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What is green travel and how can you travel sustainably?

As travel continues to grow, our awareness of what green travel is and how to travel in an environmentally friendly way also needs to increase. We need to change the way we travel NOW!

Kate Maskedtravelsx

Jul 27, 2023

As technology and infrastructure improve, the world seems to be getting smaller. The ability to travel the world is becoming accessible to more and more people as the cost of getting to another country is getting cheaper.

It’s no wonder that the travel industry is the second-fastest growing industry in the world . Looking at internet searches will give you a good idea of how much travel is growing. During the final quarter of 2022, 35% of all searches were for travel in 2023 . That’s a 55% increase from 2021 !

And I can only see it continuing to grow , as long as another pandemic doesn’t come our way!

Traveling is great, and the more people get to see different parts of the world, hopefully, the more tolerant and educated we become . But there are downsides to more travel, one of them being the impact that it has on the environment.

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, 8-10% of global CO2 emissions are caused by the travel and tourism sector, with the majority of these emissions being created by the travel to the destination. And sadly, these numbers will only get bigger as more people begin to travel  unless we consciously do something about it .

That’s where green travel comes in.

What is green travel?

Green travel has many different names — sustainable travel, ecotourism, conscious travel — but all of them essentially mean the same thing or at least follow the same narrative.

Green travel focuses on minimizing the impact on the local environment and communities. It’s about choosing ways to travel that are sustainable and environmentally friendly. Whether it’s reducing or offsetting your carbon emissions, reducing waste, staying in eco-friendly accommodations, or shopping locally and supporting communities.

There are plenty of ways to travel in a green way, and that’s what we’re going to be exploring in this article.

Watch out for greenwashing

This needs to be covered pretty early on as you don’t want to try your best to travel sustainably and then realize that you’ve actually been greenwashed.

What is greenwashing?

Greenwashing is when a company tries to appear to be environmentally friendly and claims that its practices are sustainable, when in fact this isn’t true. They may try to emphasize sustainable aspects of their company to overshadow their bad practices that are having a devastating effect on the environment.

Demand for environmentally friendly products and operations is growing as more people want to do their part in looking after our planet. A lot of companies have seen this as an opportunity to boost their profits and attract new customers by advertising that they’re operating in an environmentally friendly way.

Examples of greenwashing

A quick Google search will reveal plenty of examples of greenwashing from brands that we interact with on a daily basis. Here are two well-known companies that thought they’d give greenwashing a go:

In 2020, Ryanair announced that they were Europe’s ‘lowest emissions airline’. I’m not sure how they reached this conclusion, but the Advertising Standards Authority certainly didn’t agree with this claim and quickly banned all of the ads promoting this.

McDonald’s is guilty too. In 2019, they introduced paper straws. Round of applause for Mcdonald's, right? No. Although they were trying to address the problem of plastic pollution, they just shifted the problem instead. The paper straws weren’t recyclable, and more trees were having to be cut down to make them!

How to spot greenwashing?

In an ideal world, we shouldn’t have to keep an eye out for greenwashing. Companies would be honest and actually try to look after our planet. Unfortunately, that’s not the world that we live in.

And greenwashing isn’t always easy to see. You often have to go out of your way to do your own research to verify the company's claims. You’ll have to look at third-party research and reports, and check the fine print of the company.

All we can do is try our best, and hopefully, the huge corporations start to adopt this attitude too.

How to travel sustainably: eco-friendly vacations

At times, trying to save our planet can feel hopeless. We often hear people saying "But I’m only one person. My actions aren’t going to make a difference". If everyone adopts this way of thinking then of course nothing is going to change!

If everyone starts to act more sustainably, especially when it comes to travel, then as a collective it will make a difference.

And green travel is easier than you think . There are plenty of ways and changes that you can make to your travels that can make them more sustainable:

Slow travel

Traveling slowly has so many benefits , but is often tossed to the side as travelers want to tick off as many places as possible. Whilst this is tempting, you end up only touching the surface of that country, missing out on truly learning about the culture and people of that place. 

When I travel slowly, my connections with places and people are so much deeper and more memorable. Try it, and I’m sure you’ll prefer it to being in a new place every few days .

Taking your time will also save you money . You can often negotiate better deals on accommodation if you’re staying for longer. You’re not constantly splashing the cash on transportation and you’ll probably cook more rather than eat out.

It’s also better for the environment . Instead of hopping on a flight every two weeks, you’ll be in the same place for longer.

Stay close to home

This is potentially one of the harder changes to make as the urge to see the world is so strong within many of us.

But staying close to home isn’t as bad as it sounds. Every country has something spectacular to offer , we just often overlook them if they’re in our own country. New and foreign things always seem more exciting, but take some time to look at things to do in your own country.

As I mentioned before, most of the carbon emissions from travel come from getting to the destination itself . By staying in your own country you’re removing this negative impact on the environment. If you live in Europe, maybe you can visit some of your neighboring countries and get there by train.

As well as being a more sustainable way to travel, it can save you money too. Your transportation costs will be significantly lower. No visas to think about either.

Choose sustainable destinations

Some countries are doing more than others to make themselves a sustainable destination to visit.

For example, Bhutan is one of the best ecotourism destinations in the world . Since 1991, Bhutan has been charging visitors a daily Sustainable Development Fee. The money is used on projects such as offsetting Bhutan’s carbon footprint from tourism, supporting community education, organic farming, and upskilling workers in the tourism industry.

The tourism fee is pretty expensive, at $200/day, but there’s a price to pay if we want to protect our planet.

A more affordable ecotourism destination is Slovenia which has made it easier for you to choose sustainable options. If an accommodation or tourism service has a Slovenia Green Label, you know that you’re helping to preserve local traditions and protect the environment.

It’s important to research a destination beforehand to see what they're doing to be more sustainable and protect their environment.

Continue reading about ecotourism and the top 10 ecotourism destinations .

Choose a place that will benefit from your visit

Some countries really don’t need any more visitors. A growing number of countries are now struggling with overtourism — when too many people visit the same destination, often leaving a negative impact on the environment and local communities.

You can probably already name a few places off the top of your head after seeing pictures of huge crowds fighting to witness the same tourist attraction. Some well-known examples include Rome, Bali, Barcelona, and the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico.

Sure, there’s a reason why everyone wants to visit these places. They’re incredible and popular for a reason. But there are plenty of other lesser-known spots that you could visit instead.

Want to learn more about overtourism? Here’s what it is and how you can avoid it .

Think about what you pack

Green travel starts before you even pack your bags to leave . What you bring with you in your backpack will have an impact on the place that you’re visiting.

The first sustainable swap that everyone should be making is to reef-safe suncream . These suncreams don't contain chemicals that harm the coral and reef when you go swimming in the sea. Hawaiian tropics has a great reef-safe suncream that I highly recommend.

Another easy action is to travel with a reusable water bottle . In some countries you'll be able to drink tap water and can directly fill up your water bottle, avoiding having to buy bottles of water.

Bring a tote bag to take with you whenever you go shopping so that you don’t have to take a plastic bag. Or if you don’t have another bag, get a plastic bag one time and keep on reusing it.

Our coastlines are being ruined by plastic, so try to avoid using and buying it wherever you can.

This minimalist packing list should help you to pack sustainably the next time you travel.

Choose green accommodation

According to research carried out by Booking.com, 78% of travellers say they intend to stay in a more sustainable property in the coming ye a r – yet 29% don’t know how to find sustainable travel options.

With some accommodations, it’s clear to see that they’re operating in an eco-friendly way. They may have solar panels, reuse their water, employ local people and buy from the local community. With others, it may not be as obvious, or it could just be greenwashing.

Spend some time looking at the accommodation's website, and you could even message them if you have any questions about their sustainable practices.

Booking.com have also made it easier to find sustainable accommodation by introducing its ‘Travel Sustainable’ badge. It’s an independently validated recognition program that now appears as a small icon on sustainable places to stay. They do all the work for you so it’s easier to make green decisions.

Booking is offering 2% of Cashback to backpackers who create a profile on Worldpackers . Subscribing to Worldpackers is free, and you only need to subscribe to a plan when you decide to have your first experience through the platform. If you choose the Pack Plan, you will guarantee 4% of Cashback on Booking.com , in addition to other advantages.

*The Cashback benefit is limited to $200 per booking, and you must log in to your Booking.com account to gain access to Cashback.

Choose sustainable modes of transportation

This is often the first swap that people make to travel more sustainably. Instead of taking flights, which produce a lot of CO2, try to take public transport.

Sometimes taking a flight doesn’t even work out that much quicker, and it’s normally a lot more expensive. By the time you account for the time it takes to get to the airport and the wait time, it can sometimes take just as long as taking a bus or a train.

You can also decide to visit countries that are in the same area to avoid taking flights. For example, you could travel all the way from the USA to Argentina without having to take a flight. There are buses, boats and trains that can take you across the borders. Same with Europe and Southeast Asia. 

Again, this is also a much cheaper way to travel than flying to the other side of the world to visit your next country.

Eat, stay, and shop locally

Make the conscious decision to stay in local homestays, eat at local restaurants and buy from shops that are run by people in the community.

Sometimes it might be easier to eat at a chain restaurant or stay at a well-known hotel, but this often means that the local economy isn’t benefiting from your money as much. Instead, it’s making rich people richer.

It’s better for the local economy, but it is also likely to be better for you. If you’re visiting a foreign country, it’s likely that you want to immerse yourself in the local culture as much as possible. Staying, eating, and buying locally is often the best way to do this. Plus, the local restaurants are more often than not the best places to eat!

If you’re a solo traveler, check out these 12 tips for responsible travel .

Give back by volunteering

Green travel isn’t just about reducing things, it can also be about giving back and leaving a positive impact on the communities that you’re visiting.

One way to do this is by volunteering . You can contribute your skills and donate your time to people that will benefit from it. 

Volunteering also allows you to spend more time in a place, immersing yourself and really getting to know the culture. There are so many benefits of this, one of them being that you become a better-educated individual who will also be able to teach others about different cultures and ways of living.

Here’s how you can be an environmental volunteer .

How to find volunteering opportunities?

Worldpackers is a fantastic place to find volunteering opportunities that have a positive environmental and social impact. You can use their filters to find exactly what kind of sustainable volunteering you’re looking for .

You can filter by ‘eco programs’ which will show you places where you can learn permaculture, farming, or contribute to an ecovillage. 

If people are more your thing, use the 'social impact' filter. This will show you volunteer opportunities in NGOs, schools, and social projects.

Here are some examples of sustainable volunteering opportunities to spark your imagination:

• Teach languages in Uganda
• Work with kids to help them understand animal care in Cape Verde
• Lend a helping hand on a farm in Brazil
• Contribute your handyman skills in the US
• Help this animal shelter in Tenerife

Check out plenty more environmental volunteer opportunities on Worldpackers.

The first step of green travel is being aware of what it is and why we should be trying to travel more sustainably . The second step is changing our mindsets and consciously making decisions that have less of an impact on the environment.

Traveling isn’t going to slow down anytime soon, so we need to make sure we find a way to do it in a way that isn’t going to destroy our planet . And that needs to start right now!

Want to learn more about planning your trip? By subscribing to the WP pack pla n you have unlimited access to +120 courses at Worldpackers Academy, the travel school made by travelers!

Join the community!

Create a free Worldpackers account to discover volunteer experiences perfect for you and get access to exclusive travel discounts!

Kate Woodley

Maskedtravelsx

Kate is a Management Consultant (and now writer) who decided to take a 2 year career break and travel the world. She shares her travels around the world and shows people the fun of solo travelling!

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Apr 20, 2023

May 04, 2023

We all need to think twice about how we live and how we survive and how we travel, we are all responsible during our vacations in any country, therefore we support every sustainable travel available. Travel green in Morocco with https://moroccogreentours.com/

More about this topic

What is a conscious traveler and how can you become one?

Carbon neutral travel: how to reduce your carbon footprint.

How ecotourism benefits the environment and local communities

How do worldpackers trips work.

As a member, you can contact as many hosts and travel safely as many times as you want.

Choose your plan to travel with Worldpackers as many times as you like.

Complete your profile, watch the video lessons in the Academy, and earn certificates to stand out to hosts.

Apply to as many positions as you like, and get in contact with our verified hosts.

If a host thinks you’re a good fit for their position, they’ll pre-approve you.

Get your documents and tickets ready for your volunteer trip.

Confirm your trip to enjoy all of the safety of Worldpackers.

Have a transformative experience and make a positive impact on the world.

If anything doesn’t go as planned with a host, count on the WP Safeguard and our highly responsive support team!

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With positive reviews, you’ll stand out to hosts and get even more benefits.

Green Travel – Everything Important You Need to Know

Travel can broaden our horizons, foster multicultural understanding, and give excellent material for Instagram. Unfortunately, travel may also have a negative impact on Mother Earth. So we’ve put up a guide on reducing the environmental effect of our trip – green travel – even if we don’t have to cancel our plans.

Table of Contents

Go green travel – the need to know, before you go: packing and leaving home, getting there: choosing how to travel, during your stay: keeping it green.

Green travel is a wide concept with two major subcategories: It initially and mainly refers to responsible travel methods that prioritize environmental, social, and economic sustainability. It can also refer to eco-tourism , which is defined as responsible travel to natural regions. And, while we appreciate our readers in the Galapagos and the Arabian Desert, we’ll be focused on the first term for the purposes of this post.

Why should we bother being green in our travel habits? To begin, the transportation sector in the United States is responsible for around 40% of the nation’s fossil-fuel related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions – one of the major gases responsible for climate change. Reducing our collective transportation footprint (also known as our environmental impact) has the potential to dramatically reduce the quantity of CO2 we send into the atmosphere. Is it feasible, however, to add concerns about “going green” to the strains of travel while remaining sane? Fortunately, yes. It is not only feasible (and very simple) to keep the environment in mind while traveling, but in many situations, green travel habits may save us some, uh, green.

Green travel begins before we even leave the house. Follow these packing and home preparation suggestions to be ready for eco-friendly travel and to reduce your house’s carbon impact while you’re gone.

• Pack light. The more weight trains, aircraft, and vehicles must transport, the more fuel they consume, and the more greenhouse gases (those that cause global warming) are released into the environment.
• Take a reusable water bottle and a shopping bag with you. Toss the bag in the luggage and have the reusable water bottle ready for filling up at water fountains – utilizing both products will help reduce unnecessary packaging when traveling.
• Before you go, please recycle. If you bought new items before your vacation (for example, an iPhone charger or a new tube of toothpaste), recycle the cardboard wrappers before you go. It will avoid the stress of “I can’t find a recycling station anywhere” that can occur when you are away from home (just me?).
• Turn off, and then disconnect, all lights and devices. Nobody is going to use that couch-side lamp while you’re gone, unless the roommate is sticking put for the holidays. Turning off electronics reduces energy consumption and saves money on your power bill. Unplug any gadgets to have an even larger impact, as they can “leech” electricity even when not turned on.
• Reduce the temperature on the thermostat. The same argument as before: An empty room does not require heating, and keeping it warm wastes energy. If you have your own water heater, turn that down as well.
• Stop delivering newspapers. A short phone call to the newspaper business can save forests (and the paper kid’s tired little legs) during your absence.

Airplanes have been demonized by the green driving (it does take a lot of fuel to keep those things aloft), but the cleanest mode of transportation may really depend on how far we have to travel. The fundamental breakdown, in terms of pounds of CO2 emitted per mile, is as follows: Buses, trains, hybrid vehicles, and coach seats on narrow planes have the lowest carbon footprints, emitting less than 12 pounds of CO2 per mile. Regular vehicles and coach or regional aircraft are classified as having a “medium carbon footprint.” SUVs and first-class planes are the worst carbon polluters, emitting more than one pound of CO2 every mile. In practice, what does this mean? Continue reading.

• Buses are the best alternative. Yes, bus travels may be lengthy, and the person next to you may have a bowel movement. However, this is a danger with any mode of public transportation, and the environmental advantages of motor coaches are impressive: A couple that takes the bus automatically reduces their carbon footprint by nearly half – even when compared to a hybrid! And, as compared to flying, that same bus-riding pair will reduce their emissions by 55 to 75 percent (whoa). Just make sure the bus is full or almost so; otherwise, the benefits are less obvious.
• Instead of flying, use the train or bus for shorter journeys . This emits three to seven times less gas than flying.
• Couples and single travelers should consider the following: A nonstop coach flight nearly usually beats driving, especially for distances more than 500 miles (ca. 805 km) (but a full bus or train is still the best option).
• If renting a car, choose the smallest vehicle feasible and, if available, a hybrid.
• If flying, select the most direct route feasible; takeoffs and landings consume the most fuel. Fly coach rather than first class (less leg space equals more people on the plane, which means more bang for your money on fuel). Pick an energy-efficient plane as well. This one can be difficult because the information isn’t always readily available. However, several airlines, such as Southwest, have begun upgrading their planes to make them more energy efficient, and new jet types (such as Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner) are designed to burn up to 20% less fuel. If you have the time and interest, contact the airline and inquire about their environmental policies.
• Offset your trip expenses. Why not plant a few trees to offset the carbon dioxide emitted during transportation? Trees turn CO2 into oxygen, which is beneficial to us (obviously, we require oxygen to exist) and beneficial to the environment since CO2 “consumed” by trees is not released into the sky. Fortunately, there are a plethora of apps available to perform the planting for you. It is worth mentioning, however, that carbon offsetting has received some criticism: Critics argue that offset plans offer people a “free pass” to consume the same number of resources as before (since they can “make up for it”) rather than taking active effort to decrease their environmental impact.

There are actions you can do to reduce your environmental effect in transportation, whether you’re staying in a hotel or staying with relatives.

• Selecting a (green) hotel: There are several certifying agencies for green hotels (though they are not without their detractors), as well as a plethora of information for the would-be green visitor. Whether or not a hotel displays a green label in the lobby window, you may obtain a sense of the company’s environmental ethics by visiting their website or phoning them and asking a few questions: Is the hotel locally owned and run, and/or is it staffed by locals? What kinds of recycling initiatives exist? What steps does the hotel take to decrease its energy consumption?
• In a hotel. To reduce your energy use, implement the following easy practices: Take brief showers and turn off the water while brushing your teeth. When you leave the room, turn off the TV, lights, and heat or air conditioning. If you are staying for many nights, reuse your linens and towels rather than having them washed and replaced every day.
• Alternatively, you might simply abandon the hotel. Instead, stay with relatives, friends, or someone you’ve never met before.
• Getting around: When feasible, take public transportation, ride a bike, or walk. If you must drive, consider the following green driving tips: Avoid abrupt starts and stops, idling, keeping tires properly inflated, combining trips, keeping load light, and adhering to speed limits.
• Shopping: Purchase meals, snacks, and other items from local sellers (and remember to bring your reusable bag !).
• Eating: The fundamental concepts of green eating apply almost anyplace. Make a goal of include one local or organic item in each meal on the family table (just make sure to suggest it in a friendly way to the chefs).

Also read: How to make golfing more eco-friendly.

About The Author

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Ecotourism – how can I travel more environmentally friendly?

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How to travel better: a beginner's guide to sustainable travel in 2023 and beyond

Sustainable, green, responsible — planet-friendly ways to explore the world are more popular than ever but how do you start to make better decisions when you travel? The first step is to understand what sustainable travel is and why it’s important.

What’s sustainable travel? Sustainable travel is about travelling in a way that’s sensitive to the climate and nature emergencies while ensuring that the wellbeing of the places we visit gain long-term benefit from us travelling there. It’s a balancing act between maximising the positives of travel while reducing or eliminating the negatives.

What’s happening and why? The concentration of carbon dioxide currently in the atmosphere is well over 400 parts per million higher than at any time in at least 800,000 years — and it’s still increasing, causing global temperatures to rise. The consensus is that a rise of just 1.5C will cause dangerous warming of the planet. The stability of our world’s climate hinges on whether we can keep this small rise in global temperatures in check and time’s running out. This is the decade that counts.

How does this impact the natural world? Commensurate with the climate crisis is the nature emergency: worldwide, 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction due to the intensification of agriculture and forestry, resource extraction, hunting, invasive species, urban sprawl, pollution and climate change. Yet, this is not just about the disappearance of remote rainforests or polar bears at the extremities of the planet – habitat and biodiversity loss are happening on a colossal scale in the UK, to our hedgerows and forests, our garden birds, and the fish in our seas.

What can you do about it? Being a sustainable traveller is not about making grand, one-off gestures, it’s a state of mind, an ongoing attitude to conscious adventure that influences all aspects of how we holiday, including what we pack in our luggage and how we travel out to destinations, as well as the choice of hotels and activities we take part in while we’re there.

How do I even get started? To begin with, consider packing less: travelling lighter will reduce the chances of having to dispose of items; it makes it much easier to travel around, especially on foot, by bike or on public transport; and it’s more fuel efficient — especially noticeable if you’re travelling in an electric car. A useful device for packing economically is to consider the three Rs: Reduce: What can I get away with not taking; are there items that can double up for several uses? Reuse: What can I take that I can reuse over and over again? Recycle: What can I take that can be recycled once I’ve finished using it? Try to avoid taking single-use plastic, such as bottles, bags and straws, which break down over time into tiny microplastics that enter the food chain when they’re consumed by marine wildlife and ultimately cause serious health issues for humans. Instead, pack a refillable water bottle, coffee cup, Tupperware containers for food and toiletries, and a shopping bag — it’ll be handy not just as a replacement for buying a plastic bag at a supermarket, but also when you’re out buying food and groceries at a local market.

What’s the most important change that I can make? The single more significant way to reduce the carbon emissions of travelling is to tackle the transport portion, which is often responsible for at least 70% of the carbon emissions of a holiday. The most effective way to do this is to reduce the distance travelled and to travel in a way that burns less or, even better, no fossil fuels, using more sustainable modes of transport; or by not travelling in a vehicle at all, choosing instead to travel on foot, by bike or under sail. There’s a steep difference in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide emitted by aeroplanes compared with most land-based vehicles. There are concerted efforts to decarbonise air travel using alternative fuels and methods of propulsion (such as via electricity and hydrogen), but even the most optimistic predictions support that this change is at least a decade away for most airlines. For the time being, the emissions from just one long-haul flight can be more than those caused by someone driving a standard petrol car for a whole year. Taking the train within the UK emits about six times less than flying and taking the bus emits about nine times less. In Europe, where many trains (including Eurostar) are electric, the emissions from rail travel can be as much as 10 times less than flying.

And what if I do need to fly? If you do fly, bear in mind that there’s quite a large disparity between the carbon emissions of aircraft and the operating procedures of airlines, so do use online tools such as the ‘Greener Choices’ label on the search results provided by the flight search engine skyscanner.net , which flags up those flights that have less than average emissions.

While flying continues to be such a large polluter, consider adopting a more selective approach to flying: just as with the flexitarian approach to food where you eat a mainly plant-based diet and only occasionally eat lean meat and sustainably sourced fish, a similar attitude to flying could be that you mainly travel overland and only occasionally fly, staying for longer, and making the most of the flight by choosing a positive-impact holiday that benefits nature conservation and/or genuinely benefits the wellbeing of local communities.

What does my carbon impact look like once I get to a destination? There are other factors that will affect your carbon emissions when you’re at the destination, including your choice of hotel and the food you eat. The average carbon footprint of a night in a typical hotel in the UK is about 31.1kg CO2, according to the Hotel Carbon Measurement Initiative, so choosing a hotel that has lower than average carbon emissions can make a significant difference to your holiday’s footprint. Thankfully it’s becoming easier to find green accommodation — keep an eye out for the green filters on specialist accommodation booking sites, such as Airbnb’s ‘off-the-grid’, Sawday’s 'Sustainable stars'   and   i-escape's 'eco rating', there are several online agencies that specialise in green accommodation, such as fairbnb.coop and myecostay.eu , and even the big online agencies, such as Booking.com , TripAdvisor and Google , now flag up eco-certified hotels in their search results. Many of these eco-certified accommodations do much more than reducing their carbon emissions, they’ll also reduce the amount of waste they send to landfill and reduce the use of chemicals and the amount of water they use.

Feasting on local, seasonal food washed down with the local tipple conveys a sense of place better than any travel brochure. It’s also much better for the environment as there are significant emissions of carbon arising from the ‘food miles’ associated with transporting food great distances. Whether it’s freshly baked bread for breakfast, salad from the local market for lunch, or the catch of the day at the nearby restaurant, choosing local isn’t just good for the planet, it’s also healthier and a great way to put money into the local community.

Where to go Some of the most colourful cities in Europe are a great choice for a green break, such as Bristol, Angers, Nantes, Zurich, Ljubljana and Copenhagen. Here, pragmatic local authorities are implementing the circular economy to create sustainable transport, housing and economic development policies that are accelerating their transition to net zero, which has the knock-on effect of improving the experience for sustainable travellers. For example, regenerative wetlands and connected green spaces help manage storm water, air quality and improve biodiversity, but also provide wonderful green sanctuaries that are great for appreciating urban nature or for just chilling out in parks and gardens across urban villages.

And how to get around? Countries that have a modern, high-speed rail infrastructure make it easy to travel with a lower carbon footprint. Switzerland has an extensive public transport network across the country (the Swiss Travel Pass provides free admission to 500 museums as well as unlimited travel on trains, bus, boat and public transport in cities), while France, Spain, Italy and Germany have impressive high-speed rail networks, particularly between major cities.

What about long haul? Further afield, some countries have made concerted efforts to include tourism in their sustainable development goals. Following decades of tree clearing for agriculture and livestock production, in the 1980s the Costa Rican government implemented policies that have halted and reversed this deforestation. Today, over half of Costa Rica’s land is covered by forest, compared to just 26% in 1983, allowing it to make the most of the biodiversity in its rainforests and pioneer the concept of ecotourism, developing small-scale, high-end eco lodges that have contributed to the conservation of its rainforests. Guyana, too, is developing community-based ecotourism to fund the protection of its rainforests. Lodges such as Iwokrama River Lodge , Rewa Eco-Lodge and Surama Eco-Lodge enable visitors to enjoy the country’s incredible biodiversity, while contributing to its conservation and to the livelihoods of remote communities.

Where can I look for more information? Richard Hammond is a sustainable travel expert and founder of Green Traveller and the author of The Green Traveller: Conscious Adventure That Doesn’t Cost the Earth (£18.99, Pavilion).

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What is ‘green travel,’ anyway? A beginner’s guide to eco-friendly vacation planning.

If you travel, you will leave a charcoal smudge in your wake. You can’t help it. Planes spew carbon emissions, hotels guzzle gallons of water to launder sheets and towels, and thirsty travelers chug-a-lug plastic bottles of water. But don’t let the guilt dampen your vacation. Eco-friendly travel practices can lift the remorse and lighten the blemish on Mother Earth.

Green travel is not a passing trend but a portable lifestyle choice. According to a TripAdvisor survey , nearly two-thirds of travelers plan to make more environmentally sound choices over the next year. A majority of respondents said that they turn off the lights when leaving their rooms, participate in the hotel’s program to reuse linens and towels, and recycle on-site. Travelers can do much more by building an eco-trip block by block.

“Sustainable travel is all about creating a positive effect on the communities you visit,” said Jon Bruno, executive director of the International Ecotourism Society . “Leave the place better than you found it.”

Easy, right? Not always.

Environmentalists often tout arcane terms such as low-VOC paint, warm-mix asphalt and aeroponic gardening.Eco-extremists can make you feel guilty for wanting a hot shower and lightbulbs that don’t cause eyestrain. And less-than-honest properties and tour operators embellish their Earth-friendly achievements, an act of falsehood called greenwashing.

But don’t let these challenges deter you.

“When our choices align with our eco-interests and values,” said Dawn Head, owner and editor of the online resource Go Green Travel Green , “it doesn’t feel like we are making sacrifices to be green.”

For guidance on planning the ultimate eco-trip, we turned to a panel of green-travel experts. Follow their tips and watch your footprints turn greener with each step of your journey.

Jump to: Destination | Transportation | Hotel  | Activities

Choosing a green destination

No destination is a Green Giant; they all make environmental missteps. However, some countries and cities demonstrate a deep commitment to Earth-friendly policies and practices. Ask for a recycling bin and they’ll point to three.

Bruno, whose organization promotes ecotourism, commends the efforts of Namibia, where its constitution includes habitat conservation and the protection of natural resources, and Ecuador, which placed 97 percent of the Galapagos’s landmass under the watchful gaze of its national park service.

“The environment has its own rights in Ecuador,” he said.

Among emerging locales, Bruno is keeping an eye on Uzbekistan, a former Soviet republic with a burgeoning outdoor culture (skiing, mountaineering, white-water rafting, birding); alternative lodging, such as yurts and cooperative-run guesthouses in the Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biosphere Reserve; and more than 1,000 native varieties of apples. In Brazil, he praises the ambitions of the town of Bonito, the Portuguese word for beautiful.

It’s Canada’s 150th anniversary. What’s the best way to celebrate? All the way. On the railway.

“This little town has put everything behind ecotourism,” he said. “The Rio da Prata is so clear, it feels as if you’re hanging in the air watching the fish float by.”

