6 ways to travel more sustainably

Flying less will obviously reduce your carbon footprint, but there are many other ways you can have a more positive impact when you travel.

With every holiday company seemingly banging on about its eco-credentials, it can be difficult to cut through the greenwash.

The good news is that a few simple swaps can not only result in a greener getaway but a more authentic travel experience too. Here are six tips to consider for your next trip.

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1. Avoid overtourism

The deluge of visitors to Venice is threatening its very survival, along with rising sea levels due to climate change. Destinations such as Barcelona, Prague and Dubrovnik are also buckling under the strain of their own popularity. 

The presence of too many people can erode coastlines, as well as damage landmarks and vulnerable ecosystems. So why not think outside the box when brainstorming your next destination? For example, Which? members rated Kefalonia as their favourite Greek island. It received the full five stars for peace and quiet, outperforming busy hotspots such as Santorini and Mykonos. 

If you’ve got your heart set on a tourist honeypot, avoid peak season. You'll cut queue times at restaurants and attractions, and also be supporting the local economy when it’s most in need of a boost.

2. Travel slow

'Slow' travel has become a bit of a buzzword of late, but it simply means resisting the urge to overwhelm your holiday itinerary. After all, who wants to return home more exhausted than when they left? 

You’re never going to see everything. Instead of rushing from one destination to the next, take time to immerse yourself in the local culture. 

Rather than taking several city breaks a year, you might opt for one long trip – meaning fewer carbon-intensive flights. You may even decide to travel by rail or sea. Slow travel is not just better for the environment: it can help you get under the skin of a destination too.

Read more on how to reduce the impact of flying and how to carbon offset your flight

3. Find green hotels

A hotel bedroom can emit up to 15 tonnes of carbon a year – that’s five and a half times more than the average UK household. 

Before you book, have a look at the hotel’s website to see what efforts they’re making to reduce their impact. Do they have a green policy, for example? Do they mention recycling facilities, energy use or how they source their food? 

The ‘How to find us’ page should also include instructions on getting there by public transport. Specialist sites such as Fairbnb.coop, Green Pearls and Green Traveller can help you find sustainable properties that make the grade.

4. Support the local economy

Tourism can bring in a lot of income, creating jobs and helping develop local infrastructure and public services. 

If you take a cruise or an all-inclusive holiday, the majority of your travel pounds will be swallowed up by big international corporations. Instead, choose home stays or dine in local restaurants where possible. 

Hiring a local guide is another way to help, while providing a unique insight into the places you visit. For escorted tours, choose a provider that's doing their bit to support grassroots initiatives. 

For example, Which? Recommended Provider Exodus provides jobs for women on hiking trails in Nepal. Choosing local will not only make your travel experience more authentic, but likely also cheaper too.

These are the best and worst holiday companies for 2024, as rated by customers.

5. Eat local and seasonal

Buffets can create terrible amounts of food waste, and hotels in remote locations often have to fly their ingredients in. 

According to the WWF, a fortnight in a Caribbean five-star all-inclusive resort can produce food-related carbon emissions of 205kg per person. That’s as polluting as driving from Lincoln to Luxembourg. 

Where possible, choose locally grown and seasonal produce. It's more sustainable, and it will taste better for not being frozen and transported hundreds of miles. 

Reducing your meat intake will also help: producing a kilo of beef creates 59.6kg of greenhouse gasses versus less than 1kg for peas and nuts.

Read more about the carbon footprint of your diet.

6. Pack light (but carry reusables)

For the average holiday, only one in six people end up wearing everything they pack. 

If they were to reduce their luggage by a quarter, it would save 7,537 tonnes of CO2 each year – that’s the equivalent of taking 2,216 cars off the road. A heavier plane, train or taxi will burn more carbon – something to consider when you’re squeezing that extra pair of jeans into your suitcase. 

However, a few clever items – such as a reusable drinking bottle and a foldable shopping bag – can reduce your reliance on single-use plastic. 

Consider bringing your own earphones too. The single-use ones dished out on planes (and wrapped in plastic) provide terrible sound quality, and they often end up in landfill.