How to Travel More Sustainably: 15 Simple Ways to Be a More Responsible Traveller

I love travelling. Whether it’s a flight somewhere completely new, a weekend road trip or discovering somewhere close to home, exploring new places has given me some of my favourite memories. But the more I travel, the more I think about the impact we leave behind.

Travel allows us to experience incredible landscapes, learn about different cultures, support communities and see parts of the world we might otherwise only ever read about. At the same time, millions of us travelling to these places inevitably has an impact.

For me, sustainable travel doesn’t mean never getting on a plane again, giving up road trips or completely changing the way I explore. It’s more about being intentional with the choices I make along the way.

Where I spend my money, how I treat the places I visit, what I pack, how I get around and even when I choose to visit can all make a difference.

I’m certainly not a perfect traveller. I still fly, take road trips and sometimes choose convenience because it’s the most realistic option. I don’t think sustainable travel needs to be about getting everything right. Instead, I think it’s about becoming more aware of the impact we have and making better choices when we can.

So, if you love travelling as much as I do but want to be a little kinder to the places and communities you visit, here are some simple ways to travel more sustainably.

Table of Contents

What Does Sustainable Travel Actually Mean?

Sustainable travel is often associated with reducing environmental impact, but it goes much further than that. UN Tourism defines sustainable tourism as tourism that takes account of its current and future economic, social and environmental impacts, while considering the needs of visitors, the tourism industry, the environment and host communities.

That broader definition is much closer to how I think about responsible travel. It’s not only about how much carbon a trip produces. It’s also about how tourism affects the people who live there, whether local businesses benefit, how natural and cultural spaces are treated and whether our choices make things better or harder for the destination.

The choices we make when travelling can affect natural spaces, wildlife, local communities, housing and the businesses that depend on tourism. For me, being a responsible traveller is about being aware of those things rather than following a strict list of rules.

It could mean choosing a local restaurant instead of a familiar chain, staying on the designated trail during a hike, taking public transportation when it makes sense or spending longer in one destination rather than rushing between several places.

I also try to remember something very simple when I travel: the destination might be somewhere I’m visiting for a few days, but it’s home to someone else.

Explore Closer to Home

Exploring closer to home has always been one of my favourite ways to travel. For as long as I can remember, I’ve enjoyed discovering the places around me, whether that means taking a weekend road trip, visiting a small town I’ve never been to or finding a new hiking trail close to home.

I love travelling internationally, but I’ve never felt like I need to get on a plane to have an adventure. Some of my favourite trips have happened much closer to home, and there’s something exciting about realizing how much there still is to discover in a place you think you already know.

It’s also one of the easiest ways to make travel a little more sustainable. Exploring locally can mean fewer flights and shorter journeys, while also giving you the opportunity to spend money in communities closer to home. These trips can be more affordable too, which is always a bonus if you want to travel more often.

I think we sometimes overlook what’s around us simply because it feels familiar. It’s easy to dream about destinations on the other side of the world while forgetting about the small towns, hiking trails, parks and beautiful places that might only be an hour or two away.

That’s one of the reasons I’ve always loved exploring where I live. Even after years of doing it, there are still places I haven’t seen.

Of course, travelling closer to home doesn’t automatically make every trip sustainable. Driving still has an environmental impact. But choosing a local adventure sometimes instead of automatically looking for somewhere to fly can be one small way to change how we travel.

For me, that doesn’t feel like a compromise at all. I genuinely love seeing what I can find closer to home.

Travel More Slowly When You Can

I know how tempting it is to try to see everything when you travel. I’m a planner, and when I’m going somewhere new, there’s always another neighbourhood, attraction, town or day trip I want to add to my itinerary.

It’s especially difficult when you’ve travelled a long way and don’t know when you’ll have the chance to return. You want to make the most of your time, which can quickly turn into trying to fit far too much into a few days.

Over time, though, I’ve come to appreciate having more time in fewer places.

Slower travel doesn’t have to mean spending a month in one destination. For most of us, that simply isn’t realistic. It can be as simple as deciding not to add another city to an already busy itinerary or staying an extra night somewhere instead of moving on.

Having that extra time also leaves room for the things you didn’t plan. You might find a café you want to return to, spend longer at a place you really enjoy or have an afternoon where you don’t need to keep checking the time.

There’s a sustainability benefit to that too, since moving between fewer destinations can mean fewer flights, train journeys or long drives. But I also think it can make a trip much more enjoyable.

Consider How You Get There and Get Around

Transportation is one area where the more sustainable option isn’t always the most practical.

Sometimes taking a train instead of flying makes perfect sense. Other times, the journey takes significantly longer, costs much more or the train simply doesn’t go where you need it to go. The same applies to getting around once you arrive.

There can be a significant environmental difference between different forms of transportation. According to Our World in Data, taking national rail instead of an average petrol car for a medium-distance journey can reduce emissions by around 80%, while choosing rail instead of a domestic flight can reduce them by around 86%. The exact difference varies depending on factors such as the country’s electricity supply, the type of vehicle and how many passengers are travelling.