Closer to home, Bruno high-fives Hilton Head, S.C., a surprising choice considering its reputation as a golf-and-tennis haven. But the city has shown its green colors as a member of Tree City USA and Audubon International’s Sustainable Communities Program . It is also one of two towns on the East Coast to have received gold-level status from the League of American Bicyclists . The 12-by-4-mile island may be compact, but its bike paths stretch like Silly String across 60 miles of terrain.

Everyone and their science teacher seems to publish an annual list of the world’s greenest destinations. Dual Citizen, a consulting firm, released the fifth edition of its Global Green Economy Index last year. Of 80 countries and 50 cities surveyed, the company anointed Sweden the top green banana, followed by Norway and Finland. Among developing countries, the report singled out Zambia, Ethi­o­pia, Brazil and Costa Rica, but noted that the two African countries need to burnish their “perception ranking.” And while Asia didn’t fare well, Cambodia did improve its standing, rising 20 spots to 20th. (For context, the United States placed 30th.) In the city category, Copenhagen experienced deja vu when it returned to the No. 1 spot after holding it in 2014.

But don’t judge a destination by its ranking, or lack thereof. When researching a vacation spot, look for places that naturally embrace the green lifestyle. Telltale signs include a robust public transportation system, acres of parkland, walkable neighborhoods, designated bike lanes, farmers markets and volunteer opportunities. Your discoveries will bounce you all over the map, from Tokyo to Chattanooga, Tenn., to Cape Town, South Africa, to Adelaide, Australia.

Head has an important message for “last chancers”: Ignore the clarion call to “go before it’s gone.” She warns that travelers can do more harm than good by visiting endangered areas, such as a Pacific island under threat from rising seas, a melting glacier in Antarctica and an aboriginal rock worn down by countless pairs of feet.

“Choosing a place because it might not be there any longer?” she said. “Well, you’re destroying it.”

Back to the top

Choosing a green mode of transportation

What makes Mother Earth proud? Seeing you use your own power to get around.

Many ad­ven­ture-tour operators, such as Backroads and VBT , arrange cycling, hiking and walking holidays. Bonus points if you can reach the starting point by bike or foot.

Next in line are trains and buses. However, their impact on the environment depends on such factors as route, fuel type and passenger load.

“Among land transport, trains are generally very environmentally friendly,” said Randy Durband, chief executive of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. “In terms of non-rail transport, the larger number of passengers per vehicle is best.” For Durband, the magic number is 40-plus.

Want to be an adventure tour leader? You have a better chance of getting into Dartmouth.

The greenest rides typically run on electric power or alternative fuels and boast a high occupancy rate. Switzerland is leading the caravan with its hybrid buses and trains powered by hydroelectricity; Japan is running close behind.

If you plan to drive, consider renting a fuel-efficient vehicle. Hertz introduced the Green Traveler Collection in 2011. The program, which is available at select locations, stocks a variety of models, such as the Toyota Prius and Nissan LEAF. Some peer-to-peer rental sites also list low-impact cars. On Turo , visitors in San Francisco can tool around in a Smart Fortwo, BMW 13 or Tesla, the sultan of electric vehicles.

Cruising can be very, very good or very, very bad. Sailboats and catamarans are as gentle on the planet as a sea breeze; larger vessels can have a stormier effect on the environment. Friends of the Earth has some unflinching words for cruisers. “Millions of Americans take cruise vacations every year,” the nonprofit organization wrote in the introduction to its annual Cruise Ship Report Card . “Yet, most travelers don’t realize that taking a cruise is more harmful to the environment and human health than many other forms of travel.”

It assessed 17 major cruise lines and assigned grades that would make any parent cry. Only one company, Disney, earned an A-minus; the other cruise lines received Cs, Ds and Fs.

In their defense, the cruise lines have been making strides. They are installing LED lights and tinted windows, treating black and gray water to near sipping standards, using low-sulphur fuels and recycling all types of refuge. Last year, Royal Caribbean combined forces with the World Wildlife Fund to set sustainability goals for 2020, such as reducing carbon emissions and serving sustainable seafood.

“The cruise industry is investing more than $10 billion in new technologies, fuels and waste management systems, many of which are already deployed, as further protective measures for the environment,” said a spokeswoman for the Cruise Lines International Association.

This year, Hurtigruten announced plans to explore even greener waters. The Norwegian cruise line is building two expedition ships that will run on hybrid technology, the world’s first of its kind. Imagine an aquatic Prius slipping silently through the fjords.

“For too long, ‘innovation’ in the cruise industry has been a race to build bigger ships with more waterslides, bumper cars and surfing waves,” said Daniel Skjeldam, the company’s chief executive. “For us, innovation is all about honoring our Norwegian explorer heritage and moving the industry forward by developing technology and solutions that will benefit our guests and the environment.”

And now for the black sheep of the chartreuse bunch: airplanes.

“There really aren’t any green ways of flying,” Head said. “Just minimize as much as you can.”

To shrink your carbon footprint, the experts offer a litany of suggestions. Travel less but stay longer. Select a full flight on a large plane in a fuel-efficient fleet. (A sampling: Norwegian Air, Finn Air, Alaska Air, Virgin Atlantic and Cathay Pacific.) Book the itinerary with the fewest number of connections, because takeoffs and landings guzzle fuel. Patronize green airports, such as Chicago’s O’Hare, which boasts an apiary and a vertical garden, and Boston’s Logan, which erected miniature wind turbines. Pack light and bring a refillable water bottle and snacks from home. And pass on first-class: The extra leg and elbow room is a waste of space and fuel. Feel free to spread your angel wings as you pass through the Profligate Class to Conservationist Coach.

Since the 1990s, some airlines have offered customers a means to offset carbon emissions. This is how it works: Calculate the CO2 from your trip and donate the corresponding amount to an organization of the carrier’s choosing. Cathay Pacific, for one, supports a cooking and heating project in China’s Shanxi Province; Qantas directs funds to a group that conserves the Tasmanian wilderness and restores indigenous practices in Western Australia.

Bruno backs the concept, with reservations.

“There is no industry standard or transparent system that allows carbon-offset buyers to see what their purchase has done,” Bruno said. “However, some standards are receiving greater acceptance. They just aren’t anywhere near an industry standard.”

Martha Honey, executive director of the Center for Responsible Travel , encourages travelers to offset their entire vacation. This way, you can neutralize even more emissions and select the programs you wish to support, including ones that benefit your vacation destination. Companies such as Carbon Fund and Carbon Neutral can assist with the calculations and vetting process. Honey shared some suggestions, as well.

“Tree-planting is iffy. Sometimes they die,” she said. “Support renewable energy in your destination.”

Choosing a green hotel

No pressure, but . . .

“Once you are at your destination, if you can get the hotel right,” Head said, “you can make the greatest impact.”

Unfortunately, hotels ribbit their greenness louder than a pond of frogs. The cacophony can be deafening, and dishonest.

To silence the noise, Head suggests focusing on the issues that matter the most to you. Then find a hotel that matches your priorities. “Decide your cause and what you won’t compromise on,” she said.

Most major chains and many independent hotels operate in-house green programs. (Durband tips a hat to Accor and IHG.) Look for a fact sheet online, or call the front desk and unleash the questions. Ask them how they dispose of their graywater and if they compost. Inquire about the bathroom fixtures and toiletries, in-room recycling bins and the provenance of the restaurant food.

You can also search for hotels approved or accredited by respected certification programs, such as Green Key , the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the U.S. Green Building Council , which oversees LEED certification. The most holistically green hotels support the three pillars of sustainable tourism: environmental, social and economic.

“If you have an opportunity to stay with a local provider in an eco-lodge,” Bruno said, “that can be more sustainable” than a LEED hotel.

‘Greenest hotel in America’: A Greensboro hotel makes climate-conscious travelers swoon

The Unique Lodges of the World , a collection of 55 properties affiliated with National Geographic, bang on all three drums. For example, Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve in South Africa eradicates invasive species, employs a sustainable wastewater management system and assists community programs that specialize in education, health care, sports, culture and conservation.

As a guest, you can also advance the cause without much effort.

“Making environmentally friendly choices on your own during your stay can have a long-term impact on the environment and only takes small changes,” said Rhiannon Jacobsen, vice president of strategic relationships at the U.S. Green Building Council.

Some ways you can help: Participate in the hotel’s linen-and-towel-reuse program and always flick off the lights when you leave the room. Skip the bottles of water in your room and refill your own beverage container. (Try HydraPak’s Stash or Klean Kanteen.) Decline housekeeping and, depending on the hotel, score a food-and-beverage credit. Use water glasses and coffee mugs instead of plastic or paper ones. At breakfast, ask the staff for real tableware instead of disposable plates and utensils. Avoid buffets, which result in mounds of wasted food. Recycle. (Advises Durband: If the hotel is not “visibly recycling, ask them to begin doing so. They need to hear this from more customers.”) Borrow the property’s bikes and utilize its shuttle service. Wear outfits more than once, or if you must do laundry, find a local facility that supports the community. Don’t fall for those wee bathroom amenities; bring or buy your own and take them home or donate them. (Advanced activism: Encourage your hotel to enroll in Clean the World , a nonprofit organization that sends donated hotel toiletries to developing countries.)

If you notice a lapse in the hotel’s eco-practices, speak up. “Suggesting ways a hotel can become greener is a great way to push for change,” Jacobsen said.

One success story: In the 1980s, a guest at the Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort in Aruba shared his disappointment with the bar’s use of plastic cups. Owner Ewald Biemans agreed and eliminated the wasteful materials. Since that one exchange, the resort has racked up numerous awards and accolades for its environmental practices. Last year, Green Globe, a certification board, named the property the “Most Sustainable Hotel & Resort in the World.” The resort scored a 98 out of 100.

Choosing green activities

The Earth-friendly options are legion: You can sail, snorkel, scuba dive, hike, paddleboat, paddleboard, kayak, bike, swim, bird-watch and play I-spy-a-monkey in a tree. Visit a crafts or food market, and don’t forget to bring a reusable bag for purchases. Take a tour that employs local guides. Give yourself an extra pat on the back if the company donates some of its proceeds to a local conservation group or charity.

You can also lend a hand during your holiday. “The green movement has changed from how to preserve and protect to how to use less and do good when you’re there,” Head said.

The essential guide to all 59 U.S. national parks

Many hotels and tour operators arrange short-term volunteer opportunities. For example, 1 Hotel Central Park , which partnered with Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project, invites guests to help beautify the city by watering trees, composting and pulling weeds. Participants earn Lyft ride credits to the garden plus two cocktails for their efforts. At Emirates One & Only Wolgan Valley in Australia, visitors can help conservationists by monitoring feral animals, conducting wombat surveys and testing water quality.

If you are more of the donate-and-run kind of traveler, Laura Hoffman, operations manager of Global Basecamps, a socially responsible tour operator, recommends Pack for a Purpose . After you plan your trip, check the organization’s list of destinations and programs that seek supplies. In Jamaica, for example, Beaches Negril Resort & Spa works with Mount Airy All Age School, which serves 650 children. Visitors can pick from a long list of items to donate, such as pens, Frisbees, tennis balls and board games — basically all the clutter in your garage that you have been meaning to clear out.

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The Ultimate Guide to Green Travel — Includes 50 Green Travel Tips

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

757 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

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What is Green Travel?

When you get there, staying there, get packing, save energy while you are there, back at home, explore sustainably, top 10 eco-friendly tour operators, top 10 best eco-friendly hotels in the u.s., top 10 best eco-friendly hotels abroad, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Becoming a green traveler can make a massive difference to the way you see the world, and the impact you have when traveling through it. Even small and subtle adjustments can reduce your footprint and help protect the environments we travel to.

There are many definitions of green travel that also overlap with sustainable travel, responsible travel, and eco-tourism. Whatever you want to call it, it is essentially traveling responsibly while taking into consideration your environmental, social, and economic impact. It is also the art of traveling sustainability every time you embark on a new adventure.

Hot Tip: The simplest way for travelers to remember to travel green is through the mantra “reduce, reuse, and recycle.”

50 Green Travel Tips

There are many small changes that you can make to your travel plans that can make a big difference overall. Here are 50 of them, just to get you going.

As obvious as this may seem, swapping air travel for more carbon-neutral transportation such as the train is the single easiest way to go green if you can. While this may not be feasible for trips abroad, this may well be an option for domestic travel.

Fly From Green Airports

If you have to fly, try and make your flight plans based on where you fly from and through. If you can choose more eco-conscious airports along the way, then so much the better. Denver and Boston are 2 of the most environmentally friendly airports in the U.S .

Don’t Drive to the Airport

Where possible, always make public transport your first choice when getting to and from the airport. Choose buses, metros, subways, or even car-sharing if you can. These are cheaper, easier, and much greener.

Choose a Fuel-Efficient Airline

Not all airlines are as fuel-efficient as they could be. Frontier, Spirit, and Southwest are the 3 most fuel-efficient airlines in the U.S. , and American, Hawaiian, and JetBlue are the least efficient. For transatlantic flights, Norwegian is ranked the best, and British Airways is the worst.

Choose a Fuel-Efficient Aircraft

Although not always possible, see if you can find an airline that will take you where you want to go on either an Airbus A350-900 or a Boeing 787-9 — 2 of the most fuel-efficient planes available .

If 25% of a flight’s total emissions happen during takeoff and landing, the less often you have to take to the skies and land back on earth, the better. Flying direct is more time-efficient, too!

Fly Coach Sometimes

Coach class offers a more sustainable way to fly for a number of reasons. First-class seats take up a ton of space and add more weight, and their passengers require more staff than those sitting in economy.

Travel Lightly

The more weight there is on a plane, the more fuel consumption that is required. Pack like a minimalist pro, and help to reduce your carbon footprint.

Offset Your Carbon

You can donate money to carbon offsetting programs that fund environmental projects that work towards absorbing carbon from the atmosphere, such as planting trees. Some airlines already offer programs you can donate to, or you can choose your own. 3 options are:

• Climate Action Reserve
• Gold Standard

Getting Around on the Ground

When you reach your destination, switch renting a car and taxis for public transportation or car-sharing, and if you are staying somewhere central, get ready to walk or cycle instead.

Take the Train

If you are in Europe, America, Australia, India, China, Southeast Asia, or any other large landmass, chances are the rail services will be excellent. Train travel offers low emissions, affordable fares, and a great way to see the country as you jump on the “slow travel” trend bandwagon.

Book an Eco-Tour

Eco-tourism in on the rise and if you want to visit some of the remote, protected places in the world, an eco-tour is a great alternative to commercial mass tourism and offers far more socially responsible travel options.

Use an Eco-Friendly Car

If you really do need to rent a car when you get there, look for an eco-friendly alternative to a gas-guzzling SUV or RV. Avoid renting a car that is bigger than what you need to help reduce your carbon footprint.

Choose a Carbon-Neutral Hotel

When booking your stay, look for a hotel that follows the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) guidelines and focuses on cutting down emissions by using low energy light bulbs and linen reuse programs, among other initiatives.

Look for Global Certification, Too

If you are traveling outside of the U.S., look for local eco-friendly initiatives such as EarthCheck (Australia), Green Globe, Rainforest Alliance (Latin America, Caribbean), and the Green Tourism Business Scheme (U.K.).

Ask About Recycling

Your hotel should be happy to tell you what, if any, programs they have in place to handle their recycling needs. If you think they are lacking, let them know via the guestbook or suggestion box.

Go Car-Free

Many eco-friendly hotels will provide their guests with free use of bicycles to get around or will offer car-sharing or shuttle services to negate the need for you to use your car at all.

Check out the Menu

Locally-sourced, freshly-produced organic fare is not only better for the world around you, but it also tastes better, too. Win, win!

Hire an Adventure Concierge

If you want to experience a really out-there adventure, do it responsibly by booking the services of an adventure concierge to show you how to reconnect with the great outdoors as consciously as possible.

Work With the Community

While you may not want to roll your sleeves up on vacation, make sure that the place you stay and the services you use do. Always look for hotels that utilize local resources to ensure their investment in the local economy. You might even consider volunteering abroad, too.

Use Soap Instead of Shower Gels

Soap bars may seem a little old fashioned, but they are more compact to carry with you, are not wrapped in plastic, and last a lot longer than your average bottle of shower gel.

Use a Shampoo Bar

Again, not being squeezed out of a plastic bottle makes shampoo bars an instantly better choice. Plus, they take up very little room in your toiletry bag and are often made from entirely natural ingredients.

Go for Bamboo Dental Products

Plastic toothbrushes, picks, and sticks are a no-no! Switch to full compostable bamboo brushes and toothpicks instead.

Buy Organic Towels

An organic cotton or bamboo towel is a must-have for any serious adventurer. Not only are these natural materials better for the environment, but they are also lightweight to carry, dry quickly, and can be used as a blanket, too.

Take a Marine-Safe Sunscreen

Sunscreen is important, but try to purchase a product that is formulated without oxybenzone and octinoxate, as these 2 chemicals are toxic to coral reefs and other marine life.

Pack a Cloth Bag

Never leave home without one. These cloth bags are easy to fold away in your luggage and can be used on the beach, at the store, or even to carry your picnic in. Choose 1 made from sustainable organic cotton or hemp where possible.

Take Reusable Straws

If you must use straws when drinking, make sure you are not using plastic ones. Paper straws are quick and easy or invest in your own set of stainless steel ones to take with you.

Pack a Zero-Waste Picnic Set

If you are likely to be taking your own food with you often, pack a reusable lunch bag and bamboo cutlery. This will help you to stay away from the dreaded single-use plastics.

Take a Reusable Water Bottle

You will probably want this for the journey anyway, but always be sure to take your own BPA-free water bottle that you can refill.

Save Water While You Are There

Always opt for showers over baths, as the humble shower uses only a fraction of the amount of water that a soak in the tub does. Don’t spend too long in there, either.

Switch off the Water When Not Using It

Lather up in the shower, shave, or shampoo your hair with the water turned off, and always turn off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth.

Wash Your Own Clothes

If you need to, wash your clothes in your hotel room and hang them up to dry. You can take laundry soap bars with you to ensure that they are truly clean.

Hang Your Towels

If you leave wet towels on the floor, the maid will take them away for washing, whether they are dirty or not. Hang them up and reuse them for a few days to save water and energy.

Use a Menstrual Cup

These innovative cups offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional sanitary solutions. Easy to use, compact, and incredibly clever, you will want to use this back at home, too.

Rather than showering off every time you are hot, take a dip in the pool or ocean instead. It will cool you down, and you can shower it all off later.

Report Leaks

If your hotel shower is leaking, or the taps don’t turn off, tell the front desk. They could be wasting water without even knowing it.

Turn off When You Leave

Every time you leave your room, be sure to turn off any air conditioning or heating units, all the lights, and the television.

Close the Curtains

Drawing the curtains or pulling down the blinds can help to keep out the heat of the sun, and keep the room warm in winter.

Leave the “Do Not Disturb” Sign-On

Your room doesn’t need cleaning every day, and by leaving the sign up, the staff won’t even try. This means less use of chemical cleaning agents and unnecessary energy.

Ditch the Car

Walk, ride a bike, or take public transport to cut down on gas usage.

Unplug Appliances at Home

Every type of appliance consumes energy even when it’s not switched on or on standby. Turn off all of your energy-draining appliances before you leave.

Turn Down Your Water Heater

Turn your water heater to its lowest or “vacation” setting to keep it saving energy while you are away. Modern fridges and freezers sometimes have eco settings, too.

Use a Timer

Make your house look occupied without wasting energy by plugging your lights into a timer. If you don’t have any smart home technology, a mechanical plug timer will do just fine.

Stick to the Trails

Stay on marked paths and trails when out adventuring to avoid harming native flora and fauna, or worrying wildlife that you may be unfamiliar with.

Avoid Wildlife Encounters

Elephant rides, tiger encounters, and other wild animal attractions are often unregulated and could lead to you accidentally supporting the mistreatment of animals. Only ever book encounters that are ethical and support wildlife conservation.

Respect Animals in the Wild

Never get too close to wild animals who could feel threatened or scared. They may attack you out of fear, which is not a good situation for either you or them.

Never Stand on Coral

Coral is very delicate — touching it or standing on it can cause irreparable damage. If you do any diving or snorkeling tours where guides are damaging the coral, leave reviews online so that others know to avoid them.

Do Your Research

Examine your route, check the weather forecast, and have a plan in place. If you get lost or put yourself in unnecessary danger, you may need a ranger rescue, which is a drain of public resources.

Know Where It Is You Are Going

Learn a bit about local customs, or a phrase or 2 in the local language, and always remain courteous at all times. When you are a guest in another town, city, or country, you will enjoy the experience so much more if you are able to really immerse yourself in the local culture.

See How You Can Help

From picking up litter while out hiking to taking on a volunteer project, there are always ways to show your concern for the world around you. Research before you leave or ask what you can do when you get there.

If you would like to have a professional tour operator plan your perfect trip, or are interested in getting more involved with local communities, there are many specialist companies out there that will help you do that.

Eco-friendly tour operators will help you to broaden your horizons while at the same time reducing your footprint. Here are 10 of the very best.

G Adventures

Founded in 1990, G Adventures was set up to offer authentic, sustainable travel experiences, the likes of which had never been seen before. Offering inventive alternatives to cruises and resort hotels, G Adventures can help travelers to find tailor-made and authentic life-changing adventures to perfectly suit their needs.

Intrepid Travel

Since 1988, the team at Intrepid Travel has been offering small group adventures all around the world and is now one of the biggest and most trusted tour operators in its field. Committed to making a real difference by investing in local communities, wildlife conservation, and the environment, travelers get to see the world and make new friends, while at the same time making a real difference.

Blue Ventures

Operating for over a decade now, Blue Ventures is a science-led social enterprise that helps to nurture and sustain locally-led marine conservation projects. Rebuilding fishing communities in places where the ocean is vital to the culture and economy, travelers can volunteer to join Blue Ventures’ responsible initiatives across the world.

Offering small group adventure holidays since 1981, Explore! is committed to offering authentic, localized experiences while leaving as light a footprint on the world as possible. From stopping elephant rides to offsetting CO 2 emissions, the travel operator works with both local and global initiatives to help make the world a better place for everyone.

Mosaic Adventure

Since 2009 Mosaic Adventures has been offering fully specialized trekking itineraries, adventures, and cultural trips in Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibet. Its eco-conscious, small group tours tread lightly while taking a lucky few travelers into some of the most remote areas of the Himalayan peaks and beyond.

Since its first trip in 1979, Backroads has been doing everything it can to make its 2-wheel trips as positively impactful as possible.

It is involved in community projects, buys locally grown products, and practices the principles of Leave No Trace (pack it in, pack it out). It does this for all of its bike tours, walking tours, safaris, cruises, and yoga breaks that demonstrate its commitment to providing responsible travel opportunities.

Covering 80 destinations worldwide, Peregrine supports local economies by working with tour leaders from the regions it visits, sourcing local produce, and carbon offsetting every trip. Travelers can enjoy small group tours in some of the most remote corners of the world while knowing that the travel company they have chosen offers responsible travel solutions. Peregrine also advocates for child protection and animal rights in the tourism industry.

Wildland Adventures

Wildland Adventures was founded on the principle that environmentally responsible travel can be a powerful force for change, and its ethos remains the same to this day. Offering small luxury tours to a wide range of remote destinations, the tour operator supports the affiliate program The Travelers Conservation Trust (TCT) that allows travelers to support local initiatives and small-scale community development projects.

Lindbald Expeditions

The historical legacy of Lindblad Expeditions was to bring travelers to some of the most exotic parts of the world, including Antarctica, Galápagos , Easter Island, and the Amazon, while allowing travelers to experience authentic local cultures. The founders also continue to look for ways for the company to help preserve natural resources as well as getting involved in conservation efforts.

Elevate Destinations

As a provider of custom-designed, eco-luxury adventures and safaris, Elevate Destinations  combine upscale tourism with support for local communities and conservation. Offering travelers the chance to embark on their very own ecologically sound adventures, Elevate trips allow explorers to experience and fully understand remote and protected areas.

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly hotel for some domestic travel, look no further than these great hotels.

Cavallo Point Lodge, Sausalito, California

This beautiful hotel housed in a historic building focuses not just on sustainability but also on restoration and preservation as well. With a LEED Gold certification, this stunning traditional home-style hotel works with local suppliers to recycle materials and provide sustainable solutions in a stunning location overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.

Guests will love the well-appointed bedrooms that offer sensors and timers for energy-efficient fixtures and fittings, as well as natural cooling systems and in-room recycling. There is also a choice of 2 on-site restaurants at Cavallo Point Lodge that serve up delicious local dishes, and the Healing Arts Center for Wellbeing has a host of treatments, classes, and wellness experiences for you to enjoy during your stay.

Proximity Hotel, Greensboro, North Carolina

Sophisticated, stylish, and perfectly sustainable, the Proximity Hotel has been designed with environmentally-friendly amenities in mind.

As the first hotel in the U.S. to receive the LEED Platinum certification from the Green Building Council, this hotel features 100 solar panels on the roof, a bistro bar made of salvaged walnut trees, an elevator that captures the energy and feeds it back into the electrical grid, and interiors made from ultra-efficient materials.

Guests can rest easy in the luxurious guest rooms knowing that the bathroom fittings reduce water usage by over a third. Air quality is provided by circulating large amounts of outside air into guest rooms, and eco-friendly amenities are provided throughout the Proximity Hotel , including bicycle hire to discover the Greensboro area.

H2hotel, Healdsburg, California

Located on the site of a former gas station, this LEED Silver-certified establishment is a real testament to transforming previously wasted spaces into sustainable solutions. Offering a wide range of luxurious yet earth-conscious amenities and set in the heart of Sonoma Wine Country, this is the perfect hotel for those who want to enjoy excellent wine without making a dent on the environment.

The H2hotel utilizes solar panels to heat the pool and hot water, smart sensors for fans, lights, and air conditioners, and an amazing green roof that filters water with its very own bio-diverse environment. The on-site Spoon bar also specializes in locally-produced food and is a delightful spot to relax after a day exploring the Healdsburg area.

Element New York Times Square West, New York

Situated in the heart of the Big Apple, this stylish Manhattan hotel offers authentic city living with additional eco-friendly benefits thrown in. Designed to incorporate as many sustainable features as possible, this is a downtown hotel with a difference.

Bedrooms feature carpets made from recycled materials, low-flow faucets, and earth-friendly paints and interiors, as well as kitchenettes with Energy Star appliances. In the communal areas, guests can admire artworks mounted on bases made from recycled tires or enjoy a drink on the natural rooftop terrace with outstanding views of the city.

Reducing your carbon footprint in a big city environment can be difficult, but Element New York Times Square is certainly committed to changing that.

Hotel Felix, Chicago, Illinois

This chic, urban hotel offers a taste of the luxe-life thoughtfully combined with earth-friendly initiatives and amenities. As the first hotel in the Windy City to earn Silver LEED certification, this hotel is dedicated to recycling in a big way.

The Felix is packed full of organic materials and renewable resources, and the interiors have been created to capture the elements of earth, wind, water, and fire to create a cozy retreat from the urban streets. Carpets made from recycled materials, low-energy lighting, and organic beauty products in the spa are just a few of the eco-friendly touches that set The Felix apart from the competition.

Hyatt at Olive 8, Seattle, Washington

As the first hotel in Seattle to be granted with the LEED-certification, this Hyatt hotel offers much more than just the usual familiar, chain-hotel comforts. On the top of the building sits a green roof that provides the perfect urban habitat for birds, bees, and butterflies, and an in-house water conservation program helps to reduce water wastage throughout every area of the hotel.

Beautifully appointed bedrooms continue the earth-conscious theme with in-room recycling and energy-efficient lighting, while suites and upgrades even have their very own water bars. The on-site restaurant at the Hyatt prides itself on offering farm-to-table offerings from local suppliers, and there is also a spa with organic treatments and beauty products.

Calistoga Ranch, Calistoga, California

Nestled into a canyon in the Upper Napa Valley , the Calistoga Ranch offers luxury lodge accommodation with a ton of eco-friendly amenities woven into the fabric of the establishment. With over 150 acres to explore, guests can stay in any of the freestanding lodges scattered around this car-free estate.

Dine on organic, locally-produced dishes at the on-site eatery, and sleep soundly knowing that your lodge is not only made from natural, sustainably-sourced materials but also that it features energy-saving light bulbs. It also has water flow reducers and ecologically friendly toiletries and cleaning products.

The Calistoga Ranch also offers its very own vineyard, an indoor and outdoor fitness center and acres of picturesque hiking trails within easy reach of your own front door.

Hotel Terra, Teton Village, Jackson Hole, Wyoming

Designed to let you enjoy the great outdoors from the comfort of indoors, this stunning resort hotel features a lot of huge glass windows to make you feel at one with your snowy surroundings. With natural air being circulated around the hotel, you will feel like you are sleeping on a mountain top as you bed down on your organic mattress after a busy day on the slopes.

Designed with nature enthusiasts in mind, the Terra Hotel also offers aluminum water bottles and on-site water stations, low VOC carpets and interiors, radiant underfloor heating, dual-flush toilets, low flow shower fixtures, and solar-powered faucets. The on-site spa uses only organic products, and the ski-in, ski-out nature of the hotel reduces the need for vehicles around the resort accommodation.

Bardessono Hotel and Spa, Yountville, California

This LEED Platinum-certified property offers first-class accommodation paired with eco-friendly practices and standards. Using woods milled from salvaged trees, underground geothermal heating systems, and over 900 solar panels, this is a luxury hotel that takes care of both its guests and the environment.

