Travelling sustainably on a budget is not only good for your wallet, it can be a rewarding challenge that takes you to some amazing places. There’s no simple formula for a greener trip, and travelling sustainability can take many forms, so let’s look at some of the principles of reducing impact whilst seeing the world. There will always be a need to balance desire to explore with the knowledge that getting to far-flung places can use a lot of energy, but that needn’t stop us having authentic experiences and getting out there.
There’s more to sustainability than just emissions – like whether your money is going towards supporting a local economy or amazing projects, or if you are learning about different cultures or supporting communities along the way – all of which are part of the sustainability puzzle.
Learning how to travel sustainably on a budget is likely to reduce your impact more than a big-budget curated sustainable trip package, as each element of your trip will be considered and evaluated by you, allowing you to feel comfortable in your decisions to explore knowing that you aren’t costing the earth.
The big decisions
The big three decisions to consider at the get go are: destination, mode of travel and accommodation. If budget and sustainability are key, then these three elements will likely need to be balanced and researched carefully. Are you desperate for some sun? Or interested in exploring new cultures? Try to remain flexible about the exact destination, and instead focus on what you want to get out of the trip. Part of learning how to travel sustainably on a budget is reflecting on the kind of trip you’re after, rather than getting fixated on one place or activity.
Flexibility can make a huge impact on overall cost, but also the need to make decisions about sustainability might mean that other considerations like sustainable transport options or accommodation could factor into that choice. Make a shortlist of places that match what you want from your trip, and also try to find some lesser-known spots that might offer everything a well-known destination might have, but without the price tag – and probably more locally-owned businesses and accommodation options to boot.
Now is the time to start thinking about travel options like trains, buses and even bikes. Air travel uses much more carbon than other options, so knowing which destinations can be easily accessed by other means like by rail can really help with planning. Fancy some sun? You can be whisked from London down to the South of France on a TGV within hours. Feeling romantic? The sleeper train to Venice will have you sipping prosecco in no time! Train travel can be pricey, but booking in advance or waiting for deals can help with that, and for the real budget-conscious option, buses are both low impact and often a real bargain. Look up maps of train and coach routes to different destinations and even think about whether a trip by bike could be an option. There are a host of excellent resources for sustainable travel planning and you’ll soon realise that you can travel far beyond mainline Europe too…… How about a trip to China on the Tran-Siberian Express?
If you do decide that air travel is the only option for your trip – the big international trip that you’ve always dreamed of, or visiting loved ones far away – there are other ways to reduce your footprint and even to make a positive impact in other ways. Try researching accommodation options that support projects like conservation or development, and consider booking tours or activities that are indigenous or locally run. You could even aim to stay somewhere off-grid, or in accommodation with top notch energy credentials.
Plan out your budget and think about how to make sure a good chunk of it is spent in places where it is likely to benefit the local economy and communities and in ways that bolster the kinds of travel cultures that make a difference. Finding accommodation or experiences that make a difference can take a lot of research, but fortunately sustainable travel apps exist to help us find excellent options.
When to travel
Avoiding peak times like school holidays (both at home and at the destination) will always help to keep the costs down, and off-season deals can help you to choose the sustainable option without breaking the bank. Again, flexibility can be key when looking to travel sustainably on a budget and basing a trip around great rail fares, or times when an eco lodge might not be at peak price.
Summer is always likely to be the hardest time to match the ideals of travelling sustainably at the same time as sticking to a budget, so why not stay local for your summer break and look at spring or autumn options for getting further afield?
Sustainability on-the-go
Once the trip is booked and the big decisions have been made, there’s still a load of little things that make a big difference to both budget and impact when you’re on your trip. When you’re packing your bags, think about the essentials that could come in handy on the go for reducing waste or single use plastics. For example, why not carry a reusable cup for hot drinks? You could also take a pocket knife and Tupperware for whipping up a picnic on the go and carrying leftovers, rather than splurging on to-go food and over-packaged options.
Having a set of small containers for toiletries can also be really handy to avoid using single use plastic bottles like shampoo, and these can also be handy if you need to pack light. Taking just as much as you need of suncream, toothpaste and soaps can really help to keep the size of your bag down, which makes switching trains or walking with your luggage a breeze. It can also save splashing out when you get there, saving your pennies and waste.
There are lots of other small things that you might do at home day-to-day, but which are easy to forget when travelling. Things like packing a tote bag to carry so that you don’t need a plastic bag from the shops, knowing or having a water bottle with you.
Getting out and about
So you’ve made it to the perfect location that meets your desires, travelled in a way that doesn’t cost the earth and have all the essentials you need packed. Excellent, but learning how to travel sustainability on a budget is also about what you do when you’re there. Fortunately, the right decision on a budget is often the most rewarding and sustainable option too. Choosing where and how to spend money is probably the biggest difference you can make when you’re on a trip!
Why not search out a local market or neighbourhood shop for your groceries instead of heading to a major supermarket? Similarly, tracking down local spots for food and drinks is both a great way of finding authentic experiences, as well as a way of supporting the local economy. If you’re getting gifts, or purchasing local crafts when you’re away, try to make sure they are locally run businesses, and in particular avoid supporting companies that appropriate local cultures or wares without giving anything back.
Depending on what type of destination you’re visiting, getting around the local area can be another great way to reduce impact, hopping on the local public transport instead of taxis is a great step, and with so many apps to help make sense of journeys, it’s easier than ever to avoid getting lost navigating the local networks.
Handy apps to help you plan and travel
You’re not alone on this journey, and fortunately there are a bunch of apps and tools that you can use to help when planning, booking and also when you’re on the go.
- Localvore – a great app for finding restaurants and shops that source local ingredients for their offerings
- Refill – a handy source of information about where to fill up a water bottle when on the move
- FairTrip – an app on a mission to make tourism income a force for creating inclusive and sustainable economic growth
- Seat61 – an excellent source of information for planning train journeys in Europe and beyond
