The adage “leave nothing but footprints” has long been used by travelers, but even footprints need to be reconsidered in light of global warming. Transportation, accommodation, and consumption patterns all contribute to the approximately 8% of global carbon emissions that come from travel, according to reports. However, comfort and exploration don’t have to be sacrificed for sustainability. Small, doable adjustments can greatly lessen environmental effect, from selecting direct flights to bringing recyclable necessities. The urge to match our travels with our ideals is growing along with climate awareness. What if we could also protect the world by the way we move through it? In this roundup, seasoned travelers offer practical, doable strategies for traveling more sustainably without sacrificing the pleasure.

Choose Direct Flights for Lower Emissions

One straightforward yet effective way travelers can lessen their carbon footprint without sacrificing their enjoyment is by choosing direct flights whenever feasible. What makes this impactful is that a significant portion of an airplane’s emissions occurs during takeoff and landing. Therefore, opting for a direct route reduces the number of these energy-intensive phases, leading to lower overall emissions for your journey.

While it might sometimes mean a slightly higher ticket price or less flexible timing, the cumulative effect of many travelers choosing direct flights can lead to a substantial reduction in the aviation industry’s environmental impact. You still arrive at your destination ready to explore, knowing you’ve made a conscious choice to minimize your environmental footprint in a meaningful way.

Bruce Fisher, Owner, Hawaii Aloha Travel

Embrace Public Transportation for Authentic Experiences

One simple yet effective way travelers can reduce their carbon footprint while still enjoying their trip is to prioritize public transportation over rental cars or taxis.

In Europe, trains are incredibly efficient and provide a more locally authentic experience. There are also some really cool train rides like the Bernina Express through the Swiss Alps, offering breathtaking mountain views through panoramic windows; the Bergen Railway across Norway’s stunning landscapes; and Scotland’s Jacobite Steam Train (featured as the Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter films) that crosses the iconic Glenfinnan Viaduct.

In cities like Amsterdam or Copenhagen, travelers can rent a bike. These cities have comprehensive cycling infrastructure and it helps you blend in with the locals. 

Using the metro or subway in major cities is also a great hack for both lower carbon emissions and faster transit times. Rather than waiting for an Uber to arrive and then sitting in traffic, you can jump on the subway. In cities like London, Paris, and Mexico City that are notorious for traffic jams, the metro systems can have you at your destination in around 20 minutes for your commute.

In Asia, the bullet trains are awesome. Japan’s Shinkansen reaches speeds of 320 km/h, turning a 10-hour drive from Tokyo to Kyoto into a comfortable 2.5-hour journey. On our Japan tours, we do Kyoto as a day trip from Tokyo and this would not be possible without the bullet trains. 

Public transportation reduces your carbon emissions while often providing more authentic travel experiences. You get to know a city as the locals do, and in many cities, it’s in fact more efficient.

Katherine Butler-Dines, CEO, Women Travel Abroad

Support Local Businesses for Sustainable Tourism

One simple yet effective way travelers can reduce their carbon footprint is by choosing to support local businesses—like staying at locally owned hotels, eating at local restaurants, and booking tours with local guides. Not only does this cut down on the environmental impact of large-scale operations, but it also keeps money within the community, promoting sustainability. It’s impactful because it encourages more responsible tourism practices and creates a deeper, more authentic connection with the places you visit, making your trip more meaningful while doing good at the same time.

Jenna Fawley, Owner, Family Travel Unplugged

Opt for Train Travel Over Flying

An easy and effective way for visitors to decrease their carbon footprint is by taking the train instead of flying. Trains, especially high-speed trains, emit considerably less per passenger than planes. You can travel from city to city in Europe and Asia with ease, and in most cases, more quickly than by airplane when considering actual flight time. Trains are not only a lower-carbon alternative but also a more engaging holiday experience, allowing you to appreciate the view more than you can in an airplane.