I love exploring on foot whenever I can. Walking is one of my favourite ways to get to know somewhere because I notice so much more than I would from a car. Small cafés, interesting buildings, parks and side streets are often the things I end up remembering.

In cities with good public transportation, I’m also happy to use buses, trains, subways and trams rather than renting a car. But there are plenty of trips where having a car makes sense. National parks, rural areas, hiking destinations and small towns can be difficult to explore any other way, and pretending otherwise isn’t particularly helpful.

I prefer to look at what makes sense for the individual trip. If I can walk, take public transportation or use a train, great. If a car is the only realistic way to see somewhere, I’m going to use one.

It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.

Support Local Businesses

Supporting local businesses is probably one of the easiest sustainable travel choices for me because it’s something I naturally enjoy doing anyway.

I love independent cafés, small shops, local markets and locally owned restaurants. I can quite happily spend an afternoon walking around a small town and popping into whatever businesses catch my attention.

Some of my favourite memories from travelling have come from those unplanned stops too. I love finding something made locally, chatting with a shop owner or discovering a café I hadn’t researched beforehand.

When possible, I try to spend at least some of my travel budget with businesses that are actually part of the community I’m visiting. That might mean booking a local guide, eating at an independent restaurant, shopping from a local maker or visiting a farmers’ market.

It doesn’t mean I never visit chains or larger businesses. I do. But when there’s a local option that appeals to me, I’d much rather try that.

Travel Outside Peak Season When You Can

I’ve become a big fan of travelling outside the busiest times of year.

There are obviously destinations where visiting during peak season makes sense. Weather, seasonal attractions and events can all dictate when you travel. But if my dates are flexible, I’m usually quite happy to consider the shoulder season.

Popular destinations can feel completely different when they aren’t at their busiest. There may be fewer people at attractions, accommodation can sometimes be cheaper and you might not need to book every part of your trip months ahead.

It can also reduce some of the pressure caused when huge numbers of visitors arrive within the same short period. Roads, public transportation, trails and other infrastructure all have to cope with those crowds.

There are trade-offs. Shoulder-season weather can be unpredictable, some businesses may have reduced hours and certain attractions might be closed. I always check those things first rather than assuming everything will be available.

But if what I want to see and do is still open, I’m usually very happy to deal with slightly less predictable weather in exchange for a quieter trip.

Respect Nature and Wildlife

Spending time outdoors is one of my favourite parts of travelling, so this is something I care about a lot.

One of my favourite reminders when exploring outdoors is simple:

“Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints.”

I try to leave natural spaces exactly as I found them. That means staying on designated trails, taking rubbish with me, not picking plants or removing rocks and paying attention to whatever rules are in place. There are good reasons behind those rules. Parks Canada says leaving designated paths can cause soil erosion and damage fragile plants and wildlife habitat, while some closures are specifically put in place to protect sensitive habitats and important wildlife corridors.

It’s particularly frustrating to see people ignore barriers or leave a trail just to get a photograph. Those restrictions are usually there for a reason, whether it’s protecting the landscape, keeping visitors safe or both.

The same goes for wildlife. Seeing an animal in the wild can be an incredible experience, but getting closer doesn’t make the experience better. I keep my distance, never feed wildlife and follow the guidance of the park or conservation area I’m visiting.

We’re entering their environment, not the other way around.

Reduce Waste Without Making Travel Complicated

I don’t think travelling more sustainably needs to involve buying an entirely new collection of “eco-friendly” travel products.

In fact, buying lots of new things you don’t really need seems to defeat the purpose.

I prefer to keep this part simple and use things I already own. A reusable water bottle is one of the easiest things to bring, especially when travelling somewhere with safe drinking water and refill stations. I also find a reusable tote useful for groceries, markets and all those random things you somehow end up carrying around during a trip.

Being thoughtful about toiletries and declining things you don’t need can help reduce waste too.

But I’m realistic about it. I’ve bought bottled water while travelling and I’m sure I will again. There are places where drinking the tap water isn’t recommended, times when you forget something and situations where the reusable option simply isn’t available.

I’d rather make sensible changes where I can than spend a trip worrying about whether every decision is perfectly sustainable.

Choose Accommodation More Intentionally

Choosing sustainable accommodation can be surprisingly difficult because almost any hotel can describe itself as “green” or “eco-friendly.”

I think it’s worth looking beyond those labels if sustainability is part of your decision. Credible environmental certifications can be helpful, along with information about how a property manages water, energy and waste or whether it employs people from the surrounding community.

There are simple things I can control as a guest too. I don’t need fresh towels every day, and I certainly don’t need my bedding changed constantly during a short stay.

I’ve also become more aware of the effect different types of accommodation can have on the communities we visit. Short-term rentals can be incredibly useful, particularly for longer stays, families or groups, but they can also contribute to housing problems in destinations where homes are increasingly being turned into tourist accommodation.

I don’t think there’s one accommodation option that is automatically right or wrong. It depends on where you are and what’s happening locally, which is why doing a little research can help.

Be Mindful of Overtourism

I have plenty of famous destinations on my travel wish list, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with wanting to see places that millions of other people also want to experience. They’re usually popular for a reason.

