If you are making efforts to reduce your carbon footprint, one of the areas where you can make some significant changes is travel. Traveling has a major impact on the environment with experts estimating that traveling and tourism are responsible for 8-10% of carbon emissions.  

If we all made small changes in how we travel and vacation, we can collectively reduce the impact of traveling on the environment. Here are 5 easy ways you can make your vacations and trips more eco-friendly. 

1. Flying Over Driving and Trains Over Flying

The first step is to choose the most eco-friendly way to travel. For most destinations, you have three options: flying, driving and taking a train. 

The carbon footprint of each option varies depending on the contect. For instance, over short distances trains are far better than flying. But the opposite is true for longer trips over 700 miles long — flying becomes the more eco-friendly choice. 

Driving is usually terrible for the environment because of car emissions, but driving an electric car can, in some situations, be better than flying. 

Generally, however, trains are the most eco-friendly means of travel. They are followed by flying and lastly, driving (particularly internal combustion cars). 

For trips less than 700 miles, take the train. If you can book an electric train like the Amtrak Acela, that’s even better. 

Flying comes in second. It’s particularly suitable for long haul flights. Driving comes in last. 

2. Pack Light 

Here are HercTalk, we are big fans of light packing. It makes traveling easier, cheaper and less stressful. Now, we have another reason to champion lighter luggage — it’s more eco-friendly.  

Believe it or not, how heavy your luggage can affect your carbon footprint. The heavier the baggage an airplane is carrying, the more fuel it burns. It doesn't matter whether it’s carry-on or checked luggage; it’s all the same. 

Traveling light also has a hidden advantage: it allows you to use greener ways to get around once you get to your destination. Instead of loading your bulky suitcases in an Uber or hiring a car, a compact and lightweight bag lets you take the bus, rent a bike or even walk.  

Traveling light can seem difficult, especially for long vacations. But all it requires is better planning and a bit of practice. Pack multipurpose items, consider getting some things at your destination and avoid packing ‘just in case’ items like extra gadgets and clothes. 

For long trips, you can still make do with just a few clothes by doing laundry or buying Hercleon’s no-laundry clothing. Our antibacterial shirts, socks and underwear stay fresh through multiple wears without requiring laundry. They are not only convenient, they are also better for the environment (laundry increases carbon footprint). 

3. Find Green Ways to Get Around Town 

This is what we were just talking about. Taking a cab or hiring a car to get around your destination is not very eco-friendly. Instead, opt for public transport like a bus or train, see if you can rent a bicycle or consider walking to most places.   

4. Opt for Less Popular Destinations and Attractions 

Overtourism — where popular destinations receive more visitors than they can cope with — has major downsides including damaging the local economy, rising housing prices and environmental pollution. 

So when picking where to go, choose your destination carefully. Pick less traveled places or opt to visit particular destinations during the off-season. Not only will you escape the crowds, you’ll also have a smaller impact on the environment.  

Even the activities you choose to do can have a significant environmental impact. Here are some eco-friendly ideas for your next trip. 

• Shop and spend money at businesses that are beneficial for locals. These include local restaurants, farmer’s markets and souvenir shops. 
• Don't buy any souvenirs from endangered species like hides, bones, and other body parts. Not only do these products encourage environment-damaging practices, they could be illegal. 
• If you are on an outdoor trip, avoid leaving trash behind, damaging plants and habitats, or taking any plants or animals with you when you leave. 

5. Pick the Right Accommodation

Finally, choose accommodation that reduces your environmental footprint. Whether you book a hotel or a homestay, find a place that uses clean energy such as solar power, avoids or minimizes single use plastics, uses a heat pump instead of an energy-guzzling AC and other green practices. 

Remember you also have a role to play once you are in a particular accommodation. Minimize how much power and water you use. Only use the AC when necessary, recycle or dispose of waste properly, turn off lights that are not in use and take shorter baths or showers.