an eco-lodge, may be a little more expensive, but you often get a unique experience and a better feeling in return. In the end, sustainable travel is all about conscious choices, and they really don't always have to cost more!

For long distances, the train or public transportation is the greenest choice! The train is one of the greenest means of transportation, especially in Europe. It emits much less CO₂ than planes and also offers a relaxing travel experience. Public transportation is also an excellent way to reduce one's carbon footprint. It is an efficient way to travel long distances without many emissions.

But at your destination, you can be even more sustainable! During a city break, for example, explore the city on foot or do a bike tour. It's not only better for the environment, but also super fun! Curious about fun city trips you can do in a sustainable way? These are the best cities in Europe to visit by train! 

Frankly, sustainable flying is difficult because airplanes emit huge amounts of CO₂ and contribute to air pollution. But when flying is unavoidable, such as for travel outside Europe, there are ways to reduce your impact. Direct flights, for example, are better than with stopovers, and more and more airlines are working on more sustainable aircraft and biofuels. You can also offset your air travel by investing in environmental projects.

If you do have to fly, there are several ways to offset your carbon emissions. One of the easiest options is to invest in airline offset programs. For example, these projects help plant trees or support renewable energy to offset your flight's carbon emissions.

Have you ever gone through Skyscanner booked? Then you probably noticed that they designate flights with lower carbon emissions with a "Green Choice.

In addition, choosing direct flights is a smart move because take-off and landing use the most fuel. Also, avoid private jets and business class because they emit more per person. This way you can make your air travel a little more sustainable!

Within Europe, there are several sustainable alternatives to flying that can make your travel experience just as exciting, without the heavy carbon emissions.

• Train: train is one of the most environmentally friendly ways to travel in Europe. It is fast, comfortable and high-speed trains allow you to travel from city to city in no time. Plus, you'll enjoy beautiful views along the way! See NS International's various destinations. 
• Bus: for shorter distances, the bus is a cheap and energy-efficient choice. There are more and more long-distance buses that are also fast and comfortable. View FlixBus's various destinations. 
• Carpool: traveling with others in one car is an efficient way to reduce impact. 

By choosing these alternatives, you can emit less and enjoy a more sustainable trip around Europe!

Choosing a sustainable accommodation can sometimes be a challenge, but there are several ways to recognize an eco-friendly stay.

• Certifications and labels: look for green certifications such as Green Key, EarthCheck or Green Globe. These show that the accommodation meets strict environmental standards.
• Energy consumption: sustainable hotels use energy-efficient lighting, solar panels and other green energy sources. This is often mentioned on the website or at the front desk.
• Water Conservation: see if the accommodation takes measures to reduce water consumption, such as using water-saving showerheads or reusing rainwater.
• Local and organic: many sustainable accommodations offer locally produced and organic products, both in their restaurants and rooms (e.g. eco-friendly toiletries).
• Zero waste initiatives: accommodations committed to waste reduction often use reusable items and have recycling programs.

So pay close attention to the accommodation's sustainability practices, from energy use to local involvement, and you'll know you've booked an eco-friendly stay!

To make your stay more environmentally friendly, for example, you can start by minimizing your energy consumption. Turn off the lights when you leave the room and choose not to turn the air conditioning or heating unnecessarily high or low. You can also reduce water consumption by taking shorter showers and not changing towels every day. Avoid plastic by bringing reusable bottles and using the water stations that are often present in eco-friendly accommodations.

Also, try to buy locally as much as possible instead of imported products, and ask about the hotel's sustainability initiatives. Many accommodations today offer reusable products and help with waste reduction, so take advantage of that. By making these small changes, you can make your stay more sustainable without sacrificing comfort!

To avoid food waste during your trip, you can follow a few simple steps. Start by ordering smaller portions or ask for the doggy bag if you ordered too much. This is very common in many restaurants, and this way you can eat the leftovers later. In addition, it is smart to visit local markets and buy small quantities of local products that you can consume immediately, rather than large quantities that you may not be able to use.