The problem comes when the number of visitors starts affecting the environment and the people who live there. Overtourism can put pressure on housing, transportation, roads, natural spaces and local services, while also making the experience less enjoyable for everyone.

Visiting outside the busiest season can help, as can going to popular attractions earlier or later in the day. I also like exploring beyond the handful of places that appear on almost every itinerary.

Most importantly, I think we need to remember that these places aren’t there solely for tourists. People live, work and raise families in the neighbourhoods we’re walking through. Someone’s doorstep isn’t a photo prop, and being on vacation doesn’t mean local rules no longer apply.

There are also times when a lesser-known place ends up being far more memorable than the attraction everyone told you not to miss. That’s part of the fun of exploring somewhere new.

Learn About the Place You’re Visiting

I think one of the simplest ways to be a more responsible traveller is to remember that we’re guests.

Before visiting somewhere new, I like to learn at least a little about the destination. Depending on where I’m going, that could mean learning a few words in the local language, understanding what clothing is appropriate at religious sites, checking tipping customs or reading the rules before visiting a protected area.

You don’t need to know everything before you arrive, and realistically, you’re probably going to make the occasional mistake.

But making an effort matters.

I also think knowing something about the history and culture of a place makes travelling more interesting. A building, neighbourhood, tradition or local dish means more when you understand some of the story behind it.

Be a Responsible Travel Creator

This is something I’ve thought about more since I started sharing my travels online.

As a travel blogger, I’m not only deciding where I go. Something I share could influence where someone else decides to go too, and I think that comes with some responsibility.

If I recommend a hiking trail, viewpoint, small town or natural area, I want to give people the information they need to visit it responsibly. If parking needs to be reserved, I should mention it. If visitors need to stay on a designated trail, that’s worth including. If somewhere is environmentally sensitive, sharing its exact location with thousands of people may not always be the right thing to do.

The same applies to photographs. I would never want someone to cross a barrier, leave a trail or put themselves in danger because they were trying to recreate something they’d seen online.

I started sharing my travels because I genuinely enjoy helping other people discover places, and I don’t want to stop doing that. But I think there’s a difference between inspiring someone to experience somewhere and treating destinations as places that exist solely to create content.

The more people our content reaches, the more important that distinction becomes.

Don’t Treat Travel Like a Checklist

I love planning my trips. I research things to do, save places I want to visit and usually have a pretty good idea of how I want to spend my time before I arrive.

But I don’t want every trip to become a race to tick attractions off a list.

Some of the moments I remember most have happened between the things I planned. Walking around without anywhere specific to be, sitting with a coffee and watching the world go by, finding an interesting shop or deciding to stay somewhere longer because I was enjoying it.

I’ve also left destinations without seeing things I planned to see. Sometimes I’ve run out of time, changed my mind or decided I’d rather spend longer somewhere else.

And that’s fine. There will always be something else to see.

Trying to do absolutely everything can leave you rushing through the places you travelled all that way to experience in the first place.

Think About What You Buy

I love bringing something home from my travels, particularly when it has a connection to the place I visited.

These days, I’m much more interested in finding something I’ll genuinely keep or use than buying a souvenir simply because I feel like I should.

Local art, food, ceramics, jewellery and products made by local businesses can be lovely reminders of a trip while also putting money back into the community.

I also try to ask myself whether I actually want something before buying it. If I know it’s going to end up forgotten in a drawer when I get home, I probably don’t need it.

And sometimes the photographs, memories and ridiculous number of pictures on my camera roll are more than enough.

Sustainable Travel Isn’t About Being Perfect

This is probably the most important thing I want someone to take away from this post.

I don’t travel perfectly, and I don’t expect anyone else to either.

I fly. I drive. I sometimes choose convenience. There are times when the most environmentally friendly option isn’t affordable or practical, and there are times when I simply don’t make the best possible choice.

For me, sustainable travel is about awareness rather than perfection.

I can fly somewhere and use public transportation once I arrive. I can take a road trip and support independent businesses along the way. I can explore closer to home more often, carry a reusable water bottle, respect wildlife and spend longer in fewer destinations.

None of those choices on their own is going to solve the problems associated with tourism, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth making.

I’d rather make imperfect choices with a little more thought than decide there’s no point trying because I can’t do everything perfectly.

Final Thoughts on How to Travel More Sustainably

I don’t think the answer is to stop exploring. Travel has given me some of my favourite memories. It has taken me to places I dreamed about seeing, introduced me to places I never expected to love and reminded me just how much there is to discover close to home. I don’t want to give that up. I just want to be more conscious of what I leave behind.

For me, travelling more sustainably means slowing down when I can, supporting local businesses, respecting natural spaces and wildlife, thinking about how I get around and remembering that every destination is someone’s home. It also means accepting that I’m not going to get every decision right.

I still want to chase beautiful views, take spontaneous road trips, get on planes to places I’ve always wanted to see and keep ticking destinations off my bucket list. I just want to do it with a little more awareness.

Because the places we love exploring deserve to still be there for the people who call them home and for those of us lucky enough to visit them in the future.