Guests can enjoy low VOC compound materials, no carpeting, and drapes throughout the Bardessono Hotel , hot water and heating powered by 300-foot wells on the property itself, and low-energy lighting. The on-site restaurant also offers organic, natural, locally sourced produce for guests to savor.

The Hawaii Island Retreat at Ahu Pohaku Ho’omaluhia, Hawaii

Island resorts don’t come much more perfect than this one. The Hawaii Island Retreat at Ahu Pohaku Ho’omaluhia takes green initiatives to the next level with a wealth of earth-friendly additions to be found throughout the entire resort.

Solar panels and windmills are used to create heating and to purify the saltwater pools, while the on-site 50-acre organic farm produces goat milk, avocados, and much much more. The design of the hotel uses the cross breezes from the Kohala to eliminate the need for air conditioning, and bedrooms all offer low-flush toilets, low-flow showers, in-room reclining, and sustainable-sourced linens and interior elements.

Situated in a paradise, the Hawaii Island Retreat makes vacation dreams come true.

There are some incredible eco-friendly hotels that can be found across the world. Here are 10 of the best.

Zuri Zanzibar, Kendwa, Tanzania

Designed to look just like a traditional African village, the entire hotel is built to work alongside the natural environment and not to damage it in any way. Comprising a range of thatched-roof villas that balance on stilts, guests can take shelter from the sun under the shade of the ancient baobab trees, or sip a cool drink on the white sands of Zuri Beach.

Overlooking the stunning blue seas of the Indian Ocean, Zuri Zanzibar is the world’s first hotel to be awarded EarthCheck’s Sustainable Design Gold Certification and offers standout eco-friendly initiatives and solutions, including an energy-efficient Evening Breeze air-conditioning system in the luxury villas and a home-grown fragrant spice garden.

Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam

This eco-friendly, 5-star resort offers some of the most luxurious, environmentally-sound accommodations in the world. Designed and built to help reduce consumption while supporting local communities and ecosystems, a stay at the Six Senses Con Dao will awaken all of yours while restoring your faith in human nature.

The Six Senses’ commitment to sustainability and low carbon footprints can be found in every corner of the resort. It has solar panels that heat your shower water, fresh air climate conditioning, and even a Crystal Water system with its refillable glass bottles that save over 10,00 plastic bottles from heading to landfill every month. The Six Sense Hotel is an eco-marvel, found in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Soori Bali, Tabanan, Bali, Indonesia

A stunning well-being retreat on the island of Bali, Soori Bali, offers guests the chance to unwind and refocus in sustainable surroundings. Designed to meet the requirements of the EarthCheck international environmental standards, the resort has been crafted out of locally sourced materials, combined with opulent and inspiring interiors.

The Soori Bali fully utilizes the island’s famous rainy season with its rainwater filtration systems, and the open-plan spaces allow natural light and air to flow freely. Guests can enjoy total relaxation at the on-site spa that offers a range of treatments with traditional practitioners and herbalists.

Spice Island Beach Resort, Saint George’s, Grenada

This luxurious 5-star resort offers first-class accommodation curated with sustainability in mind. The Spice Island Beach Resort is just a short walk from the world-famous white sands of Grand Anse Beach and has received numerous Green Globe Certifications in recent years.

The resort helps to keep its carbon footprint low by using solar panels to heat the water, providing an on-site desalination system to provide clean water, and using local suppliers and community connections where possible. As one of the very best hotels on one of the prettiest islands in the world, a stay at The Spice Island Beach Resort is a truly memorable occasion.

Thala Beach Lodge, Port Douglas, Queensland, Australia

Set on over 140 acres of native forest, the Thala Beach Lodge has been awarded one of the highest eco-tourism accreditations, Advanced Ecotourism Certification. Nestled away on a nature reserve offering views out across the Coral Sea, this quiet corner of Queensland is home to one of the most incredibly eco-friendly accommodations in the world.

This beautiful art deco resort allows guests to stay in comfortable and authentic lodges, while there are plenty of earth-friendly amenities to enjoy including the organic coconut plantation, the natural swimming pools formed by granite boulders and waterfalls, and the regular talks from the local elders of the Kuku Talanji community. There are also lots of free guided tours available at Thala Beach Lodge .

Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa, Maldives

Offering luxury stays on the exclusive island of Hadahaa, the Park Hyatt Maldives offers picture-perfect 5-star villas, first-class diving, and the miles of sandy beaches you would expect to find in the Maldives. What may surprise you, though, is that this famous hotel is also one of the most eco-friendly in the Indian Ocean.

Tucked away in a lush green location, parts of the hotel have been built over the water to minimize disruption to existing ecosystems, and the hotel promotes recycling, fresh air conditioning, and solar heating where possible.

The Park Hyatt Maldives Hadahaa is also the sole recipient of a silver EarthCheck certificate and is the only resort in the Maldives to be awarded by EarthCheck for both design and construction.

The Park Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India

Situated in the business and entertainment district of this bustling city, you would think that The Park Hyderabad is just another upscale urban hotel, but you would be wrong to do so. While the hotel does indeed offer first-class, 5-star accommodation and amenities, it is also one of the few in India to have achieved LEED Gold certification.

The design of the building starts by maximizing natural light that in turn allows it to consume less electricity. It is also careful to use interiors made from sustainable materials wherever possible. For guests at The Park who wish to reduce their personal carbon footprint, green transportation, bikes, and electric cars are very much encouraged to explore the city outside your doorstep.

Whitepod, Monthey, Switzerland

This unusual concept hotel is not luxurious, nor does it offer a huge host of amenities. But for all that it lacks, it more than makes up for with its superb on-piste location, unique sleeping accommodation, and incredible eco-friendly credentials.

Guests are able to sleep on the side of the mountain in a selection of well-appointed pods that have a minimal environmental impact. Each pod is heated by stocking up its own wood stove, lighting is provided by LED bulbs, and there is no bottled water. Whitepod also uses timers on boilers to keep consumption down and water-saving devices on taps and showers.

Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda, Italy

With amazing views out across Lake Garda, the Lefay Resort is an eco-conscious hotel that offers total luxury in this stunning part of the world. Awarded the platinum level GreenLeaders certification, the hotel has been built using natural materials, most of which were locally sourced, including olive wood, Italian walnut, and even marble.

Guests can marvel at the beautiful infinity pool and enjoy the first-class cuisine in the on-site eateries, as well as enjoying a host of treatments available at the Mondo Lefay Spa. They will also be impressed by the use of renewable energy sources at the Lefay Resort for cooling and filtering the air and producing electricity, as well as in-room sensors to turn off electrics when the rooms are empty.

Casa De Las Olas, Tulum, Mexico

With a strong eco-ethic, this luxury resort hotel is the only property in Mexico with a LEED review and 1 that is committed to combining opulence with sustainability at all turns. Retro-fitted solar panels help to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint while personal touches like hand-sorted trash offer a truly bespoke twist on traditional recycling.

Guests at Casa De Las Olas can also enjoy rainforest showers using re-filtered well water, as well as locally sourced food from family farms, all carefully handpicked to ensure the freshest and ripest ingredients are always available. Luxury awaits at this stunning, eco-friendly resort just outside of downtown Acapulco.

There is a big world out there just waiting to be explored, and with a bit of forward planning, you can reach the furthest corners of the earth while being a truly responsible traveler. From simple lifestyle changes like ditching plastic straws and single-use bottles, to committing to volunteer with conservation projects, every single person can make a difference — and that includes you!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is green travel.

Green travel can often be referred to as eco-travel, where you travel responsibly and minimize your impact in natural environments. More broadly, this can also involve your impact culturally, socially, and economically, and traveling in a sustainable manner.

What is the most green way to travel?

There are many green alternatives to flying or driving that include, cycling, walking, buses, trains, and electric cars. Depending on the type, motorcycles may also be more fuel-efficient than cars.

How do you become a green tourist?

The simplest method of becoming a green tourist is to remember the 3 Rs for sustainability: reduce, reuse, and recycle. If you consider these with every aspect of travel from packing to transport, you can become a green tourist.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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The expert guide to travelling more sustainably in 2022

Being a green traveller today is no longer limited to one-off gestures but, rather, it’s a state of mind. Pictured: Lake Buttermere, Lake District.

Taking an eco-conscious break was once synonymous with a weekend’s hedge-laying or a summer spent conserving wildlife in the tropics. How things have changed: being a green traveller today is no longer limited to one-off gestures but, rather, it’s a state of mind. An ongoing attitude to conscious adventure, it now influences all aspects of our travels, from what we pack and how we reach our destination to where we stay and the activities we take part in — from the romance of long-distance train journeys to swimming in natural swimming pools and feasting on local, seasonal food.

Such change has come about thanks to both a growing understanding of climate change — and tourism’s role in it — and to the pioneering efforts of many travel operators to show the joy of going green. Luxury camping specialists Featherdown Farm and Fforest , for example, paved the way for the glamping revolution. Digital platforms such as Under the Thatch and Canopy & Stars have made finding, and booking, low-impact rural idylls easier. Book publishers such as Sawdays  and Bradt  have stimulated the joys of slow travel. And adventure operators such as TYF , Intrepid  and Much Better Adventures have set the agenda for sustainable outdoor recreation.

This isn’t to say the evolution of green travel has been plain sailing (or railing). The trend for replacing annual trips with multiple shorter breaks has seen a rise in carbon-intensive air travel. Key overland routes have been discontinued (such as ferry services to Scandinavia and overnight ‘train hotels’ through France and Spain). Cuts in local transport services have severely impacted car-free access to rural areas for those planning more sustainable staycations. And unscrupulous businesses have jumped on the ‘eco’ travel marketing bandwagon, muddying the emerald waters.

There are, though, tangible signs that we’re entering a new age of green travel. Many specialist accommodation booking sites now have a green filter, for example, Sawday’s ‘Sustainable stars’ , i-escape’s ‘Eco rating’ , and Cool Places’ ‘Eco Retreats’ . Mainstream travel companies now provide tools to help travellers spot the difference between the genuinely green and the greenwash. Booking.com and Google, for instance, are working with not-for-profit Travalyst to flag up eco-certified hotels in their search results.

There remains an overly complicated network of rail ticketing agencies, but there are now plenty of tools to help you navigate the complexities and intricacies of booking long-distance overland train travel. The seat61  website, set up by former railway man Mark Smith, provides a wealth of tips on how to find and book the best tickets — it’s especially useful if you’re planning multi-stage journeys across international borders. A welcome development has been the emergence of Trainline as a platform for booking European rail tickets. One of the handy tools it has introduced is an email ‘ticket alert’ that lets you know as soon as bookings open for your chosen route so you can snap up the cheapest tickets when they become available.

The decarbonisation of air travel  is still a long way off, but there’s quite a large disparity between the carbon emissions of aircraft and the operating procedures of airlines, and there are now tools to help you find more carbon efficient flights, such as the ‘Greener Choices’ label on the search results provided by the flight search engine Skyscanner. While planes continue to burn huge amounts of fossil fuel, it’s hard to see how long-haul travel by plane can be framed as ‘green’, but there’s been the emergence of ‘positive impact adventures’ that help with biodiversity conservation, safeguard the local landscape and meaningfully contribute to local economic empowerment and global justice.

The emergence of The Long Run , a global alliance of nature-based tourism businesses that collectively conserve more than 23 million acres of biodiversity, has shown that these kinds of trips can make a palpable difference to safeguarding precious ecosystems. Members include many trailblazing retreats that are embedded in their local community, such as Borana Conservancy at the foot of Mount Kenya, Caiman  ecological refuge in Brazil’s vast Pantanal wetlands, Misool  in Raja Ampat, Indonesia, which protects some of the world’s most biodiverse corals reefs, and Grootbos Private Nature Reserve in South Africa, which protects 790 plant species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.

Closer to home, there’s been a clutch of new travel companies selling green travel, including Byway  and Ecosy , which focus on flight-free itineraries and specialist interest trips, such as vegan breaks, while Natural Britain offers a selection of eco-friendly accommodation and low impact activities. Long-established international tour operators, such as Intrepid  and Kuoni , that have traditionally focussed on overseas travel are now selling journeys in the UK. By capitalising on the modernisation of cross-channel ferry services and the renaissance of rail (including the reintroduction of night trains across Europe) these companies are helping to make lower-carbon travel become ever more practical and, crucially, more appealing.

Three green trips to try

1. Go off-grid in Wales Just outside Machynlleth, Eco Retreats has five off-grid yurt camps (each has fresh spring water on tap and wood-fired baths) spread over 50 acres in the Dyfi Forest. There are mountainbiking trails and walks nearby, including the route up to Cader Idris in southern Snowdonia. From £275 for two nights for two sharing (up to two children free).

2. Cycle sustainably in France Travel as a foot passenger with your bike on the ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe then cycle the Véloroute du Lin between Pourville sur Mer and Fécamp. This 50-mile route is bookended by railway stations at Dieppe and Fécamp. Stay just off-route at Le Clos des Ifs, from €65 (£60), B&B. Ferries from €50 (£42) return per adult including bike. 

3. Rail and sail to Greece Make for the Pelion peninsula, between Athens and Thessaloniki. Take the train to Bari, on Italy’s heel, then ferry to Igoumenitsa on mainland Greece to catch the bus across to Volos, the gateway to the Pelion. There are three buses a day from Volos to the village of Tsagkarada where you can stay at Amanita . From £134, two-night minimum stay.

Richard Hammond is the author of The Green Traveller: Conscious adventure that doesn’t cost the earth, published by Pavilion, £18.99.

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Green Travel Tips

Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

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Many people hear the terms “green travel” or “ecotourism” and picture someone sleeping in a treehouse in the jungles of Borneo or canoeing down the Amazon . But this type of eco-adventure is just one end of the green travel spectrum. You don’t need to sacrifice creature comforts or go off into the middle of nowhere to be a green traveler; you can visit big cities or small villages, and stay in small ecolodges or luxury hotels. All that’s required is an effort to preserve and protect the environment of the place you’re visiting — and it’s easier than you might think.

Want to learn how? Read on….

What is Green Travel?

“Green travel” is one of many catchphrases — like ecotourism, sustainable travel , and responsible travel — that are bandied about with increasing frequency these days. But what exactly do these terms mean?

There are various shades of difference among all these terms, but at the heart of the matter is the importance of protecting the natural and cultural environment of the places you visit. That means conserving plants, wildlife, and other resources; respecting local cultures and ways of life; and contributing positively to local communities.

WATCH: 5 Amazing Wildlife Vacations

Why Go Green?

With over 1 billion tourists crisscrossing the globe every year, it’s more important than ever for travelers to minimize their individual impact on the earth’s natural and cultural treasures. The potential negative effects of tourism are both local and global; oceanfront hotels contribute to beach erosion in Hawaii, rising numbers of visitors threaten the fragile ecosystems of the Galapagos Islands, and carbon dioxide emissions from planes are a growing contributor to global warming.

Taking a green approach to travel is an easy and essential way to protect the places you love to visit, not just for yourself but for the travelers who come after you and for the people who will continue to live there long after you’ve flown home. As an added bonus, it often makes for a more rewarding, authentic travel experience, encouraging deeper connections with the people and places you visit.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t necessarily have to pay more in order to travel green. While offsetting the carbon emissions from your air travel will set you back a negligible amount (usually between $10 and $40 per flight, depending on the length), you can find green lodging options in all budgets, from hostels to luxury hotels. And earth-friendly transportation options like biking, walking and taking public transit are often cheaper than taking a cab or renting a car.

Choosing a Green Hotel

There are a number of Web sites that list environmentally friendly hotels, B&B’s and lodges around the world; these are a good place to start. Keep in mind that each site has its own guidelines for rating properties, so you’ll want to do your homework to make sure that the hotel meets the standards you’re looking for. And don’t forget to check out our top ecolodges and green hotels .

A few questions to ask before booking your hotel:

• Is the hotel locally owned and operated? If not, is it at least staffed by local employees?
• What kind of recycling programs does the hotel have (aluminum, plastic, paper, gray water, composting)?
• Do guests have the option to reuse towels and sheets instead of having them changed every day?
• What programs does the hotel have to reduce consumption? Examples include energy-efficient lighting, low-flow toilets and showers, and alternative energy sources like solar or wind power.
• How does the hotel contribute to the local community?

During Your Stay

Even if you’re not spending the night in an eco-lodge or green hotel, there are still several easy steps you can take to make your stay more eco-friendly.

• Keep your showers short, and shut off the water while you’re brushing your teeth.
• When you leave the room, turn off the air-conditioning, heat, television, lights or any other electric devices.
• Reuse your sheets and towels instead of having them changed every day. Many hotels will not replace your towels if you leave them hanging up neatly; if you’re not sure, write a note for the housekeeping staff or notify the front desk.
• Bring your own toiletries and drinking cup rather than using the prepackaged ones provided. If you do use the hotel’s toiletries, take them with you and use them at home or during the rest of your trip.
• Know your hotel’s recycling program and sort your trash accordingly. If your hotel doesn’t recycle, consider taking your empty bottles or other items home with you to recycle them there.
• Give your hotel feedback. Express your appreciation for any eco-friendly programs it currently offers, or if it doesn’t, encourage the management to go green in the future.

Getting Around

Transportation, particularly air travel, is where most travelers have the biggest environmental impact. According to USA Today, a flight from New York to Denver produces as much carbon dioxide per passenger as an SUV produces in a month. To minimize your environmental footprint, try the following steps:

• Offset the carbon emissions produced by your flight.
• For shorter trips, take the train instead of flying — especially in Europe or other regions where train service is fast and frequent.
• When renting a car, choose the smallest vehicle that can comfortably accommodate you. Decline any “free” upgrades (which will cost you more in gas).
• Rent a hybrid car.
• Taking a long road trip ? If your personal vehicle is large and not very fuel-efficient, consider renting an economy car instead. You’ll save gas and avoid putting miles on your own vehicle.
• Whenever possible, use public transportation instead of taxis or rental cars. Better yet, walk or bike.

Responsible Sightseeing

When it comes to visiting the world’s most beautiful places, the old adage rings true: Take nothing but photographs, and leave nothing but footprints.

Travel with an environmentally friendly tour operator . Before you book, be sure to ask about group size (smaller groups tend to make less of an environmental impact), whether the tours are led by locals, how the tour operator gives back to the community, and what kind of lodging is included.

When hiking, always stay on marked trails and maintain a safe distance from any animals you encounter. Deposit your trash in marked receptacles or take it with you when you leave. Light campfires only in established fire rings and be sure they’re completely extinguished before you leave.

When snorkeling , do not touch the coral or stir up sediment, as these actions can damage the reef’s fragile ecosystem. Also, choose a reef-safe sunscreen ; chemicals found in most sunblock lotions are harmful to coral.

  Destinations With Sunscreen Bans, and What You Need to Know

Try to buy local products whenever possible instead of those that have been flown or shipped in from overseas. You’ll support the local economy and get a taste of native cuisine. Do not, however, buy souvenirs or other products made from endangered animals or plants, in most cases you can’t get them through U.S. Customs anyway.

Treat the locals with respect. Learn a few words in the native language , be open to cultural differences, and read up on the area before your trip so you’re sensitive to issues of dress and behavior.

Consider taking a volunteer vacation to give back directly to the place you’re visiting.

More from SmarterTravel:

• How This Tiny Island Could Change Sustainable Travel
• 5 Unique Travel Fabrics That Are Ethically Sourced
• 13 Best Places to Travel Alone

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A Complete Guide to Eco-Friendly Travel

By Katherine LaGrave

Being a responsible traveler sounds simple in theory: Just go green. Take care of the environment. But when it comes time to actually taking action, it can get a bit overwhelming. Where to start? And what to pack?

With this in mind, we’ve compiled 26 actually doable steps to be an eco-friendly traveler. Some—like ditching single-use plastics—will have an effect on the environment, while others—like bringing a journal—will help hold you accountable and contribute to a culture of awareness. Others will require you to spend more, but many cost nothing at all. Don’t sweat it if you can’t tackle all 26 on the next trip, or the next, or the next. Even a few small changes to your travel lifestyle will lead to a better trip for you and Mother Earth, whether you're heading to Senegal or Sweden .

A is for avoiding the buffet

Put down that spoonful of soggy eggs in the hotel buffet line and order à la carte instead. Though there have been improvements in recent years, buffets are still incredibly wasteful. The U.S. alone generates 63 million tons of food waste annually, with an estimated 40 percent of that from consumer-serving businesses like hotels and restaurants, reports the New York Times . Only 10 to 15 percent of that food can be donated or repurposed because of food safety regulations. It comes down to this: Hotels are worried about seeming like they don’t have enough food, so they overcompensate—and waste. By avoiding the buffet, you’re casting your vote—one bite at a time.

B is for bringing your own amenities

All those little toiletries tubes? Yep, they’re terrible for the environment because they generally aren't biodegradable, which is why you’ll see more and more hotels adopting containers secured to the wall instead of ones that are largely useless after one wash (hey, we’ve got a lot of hair). Bring your own shampoo, conditioner, and lotion in reusable bottles, and better yet, take the unused samples, donate them to your local homeless shelter, domestic violence shelter, or community non-profit. Then encourage the hotel to adopt more eco-friendly policies.

C is for choosing a green destination

Supporting places that are working to combat climate change and preserve their local ecosystems is a big step in protecting the planet. Just a few of these destinations? Slovenia , Portugal, Lake Tahoe, and Sani Isla, Ecuador, all of whom were singled out at the 2018 Sustainable Top 100 Destination Awards for their focus on going green, whether it be showing innovation in sustainable tourism (Portugal) or protecting their natural habitats (Sani Isla).

Overpacking has more consequences than just putting stress on your suitcase's zippers.

D is for dropping pounds

Packing efficiently for a flight not only helps you narrow down what you truly need, it also reduces an aircraft’s carbon emissions. To lighten your load, cut out clothes that aren’t multipurpose and get rid of paper weight by downloading books on an iPad or e-reader . The next time you feel that familiar urge to complain about baggage rules and fees, remember that the lighter the aircraft, the less fuel it burns. The airline matters, too: A 2017 study from the International Council on Clean Transportation shows that Alaska Airlines continues to be a fuel-efficient leader; Frontier, Spirit, Southwest, and Hawaiian rounded out the top five.

E is for employing e-tickets

Scan your smartphone, save a tree (not really, but almost).

F is for flicking off the lights

Sure, some bulbs are more affected by the number of times they’re switched on and off than by the length of time they’re left on, but a good rule of thumb is to turn off the lights you don’t need. Reducing energy use = decreasing power plant emissions = protecting the air = preventing climate change.

G is for getting by without a car

Using Uber Pool and Lyft Line to share a ride may make you feel a little better, but the reality is that cars in general are still not ideal: they pollute the environment, lead to congestion, and compete with public transportation for the affection of travelers. Public transportation is good; walking is even better.

H is for hitting up hotels

“Aside from air travel, properties have some of the greatest impact in terms of energy use, food, and being LEED-certified,” says Jim Sano, the World Wildlife Fund's vice president focused on tourism and conservation. Check a hotel’s website for a "Responsible Travel," "Environment," or "Good Stewards" section—if they’ve spent time, energy, and money to be low-impact, says Sano, they’ll likely have this information displayed. For a list of global vendors, destinations, and hotels that abide by certain sustainability standards, explore the database at the Global Sustainable Tourism Council . Here, too, are a few of our favorite eco-friendly resorts .

I is for Instagramming

Resist the urge to pick up your phone and geotag everywhere you go. Social science shows that traveling for the ‘gram is on the up and up, and that it’s changing how we “discover.” Consider Wyoming: Last year, the Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board asked travelers to stop geotagging , saying the flood of visitors to little-known places meant that trails were being eroded. It also just means less engagement in the ways that actually count. “We want people to have a real connection to nature, not just a page with a pin on it,” Brian Modena, a tourism board member, told the New York Times .

J is for journaling

We’re not perfect, and it’s easy for travelers to want to splurge, to indulge, or to still visit Santorini , even as it struggles under the weight of overtourism . We get that. Bring a journal on your trip, both because it helps you remember things better , and because it helps hold you accountable to ways in which you could be more eco-friendly. (We’ve got a list of our top picks here , but journaling on a phone or tablet will save you paper.) Look back at your entry from the day before: What’s something you can do better today?

K is for keeping it local

Part of being responsible when you travel is making sure you’re not perpetuating any negative cycles. Eat in locally owned restaurants, and stay in locally owned lodges, hotels, and B&Bs. Buy locally made handicrafts and products that double as practical, everyday items, so you're not stuck with a dust-inducing souvenir you never use. Never buy crafts or gifts made from protected or endangered animals.

Heading out for the day from your hotel or Airbnb? Hit the lights before you leave.

L is for leaving no trace

Take a cue from leave-no-trace camping, where the goal is to have as little effect as possible on the destination: anything you carry into camp, you should carry out. Carry your own reusable bags, straws, utensils, and takeaway containers whenever you can, and you’ll be making a small but mighty change. “Although we all like to treat ourselves to bits and pieces before we travel, be aware that in many places recycling, or waste disposal full stop, is tricky. So leave packaging at home,” says Justin Francis, CEO of U.K.-based travel agency Responsible Travel .

M is for making sure you follow local recycling rules

Just because you’re away from home doesn’t mean you can—or should—skip on separating your plastics from your papers. Staying at a hotel? Ask about their recycling program. Talk to your Airbnb or vacation rental host, too, to see what local rules or best practices you need to follow.

N is for navigating responsibly

Remember those selfie-taking tourists who were wandering off of wooden walkways in Croatia’s Plitvice National Park and causing damage to the park’s waterfalls and forests? Or the woman who ignored signs to stay on trails and headed off to take a selfie with a crocodile in Thailand's Khao Yai National Park? If there’s a lesson here, it’s that selfies are so 2018, sure, but also that venturing off designated paths is dangerous for both you and the environment. There’s a reason trails exist where they do, after all.

O is for offsetting your impact

To find out how much carbon you “produce” on a trip, crunch the numbers and donate the monetary value to any number of organizations including Carbonfund.org and TerraPass . Some airlines even have a carbon offset option when booking your flight—any money donated will go toward reducing the emissions you're adding somewhere else. Plus, if you use Goodshop coupons to purchase anything from luggage to currency, a portion of what you spend can be donated back to an environmentally focused organization, like the Natural Resources Defense Council or Conservation International.

P is for putting up a fuss

Got a favorite airline? Grand. Are you a status member with that airline? Even better. Research their policies and be vocal about changes you'd like to see, whether it's ditching plastic on their flights or partnering with companies to offset their carbon. Same goes for hotels and tours of choice: by communicating with them that this is a priority for you, you're helping hold them accountable to more environmentally friendly options. In your correspondence, don't forget to mention other airlines or brands that are doing good things—nothing gets things moving like a little competition, after all.

Q is for quitting single-use plastics

Globally, almost 300 million tons of plastic are produced annually—half of which is single-use—and more than 8 million tons of that plastic are dumped into the ocean, according to the Plastic Oceans Foundation . Read up on countries and travel companies that have phased out single-use plastics , and think about how you can do so when you travel, by declining plastic straws, plastic coffee stirrers, plastic bags, and plastic cutlery.

R is for raising responsible travelers

Find opportunities to get younger members of your traveling pack involved where you can—perhaps it’s helping you sort recycling, or picking clothes they want to donate. Raising responsible travelers only helps the next generation, and the next—especially since they'll have to live on this planet long after you're gone.

Sarah James

Jessica Puckett

Kimberly Wilson

Rachel Chang

Chemicals in traditional sunscreen are credited with bleaching our coral reefs—so swap in a reef-safe option on your next beach vacation.

S is for slapping on safe sunscreen

In July 2018, Hawaii became the first U.S. state to ban the sale of sunscreens containing the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate, which have been found to increase coral bleaching . Make sure you’re slathered up with the good stuff, no matter where you're traveling: here’s a list of reef-safe sunscreens that we love .

T is for touring smartly

Choose companies that utilize the best environmental practices—even if it takes work, or added expense. “You’re paying for people who live and breathe this space and have thought about how they're going to do it in a way that has the least amount of impact,” says Sano. Doing so can also strengthen local communities: "Many of the tour operators who are best in class make an effort to leave a fair chunk of the money that travelers pay in-country—upwards of 60 percent.” Utilize a trusted travel specialist to help you sort the details.

U is for using that same towel again (and again)

We know, we know—this is a hot topic (so hot we’ve debated it ). But when it comes to what’s better for the environment, there’s no question that using the same hotel towel throughout your stay is the right choice: Laundry generally accounts for 16 percent of a hotel's water bill, according to Circle of Blue , which reports on water issues around the world.

V is for vowing to protect the destination

In 2017, Palau made history when it began requiring tourists to sign a stamped pledge at immigration that reads, "I take this pledge as your guest, to protect and preserve your beautiful island home. I vow to tread lightly, act kindly and explore mindfully.” Iceland, too, has an unofficial "oath" for tourists, as does New Zealand .

W is for welcoming the right kind of water bottles

We’ve already established that single-use plastics are terrible for the environment. If that doesn’t get you, consider that the average price of a water bottle at an airport is around $5—and that’s $5 you could have spent on Auntie Anne’s, we say. Here’s our list of the best water bottles to help you stay hydrated while traveling , from silicone glass-covered ones to insulated stainless steel tumblers.

