It is everyone’s responsibility to consider how our holidays and personal choices may negatively impact the environment. That doesn’t mean we have to stop travelling altogether, but that we should reconsider how we travel. Here are ten ways to reduce your carbon footprint for your next trip.

Travel by train

Depending where you are travelling, the train can be one of the best, safest and most efficient ways to see a country. In fact, train travel is probably my favourite mode of transport altogether. There is something just so inherently magical about looking out of a window and watching the countryside whizz past you. And on top of this, it takes the top spot for the most eco-friendly mode of transport. You don’t have to worry so much about luggage restrictions, and the main train station is usually right in the city centre with easy metro connections to get to and from your accommodation. A win-win, in my opinion. Booking ahead can significantly reduce the cost of train travel, as well as package deals like Eurail/Interrail for Europe or “Sparkarte” (reduced ticket) specials in Germany. Many countries will have student or youth discounts for the train as well. Do some research to see how you can get the best deal wherever you are travelling.

Travel by bus

Although less luxurious and romantic than the train, the bus is usually the most affordable mode of transport, and the best option for those who want to travel flexibly. On my last trip to Europe I travelled almost exclusively by bus, as it meant I was able to decide where I wanted to go the day beforehand and change plans at will. Like the train, you usually don’t have to pay extra for luggage either. Just make sure you get there early to grab the best window seat.

Carpooling

Although cars are not the most eco-friendly option when compared to trains or buses, carpooling with others can significantly reduce your carbon footprint than if you were to travel by car alone. Websites such as blablacar.com make carpooling an easy and affordable option for solo travellers, and it’s also an easy way to meet new people.

Practice slow travel

Probably the best thing you can do to reduce your carbon footprint (without ruling out travel altogether) is to practice slow travel. Rather than hopping on a plane in Paris and landing in Riga the next day, decide on an area you want to see and take it slow. You won’t see everything in your lifetime, and sometimes by wanting to see more you actually end up seeing less. Some of my best travel memories have been from the random place I went to that was recommended by someone I met along the way, or the little village I stopped off at to find some lunch. Travel slowly and humbly, meet the locals, learn about the culture, try the food, try to blend in one day and be a big ol’ tourist the next. Don’t forget that travel is about the journey, not the destination.

Travel somewhere nearby or within your own country

For the longest time, I always sought out travel in other continents far away from my own. But recently I finished reading Robyn Davidson’s novel “Tracks” in which she travels across the Australian desert with three camels and her dog, and I realised how much I had been missing out on travel in my own country. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit new and exciting places ever again, but just consider how much there is to see in your own backyard.

Pack a reusable shopping bag, coffee cup, metal straw and water bottle

These little things that we use in our everyday lives to live more sustainably are easy to forget when travelling, but are just as important (if not more!). We are often on the run while travelling, but that doesn’t mean we have to be wasteful. Consider bringing a bamboo cutlery set as well if you are always eating on the go.

Eat more veggie and vegan food along the way

Anyone who has travelled a lot will know that traditional cuisine is often heavy in meat, dairy and other animal products, but it is also true that animal agriculture is an enormously unsustainable industry that is still the leading driver of climate change. I am not saying you should stop eating animal products altogether (although I’m not not saying that either!), but to try and include as many veggie and vegan foods whenever possible. Most destinations will have at least one vegetarian option for traditional cuisine (think mozzarella pizza in Italy, onion soup in France or spinach bürek in the Balkans), and many places have amazing vegan restaurants, some that even do vegan versions of traditional food.

Fly if you must, but use more sustainable transport to get around

Even when we don’t always do everything perfectly, our everyday actions still impact the environment enormously. I live in Australia, so unless I consider sailing then flying is my only option to get out of the country. But that doesn’t mean that I am going to throw everything else out of the window just because I took a flight. Once I am in a new continent, I avoid flying wherever possible.

Fly direct

When I started travelling on my own at 18, I would always choose the cheapest, longest and most inconvenient flight possible just to save some precious dollars. It usually involved a stopover in Asia and another in Europe before I reached my actual destination. However, planes need an enormous amount of fuel for take off and landing, which is why flying direct is the most eco-efficient way to fly. Flight prices have gone down a lot since 2012 anyway, and it’s possible to score some really great deals if you book ahead and watch out for specials.

Fly economy

Since flying emits so many greenhouse gases, the best option is to fit as many people on the same flight as possible. That means that flying economy is not only much more affordable, but ultimately much better for the environment.