Travelling smarter - greener travel plans

From your daily commute to your dream holiday, here's how to reduce the environmental cost of travelling

With summer on the way, how can you enjoy the sunshine and still be green? From a simple day trip to the adventure of a lifetime, we take a look at your options for eco-friendly travel.

Planning your summer holiday
Low-impact bank holidays
Cut the cost of day-to-day driving

Planning your summer holiday

Not sure how to keep the carbon dioxide (CO₂) costs down on your main holiday? Here are a few things to think about when you plan those two weeks of freedom.

Explore the UK and Europe: have you been hiking in the Alps in summer, seen the beautiful Slovenian lakes or been cycling through the vineyards of France? Or what about adventure sports in Scotland or sailing in the Lake District? Find yourself a memorable holiday closer to home.
Choose a green way to get there: take the train, bus or ferry instead of flying - you'll be surprised at how much CO₂ you save. If you're taking the train, break up the journey to your destination by visiting cities en route.
Stay in hotels with good green credentials: if a hotel is serious about being green, the staff should be able to give you details of its environmental policy and initiatives - so ask before you book.
Hire a car with low emissions: many large car hire companies have specific green hire options. If there isn't one available, try opting for the smallest, most efficient car that meets your needs.
Go for the whole green package: an eco package holiday is a great way to explore the natural world - but to make sure you pick one that's genuinely green. Check with reliable companies like Responsible Travel

Quick holiday tips

Tell the hotel you're happy to re-use your towels - you'll cut their daily washing load and reduce their carbon footprint.
Be sparing with the air conditioning, especially when you're not in your hotel room
Switch off lights, appliances and especially your heating and hot water before you leave home - you'll come home to smaller energy bills.

Low-impact bank holidays

Don't get stuck on the motorway - find out what's on your own doorstep. You'll reduce your CO₂ emissions and fuel costs, plus find great local activities to enjoy again and again.

With the kids:

meet the animals at your local city farm or petting zoo
organise a treasure hunt or picnic in the park
see what's on at nearby museums
find adventure sports clubs like climbing and canoeing

With your mates:

host a barbecue or garden party
go for a local walk - buy a map of your area and check out some of the local parks and scenic routes
go visiting - pop round to all your local friends
hit the streets at a festival or celebration

Quick bank holiday tips

Before you pile into the car, check for group and family deals on trains and buses. Family and group rail cards can be a great way to save money. Find a railcard
If you do drive, plan your route to save getting lost and check travel conditions to make sure you don't get stuck in a traffic jam for hours.
Pack a picnic in reusable boxes and bottles, instead of buying packaging-heavy snacks and fast food. It's a great way to save money as well.

Cut the cost of day-to-day driving

Find petrol bills mounting up? Take another look at how you drive, and you could end up using less fuel and saving a packet.

Take an alternative: investigate the public transport options in your area. One of the best ways of cutting your driving emissions is by not driving where possible. To find transport options in the UK and calculate your carbon footprint, visit Transport Direct
Drive smarter: anticipate road conditions so that you can lighten up on the accelerator and brake and watch your revs. Just follow the rules of smarter driving and you could cut your fuel consumption and save around £200-£250 a year. See our smarter driving tips
Share your commute: cut your fuel bill by sharing the drive to work with other drivers living in your area. If your colleagues live too far away, ask around at neighbouring companies or look online. Find a liftshare
Join a car club: for occasional drivers they're a cheap and convenient alternative to car ownership, saving you insurance, road tax, MOTs and parking fees. Plus pay-as-you-go driving will help you to cut down on unnecessary journeys. Visit the Car Clubs website