X is for x-factoring

Francis of Responsible Travel says that the best thing you can do for a destination depends on, well, that destination. Research where you’re going, and see what part of your trip you can change to help—we’ll call this the X-factor. An example? “Using water sparingly in areas that experience droughts , or if you are going to see wildlife, then make sure this is done responsibly where the wildlife is put first, not the tourist,” he says.

Y is for yielding with a fuel-efficient car

Ok, ok. Say you skipped over “G” and have to have a car. So do Mother Earth a solid and reserve one of these fuel-efficient options , won’t you?

Z is for zooming out

When planning your next trip, look at the big picture, says Samantha Bray, Managing Director of the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) . “One of the biggest misconceptions is that traveling responsibly somehow puts a damper on your trip or is difficult. I would argue that the opposite is true. Traveling responsibly doesn’t mean giving something up. It means appreciating the place you are visiting and acting in a way that ensures it is taken care of for the community that lives there and future generations.”

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Is Zero Waste Travel Possible? How to Travel Green

by Alayna O'Keefe - Last updated on September 10, 2021

• Packing Tips

Zero waste travel has become more popular over recent years, and more hospitality and tourism companies have begun to think about how they can make their businesses and products eco-friendly. But changing habits and products within the travel industry is just half the battle; you as a traveler can also contribute to green travel in major ways. 

This Earth holds so many incredible places to see—so we should treat it with kindness.

You may not think twice when you go to refill your reusable water bottle or bring your canvas bag with you when you go grocery shopping. You have been told, and it has become ingrained in your mind, that with these simple actions you can help protect the environment.  

Just like recycling your old math homework has become a habit, there are plenty of steps you can take as a tourist to ensure that you are always traveling green. You can help promote sustainable tourism by thinking about the environmental, economical, and cultural effects that your actions as a tourist may have while you travel. But how?

Is zero waste travel realistic?

Realistically, if you’re looking at achieving zero waste travel, the most practical solution is to not travel. In fact, that’s the most effective carbon offset travel there is. But—let's all be real here and acknowledge that we love to travel and explore the world as much as the next person. Can those who are passionate about traveling lessen their impact on the environment? 

For those of you who want to satiate your wanderlust while being eco friendly, there are ways to be a green traveler and still enjoy it the same! In order to participate in eco friendly travel, you would have to compromise and choose travel products and methods that help reduce your carbon footprint.

So, whether you pack reusable items or choose greener transportation options, you can easily incorporate simple changes into your travel lifestyle that help you do your part in traveling sustainably . 

12 tips on how to travel green

In this day and age, a reusable water bottle is practically a given.

1. Smart transportation

When traveling around, consider going for transportation options that support greener travel. Instead of flying domestic, consider taking a train or bus! Or if you must fly, choose an airline that offers carbon offsets.

When traveling around a city, rent out some bikes or get your steps in and walk. Being smarter about your transportation choices will not only help the environment—you won’t be breaking the bank either!

2. Don’t forgot your reusable/low-waste items

Remembering to pack your reusable bags, reusable water bottles, reusable toiletries, and other items are great ways to travel green. By packing reusable things to travel with, you are being less wasteful, limiting the amount of trash, and being resourceful! 

Some cities around the world have public water fountains that offer clean drinking water to the public that you can fill your reusable water bottle with. Much better than wasting a bunch of plastic water bottles every day, right? 

There are also eco friendly toiletry options you can pack in your bags, such as reusable shampoo bars and bamboo toothbrushes, to name a few.

3. Need a car? Rent out eco friendly options!

Some places you travel to may not have local transportation systems or walkable cities. If you need to rent a car, researching types that are eco friendly is a good way to participate in sustainable travel. Eco friendly cars include vehicles that don’t run on, or use less, oil than other cars. A green vehicle can range from electric to hybrid.

4. Power down the electronics 

Unplug and get outside!

Most of us have heard the same nagging phrase from our parents to “turn off the lights if you’re not using them!” But we are here to tell you that our parents were on to something. While turning off the lights saves money, it also saves electricity and is more eco friendly. 

Unplugging electronics and turning off anything that uses electricity conserves more energy. Consider using energy-saving electricity options too, or stay in accommodations that offer greener electricity options. Being conscious of your electricity use is one step closer to being a green traveler.

5. Save your water!

The idea of saving your water is similar to the whole turning off the lights/electronics to save money/energy mantra. From simply turning the sink off when brushing your teeth and washing your face, to taking shorter showers, and maybe even limiting your washing machine or dishwasher use, can all help save water.

6. Technology is your friend

If your parents or friends start nagging you about using your phone so much, you can tell them it’s because you’re saving the trees! What we really mean is that with modern technology you can now get your plane, train, or bus tickets on your phone instead of printing out a paper ticket all the time.

You can also use your phone for directions instead of lugging around a big map. 

When you’re thinking of how to travel sustainably, these technology shortcuts are great examples among many others.

7. Stay at green accommodations 

Eco lodges and eco friendly establishments are some of the coolest places you could stay.

Similar to how there are different types of accommodations to stay at, there are different ways that accommodations can be considered eco friendly. When staying at a hotel, there are certain certifications and seals that may be displayed in the hotel or on their website that signify it’s a certified green hotel.

Some of these certifications include: LEED certification, Green Globe, Earthcheck, Green Key Global, etc. It’s also a good idea to look at the products your accommodation offers, such as linens and toiletries to see whether they are eco friendly or not. 

From hotels to Airbnbs and everything in between, there are plenty of ways that signify whether your accommodation is green. But, sometimes the best way to know is to simply ask!

8. Respect the sites

An important part of how to travel sustainably is ensuring you are respecting the sites you visit. What we mean by the latter is that some places you visit, like a national park or a cultural heritage site, are fragile and protected environments. Making sure you follow the rules in interacting with the parks or sites is integral to being a sustainable traveler.

For example, some parks have certain paths to follow so that our human feet aren’t wearing down the earth. Or, in terms of a cultural heritage site, there may be signs and warnings from guides to not run your hands over statues or monuments. Because of their age, certain buildings, statues, monuments, etc. are susceptible to easy wear and can be fragile.

It’s also important to respect the local culture and people of the place you’re in, and to follow the rules and customs that the locals do. 

9. Don’t litter

A lot of places in the world look like this because of Western consumption. Don’t be a contributor.

Simply put, just don’t litter! No one likes to see trash sitting around when they visit a place. Just like we would respect our own homes and not throw trash around inside or out, we must remember to respect wherever we are and do the same. 

A lot of things we use in our day to day life and things we consider trash are harmful to the environment. We must all do our part to be less wasteful and respect the local environment we are visiting to keep it beautiful and inviting for future visitors.

10. Buy local!

You may not think about this as a way to travel sustainably, but buying local does wonders for the local community. Going to local restaurants, shops, and art galleries are great ways to support small businesses and give back to the local community. 

Think about it: The more visitors and income that goes to local businesses and people, the more opportunities the locals have to make their homes a great place to visit. Visiting local businesses while you travel may also produce some of the most memorable and authentic moments of your trip.

11. Explore Earth’s natural beauty 

While it’s fun to go to shops, restaurants, museums, and sports arenas while you travel, sometimes we may forget the most wonderful sites to see are Earth’s natural landscapes. More often than not, part of the reason why you traveled to the destination you’re in is because of its beauty. 

Research the best local hikes to really explore the area. You’ll feel good after all that exercise and the views at the top of your hike will definitely be worth all that sweat! Or do you enjoy leisure activities? Research the best beaches, parks, gardens, and other outdoor areas.

Sometimes being outdoors and in nature (when the time allows it) is the best way to slow down and really enjoy the place you’re in.

12. Invest and search for programs that offer sustainable travel

One of the most important things you can do is to travel with a program that’s conscious of its impact.

It goes without saying that choosing certain travel programs or tours that stress sustainable travel is one of the best ways to travel green. There are many destinations that are also known for being sustainable, like Costa Rica and New Zealand. 

Traveling with eco friendly travel companies will teach you how to be a smart and sustainable traveler. In addition to practicing green travel daily, you will learn how to be an eco friendly advocate for your future travels!

Check out these green providers for some eco friendly travel programs:

• The GREEN Program
• Global Experiences  
• Kaya Responsible Travel
• Volunteer Encounter

Sign up for a FREE MyGoAbroad account to find, save, and compare green travel programs

Eco friendly travel is more important than ever .

Now more than ever, we see how our Earth is changing every day because of the modern lifestyles of humans. None of us want to hear that the privilege of traveling is canceled because of the effect it has on the environment. 

We all have to do our part as global citizens and take those next steps in researching and implementing eco friendly travel alternatives. Only then will we be able to feel confident about the future of our land and homes, and only then will we maintain the ability to travel for subsequent generations.

Feeling uninspired? Sign up for GoAbroad’s 20 Days of Travel Inspo for a daily dose of wanderlust!

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8 sustainable travel tips from expert green travelers

Editor's Note

If you've recently taken a bucket-list trip or visited an iconic city, you know the need for sustainable tourism has never been more pressing.

Beloved destinations — including Bora Bora, the Maldives , Barcelona and Venice, Italy, among others — are facing existential challenges, either from climate change or sheer overcrowding.

However, it's one thing to recognize the importance of eco-friendly tourism; it's another to put principles into practice.

There's no doubt the travel industry has played a part in creating economic stability and driving positive growth in locations across the globe, but the downsides are clear. Overcrowding, environmental damage and a strain on resources are just a few ways an increase in tourism can have a harmful impact on a destination.

As a result, many locales are taking significant steps to reverse course in order to save their fragile ecosystems before it's too late. From bans on megaships and vacation rentals to strict visitor limitations, governments worldwide are taking drastic measures.

At TPG, we know travel is an essential part of life and overall a great experience — one we never want to give up. That has become even more true in recent years as we've all dealt with extended periods of time when we could not travel due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Related: Updated: A country-by-country guide to coronavirus reopenings

However, we should not (and cannot) let traveling be an occasion or excuse for us to disregard concerns for our planet. It's vital that we do our part to be more mindful about the decisions we make when we travel.

To help you minimize your impact on the planet when you travel, we've asked experts at TPG and Red Ventures sister sites Lonely Planet , Platea and Elsewhere , plus experts at the United Nations Environmental Program, to weigh in on what you can do to be an eco-conscious traveler. Here are eight strategies they suggest to make your next trip more sustainable.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Explore under-the-radar locations

Overtourism is one of the biggest threats facing the travel industry. About 80% of all travelers visit the same five to 10 spots in each country, according to data from the World Economic Forum .

During peak season, popular cities experience as much as a 70% population increase, resulting in strains on everything from infrastructure to the environment.

"A low-season visit can help offset the boom and bust cycle many destinations endure, and it'll give you a more solitary, intimate look at the place itself," shared Alexander Howard, managing editor at Lonely Planet.

To avoid adding to overtourism concerns, travelers can get creative when deciding where to go next.

"Skip Machu Picchu and opt for Choquequirao — these Incan ruins only draw 20 visitors per day," said Alexis Bowen, founder of sustainable travel startup Elsewhere and CEO at Lonely Planet.

Or, consider a trip to a smaller European destination instead of one on everyone's bucket list. Oftentimes, the experience will prove far more authentic and memorable than what you'd experience in tourism hot spots like Paris and London .

"Last month, I took a weekend trip to Procida, a small fishing island off the coast of Naples ... far from the bling of Italy 's Amalfi Coast," Bowen said. "We were told about an 'agriturismo' [a sustainable farm] with incredible food on the neighboring island of Ischia, so we hopped on a ferry to check it out. ... When the food started coming, it was whatever Giuseppe [the owner] was cooking that day using ingredients from his farm. The food was simple but delicious ... and this moment was our definition of pure luxury."

Related: From theme parks to power plants, why Denmark is our sustainable destination of 2022

Choose every aspect of your itinerary wisely

"Ethical travel is also about being mindful of what you consume on the road," said Sarah Reid, Lonely Planet writer and sustainable travel expert. "This includes everything from the food you eat to the activities you sign up for. Ideally, you should opt for experiences that have a low environmental footprint, such as kayaking instead of Jet Skiing, and have a positive impact on the local community."

Being eco-friendly doesn't mean you have to severely restrict what you do, though. Enlist the expertise of an adventure company that combines thrilling experiences with environmental preservation. Award-winning travel outfitter ROW Adventures, for example, offers an array of low-impact adventures worldwide, including sailing excursions in Croatia; kayaking outings in La Paz , Mexico; and hiking trips in Peru and Corsica , France.

Also consider destinations that foster ethical tourist consumption like Puerto Rico . By embracing sustainable farming techniques and highlighting local businesses and tour operators after Hurricane Maria's devastating impact on the island in 2017 exposed its over-reliance on mainland exports, Puerto Rico has emerged as a top spot for sustainability in the U.S.

Puerto Rico offers "so many ways to give back to the community" through sustainable businesses like bed-and-breakfast accommodations and shops, shared Adriana Serrano, brand manager for San Juan-based travel website Platea. You'll also find many farm-to-table options where locally sourced ingredients are on the menu, helping cut down on greenhouse gases while improving the overall quality of what you're eating.

Embrace slow travel

When Greta Thunberg stopped flying as part of her crusade against climate change in 2015, she triggered a surge of interest in train travel , as well as the adoption of a couple of catchy Swedish concepts: "tagskryt" (train-bragging) and "flygskam" (flight shame).

Sebastian Modak, Lonely Planet's editor-at-large, advises travelers to avoid thinking faster means better. "Slowing down can be better for the planet, and it will also allow you to really soak in every sensation and experience instead of rushing through a checklist," he said.

Train travel is essential to the art of slow travel. It allows you to connect with off-the-beaten-path towns and cities that you'd normally miss if you flew a direct route. Plus, it has a smaller carbon footprint than other modes of transportation.

"As part of the UN's sustainable travel agenda, we recommend all journeys of less than 600 kilometers (or 373 miles) be taken by train," United Nations Environmental Program officer Helena Rey de Assis told TPG.

But don't assume that traveling by train means you have to sacrifice on comfort.

"You can still travel in style and lower your impact," Rey de Assis said. "There have been massive rail investments in luxurious services, especially in Sweden, Italy and Austria ."

By allotting a little more time for the journey, you'll discover more charm and character than what you may find in more common transit hubs, all while lessening your impact on the environment.

Reduce your carbon dioxide emissions

Of all the ways you can get from point A to point B, traveling by air is by far the most harmful to the planet.

The airline industry is responsible for roughly 3% of global industry emissions, according to the World Economic Forum. However, its convenience makes it a transportation option that won't fall out of favor any time soon. So, to reduce the environmental harm flights cause, experts are increasingly encouraging travelers to offset their carbon footprint.

Carbon offsetting involves donating money to environmental projects around the world to make up for your carbon output. But does paying to offset greenhouse gasses emitted during air travel merely enable people to continue choosing less sustainable options?

"There's some truth to that," said Katie Genter, a senior writer at TPG. "But if you're going to fly, offsetting your carbon emissions is better than doing nothing."

Know, though, that not every organization that says it offsets carbon emissions is created equal.

"You'll find many companies and organizations willing to take your money, but not all of these companies provide high-quality carbon offsets," Genter explained. "One of the easiest ways to donate ... is to choose a project listed on Green-e Climate or Climate Action Reserve, or donate directly to a project through Gold Standard."

You can also make strategic choices about routes, aircraft and airplane cabins that will lessen your impact. Since takeoffs and landings consume considerably more fuel than the rest of the journey, travel by the most direct route when possible. Remember, too, that traveling in premium cabins (like business or first class) will increase your carbon footprint.

Give back to the local community

Around 80% of low-income countries rely on tourism revenue, yet 90% of tourism dollars earned are pocketed by foreign-owned businesses, according to a Brookings Institute report .

As a result, a considerable amount of money coming from tourism does not end up going back into the local economy , which is essential to supporting local communities and ensuring their cultures, traditions and more can thrive for generations to come.

"Traveling responsibly and supporting the local economy means different things to different travelers," said Daniel Fahey, a Lonely Planet guidebook author and editor. "This might mean choosing a family-owned lodge instead of a chain hotel, dining in a restaurant that sources its produce locally or taking a paddle boarding trip with a local guide."

Wherever you travel, look for opportunities to make a difference through volunteer opportunities, wildlife rescue programs and beach cleanup events. Hands-on experiences in destinations across the globe (including Alaska , South Africa , Thailand and Bhutan) are easy to find through travel companies like Discover Corps, which specializes in grassroots, off-the-beaten-path travel.

For example, voluntourism trips in Costa Rica may include stays at high-end ecolodges and monitoring wildlife along key biological corridors in the rainforest.

Pick accommodations with good environmental credentials

You don't have to be a backpacker who camps every place they visit to be an eco-conscious traveler .

In recent years, there's been a spike in interest for quality eco-friendly lodging that marries environmental consciousness with style and comfort. In fact, 81% of travelers plan on looking for sustainable accommodations in the next year (up from 62% in 2016), according to Booking.com's 2021 Sustainable Travel Report .

TPG writer Lori Zaino is one of those travelers.

"I consider many things beyond just if the hotel recycles or has ditched single-use amenities," Zaino said. "Sustainable tourism is also about supporting the local community whenever possible, so whenever I can, I stay with Fairbnb, a vacation rental website that gives 50% of its proceeds back to a community project local to my destination. I like to support family-owned hotels, too, especially in places overrun with large hotels."

Related: The Brando: A sustainability leader in the hotel industry

Be a responsible wildlife tourist

Any time you are offered the chance to ride an animal, take a selfie with one or participate in any kind of animal "show," odds are the creature's welfare is not front and center.

TPG contributor Melanie Haiken advises travelers to "see wildlife in the wild or in highly rated sanctuaries that take only animals that can't be returned to the wild. While there are ethical private animal rescue facilities and preserves, there are also many (like the one exposed in the 'Tiger King' documentary) where animals are treated poorly or obtained by underhanded means. Many operations also stress the animals by not giving them enough space and privacy and allowing too much visitor contact. This goes for sea life, too — there is no dolphin that likes to be ridden!"

Several options are available if you wish to see wildlife in a thrilling yet humane way. Tour operator G Adventures works with World Animal Protection and the Jane Goodall Institute to design ethical wildlife-focused experiences for travelers. Additionally, there's small-group tour company Intrepid Travel, which is renowned for its commitment to sustainable travel, as evidenced by its decision in 2014 to remove elephant rides from its tours before other major international travel providers.

Eliminate single-use plastics

In many destinations, the sight of plastic bottles strewn across beaches , parks and waterways has become disturbingly common. Plastic waste is a major health hazard for living organisms, particularly marine life. Billions of tonnes of plastics made from 1950 to 2017 are discarded, and of that waste, roughly 75% ends up in landfills or ecosystems like rivers, forests and oceans, according to reporting by The Guardian .

"The pandemic has exacerbated problems with single-use plastics and disposable masks," Rey de Assis said. "With smaller island nations that don't have effective waste management systems, it becomes a plastic storm. In the Mediterranean Sea, 40% of waste can be attributed to tourism."

Following the sustainable trifecta (reduce, reuse and recycle) can dramatically help preserve the environment. Miniature shampoo, conditioner and lotion bottles are a major source of plastic waste and are especially problematic for small island nations.

Lonely Planet's senior news editor, Melissa Yeager, avoids using travel-size bottles whenever possible. "Reuse/refill previous containers or look around your house and repurpose things like contact lens cases or other small containers and fill them," she said.

Hotel groups, including Marriott and IHG , have already switched to single-use refillable toiletry bottles, and other brands look set to follow suit. Some destinations like Hawaii are even aiming to eliminate them completely.

Whenever possible, try to refill and bring along your own travel-size containers. If you must use small containers provided by the hotel, always save what's left for your next trip.

Related: What is the Malama Hawaii program — and why is it a model for the tourism industry?

Bottom line

As travelers and frequent flyers, we need to strike a balance between reducing our carbon footprint and supporting destinations that rely on tourism. Sustainability begins when you choose your destination and consider who is going to benefit from your tourism dollars.

By committing to being more mindful of how we travel and visiting places where fragile ecosystems are cared for and local communities are supported, we can all help preserve our beautiful planet.

On Earth Day, ignite your wanderlust and travel responsibly

Let Earth Day jumpstart your commitment to responsible travel as you begin to dream about your next stay away.| By Sarah Orrison | April 22, 2021 (Updated April 26, 2023)

Earth Day is the perfect time to reflect on your steadfast commitment to traveling green. Travel gives 47% of Americans an appreciation of nature, according to our To New Memories survey , confirming that we marvel at our natural world when on vacation. In fact, some might say that traveling responsibly and creating memorable experiences are inextricably linked. Discover that connection for yourself by exploring stays at these innovative properties that are defining what responsible travel looks like, such as:

Staying under a grass rooftop that keeps you warm

Soaking in a high-efficiency plunge pool, nestled among native desert plants

Savoring fresh oysters, knowing the shells are recycled to rebuild reefs

A refreshing way to conserve water

Aren’t we all looking for a refreshed perspective after a trip? Travel helps you achieve physical, mental and intellectual well-being while also inspiring you to connect with your natural surroundings. With ever-present water challenges across the globe, we’re committed to reducing our water use intensity by 50% by 2030 as part of our Travel With Purpose strategy .

The power of water

Tap the tabs below to dip a toe in at one of these awe-inspiring Hilton properties working to conserve water in their operations.

Luxury escape

Urban oasis

Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal

The resort’s authentic landscape utilizes a number of native desert plants that require minimal watering. Water and electricity consumption have also been greatly reduced with the hotel’s larger-capacity machines for laundry, enabling housekeeping staff to run fewer loads of laundry per day.

Conrad Washington, DC

Cool yourself on the outdoor terrace with a rooftop garden as your backdrop. The hotel’s on-site stormwater management system captures 97% of rainfall and uses it to irrigate the hotel’s outdoor terraces and to cool its air conditioning towers.

Hilton Garden Inn Dubai Mall of the Emirates

Since its opening in a region with water scarcity issues, the hotel’s grey water recycling system has helped cut water consumption.

Addressing climate change

The desire for unique experiences and trying new things drives us to travel. While filling up on adventure, you can also make a positive impact on the world by looking for opportunities to lower your carbon footprint and travel consciously. This takes on new life at our properties that prioritize sustainability.

Green, serene

Tap the tabs below to see beautiful, sustainable scenes of the new Hilton Garden Inn on the remote Faroe Islands.

Island sustainability

Renewable energy

Hilton Garden Inn Faroe Islands

A unique, exquisitely beautiful and modern hotel, built with sustainability in mind. Tap through these photos to see this archipelago-based property that's the epitome of Nordic beauty and comfort.

Take it from the top

The hotel’s roof is covered in grass, which efficiently insulates the building, reducing the need for extra heat. It also immerses the hotel in the natural landscape and serene surroundings.

Seas the day

The hotel is powered by renewable energy from a local power plant that captures leftover energy from a range of industries including from the Islands’ thriving salmon fishing industry.

Hilton hint

"A big focus area for Hilton's design team is sustainability. From incorporating reclaimed wood elements to eco-friendly textiles, the team is always thinking of innovative ways for our guests to Travel with Purpose at our properties." -Ashley Michaels, Hilton Team Member, Global Design

Explore more, waste less

Your passion for conscious living doesn’t have to stop when you travel. We’ve pledged to reduce our waste – including food waste – by 50% by 2030. We’re working hard to ensure the destinations where we operate can remain vibrant and resilient for generations of travelers to come.

Hotels lead the way

Get to know these industrious properties that are reducing waste.

Heart of Brisbane

Rome Cavalieri, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel

To reduce food refuse, the hotel partners with a local nonprofit to supply leftover bread to a local brewery, which employs prisoners as part of a work release program. The brewery uses the leftover bread to create its own beer, which is then sold at the hotel.

Hilton Brisbane

Through a multitude of recycling programs with community partners, the hotel diverts up to 10,000 items a month from landfills and is able to fund environmental and social justice projects with the funds generated.

Sourcing responsibly

Immersing yourself in local customs, food and events is easy when responsible sourcing is seamlessly woven into your stay experience. Relish in your deserved time off with sustainably sourced dishes, art and design elements. Come away with lifelong memories and deep appreciation for a new culture.

Part of the community

Make connections with new people and cultures at one of these Hilton properties that aims to preserve and enrich the local community.

Welcome to the hive

Know thy neighbor

Hilton New Orleans Riverside

The world is your oyster here. The hotel has provided over 700 tons of oyster shells as part of the nation’s largest shell recycling program to rebuild coral reefs in the Gulf of Mexico.

Hilton London Bankside

Be a part of the local community in London’s vibrant South Bank. From buzzing with the bees atop the rooftop meadow, eating locally sourced ingredients in your breakfast dish, to exploring the city on your sustainable volcanic bike, you can incorporate eco-consciousness into every part of your stay.

Conrad Manila

The hotel features an expansive collection of over 700 art pieces by respected contemporary local artists that fosters an interactive appreciation of the Philippines, whilst promoting sustainability and environmental protection.

Hilton Bali Resort

The hotel started a “Know Thy Neighbor” project to incorporate local vendors and producers into the food and beverage offerings, ensuring support for small local enterprises and sustainable growth.

Earth Day is the perfect time to reignite your wanderlust and set out to explore beautiful Mother Nature. We are proud to partner with our hotels and guests to protect our planet. Together, we can preserve the spectacular destinations we get to engage with for generations to come.

Sarah Orrison is a Hilton Team Member with a passion for storytelling and breakthrough creative. She is a Senior Manager on the Content Marketing team.

Find your sustainable stay

Check out what these hotels are doing toward planet-friendlier travel.

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Green Global Travel

World's largest independently owned Ecotourism / Green Travel / Sustainable Travel / Animal & Wildlife Conservation site. We share transformative Responsible Travel, Sustainable Living & Going Green Tips that make a positive impact.

Going Green: 60 Earth Day Tips You Can Use Every Day

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. All hosted affiliate links follow our editorial policies .

Earth Day was originally conceived by environmental activist John McConnell back in 1969. But it was U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson who founded it as an environmental teach-in held on April 22, 1970. Many people consider this event the birth of the “Going Green” movement.

Observed every year on April 22, this day of environmental awareness has grown by leaps and bounds over the past 48 years. From the historic 2016 singing of the Paris Climate Agreement to the 2017 March For Science , it has become a day of great significance for eco activists.

Coordinated by the Earth Day Network, there are now annual events held in 193 countries around the world to promote the idea that we, as humans, should protect the environment.

But the truth is that we shouldn’t wait for Earth Day to practice environmental stewardship.

Green living is a lot easier than you might think. It doesn’t require some big, grand gesture, but rather lots of little incremental changes that collectively can reduce our negative impact on the planet.

To help you navigate the path to more sustainable living, we’ve outlined 60 Earth Day tips you can use everyday on everything from how to reduce/reuse/recycle and eco-friendly gardening to saving energy and water and traveling responsibly .

We call them “baby steps to going green.”

READ MORE: What is Ecotourism? (History & Principles of Responsible Travel)

• What Going Green Means
• Reduce/Reuse/Recycle Tips
• Kitchen Green Tips
• Eco-Friendly Bathroom Tips
• Home Energy-Saving Tips
• Water Saving Tips
• Organic Gardening Tips
• Gas Saving Tips (For Road Trips)
• Green Travel Tips
• Responsible Animal Encounters
• Additional Resources for Going Green

WHAT GOING GREEN MEANS

So what does it mean to “go green”? It’s really all about learning how to live a more mindful, eco-friendly, and sustainable lifestyle, and then putting that knowledge into practice.

Inspiration for this transformative movement is everywhere. There are countless blogs , books, and videos offering advice on a wide variety of green tips and environmental subjects.

These days it’s easy to find info on anything from alternative energy, biodiversity, and conservation to organic farming, responsible trave l , and sustainable development.

No matter who you are or where you live, there are hundreds of ways to go green in virtually every aspect of our daily lives. There are ways to reduce our negative impact on the planet when we clean our homes, tend our gardens, go to work, eat, travel, use water, and dispose of waste.

Once we begin to embrace a more ecologically responsible way of life, we find ourselves seeking more ways to take a less exploitative, more regenerative approach to natural resources. What started for us back in 2008 as a budding interest is now a driving passion for protecting the planet.

As more people join the increasingly mainstream movement, our collective impact becomes much greater.

READ MORE: 

• 10 Eco-Lessons in Quotes from the Lorax (Dr Seuss’ Conservation Classic)
• Baby Steps To Go Green
• Hobbies That Can Offset Your Carbon Footprint
• How To Go Green In Your Neighborhood
• 5 Green Tips for Pet Care

REDUCE/REUSE/RECYCLE TIPS

1) Go to the America Recycles Day website, enter your zip code and Join An Event (most are on/around Nov. 15) in your community. Near our home, we located more than a dozen events ranging from Aluminum Can Round-ups benefitting local schools to metal and electronics recycling.

2) Visit the Earth911  site to learn ways to dispose of unusual household products ranging from paint thinner and used batteries to broken computers and cell phones. Many common household items contain horrible chemicals that seep into the ground and contaminate a community’s drinking water, but they can help you locate a place to recycle them safely.

