9 Realistic Tips for How to Travel Sustainably and Responsibly

Is it even possible to be an ethical tourist anymore? Is it hypocritical to say you care about the environment while also loving travel? In this post I’ve rounded up 9 realistic tips from my own experiences on how to travel more sustainably and responsibly.

I’m not aiming for perfection, or saying that you should. But I’ve started making small, conscious choices in service of the planet and people who live in the places I visit all around the world. And you can, too.

This post was created in paid partnership with Airalo, a brand I’ve genuinely used and loved, and was excited to collaborate with for this guide. Affiliate links are also included.

9 Practical Tips for How to Travel More Sustainably

Incorporate some of these simple sustainable travel examples into your upcoming trips. You might even learn you’re already doing some of these things instinctively:

1. Rethink your itinerary

A quiet Paris Metro station platform with empty tracks and yellow seats sits under a cloudy sky. The station sign reads “Passy,” and an exit sign marked “Sortie” hangs from the roof.

I totally understand that when you’re strapped for vacation time, you may want to cram your itinerary full of destinations. This can be especially tempting when you’re visiting a part of the world where country-hopping feels easy.

A low-cost, 1-ish-hour flight from London to Paris? Why not!

One common argument here is, ‘what does it matter if I as one person take fewer flights? The planes will still take off anyway!”

In truth, airlines offer flight paths based on customer demand. And you’re right, you personally taking fewer flights in the short-term is highly unlikely to result in an overnight change globally.

But, if we collectively opt for fewer flights over time airlines could naturally begin to reduce the number of flights they offer per day between different destinations due to decreased demand.

So, how does this look in action? Maybe once you take your long-haul flight to get to a destination, you stay in one place for a longer period of time. Or, you travel by train between countries instead of by plane.

A view from inside a train window shows railway tracks and a green countryside with homes and hills in the distance. Reflections of overhead lights are visible on the glass.

This is something I intentionally started doing a few years ago, beginning with a 3-train journey between Lucerne, Switzerland and Florence, Italy.

Of course, I had time on my side and I know that’s not always the case. But whenever it’s reasonably possible, choose train travel over plane travel.

Alternatively, you could simply choose to deeply explore one city or area of a country at a time rather than cramming many destinations into a 2-week trip. Slower travel not only feels less chaotic, but can also be more immersive and interesting.

2. Pack lighter

A woman walks along the beach at sunset wearing a scarf and backpack, gazing out at the ocean with a pier stretching into the horizon.

Did you know that packing lighter means less fuel is consumed when you travel by plane, train or car? If you’re the kind of person who overpacks a lot of ‘just-in’case’ items then you might consider curating a capsule wardrobe for your next trip instead.

If you’re a fellow solo traveler, there’s definitely an added benefit to packing lighter. I always remind myself that I’m the only one responsible for carrying, rolling, lifting and supervising my luggage during a solo trip. Packing light is key.

On international trips of only a couple weeks I sometimes travel with just a backpack. Usually, and for longer trips, I pair my backpack with one carry-on-sized roller bag. That’s it.

3. Use technology to lower waste

One of the best swaps I’ve made in recent years is going from physical SIM cards to digital eSIMs. Not only does it save me time and cut down on my stress when I travel internationally, it also lets me ditch some plastic!

I’ve been using the Airalo eSIM app for a couple years now. It’s 100% digital, which means zero waste, and available in 200+ countries and regions.

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This is a small, very convenient shift you can make today to contribute to a larger collective impact.

Consider this: Airalo has 20 million users worldwide. That’s 20 million people choosing a more eco-friendly option for staying connected. I’m glad to be one of them.

I also recommend going the digital route for boarding passes, museum or tour tickets, and maps whenever possible to help cut down on paper waste.

These are some simple yet convenient steps you can take immediately to travel more sustainably.

4. Stay in eco-friendly hotels and cities

A woman in athletic wear stands on a scenic terrace overlooking a lush green valley and a large lake under a bright, partly cloudy sky. She leans on a wooden railing next to a potted plant, smiling toward the view.

If you really want to commit, you could choose your next travel destination specifically based on how eco-friendly it is.

Support destinations at the forefront of sustainability such as Bhutan – the only country in the world with a negative carbon footprint.

Or Ljubljana, Slovenia which won the first European Green Capital Award back in 2016. Costa Rica is another option. There, they actually managed to reverse deforestation.

When I visited Lyon, France with my graduate program in 2021 it was clear that the foodie city also had a big focus on sustainability.

A row of historic buildings lines a large, mostly empty plaza in Lyon, France, with a central statue and fountain. Overhead tram wires crisscross the sky as evening light sets in.