Using local, environmentally friendly means of transport such as electric buses or car-sharing is also emission-friendly. Tokyo and Amsterdam, for example, are cutting-edge with green transport that minimizes the environmental footprint to the barest level without compromising on efficiency. It has nothing to do with sacrifices in experience but wise choices that bring together mobility and sustainability.

We as tourists can make decisions that count. Cutting back on your carbon footprint needn’t cost adventure; it’s just being mindful of how we travel around our planet. Implementing small changes today can significantly contribute to tomorrow.

James Thai, CEO & Founder, James Travel

Pack a Reusable Bag for Global Impact

I started packing a collapsible fabric grocery bag on every trip after a shocking experience during my honeymoon in Maui. I realized I had collected over 30 plastic bags in just one week from shopping, takeout, and random beach purchases.

Since then, this small habit has kept thousands of single-use bags out of the waste stream across 43 countries I’ve visited. That same bag has doubled as a last-minute beach tote, a dirty laundry sack, and even emergency rain protection for my camera gear.

The real magic here is what I’d call its “compound carbon effect.” Each lightweight fabric bag can replace about 500 plastic bags over its lifetime, cutting down on waste, petroleum use, manufacturing emissions, and all the transportation pollution tied to single-use items.

Whenever travelers adopt this habit, their impact grows far beyond what you’d expect from something so small. It’s like these “invisible green ripples” that keep spreading long after the vacation ends.

What’s cool about carrying a reusable bag is how universal it is. Whether you’re a luxury traveler shopping in Milan or a backpacker grabbing street food in Bangkok, it just works—no major lifestyle change or big investment needed.

On a recent group tour in Japan, I noticed my habit of refusing store bags sparked conversations. Suddenly, people around me started discussing other easy habits they could try, and it was clear how one small, visible action can normalize sustainable choices and encourage others to rethink their behavior while traveling.

Joe Hawtin, Owner, Marin County Visitor

Travel Light to Reduce Fuel Consumption

Packing light is a surprisingly effective way to reduce your carbon footprint when traveling. Lighter luggage means less weight that a plane or vehicle needs to carry, which in turn reduces fuel consumption and emissions. It’s a small change that can have a big impact, especially on longer flights or overland journeys.

For instance, when trekking or hiking, choosing multi-functional clothing and gear minimizes the need for excess baggage. This benefits not just the environment, but your own travel experience. You’ll find it easier to move around, adapt to different terrains, and have a more relaxed journey without the burden of heavy bags.

In adventure travel, where challenging terrains already demand physical strength, lighter packs can make a trip significantly more enjoyable and less exhausting, enhancing your connection with nature.

Balaram Thapa, Co-Founder/ Head of Marketing & Sales, Nepal Hiking Team

Select Electric Vehicles for Urban Exploration

As the CEO and founder of LAXcar, a luxury transportation company, one of the simplest approaches I’ve seen work for our travelers to reduce their carbon footprint while traveling is to take advantage of the plethora of electric vehicles available to them for airport transfers and getting to the places they plan to explore. Selecting EVs reduces a huge amount of greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles and is especially effective in high-traffic and congested areas in urban regions.

For instance, at LAXcar, we’ve added Tesla Model X and Mercedes EQS electric cars to our fleet to provide our clients with the opportunity to travel green. This choice is consistent with our sustainability focus, yet we do not compromise the luxury and ease that our customers are accustomed to. The move to EVs has been positively received by our customers, who are becoming more environmentally conscious while still requiring high levels of support.

Arsen Misakyan, CEO and Founder, LAXcar

Prioritize Local Ventures and Respect Traditions

Sustainable travel begins with organizing trips that lower environmental harm while increasing positive effects on local communities. Prioritize supporting local ventures such as family-run accommodations, eating at restaurants with locally sourced food, and working with local guides who can provide authentic knowledge. Protect the environment by reducing waste, avoiding single-use plastics, and keeping natural areas undisturbed. 