3) Got something to get rid of that others might be able to use? Goodwill will take just about anything you’re willing to donate and give you a tex receipt. But if you don’t want to deal with the trouble of loading, driving, etc. we recommend Freecycle . There, you can list just about anything (we’ve given away mirrors, kids’ play sets, old toys, and more) and people will come pick it up!

4) Make it a point to buy products made from recycled materials. Do research online to find companies that specialize in eco-friendly items, including Alchemy Goods, Ecoist, Eco-Artware.com, Greenandmore.com, and TerraCycle, Inc. Make sure your money is going to companies that believe in and support the development of a green economy.

5) Start composting! We compost virtually everything, from dead flowers and plant-based kitchen scraps to shredded paper and used coffee grounds. It’s remarkably easy to do, helps to reduce waste going to the local landfill, and provides a nutrient boost for your flowers and/or vegetable garden .

KITCHEN GREEN TIPS

6)  Did you know that just by using a lid to cover a pot on the stove top, you can reduce your energy use by up to two-thirds? It also allows you to heat food faster, saving you both time and effort.

7) Simultaneously preparing more than one food in the same pot is another easy way to save time and energy. For example, while you’re boiling pasta you can easily steam some fresh vegetables over the top of  the pan.

8)  Paper products account for about a 1/3 of the waste commonly found in landfills. Sponges, washcloths, and towels are cheaper, reusable, and take up less space than paper towels. And when they get dirty, they’re easily disinfected by boiling them in hot water. No waste necessary!

9)    Before there were chemical-laden cleaning products on grocery store shelves, people used natural things to clean. Lemons have AMAZING antibacterial qualities and will leave your kitchen smelling fresh as a spring morning. Even tough stains on kitchen countertops can be removed by simply leaving lemon juice on the stain for a few minutes, and then wiping it away with a wet cloth.

10) When you’re not using them for compost, used coffee grounds are an easy, greener alternative to poisonous pest repellents. Just sprinkle some grounds around any areas of the home that are prone to ants and you’ll get rid of a pesky problem without inhaling toxic fumes.

11)  Still have more coffee grounds to spare? You can use them to help remove grease and stuck-on food remnants from your pots and pans. Just mix the grounds with a little water and the coffee’s abrasive, acidic properties will make relatively cleaning quick and painless.

12) Keep the oven door shut! When baking, try to resist the temptation to peek at those cookies every 2 minutes to see if they’re ready to nom yet. Opening the oven door lets valuable heat escape and prolongs the time it takes for the food to cook, thus wasting a considerable amount of energy.

13)  The microwave is your friend. Microwave ovens use up to 80% less energy than a conventional oven does. It also cooks faster, leaving you more time to commit to other environmentally-friendly activities!

14)  Forgo your desire to be the next Martha Stewart and toss out all those fancy-shmancy cooking gadgets. Using good old-fashioned elbow grease is the most energy-efficient way to cook. For example, use knives instead of food processors, spoons rather than electric mixers, etc.

15)  Baking soda and vinegar are not only great cleaners, but both are non-toxic and remarkably cheap.  To clean counters, simply sprinkle baking soda on a wet cloth and wipe it down. Vinegar can also be used as a disinfectant. Use a little lemon juice to help cover up the vinegar smell.

• Making Sense of FDA Labeling
• How to Avoid Products Made With Palm Oil
• Why Palm Oil is Bad for the Planet
• Top Foods To Buy Organic (& When It’s Not Necessary)
• GMO OMG! What The Hell Are they Putting In Our Food?!
• The Monsanto Protection Act & GMO Foods
• 40 Healing Vegetables, Nature’s Medicine
• Invasive Species List: 10 Destructive Species You Can Eat
• Eating Wildly with Urban Foraging Expert Ava Chin

ECO-FRIENDLY BATHROOM TIPS

16) A mixture of vinegar and water makes a miracle cleaner when it comes to getting rid of mildew buildup in the tub. Simply spray the solution on the problem area, let sit, then wipe away. Soap scum can be removed with a baking soda paste composed of baking soda and dish soap. Scrub with a toothbrush to remove stubborn patches.

17) Newspaper works great for cleaning mirrors and glass in the bathroom, and won’t leave behind a trail of lint like paper towels do.

18)  Instead of using powerful (but harmful) chemical cleaners to clear a clogged drain, use a combination of baking soda and vinegar. First manually remove what you can from the drain, then add the vinegar mixture. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes, and then run some hot water down the drain.

19) To maintain a sparkling clean toilet, use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar rather than harmful chemicals. Scrub the toilet once a week to keep it at its cleanest. Add dish soap to the mix to tackle tough stains and make your sink sparkle!

20) There’s nothing grosser than a dirty bathroom floor. Try mopping the floor with a mixture of baking soda and warm water. You can add some lemon juice for a fresh scent that’s WAY better than Pine-Sol. Hang your bath mats to dry after every use in order to avoid a build-up of mildew.

• 10 Ways For Using Castile Soap
• DIY Homemade Natural Hair Care Products
• 5 Environmentally Friendly Homemade Toiletries
• The Green Way To Organize Your House & Home

HOME ENERGY-SAVING TIPS

21) Ceiling fans can be used to create a killer breeze, or simply to circulate the air from your AC throughout the house more efficiently.   22)  Opt-out of any catalogs or subscriptions you don’t read or could read electronically instead. You can also opt out of receiving unsolicited junk mail by calling toll-free 1-888-567-8688 or visiting www.optoutprescreen.com (both operated by the major consumer reporting companies).   23) Replace any of your old appliances with Energy Star qualified appliances, including refrigerators, microwaves, washing machines, dishwashers, etc. These energy-efficient models use approximately 50% less electricity than comparable models.   24) In addition to thwarting peeping toms, closing your windows, shades, and blinds keeps the sun from turning your room into something Dante might have dreamed up. When night falls, you can open the ones oriented toward prevailing winds in order to catch the cooling cross-breeze.   25) Change your air filters regularly (once every three months is best if you have pets in your home) and upgrade your water heater. Then install a programmable thermostat to regulate temperature.

• Spring Green Your Home
• How to Make Your Fireplace More Energy Efficient
• How to Audit Your Green Home
• Ted Turner on Saving the World with Alternative Energy
• NRG Energy CEO David Crane on the Ivanpah Solar Plant

WATER-SAVING TIPS

31) A full bath may be luxurious and relaxing, but it’s also very wasteful. An average bathtub can take up to 70 gallons of water to fill, while a 5-minute shower uses just 10-25 gallons. Better yet, why not shower with your partner? Together, you’ll save nearly 100 gallons of water!

32)  Installing a low-flow shower head costs just $20, but this simple screw-on attachment can reduce your water usage by 50-70%! Better still, installing a DIY shower shutoff valve will allow you to cut the water off while you get soapy without having to re-tweak your temperature.

33) Any toilet manufactured before 1992 uses at least 3.5 gallons per flush. Modern low-flow toilets use less than 1.28 gallons, saving 60% of the water. A new toilet may cost a few hundred bucks, but it will save you several thousand dollars in water consumption over its lifetime.

34) A big part of our water problem isn’t just that we over-use, but that we don’t make the most of the water we have. Put a bucket in the shower to catch the grey water, then use that to flush your toilet. My grandmother used to wash dishes in a plastic bin, then pour the nutrient-rich water over her plants.

35) According to the EPA, a typical single-family home uses about 30% of their water to keep their lawn green. In many cases, more than half of that water is being wasted due to evaporation and runoff caused by overwatering. Instead of high-maintenance lawns, consider using the natural landscaping of your region, or perhaps creating an edible garden to offset your water usage.

• DIY Rainwater Harvesting Tips
• How To Save Water: 15 Water Conservation Methods
• Cirque du Soleil’s Guy Laliberté On His Water NGO, the ONE DROP Foundation
• Water.Org Water Credit Director April Rinne
• The Real Erin Brockovich on Water Pollution

ORGANIC GARDENING TIPS

36) Choose native plants with brightly colored red, purple and yellow flowers if you want to attract birds and provide shelter. Providing a source of water, whether via natural springs, birdbaths, or ponds, will also help to attract birds and other wildlife.

37) Create a simple DIY rainwater harvesting system that collects water run-off for use on your lawn and garden. All you need is a 50-gallon barrel, a screen for filtering, and a spigot. We found someone who sells them pre-made for $50, and now we collect 150 gallons every time it rains!

38) Recycled containers (such as yogurt cups, egg cartons, and toilet paper rolls) are great for starting your seeds indoors. Simply use a nail to poke drainage holes in the bottom, and ensure the containers are thoroughly cleaned before planting.

39) Start composting by collecting non-meat food scraps and plant debris outside in a bin . Moisture, heat and aeration will help to speed up the process. You can also use coffee grounds and dried, crushed up eggshells to make a great organic fertilizer! Simply spread some around your plants and flowers, or mix some into the soil before planting.

40) Let your garden truly go green by minimizing the area of turf grass. Reduce chemical use by using natural organic weed control (vinegar, salt, and dish soap) and fertilizer (horse manure is free and works great for improving soil over the winter). You can also let the birds be your pest control for ants, spiders, and other insects.

• What Is Permaculture Gardening? (Intro to Design & Principles)
• Permaculture Design Principles (12 Steps to a More Productive Garden)
• What is Aquaponics? The Ultimate Beginners Guide
• Eco Friendly Gardening For Spring
• How To Make A Do It Yourself Vertical Garden
• How To Compost At Home
• Homemade Fertilizer
• Mushroom Growing Guide
• DIY Wildlife Habitat
• How to Attract Birds To Your Garden
• Benefits of a Certified Wildlife Habitat
• Is Will Harris’ White Oak Pastures the Future of Sustainable Farming?

GAS SAVING TIPS (FOR ROAD TRIPS)

41) There’s a widespread rumor that using premium fuel helps to improve your car’s fuel economy.  This is totally false. If you believe this, I know some BP executives who have a story about the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill not impacting wildlife to sell you.

42) Another crazy rumor is that you need to warm your vehicle up for 15 minute in colder months before driving it. This is also not true. The only reason to warm your car up is so that you’ll be toasty inside it and the windows will defrost. If you really want to conserve energy, wear warm clothes  for the former and use a pitcher of hot water on the latter.

43)   The myth that it takes more gas to start a car than it does to let it idle is one of the biggest misconceptions about fuel economy. Idling uses 1/4 to 1/2 a gallon of gas in an hour, costing just a couple of cents per minute. So if you’re stuck in stop-and-go traffic, it’s not worth it to stop and restart your car. But if you’re going to be idling for long, you’ll probably want to shut it off.

44)  There are tons of “miracle products” at the gas station– known as aftermarket additives– that make bold claims about improving your gas mileage. But both  Consumer Reports  and the Federal Trade Commission have repeatedly refuted such claims. The only thing these products really do is lighten the load on your wallet!

45) If you really want to save money on road trips, the best things to do are drive sensibly (aggressive driving lowers gas mileage by 33%), maintain a steady speed, and remove excess weight (100 pounds in your trunk reduces your mpg by 2%).  In terms of upkeep, keep your engine properly tuned, tires properly inflated, use your car’s recommended grade of motor oil, and and consider upgrading to a hybrid vehicle such as a Prius.

• The World’s Best Road Trips (World Travel Bucket List)
• Our Epic Fjords of Norway Road Trip
• A State By State Guide to U.S. National Parks
• 10 Awesome Australian Road Trips
• A Road Trip to 10 Incredible Iceland Waterfalls

GREEN TRAVEL TIPS

46) Whenever you leave your hotel room, always turn off all the lights, heater or air conditioner, and TV. You can also close the curtains to keep the sun from heating up the room during the day.

47)  Most of us do not wash our sheets and towels or vacuum the floors in our home every day. So why do it when you travel? We love to leave the “Do Not Disturb” sign on the door of our hotel so that the housekeeping staff won’t clean our room every day. This helps to save on cleaning supplies and the electricity used to vacuum and wash  linens.

48)  Save water by taking a BPA-free water bottle you can refill (LifeStraw works great for countries where water quality may be questionable). It also helps to turn off water while brushing your teeth and shaving, then turn it back on when you’re ready to rinse.

49) Use just one bar of soap for both sink and shower, and always take any unused remnants home for later use. Hotel staff will otherwise just throw them out.

50)  NEVER use the hotel’s laundry services, unless you have a full load that needs to be cleaned. Hotels will typically wash each guest’s clothes separately, even if there are only a few items. Washing just a few items wastes a ton of water!

51) If you go hiking, it’s best to do so with a local naturalist guide who can help you understand the ecosystem. If you do go alone, always tick to marked trails to avoid harming native flora. And consider taking a bag along to pick up trash you see along your journey.

52) Shop smarter. Read labels and don’t be afraid to ask questions like, “What is this item made from?” All over the planet, unscrupulous people sell items made from non-sustainable hardwoods, endangered species, and ancient artifacts. You have the power to vote with your wallet.

53) Try to book green hotels and eco lodges that use alternative energy sources, manages its water use and waste effectively, employs local people and uses local products, and has a recycling program. Look for certifications from LEED, Green Globe, Rainforest Alliance, and/or the Global Sustainable Tourism Council to ensure that they follow best practice for sustainability.

54) Buy locally made products, seeking out indigenous artisans and learning about their craft. It’s a much better souvenir than cheap, mass-produced crap from China. And getting to know the person behind the piece gives you a much better understanding of the local culture.

55)  Speaking of local culture, embrace it! Try to learn a few words in the local language, listen to local music, eat what the locals eat, and maybe even learn a new dance step or two. Part of the fun of travel is learning how other people love and exploring traditions very different from your own. The more you engage, the more rewarding and transformative these experiences will be.

• What Is Ecotourism? (The History & Principles of Responsible Travel)
• 57 Simple Sustainable Travel Tips Any Traveler Can Use
• 7 Reasons Responsible Tourism is Better for Everyone
• 10 Steps to Becoming a more Responsible Traveler
• Using Permaculture Principles in Travel
• 8 Reasons Why Slow Travel is Better
• Travel Packing Tips for Long Term Trips
• How to Travel Responsibly to National Parks
• Guide to Ethical Eating When You Travel
• Green Boating Tips
• Are Backpackers Destroying the World?
• Green Travel Tips For Choosing Hotels
• What is Glamping? (A Guide to Luxury Camping)
• What is an Eco Lodge? (The Top 10 Eco Lodges in the World)
• 20+ Camping Tips & Tricks for Responsible Travelers

RESPONSIBLE  ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

56) Riding elephants is never OK, and it’s actually really bad for their bodies. Most of these peaceful pachyderms are put through a brutal training regimen known as the  phajaan, which is violent, traumatic, and designed to crush their spirit. Elephants in the tourist trade (including those who paint on the streets of Asia) are often abused , usually at the painful end of electric prods or bull hooks.

57) Remember earlier, how we suggested embracing local cultural traditions when you travel? It’s also important to be conscious of when local traditions do not align with responsible travel ideals. It may be popular to watch bullfighting in Spain , bear-baiting in Pakistan, and cockfighting in parts of Latin America. But that doesn’t make it ethical for the animals that suffer as a result.

58)  Many places in Africa offer “walking with lions” experiences under the premise of helping with lion conservation. This a terrible idea, both for your safety and that of the animals. Often these facilities are breeding grounds for the illicit canned hunting trade! Cuddling an adorable lion cub may seem like a dream come true, but the reality is that it’ll be a hunter’s trophy within a few years.

59)  If you’re going to go snorkeling or Scuba diving, make sure the tour operator employs responsible guides. Ask whether they allow divers to touch or stand on coral, chum the waters to attract fish, offer any sort of marine conservation education to their guests, or give back to the local community.

60) Don’t buy products made from ivory (or any other animal part, for that matter). Ivory comes from the tusks of elephants, walruses, hippos and narwhal, and were once traded amongst indigenous people. But now it’s illegal to buy or sell ivory, and doing so means you are directly contributing to the death of one of these increasingly endangered animals .

• The Walking With Lions & Canned Lion Hunting Connection
• Killing for Conservation: Can Hunting Save the Black Rhino?
• How to Choose a Responsible SCUBA Diving Operator
• How to Grade Captive Dolphin Facilities
• How to Find Responsible Horseback Riding Tours
• 7 Harmful Traditional Practices Tourists Should Never Support
• Top 15 Female Wildlife Conservationists & Animal Rights Activists
• Blackfish Documentary Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite Takes On Sea World
• Jill Robinson Fights To Save Wildlife Via Animals Asia Foundation
• Saving Endangered Asian Animals: 10 Best Wildlife Conservation Programs
• Primatologist Jane Goodall
• Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund CEO Tara Stoinski
• Dereck and Beverly Joubert on Wildlife Conservation
• NatGeo’s Dereck Joubert on Rhinos Without Borders
• Lek Chailert, the “Elephant Whisperer” of Thailand’s Elephant Nature Park

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR GOING GREEN

• How to Volunteer with Responsible Organizations
• Mother Nature Network Co-Founder Chuck Leavell
• Sustainable Living Expert Laura Turner Seydel’s Simple Steps To Go Green
• CeeLo Green Launches GreenHouse Foundation To Help Kids Go Green
• Al Gore On Climate Change
• Jimmy Carter on World Peace, Politics & Saving the Planet
• National Geographic Photographer Peter Essick on Our Beautiful, Fragile World
• Jimmy Nelson Photographs Vanishing Tribes in Before They Pass Away
• Jeff Corwin on Conservation, Climate Change & Ecotourism
• Jean-Michel Cousteau On His Father’s Legacy & The Future of Marine Conservation
• Marine Conservationist Guy Harvey
• Coral Restoration Foundation Celebrates World Oceans Day
• Alan Rowsome, Of The Wilderness Society On The Economics Of Conservation
• WWF Biologist Geoff York on Saving Polar Bears & Preserving the Arctic
• Arctic Activist Sebastian Copeland
• Joan Embery on Why Zoos are Good for Conservation
• GasLand Director Josh Fox On Fracking
• TIES Founder Megan Epler Wood on the Evolution & Future of Ecotourism
• Center for Responsible Travel Founder Dr. Martha Honey on Ecotourism

–includes contributions by Bret Love, Carisa Turner, Emma Jane Higgins, Holly Young & Jenni Williams

About the Author

Green Global Travel is the world's #1 independently owned ecotourism website encouraging others to embrace sustainable travel, wildlife conservation, cultural preservation, and going green tips for more sustainable living.

We've been spotlighted in major media outlets such as the BBC, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, The Guardian, Lonely Planet, National Geographic, Travel Channel, Washington Post and others.

Owned by Bret Love (a veteran journalist/photographer) and Mary Gabbett (business manager/videographer), USA Today named us one of the world's Top 5 Travel Blogging Couples. We were also featured in the 2017 National Geographic book, Ultimate Journeys for Two, for which we contributed a chapter on our adventures in Rwanda. Other awards we've won include Best Feature from both the Caribbean Tourism Organization and the Magazine Association of the Southeast.

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How green is your next vacation? Here's how to tell

Travel consumes precious natural resources, pollutes the environment and punches a hole in the ozone layer. You probably already know that most vacations are not green. But does the travel industry know?

A 2023 study by Booking.com found that 74% of travelers believe people need to "act now" to make more sustainable choices to save the planet for future generations. That's up from 66% the year before. Yet hotels continue to act as if scrapping single-use soaps and sourcing their restaurant food locally will reverse climate change. 

And airlines are making often outrageous claims that they're "sustainable" even as travelers feel the effects of climate change .

Check out   Elliott Confidential , the newsletter the travel industry doesn't want you to read. Each issue is filled with breaking news, deep insights, and exclusive strategies for becoming a better traveler. But don't tell anyone!

It has gone too far, experts say.

Learn more: Best travel insurance

"It can’t just be an impressive-sounding goal on a reusable water bottle," said Kathleen Hetrick, a sustainability engineer at the design firm Buro Happold and contributor to the book "The Regenerative Materials Movement." "There needs to be intention – and, of course, measurable action behind it."

That's a nice way of saying: "Enough is enough. No more greenwashing."

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What is 'greenwashing'?

Greenwashing, or making exaggerated claims about your sustainability to attract visitors, is everywhere.

Last fall, Austrian Airlines lost a case brought against it by a consumer organization that accused the carrier of advertising carbon-neutral flights that used 100% sustainable aviation fuel. A lower court found the advertisements to be misleading.

In December, the U.K.'s Advertising Standards Authority ruled that Air France, Lufthansa and Etihad had published ads that promised passengers would "fly more sustainably" and that they were "committed to protecting the environment." Regulators said the ads were false and misleading – and pointed out that air travel produces high levels of carbon dioxide and non-CO 2 emissions.

Closer to home, one of the biggest greenwashing cases in recent years happened at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego County, a resort that had won numerous environmental awards. Activists found that the resort was trapping and killing wildlife , including skunks and possums.

And here's the thing: It's really hard to tell if an airline or hotel is greenwashing. It's not as if there are environmental cops patrolling a resort. Your resort could make outrageously false claims about how it loves the environment, and you'd be none the wiser.

Or would you?

How can you tell if a travel business really cares about the environment?

Look, let's be honest – there's no such thing as a "green" vacation. You'll leave a carbon footprint, no matter what. But your trip can be green-ish. Here are a few questions to ask:

• Is it a B Corp? B Corps are businesses that meet a strict set of standards by the nonprofit B Lab . They include requirements for governance, workers, customers, community and the environment. You can search the directory of these forward-looking companies online. You'll see some fairly well-known brands, like Intrepid Travel . But you won't find the names of any major airlines, car rental companies or hotel chains – at least not yet.
• Does the company have any other environmental certifications? Third-party certifications from Green Key, LEED and WELL can be signs that a travel company means business about the environment. Transportation companies may also offer verified offsets from organizations like Terrapass or the Gold Standard Foundation . These certifications aren't a guarantee the company is green, but it's a good start.
• What's the company saying to everyone? If the company claims to be green, don't just take its word for it. Listen to what it says. If you see nothing but bikini models lounging around a pool on its Instagram channel or ads for online discounts on its site, perhaps it's a shade of fake green. "A company's social media strategy is generally a reflection of its current ethos and goals," said Julia Carter, founder of Craft Travel . If you see posts about sustainability and conservation, it can be a positive sign.
• How deep is its commitment to the environment? Look for reliable reports on sustainability from a travel company. For example, The Travel Corp. publishes an annual impact report that charts its progress against 11 sustainability goals developed by the United Nations. Many cruise lines also publish detailed reports that allow you to check their commitment to the environment against several objective standards. For instance, Carnival Corp. shows which goals it has completed and which are still in the works.

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Looking for a green vacation? Be skeptical

Allow me to go off-script for a minute. Most of the environmental claims made by the travel industry are nonsense. The only green it cares about is the color of your cash. I, on the other hand, care a lot about the environment. (That's why I recycled that line from a previous story.)

Seriously, though, as someone who is literally always traveling, I find there are two consistent truths: First, no matter what the travel industry claims, it's always profits over planet. In other words, if it's a choice between doing something that will help the environment versus earning money, the money wins. 

Second, travelers lie about what they want. They tell pollsters that they want to make a difference and that they care deeply about the environment. And then they turn around and book the cheapest hotel room they can find. (Is it LEED-certified? Who cares!). They choose the least expensive airline. (Does it use biofuels? It doesn't matter!). 

And that has created an environment where travelers pretend they want a green vacation – and the travel industry pretends to give it to them.

Meantime, if you're thinking of taking a green vacation, you might want to think again. Travel harms the environment no matter how you get there. If you want to be totally green, just stay home.

Elliott's tips on spotting a travel company that's greenwashing

It's difficult to exaggerate, but almost everything in the travel industry has a tinge of fake green to it. Here's how you can spot the biggest offenders and avoid them:

• Look for sleight of hand : Some companies highlight eco-friendly initiatives that are unrelated to their main environmental impact. For instance, an airline might promote a small recycling program but fail to address its carbon footprint. "It's irrelevant," said travel adviser Kristin Winkaffe, of Winkaffe Global Travel .
• Beware of a hyper-focus on one program : Greenwashing companies focus on a single initiative but miss the bigger picture, said Justin Smith, owner of The Evolved Traveler , an agency that focuses on sustainable travel. For example, a hotel that touts its commitment to abandon single-use plastics or utensils may be missing an opportunity to create a truly sustainable product by also supporting the local population. "Such practices indicate there is not a full or authentic commitment to sustainability," he said.
• Watch for vagueness and buzzwords : Be skeptical. Any hotel that calls itself green – or, worse, an "ecolodge" – deserves extra scrutiny. But even so, many of the terms thrown around aren't just buzzy, they're also fuzzy. "Vague, unverifiable claims can be a sign of trouble," said Shannon Guihan, who heads The Travel Corp.'s not-for-profit TreadRight Foundation , an environmental organization focused on supporting nature-based solutions to the climate crisis.

Christopher Elliott  is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded  Elliott Advocacy , a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes  Elliott Confidential , a travel newsletter, and the  Elliott Report , a news site about customer service. If you need help with a consumer problem, you can  reach him here  or email him at  [email protected] .

Go Green Travel Green

Travel | Sustainability | Living Responsibly

Revolutionize Your Next Trip with Green Travel: Start Exploring the Eco-Friendly Way!

You have probably heard of the terms: Green travel, organic, eco-conscious, eco-friendly, responsible, sustainable, eco-tourism , but what do they really mean? In the past several years, these environmental catchphrases have cropped up everywhere — in newspaper articles, online, in stores. But what do they all mean in the context of travel? Since these concepts are still in their formative stages, defining them is tricky. But we’ve compiled definitions from reputable sources and added our own two cents.

Definition of green travel and how to travel green

Green travel is about making conscious decisions to reduce your environmental and social impact when traveling. From sustainable tourism to eco-friendly transport, learn how to travel more responsibly and enjoy the world around you. Learn what green travel is and how to reduce your impact on the environment while exploring the world. Get tips on sustainable travel, eco-friendly activities, and ways to reduce your carbon footprint. Find out how to make a positive impact with green travel today

Eco-conscious travel

Conscious means being aware of something. Eco means concerning the environment, so “eco-conscious travel” essentially means being aware of the environment, and your impact on the environment, when you travel.

Eco-friendly travel

Again, eco relates to the environment, and we all know what friendly means, so “eco-friendly travel” means being nice to and having little impact on the environment when you travel.

Eco-Tourism

From our good friends at Ecotourism Australia , “Ecotourism is ecologically sustainable tourism with a primary focus on experiencing natural areas that fosters environmental and cultural understanding, appreciation and conservation.”

Responsible Travel

This concept expands beyond the traditional notions of environmentalism and encompasses socially-conscious travel. It means understanding, respecting, and supporting the cultures and people in the area you are visiting. We have paraphrased the definition from Lonely Planet, which seems to really hit the mark. Lonely Planet describes it as travel that considers the “triple bottom line” issues of the environment; social/cultural; and economic. Exploring Asia with Responsible Tourism

Environment

travel that strives to minimize negative environmental impacts. If possible, seeks to make positive contributions to the conservation of biodiversity, wilderness, natural and human heritage.

Social/Cultural

travel that respects traditions and culture; and looks for ways to foster authentic interaction and greater understanding between travelers and hosts.

travel that has financial advantages for the host community and operates on the principles of fair trade.

Sustainable Travel

From Detour Destinations, this is defined as “a level of tourism activity that can be maintained over the long term because it results in a net benefit for the social, economic, natural and cultural environments of the area in which it takes place.”

Organic Travel

Because so many people now associate the term “organic” with the food they consume or the clothes they wear, this term could have many meanings and interpretations. It could mean to take “staycations” where you travel close to home, visiting the museums, parks, and downtown areas. Maybe it is easy to drive to or maybe you take the bus or train to get there. Perhaps instead of taking the bus tour, you seek out a walking tour or bicycle tour. It could mean being as local as you can be wherever you are.

As an example, while on a vacation, or anywhere and anytime really, seeking out local produce from the grocery, farmers market, or road stand. It could mean eating in a local, rather than brand name, restaurant. It could mean staying in a small, local bed & breakfast instead of the larger, often more wasteful, large hotel chain.

Green Travel

As defined by the staff at GoGreenTravelGreen , we consider green travel to mean:

• Thinking about your impact on the environment (both the physical and social environment) when you travel
• Doing your part to minimize your impact on the environment — so that tourism in your destination can be maintained in the long run
• Understanding eco-friendly choices you can make
• Making eco-friendly choices when they are options
• Doing your research to be a responsible traveler
• Saving money by making low-impact choices

Definition of What is Green Travel

There are many answers to the question of what is green travel. By being mindful of your choices, it can easily become a habit. Just seek out and implement the eco-friendly options when you can.

Green Tourism: A PR Trend or Something More?

Lately, I’ve noticed a number of city or state specific green tourism sites popping up. 

• For instance, Wisconsin has a green tourism site.
• Boston has a green site. 
• San Franscico has an excellent site. 
• Minnesota (through the University of Minnesota) has launched a site. 
• Virginia was one of the first states I saw with a green tourism site.
• Even a city in Vietnam has put forth a green tourism initiative.

I’m curious about what others think about these sites and promotions. Is it just tourism hype? Or a good conscious effort to make a city green? Or somewhere in between? Personally, I think the green tourism trend seems to be a good thing. The tourism sites I’ve seen are (for the most part) really well put together with useful information. Even with the economy as it is, green tourism is growing. And it’s nice to see that cities are still pushing green travel.

