An increasing number of people aim to travel sustainably. Chances are you are one of them, after all, you are reading this blog article at the moment. Maybe this isn’t the first list of sustainable travel tips you’ve looked at, either. However, if you’re already scrolling on, just wait a second. Because we’ve put together something special here.
In addition to the experience that we in the editorial team have gained on our travels, you’ll also get the accumulated knowledge that our partners have gained over their years as sustainable hoteliers and have heard from their guests. So be prepared for special insights and inspiration.
Ready to go? Then the (sustainable) journey can start.
Traveling Sustainably from Planning to Returning Home
Creating a sustainable trip is a big undertaking. At first glance, it appears that way. Therefore, we have divided our tips into three major categories. This way, you can jump straight to the part that matters to you right now.
Are you in the middle of preparing for your next trip?? Do you know that sustainable travel starts at home when planning your trip? You also want to know what to look out for. The first part is perfect for you.
Are you sitting on your suitcase or already in the travel vehicle of your choice, and you would like to get in the mood for your sustainable stay on site? Would you like to take a moment to remind yourself of the most important things? To answer your question, we can go to the second part of the guide, where we help you make your trip more sustainable.
Do you want to know how you can support your sustainable accommodations, the people in your vacation destination or the organization from home in a lasting way? Just returned from a trip and thinking about what you can do better next time and how to deal with the experiences of your trip? Then check out part three. Because sustainable travel doesn’t stop when we get back home. You’re just here to gather inspiration? Then have a look around at your leisure, and please don’t hesitate to leave a comment telling us how you liked it.
Our 15 Tops for Sustainable Travel (And a Bonus Tip at the End)
Sustainable Travel Planning
1.) Be Honest About the Purpose of Your Trip
By this, we mean, before you even start planning, be aware of why you want to travel. Are you interested in learning about a particular country or culture? Are you interested in experiencing nature and wildlife, admiring special buildings or formations? Or is it mainly to get away from home or just to relax?
If you tend towards the latter, then maybe it doesn’t have to be a plane trip to the Canary Islands or Egypt, right? In that case, a nice and sustainable wellness hotel or vacation home in your region or country might even be a better choice.
Tip from Mara from the editorial team: Forget the bucket list
It is often hyped, especially in the social media, if you have an eternally long bucket list. I’m not a fan of that at all, because it tempts you to visit places just because you want to make a checkmark. So when planning a trip, you should always ask yourself: Do I want to go there because I want to see it? Or because others suggest to me that I have to go there?
2.) Pay Attention to Environmental Seals and Certificates During Your Research
However, you should not trust them blindly because in principle, each company, each hotel or each provider can design its own eco-label and put it on its website. So, have a look around the site, too: Are the initiatives and sustainable measures clearly named and documented? Is the seal awarded? How transparent are the criteria?
Generally recognized seals that you can look out for in the tourism sector are TourCert, Viabono and the Blue Flag for beaches and waters.
For accommodations, there are others: Green Sign for example, as well as the EU Eco Label, various organic certifications and of course Green Pearls. You can find out more about our criteria and what we look for in our partners on our website.
3.) Ask the Experts and Get Informed
Following on seamlessly from the previous tip, this is one you’re just about to do. Because if you educate yourself on how to travel sustainably before you go, you’re already well on your way to doing it.
That includes researching beforehand how you can travel sustainably at your destination. For example, what about drinking water quality? What about public transportation?
In case you already realize that this will be a bit too much for you, then you can also consult experts. Many travel providers are increasingly focusing on sustainable travel. And social media is also a great place to connect with other travelers and benefit from their experiences.
4.) Get to Know the Culture and the Language Before
If you know where to go, you should also begin to engage with the country and local customs. This way you avoid (unintentional) disrespectful behavior and know in advance what you can and should be prepared for.
Tip from Nina from the editorial team: Hello, Please, Thank you.
I think you should at least try to know and use “Hello / Please / Thank you” in the local language. This shows respect for the people and you are more likely to get into contact.
Preparation is Everything: Packing, Documents, Arrival
5.) Plan Your Journey and Avoid Flights Whenever Possible
Probably by now, we all know how absolutely polluting flights are. That is why you will find again and again the appeal to avoid flying when it comes to tips for sustainable travel.
Top tip from Hotel Klosterbräu, Tyrol: Green travel pays off
Some sustainable hotels offer an extra reward for arriving by public transport. At Hotel Klosterbräu, for example, E-bikes are available to you free of charge for your entire vacation if you travel by train. An E-car will also be available again soon. For sustainable travelers also free of charge. By the way: the train station is only two minutes away from the hotel;)
Be creative and see if there aren’t other ways to get there. Most of which have the advantage that you can already discover some country during the trip, without having to concentrate on the traffic on the side.
