11 ways to be a greener traveller in 2025

Just a few easy tweaks to your holiday planning could not only make your trip greener — but cheaper and more authentic too.

Tourism is responsible for roughly 8% of the world's carbon emissions, and UN Tourism projects this will grow by 25% in the next five years.

Yet the right kind of travel can have a positive impact on the fragile ecosystems and communities we visit.

Read our 12 sustainable travel tips to enjoy a more eco-friendly holiday in 2025.

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1. Pick a less popular destination

Rethink trips to hyped destinations and in-demand capital cities this year — especially if you’re travelling during peak tourism season.

Over-tourism protests took place in Barcelona, Lisbon, across popular Canary Islands and in many other tourism hotspots during 2024 — and some destinations simply can’t keep up with demand. In response, many countries, cities and local authorities are hiking tourist taxes and banning short-term lets, to ease pressure on local people and housing markets.

So, whether you call it ‘second city’ travelling, or a ‘destination dupe’, it’s a good idea to visit a lesser-known spot instead. You could visit Seville or Valencia instead of Barcelona, Setúbal instead of Lisbon, or Rotterdam instead of Amsterdam. Or, if you’re particularly attached to a certain destination, look into visiting during shoulder season or off-peak — you’ll have a cheaper holiday and far more peace and quiet, too.

2. Find a responsible tour operator

Chosen your destination? You'll be starting off on the right foot if you book with a company that's serious about its eco credentials. Look for a tour operator that offers carbon labelling for its holidays, such as Which? Recommended ProvidersExodus and Intrepid. These calculations show the CO2 emissions created by each trip, similar to calories on a chocolate bar. 

It’s also a good sign if the provider gives back to the local community. Intrepid, for example, is travel's largest global B Corp (a company recognised for meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance). 

Not only does it help improve the livelihoods of vulnerable communities by offering skills training and jobs, its not-for-profit foundation has contributed more than £8m to 137 organisations since 2002.

Fellow B Corp and Spain and Latin America specialist Pura Aventura offsets 160% of its customers' emissions - from their front door and back again - funding a reforestation project in Nicaragua. 

3. Book non-stop flights where you can…

Flying directly to your destination isn’t just more convenient and comfortable — it’s also far better for the planet. 

You’ll often fly fewer kilometers — which means less fuel. But multiple take-offs and landings also bump up the carbon emissions of your journey. If you can afford the extra cost of flying direct to a destination, skip the layover. 

…and choose less polluting airlines

A Boeing 747 carries 240,000 litres of jet fuel and burns through a whopping four litres every second. We know that flying is carbon intensive, but snapshot research from Which? found that simply choosing a different airline can dramatically reduce your impact.

Type your journey into Skyscanner and it will highlight the greenest flights for your route. When we checked, passengers could save more than 480kg of CO2 by booking return flights from London to New York with jetBlue rather than British Airways. 

The saving is significant: 25 trees would have to grow for one year to capture the same amount of carbon, according to non-profit organisation Climate Neutral Group. The less polluting flight is also nearly £70 cheaper.

You can slash your emissions further by flying economy. Business and first class are responsible for up to four times more CO2 per passenger because of the space they take up in the cabin.

Do these things now to save money on 2025 holidays

4. Take the train

Binge flying isn't sustainable; so consider taking just one holiday a year that involves flights - and stay longer. 

This won't just help you switch off and immerse yourself in a place, it will also provide more economic benefit to the community you're visiting. You can then top up your travel tank throughout the year with several shorter breaks closer to home.

If you love a city break, consider travelling by rail. Some destinations are actually quicker by Eurostar once you factor waiting time at the airport and transfers to the city centre. 

Our research found you could arrive at Brussels almost two hours quicker by taking the train. You'll also cut your emissions by a whopping 94%, according to data from online tool EcoPassenger.

Night trains may also become more accessible in the UK before long. We’ve previously reported that several European train operators are interested in running direct routes to the UK, which means more competition and cheaper fares.

5. Use our guide to find a less polluting cruise

Recent research by Which? Travel has found that Europe’s most polluting cruise ship emits as much carbon dioxide in a year as a small town. 

We ranked European cruise lines based on their average carbon dioxide emissions according to the EU's 2023 monitoring, reporting and verification data — you can use this research to help you avoid the 10 most-polluting cruise ship operators and make a greener decision when planning your next trip.

If you must take a cruise, pick your destination wisely. The climate impact of a seven-night Caribbean cruise is estimated to be almost twice that of a similar cruise in the Mediterranean, at a whopping 4,096kg of CO2 per guest.

Planning a trip? Find out how to make the most of your annual leave with our guide to UK bank holidays in 2025

6. Skip car rides at your destination 

Many local tourist boards are encouraging tourists to explore by foot, bike, or public transport to reduce your carbon footprint. 

Take Copenhagen, which launched CopenPay in 2024 — a city-wide initiative that offered tourists and locals different rewards, such as free hot drinks and baked treats, reduced-price admission to attractions, free ferry rides and more for ‘green actions’, such as taking public transport. 

Many cities even offer rewards to tourists who arrive by train, such as cheaper bike rental and public transport. To make things easier, check out the public transport options at your destination ahead of time, so you’re not caught out on arrival and tempted to hail a cab.

7. Need to drive? Offer to car pool

If you’re driving to your destination, you can reduce your carbon footprint by carpooling — offering a seat in your vehicle to bring another person along on the journey. 

Just make sure to organise your guest via safe, verified channels — Blablacar is the most well known, and vets all users with ID checks for everyone’s safety.

8. Make sure your money stays local

The choices you make - from the attractions and tours you book, to the restaurants you dine in and the accommodation you choose - all make a big difference.

Choose a guesthouse run by locals over big, global, all-inclusive hotel brands. And when you’re there, ask your host (or the local tourist office) for recommendations for independent tour guides, locally led excursions, cafes and venues.

9. Avoid buffets

It's been estimated that around half of the food served at an all-you-can-eat buffet goes to waste. 

Even UK hotels are said to produce an estimated 79,000 metric tonnes of food waste each year, according to campaign group Sustainable Travel International. That's equivalent to the weight of eight Eiffel towers.

We also need to consider how many miles those ingredients have travelled to reach our plate. Remote island destinations are especially dependent on imports. Up to 80% of the food consumed by tourists on the Pacific Islands is brought in from overseas.

Where possible, eat in local restaurants that cook with local and seasonal produce. Not only will you get to sample some authentic dishes, you'll be supporting the economy too.

10. Bring your own water bottle

Perhaps one of the simplest changes you can make is to carry a refillable water bottle, rather than buying bottled water on the go. 

Remember, you’re allowed to take an empty refillable bottle through security in an airport, and you can use Water at Airports to find drinkable water to refill it with as you make your way to the gate.

At your destination, you can easily find places to refill your water bottle on the go, using resources such as Refill’s Tap Map — or even searching ‘free water tap’ on Google Maps (we found it works better in your web browser than on the Google Maps app).

11. Keep tours and souvenirs ethical

When buying souvenirs, it goes without saying to avoid ivory, tortoiseshell, reptile skins, furs, corals and seashells. 

However, you should also swerve plastic junk and rare wood as well. Instead, browse shops and market stalls for art, textiles or local food and drink.

Be wary of excursions involving wildlife, many of which keep animals in poor conditions, force them to perform for entertainment, or subject them to abusive training regimes to make them ‘tame’.