15 Helpful Sustainable Travel Tips: How Students Can Travel Green

As the global tourism industry continues to expand, making conscious travel choices has never been more important. Sustainable travel, also known as green travel, is gaining momentum, but where do you start? We’ve got you covered with our 15 helpful sustainable travel tips for students.

From reducing carbon footprints to supporting local communities, sustainable practices help preserve the destinations we cherish for future generations. Whether it’s staying in eco-friendly accommodations with solar panels or choosing greener transportation options, small changes can make a big impact in protecting the planet—while still enjoying the adventure of a lifetime.

What is Sustainable Travel?

Sustainable travel describes traveling in a way that reduces environmental harm, supports local economies and preserves cultural heritage. Travelers can make mindful choices like cutting carbon emissions, conserving resources and respecting local communities. The goal is to ensure future generations can enjoy the same destinations without harming the planet and its people.

Sustainable tourism combines social, environmental and economic elements. It should protect the environment, honor cultural traditions and support fair economic opportunities for local communities.

>> KEEP READING Responsible Travel: How Do You Travel Responsibly and Sustainably?.

15 Helpful Sustainable Travel Tips

To travel sustainably is a vital part of eco-tourism, with the environmental impact of your travel choices being a key consideration. You can reduce your impact and support sustainable tourism by selecting eco-friendly options. Whether you’re embarking on a road trip or exploring international destinations, consider making greener travel choices that help protect the planet.

1. Choose buses over cars and cars over airplanes

A rule to remember is to choose busses over cars and cars over airplanes. One of the largest contributors to carbon emissions when traveling is flying. Although airplanes are the fastest mode of transportation, they consume large amounts of fuel during takeoff, leaving a significant carbon footprint.

For shorter distances, consider alternatives like walking, riding a bike or taking public transportation. While walking and biking is the best, buses are the  most energy-efficient option according to the International Council on Clean Transportation.

2. Reduce the environmental impact of air travel

Travelling from the U.S. to Japan? Taking the plane can be unavoidable. Nevertheless, there are options that reduce your carbon footprint:

• Avoid flying first class: Flying first class contributes up to nine times more carbon emissions than flying economy. This is because first-class and business-class seats take up more space, leading to fewer passengers per unit of fuel. Additionally, these seats are more likely to remain unfilled, making them even less efficient.
• Book nonstop flights: Whenever possible, choose nonstop flights. Airplanes burn the most fuel during takeoff and landing, so avoiding layovers helps reduce emissions.
• Look for airlines with carbon offset programs: Many airlines offer carbon offset programs, which allow passengers to invest in carbon reduction projects that offset the emissions produced by their flights. For example, Delta Airlines offers a program where passengers can enter their flight destination into a carbon calculator and donate to The Nature Conservancy. The International Air Transport Association reports that over 30 of their member airlines offer carbon offset programs.

3. Handwash you clothes

Consider handwashing your clothes in a private sink or shower, rather than having the hotel do your laundry. Hotels usually wash guests’ clothes separately, even when it’s only a few items, which wastes water and detergent. That can be problematic, especially in drought-prone areas.

Additionally, you can reuse towels to save on both laundry expenses and resources. For further impact, consider hang drying your clothes instead of using a dryer.

4. Bring soap and shampoo when traveling to a hotel

Bring toiletries such as soap, shampoo and conditioner in small reusable bottles, so you don’t have to use hotel toiletries.

In the case, that you forget toiletries, take the hotel’s half-used toiletries with you, so they don’t wind up in the trash. You can also save the little bottles to make packing easier in the future and refill them once they’re empty. Also, consider using non-liquid toiletries to pack lighter and free up additional space in your bags while also reducing the use of plastic packaging.

5. Try to take short showers

Take short showers to reduce water waste, According to the United States Geological Survey, showers can produce up to 5 gallons of water per minute. You can reduce that by turning on the water only to rinse off.

Taking a shower is still usually better than taking a bath, which can take 36 gallons of water to fill a tub.

6. Turn off the power when you leave the room

Whenever you’re ready to leave your hotel room, turn off the lights, TV and electronics to conserve energy. Also turn off the air conditioning before you leave and close the curtains to help keep out the summer heat.

Travel sustainably with Rustic Pathways.