Tips for meeting other green travelers

Meeting fellow travelers can be intimidating, especially when you first start traveling. But it doesn’t have to be. These tips and tricks will help you find fellow green travelers to join you on the next leg of your journey. Whether it be a day in a nearby village or a month in Costa Rica. Using these 13 tips for meeting other green travelers can be a wonderful way for everyone to benefit from conserving our earth’s precious resources.

Become a couch surfer

At Couch Surfing, you search for locals to stay with in thousands of destinations across the world, from Switzerland to Sri Lanka. You can search based on language, gender, age, and key words, so it’s easy to find someone with interests and passions similar to yours. Odds are if people are hosting couch surfers, they probably couch surf themselves so you could meet a future travel companion. It’s our kind of organization – it’s free, it’s a non-profit, and it has a conscience. According to its website, Couch Surfing’s mission is “to internationally network people and places, create educational exchanges, raise collective consciousness, spread tolerance and facilitate cultural understanding.” For other couch surfing sites, check out The Top 5 Couch surfing Sites from the Times Online.

Volunteer for the environment

At Volunteer Abroad you can search for volunteer opportunities by region, city, and interest area, including “environment.” Volunteer Latin American focuses on sustainability and conservation and offers a variety of green volunteer opportunities throughout Latin America. At Idealist.org, you can choose an interest area and a location to search for volunteer opportunities and jobs. For more green volunteering abroad ideas, check out this Green Guide post.

Use social networking sites

MySpace alone has over 20,000 groups categorized under “Places and Travel,” including World Travels, Travel Thailand, and Brazil. Join an international group or find your destination and post a call out for other green travelers in the forum.

Take the bus or train

In addition to being less environmentally-friendly, traveling by rental car is isolating. It’s hard to meet other travelers while you’re locked inside your Prius. But intra-country public transportation sets you up to be much more social. If you’re looking for traveling friends, choose to sit near other backpackers and when you get the chance, take the opportunity to talk with that German couple in your train car.

Seek out group activities

Ask the person working the hostel desk what kinds of low-budget group activities he or she would recommend. Find something that sounds interesting and sign up for it. Whether you’re whitewater rafting or taking a day trip to a nearby city, spending an entire day with other travelers will help you get to know them. And if you pick a green activity, odds are you’ll meets lots of other green travelers.

Arrange a group activity

Can’t seem to find a prearranged group activity? Set one up yourself. Ask other hostelers what they’ve done and if they’d recommend it. Look online or in your travel guide for day trips or local activities. Pick some interesting activities and invite your fellow hostelers to come along. Don’t be shy – you’ll be surprised how many others will take you up on your offer.

Search online forums

Before you head to your next destination, check out travel or backpacker message boards and forums. There are country-specific forums, like Backpacker Board in New Zealand, and international ones like those on Eurotrip.com, Trip Advisor, and Hostels.com. Try a search for “travel buddy” or “travel partner” if you’re seeking a fellow green traveler to join you on the next leg of your trip.

Strike up a conversation

It’s easy to be intimidated in new situations, but remember that everyone in a hostel is in the same boat. Start a conversation with other travelers in the hostel kitchen or the town square. Ask people where they’re from, what they like to do, where they’re headed next. If you share the same interests, suggest going out for dinner at the local organic restaurant you heard about.

Go to a meetup

Meetup.com is a free way to organize online and in-person around just about any interest. You can find meetups in your hometown before you start your travels or you can look for meetups in your destination. Join the meetups that look interesting to you and make friends with people who share your interests. In addition to great travel advice, you might also meet some future travel buddies. You can start by browsing the travel, backpackers, and environment meetups.

Contact a green travel organization

Ask around about or search online for green travel associations in the country you’re visiting. Organizations like Camp Green, Canada, which is “a national campaign of Canadians working together to improve the environment,” will be able to tell you about local green activities and connect you with other green travelers.

Take an Ecotour

Ecotours are becoming increasingly widespread to the extent that even non-environmentalists are checking them out. It’s a double-edged sword – it’s good because it means people who wouldn’t otherwise care about the environment are doing something to help it, but bad because it means it might be harder to meet other sincere green travelers. Planeta.com, which “has provided tips for travelers and locals who share a vision of eco-friendly, people-friendly and place-friendly travel” since 1994, is a great place to start.

Peruse online classified ads

Community-based online classifieds like Craigslist in the U.S. and other countries and Gumtree in Australia are good places to look for green travel events and travel partners. On Gumtree, click the “travel/travel partners” under “community” to browse ads other travelers have posted. As always with situations when you’re meeting strangers, be smart and use your better judgment. If you find a perspective green travel buddy, meet him or her in a public location.

Talk to your friends and family

Even if they don’t travel much, friends and family members likely know people who do. You never know – your mom’s college roommate’s daughter who’s majoring in environmental science might be in Costa Rica when you are. Keep your family and friends in the loop on your next travel destination and let them know you’d like to meet up with anyone they know in that country.

Environmentally friendly travel

If you follow the motto of leaving everything as you found it, then you are on your way to being kinder to the places you visit. When on a walking holiday you need to think about your impact on your surroundings and there are a few things you can do to reduce this. Travel in small groups and choose an operator that is environmentally responsible. You should also bring your own water bottles and bags to reduce the amount of plastic waste and stick to the main paths to prevent interfering with the local plant and wildlife.

Sustainable tourism

If you want to have the minimum affect on the place you are visiting then you should only use facilities and stay in places that have a benefit to the local community. Sustainable tourism is also about supporting the local businesses. Think about where you plan to stay and eat, steering towards establishments that are independently owned and run, meaning the profits stay in the local community.

Green Travel Hacks

Tips for green travel should not be only an opportunity to revel in the beauty of the destination, but to also practice being eco-friendly. Keep on reading and learn about some of the ways by which you can be green during your holiday. And once you’re done these sites have more green travel tips!

Buy Local Products

Fond of shopping? Forget big shopping malls that are filled with global brands. Instead, head to smaller markets where locals are selling their handmade arts and crafts. This is especially true when traveling. Always buy sustainable souvenirs . Buy local produce too, especially when you are home.

Use Reusable Bottles

Replenish with water whenever you are traveling. But rather than buying bottled water, bring your own bottle.  You can have it conveniently refilled in various locations. It is also cheaper!

Book Non-Stop Flights

This is your own little way of helping minimize the emissions and energy consumption of an airplane. When everyone does this collectively, a huge environmental impact will be apparent.  Non-stop flights are “less worse” for the environment.

Choose the Right Accommodations

Make sure to have a thorough research so that you will know which accommodation to pick. Choose one that is participating in efforts to be kind to the environment. Choose eco-friendly hotels that support local advocates or those utilizing alternative sources of energy. By choosing an LEED or green hotel , you can make a big difference.

Even better, go camping ! You will use less resources camping than when you stay in a hotel. You will also most likely want to bring your own food instead of eating at restaurants all the time. This is also more eco-friendly.

Limit Use of Energy

When you are out of your hotel room, make sure to turn off the air conditioning. Turn off all the lights in the room when you are about to go to sleep. There are so many things you can do to green your hotel stay.

Use Eco-Friendly Transport

When having a city tour, rather than riding the cab or renting a car, consider alternative modes of transportation, such as a bike , or even an e-bike. You could rent a campervan to get closer to nature and be more eco friendly if you choose a fuel efficient one.

When you are flying, every kilo in your baggage will count. The heavier the baggage is, the heavier the plane will be and consequently, the more carbon emissions can be produced.

Go Around with a Companion

• Taking the cab to a certain attraction?
• Make sure to do it with someone else.
• Ask people from the place where you are staying to join you in your ride if they are going the same route.

Conserve Water

Before using the bath tub, think of the amount of water that it will consume. Turn off the shower when you are lathering your body in soap or shampooing your hair.

Mind Your Trash

Whether it is a small candy wrapper or a cigarette butt, make sure to have them thrown only in the proper bins. This is especially true if you are in the ocean .

Lastly, make sure to put your energy into good use. Look for organizations offering volunteer work, such as tree planting, marine conservation, and ocean clean-up, among other activities that are enjoyable while also helping you do your part for the environment. WWOOFing is a great way to give back while traveling.

Best green travel tips

Green travel can easily become a great habit that you can share with others and continue year-round at home. Engage in outdoor activities like hiking the trails around Niagara Falls. These best practices will make a big difference.

Green Travel Plan Road map to Green Travel – Green Travel Plan

A Road map to Green travel is part of our plan to create a green travel plan, we’ve created this road map guiding you through some of our favorite posts so far. Plus we explain why they’re an important part of your green travel plan.

Start With Green Vacation Planning

The best place to start in your green travel plan is to begin with simple green vacation planning and brainstorming.

Look at Green Destinations and the Top Green Cities

We put together this list of the top green cities. If you’re looking for a great green destination these are the places to visit.

Search for Green Travel and Green Plane Tickets (Non Stop Flights are Best)

To give back to the environment the best way you can check out our post on green air travel (and don’t forget about searching for direct flights and giving back to the environment just by searching for plane tickets.)

Get Green Travel Gear

We have tons of green travel gear reviews. Check them out. Some of our favorite posts include Stainless Steel Water Bottles , Luggage Scales, and Travel Shoes .

Carbon Offset If You’d Like

Here are some of the best carbon offset companies.

Book a Green Hotel

Here are our top posts about green hotels . And you’re off. It’s that easy to create a green travel plan. Who knew?

How to Find a Travel Agent for Your Green Trip

Every once in awhile you need a travel agent. Travel agents are great for a number of things when it comes to trip planning, especially for complicated trips. Travel agents can be helpful for green travel because they can point you to specific eco-friendly destinations and tours. If you’re unsure of where to turn to or don’t have time to plan your green trip, you might want to find a travel agent. Here are a few places to where you can find a travel agent for green travel: You just fill out a few details and travel agents will contact you with a customized trip itinerary.

ASTA ~ The American Society of Travel Agents offers a special green certification.

Use their search feature to find a green travel agent. We are not travel agents, but we do offer some green travel consulting. If you’re interested, contact us. With this searches it’s really easy to find a travel agent.

It’s easy to search Green Travel

Can you save the environment with reusable water bottles, shopping locally, and public transportation? Yes! All of it helps. Yet in the past, it has been somewhat challenging with regards to traveling. It was difficult to travel as green as you live at home. We are at the mercy of what is available when traveling. While there may ultimately be viable green choices, we may not know about them or where or how to access them. Fortunately, there are options we have now that weren’t available years ago.

When you are online searching to make your travel plans, your first stop should be to search Green Travel. Traveling green is easy, and it allows you to make a bigger environmental impact. Having all the prices right at your fingertips, you can see if purchasing the greener option fits in your budget. Here’s how to search for green travel.

Search Green Travel for Plane Tickets, Hotels, Rental Cars & Trips

It is easier than ever to find eco-friendly travel options, and the choices are plentiful. You can now find everything from environmentally-friendly rental cars, green and LEED hotels, direct flights, green dining options, ride shares, hotel shuttles, public transportation, green cruise lines, green tours, and more.

Which companies are really green?

Research companies you travel with to determine how green they are.

• What are the company’s environmental and social policies, practices and performance?
• In what ways do they give back to their community?
• What steps are they using to use local products and equipment?
• Where are their goods produced?
• How do they care for their employees?
• What are they doing to focus on preservation and sustainability worldwide?

Looking for green travel deals

What is great about searching online is that you are no longer at the mercy of travel agents. You can easily find out all the prices, compare them from company to company, and make a purchase/schedule a reservation immediately. It is simple to find the best travel deals on the web.

The easiest way to travel green is to search green travel

Now, you can be green from the start of your trip planning. Take advantage of advanced search options to further your green search. Then do your homework by comparing prices. If you have time, take it a step further and not only pick the greenest transportation or trip possible, but also the greenest company.

Check it out and spread the word

Make an even bigger difference by telling your eco-conscious traveler friends and family about it. When you are traveling with others, make sure they are aware of these green travel search options. Alone, we can’t stop melting glaciers, receding coastlines, or disappearing forests. But together, we can do a little bit more to make sure our favorite destinations are still there when we go back. Eco-conscious travelers already know the impact of recycling and other green practices. Continue to make a positive difference and give back each time you search green travel and choose a green travel option.

Shades of Green Travel: How Green Are You?

If you already make efforts to be a “green” traveler, what does it take to be even greener? This series explores various ways to step up your green travel efforts using our shades of green travel spectrum. If you’re not familiar with the spectrum, it ranges from “pea green” travelers who are least likely to make extreme efforts to travel green; to “Kelly Green” travelers who make moderate efforts to be eco-conscious while traveling ; to “forest green” travelers who will go to almost any length to leave no impact while traveling.

If you already make efforts to be a “green” traveler, what does it take to be even greener? This Shades of Green Travel article explores various ways to step up your green travel efforts using our shades of green travel spectrum. If you’re not familiar with the spectrum, it ranges from “pea green” travelers who are least likely to make extreme efforts to travel green; to “Kelly Green” travelers who make moderate efforts to be eco-conscious while traveling; to “forest green” travelers who will go to almost any length to leave no impact while traveling.

How Green Are You?

Many of us are trying to be green a lot of the time. There are varying shades of “going green” just as there are varying shades of green travel. Just by being mindful, aware and conscious of green travel, you are a step ahead of many. It is easy to think, “I’m on vacation,” and ease up on some environmentally-friendly things you do habitually at home. Even without going to extremes, any step you take toward green travel is a “win.”

You may think of green travel in a new way by thinking of shades of green travel. Many travelers want to be environmentally-conscious when they travel, but don’t want to go to great lengths to be greener. With all of the options out there, how do you determine the extent to which you want to go green? We like to think of being an eco-conscious traveler in “shades of green.” Green, greener, greenest. Or to be more descriptive: Pea Green, Kelly Green, and Forest Green. What does this mean?

Light Green Travelers – Green / Pea Green travelers

Dark Green Travelers

On the other end of the spectrum are the two types of travelers who will make a conscious effort and purposefully look for ways to minimize their impact and conserve as often as possible.

Greenest / Forest Green travelers

Greenest / Forest Green travelers will do almost anything to travel green. 

• They don’t take planes.
• They’ll only eat in organic restaurants.
• They camp or couch surf.
• You might refer to them as hippies or tree huggers.

Ok, I’m clearly stereotyping here; but the point is, the greenest travelers do whatever it takes to leave no trace of their travels and minimize or eliminate their carbon footprint, regardless of cost.

Greener / Kelly Green travelers

Greener / Kelly Green travelers fall somewhere in the middle. They make a conscious effort on every trip to be green and are always aware of their impact (whereas the Pea Green traveler only thinks about their impact some of the time). However, due to budget or time constraints, Kelly Green travelers may be less likely than their Forest Green comrades to choose the greenest method of travel. Some examples may be to always carry a stainless steel or glass reusable water bottle with them. Or they may try to stay in green hotels or stay in places with a kitchen so they can cook most of their own meals.

The best part of “shades of green” traveling is that by thinking about and categorizing green travel like this, you better understand your green travel style and the choices you make. You can choose to make green travel choices in various parts of traveling. For instance, you can partake in green travel when it comes to hotel and accommodations; but you may be the greenest traveler in the food choices you make.

Accommodations Green or Pea Green Travel Accommodations

Green travelers who want to make some efforts to be more environmentally friendly with their accommodations, but don’t want to sacrifice their own room, bathroom and the comforts of maid service can look for a green hotel. Be careful when browsing green hotel directories, however, as some may “directories” are merely advertising websites where hotels pay for membership.

Greener or Kelly Green Travel Accommodations

Greenest or Forest Green Travel Accommodations

If you want to be the greenest of travelers you should opt for leave no trace camping. Leave No Trace offers a great set of resources for leave no trace camping. Even if you are really set on green hotels as a green traveler and you have little desire to move to permanently become greener, consider staying one night in a hostel, or camping for a day or two on your next trip. It’s a great way to experience something new– that’s what traveling is all about!

Transportation Green or Pea Green: Drive a hybrid

Pea green travelers are a bit trepidation when it comes to choosing greener transportation. Maybe the rigid schedule of a bus or train doesn’t fit into their itinerary, or maybe they enjoy the freedom a car gives them. But they still want to make less of an impact on the environment so they choose a fuel efficient car or hybrid over an SUV.

Greener or Kelly Green: Take a bus or train

Greenest or Forest Green: Walk or bike

In their typical hardcore fashion, forest green travelers opt to walk or bike just about anywhere. They’d rather hop on a bamboo bike to cross the country than enlarge their carbon footprint by taking a train or bus. Even if it takes longer to reach their destination, it’s worth it for forest green travelers. If biking means one more stopover on the way from Spain to France, so what? Maybe they’ll see a cool city and meet new people along the way.

Food Green or Pea Green: When it’s Easy & Cheap

The pea green traveler dines in when possible, shops at farmers markets when it’s convenient, and eats organic or local food when it’s easy to find and affordable. All things equal, he’ll choose the greener option. But if the organic spinach is more expensive than the conventional, he’ll buy the latter. The pea green traveler is conscious of his impact on the environment, but it doesn’t always dictate his travel decisions. He doesn’t mind eating out or getting takeout every once in a while.

And, though he keeps an eye out for restaurants that serve organic and locally-grown cuisine, he’s not opposed to indulging in the occasional Big Mac or personal pan pizza to satisfy a craving. The pea green traveler likes to cook for himself, but he eats out more often than not when traveling.

Greener or Kelly Green: Even If It’s More Expensive

She avoids takeout because of the waste it creates, but might pick up a street stand schwarma on her way home from a night out. After a long day of exploring, she might even pick up some local cuisine to go on her way back to the hostel. The kelly green traveler is very aware of her impact on the environment. She feels very strongly about eating locally-grown, organic food and will go out of her way to do so, but if it’s not available, she’s fine sampling the local cuisine – even if the restaurant she chooses uses ingredients that aren’t locally-grown.

Greenest or Forest Green: No Matter What

Of all the green travelers, a forest green traveler holds himself – and his food – to the highest standards. He’s passionate about eating only locally-grown, organic food. If he can’t find food that’s both local and organic, he’ll settle for organic or, if necessary, just locally-grown. He takes locavore to a whole new level. He may not be a vegan, but he avoids eating meat and other animals products because of the environmental impact of meat. He cooks most of his own meals at his hostel or campsite and makes sandwiches to bring with him on long days.

He enjoys going to the local market, picking out seasonal vegetables, and trying his hand at cooking a dish native to the region he’s visiting. But the forest green traveler also appreciates the authenticity of local restaurants and likes to sample the cuisine there. He avoids places with Styrofoam or paper plates and plastic cutlery, and opts to split a meal with a friend rather than having to take leftovers home in a takeout container or throw extra food away.

Money and Time

You might be asking yourself, “What does money have to do with traveling green? I thought by ‘green’ they meant environmental, sustainable, conscious – not dollar bills.” Well, money and time (and time and money) have to do with traveling green because ultimately traveling takes time and costs money. And to become the greenest of travelers we have to consider what we will have to give up (and not give up) in terms of money/time vs. environmental friendliness. This is not an easy set of issues to grapple with, but it is one that is well worth considering. The question to ask yourself is, “What’s more important to me? Time and money or the environment?”

Choosing Money and Time over Green Travel

A green traveler will favor the environmentally-friendly activities when they are cheaper (e.g. camping over a hotel) or when they are simple (like turning off the lights in her hotel room). But, if something green is too expensive or too complicated, the green traveler will take the cheaper and simpler option even if the cost to the environment is greater.

Choosing Green Travel over Money or Time

Choosing Green Travel over Time and Money

The greenest traveler will nearly always choose the more sustainable and responsible travel option over the one that is cheaper and less time-consuming. For instance, in one of the most powerful pieces I’ve ever read, Tim Patterson writes about selling his stock in multinational corporations. Or Mark Smith, aka The Man in Seat 61, chooses only to travel by land. These choices are the greenest of choices – where individuals are choosing to place their value of environmental and social responsibility above time and money. I know where I would like to fall on this spectrum, but I’m not there yet. I hope someday I will be.

Some early posts at Go Green Travel Green were part of a series called “Shades of Green Travel.” The basic idea of the initial post, Shades of Green Travel, is that you don’t have to be the most eco-conscious person on the planet to be a green traveler. You don’t need to constantly worry about every little detail of your travels. Rather, you should focus on big categories and choose several categories where you can try to be a greener traveler. We laid out “shades of green” – pea green, Kelly green, and forest green – as ways of scaling how green you wanted to be in those categories.

For example, you might choose to green your accommodation and food. So you might camp or eat local as ways to be a “forest green” traveler. And then you could choose to worry a little less about transportation; for example taking a hybrid taxi instead of public transportation as a way of getting around. In the transportation category you might be a “pea green” traveler. Thinking about your “shade” of green is just a fun way of thinking about how to be a little bit greener.

Green Transportation:

Ditch the car and opt for public transit or biking. In what other categories can we try to be a shade greener? There are lots of ways to green your day-to-day home life and your travel. Think of ways that you can increase your shades of green travel, wherever you are.

Travel Green In Pictures

All of these images except one are from Flickr, many from amateur photographers. Every green traveler has those days where she just wants to give up. Pollution, global warming, bad environmental policy decisions. How much of a difference can one person really make? The answer is, each of us can make a big difference. There are so very many reasons to travel green. No matter what shade of green traveler you are, I hope these photos motivate you to keep traveling green.

Eco-Conscious Traveler Green Travel Tips to Travel Green

Maybe you’ve heard of green travel tips before and thought it applies exclusively to jungle safaris and hiking up mountaintops. But that’s not the case at all, because you can still do your part even if you’re sightseeing in the city. All you need to do is make the effort to stay in environment friendly hotels as well as taking certain steps when you’re out traveling by foot or renting a vehicle.

Green Travel Tips to Travel Green

Here are tips to get you started on being a more eco-friendly traveler and going green .

Travel Green Transportation Tips

Whenever possible, walk instead of taking a car: walking is good for you and it also gives you more time to enjoy the scenery. If the trip is short you can take the train which is just as enjoyable as riding on a plane, if not more so. If you’re going to rent a vehicle, go for a hybrid car, as these have been manufactured specifically to reduce the impact on the environment. If you’re going on a long road trip and you have a large gas guzzling car, opt for a smaller one that has better mileage.  Vehicles are the biggest air polluter in the US , but you can do your part minimizing this by walking, biking or taking public transport instead of your vehicle, reducing the number of cars on the road.

Being a Responsible Green Traveler / Tourist

As you go sightseeing, follow this simple rule: don’t leave anything behind except your footprints, and don’t take anything but photos. If you’re going to eat, make sure you have containers to dispose of wrappers and the like. In other words, leave the place as you found it.

Go with an Eco-Friendly Tour Operator

Many tour operators now pride themselves in being green, so you’re bound to find more than a few advertising how green their services are. Here are some suggestions: before booking, inquire about the group size, and go with the smallest group possible as they produce less of an environmental impact. While you’re at it, ask the tour operator how they’re giving back to the local community and what kind of lodging they provide.

Eco Friendly Hiking Tips

When you’re trekking or hiking, make sure to follow the local laws so you don’t damage the environment. In addition, stay at the marked trails and keep your distance from creatures you might run into, both for your sake and the animal’s. Dispose of your trash in the designated receptacles, and if there are none just store it in your backpack and dispose of it when you’re back at the hotel. Do not litter anywhere on the trail. Finally, make sure you set campfires in places where it’s permitted, and don’t leave until they have been extinguished completely.

Camping is an eco-friendly way to travel as well.

Advice for the Eco-Conscious Traveler

If you’re going to go snorkeling, learn safety measures first and follow the advice of your instructor. If you’re snorkeling alone, don’t make contact with the coral because it will damage the ecosystem. It’s also best if you select a sunscreen that’s reef safe because some sunblock lotions harm coral .

Tips for Eco Friendly travelers to consider:

No matter where you’re traveling, do not eat or buy products made from endangered species. Stay in an environment friendly hotel: there are plenty of these available and you can find most of them online. These hotels’ commitment varies however, so you need to do some research to determine just how eco-friendly the place is. Stay in hotels that support and use recycled bottles and participates in recycling programs. You can find this information on the hotel’s website or you can ask them.

If given the option, ask to have towels and sheets reused. Get in touch with hotel staff and ask what steps they’re taking to reduce energy consumption. This may take the form of alternative energy sources, low flow showers and toilets, energy saving lighting and solar or wind power. Even if you’re just staying in the hotel, there are a lot of things you can do to lessen the impact on the environment. 

• Your showers should be short and sweet 
• Turn the faucet off as you brush your teeth
• Turn off the TV, lights, air conditioning and other electronic devices when you leave your room
• Bring your own drinking up and toiletries instead of using the ones offered by the hotel.

If you do decide to use those offered in the hotel, bring the unused ones with you and use them at home so they’re not simply discarded. Sort your trash and dispose of them properly. If the hotel doesn’t support recycling then you should take the bottles you used up and bring them to a recycling center when you go back home. Let the hotel know you support their recycling and eco-friendly programs, as this will encourage them to continue.

In addition to these you should also pack light especially if you’re going to fly. The heavier the aircraft is, the more fuel it’s going to require and the more pollution it’s going to release in the atmosphere. If possible, bring only a carry-on, as this will limit your contribution to pollution and reduce your baggage fees . It will also ease the strain on your body and your mind.  Packing less means less stuff you have to worry about, rummage through, and manage. There are so many brands available that are lighter than ever .

Rather than buy a new guidebook, you can just download a free app on your mobile or borrow from the nearby library. You’ll be saving not just money but also do your part in reducing waste and reusing available resources. And remember too that you can always buy cheap empty bottles and fill it with shampoo, sunblock, conditioner etc. Since you’ll be able to reuse the bottles, the cost will be recouped quickly, and you’ll be reducing the number of travel bottles dumped in the trash.

By simply following these green travel tips you’ll be doing your part in helping nature, and while it might not seem like much, what you do makes a lot of difference. Your actions will be seen as an example for others to follow and this will have a tremendous, positive impact on the planet wherever you travel.

How to Travel Green Internationally and Save Money

Travel Green Internationally and Save Money: Traveling internationally is a great way to experience various cultures, learn new languages, and go on unforgettable adventures. Unfortunately, visiting foreign countries – especially international travel destinations. Usually involves a fairly large investment of money and can, due to the nature of traveling long distances, make quite a high carbon footprint. While you always want to save money when traveling, it’s also crucial to prioritize making your travels as green as possible. There are a number of ways to remain environmentally conscious while visiting foreign places and saving money:

Travel Green Internationally Transportation

When visiting another country, walk as much as possible or use public transportation. When my wife and I traveled to France, we spent nine days in Paris and never once used any method of transportation that burned fuel, aside from the taxi rides to and from the airport. Walking everywhere allowed us to get a much better feel for how Parisians live on a daily basis, and we got inside glimpses of life in France that we never would have experienced had we taken buses or subways. Furthermore, a one-day pass for metro travel to all areas of Paris costs about $25 per person, so by choosing to walk, we saved nearly $450 during our trip.

Travel Green Internationally and Save Money on Dining

Although dining out at an upscale restaurant or two is certainly part of the overall international experience, you can still do your best to purchase locally produced fare and save money on food while on vacation. When visiting Moscow, my wife and I rented an apartment and purchased most of our food from street vendors or other small grocery stores. The food was fresh and delicious, and we were also able to negotiate prices with the sellers. We found virtually every kind of fruit or vegetable at these stands for about half of what one would pay in the States.

During our week in Moscow, we spent an estimated $225 on groceries. We ate out at three restaurants during our stay and the bills for these meals alone exceeded the total of our grocery expenses, so the savings were tremendous. And make sure you remember your reusable bag.

Travel Green Internationally Lodging

You don’t have to stay in an eco-resort to go green – chances are you won’t have much green left in your wallet if you choose this route. Fortunately, many international hotels have integrated water-saving strategies and other initiatives to reduce their impact on the environment. But these still are often quite expensive. To go green and save some green, do what seasoned budget travelers do: Stay in a hostel . There is an abundance of hostels worldwide that offer budget lodging and amenities, often with eco-friendly features.

These establishments tend to cater to young travelers who, as a group, are most interested in saving the environment. With a little research and planning, you could find a hostel with an organic garden or one that runs off solar power. Plus, you’ll usually have access to a shared kitchen and common areas. Not only will you save money when it comes to eating and finding a place outside your room to relax, but it’s the perfect environment to meet and interact with other world travelers and pick up tips on where else to stay and visit.

Travel Green Internationally and Save Money on Flights

When traveling great distances, select an airline that offers carbon offset flights . In addition to what you pay for your fare, you can contribute an additional amount which will be used to plant trees or fund a number of other renewable energy projects. Beyond that, there are many ways to find cheap airline ticket deals to overseas destinations. I once used a travel agent who offered tips on the best times of the year to fly depending on the destination.

You can also consider purchasing a consolidator ticket – consolidator companies purchase tickets from airlines that would otherwise go unused, and then resell them at significant discounts. They’re typically only available for coach seats, and generally include stopovers.

There could be other restrictions, so do thorough research before purchasing a fare. Furthermore, take public transportation to and from the airport if you can, and avoid the hefty parking fees. Travel with minimal luggage to avoid airline checked baggage fees, and get an electronic ticket to reduce the amount of paper being used.