Top tip from A‘ Cràpa Mangia, South Italy: One platform to book them all
Many of the guests at A’ Cràpa Mangia, an historic country estate in Campania at the very south of Italy, now arrive by train. The estate’s team has compiled the best connections here. “Now it’s a lot easier,” they also write, meaning booking a connection. Because instead of searching for connections for each country with the individual providers, one can easily and quickly search for and book intra-European train connections via The Trainline.
If you can’t do it without a flight, follow a simple rule of thumb: the longer the flight, the longer you should stay on site. That way, you also support the local population and economy in a more sustainable way.
6.) Less is More: About Packing Lists and Zero Waste
Yes, indeed: It makes a difference how much your luggage weighs! The less weight, the less fuel you use, no matter if you travel by car or plane. And your nerves are spared, too.
Tip from Katharina from the editorial team: Capsule Wardrobe
I actually go with a “Capsule Wardrobe” when packing – few pieces, all can be combined well with each other in terms of color and style. Depending on the length of the trip, I intend to wash out certain pieces. Find one-piece suits so practical and space-saving when packing (jumpsuits or dresses). I also like to hang up worn clothes and air them out—that works amazingly well, and the things then sometimes smell almost “fresh” again.
And speaking of saving on luggage: Gone are the days of binders and folders full of notes and tickets. In most cases, tickets only need to be available digitally, itineraries can be saved on a cell phone, and important documents can be photographed or scanned and are always available via a cloud.
Tip from Stefany from the editorial team: Zero Waste Travel
Always with us: plastic bottle, reusable coffee mugs, basket, or jute bag and for car trips we prepare food so that we do not have to rely on packaged sandwiches or the like on the road.
Sustainable Travel: Tips for on the Road
7.) Book Sustainable Accommodation
One of the most important parts of sustainable travel besides getting there is choosing your accommodations. When you decide sustainable accommodation, it has a considerable impact on the environment and also on the local community. For example, a sustainable hotel not only pays attention to renewable energy or water-saving measures, but also supports the region, employs local people and is committed to environmental and social projects.
Top tip from Naturresort Gerbehof: Do without room cleaning and do good
Sustainable hotels are now increasingly doing without daily room cleaning and the constant changing of towels and bed linen. (Find out why this is so important here) At Naturresort Gerbehof, forgoing room cleaning has another effect. For every room cleaning waived by guests, the hotel donates four euros to the children’s project “Kinderdorf der Liebe – Sternenland”.
8.) Use Public Transportation, Ride a Bike or Walk
Not only your travel, but also your transportation to your destination, contributes to your carbon footprint. So try to use public transportation whenever possible. Or rent a bike and explore the region. A side effect is that you will get to know your destination quite differently and more intensely than when you travel by car. And you’ll get to talk to the locals and experience their everyday life instead of staying in your tourist bubble.
Tip from Nina from the editorial team: Explore cities by foot
In cities I do a lot of exploring on foot. Then, depending on the length of your stay, that even brings that “home” feeling because you know the surroundings around your accommodation.
And with (city) tours, you can also make sure that they are conducted by locals or that the proceeds go to the local people.
9.) Support the Local Population
Apropos, local community. Sustainable travel doesn’t just involve keeping an eye on the impact we have on the environment, but also on the local people. It doesn’t do them any good if you only go on guided tours with foreign guides, only eat in a hotel or international franchise restaurant, and buy imported souvenirs.
Our money supports our values.
That means that every cent you spend is a choice for sustainable travel or against it. For environmental protection and local culture or foreign corporations. You have to be aware of that.
How you can sustainably support local people:
- Go to local restaurants and restaurants run by locals.
- Buy your food at markets, street stalls or directly from farmers.
- Sleep in family-run accommodations instead of big chain hotels.
- Move away from the popular tourist attractions. Not only will you experience new things there, you’ll also spread the benefits and positive effects further afield.
- Book tours with local guides. They know better and can tell you one or two insider tips .
- Tip.
Tip from Stefany from the editorial team: Do like the Romans
That means that every cent you spend is a choice for sustainable travel or against it. For environmental protection and local culture or foreign corporations. You have to be aware of that.
10.) Conscious Use of Resources
The things that have become second nature to us at home (turning off the lights, turning off the water, etc.) are all too easily forgotten on vacation. But depending on the region or destination, it is particularly important to save water and energy. So: Turn off the light, shut off the tap, and switch on the air conditioning only when you really need it.