Also try to avoid plastic packaging by bringing reusable bags or boxes for snacks or food you want to take on the road. Another helpful tip is to check in advance if your accommodation has a kitchen where you can prepare some meals yourself. That way you can use leftovers for the next day.

By being conscious about food, you can not only reduce waste, but also enjoy local flavors without creating unnecessary waste!

As a tourist, you can make a positive impact by consciously choosing sustainable activities and supporting local businesses. For example, opt for small-scale tours led by local guides, rather than large mass tours, so that you contribute directly to the community. By consuming at local markets and restaurants, you contribute to the local economy and help preserve traditional cultures.

Furthermore, you can also pay attention to your waste management by always collecting trash and making sure you have plastic-free choices. When booking accommodations, look for places that are committed to sustainable tourism. In addition, avoid popular, over-visited places and look for lesser-known, quiet destinations where the crowds do not harm nature or local culture.

You can also contribute to the protection of the environment by paying attention, for example, when visiting natural areas or national parks. Make sure you leave no trace and always respect nature and local customs.

By making these conscious choices, you can have a positive impact as a tourist, both for the local community and the environment!

Some souvenirs may be harmful to the environment or local culture. Avoid endangered species products such as ivory, shells or other animal products, which are often traded illegally. Plastic souvenirs are also often unsustainable and add to the trash. Authentic handmade items can sometimes come from mass production, so look for the fair trade label to make sure you are supporting local artisans. Finally, it's good to watch out for kitsch or things that simply have no cultural value, such as fake traditional items often sold in tourist zones.

Rather, choose souvenirs that are locally produced, contributing to the region's economy without harming the environment!

While it may seem cute to buy souvenirs from children, it is important to realize that this can often be problematic. In many cases, children are forced to sell souvenirs, often under poor conditions, and without actually benefiting them or their families. This can contribute to child labor and the exploitation of vulnerable communities.

Instead of buying souvenirs from children, support local markets and purchase products that truly contribute to the community and local economy. It is important to be conscious of what you are spending your money on, so you can be sure that you are making a positive impact on the destination and the people who live there.

Respecting nature and animals begins with being aware of your surroundings. Avoid littering and choose to recycle whenever possible. Respect natural areas by staying on marked trails and taking care not to harm flora or fauna. If you encounter animals, observe them from a distance and avoid feeding or touching wild animals, which can disrupt their behavior.

Choose ethically responsible activities, such as wildlife tours with guides committed to animal welfare and habitat conservation. Avoid captive animals or shows that make animals do tricks, as this often leads to animal abuse. This, then, is one of the pieces of advice we explain further in our article with 11 tips to travel more sustainably. 

By following these simple steps, you can protect nature and animals so that future generations can also enjoy the beauty of the earth.

Plastic-free travel starts with thinking ahead and bringing reusable items. Make sure you always carry a reusable water bottle, bag and snack containers to avoid plastic packaging. Choose bamboo straws, reusable cutlery sets and durable toiletry bag with plastic-free products. Instead of plastic bags, bring a cloth bag for groceries and souvenirs.

In addition, you can avoid plastic packaging by visiting local markets or stores for fresh food and produce without packaging. When traveling, try to buy locally produced food, which is often less packaged than imported products.

Looking for more sustainable travel products? Check out our recommended sustainable travel products To make your trip even more eco-friendly. With these simple steps, you can make your trip more eco-friendly and contribute to the fight against plastic pollution!

For a plastic-free and eco-friendly trip, there are several sustainable products that should not be missing from your suitcase. Consider a reusable water bottle, eco-friendly toiletry bag with plastic-free products, and bamboo toothbrushes. Also, don't forget a cloth bag for groceries or souvenirs, and reusable straws for travel.

In addition, it is important to choose ocean-friendly sunscreen that does not contain harmful chemicals that can harm the environment. You can find our recommended sustainable travel products view to help you make conscious choices for your next adventure. Also for ocean-friendly sunscreen we have helpful tips for choosing the best products that are good for both your skin and nature.