7. Bring a reusable water bottle

Bring a reusable water bottle with you to refill instead of buying plastic water bottles. The Pacific Institute estimates it takes more than 17 million barrels of oil to produce a year’s supply of plastic water bottles for American consumption. Concerned about the water in a particular country? Some reusable bottles include filters.

8. Use reusable utensils when possible

Always try to use reusable dishes whenever you can and avoid using plastic straws and utensils. It takes between 100 and 400 years for plastic to break down in a landfill. Consider packing a metal straw and a reusable camping fork.

9. Pack lighter to save space and weight

Packing light makes it easier to move around wherever you go. That means you can get to your hotel without having to rent a taxi to move all your belongings and can instead hop on a bus or walk.

10. Buy locally made souvenirs

You can help support the local economy and culture by spending your money souvenirs made locally, instead of items shipped in from other countries. You’ll also help cut down carbon emissions by buying local food and gifts. When shopping, use a reusable bag.

11. Get off the beaten path

You can reduce overtourism by avoiding crowded tourist spots and getting off the beaten path. Popular attractions often lead to long waits and may not match the polished images seen online. Choosing off-the-beaten-path locations can offer a more enjoyable and authentic travel experience.

Take a break between activities and relax with a cup of tea with community members.

12. Respect the local culture and cultural heritage sites

Before traveling, research the cultural norms, traditions and etiquette of your destination. Respect local customs, dress appropriately and follow regulations at historical or cultural sites. Avoid damaging artifacts and littering. Support community projects to protect these places for future generations.

13. Engage responsibly with wildlife

Avoid activities that exploit or harm wildlife, such as unethical captive animal experiences or buying items made from endangered species. Instead, support conservation efforts and choose responsible ecotourism initiatives.

14. Support local and seasonal cuisine

Choose local cuisine and meals made with locally-sourced, seasonal ingredients to minimize the carbon emissions associated with food transportation. This practice supports the local economy, promotes fresher and healthier meal and reduces the environmental impact of your dining choices.

15. Choose a sustainable travel provider

Student travelers can make a positive impact and explore a new culture by traveling abroad through a provider that promotes sustainable travel practices. Look for travel companies who:

Look for travel providers who:

• Partner with local nonprofits that focus on long-term benefits, development, and sustainability.
• Are committed to helping the local environment.
• Hire locally and contribute to the local economy.
• Have partnerships with well-known organizations like National Geographic.
• Provide information about their initiatives and the impact they make.

At Rustic Pathways, we are committed to sustainable travel practices through a holistic approach that embodies economic support, environmental sustainability, and our responsible traveler conduct.

How Rustic Pathways Promotes Sustainable Travel

• Economy: Supporting economies where we operate by prioritizing fair market wages for local staff, partnering with local vendors, and visiting locally-run businesses.
• Environment: Adopting global operations practices that minimize our impact on the environment.
• Responsible Travel: Respecting local cultures, understand our role in communities, and teaching students responsible travel practices.

We’ve partnered with many of the local people and communities where we take students for years, even decades in some cases. And each year we publish the results of our impact on students and in local communities in our annual Impact Report.

At Rustic Pathways, we have environmental programs to suit different personalities and inspire students who want to make a lasting impact while exploring a new culture:

• Support efforts related to animal and environmental conversation through our Marine and Rainforest Conservation in Thailand program. Students learn about a fishing village that depends on the conservation of local marine resources. Students meet with a local environmental organization to learn about the ongoing conservation project and help their host family with their daily crab harvest.
• Animal lovers might enroll in our Panda Conservation and Wild China program, which allows students to work alongside researchers at a renowned panda conservation center. Students help researchers feed pandas, monitor behavior, and clean their living spaces.

In addition to assisting local communities, all Rustic Pathways service projects contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The UN is working to address these 17 global issues by 2030.

Travel Green With Rustic Pathways

Promoting responsible travel, community service and sustainable development is an important part of how we ensure we have a positive impact on local communities and with the students who travel with us. We also believe in having fun while decreasing our carbon footprint and supporting economies and local community initiatives. For example, in 2018, our Student Travelers completed 187,192 community service hours with a focus on community health, economic development, education, environmental and animal welfare, and infrastructure initiatives.

We’re excited to meet you and learn more about your goals as a green traveler. To learn more about our programs, request a free catalog or contact our team today. If you find the right program for you, save your spot or enroll today and get ready for a life-changing experience that makes a real impact!