Travel Green Internationally and Save Money

Being a conscientious eco-tourist is surprisingly simple and straightforward, and can even save you money. However, there are many other ways to save on the overall cost of international travel. Sign up for a travel aggregate site like Kayak.com, which will monitor fares for your destination so you can get the best rate. Research the best lodging options, and always remember that you can often rent an apartment overseas, which may be less expensive than a hotel room. Green overseas travel and saving money can go hand-in-hand.

How to Find Cheap Airline Tickets. 10 Tips for Using Priceline for Car Rentals to Save Money The Ultimate Guide to Priceline Bidding Tips Find Cheap Airline Tickets: Cheat Sheet

What to Do – Green Activities

Favorite green activities while traveling:

• Sit in a park and watch the locals, read, or write in a travel journal
• Stop at cafes in those neighborhoods
• Take public transportation to a random stop and get off and wander around (check with a hostel worker/concierge/local first to make sure the neighborhood is safe)
• Visit museums
• Browse local shops and businesses
• Play pick-up sports with the locals
• Visit the local library
• Spend time on a university’s campus
• Spend time in a university neighborhood – there are often fun and inexpensive bookstores, restaurants, and coffee shops near colleges
• Go to a religious service (make sure you are dressed appropriately and know enough about local customs as to not offend anyone)
• Windsurf, canoe, or kayak
• Go for a run before the city is awake

A good rule of thumb is if an activity doesn’t cost very much, chances are it has less of an environmental impact. Of course, there are exceptions like eco-safaris, but that is not a norm. And generally, avoid any activity that doesn’t seem native to the local environment – such as snow-skiing in Dubai. When you’re getting to and from these activities try to bike or walk. If you need to take another form of transportation, map your route.

Arrange your trip so that you see museums in area on the same day, which will prevent zig-zagging across the city. To be a green traveler, you need understand exactly what you’re aiming to do and what green travel is. There are many definitions of green travel, but here’s what we believe green travel is really about.

The Environment

Green travel is also about respecting people in the local environment. That means respecting their presence, their values, and their way of life. It also means saying “hello,” “thank you,” and “excuse me.” Basically, treat people with respect. The way you would like to be treated.

Personal Health

Learning About the Local Culture

Now that we’ve laid out the why, what, and where of green travel, we’re going to discuss the how. To kick off Before You Go, I’m going to delve a little deeper into how to choose a destination for green travel. Kimberly’s post outlined a variety of options for where you might travel green. But how exactly do you choose the best green travel destination for you? Picking your destination doesn’t just depend on the place (e.g. whether there are LEED certified hotels or extensive public transportation); choosing a destination for eco travel also depends on you. How easy will it be for you to be a green traveler there?

Respect the Culture When Green Travel

When you’re deciding where to go and after you’ve gotten there, you should research the culture. This includes learning about the local customs, traditions, and religion, as well as respecting local dress codes. You should also attempt to learn at least a few key phrases in the local language. Not only is this respectful, you never know when it will get you out of a bind. Here are some resources that will help you learn more about culture and language:

Green Travel Culture Resources

Search the web for country-specific information which you can often find on study abroad sites and blogs. Use keywords in your searched like the name of the destination, plus “customs” “culture” “etiquette.” Also, if you’re not finding anything add “business” to the search, since there is a multitude of resources for business travelers in need of etiquette information. This website also has a few links to country-specific culture information. Head to your local library and check out books, fiction or non-fiction, or videos like travel videos, documentaries, and foreign films to gain further insight into the culture.

There are several book series that describe cultures of other countries, such as the Culture Wise series. If you are really interested in learning as much about the culture as possible, check it out. Fun video showing how they count money in various countries

Turn Any Vacation Green

For example, if you take the train from London to Paris, you will only generate about 10% of the carbon emissions than you would if you took a flight. The same principle applies once you arrive at your destination. If you do have to rent a car, then choose the most fuel-efficient one that you can. However, if you can avoid it, don’t rent a car at all. If you are staying in a city, try to use public transport wherever you can, and when you can’t take a taxi. In fact, if you are vacationing somewhere like Europe, it’s perfectly possible to use public transport in urban areas, and then take the train between towns.

Travel Green On Your Next Vacation to Reduce Impact

How to Plan a Green Vacation is Easier Than You Think

Have you finally managed to save up enough vacation time to really take off and spend some consecutive days away from the workplace? If so, the idea of how one combines “green” and “vacation” has probably crossed your mind more than once. Obviously the idea of hopping in a jet plane and then bouncing across cities, draining energy in hotels and supporting restaurants with a less than optimum focus on green practices would do little to say “Hey, I’m a green advocate!” However, you also shouldn’t feel trapped within your own home for fear of creating some un-measurable carbon footprint just by enjoying yourself on vacation. Here are some easy ways on how to plan a green vacation.

Planing a Green Vacation

Getting There! Stay “closer” to home. While I’m not saying don’t leave your living room, I will suggest staying within a 100-150 mile radius. It’s also worth considering renting a more eco-friendly car for the purpose of the trip. If you opt for a hybrid instead of an SUV, you can potentially cut your carbon footprint in half.

Consider taking public transportation whenever possible

Including: buses, trains, ferries, subways, etc. Trains happen to be one of the most eco-friendly ways to travel. You can cut CO2 by as much as 85% by traveling via train in lieu of an airplane.

If staying in a range close to home simply isn’t an option, nor is traveling via train

Admittedly, I too dream of a tropical beach), then take the plane, but consider purchasing credits to offset some of your carbon emissions. Both Travelocity and Expedia now allow you to purchase the offset right along with your tickets! Super easy to do, and you can arrive without any guilty feeling… Major plus!

Staying in the area doesn’t mean you have to stay within your home and twiddle your thumbs. Check out new museums, visit local attractions you’ve never had the time to see, go to the zoo. Think of the things you enjoy most about vacation. If it’s the new food, then commit to picking and trying a new restaurant every day. We’re incredibly fortunate in this day and age to be able to get genuine food from all types of cuisine within our own cities. If it’s the escape from media and communication with the outside world, then re-create that at home. Turn off the computers and the TVS, unplug the landline, hide the cell phones and tell yourself you are on vacation and don’t need to know anything until you “come back.”

Go explore.

Drive/bike/walk, etc. to the nearest place where you can really discover some nature. Go hiking, kayaking, boating, skiing, etc., whatever it is that interests you and that you can make happen at a nearby area. If none of those apply, try escaping to something like a botanical garden for a day.

Find a B&B in your area.

You don’t actually have to travel around the globe to check yourself into a get-away location and be pampered and spoiled. You might think it sounds silly to rent something close to home, but if you need that “get-away” to really feel on vacation, then do it! You’ll save tons of expense in travel, and you’ll get some of the same vacation feel.

Reconnect with nature.

Consider a camping trip! There’s almost no better way to escape, to relax and to re-create that passion and zest for why we try to live in all the sustainable ways that we do. All you need is your tent and the great outdoors.

If Going Abroad

Consider a vacation that has a purpose beyond simply entertaining yourself. Look into something like a global volunteer project. Search out the area you dream of heading to and see how you can get your hands dirty, so to speak. Serve the local community by helping to build a house, or get involved in community development, helping children, animal welfare, poverty, etc.

Search for green and eco-friendly hotels and bed and breakfasts.

There are countless lodging options where the motto is to conserve resources and cut down on waste. Ask if they are part of the Green Hotel Initiative, and check out GHI for yourself to see how you encourage hotels to go greener. Do your own part. Turn down the temperature in your hotel room. Ask that your sheets and towels not be changed every day. Walk and bike instead of driving. You’ll get a better feel for your destination! Eat locally. Consider bringing back “souvenirs” made by locals that help support sustainability.

Awesome Green Vacation Travel Ideas

This Earth Day, why not treat yourself to a green vacation? In honor of Earth Day 2012, Groupon has a number of excellent, eco-friendly trips. You can stay off the grid in a eco-lodge or live it up in luxury at a sustainable retreat. From Nicaragua and Thailand to Botswana and Hawaii, there’s sure to be a trip that fits your budget and travel style.

Tips for Choosing a Green Travel Destination

With going green on the rise, cities across the world are attempting to become more sustainable. That’s great news for the green traveler because it means your options are constantly expanding Choosing a Green Travel Destination. But it’s not always easy to tell if a city is really cleaning up its act, or if it’s just for show.

Check Public Transportation Options

If your destination is a city that you’ll want to explore extensively, make sure there is a good public transportation system so you won’t have to take cabs or rent a car. Most cities have decent websites about their public transportation systems. You can also check travel forums and talk to other travelers who have been where you’re going. Better yet, rent a bike and use it as your primary means of transportation.

Look for Greener Accommodations

Choosing a low-impact place to stay is not only greener, it’s often less expensive. If the weather is nice, look for camping options. Otherwise, make sure there are hostels. If you’re looking at hotels, research the country’s hotel energy/environmental standards, then find a hotel that meets those guidelines. For more info check out Finding Environmentally Friendly Hotels through Green Accreditation Directories.

Scope Out the Area for Green Space

Are there nice parks in the town, or at least within walking or biking distance? What about lakes and hiking trails? There’s nothing better than waking up in the morning and walking out the hostel door onto a hiking trail. Of course, that’s not easy to do in all places. But if you love the outdoors, make sure your destination has options for green recreation.

Think About Walkability

Will you be able to walk from your hostel to restaurants and entertainment? If the town is spread out, see if there’s a concentration of places you want to see, then book a hostel near those places to make your trip more walkable. Walking is one of the easiest ways to reduce your impact.

Look at Chains Versus Local Business and Restaurants

Are there a number of local businesses you could visit? Or is the city overrun with McDonald’s and KFCs? Going to local grocery stores and restaurants is one of the easiest ways to immerse yourself in local culture. And part of the fun of traveling is experience new things, which is hard to do if you stick to what you know and what’s available back home.

Check Out the City’s Recycling Policy

With all of the plastic building up in landfills across the world, a solid recycling policy is increasingly urgent. Even some small towns and villages recycle, so pick a destination that has a policy in place. If you really want to visit a place that doesn’t recycle, avoid buying plastic and other recyclables while you’re there; stick to reusable items instead.

Decide if You’ll Really Get to Experience the Culture

A big part of being a green traveler is striving to understand different people, cultures, and history. On the surface, it seems that traveling inherently facilitates cultural understanding. In reality, it’s far too easy to live in a bubble, even when you’re traveling. See if your destination is one that seems to exist exclusively to cater to tourists. If it is, pass it up and look for something that will get you out of your comfort zone and into the culture of your destination.

Traveling Green Tips

Happy Earth Day! If you’re looking for a way to help the environment while traveling – you’re in the right place. If you’re looking for things to do today specifically, check out Kimberly’s post about 10 Things to Do on Earth Day .

Earth Day best three tips for traveling green:

• Reduce the number of plane rides you take
• Reduce the number of multi-stop flights you take (opt instead for nonstop flights)
• Reduce the number of car trips you take (instead fix your car for hypermiling)
• Reduce your non local food consumption and opt instead to be a traveling locavore
• Reduce your energy consumption while staying at a hotel
• Reduce your energy consumption at home while you’re away
• Lots more about reduction in this series
• Reuse water bottles and quit buying bottled water
• Use storage containers like a Wrap-n-Mat for food
• Go thrift store shopping and reuse clothes
• Instead of buying new technology, buy used
• Recycle at home
• Recycle at work
• Recycle while traveling (even if it means having to carry it with you through the airport until you get to a recycle bin)

If you just do one thing this year, focus on reducing. You’ll save money and you’ll be traveling greener. Now, get off your computer and spend some time outside enjoying Earth Day! Not sure where to start? Check out our list of Top Green Cities: Where to Travel Green.

America’s Greenest Cities – Plan Your Next Getaway

If you are looking for an eco-friendly summer vacation destination, you’re in luck. With the focus on green travel on the rise across the America, all of America’s greenest cities on the list compiled by the Mother Nature Network offer a variety of green activities.

Portland, Oregon

Most of us probably aren’t surprised that an Oregon city ranked number one in the list of America’s 10 greenest cities. With 200 miles of dedicated bike lanes, you can nix your gas guzzler in lieu of a bike in Portland. Dine in restaurants bursting with fresh and locally grown ingredients. Check out certified green accommodations and tours, like the Cutting Edge Green Tour where you can see the best of eco-friendly Portland.

San Francisco, California

The first US city to ban plastic bags, San Francisco, California is a great green travel destination. In the City by the Bay, Cable cars add a touch of nostalgia to your trip and provide an eco-friendly transportation option. Visit the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market , where you can buy San Francisco’s best organic and sustainable ingredients. Hang out in the green Mission District. Whether you are looking for an organic soy latte or an organic Mexican meal, the Mission District is the place to find it.

Boston, Massachusetts

This New England city ranks high on the green list because of its sustainability efforts. With all there is to do in Boston, it’s no surprise it’s included in the list of green cities. Take the Museum of Science’s Green Tour, a self-guided tour of some of Boston’s eco-friendly buildings. Visit one of Boston’s 30 green restaurants.

Oakland, California

This port city offers tasty fresh and organic food. Oakland is also home to the country’s cleanest tap water and gets 17% of the energy it uses from renewable sources. Hike or catch a summer concert at the 500-acre Joaquin Miller Park. Visit the Lake Merritt Park and Wildlife Refuge, one of the best bird sanctuaries in the state. You can also rent a kayak or a canoe.

Eugene, Oregon

The Emerald City is known for its green beauty. With 29 bike routes, you can ride on 150 miles of bike paths through the second largest city in Oregon. Ride along the six-mile bike trail along the Willamette River. Visit the King Estate, an organic winery. You can also grab a meal in the restaurant, made with produce grown on-site.

Cambridge, Massachusetts

All new construction in this green city must meet LEED standards. Home to Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge is known for being a great walking city. Enjoy the rich history at Harvard Square. Explore neighborhoods and parks around MIT and Harvard, stopping at organic coffee shops and cafes along the way.

Berkeley, California

This California city is a leader in sustainability. If you are looking for great vegetarian restaurants, Berkeley is the place to find them. Spend a day at the University of California Botanical Garden , it is home to over 13,000 species of plants from around the world. Go rock climbing at Contra Costa Rock Park, Berkeley’s rock parks in the Northbrae area. It has great views and entry-level climbing.

Seattle, Washington

Mostly known for being the unofficial coffee capital of the nation, Seattle is also incredibly eco-friendly. There are countless green hotels and green taxi options in this Washington city. Take a ride on Seattle Green Limo, a company using new and recycled vegetable based-fuel in their taxis. Spend the day at Discovery Park, a 534-acre natural area that offers breathtaking views of Puget Sound and both the Cascade and the Olympic Mountain ranges.

Chicago, Illinois

Today, the Windy City is one of the nation’s greenest cities because of the involvement of the government, residents, and local businesses. In fact, there are 7 million square feet of green roofs (constructed or under construction) in the city — more than in the rest of the United States combined. Take advantage of one of the many walking tours around the city. Chicago is home to two world-class conservatories, so check out both the Garfield Park Conservatory and the Victorian glass-house style Lincoln Park Conservatory.

Austin, Texas

It may be last on the this list of America’s 10 greenest cities, but this Texas city has devoted itself to green living. The green space in the city includes over 200 parks and you can hike on more than 50 miles of trails throughout the city. Cool off in the Swim in the 68-degree waters of Barton Springs Pool, a spring-fed swimming hole in Zilker Park. Check out one of the 4 locations of the SFC Farmer’s Market in Austin.

Enjoy America’s greenest cities

There is much to see and do across the United States. Make it a point to try to visit a city that strives to be environmentally-friendly and eco-conscious. For more green travel inspiration, check out our Ultimate Directory of Green Travel Destinations. Have you been to any of America’s greenest cities? What are your favorite eco-friendly activities there?

Top Green Cities: Where to Travel Green

What are the top green cities in the world? There are plenty of others in the publishing and green world who have created scientifically calculated (and not so scientifically calculated) lists of top green cities. We put together an ultimate list of the top green cities, including those inside and outside of the United States.

Top Green Cities in the World

• Reykjavik, Iceland
• Portland, Oregon, U.S.
• Curitiba, Brazil
• Malmö, Sweden
• Vancouver, Canada
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• London, England
• San Francisco, California, U.S.
• Bahía de Caráquez, Ecuador
• Sydney, Australia
• Barcelona, Spain
• Bogotá, Colombia
• Bangkok, Thailand
• Kampala, Uganda
• Austin, Texas, U.S.

According to Treehugger:

• Portland, OR
• Freiburg, Germany
• Zermatt, Switzerland
• Montreal, Quebec, Canada
• Austin, Texas, USA

And my own contribution to the world cities list would be the World’s Greenest City: Masdar in the United Arab Emirates, which is not yet completed, but could be the world’s greenest city when it is.

Top Green Cities in the United States 

According to popular science.

• San Francisco, CA
• Oakland, CA
• Cambridge, MA
• Berkeley, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Chicago, IL

According to Best Places.net

• Burlington-South Burlington, VT
• Corvallis, OR
• Springfield, MA
• Wenatchee, WA
• Charlottesville, VA
• Boulder, CO
• Madison, WI
• Binghamton, NY
• Champaign-Urbana, IL

National Resources Defense Council (large cities only)

• San Jose, CA
• Sacramento, CA

So there you have it – the top green cities in the US and in the world. You can see that the top cities remain fairly consistent across all rankings. So if you’re looking for the greenest destination, check out some of the major cities on the West Coast.

How to Find a Green Hotel in San Francisco

Green Travel Tips to Travel Green for Eco-Conscious Traveler

If want to travel green tips but don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Here are the top green travel tips and guides for becoming an eco-conscious traveler. Green is in, as they say. Every where, people and organizations are doing their best to protect the environment by undertaking steps to take care of Mother Earth. And while tourists may not have as much impact on the environment as say, miners, you should know that there are also green travel tips that every tourist should be aware of and follow.

According to the World Tourism Organization, the travel industry and WWOOFing is the fastest growing industry on the planet. The group says that there were more than 700 million international arrivals worldwide in 2014 alone. Tourism is also a main source of carbon dioxide emissions, which in turn causes climate change. For instance, aviation produced more than 700 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2013, or nearly 20 percent of the human-induced carbon dioxide emissions.

Overall, it is estimated that the transportation sector (where tourism is a part of) is responsible for 27 percent of human-induced CO2 emissions. And we’re not even talking about other aspects of environmental protection, like the efficient use of energy and proper waste disposal! That said, here are some of the green travel tips that you must know and practice the next time you travel:

Travel Green

If possible, explore the country or place you are visiting on foot. You might want to use a bicycle or opt for trolley service in going to your destination. Or take public transportation like buses or trains. Avoid taking rental cars to help save fuel and money. Visiting on foot not only helps you save on costs, but it also presents the best way for you to get to know the locals. Wouldn’t it be exciting to ask the locals how to get to a certain tourist destination? This may even win you some friends down the road.

Sure, there are really times when you can’t help but take a rental car. In case that happens to you, choose the smallest car possible as this often uses the least amount of fuel. Or choose a hybrid car, if there’s any. If you are planning a road trip, ask your family members, colleagues, or friends if they are interested in joining you. Individual tours have a greater environmental impact than traveling in groups.

Avoid buying plastic water bottles. Instead, bring along a jug that you can fill up with water. This will help in producing less garbage, reducing your environmental impact in the process. Don’t litter any garage while you are on the road. You might have to take your trash with you and then dispose these at an appropriate place, like at the hotel were you’re staying. While you are at it, bring a reusable plastic bag with you. This will come in handy when you shop for souvenir items, as you no longer have to ask for a bag for carrying the things you bought.

Opt for low-carbon activities. These include nature photography, swimming, trekking, horseback riding, caving, and mountain climbing. These activities are not only fun but they can make you appreciate nature even more. Immerse yourself in and be open about the differences of cultures. Learn more about the social norms and customs of the place you are visiting. You may even try to learn a few commonly used words in the country you’re visiting.

Eco-Conscious Traveler

You can also be an eco-conscious traveler in many ways. For example, you can show your concern for the environment by wisely choosing the hotel where you will be staying. Did you know that there is an increasing number of websites that list down green hotels, lodges, and bed and breakfasts? You may want to find one of these websites and stay in one of the environment-friendly hotels listed there.

Questions you may want to ask before booking are:

• What is the profile of the hotel? Is it locally owned or operated? Does it employ locals?
• Does it have recycling programs?
• Does it encourage the reuse of towels and bed sheets?
• Does it have energy reduction programs like use of energy-efficient lighting or alternative energy sources?

When you are at the hotel, follow some simple energy saving practices. 

• Turn off the TV and lights when not in use.
• Turn off the air conditioner when you are about to leave the room.
• Keep your showers short.
• Shut off the water while you brush your teeth.
• Reuse your towels.

Did you know that washing of towels and bed sheets is a major energy drain for most hotels? Experts estimate that it causes around 40 percent of the total water consumption of most hotels. Basically, treat your room as your own home. Be conscious of the amount of electricity and water you use while you are away from home. 

When planning your trip, you must consider booking a direct flight. Why? Because take offs and landings use a lot of fuel, and you don’t want to be in connecting/multiple flights that further add up to the carbon dioxide emissions. Pack light. This may sound impractical especially if you have a big family, but this is very much doable. Bring only the things you would really need for the duration of your trip. Not only would this help you save money, but it can also have an impact on the plane’s carbon emissions. Generally speaking, the greater the load that planes (and even trains and buses) have to carry, the more fuel they will use. And this translates to more greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere. 

As you can see, there are a lot of things that travelers can do to minimize their impact on the environment. So be an eco-conscious traveler! Keep these green travel tips in mind and practice them the next time you are on a holiday.

Green travel tips

What is Green Travel? Defining the latest eco-conscious travel jargon. We will take you from a novice green traveler to an expert. It covers how to get started, what to do before you go, how to travel green while you’re away, and what to do on your way home.

• 12 Things You Need to Know About Carbon Offsets
• How to Find Green Accommodations
• 11 Tips and Tricks for Greening your Hotel Stay
• Volunteering Abroad – 10 Things to Know
• 21 Resources for Volunteering Abroad & Why You Should Do It
• How to Take Culturally Sensitive Photos
• How to Find Sustainable Souvenirs

Digging Deeper green travel tips

• Extreme Hypermiling: 450+ Tips
• Airplane Cabin Air: It’s Toxic
• How to Choose a Healthy Water Bottle

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20 Ways to be a Green Traveler Now: Instant Sustainable Tourism Guide

Okay so you’ve bought your reusable straw and stainless steel water bottle. You carry around a cute tote bag to do your shopping, and you make your own coffee at home rather than spend $7 at Starbucks every day. Maybe you’ve made the changes to be more environmentally-friendly in your everyday life, but are you taking the same measures when you travel to practice sustainable tourism?

Take our quiz to find out how green of a traveller you are!

Far too often when we travel, we don’t realize how wasteful we’re being. As cute as those travel shampoos are, it’s a massive waste of plastic . As convenient and cheap that private taxi might be, it’s far more environmentally friendly to rent a bicycle (and also heaps more fun). Mad Monkey was founded on the principles of social responsibility, and this includes being mindful of how we affect the environment at every destination we’re located. We’ve come up with the best environmentally-friendly tips so you can be the ultimate green traveller!

1. Pack Lightly – Green Travel Luggage

We know you’ve heard it a million times but this isn’t just to save you money on baggage and overweight fees (although, these are bonuses as well). Remember that every extra kilo you pack is more fuel being used when you’re flying. Packing light also means you won’t be sweating your ass off dragging a giant suitcase around dirt roads and up dozens of flights of stairs. Less clothes also means it’ll be easier to pick out what to wear. Pack neutral colors and mix and match tops, bottoms and cardigans. Bring a few accessories to jazz up your outfit.

2. Use packing cubes – Green Traveler Tips

Avoid using plastic bags when you pack and instead, invest in packing cubes! These babies are game-changers, trust us. Use them to separate your dirty clothes from your clean clothes to reduce the amount of times you’ll have to do laundry.

3. Use a reusable shopping bag – Sustainable Travel Tip

Carry one around with you everywhere; not just when you’re grocery shopping. Use it when you’re clothes/souvenir/anything shopping to avoid plastic or even paper bags.

4. Drink from a reusable water bottle – Sustainable Travel Trend To Follow

We all know plastic water bottles are super wasteful. Sometimes it’s the only option, but most of the time you’ll find that there are plenty of places to refill a bottle with clean, potable water. Aluminium water bottles are our personal favourite, as they’re lightweight, durable and easy to clean. Opt for the ones with the simple screw-top lid and avoid fancy sippy-cup types of tops that harbour bacteria (and will make you less inclined to use it).

5. Refill shampoo and conditioner bottles – Green Travel Tip

Either buy some durable travel bottles (the cheap ones won’t last long and you’ll end up buying them fairly regularly, which defeats the purpose) or reuse travel-size containers.

6. Buy soap/shampoo bars – Reduce Plastic Waste

Reusing shampoo and conditioner bottles is sadly still pretty wasteful, as you’re probably still getting your products from bigger plastic bottles. A more environmentally-friendly route to go is to get those shampoo bars that have gone viral. Not only are they plastic-free, but they’re lighter in weight, which means they’re cheaper to ship. They’re also usually without all those nasty chemicals that dry out your hair, as well. Seems like a win-win to us!

7. Opt for reusable cotton pads – Go Reusable

These are all the rage right now, if you didn’t know. Instead of using numerous disposable cotton pads a day, invest in the ones that you can pop in the washing machine and use literally thousands of times. They can be used to remove makeup, apply different facial products, the list goes on.

8. Use less-wasteful feminine products

Instead of using tampons and pads, switch to those menstruation cups you’ve surely heard about (probably from Instagram; their ad-targeting game is on point). There’s a bit of a learning curve with the whole process, but it’s infinitely more environmentally friendly.

9. Use sustainable methods of transport – Green Transportation Trend

Sure, sometimes the only way to get somewhere is to fly, but always try to keep in mind alternative ways of travel. A 27-hour bus ride might not seem super ideal, but a certain type of bonding happens with your fellow travellers on those long journeys, and they often make the most memorable experiences. Plus, taking overland travel is heaps more eco-friendly, but we know you know this already. When you’re exploring new cities, walk or rent a bicycle instead of taking taxis or Ubers. You’ll burn off those travel calories, giving you an excuse to have extra gelato every day.

10. Make smart travel purchases – Consume Less

You’re getting ready for a big trip and it’s so tempting to buy dozens of travel gadgets that you think you’ll most definitely use over and over. Chances are, you probably won’t use that drying line, your hostel or Airbnb will have hair dryers so you don’t need to buy the super-cute travel dryer, and who are you kidding — you don’t even iron at home so you likely won’t need that travel iron. In addition to not overpacking unnecessary items, invest more in the things you do purchase. Get the sturdier backpack that will last you decades, invest in the more durable packing cubes, buy the better-quality clothes. When you buy well-made products, they will last longer and you won’t end up throwing things out more frequently.

11. Save electricity – Reduce your energy waste

When you’re not in your room, turn off all the lights, the aircon, fan — everything. Just because you’re not paying the electricity bill, doesn’t mean you should be wasteful.

12. Conserve water – Reduce water consumption

Same goes for water. Be even more conscious about saving water when you’re travelling, especially in developing countries where water is more precious. Take shorter showers, turn the tap off when you’re brushing your teeth, etc.

13. Don’t be excessive

Sustainable tourism should extend to your downtime as well. At your hotel, hostel, Airbnb or guest house, don’t request housekeeping when it’s not needed and refrain from getting your towels or linens changed frequently.

14. Be mindful where you dine – buy locally

Support the businesses that are doing their part to be more eco-friendly and socially responsible. Cafes and restaurants that don’t use single-use plastics and source local ingredients are a great start. You’ll often find that these types of eateries also often donate a certain amount of proceeds to a great cause.

Read more: Discover more sustainable cafes in Phnom Penh, Cambodia .

15. Ditch the souvenirs

Because your nephews will only wear those T-shirts to bed, nobody wants those plastic key chains, and those bracelets are tacky when worn outside of Southeast Asia. Send a postcard instead; way more meaningful and everybody loves getting mail.

16. Order local food and drinks – Spend locally

Not only is trying the local food all part of traveling and experiencing new cultures, but it’s more eco-friendly. Local dishes will generally use local ingredients, which means your food is traveling shorter distances to get to your plate. It’s also always fun to try the local beers in every destination you travel to. Same goes for grocery shopping; buy local produce and goods when possible.

17. Don’t participate in unethical tourist attractions

Hopefully you know by now not to ride elephants. And sorry if this is news to you, but pretty much all tourism that involves animals is unethical. Of course, there are some legitimate conservation and rehabilitation centers, but many places pose as “sanctuaries” to get tourists in. Do your research, read reviews, and remember that wild animals generally shouldn’t be held in captivity.

Read more : Learn about volunteering at the Elephant Nature Park in northern Thailand. Read more : Discover how to eat, shop, and travel responsibly in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

18. Be an example to aspiring green travellers

You don’t need to shame your friends for using plastic bags or asking for a straw; showing that there are easy alternatives is a far more effective method for creating awareness. They might snigger at the stainless steel straw that you carry everywhere, but you can bet they’ll be wondering if using a plastic straw is really necessary for their next drink.

