Travel broadens your horizons and helps you get to know the world and yourself. Cheesy, yet true. But so is the fact that it can have a negative impact on the the environment. That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint while you're on the road.
The tips below won’t only help you save our planet, they’ll also help save a bit of money off your travel costs - win win!
Try To Avoid Air Travel
Air travel accounts for up to 2.5% of the world’s greenhouse emissions. Most of those emissions are released when a plane takes off and lands. If you need to cover a lot of ground, try to book non-stop flights. Better still, stick to coach trips that allow you to see a variety of destinations while you make your way from A to B. Our coaches in Europe run so clean that in some polluted cities, they actually improve the quality of the air! We've managed to reduce our Nitrogen Dioxide emissions by a further 65% which makes our fleet of coaches the most environmentally friendly yet.
You can explore an entire continent by coach and get to see much more than you ever could from a plane window, plus have a positive impact on the environment at the same time!
Use Public Transport
If you’re travelling alone or with a small group, you should avoid taking taxis. Taxis will cost you a lot more than public transport, and they’re less environmentally friendly than trains and buses. Using public transport in a city you're visiting can be a great way to see new neighbourhoods and there are some awesome forms of transport around that make for great photo opportunities too, like the trams in Lisbon!
Stay In Hostels
For some people, hostels are not their cup of tea, but if you don't mind sharing a room with strangers then hostels are the places to stay. Hostels need less energy to accommodate larger numbers of guests than hotels. But they’re also melting pots of diverse cultures that add to the adventure that is travel, and if you stay in a local hostel then you'll be contributing to the local community too!
Take Showers Instead Of Baths
If you stay in hostels, you probably won’t have the luxury of a bathtub, but that’s a good thing for the true ecotourist. On average, a shower uses between 10 and 25 gallons of water. Baths, on the other hand, use up to 70. Travel tip: if you have the choice between a shower and a bath, go for the power shower and improve your blood flow in the process. There are plenty of ways to give your health a boost while helping the environment.
Eat Local Food and Avoid Meat
We don’t blame those who can’t avoid eating meat while travelling, but removing it from your diet can reduce greenhouse gas emissions tremendously. Meat eater or not, you can reduce your environmental impact by eating locally produced foods. Stick to healthy vegetarian dishes while out on the road!
Pack a Reusable Water Bottle
In most parts of Europe, the tap water is safe to drink. If you have a reusable water bottle, you’ll never have to pay for water or waste plastic packaging unnecessarily. Staying hydrated is essential when travelling, especially during the summer. Keep your reusable bottle filled up with free water, and you’ll cut your travel costs and carbon footprint.
For a more sustainable way to explore the whole of Europe, check out our Coach Travel Network and build your ultimate Europe itinerary. The network is a lot more eco-friendly than flights between Europe’s major capitals.
