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How can we protect the world we love exploring so much? These sustainable travel hacks and tips will help you on your next adventure.
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Seaside cliffs. Waterfalls a short car ride and 2 mile hike away. Ancient sculptures whispered about in epic poems. A piping hot bowl of ramen from an unassuming hole-in-the-wall spot that is the best you’ve ever had. Traveling opens us up to a world of experiences, ones we want to continue to enjoy and allow others to experience past our lifetime.
But, by the time you’re reading this, you have probably also heard about a few of the environmental impacts of travel- greenhouse gas emissions, plastic pollution, disruption to wildlife, etc. They compound into an undesirable mix that can dampen even the most relaxing holiday and prevent future generations from ever experiencing the sights, smells, and tastes we’ve enjoyed ourselves on our travels. So, what can we do about it?
For starters, we can learn to travel better. Organizations like Sustainable Travel and the World Tourism Organization have banded together to guide businesses towards the best sustainable practices while offering guides and advice for travelers like you and me. Guiding us today by offering his decade of experience covering travel’s latest and best is Nicholas Hall. The Sydney-based, award-winning journalist and the founder of MADE Journal is sharing the best sustainable travel hacks and tips he’s picked up over the years.
Eastern Europe is emerging as a top travel destination for 2026. What sustainable hacks/ tips do you have for long flights?
Eastern Europe is an amazing place to visit, so I’m not surprised that so many travellers are finally making their way over, but the flight times can be challenging, particularly for those prioritizing sustainability. The best way to reduce emissions is to opt for non-stop, direct flights. This helps to curb the fuel-intensive takeoff and landing cycles that occur with each connection.
Additionally, flying economy produces fewer emissions per passenger than premium cabins because the space footprint is smaller. That being said, long-haul flights aren’t for everyone.
The good thing about Eastern Europe is that it has one of the most efficient rail networks in the world, making trains and buses a far greener alternative to short internal flights.
From a wellness perspective, it’s also a good idea to plan your meals. I’ve found that eating lightly before overnight flights and saving larger meals for arrival helps align my body clock more quickly. Choosing meals that match your destination’s eating schedule can reduce jet lag, allowing you to hit the ground running.
Do you have sustainable tips for hiking and camping?
Bellroy Tech Kit $59 is a great travel accessory that keeps all your essentials in one place. Made from recycled polyester. Made by a B Corp-certified company.
When it comes to responsible camping and hiking, the best practice is still Leave No Trace. This set of ethics and standards ensures that you minimize your impact and preserve the natural and cultural heritage of a place, while still enjoying the great outdoors. If you want to be a responsible outdoor traveler, there are some simple steps you can take:
- Staying on marked trails helps protect fragile ecosystems and prevents long-term erosion.
- Everything you bring in should leave with you, including biodegradable food waste, which can disrupt wildlife behavior.
- Booking permits and campsites in advance helps manage overcrowding.
- Be aware of your surroundings. We all have a responsibility to protect and maintain the natural environment, so be smart and let the local flora and fauna do their thing.
What should we look for when booking activities to ensure that we’re not causing harm to the environment?
A guided sunset paddle boat tour in Jupiter, Florida, is one of the experiences you can engage in via sites like Viator, which offer experiences and tours from local businesses from around the world.
I’m a big believer that outdoor tourism should benefit the local community. Local operators not only know the land better, but they also understand the environmental pressures their region faces. When you employ a local team, you are helping to support groups that have an active and personal interest in protecting and maintaining the natural ecosystem; it is their livelihood, after all.
I always look for small group activities, as this is a great indicator of low-impact travel. Your tour operator should also have a firm grasp on environmental limits and land-use policies. It’s not that you should be trying to quiz them on conservation data, but those who are able to openly share this information tend to be far more responsible than those relying on vague sustainability claims.
For adventure travel specifically, B Corp certification is a strong signal that an operator measures its environmental and social impact across the entire business, not just individual trips. B Corps are legally required to balance profit with purpose, so that helps to add a little ease of mind when booking.
What are your top sustainable travel hacks and tips?
Avignon, France, is a charming destination flourishing with art and a rich history, minus the over tourism like its sister city, Paris. Use sites like Booking.com to find apartments for longer stays and embrace slow travel.
The simplest sustainable travel hack is slowing down. In recent years, slow travel has really ramped up, and I think it has been a good thing for sustainable practices. Just from a logistical perspective, staying longer in one place reduces transport emissions. You don’t have to catch more flights or move between cities; you can simply stay and enjoy the local environment.
A big change for me is that when I travel now, I don’t really buy souvenirs. Instead, I prioritize experiences. This reduces over-consumption, and I don’t arrive home with a suitcase full of trinkets that I can’t quite remember where they’re from. That isn’t to say I don’t buy things, I’m just a lot more conscious of how and where they are made.
There are a lot of experiences, classes, and workshops that you can do while traveling that expose you to traditional local customs and crafts. When you finish up, you can usually buy a locally-made ornament or small artwork to commemorate the experience. This helps to support local guides and artisans and also ensures that tourism revenue stays within the community. Sustainable travel works best when travelers are conscious of how their presence impacts and contributes to the local economy.
What would you say is one of the easiest ways to travel sustainably (while still having fun and not worrying)?
Charles Bridge in Prague, Czech Republic, represents beautiful architecture. Known for its pristine cities and rich cuisine, Prague is an off-the-beaten-path destination in Europe that offers all of the beauty and flavours of more popular tourist cities like Paris, London, or Rome.
Think about how and when you choose to travel. Focusing on off-peak seasons reduces over-tourism and the burden on local communities, and it’s also usually cheaper. Also, look for sibling cities or destinations that have the vibe of a major tourist destination but perhaps aren’t as crowded. Secondary cities often offer the same great food, culture, and experiences, with better value and a significantly smaller footprint.
For those of us who still want to tour over-touristed destinations, what sustainable tips do you have for visiting these sites?
Timing is everything. Traveling early, late, or during shoulder seasons dramatically reduces pressure on local systems, and staying outside the main tourist core can also be a good way to distribute economic benefits more evenly. Most importantly, travelers should respect local limits. If a destination restricts access, it’s usually for a good reason.
