Eco-Friendly Travel: 12 Ways to Travel More Sustainably

We’ve always loved traveling, but we haven’t always practiced eco-friendly travel.

We originally wrote this article in 2021, when the world was beginning to travel again after the pandemic brought nearly everything to a halt. Having so much time at home forced us to think about how we traveled, what we consumed, and the impact our trips had on the places we visited.

If we tried to make environmentally conscious decisions at home, why weren’t we carrying those habits with us when we traveled?

Since then, we have kept learning, making mistakes, and finding practical ways to become more responsible travelers.

No trip is completely impact-free. Eco-friendly travel means reducing a trip’s negative effects where possible while supporting the people, animals, businesses, and environments that make a destination special.

What Is Eco-Friendly Travel?

Eco-friendly travel means considering the environmental impact of your transportation, accommodations, food, activities, purchases, and waste.

It is often part of a broader approach called sustainable or responsible tourism. The United Nations describes sustainable tourism as considering the current and future economic, social, and environmental effects of travel.

In simpler terms, it means trying to leave a place at least as healthy, respected, and supported as you found it.

Eco-friendly travel may include:

• Choosing a lower-impact form of transportation
• Taking fewer but longer trips
• Packing reusable products
• Reducing single-use plastics
• Walking, biking, or using public transportation
• Staying at locally owned accommodations
• Supporting local restaurants and businesses
• Respecting wildlife and natural areas
• Following local recycling and waste guidelines
• Avoiding activities that exploit animals or communities

You do not have to make every possible sustainable choice on every trip. Start with the changes that make sense for your destination, budget, mobility, and travel style.

1. Take Fewer, Longer Trips When Possible

One way to reduce the impact of frequent transportation is to take fewer trips and stay longer when your schedule allows.

Instead of flying somewhere for one or two nights, could you stay for four or five? Could you choose one destination as a base and take nearby day trips rather than moving between several hotels?

Longer stays also give you time to move beyond the busiest attractions, visit local businesses, and experience the everyday character of a place.

This is one reason we enjoy townsizing travel: choosing a smaller area, slowing down, and seeing more without rushing from one major attraction to another.

A longer trip is not automatically sustainable, of course. The point is to get more value and connection from the transportation you already used to reach the destination.

2. Consider How You Will Get There

Transportation choices depend on distance, location, price, accessibility, available routes, and how many people are traveling.

No universal rule says one mode of transportation is always best. A full train, a nonstop flight, and a car carrying several passengers have very different impacts from an empty vehicle or a trip requiring multiple connections.

When comparing your options, consider:

• The total distance
• Whether a direct route is available
• How many people are traveling together
• Whether you will need a rental car after arriving
• The availability of trains or buses
• The time required for each option
• Whether several trips can be combined

Walking and biking generally have the lowest direct transportation emissions. Public transit can also reduce the number of individual vehicles needed to move people around a destination. The EPA recommends public transportation, biking, walking, carpooling, and combining trips as ways to reduce transportation-related emissions.

Traveling by train

Train travel can be an excellent option when a useful route exists.

Beyond its environmental benefits, taking the train allows you to see the landscape, avoid driving fatigue, and often arrive closer to a city center than you would by flying.

Before automatically booking a flight, check whether your destination is connected by passenger rail. Also compare the entire journey—not only the time spent on the train or plane. Airport transportation, security, boarding, and baggage collection all add time to a flight.

Traveling by car

A road trip may be the most practical choice when several people are traveling together or when the destination has limited public transportation.

To make a road trip more efficient:

• Travel together instead of taking separate cars
• Keep tires properly inflated
• Avoid carrying unnecessary weight
• Combine stops and errands
• Maintain the vehicle
• Avoid excessive idling
• Choose an efficient rental vehicle when available
• Walk once you reach compact downtown areas

Road trips have always been part of our travel story. Betty White loved a road trip, and we loved having her along for the adventure.

Traveling by plane

Sometimes flying is the only realistic option, especially for international travel or destinations located far from home.

If you need to fly, consider:

• Booking a nonstop flight when practical
• Staying longer rather than taking several short trips
• Packing only what you will use
• Using public transportation at the destination
• Combining nearby destinations into one journey
• Comparing an airline’s current environmental policies before booking

We no longer recommend one airline as “the most eco-friendly.” Airline operations and sustainability programs change, and broad rankings can leave out important factors.

