Sustainable travel – why I travel differently
Sustainable travel For me, it means more than just being a trend. Not because I consider myself better or because I want to do without everything, but because I have noticed: The best travel experiences arise when you take your time, take a closer look and make conscious decisions.
This starts with the question: Does it really have to be the 47. Be a photo of the Eiffel Tower, or are there not perhaps more exciting places in France? Can I not even try the night train instead of the cheap flight? And what happens to my money when I’m on site – does it reach the people who really need it?
These questions have completely changed the way I travel. Sustainable travel For me, it has not become a philosophy of renunciation, but a way to travel more intensively and authentically. It is therefore above all a question of conserving local environmental resources, respecting the culture of the host country, promoting the local economy and contributing to poverty reduction.
Does that sound like a lot of work and planning? But it is not! Many of the best Sustainable travel tips They are even cheaper than the traditional alternatives. And they often lead you to experiences that no travel guide describes.
I’ve tried a lot in recent years – some ideas were awesome, others total flops. But one thing I can promise you: If you start traveling more consciously, you will never want to go back to the crowded hotspots and 08/15 hotels.
How you Sustainable travel You can implement concretely, you will find out in the following tips.
Table of contents
Sustainable travel
Your journey begins with deciding how to move. Sustainable travel starts when you arrive – and here you have more options than you think:
- Walking walk – The most climate-friendly way of getting around
- Bicycle riding – Emission-free and healthy
- Take the train Environmentally friendly alternative to aircraft
- Searching for ridesharing/hikehiking Sharing resources
- Travelling on a cargo ship Slow, conscious travel (even if expensive)
- Buying flights with CO2 offset – When flying is inevitable
If you fly by plane and you have long waiting times, then this article is exciting for you: How to Turn Long Waiting Periods at the Airport into an Adventure.
Additional ideas:
- Sustainable travel with e-bikes or e-scooters For medium distances
- Use of combined transport (e.g. train + bicycle)
Traffic often accounts for most of the carbon footprint of a trip. Therefore, the conscious choice of means of transport is an important component if you want to travel sustainably.
Conscious target selection for sustainable travel
Where you go is just as important as the how. Sustainable travel also means making responsible decisions in target selection:
- Choose holiday destinations nearby – Less emissions due to short journeys
- Don’t travel to places that have water stress Responsible Tourism
- Visit traditional festivals instead of big tourist events Authentic, seasonal travel
- Traveling according to the principle "Ask the locals" – Receive sustainable insider tips from locals
Additional ideas:
- Offseason travel Avoid overtourism and use cheaper prices
- Choose less visited destinations Countering mass tourism
Choosing the right destination at the right time is a key factor in sustainable travel. So you not only avoid overtourism, but also support less tourist regions.
Sustainable accommodation when travelling
Where you sleep makes a big difference. If you want to travel sustainably, you should consciously decide when choosing accommodation:
- Couchsurfing Free and collaborative
- Trying holidays against hand Working against accommodation
- Housesitting, Home Swap Use existing resources
- Nomadic accommodation like yurts or tepees – traditional, natural overnight stay
Additional ideas:
- Eco-Hotels and certified sustainable accommodation Selection
- Camping and wild camping (where permitted) – Minimum resource consumption
These types of accommodation are not only sustainable, but often offer more authentic experiences than standard hotels. So sustainable travel will become a real adventure.
Sustainable equipment for conscious travel
The right equipment can make your journey more sustainable without sacrificing comfort:
- Buy clothes and equipment that will be used later – Pay attention to sustainability when buying
- Borrowing equipment instead of buying it Saving resources
- Buying equipment used and selling it again Circular Economy
- Use solar power banks or hats Renewable energy on the road
Additional ideas:
- Minimalist Packing List – Less weight, less consumption
- Reusable drinking bottles and lunchboxes Avoiding plastic
Sustainable travel begins with packing. With the right equipment, you not only reduce your ecological footprint, but also travel cheaper.
Eating and consuming sustainably when travelling
Food is an important part of any journey – and offers many opportunities for sustainable travel:
- Eating sustainably Find Vegan restaurants with Happy Cow
- Eating regionally – Local cuisine and short transport routes
- "Too Good to Go" instead of a normal meal Reduce food waste
Additional ideas:
- Buying at markets Fresh, local products without packaging
- Drinking tap water (where possible) – Avoid plastic bottles
Local food is not only more sustainable, but also more authentic. So sustainable travel will become a journey of discovery for all the senses.