Learning about and respecting the traditions and ways of life in the community you’re visiting builds mutual understanding and connections. From a property developer’s perspective, focusing on environmentally friendly investments and projects ensures long-term sustainability, attracting visitors who appreciate ethical tourism while safeguarding the natural beauty of the location.

Billy Rhyne, CEO & Founder | Entrepreneur, Travel expert | Land Developer and Merchant Builder, Horseshoe Ridge RV Resort

Stay Longer in One Destination

One simple but very effective way travelers can reduce their carbon footprint is by choosing to stay longer in one destination rather than taking multiple short trips.

By slowing down, exploring the destination in more depth, and immersing themselves in a single location, travelers reduce the number of flights or long-distance transfers they take, which is one of the biggest contributors to travel-related emissions. This would have a significant impact because it not only lowers carbon output but also encourages more culturally rich and meaningful experiences that, in turn, support local communities and sustainability. Less rushing and more connecting with people, nature, and the place they are visiting!

Ellie Riches, Marketing Manager, Ski In Luxury

Go Digital with Tickets to Minimize Waste

Using digital tickets rather than paper tickets is a great and easy option for tourists to reduce waste and lower their carbon footprint. Each time a paper ticket is printed, resources are used, and waste is created. Digital tickets, however, don’t require physical materials and tend to be more efficient to deal with. Almost all airlines, trains, and tourist attractions provide electronic alternatives that are equally secure and convenient.

I’ve done this myself on my travels. I noticed how much easier the whole process was. Not only did I spare myself the inconvenience of having to carry physical tickets, but I also helped cut down on unnecessary waste. Digital infrastructures have been streamlined, and now, it’s easier than ever to travel paper-free. Indeed, studies indicate that a move from paper to digital saves tons of resources every year, particularly with the number of travelers globally.

This minor modification is effective since it eliminates waste from the process without sacrificing ease. Passengers who utilize digital alternatives assist in decreasing demand for paper manufacturing, ultimately reducing deforestation and the energy required to manufacture, print, and ship paper goods. The next time you purchase an airplane ticket or book a train trip, consider going digital. It’s a small change that makes a lasting difference to your experience as well as the planet.

Alec Loeb, VP of Growth Marketing, EcoATM

Share Transportation for Reduced Emissions

I believe one easy way travelers can help the planet is by choosing to enjoy things together. For example, instead of each person renting their own car or yacht, a group can share one. This way, fewer engines run and less fuel is used.

I think this is a good idea because people still have fun and get the full experience, while also helping to keep the air and sea cleaner. It is a small step, but when many people do it, it makes a big difference.

Kristan De Graaf, CEO, Elite Rentals Dubai

Plan Efficient Routes to Decrease Carbon Footprint

For me, consolidating transportation needs through careful planning has proven to be the single most effective sustainability practice for both travelers and people undergoing relocations.

After analyzing thousands of moving patterns across our platform, we’ve found that thoughtful route optimization can reduce carbon emissions by up to 40% compared to spontaneous, fragmented transportation.

For travelers, this means planning itineraries that minimize backtracking and redundant journeys. Rather than making multiple day trips from a central location, consider a more linear path that progresses from destination to destination.

This approach not only reduces emissions substantially but often enhances the travel experience by reducing transit time and creating more cohesive regional experiences.

The impact of this simple practice is significant because transportation typically accounts for over 70% of a trip’s carbon footprint. While accommodations and food choices matter, optimizing your movement patterns addresses the largest environmental impact factor.

We’ve seen this same principle apply in the moving industry, where coordinated logistics dramatically reduce emissions compared to piecemeal approaches, proving that thoughtful planning can align environmental responsibility with practical benefits regardless of your journey’s purpose.

Vidyadhar Garapati, CEO, Movers.com

Share Your Insights

We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments below:

• What other ideas or perspectives would you add to the discussion?
• What are your thoughts or experiences on this topic?
• Have you encountered something similar or different?

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