10 ways to travel more sustainably

Flying less is the biggest factor in your travel footprint. These 10 concrete steps cut your CO2 by 50%+ without giving up traveling.

Train instead of plane for short distances

Amsterdam-Paris by train: 200kg CO2 less than flying. Eurostar to London: 95% less CO2 than flight. Slower (3h 20min vs flying), city-center to city-center.

Direct flights, no layovers

A connecting flight emits 30-50% more CO2 than direct. Pay €50 extra for direct flight - cheaper than a CO2 offset.

Stay longer, fly less often

Two weeks Indonesia is much better than two one-week trips. Spread your annual CO2 budget over fewer flights, longer stays.

Avoid cruises

Cruise ships emit 4-7x more CO2 per traveler than flying + hotel. They also dump fuel waste at sea.

Carbon offset is not a free pass

Offset costs €2-€20 per ton CO2. A return Amsterdam-Bangkok flight = 5 tons CO2 = €50 offset. Better than nothing but the science behind tree-planting projects is contested.

Eco-certified hotels

Green Key, EU Ecolabel, Travelife: real audits, not greenwashing. Filter on Booking.com via 'Travel Sustainable Property'.

Eat local + seasonal

Skip imported food at destinations. Eat what's in season locally. Tropical fruit in Indonesia is great; Norwegian salmon in Bali is silly.

Slow travel by night train

European Sleeper, ÖBB Nightjet, Caledonian Sleeper: sleep en route, save a hotel night. Amsterdam → Prague or Vienna in one night.

Refuse single-use plastic

Bring a reusable water bottle (with filter for tap water uncertainty), reusable shopping bag, bamboo cutlery. Saves dozens of plastic bottles per trip.

Support local economy

Stay in family-run guesthouses, eat at local restaurants, hire local guides. Money stays in the community.