Digital sustainability in travel
You can also travel digitally sustainably and conserve resources:
- Using digital tickets Saving paper
- Navigation offline with OpenStreetMap Reduce data consumption
- Digital Detox Travel Reduce energy consumption through streaming
Additional ideas:
- Using Offline Travel Guides Less data consumption
- Save photos sparingly in the cloud Save server capacities
Digital sustainability is often overlooked, but it is an important building block for environmentally conscious travel. Those who want to travel sustainably should also keep an eye on the digital footprint.
Culturally sustainable travel
Genuine respect for local culture is a core aspect of sustainable travel:
- Visit local crafting courses (Ceramics, weaving) instead of buying souvenirs
- Support local guides and small providers Strengthening the local economy
Additional ideas:
- Language courses before travel Show respect for local culture
- Buying Fair Trade Souvenirs – If souvenirs, then sustainable
- Supporting local environmental projects – Giving something back
Culturally sustainable travel means coming as a guest and not as a conqueror. This attitude makes your journey more enriching for everyone involved.
The most important little things: Quick tips for sustainable travel
Sometimes it’s the little things that make the difference. Here are a few simple but effective tips that you can implement immediately:
Pack your travel pharmacy sustainably
- Choose coral-friendly sunscreen – The chemical UV filter Octocrylene damages corals, disrupts the development of the brain and liver in fish and accumulates in shells and oysters. Nevertheless, this substance is widely used in German sunscreens. Therefore, buy coral-friendly sunscreen without microplastics.
- Solid soap and shampoo Take with you – saves plastic packaging and is more practical when flying
- Bamboo toothbrush instead of plastic – small, but a statement
Dealing with overtourism cleverly
- Avoiding overtourism – Travel in low season or choose lesser known alternatives
- Early in the morning or late at night Go to popular spots
- Stay longer in one place – Less stress, more real encounters, lower carbon footprint
Look closely at activities
- Booking Sustainable Activity Providers Avoid mass tours and attractions where animals are exploited or ill-treated, such as elephant rides or dolphin shows. Instead, there are many sustainable alternatives: guided walks in nature reserves, bird watching or snorkeling tours in protected marine regions.
- Support small, local providers Often more personal and authentic
- Ask about certifications – Many reputable providers have environmental or fair trade seals
Finding the right accommodation
- Book local, small accommodation Family businesses instead of large chains
- Ask about environmental measures – Water-saving showers, solar energy, waste separation
- Read reviews of other sustainable travelers – They often tell you more than the official descriptions
Last minute checks before departure
- Save mobile battery Use Airplane Mode, Down Brightness, Close Apps
- Packing a reusable water bottle – In many countries, tap water is potable
- A small fabric bag Take with you – For spontaneous purchases without plastic bag
- Download offline maps Saves data volume and battery
- All important apps for travelers can be found in this overview: 30 tools for globetrotters you should know
These small changes cost you nothing extra, but make a big difference in the long term.
If your budget for the next holiday is rather small, then take a look at this article: How you travel the world – even though you are broke.
Frequently Asked Questions about Sustainable Travel
How to travel sustainably?
Sustainable travel works through conscious decisions in transport, accommodation and on-site activities. Choose environmentally friendly modes of transport such as train or bicycle, support local businesses and pay attention to resource-efficient accommodation. Small changes such as avoiding overtourism and consuming regional food are already making a big difference.
What are the trends in tourism?
The current tourism trends 2025 show a strong development towards sustainable and conscious travel. Slow travel, local authenticity and eco-friendly accommodation are becoming increasingly important. Digital detox travel and the support of smaller, local providers instead of large tourism groups are also particularly popular.
What kind of travel is the most environmentally friendly?
Bicycles and walking are the most environmentally friendly ways to travel. For longer distances, the train is the best alternative, as it emits significantly less CO2 than planes or cars. When you combine different means of transport (for example, train + bicycle), you significantly reduce your ecological footprint.
Is sustainable travel more expensive than regular travel?
Sustainable travel is often even cheaper than conventional travel. Trains are often cheaper than flights, couchsurfing and housesitting cost nothing, and local markets offer cheaper food than tourist restaurants. Only with special eco-hotels or special sustainable activities do you sometimes pay a little more – but you also get more authentic experiences.
