How to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint When Travelling
The first time I truly understood the weight of my wanderlust must have been from somewhere between my many travels while seafaring.
Either that, or it must have been during COVID-19 pandemic when the skies went quiet.
Here's what those silent months taught me: travel isn't just postcards and passport stamps. It's also the invisible thread of emissions trailing behind each flight, each over-air-conditioned hotel, each hurried connection.
Tourism stitches together 8% of the world’s carbon emissions – a number that hums beneath every "must-see" list.
But pause. This isn’t a lecture. It’s an invitation: to explore how to reduce carbon footprint when travelling.
What is Travel’s Carbon Cost?
That flight to paradise? Its carbon receipt is heavier than you might imagine. A single long-haul journey can generate more carbon dioxide than some people contribute in an entire year. Now picture every departure board at every airport, flickering with hundreds of flights daily. The numbers stack up quickly.
But here's what matters more than the math: no one's asking you to give up travel. Travel will always be worth it, but now we get to rewrite what "worth it" means:
• Slower itineraries that let places get under your skin
• Lighter packing that doesn't weigh on your conscience
• Choices that feel as good coming home as they did leaving.
The world remains worth exploring. Let's just leave it worth returning to.
1. Rethinking Transportation
Fly Less, Explore More
The easiest way to lower your travel emissions? Travel closer to home. Choosing destinations that don’t require air travel – or at least long-haul flights – can reduce your carbon output dramatically.
Trains, buses, and even carpooling are often far more sustainable options. In many parts of the world, rail networks are not just efficient – they’re scenic, spacious, and surprisingly soothing. When you take the train instead of the plane, the journey becomes part of the adventure.
Non-Stop Flights Rule
If you do need to fly, book a non-stop flight whenever possible. Take-offs and landings are the most fuel-intensive parts of a flight, so avoiding multiple legs can make a big difference.
Bonus: it’s also less stressful, with fewer layovers and missed connections.
Economy Over Luxury
Did you know that flying business or first class can generate three to four times the emissions of flying economy? More space per passenger means more fuel burned per person. If you’re serious about reducing your footprint, economy is the more sustainable choice.
Pack Light, Travel Right
Here’s one you might not have considered: the weight of your luggage affects fuel consumption. Every extra kilo makes a plane or car work harder. Pack only what you need, and your carbon footprint (and your back) will thank you.
2. Slow Travel
Fast travel is exhausting. It’s also carbon-heavy.
When you’re jumping between five cities in seven days, your emissions stack up quickly – buses, flights, taxis, ferries, repeat. Slow travel is the antidote.
Stay longer in one place. Immerse yourself. Let the local rhythm seep into your bones. Spending a week in one mountain village will not only lower your carbon footprint – it’ll deepen your experience. You’ll get to know shopkeepers, find hidden paths, and drink coffee like a local.
This isn’t about doing less. It’s about experiencing more, better.
3. Green Ground Transport
Public Transit Wins
Subways, buses, and trams aren’t just for daily commuters – they’re your best bet for sustainable sightseeing that won't drain your wallet. These transport options often outpace taxis while keeping both your expenses and carbon footprint light.
Not sure how to use them? Ask a local or look for mobile apps. Most systems today are tourist-friendly and easy to navigate.
Bike or Walk
There’s something timeless about exploring on foot. No timetable. No emissions. Just you, your shoes, and a camera (or not).
Biking is also a wonderful way to see more while still treading lightly. Many cities now offer bike-share programs, which are ideal for short trips and spontaneous detours.
Car Rentals Done Right
If you need to rent a car, opt for electric or hybrid vehicles. If that’s not available, go for the smallest and most fuel-efficient option.
Avoid SUVs unless absolutely necessary – they might feel safer, but their environmental impact is massive.
4. Eco-Conscious Accommodations
Your choice of accommodation can either double down on waste – or support the planet.
Look for Green Certifications
Hotels with sustainability certifications (like LEED, Green Key, or EarthCheck) have committed to reducing energy use, water waste, and emissions. These places usually reuse greywater, use renewable energy, and avoid single-use plastics.
Homestays & Local Stays
Staying in guesthouses, homestays, or locally-run B&Bs often has a smaller environmental footprint than sprawling resorts. You’ll also keep your money in the community, not in the hands of a foreign conglomerate.
Simple Energy Hacks
Wherever you stay, you can still reduce your own impact:
Turn off the air con when you leave.
Unplug electronics.
Reuse towels.
Skip daily linen changes.
These tiny acts add up, especially in hotels with hundreds of guests.
5. Sustainable Food Habits
Farm-to-Table Travel
The fewer kilometers your food has traveled, the lower its carbon footprint. Look for local markets and restaurants that use seasonal, regional ingredients. Not only is this better for the environment – it usually tastes better too.
Eating like a local also connects you more deeply to the place you’re in. Food is memory. Make it count.
Avoid Buffets
All-you-can-eat buffets may seem generous, but they’re a hotspot for food waste. Huge quantities of uneaten food are often discarded daily.
Choose à la carte or smaller, made-to-order meals. It’s a quieter kind of abundance.
Leftovers Love
Bring a small reusable container with you – perfect for leftovers or snacks. Many eateries are happy to pack your extras if you ask politely.
And always carry a reusable water bottle. Bonus points if it comes with a filter.
6. Mindful Shopping
Every souvenir has an origin story – and a footprint.
Skip the plastic Eiffel Tower keychains and mass-produced fridge magnets. Instead, support local artisans and bring home something meaningful.
Ask yourself:
Was this handmade?
Is it local?
Will I actually use this, or will it collect dust?
Think handwoven textiles, wooden utensils, local spices, small artworks. These are the kinds of items that carry memories – and won’t end up in a landfill.
7. Offset What You Can’t Avoid
Even with the best intentions, some emissions are inevitable. That’s where carbon offsetting comes in.
By supporting projects that reduce or remove CO₂ (like reforestation or wind farms), you can balance out the emissions from your trip.
How to Offset Responsibly:
Choose reputable providers.
Calculate your travel footprint using tools like MyClimate or Carbon Footprint.
Offset not just flights, but accommodation and transport too.
Offsets aren’t a free pass to pollute – but they’re better than doing nothing.
8. Advocacy
Your influence doesn’t stop when the trip ends.
Talk about the changes you’re making – not in a preachy way, but with openness. Share your favorite eco-lodges, train routes, or carbon offset platforms. Lead by example.
Write reviews that praise sustainability. Ask airlines and hotels about their climate policies. Support organizations and movements that push for climate-friendly tourism.
The more we ask for greener options, the more businesses will respond.
Travel Light, Travel Right
There’s a quiet kind of joy in travelling light – in every sense of the word.
When you carry less, move slower, and choose more consciously, you don’t just reduce your carbon footprint. You rediscover the essence of travel. The connection. The wonder. The freedom of knowing your presence isn’t leaving a scar.
You don’t need to do it all at once. Pick one or two changes to start with. Maybe it’s packing lighter. Maybe it’s choosing the train. Maybe it’s staying longer in one place and getting to know the rhythm of its mornings.
It’s not about perfection – it’s about momentum.
