Essential Travel Tips for a Hassle-Free Adventure

Travelling offers an incredible opportunity to discover state-of-the-art places, allows you to immerse yourself in diverse cultures, and make unforgettable memories. However, it’s essential to acknowledge the environmental footprint that comes with tourism. By embracing sustainable travel habits, you can explore the world while minimising your ecological impact. Here are some practical ways to travel more sustainably.           

Take some time to think about how you travel

Transportation is one of the biggest causes of carbon emissions, so it’s no wonder that celebrities are often bashed for being too quick to make a gazillion journeys on their private jets.  Having said that, we mere mortals with ordinary bank accounts often have no choice but to fly, so don’t beat yourself up over it. We can try and take some measures to lessen our impact, though.

• Fly less, fly smarter: If possible, consider travelling by train, bus, or carpooling instead of flying. Trains are a much greener option than planes, especially in regions like Europe, where high-speed trains are easily accessible. If you do need to fly, try to book direct flights as they tend to have a smaller carbon footprint than connecting flights. Speaking of flights, did I mention that Travel House UK is the best place to get your tickets? 
• Walk more: Walking is slightly less glamorous than choosing the most expensive vehicle option on Uber, however, the benefits are that you’ll be able to take in the scenery better and burn calories whilst you’re doing it.
• Rent electric vehicles or bicycles: If you do need to get around a bit quicker, consider renting an electric car, scooter, or bicycle. These options are much more eco-friendly than traditional gas-powered vehicles and give you the freedom to explore while reducing your carbon footprint.

Don’t go crazy with your luggage

One of the simplest ways to reduce your environmental impact is to pack lighter. The heavier your luggage, the more fuel is required to transport it, whether by plane, train, or car.

• Pack only what you need: Think about the essentials you’ll truly need on your trip and avoid overpacking. Less stuff means fewer resources used in packing and transportation. It’s also worth investing in reusable packing cubes to keep your items organized and reduce the need for disposable plastic bags.
• Bring reusable items: Make sure to pack reusable water bottles, shopping bags, and travel utensils. This will help you avoid single-use plastic items like bottled water, straws, and plastic bags, which contribute to pollution. Many airports, hotels, and tourist spots are becoming more eco-conscious and have refill stations for water bottles, so be sure to take advantage of them.

Stay in Eco-Friendly Accommodations

Where you stay can have a significant impact on your environmental footprint. Fortunately, many accommodations are making strides to be more sustainable.

• Support local businesses: Choose to stay in locally owned accommodations like guesthouses or boutique hotels instead of large, international chains. These types of businesses often use local resources, hire local staff, and invest in the community, which helps promote sustainable tourism. Plus, staying in smaller places can give you a more authentic experience.
• Be mindful of your energy use: While staying in a hotel or rental, try to minimise your energy consumption by turning off lights, air conditioning, and heating when not in use. Reuse towels and linens to reduce water waste and avoid requesting room cleaning every day. And whatever you do, resist the urge to steal towels and soap from the bathroom!

Take Responsibility

As a traveller, it’s important to be respectful of the places you visit and the people who live there. Responsible tourism helps to preserve the environment and the local culture.

• Respect local wildlife and ecosystems: When visiting natural areas or national parks, always follow the rules. Stick to marked trails, avoid disturbing wildlife, and take only photographs, leaving only footprints. Don’t take souvenirs from nature, like rocks or shells, as this can disrupt the local ecosystem.
• Support local communities: One of the best ways to make a positive impact while travelling is to support local businesses. Shop at local markets, dine at family-owned restaurants, and buy handcrafted souvenirs from artisans. This helps boost the local economy and ensures that your travel dollars are benefiting the people who live there.

Reduce Your Waste

Traveling can generate a lot of waste, but with a little effort, you can minimise your environmental impact.

• Avoid single-use plastics: When McDonald’s swapped out their plastic straws for the comparatively awful paper ones we are left to struggle with, it felt as though the universe was out to get me. However, it was the right choice. I’m okay with rubbish straws as long as it keeps the planet healthy!
• Separate your waste: When staying in hotels or accommodations, make sure to separate recyclables from general waste. If your destination doesn’t have a recycling system, try to minimize the amount of waste you create by reusing or repurposing materials.
• Travel with a purpose: If you’re interested in giving back to the environment during your travels, look for opportunities to volunteer with conservation projects or participate in community clean-up events. This is a great way to leave a positive impact on the places you visit.
• Don’t waste water: Be conscious of your water usage when travelling, particularly in regions where water is scarce. Take shorter showers, turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, and use water-saving techniques when washing clothes.  

Conclusion

Being mindful about the environment means that we often must inconvenience ourselves and deviate from our usual behaviors, however, it is important to remember why we are doing such things. Reducing our emissions and waste can only be a good thing, and if it’s too much to try and incorporate all these tips into your next trip, just take it slow! Any change is a good change, and the more people who are willing to make even the slightest adjustment, the better off we will all be!