19. Stay on the path

When you’re hiking or trekking, always stay on the designated path. This is to prevent people from trampling on endangered or protected plants and also keeps you away from wildlife you’d probably want to avoid anyway.

20. Find sustainable green hostel accommodation

Let’s face it: sustainable tourism is in right now. And there are now loads of accommodation options that promote sustainability. Whether it be employing locals and offering them above-average wages, reducing the amount of single-use plastics, or contributing to local causes, there are a multitude of ways businesses are becoming more mindful. You can be sure that your stay at Mad Monkey is contributing to sustainable efforts. Read more about our local projects here and book your epic stay in Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines or Australia here .

More information about sustainable tourism:

Looking for even more tips about how to be a green traveller? Then check out these other articles we’ve rounded up to help you become a more ethical and responsible traveller!

• How to go green when you travel by Celeste Brash from Lonely Planet
• 40 Green Travel Tips (The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Travel) from GreenGlobalTravel
• Top 10 Tips for Environmentally-Friendly Travel from World Nomads
• Travel packing for the planet: What’s in my eco-friendly travel kit? from Oceanpreneur

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Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Tours & Travel Packages 2024/2025

849 eco, sustainable & green travel trips. compare tour itineraries from 266 tour companies. 1,589 reviews. 4.8/5 avg rating., popular eco, sustainable & green travel tours.

Holland & Belgium Bike & Boat: Bruges to Amsterdam

• Cycle along tranquil rivers and past meadows, dairy farms, quaint villages, and polder countrysides.
• Get acquainted with local people — and local life — during a visit to a family home.
• Join a local guide for a boat tour of Ghent, whose history dates to around 600 AD.
• View the famous Kinderdijk windmills, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
• Sip authentic Belgian beer during a special tasting on board.

El Calafate & Torres del Paine Tour

• Hike and discover the amazing nature of Patagonia on our El Calafate and Torres del Paine tour.
• Meet massive glaciers, rugged mountains, and wide open, star-lit skies.
• Best time to travel: From October to April.

Hiking the French Riviera : from the back country to Antibes

• Wonderful contrast of mountain peaks & deep blue Mediterranean Sea
• Grasse the perfume capital & Vence source of inspiration for painters and writers
• Most beautiful villages in France: Gourdon, St Paul de Vence, Tourrettes sur Loup
• Moderate hikes above the French Riviera with wind sweeping views
• A mild climate : perfect to hike in winter-spring & automn !

Holland & Belgium Bike & Boat: Amsterdam to Bruges

• Get acquainted with local people—and local life—during a visit to a family home.
• View the famous Kinderdijk windmills, a UNESCO Heritage site.

Azores walking holiday: Faial, Sao Jorge and Pico

• The discovery of 3 authentic and wild islands far away from mass tourism
• The diversity of the hikes: on coastal paths, over craters and cinders, through pastures
• The ascent of Mount Pico (2351 m) with a local guide,
• All transfers included from the airport on day 1 to the airport on day 8
• Swimming in natural pools dug into volcanic rocks

Chile: Coastal Vistas & Vineyards

• Marvel at Humboldt penguins and sea lions as they lounge on islands just offshore.
• Join a captain in his small boat and help him bring in the catch of the day.
• Admire the pride of Viña del Mar, the Reloj de Flores—a large clock made of flowers.
• Stroll the cobbled, winding streets of hillside Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a local guide.
• Blend your own wine with a sommelier, then have it bottled and labeled to go.

8 Days - Mount Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route

• Travel with experienced guides and porters – with one guide for every two climbers.
• Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Machame route, passing through cloud forest and moorland.
• You will be in the safest hands during your trek – with one guide for every two climbers.

The Beautiful Blue Danube

• CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS Tour the major capital cities along the Danube
• Bask in the idyllic landscapes of the Wachau Valley
• EXCURSIONS INCLUDED: Imperial Vienna and Schoenbrunn Palace, the former summer residence for the Hapsburg monarchs, with splendid gardens and lavish rooms
• Budapest, 2000 years of history

All Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel , expedition cruises, self guided adventures and vacation packages. Find the best guided and expert planned vacation and holiday packages. Read more about Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel

Small Group Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Tours

Journey into Nature: 13-Day Deluxe Eco Tour in Vietnam

• Discover the hidden retreat of Pu Luong
• Cruise overnight through emerald waters in Ha Long bay
• Immerse in Hoi An's countryside

14-Days Peru and Ecuador

• Explore the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.
• Wander through the charming streets of Cusco, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its Inca and colonial architecture.
• Discover the vibrant culinary scene in Lima, sampling traditional Peruvian dishes like ceviche and lomo saltado.
• Visit the Sacred Valley of the Incas, where you can explore Pisac Market and the impressive ruins of Ollantaytambo.
• Encounter unique and diverse wildlife, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and Galapagos penguins.

Golden Triangle with Mumbai Goa & Varanasi

• Tour guide in Delhi - Chandani Chowk (Cultural street market), Jama Masjid (Historical), Rajghat Red Fort, Rashtrapati Bhawan, India Gate, Qutub Minar and Humayun Tomb.
• Visit to Agra Fort and one of the seven wonders of the world Taj Mahal
• Explore Buland Darwaza, Panch Mahal, Sheikh Salim Chishti Tomb, Jodha Bai Palace, Moti Mahal etc with 16th century city - Fatehpur Sikri.
• Pink city tour - Amer Fort, Hawa Mahal, City Palace Jantar Mantar and the local bazaars of Jaipur.
• Holy Ganga Aarti & Close experience of open Cremation & Sarnath with Guide.

21 Days Ecuador 360 Loop

• Explore Quito, Ecuador's historical capital deemed the "Middle of the World"
• Trek deep into the Amazon Rainforest to observe the wildlife
• Tour the Otavalo Indigenous market, the biggest market in South America
• Hike up active volcanoes like Quilotoa and Chimborazo
• Visit Pailón del Diablo, Ecuador's second-tallest waterfall

South Africa – Wildlife Conservation Experience

• Going behind the scenes of the conservation efforts to protect endangered species
• Visiting an elephant sanctuary to learn about South Africa's gentle giants
• Tracking the “Big 5” throughout Kruger National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
• Learning firsthand about wildlife conservation from experts at the country’s largest reserve
• Reading and playing with disadvantaged children who want to learn English

Tanzania: Safari & Service

• Volunteering with local children at a village primary school
• Meeting local families and learning about Tanzanian society firsthand
• Seeing zebras, elephants, lions, rhinos and more on an African safari
• Hiking to a waterfall on the side of Mount Kilimanjaro
• Seeing firsthand the nomadic lifestyle of the Masai

Belize: Research & Conservation Experience

• Volunteering directly with manatees to monitor conservation efforts
• Taking a boat to a remote island off the coast of Belize
• Exploring pristine beaches and rainforests scouting for wildlife
• Uncovering waterfalls tucked deep in the jungle & exploring mystical caves
• Snorkeling over colorful reefs in the crystal blue Caribbean waters

Best Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Tours by Duration

Tours, Cruises & Private Trips

Best Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Tours by Price

Top Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Attractions & Experiences

Top Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Experiences

• Waking up to the sound of howler monkeys crashing through treetops of your balcony next to one of Costa Rica ’s National Parks
• Discovering amazing biodiversity on a tour of the Galapagos Islands
• Spotting Bengal Tigers roaming in India’s Bandhavgarh National Park
• Studying Survival and Hunting at Huaorani Eco Lodge in Ecuador
• Tracking silverback gorillas in Uganda
• Reconnecting on a yoga retreat in Rishikesh, India

Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Tours & Travel Guide

Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Attractions & Landmarks Guide

Through embracing this new and (fortunately) increasingly popular type of travel, we can make a real difference to tourism worldwide and its impact. As people that enjoy travel, we are the ideal ambassadors to promote the benefits that travel and tourism can bring: through education, understanding, bringing revenue to in-need parts of the world, and through personal growth too. Read more about how your travels can make a difference and how to book an Eco Tour or Sustainable trip.

What Does "Eco Tourism" Mean?

Eco Tourism is defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education" by the International Eco Tourism Society (2015). Nature is often at the centre of Eco Tourism, which for a long time was perhaps best summarized by the tag line “take only photos, leave only footprints”. Eco Tourism today is about a lot more than doing the least harm possible on our travels. Many tour operators are taking steps to actively and positively contribute towards offsetting carbon emissions through forestation and clean energy projects; protecting endangered wildlife species and setting up tourism projects that include local communities around the world and allow them to benefit from tourism.

Sustainable & Responsible Tourism

Sustainable and Responsible Tourism are often used interchangeably (along with Eco Tourism) and while there are some similarities, there are also some points that set them apart. Sustainable Tourism is the idea of visiting a place and creating only a positive impact on the environment, economy and local society.

Responsible Tourism on the other hand focuses more on making the best choices that we can in each travel moment, to help promote best practices while traveling, to always show respect for the places that we visit and people that we meet along the way, and to protect places so that future generations can still enjoy them too.

Creating a Positive Impact

However we choose to define or call it, there are many points in common between the definitions. The point is to not cause harm, but also to create a positive impact. Through embracing this new and (fortunately) increasingly popular type of travel, we can make a real difference to tourism worldwide and its impact. As people that enjoy travel, we are the ideal ambassadors to promote the benefits that travel and tourism can bring: through education, understanding, bringing revenue to in-need parts of the world, and through personal growth too.

Top Tips for Being a Responsible Traveler

Choose tours that take you off the beaten path . One of the challenges with tourism can be the impact caused by tourists concentrated in high volumes in specific hot spots only. It means that the benefits of impact are then only seen in those areas and not spread out further to those that perhaps could benefit more. By venturing further afield, you’ll be spreading the benefits of tourism to those who need it more.

Think Local. Locally owned accommodation, local (public) transport, locally owned restaurants. The more interaction you have with people living in the country you visit, the more memorable and ‘genuine’ your experience is likely to be, as opposed to being driven around in a minibus for 2 weeks. It can be harder to organize this, but some operators include high levels of public transportation and owned accommodation in their itineraries, thus reducing your research load!

Avoid Plastic. Take your own aluminum water bottle with you and refill it on the road. It’s amazing how the piles of used plastic water bottles stack up. Many islands and developing countries lack the infrastructure for proper recycling or waste disposal, and the plastic just ends up sitting there, or being washed into the ocean for marine life to ingest. With your own water bottle you’ll be pleasantly surprised how many places are happy to refill your water bottle with filtered water (where tap water is not suitable for drinking) at a discount of the price for normal bottled water, or even for free.

Check the dress code. Seek advice from your trip notes or tour information on what clothing to pack for your trip. Apart from weather, different countries have very different ideas about what is respectful and appropriate clothing to wear, and visiting religious sites in most parts of the world will require covering up to some degree. Although many people would not say anything, showing shoulders or legs may cause offense without us realizing.

Stay open.  Asking questions and being curious to discover new cultures and countries is a life-enriching experience, and one of the advantages of having a guide at hand is that they can be your gateway to learning about a new part of the world.

Eco, Sustainable & Green Travel Reviews & Ratings

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What an experience - a 3 day trip in the Atacama desert. Big skies, glorious stars, geysers, deserts, valleys and mountains - all in great company and superbly organ...

We will be happy to recommend your company to others.

We found Say Hueque by accident in an internet search and liked the fact that we could shape our own trip and pick and choose. The booking process with Lujan was ver...

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Traveling to eco, sustainable & green travel, an faq.

1. Does Travelstride have all the tour operators?

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The round trip to/from your Erasmus destination is a fundamental part of your mobility experience. The way you do it though, makes a difference. As the most extensive mobility scheme in the world, the Erasmus programme moves thousands of students who inevitably contribute significant carbon emissions. Emissions from aviation in particular have been rising rapidly over the past two decades. Technical solutions, such as transitioning to sustainable aviation fuels are still far from being mainstream, and still do not eliminate emissions entirely.

Therefore, we need to consider changes in behaviour when it comes to travel choices. Before starting your Erasmus+ exchange, consider measuring the carbon footprint of different transport options and check how your journey affects the climate.

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• Calculate your journey’s carbon footprint.
• Take a train or a bus to reach your Erasmus mobility destination, as low-carbon alternatives to short-haul flights. By doing so, the Erasmus+ programme foresees an extra 50 euros and up to 4 days of additional individual support for your journey. Ask your international/mobility office for more information about this funding opportunity. Meanwhile, have a look at the tips and tricks for green travel written by Movetia (Swiss National Agency for Exchange and Mobility) and by the Green Office of Utrecht University , and follow the steps suggested by Erasmus by Train .
• Rail and coach connections vary considerably across Europe, therefore, for some destinations it may not be feasible to take a train, bus or coach.  If you do need to fly, opt for airlines with more efficient fleets and routes with fewer stopovers. Direct flights are less polluting. When feasible, fly to places close to your final destination and switch to alternative transport modes for the final stage of your journey.
• Travel by train and/or bus requires a mental shift (welcome to the world of slow travel!) as it can take one or few more days to reach your destination. If you are looking for a place to stay ‘en route’, use an eco-friendly booking site for accommodation or opt for homestays. Fancy a hostel experience? Have a look at Hostelling International , a worldwide network of not-for-profit Youth Hostel Associations advocating sustainable travel.
• Travel prepared! A lot of disposable plastics are avoidable. To reduce plastic waste generated while travelling, make sure you have a reusable kit: a water bottle and a cup for hot drinks, a reusable shopping bag, reusable cutlery, toiletries in refillable bottles and/or soap bar. Become a Traveler Against Plastic !
• Find out about students' public transport cards or bike rental systems to move green once you reach your destination. You might need that passport photo in the drawer of your bedside table…

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Hamas leader Haniyeh to travel to Tehran for meetings with Iranian officials, Press TV reports

(Reuters) – Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh will travel to Tehran on Tuesday to meet Iranian officials, a day after the United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian group, Iran’s official Press TV reported.

Iran has backed Hamas in the nearly six-month war with Israel that has killed more than 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

It will be Haniyeh’s second visit to Iran since the outbreak of the war on Oct. 7.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani called Monday’s resolution a “positive step”.

“A more important step is effective action for its implementation,” said Kanaani.

Hamas welcomed the U.N. resolution but said the ceasefire needs to be permanent.

The United States abstained from the U.N. vote, sparking a spat with its ally Israel.

(Editing by Christopher Cushing and Michael Perry)

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When is St. Patrick's Day? Here's what day it is in 2024 and why we celebrate it

A lthough the true history of St. Patrick’s Day is an interesting one, the holiday has mostly become known in the U.S. as a day of drinking, parades and donning green.

Communities across the country have developed their own observances and traditions. The Shamrock shake was created in Connecticut in 1967 by Hal Rose, a McDonald’s restaurant owner and operator. It debuted nationally in 1970 and was an instant success.

The Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130 has been dyeing the Chicago River green for almost 69 years.

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With all the traditions surrounding St. Patrick, you may be wondering why St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated on the same day every year and whether it’s spelled St. Paddy’s or Patty’s.

Here's what to know about St. Patrick's Day 2024, including what it has to do with leprechauns.

And here's our guide to the St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Faire in downtown Phoenix on March 16, 2024.

Why is St. Patrick’s Day celebrated?

St. Patrick’s Day is the feast of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. In Ireland, he's celebrated with religious services and feasts.

Emigrants to the United States helped transform the holiday into a “largely secular holiday of revelry and celebration things Irish,” according to Britannica.com .

Cities with lots of Irish immigrants staged large-scale celebrations. Irish and non-Irish people alike participate in the holiday now, wearing green clothing or a shamrock, the Irish national plant.

Beer is sometimes dyed green to celebrate the day and corned beef and cabbage are associated with the holiday. Some of these practices have been adopted by Irish people, but it was mainly for the benefit of tourists, according to Britannica.com.

What is the true story of St. Patrick’s Day?

St. Patrick is the national apostle of Ireland and lived during the fifth century. He was born in Roman Britain and kidnapped and brought to Ireland as a slave at 16. He escaped from Ireland but returned and was credited with bringing Christianity there.

Following his death, a lot of mythology about him became ingrained in Irish culture. The most well-known story is that he explained the Holy Trinity – father, son and holy spirit – using the three leaves of an Irish clover, or shamrock, according to History.com .

St. Patrick’s Day commemorates the death of St. Patrick but has evolved into a celebration of Irish culture with parades, food, music, dancing, drinking and the color green.

Why are leprechauns tied to St. Patrick's Day?

The original Irish word for Leprechauns is lobaircin, which means small-bodied fellow.

The belief in leprechauns stems from Celtic ideas of fairies, tiny men and women who could use their powers for good or evil, according to History.com . Leprechauns were known for mending the shoes of other fairies and using trickery to protect fabled treasure.

They were popularized outside of Ireland by poets like William Butler Yeats and other 19th-century folklorists.

The current depiction of leprechauns can be attributed to Walt Disney, who visited Ireland and was inspired to make the 1959 movie "Darby O'Gill and the Little People." This along, with the Lucky Charms cereal mascot Lucky, contributed to American culture's conception of green-wearing and cheerful leprechauns with pots of gold, according to National Geographic .

When is St. Patrick’s Day 2024?

St. Patrick’s Day is on Sunday, March 17, 2024.

Is St. Patrick’s Day the same date every year?

St. Patrick’s Day is the same date each year: March 17. The day may change but the date remains the same.

Why is St. Patrick's Day celebrated on March 17th?

St. Patrick’s Day is on March 17 because that is the anniversary of the death of St. Patrick in 461.

Paddy or Patty?

The correct informal way to say St. Patrick’s Day is St. Paddy’s. That's because Paddy is the shortened form of the original Irish spelling of Patrick, which is Pádraig. Paddy's also is used over Patty’s because that nickname could be confused as the shortened form of the name Patricia, according to Merriam-Webster .

Reach the reporter at   [email protected] . Follow   @dina_kaur  on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Support local journalism.   Subscribe to azcentral.com today .

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: When is St. Patrick's Day? Here's what day it is in 2024 and why we celebrate it

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The Top Attractions in Rostov-on-Don

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Rostov-On-Don city is a port and the administrative center of Southern Federal District of Russia. It lies to the southeast of the East European Plain, on the Don River. The city stands on the banks of the Don River, about 46 kilometres east of the Azov Sea and 1,070 kilometres south of Moscow. The climate is temperate continental. Rostov-on-Don has a specific unique outlook because of its rich historical and cultural heritage.

There are more than 1,000 objects of cultural heritage in the city, among them 482 architectural monuments, 70 archaeological monuments, eight large memorial complexes and 106 monuments. It is a major transport hub of the southern part of European Russia and a large educational and scientific center of Russia. So take a look at the city’s major points of interest. Our tips will make your trip to Rostov-On-Don unforgettable and full of interesting activities. https://www.instagram.com/p/BXex-Lzh8uV/?taken-at=213270263 Pushkin Street Take a look at this landscaped boulevard, lined with thousands of trees, flowers, restaurants, food kiosks, benches, memorials and statues. Pushkin Street leads into both the City Park and October Revolution Park. The biggest street of the city is always crowded and you can find a lot of activities there as a tourist. Undoubtedly the first place to go upon arrival, especially if you’re hungry. https://www.instagram.com/p/BYVR7KrHPyl/?tagged=%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BD Don River Lookout Right after a visit to Pushkin Street, move to Don River lookout (aka, the Embankment) where you’ll enjoy a stroll along the riverside. The Embankment is lined with several restaurants, statues, fountains and a few souvenir shops; it also has an outstanding picturesque view. Yet it is considered to be the centre of Rostov’s nightlife. https://www.instagram.com/p/BYQtspxHtsu/?taken-at=1092801284125416 Rostov Zoo If you’re in travelling with children, then this zoo is well worth a visit. One of the largest zoos in Russia, it is home to a huge variety of animals, including giraffes, camels, polar bears, falcons, reptiles, fish and tigers. Located right in the city centre. https://www.instagram.com/p/BYQDpiIAGEU/?taken-at=879146942 Maxim Gorky Academic Drama Theatre. This theatre is a famous venue for dramatic plays, comedies and concerts in the Rostov area. It is located on the eastern end of Bolshaya Sadovaya Street (Teatralnaya Square 1), directly across the street from the monument known as ‘Stella’. Maxim Gorky Theatre operates even in summer when all other venues are closed. https://www.instagram.com/p/BNCnw_DA4Lo/?tagged=%D1%80%D0%BE%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%80%D1%8B%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%BA Central Market This massive outdoor and indoor market, which consists of many tiny shops and kiosks, can be both exciting and intimidating for tourists. Market shopping is one of the most memorable experiences that Russia has to offer for an adventurous tourist who just arrived here. You can buy anything here. The market is located in the downtown area, on Stanislavskovo Street, just four blocks south of the central intersection of Bolshaya Sadovaya Street. https://www.instagram.com/p/BYXMs9Xjcsk/?tagged=%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%BA%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%BE%D0%BD Bridges Over the Don River & Embankment This city network of bridges and overpasses was constructed between 2007 and 2010, and it consists of a steel and a concrete composite structures across the River Don. Almost all the bridges were designed by the St ­Petersburg engineering firm TransMost and constructed by the Moscow contractor MostoTrest.

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The best places to stay in rostov-on-don.

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Rostov the Great, Russia

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Why visit rostov the great.

Founded in 862, fabulous Rostov the Great or Rostov Veliky (do not confuse it with Rostov-on-Don) is situated on the sparkling Lake Nero's shores and is known as a tourist center of the famous Golden Ring itinerary . The scenic town with more than a thousand years of history boasts a huge number of cultural monuments. Some of them are considered to be especially valuable cultural heritage sites.

Rostov has dozens of amazing sites. The most significant must-see on your Rostov tour is definitely the Rostov Kremlin , placed in the historic town center. The Kremlin was originally built not as a fortress but as a residence of the local church leader. The Yaroslavo-Rostovsky Museum is a treasure trove of Russian icon art, while the other Rostov churches hold many of their own beautiful frescoes.

Attractions of Rostov Veliky

Another outstanding landmark worth seeing during your Rostov travel is Abraham monastery . Founded in the 11th century, it has the honorary title of one of Russia's oldest monasteries. 

The Borisoglebsky Monastery sits 18 km from Rostov. The monastery was founded in the 14th century by two monks who supported St. Sergiy. It is believed that St. Sergiy himself selected the location for the monastery. It was often visited by Russian princes and tsars, including Ivan the Terrible, who came to the monastery three times and made more than twenty donations. In 1994, the Borisoglebsky Monastery witnessed a revival after the dark Soviet times. Nowadays, it is a male monastery and a branch of the "Rostov Kremlin" museum sanctuary.

If you decide to switch from historical highlights to picturesque nature views, consider visiting the Rostov City Park located in a natural beauty spot on Lake Nero's shore. Spectacular city festivals are organized annually on the park boardwalk and delight the visitors with fantastic parades, theatrical plays, reconstruction battles, and other breathtaking events. All these will certainly turn your Rostov journey into an exciting adventure.

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With green and glee, major US parades mark St. Patrick’s Day — a little early

The Chicago River is dyed green ahead of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

A woman cheers during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A bagpiper marches along Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A spectator dressed in his finest St. Patrick’s day outfit uses his cell phone to record part of the 200th anniversary celebration of Savannah’'s first St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Savannah, Ga. Georgia’s oldest city first parade started with a modest procession on March 17, 1824. (Stephen B. Morton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Participants gather as they wait to march during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A kayaker floats on the Chicago River, dyed green ahead of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

An honor guard leads a group of dignitaries past the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist during the beginning of the 200th anniversary of Savannah’'s St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Savannah, Ga. The parade lineup featured at least 230 pipe-and-drum bands, dignitaries, marching military units and shamrock-decorated floats. (Stephen B. Morton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

Bagpipers march along Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

The grand marshal of the 2024 Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Irish-born Heineken USA CEO Maggie Timoney, the first female CEO of a major U.S. beer company, marches in the parade in New York, on Saturday, March 16, 2024. (AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey)

People watch the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A Chicago Fire Department boat floats on the Chicago River, dyed green ahead of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Cheerleaders march along Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Bagpipers, right, and State Police, center, march along Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

Members of the Chicago Journeymen Plumbers Local 130 dye the Chicago River green ahead of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Six-year-old Eloise Tallon of Savannah waves to friends during the St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Savannah, Ga. This is the 200th parade since the first in 1824. (Stephen B. Morton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

A nun holds a baby as participants march along Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A child eats a donut during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

State Police march along Fifth Avenue during the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 16, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A member of the Garda Síochána, the national the national police and security service of Ireland, is kissed by a bystander during the 200th anniversary of Savannah’'s St. Patrick’s Day parade, Saturday, March 16, 2024, in Savannah, Ga. This is the 200th parade since the first in Georgia’s oldest city that started in 1824. (Stephen B. Morton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

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NEW YORK (AP) — People across the United States celebrated Irish heritage at several major St. Patrick’s Day parades Saturday, marking the holiday a day early at events that included a big anniversary in Savannah, Georgia, and honored a pioneering female business leader as grand marshal in New York.

The holiday commemorates Ireland’s patron saint and was popularized largely by Irish Catholic immigrants. While St. Patrick’s Day falls on March 17, some parades were moved up from Sunday, a day of worship for the Christian faithful.

Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade , which dates to 1762 — 14 years before the U.S. Declaration of Independence — is one of the world’s largest Irish heritage festivities.

Megan Stransky of Houston and two relatives planned a Broadway weekend to coincide with the parade, seeing it as a prime opportunity to remember their family’s Irish roots and the traditions that helped shape their upbringing.

The event didn’t disappoint.

“There is no comparison to any other parade or city that I’ve been to,” Stransky marveled as she took in the bagpipers, bands, police and military contingents and more.

The grand marshal, Irish-born Heineken USA CEO Maggie Timoney, is the first female CEO of a major U.S. beer company. At a pre-parade reception at New York’s mayoral residence, Irish Minister for Justice Helen McEntee hailed the recognition for Timoney and noted some other causes for celebrating Irish American links this year, including Irish actor Cillian Murphy’s best actor Oscar win last weekend.

New York City has multiple parades on various dates around its five boroughs — including, on Sunday, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade allowing LGBTQ+ groups to march on Staten Island.

Mayor Eric Adams last month announced the plan for the new, privately organized celebration, arranged after a local organization asked for years to join the borough’s decades-old parade. That longstanding event, which does not allow groups to march under LGBTQ+ banners, happened earlier this month.

The Manhattan parade began allowing LGBTQ+ groups and symbols in 2015, after decades of protests, legal challenges and boycotts by some politicians.

Ahead of Chicago’s parade, thousands of people — many decked out in green with beers in hand — gathered along the Chicago River to watch the local plumbers union boats turn the water green . Organizers say the tradition, started by the union, uses an environmentally friendly powder once used to check pipes for leaks.

Katie and Ryan Fox, of suburban Mount Pleasant, landed a spot on a tour boat and saw one of the union boats spraying the dye in front of them.

Ryan Fox, 37, said seeing the river dyed by boat was one of his “bucket list” items.

“If there’s a city that does it better than Chicago, I’d like to see it,” he said.

Large, green-garbed crowds also lined the streets of Savannah for the bicentennial of a parade that began with a few dozen Irish immigrants in 1824. It’s now one of the South’s major annual events, much so that the Savannah area had nearly 18,000 hotel rooms booked for the weekend.

Other communities lent their own flavor to the St. Patrick’s Day revelry.

In Oklahoma City, hundreds lined the streets of Stockyard City — the country’s largest stockyard operation — for a parade including longhorn cattle, clowns and a man dressed as St. Patrick. The grand marshal was Anita Swift, granddaughter of American film legend John Wayne.

In San Francisco, revelers wearing dark green T-shirts and lime green feather boas watched bands, floats and buses in the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. The event called for unity and aimed to bring together different cultural groups with dance, music and food.

This story has been corrected to show that Manhattan’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade began allowing LGBTQ+ groups to march under their own banners in 2015, not 2014, and that the new Staten Island parade allowing such contingents is set to happen Sunday, rather than having happened in February. The story has been edited to clarify that Timoney is USA CEO for Heineken.

Music + Concerts | How to get tickets to Green Day’s intimate…

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Music + concerts, music + concerts | how to get tickets to green day’s intimate show at house of blues anaheim on tuesday, the warm-up show comes ahead of the trio launching its the saviors tour, which will hit stadiums across north america this summer..

East Bay punk rock band and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Green Day will play an intimate show at House of Blues Anaheim on Tuesday, March 19, ahead of the launch of its massive summer stadium tour.

Tickets go on sale at 1 p.m. Monday, March 18 at LiveNation.com .

The Saviors Tour will highlight the 30th anniversary of the band’s album “Dookie” and the 20th anniversary of “American Idiot,” as the trio will play both albums in their entirety. The set will also include other fan favorites, as well as songs from Green Day’s latest album, “Saviors,” which dropped back in January.

The outing, which comes to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on Sept. 14, Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sept. 20 and Petco Park in San Diego on Sept. 28, will feature support from The Smashing Pumpkins, Rancid and The Linda Lindas .

If you miss out on tickets for the special show on Tuesday, there are still tickets available at SoFi Stadium starting at $79 at Ticketmaster.com and at Petco Park starting at $85 at Ticketmaster.com . Tickets for the Oracle Park date are currently sold out.

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