 When it comes to eco-friendly traveling, EnviroCitizen.org has found that you'll reduce your carbon footprint and environmental impact if you make a few simple changes to your itinerary. Most often, these easy changes will also save you money!
When you're on your way to your vacation destination, consider using the bus or a train instead of flying. Buses and trains are very energy-efficient and come with a much smaller carbon footprint than airplanes. If you do fly, try to book a non-stop flight. A huge amount of the fuel needed for airplane flights is used during the take-off. So, if you only need to take-off once, it'll reduce carbon emissions substantially.
Once you've reached your destination, consider alternative transportation methods instead of just renting a car. You can even select a hotel that is within walking distance of your favorite attractions, so that you can take advantage of your own two feet. Many cities offer bike-renting services, so you can bike around your destination town. You can also utilize public transportation, like buses, trams, subways or trolleys. If you do a little research beforehand, you can understand the public transportation system in your vacation destination quite well ahead of time.
When you pack, pack lightly and only take one bag. Most airlines now charge a fee for every bag, and the fee ranges from $15 to $40. By taking only one bag, you can save money and decrease your carbon footprint. Taking one, light bag has other benefits, too. One bag is easy to carry onto a bus or subway train. In contrast, lugging around two or three bags makes it more difficult to utilize public transportation.
When deciding where to stay, consider camping. Camping is a great way to save money and reduce your environmental impact. You can buy a Pac Safe, which is a metal mesh bag that you can lock to any large, stationary object. It's pretty much thief-proof and makes camping much easier during your vacation. You could also stay at a hostel, since hostels have a much smaller carbon footprint than hotels. If you want to stay at a hotel, find an eco-friendly one. The best eco-friendly hotels are energy-efficient, run on clean energy, conserve water and offer other sustainable, green services and practices.
Make sure to bring your own water bottle when you travel, since it'll prevent the need to buy water bottles and also prevent the waste of a used, disposable water bottle. Try to eat local whenever possible, since it's often more affordable and it reduces the amount of food miles traveled. Also, recycle whenever possible.
EnviroCitizen.org suggests that you consider these and other tips and tricks to saving money remaining eco-friendly while on vacation. You won't regret it and neither will the environment.
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