Sustainable Travel Tips for Eco Journeys

How to be a More Sustainable Traveler: Ideas to Make Your Journey Greener

Flying less and staying closer to home are still the greenest ways to travel. However, for those that wish to explore further afield, a few eco-conscious adjustments to your travel plans can minimize your footprint and deepen your relationship with the planet. We share our tips for sustainable travel below. If you are specifically looking for tips on sustainable travel for families, scroll down for more ideas.

Where to Go

Without the need for flights and accommodation, the day trip remains a very green travel choice. Local cities and towns can be a great way to rediscover national history and culture. Even a short trip by train or car to the forest or coast is a refreshing way to take a break.

If your heart is set on international travel, choose a destination that is committed to sustainability. Reaching out to local tourist boards or a quick internet search will return a list of the greenest cities and countries to visit. How each measures sustainability will differ, so take some time to determine which aspects of their sustainability policies resonate most with you. Some measure good air quality while others focus on high walkability scores and the number of local farmers’ markets.

Choosing lesser-known destinations or traveling off-season is another way to travel consciously. You can also look at incorporating eco-volunteering into your travel agenda. Many organizations have programs that help protect and preserve natural environments with the collaboration of visitors to the area.

Sustainable travel is not only about lowering your carbon footprint; it’s about caring and supporting local communities too. Locals have a big incentive to preserve their communities. One of the most direct ways you can positively impact the people and places you visit is with your money. Find accommodation, tour operators and guides that maintain sustainable standards regarding workers’ rights, inclusivity and impact on local communities. Spending money on local businesses ensures that more money remains in the hands of those living in your destination.

Backpacks for Day Trips

Where to Stay

Many accommodation services have integrated environmental and social responsibility into their business models. Some established venues have taken the route of obtaining eco-certification. However, it’s not to say that locally-run accommodation such as homestays and farm stays aren’t eco-worthy too.

There are also accommodation search services that plant trees for every booking made or donate a portion of profits to social and sustainability projects in local areas.

Tiny houses, log cabins and tents are eco by nature and have less environmental impact. House swapping is another low-cost option that leaves a lighter footprint.

Travel Gear for International Adventures

How to Get There

The most sustainable means of traveling will depend on several variables. It is safe to say that train travel has a lower carbon footprint than traveling by plane or car. The most polluting form of transport is the short-haul flight because fuel consumption is the highest during take-off and landing.

It’s fair to conclude that any travel less than 500km should first be considered by train or car. Several useful sites will help you calculate and compare emission and energy consumption per journey by air, train and car.

Great Gear for Train Travel

What to Pack

Packing consciously might seem like a small contribution to sustainable travel, but even small choices can have a big impact.

Chemical-free sunscreens and skincare are worth considering after Hawaii banned sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate in 2018. Scientists found that these chemicals increase the rate of coral bleaching and are detrimental to coral growth.

To reduce single-use plastic when on the road, travel with reusable water bottles, coffee cups, snack containers and cutlery. There are also many exciting eco-friendly alternatives to wasteful travel-sized toiletries. Try swapping shower gel for soap and bottled shampoo for shampoo bars. Discover deodorants that come in creams or toothbrushes made from biodegradable materials.

To finalize your packing, you will need something functional and stylish to hold all these items. Lightweight gear will make travel easy and enjoyable, while quality construction will ensure longevity. Durable, after all, is sustainable.

Lightweight Companions for Green Travel

家庭环保旅行小贴士

许多父母认为，环保旅行是教育下一代了解保护地球的重要性的重要组成部分。ToptoTop 探险队是我们的重要灵感来源，我们是其官方赞助商之一，他们走遍全球，向他们遇到的每一个人介绍气候变化的情况。

这一家人是气候学家 Dario 和护士 Sabine 以及他们的六个孩子。他们最大的女儿 Salina 已经是一位很有造诣的公众演说家，他们的孩子和他们一样，都是环保生活的坚定使者。正如 Dario 和 Sabine 所说：“我们发现，我们的孩子也会和他们的同龄人分享我们的倡议，这是一种更有效的宣传方式。” 当这个游历甚广、热爱冒险的家庭坐在一起与我们分享他们关于环保旅行的建议时，他们以自己的亲身经历言传身教。

慢慢来

“你要让自己适应大自然的节奏，这一点很重要”，Dario 说道，“如果你的时间有限，你可能会急于完成自己的计划。你也许会忽视可能带来严重后果的雪崩警告。” Dario 回忆起全家人横渡大西洋的时候，在航行过程中，他们经常碰到鲸鱼或海豚，孩子们开心极了。“如果你像大多数人一样选择飞越这片海洋，你将彻底错过这种神奇的体验，”Dario 指出。虽然不是每个人都有这么多时间，但你仍然可以将这种心态运用到你的半月假期中。

学习永远不算太早

无论是探索自己的国家还是出国旅游，学习欣赏自然永远都不算早。正如 Dario 所说，“在瑞士的河流或湖泊里游泳长大的孩子肯定会努力保护这些河流和湖泊。” Dario 希望 ToptoTop 探险队的全球征程将有同样的效果：“在智利的鲁滨逊·克鲁索岛，海豹经常被渔民猎杀。我们带了一群当地的小学生和海豹一起游泳，这对每个人来说都是一次非常棒的体验，我相信这些孩子长大后绝对不会成为捕杀这些美丽生物的渔民。”

来自孩子们的小窍门

少即是多

Dario 认为，轻装旅行也是一种十分有益的方式。“我们曾经带着两个小孩在澳大利亚各地骑行了一个星期。这段经历教会了我们如何将携带的东西减至最少，因为只有这样我们才能携带我们所需的所有水。” 这个家庭认为，在旅行中尽量少带东西不仅可以给你的行李减重，还可以给你的灵魂减负。“我们认识到，带的东西越少，我们就越不必担心遗忘了什么。” 孩子们会不会因为不能带太多玩具在船上而不高兴？ “绝对不会！” Dario 笑道。“玩具越少，他们就越有创造力和好奇心。毕竟，大自然是最好的老师。”

将旅行与使命相结合

虽然不是每个人都愿意将自己的假期献给志愿公益项目，但当您旅行时，您仍然可以给您的旅行目的地带来积极影响：“无论是享受热带海滩还是在山间徒步，您都可以随身带上一个袋子，将您在路上看到的任何垃圾捡起。” Dario 表示，这种简单而有效的帮助方式是他和他的家人都喜欢做的事情。“大自然如此慷慨，她给了我们太多东西——从迷人的风景到宁静的时光，无不是大自然的馈赠，”Dario 说道。“将路上看到的垃圾拾起，其实就是在回馈自然。”

Share Experiences with Others

For the Schwörers, respecting nature and respecting the people you meet go hand in hand. It’s all part of their philosophy of traveling slowly: “When you don’t rush, you have more time to meet people, to make a connection and to learn from others” says Dario. “This can only improve your experience and most importantly expand your knowledge, helping you to learn the importance of protecting our planet”.

Discover the expedition