Instead, look for specific, current information. Is the airline investing in newer aircraft? Does it publish environmental goals and progress? What is it doing about onboard waste? Are its claims specific enough to verify?

3. Choose Your Destination Carefully

Eco-friendly travel starts before you book transportation.

Consider destinations closer to home, especially for shorter getaways. A nearby small town, state park, rail-accessible city, or regional destination can still provide the change of scenery you want.

We have found some of our favorite experiences within driving distance of home. A meaningful trip does not require crossing an ocean.

You can also consider visiting during the shoulder season rather than the busiest weeks. Traveling outside peak season may reduce pressure on crowded areas while supporting businesses during quieter periods.

Always check seasonal closures, weather conditions, and whether local tourism organizations encourage off-season visits.

4. Pack Light and Use What You Own

We have become pretty good at packing light, although there is always room for improvement.

Packing less can make it easier to:

• Carry your own luggage
• Use trains and public transportation
• Walk between nearby locations
• Avoid checked-bag fees
• Keep track of your belongings
• Resist buying duplicate toiletries or travel gear

Before shopping for a trip, use the clothing, luggage, packing cubes, and reusable products you already own.

We use BÉIS carry-on rollers because their compartments help us stay organized without adding more bags. The most sustainable suitcase, however, is usually the functional one you already have.

A new collection of products marketed as “eco-friendly” is still a collection of new products. Buy travel gear when it solves a genuine problem, not because a packing list convinced you that every traveler needs 37 accessories.

5. Pack a Small Reusable Travel Kit

A few reusable items can help reduce disposable products without taking over your entire bag.

Our basic kit may include:

• A refillable water bottle
• A reusable shopping bag
• Refillable toiletry containers
• A reusable coffee cup when we expect to use it
• A small reusable food container
• Reusable utensils
• A cloth napkin
• A bag for separating laundry

You can take an empty reusable water bottle through airport security in the United States and fill it afterward, according to the Transportation Security Administration.

Check the drinking-water guidance for international destinations before refilling from a tap.

The goal is to pack items you will actually use. Carrying around a bag full of reusable gadgets doesn’t accomplish much if they never leave the suitcase.

6. Walk, Bike, and Use Public Transportation

Walking is one of our favorite ways to experience a destination. You notice architecture, small businesses, murals, parks, and tiny details you would miss from inside a car.

We love walking tourism because it turns transportation into part of the experience.

Before arriving, research:

• Public transportation maps
• Day or weekly transit passes
• Airport-to-hotel routes
• Bike-share programs
• Walkable neighborhoods
• Hotel shuttle options
• Accessibility information
• The last departure time for evening transit

Bike-share programs can also be useful in destinations with safe cycling infrastructure. We have seen them in beach towns, Key West, and major cities.

We still use rideshares and taxis when they are the safest or most practical choice. The point is to avoid using them automatically when a train, bus, bike, or walk would work just as well.

And yes, when I travel alone, I occasionally start behaving like Carrie Bradshaw with an endless taxi budget. Neither my wallet nor the planet requested this performance.

7. Choose Accommodations Thoughtfully

Hotels use energy, water, cleaning products, food, toiletries, and plenty of single-use supplies. Look beyond a vague green leaf on the booking page and check what the property actually does.

Possible signs of meaningful environmental practices include:

• Energy- and water-efficiency programs
• Bulk toiletry dispensers
• Optional housekeeping
• Clearly marked recycling
• Food-waste reduction
• Local or seasonal menu sourcing
• Public transportation access
• Responsible landscaping
• Published sustainability goals
• Third-party environmental certification

Location matters, too. A hotel within walking distance of the places you plan to visit may reduce your transportation needs more than a distant property with an impressive sustainability page.

You can also decline daily towel and linen replacement during a short stay when you do not need it.

8. Support Local Restaurants, Markets, and Businesses

One of our favorite travel activities is visiting a farmers market.

Markets, locally owned restaurants, independent shops, artists, and tour operators help us learn more about a destination while keeping more of our spending within the community.

