Sustainable Travel: 15 Tips for Eco-Conscious Tourism

2. Train Instead of Plane – Europe by Rail

For distances under 800 km the train is almost always the better choice. A train journey from Berlin to Paris produces only about one tenth of the CO2 emissions of the equivalent flight. Thanks to night trains like the NightJet by OBB or the European Sleeper, you can reach Barcelona, Rome or Stockholm comfortably overnight – and save yourself a hotel night.

• Interrail passes make flexible rail travel across 33 countries affordable
• Advance-purchase rail fares are often cheaper than budget airlines (luggage included)
• No check-in, no security screening – simply board and go
• Trainline and the DB app show Europe-wide connections at a glance

3. Local Accommodation Instead of International Hotel Chains

Choose guesthouses, B&Bs or family-run hotels instead of international chains. Your money stays in the region, you experience the culture more authentically and the environmental footprint is often lower because small businesses consume fewer resources. Platforms such as Fairbnb or the BioHotels network help you find sustainable accommodation.

Look for sustainability certifications such as Green Key, EU Ecolabel or TourCert. These labels guarantee minimum standards for energy, water, waste and social responsibility.

4. Avoid Overtourism – Discover Alternatives

Venice, Dubrovnik, Santorini, Barcelona – some places are literally suffocating under the weight of tourists. Instead of heading for the same Instagram hotspots yet again, discover the lesser-known neighbours: Kotor in Montenegro instead of Dubrovnik, Milos instead of Santorini, Valencia instead of Barcelona.

The timing of your trip also matters: in the shoulder season (spring and autumn) you experience many places without the crowds, in mild weather and often at significantly lower prices.

5. Slow Travel – Fewer Places, More Depth

The desire to 'tick off' five countries in two weeks is the opposite of sustainable travel. Instead: stay longer in fewer places. Spend a week in one region rather than moving on every other day. You save transport emissions, get to know the area properly and support the local economy more sustainably.

Slow travel also means: walking, cycling, using public transport. The best discoveries are made away from the tourist buses – in the side street, at the weekly market, in the locals' cafe.

6. Avoiding Plastic While Travelling

In many travel destinations there is no functioning waste-disposal system. Every plastic bottle you buy may end up in the ocean or on an open dump. Pack a reusable water bottle with a filter (e.g. LifeStraw or GRAYL) – that saves up to 150 plastic bottles per trip.

• Cloth bag instead of plastic bags when shopping
• Bamboo toothbrush and solid shampoo instead of miniature bottles
• Reusable cutlery sets for street food on the go
• Say no to straws and unnecessary packaging

7. Local Cuisine Instead of Imported Food

Eat where the locals eat. Not only does it taste better and more authentic – it is also more sustainable. Local restaurants use regional ingredients with short supply chains. The imported steak in the tourist restaurant has a considerably larger ecological footprint than fresh fish from the harbour or a vegetable curry from the street stall.

Visit weekly markets and cook for yourself if your accommodation has a kitchen. That way you support local farmers directly and reduce packaging waste. Try regional specialities – after all, that is one of the finest aspects of travelling.

8. Respect Nature Reserves

The simplest rule: leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but memories. Stay on marked paths, don't collect 'souvenirs' from nature and keep your distance from wildlife. Drones are banned in most national parks – for good reason, as they disturb nesting birds and shy animals.

Many parks now require entrance fees or visitor limits. Respect these – they protect fragile ecosystems. Check the rules of conduct in advance: in some areas you may not use sunscreen containing certain chemicals because it damages coral reefs.

9. Question Voluntourism Critically

The desire to 'do good' while travelling is understandable. But many commercial voluntourism programmes cause more harm than good. Orphanage visits in Cambodia, impromptu teaching in Africa or two-week construction projects without expertise – such schemes often displace local workers and cement unequal power dynamics.

If you want to get involved, look for long-term programmes with local leadership, clear qualification requirements and transparent use of funds. Organisations such as Weltwarts or WWOOF (organic farm work) have proven structures. Often a direct donation to local NGOs is more effective than your labour.

10. Choose Sustainable Tour Operators

More and more tour operators are embracing sustainability – but not all of them are serious. Look for recognised certifications rather than vague promises: the GSTC (Global Sustainable Tourism Council) sets the gold standard. Other reputable labels include Travelife, Green Globe and Rainforest Alliance.

• Intrepid Travel – carbon neutral since 2010, focus on small groups
• Fairaway – individual, sustainable travel with local experts
• Wikinger Reisen – hiking tours with CSR commitment
• Chamaleon Reisen – max. 12 people, foundation projects on site

11. Save Water – Especially in Dry Regions

In many popular travel destinations water is a scarce resource. Hotels in Morocco, Greece or Thailand consume vast amounts for pools, golf courses and daily towel changes. Use the 'reuse your towel' sign not merely as a nice gesture but as a genuine contribution. Shower more briefly and skip daily linen changes.

Given the choice, accommodation with rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling or water-efficient landscaping is clearly preferable. Don't hesitate to ask – it signals to the host that sustainability matters to guests.

12. Buy Fair Souvenirs

Skip mass-produced 'Made in China' goods from the tourist bazaar. Buy directly from local artisans and at handicraft markets instead. That ensures your money reaches the people who make the products – not a middleman.

Absolute taboos: products from protected animal or plant species (ivory, coral, turtle shell, exotic woods), ancient cultural artefacts and anything that involved animal suffering. Importing such items is often illegal and can carry heavy fines.

13. Avoid Animal Attractions

Elephant riding, tiger selfies, dolphin shows – behind many tourist animal attractions lies massive animal suffering. Elephants are violently 'broken', tigers are sedated and dolphins are kept in tiny pools. Research the welfare conditions before visiting any animal attraction.

Better alternatives: ethical sanctuaries (genuine rescue centres, not breeding farms), guided wildlife tours in national parks with trained guides and respectful distances, or whale watching with operators that adhere to strict codes of conduct.

14. Digital Instead of Paper

Boarding passes, hotel confirmations, guidebooks, maps – almost everything is available digitally today. Download e-books and offline maps instead of lugging printed travel guides. Use digital boarding passes and store booking confirmations in an app like TripIt or simply as PDFs on your smartphone.

This saves not only paper but also weight in your luggage – and lighter luggage means less fuel consumption when flying. Every kilogramme counts.

15. Spread the Word and Inspire Others

The most powerful tip for last: share your experiences. Tell friends and family about your sustainable travel adventures. On social media, don't just post the perfect photo but also the story behind it – the local market rather than the buffet, the train journey rather than the flight, the guesthouse rather than the resort.

Sustainable travel is not about sacrifice – it is often the more intense, more authentic and more enriching way to travel. The more people realise this, the better for our planet and the communities we visit.