The Best Types of Travel for Reducing Your Carbon Footprint
Whether you pedal around Rome or hike through the territories of Thailand, there are dozens of ways to reduce your carbon footprint while travelling. Embrace slow travel by choosing one of these transport modes on your next trip.
Transport accounts for almost a quarter of global carbon emissions from fossil fuel combustion. For travellers with an eco-conscience, there are a number of ways to reduce your carbon footprint – mostly through the type of transport you choose. Here are the best types of transport to use for more environmentally friendly travel – and a greener future.
Looking for a flight-free adventure? Check out TRIPS by Culture Trip, our collection of expertly curated small-group adventures led by a Local Insider.
Train
Not only are trains one of the most enjoyable, hassle-free ways to travel, they’re also one of the most effective means of reducing your carbon footprint. While the environmental impact of trains differs between countries – depending on whether they run on electricity or diesel – train journeys in the UK emit roughly 80 percent less emissions than car journeys over medium-length distances. This is even greater when it comes to flying – trains spew out 84 percent less carbon dioxide – and other greenhouse gases – than domestic flights. The ongoing development of hydrogen trains gives us more reason to feel optimistic and hopeful of an even more ecofriendly way to travel in the future.
Taking an overnight train from one city to another gives you the chance to see a country through a totally different lens – and you can travel huge distances while you sleep. Sleeper trains from Hanoi to Hue – taking you 434mi (700km) along the Vietnamese coast – or from Giza to Luxor, which is over a 310mi (500km) journey, can all be experienced with Culture Trip.
Bike
Whether you’re cycling through rice fields in Bali or taking a foodie tour of Tel Aviv, travelling by bike enables you to simultaneously exercise and explore – while also being kind to the environment. It’s one of the simplest and most powerful ways you can lower your carbon footprint. For short journeys in heavily congested cities, it can sometimes be quicker than travelling by car – particularly where there are well-marked, separate cycle lanes.
Walking
Travel doesn’t have to be about taking the quickest route from A to B. Whether it’s a gentle stroll or a strenuous long-distance trek, there’s no better way to discover a town, city or rural area than on foot. By walking, you can fully appreciate the entire spectrum of sights, sounds and smells of a place as you pass through – all while pumping up your endorphins and minimising your carbon footprint in the process.
If you fancy hiking through Italian fishing villages in the Cinque Terre or trekking through the red rock mountains of Wadi Rum in Jordan, Culture Trip has dedicated adventures that allow you to do precisely that – just two of many spectacular hiking destinations you can experience on one of our TRIPS.
Boat
Did you know that large, long-distance cruise ships can actually produce even more carbon emissions than planes? Luckily, there are many other types of water-based travel that are significantly healthier for the planet. As a foot passenger on a ferry, you can cut your carbon footprint by more than 90 percent on an average journey compared to travelling by plane. For smaller, electric or wind-powered boats, the impact on your carbon footprint is even lower.
Travelling by boat can also be one of the most relaxing and scenic modes of transport, providing you with a new perspective when exploring a place. With Culture Trip, you can embark on a wildlife safari by longtail boat and explore mangrove forests by kayak in southern Thailand – two unforgettable, low-carbon boat adventures.
Car
It’s no secret that driving a private diesel or petrol vehicle is one of the most carbon-heavy modes of transport. On average, travelling by car emits around 170g to 190g of carbon dioxide per passenger kilometre. That compares to approximately 100 by bus, 40 by train and 20 by ferry. A domestic flight, however, emits around 255g of carbon dioxide – and other greenhouse gases produced at high altitudes – so opting for a road trip can lower your carbon footprint compared to travelling by plane – although this depends on the length of your journey.
Depending on where you are in the world, driving can sometimes be by far the most feasible option – such as exploring Iceland’s golden circle or traversing the Sahara in Morocco. You can substantially reduce your individual carbon footprint by driving more efficiently – meaning go easy on the brakes and accelerator, hiring a greener car or sharing a vehicle with other travellers. Remember, the small things add up, so be wise with your choice of transport.
Feeling inspired? Choose TRIPS by Culture Trip to not only minimise your environmental impact, but also ensure you get maximum value from your trip through immersive, off-the-radar experiences led by a devoted Local Insider.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.