Ways To Travel More Sustainably

Travel isn't exactly the most sustainable activity, but then what is these days? Pretty much everything we do has a carbon footprint and all we can currently do is try to minimise that as much as we can. I am certainly nowhere near perfect, particularly when it comes to travel, although one thing that not being able to travel so readily during the pandemic taught me is that there is a huge amount of joy to be found in travelling a little slower.

Over the past couple of years I've incorporated a lot more sustainable habits into my lifestyle at home, so when we finally travelled abroad again last month it was definitely something I had in mind more than I previously would have. It's a lot more difficult being sustainable abroad than at home where you are used to your routines and home comforts, but there are still some things you can do.

Transport // How you get to your destination and how you travel around when you get there can affect your carbon footprint massively. Flying has a huge carbon footprint, but currently it's the cheapest and most viable option for a lot of people. Train travel is more economic and we've spoken about using the Eurostar a lot more in the future, but last month we decided to drive to France via the EuroTunnel. Driving isn't the most eco-friendly option, but driving the whole way worked out better than flying then hiring a car to make the remainder of the journey, which would have been our alternative. While at your destination, using public transport or good old fashioned walking are the most eco-friendly options.

Plastic // Understandably, our plastic waste while we're on holiday can sky rocket compared to when we're at home. From the little miniature toiletries we buy to get through airport security to the plastic bottles of water we drink if we're visiting somewhere hot, plus takeaway food on the go, it can easily add up. Alternative modes of transport remove the need for miniature toiletries, or if you are flying then soap and shampoo bars in reusable tins are a good replacement. Just as we're all used to carrying a reusable water bottle with us daily at home, remember to take it on holiday! Even if you're going somewhere where the tap water isn't drinkable buying bigger bottles of water from a supermarket to fill up your smaller bottle is a more sustainable option that lots of smaller bottles. 

Accommodation // One of the most sustainable things you can do while travelling somewhere new is support the local economy and community. Accommodation-wise this means opting for a small hotel/B&B/Air BnB run by someone local rather than a big chain, but it can be applied to everything from the activities you do, the restaurants you eat at and the shops you buy things from. Plus the whole point of being on holiday is to soak up a new culture so the more local the go, the more authentic your experience!