We love talking with the people who grow, prepare, and make the things we find during a trip. Those conversations often become more memorable than traditional tourist stops.

Pack a reusable tote for market purchases. If your accommodations include a kitchen, choose a few ingredients for a simple meal. You can also build a picnic with locally made food and find a park or waterfront area to enjoy it.

Supporting local doesn’t guarantee every purchase has a lower carbon footprint. It can, however, support local jobs, preserve regional traditions, and create a more direct connection between travelers and the community hosting them.

9. Reduce Food Waste While Traveling

Restaurant portions, hotel breakfasts, grocery runs, and busy itineraries can create a lot of food waste.

To reduce food waste:

• Avoid ordering more than you can realistically eat
• Share large dishes when it makes sense
• Carry a reusable container when practical
• Refrigerate leftovers promptly
• Plan when you will eat leftovers
• Buy only a few groceries at a time
• Skip buffet items you don’t truly want
• Ask whether a hotel has a food-waste program

If you do not have a refrigerator or safe way to store leftovers, order a smaller meal rather than taking food you cannot use.

10. Respect Wildlife and Avoid Animal Exploitation

Responsible travel includes thinking about how tourism affects animals.

We do not support attractions that use animals as props, allow unsafe handling, offer forced performances, or prioritize visitor entertainment over animal welfare.

Before visiting an animal-related attraction, research:

• Whether it is accredited by a reputable organization
• How the animals arrived there
• Whether breeding takes place
• Whether visitors can touch or hold wildlife
• Whether animals are required to perform
• How the facility describes its conservation work
• Where its money goes
• Whether independent animal-welfare organizations support it

In natural areas, keep a safe distance from wildlife, follow local rules, avoid feeding animals, and never pressure an animal for a photo.

Seeing an animal in the wild is a privilege. Their space matters more than our content.

11. Follow Local Waste and Recycling Rules

Recycling guidelines vary by city, state, and country. An item accepted at home may not be recyclable where you’re going.

Look for clear instructions at hotels, airports, parks, and public recycling stations. If you are unsure, ask rather than contaminating a recycling bin with something the local program cannot process.

Also remember that recycling comes after reducing and reusing.

The better first steps are:

• Refusing items you do not need
• Carrying reusable alternatives
• Choosing products with less packaging
• Using travel-size containers you can refill
• Finishing products before replacing them

12. Take Care of the Places You Visit

Eco-friendly travel is about more than carbon calculations and reusable bottles. It is also about being a respectful guest.

Follow posted rules. Stay on designated trails. Pack out your trash. Do not remove plants, shells, rocks, or cultural objects when collection is prohibited. Respect residents’ homes and private property.

Be especially mindful in places struggling with overtourism, water shortages, habitat damage, or rising housing costs.

The United Nations’ responsible-traveler guidance encourages travelers to research destinations, respect local customs, support local economies, protect cultural heritage, and minimize their environmental impact.

A destination is someone else’s home. Travel should never require the people who live there to clean up after our vacation.

Our Approach to Eco-Friendly Travel

We are still learning.

We fly. We take road trips. We sometimes use more rideshares than necessary. We occasionally forget a reusable item and buy a disposable one.

Eco-friendly travel is not a purity test. Treating it like one can make people give up before they begin.

We focus on making better decisions when practical:

• Packing lighter
• Carrying reusable water bottles and bags
• Walking whenever possible
• Learning public transportation systems
• Supporting local businesses
• Choosing ethical animal experiences
• Staying longer when we can
• Producing less waste
• Paying attention to local rules

Small decisions do not cancel the total impact of travel, but they still matter. They also help create habits that follow us home.

Travel Better, One Decision at a Time

We love traveling because it connects us with places, people, food, landscapes, and ways of life beyond our own routine.

We want those places to remain healthy and welcoming long after we leave.

Traveling more sustainably does not require perfection. It requires awareness, honest choices, and a willingness to consider how our trip affects more than our own itinerary.

Choose one or two changes for your next trip. Pack the bottle. Take the train. Walk to dinner. Support the neighborhood market. Leave the wildlife alone. Stay an extra day if you can.

Then carry those habits into your next trip.

FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions