Last year, I was in northern Thailand struggling to find somewhere… anywhere… to stay. There were a few places that would’ve destroyed my budget. Then I came across a tiny ecolodge nestled among the hills.
For just £30 a night, I got a bamboo hut with a view that was even better than what I’d have paid through the nose for in a luxury hotel. Better still, the money I had paid here would be helping fund local conservation efforts. It was such a brilliant deal!
Every morning during my stay I’d wander to the nearby market, grab fresh ingredients for about the equivalent of £5, and cook meals that put my London attempts at Thai food to shame. Yes, even my own cooking tasted authentic, because the ingredients were exactly that.
This accidental booking taught me something quite remarkable about travelling: to travel greenly isn’t just good for the planet; it’s often good for your wallet too.
With overtourism clogging up once-peaceful destinations and flight emissions continuing to climb, we’re at a point where being mindful travellers isn’t just nice – it’s necessary. Most of us aren’t working with unlimited budgets. But the good news is that you don’t need one.
Here are some of the practical, real-world ways to make your travels both eco-friendly and affordable – as discovered by my own travels, and tips I’ve picked up along the way.
Transportation: Getting There Greener and Cheaper
Trains and Buses Are Best
I’m the first to admit that flights are tempting – they’re quick and often dirt cheap with budget airlines. But did you know that trains emit up to 75% less carbon than flying? And it’s true to say the journey can become part of the adventure.
Last year, I booked a night bus from Paris to Amsterdam for just €20. Yes, I emerged slightly crumpled and in desperate need of coffee, but I’d saved about €100 compared to flying and essentially got a night’s accommodation thrown in. The views weren’t half bad either.
One of my favourite travel memories was taking the ferry from Portsmouth to Santander rather than flying to Spain. The cabin cost less than half what I’d have spent on flights plus a hotel, and watching dolphins race alongside the ship was a moment no plane journey could offer.
Quick tip: If you can, book train and bus tickets at least a month in advance on sites like Trainline or Omio – prices shoot up dramatically closer to travel dates.
When You Do Fly, Be Smart About It
So yes, sometimes flying is unavoidable – especially for those long-haul destinations. When that’s the case, economy is your friend not just for your wallet, but for the planet too. Economy seating means more people per plane, which works out to lower emissions per passenger.
I flew to Bangkok last year for £600 return and offset my emissions for about £12 through Carbonfund. It’s not perfect, but it’s something. And rather than hopping between five different countries in two weeks like I might’ve done before, I stayed in Thailand for the whole month, which meant fewer internal flights and a deeper experience of one place.
Don’t Underestimate Carpooling
For shorter hops between cities, apps like BlaBlaCar are brilliant. I shared a ride from Barcelona to Madrid for €15 instead of the €50 train ticket, and ended up getting restaurant recommendations from my local driver that I never would’ve heard about otherwise.
Just make sure to check reviews of your potential driver before hopping in – safety first, savings second!
Accommodation: Sustainable Stays That Save
Look for Locally-Owned or Eco-Certified Lodging
Booking.com now has a sustainability filter that’s been a game-changer for me. I’ve found gorgeous little spots for a fraction of big hotel prices, and knowing my money goes directly to local families or eco-initiatives gives me the warm fuzzies.
In Peru, I stayed at this incredible ecolodge for about £15 a night. The place was built from sustainable materials, ran entirely on solar power, and employed people from the nearby village. My bathroom had a composting toilet which, I won’t lie, took some getting used to – but the money you pay helps fund reforestation in the area.
Quick tip: Look for GreenKey certification or similar eco-credentials to avoid businesses that are just greenwashing.
Consider Home Swaps and Work Exchanges
If you’re travelling for more than a few days, platforms like HomeExchange or Workaway can be absolute gold. I spent three weeks at a vineyard in Tuscany helping with the harvest for about 4-5 hours a day in exchange for a gorgeous little cottage, meals, and wine-making lessons that tourists pay through the nose for.
The family taught me traditional recipes, introduced me to neighbours, and I left with a much deeper understanding of Italian culture than I’d have gotten staying in a hotel in Florence. And my bank balance was virtually untouched!
Stay Longer for Discounts (and Depth)
Rates tend to go lower the longer you stay. It’s easier for any establishment big or small to have less changeovers and keep the same customers, so always play around with duration as well as dates.
Not only will you save money, but you’ll also actually get to know the area you’re staying in much better. It takes some time to get past all the standard places to visit, and discover hidden viewpoints away from the tourist crowds.
Food and Drink: Eating Green on a Budget
Local Markets and Cooking Are Your Secret Weapons
One of my absolute favourite travel activities is wandering through local markets. In Italy, I spent about €5 a day on incredible produce – tomatoes that actually tasted of something, local cheeses, and fresh bread – and made simple meals in a kitchenette.
Not only was I avoiding all the packaging waste that comes with restaurant meals and takeaways, but I was saving at least €20 a day compared to eating out for every meal. And the picnics! There’s nothing quite like a picnic with a view that would cost a fortune if it came with table service.
Ditch the Plastic Water Bottles
I used to be that traveller with a carrier bag full of water bottles, especially in countries where tap water isn’t safe. Then I invested in a Grayl filter bottle before a trip to Southeast Asia. That single purchase saved me at least £50 over the month in bottled water costs, not to mention the 50+ plastic bottles that didn’t end up in landfill.
A collapsible tote bag is worth its weight in gold too – perfect for market shopping and avoiding plastic bags.
Go Plant-Based (At Least Some of the Time)
I’m not a full-time vegetarian, but I’ve noticed that plant-based meals while travelling are almost always cheaper. In India, I could get the most amazing dhal and roti from local spots for about £1, while meat dishes were three or four times that price.
The environmental impact of meat production is massive too, so your planet and wallet both get a boost. In Bangkok, I found this tiny street food stall serving vegan pad thai for 100 baht (about £2) that was better than any restaurant version I’d tried.
Activities: Low-Cost, Low-Impact Fun
Free Walking Tours and Bike Rentals
Some of my best travel memories have cost absolutely nothing. Free walking tours (where you just tip the guide what you think it was worth) have shown me hidden corners of cities I’d never have found on my own.
In Kyoto, I rented a bike for about £3 a day instead of using taxis or buses to visit temples. I saw so much more of everyday life, stopped whenever something caught my eye, and ended up cycling alongside a river at sunset with locals doing the same – a moment that no organised excursion could have given me.
Volunteer for Conservation (Even Just for a Day)
You don’t need to commit to months of volunteering to make a difference. In Costa Rica, I spent a day helping with a sea turtle conservation project for about £8, which included a guided walk through the protected beach area afterwards. The fee supported the project, and I got to learn from biologists who were passionate about their work.
Always check that conservation projects are legitimate, though – unfortunately, some are more about profit than actual conservation.
Skip the Overtourism Hotspots
I know the Eiffel Tower is iconic, but when I went to Paris, I skipped the £70 ticket to the top and instead rented a Vélib bike for €5 for the day. I cycled along the Seine, through little neighbourhoods, and found a hilltop viewpoint in Montmartre that gave me a panorama of the city – including the tower – for free.
Not only did I save money, but I wasn’t contributing to the overcrowding that’s making many famous sites less enjoyable (and less sustainable).
Packing Smart: Gear for Sustainability and Savings
Travel Light with Reusables
After paying one too many excess baggage fees, I’ve become religious about packing light. Compression packing cubes changed my life, and a Scrubba washbag (about £40) means I can pack half as many clothes and wash them as I go.
Bonus: airlines use less fuel when they’re carrying less weight, so my lighter bag is actually reducing emissions too. Even if it’s just a tiny bit!
Switch to Eco-Friendly Toiletries
Solid shampoo bars and soap instead of bottles means less plastic waste and no worries about liquids at airport security. I spent about £8 on a shampoo bar that lasted three months of travel – much cheaper than buying travel-sized products repeatedly.
In Hawaii, I used reef-safe sunscreen which wasn’t just better for the coral – it actually worked out cheaper than buying the big-name brands at the resort shop.
Facing the Challenges to See the Greener Good
Really, it’s not always easy being green on the road. I’ve been caught out by hotels claiming to be eco-friendly when they were doing nothing more than asking guests to reuse towels. I’ve had moments of flight guilt when there simply wasn’t a train option that worked.
The key is balance. Maybe you splurge on that once-in-a-lifetime experience but eat locally and take public transport for the rest of the trip. Or perhaps you fly to your destination but then explore it slowly and overland.
The brilliant thing about sustainable travel is that it often leads to more authentic experiences. When you’re taking trains, staying in local places, eating at markets, and exploring by foot or bike, you’re not just saving money and reducing your environmental impact – you get to connect more deeply with the places you visit.
For about £400 a month all-in, I had one of the richest travel experiences of my life in Thailand. Not because I spent loads, but because I travelled mindfully.