In fact, the flash consulting project my graduate school group was assigned to was related to supporting some of the city’s already underway sustainability plans.

No matter where you travel to, you could also seek out eco-certified hotels that are committed to reducing their overall environmental impact.

5. Support local

Tourism is an industry that sometimes gets mixed reviews, but has the potential to positively impact destinations and the communities that call these places home.

One way you can be a more responsible and respectful tourist is by intentionally seeking out opportunities to support local businesses.

A traditional backstrap loom is set up on a mat, surrounded by colorful, handwoven textiles displayed on a wall in a local artisan market.

Look for locally-owned hotels and family-owned restaurants. Find the shops selling unique, handmade souvenirs.

And get to know the people behind these places, too. Learn their stories, or at least their names!

One of my favorite places for this was Guatemala. There are so many opportunities there to support local and in exchange I came home with some beautiful souvenirs and fulfilling interactions.

Create connections. A place is made up of so much more than its landmarks and photo opps.

6. Pack for waste prevention

A compostable to-go coffee cup with eco-friendly illustrations sits on a wooden table in a cozy café, with espresso machines and baristas blurred in the background.

This is one I could be better at. I still find myself buying water bottles at grocery stores instead of traveling with a reusable one, and I’m not proud of that.

But I have gotten in the habit of packing a compact, reusable backpack. Not only is that useful for impromptu hiking or day trips, I also use it to carry groceries instead of asking for plastic bags as often as I can.

I’ve found that more places have started shifting to paper straws and even some compostable cutlery. In those cases, I challenge myself to be grateful and gracious instead of annoyed at the small inconveniences of a paper straw disintegrating in my mouth.

7. Practice cultural respect

Unfortunately, I hear of too many instances when tourists don’t practice basic respect while traveling.

In pursuit of the perfect photo, some visitors trespass on private property or sacred sites (standing atop cordoned-off church rooftops in Greece, for example).

A white-walled Greek Orthodox church with a bright blue dome and cross stands out against a deep blue sky. The building features arched roofs and a black iron fence lining the street.

You should always respect ‘keep off’ signs and also use basic etiquette even in absence of explicit signs, especially as a visitor.

Always ask before taking an artsy photo of a street vendor, or be prepared to pay a small fee and don’t balk at it if asked.

Be prepared to abide by dress codes in churches and museums, at the least.

Don’t expect everyone to speak your native language. I always suggest learning a few basic words and phrases in the primary local language of your destination, even if one of those phrases is, “do you speak English?”

It’s not about fluency. It’s about making a humble effort.

8. Choose sustainable travel modes

Apart from opting for train travel over plane travel across longer destinations, consider how you commute around within a single city as well.

A modern tram passes in front of a gothic-style cathedral with twin spires in Bordeaux, France. Three parked scooters and a motorcycle sit in the foreground on cobblestone streets.

Choose to walk or take local public transportation over taxis or rideshares. Not only does this make you likely to spend less money and time in traffic, you’ll also see and experience a lot more.

Of course, as a frequent solo female traveler I want to emphasize the importance of choosing safety first. Sometimes, you may feel safest taking a taxi or rideshare and if that’s the case then trust your instincts.

9. Wander off the beaten path

There are so many gorgeous, popular cities in our world. Unfortunately, a lot of these can become overtouristed resulting in strained infrastructure, housing issues and frustration from locals.

At the same time, there are still plenty of beautiful destinations around the world that deserve, and would welcome, more tourism. I’d never ask anyone to swear off of visiting some of the most popular cities.

Woman in light wash blue jeans and a white, long sleeve collared linen shirt looks down at her hands, smiling, with mountains and ruins behind her in Antigua, Guatemala

But I strongly recommend mixing some more off the beaten path places into your upcoming travel plans as well.

Consider visiting the more popular countries and cities during shoulder season to help ease the strain during peak season.

There are benefits for you in this approach, too. You’ll likely experience fewer crowds, more affordable accommodations and be able to discover new pockets of the world that aren’t already splashed all over social media.

So, how will you travel more sustainably?

Whether you’re a frequent traveler or a once-in-a-while explorer, you have the chance to appreciate your surroundings with even more care and respect. Don’t worry about being perfect all the time. Just be more intentional with your efforts.

One easy place to start is by opting for a digital eSIM on your next trip abroad.

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Besides that, what’s one other idea from the list above that you want to commit to trying out? We all start somewhere, and something is better than nothing.

I’ve used Airalo across 4 different continents. Read my honest review, next.