11.) Respectful Treatment of People and Nature
Part of sustainable travel is also respecting nature and the people whose home country you are visiting. This mean respecting the culture and following the rules of conduct. Here, for example, we’ve looked at how you can travel respectfully and appropriately in Thailand.
Top tip from Eco-Aparthotel The Dreamer’s Club: Zero Waste in the hotel
Sustainable accommodations are happy to help you make your trip as sustainable, eco-friendly and respectful as possible. At Croatia’s The Dreamer’s Club, for example, you can simply borrow a cotton bag for your groceries. These are provided in the apartments.
The trash bags are compostable and there are no straws or other disposable plastic products. Instead of the usual aluminum capsules for the coffee machine in the apartments, the Dreamer’s Club also relies on compostable capsules filled with organic coffee.
Just like at home, you should also be mindful of nature and not leave any trash (no, not even banana peels!) behind when you go hiking. Even better, leave places cleaner than you found them!
Tip from Mara from the editorial team: Learn to say “no”
In the countries I’ve traveled, it was almost impossible to be Zero Waste while traveling. Every time I bought something, it was put in a plastic bag.Only one or two products in a bag and poof, the next one is pulled out. Learn to say “no” here. And fast enough;) The same goes for straws, plastic cutlery, etc.
12.) Get Involved!
Beach cleanup, visiting a sanctuary or helping out with environmental projects: There are many ways to get involved during a sustainable trip. Check with your accommodation to see if there are any actions or organizations you can get involved with. A bit of caution is advised when it comes to rescue centers. We’ve covered what to look out for in our article on animal-friendly traveling.
But you don’t need an organization to get involved. You just need a garbage bag and a little motivation. On your walks and hikes, simply collect the trash you notice. If you don’t have a big garbage bag, at least take a piece of trash with you and throw it out. Small steps also lead to the goal.
And Then? What You Can Do from Home
13.) Spread the Word!
A sustainable trip doesn’t stop when you leave your vacation spot. When you travel sustainably, the experiences are more intense, so you may need more time to process them.
You can use the awareness and energy you brought back from your trip right after you return. Often we have little time during the trip to truly recommend organizations and accommodations in detail. Now you can do that from home and reminisce all over again automatically.
Ways to endorse sustainable organizations, vendors, and accommodations from home:
- Write Google and TripAdvisor reviews
- Tell family and friends about your trip
- Support the provider on Instagram, TikTok, and Co.
- Hotels usually have their review platforms: Take the time to leave a positive review there, too, if you were satisfied.
- Make recommendations among postings and blogs
14.) Compensate Your Emissions
Your trip will not be completely emission-free. Sometimes CO2 emissions can hardly or not at all be avoided. You can compensate these emissions through various providers. That means: You pay a certain amount, which is forwarded by these initiatives into sustainable projects, with which CO2 is saved or bound. Pay close attention to how transparently the offsetting company works.
And: Offsetting should not be used as a free pass for short-haul flights or less effort in sustainability. Only compensate for what you can’t avoid.
15.) Keep a Lasting Record of Your Travel Experiences
At the end of a trip, you too probably have tons of photos sitting on your memory card. What used to be photo albums are now professionally printed photo books for most people. Here, too, you can look for a sustainable production method, after all, keeping the memories is also part of a sustainable trip. The paper, for example, should be FSC-certified or even recycled. There are now also more environmentally friendly alternatives to the classic, mineral oil-based inks. By the way: If you already keep a travel journal during your sustainable trip, it will be easier for you to sort it later.
Tip from Katharina from the editorial team: Digital photo albums
I save travel photos in a separate album and then share that with the respective fellow travelers. So, you can also show it quickly via Apple TV or similar.
Why You Don’t Have to Be Perfect — A Final Word
All these tips may seem like an insurmountable mountain to you now, but with patience and practice sustainable travel will become second nature to you. Maybe you think that with all the things you have to consider, you lose the fun of traveling. Or you think of all the things you’ve done wrong in your travel life so far.
These thoughts all have something in common: they make us slow down. So instead of getting started, we do nothing at all. Small steps are enough. Declining a plastic bag here, booking a tour with a local company there. It all helps and makes your trip more sustainable and the world a little better.
Our bonus tip for sustainable travel: You don’t have to be perfect.
Your next vacation doesn’t have to fit the ideal of sustainable travel. Instead, we want these tips to inspire you to just get started. Or keep going. Depending on what point in your travel life, you’re reading this. Because if we all travel imperfectly sustainably, that’s still more than if everything stays as it is.