Short -haul flights, hotel castles, car columns – vacations often put a strain on nature and the climate. There are numerous travel destinations that are just as easy to reach by train and bus. If you are planning consciously, you can not only save emissions, but also win new perspectives in land and its people. Read here what sustainable trips can look like.
In summer, many grab the longing for nature, variety and adventure. However, it is worth paying attention not only to bargains and “Instagramability”, but also to the environment. Otherwise we claim the climate and nature while we relax. Tourism was responsible for around 8.8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. Between 2009 and 2019, the emissions of 3.7 gigatons rose carbon dioxide per year to 5.2.
The way is the problem
The largest proportion of emissions usually cause arrival and departure. It is not just about the high energy consumption and the resulting climate -damaging emissions. Traffic itself also affects the environment: for example, through area sealing, noise and the displacement of animals from their habitats, which has a negative impact on biodiversity.
Air travel is particularly harmful. They emit significantly more CO₂ per person and kilometers than train or car journeys. In addition to carbon dioxide, aircraft also releases soot particles, water vapor and nitrogen oxides and thus contribute to global warming. In addition, flights are often used for long distances and thereby have a higher emissions per trip. Despite these problems, flying is popular. Even if there was talk of “Flugscham” in the meantime, the number of passengers has increased again after the pandemic. In 2024, for example, 173.7 million people flew abroad from Germany. That is only 7.8 percent less than before the pandemic.
Mass tourism endangers nature
Once the journey has been made, the stay on the travel destination often burdens nature on site. Hotels consume a lot of energy and water and produce large amounts of garbage. This is particularly problematic because popular travel destinations are often in regions with water shortages. The water must then be prepared or driven up.
In addition, many accommodations arise especially for tourism. For this purpose, ecologically valuable areas are sealed and floors are compressed to build buildings, parking spaces and outdoor facilities. This takes wild animals and plants and also increases the risk of flooding and overheating. In other cases, owners rent apartments to holiday guests and thus drive up rents for the residents. The problems are particularly serious when many people travel to the same city or region.
Does the train make the difference?
Despite these problems, vacationers do not have to do without their relaxation. In many cases, an environmentally friendly journey can even be more relaxed. In order to save emissions on arrival and departure, the choice of the means of transport is crucial. According to a report by Greenpeace, a third of the short -haul flights in Europe can be replaced by a train journey of less than six hours. If all trips within Europe were made by train, the travel emissions could be reduced by 26 percent. The car is similarly environmentally friendly, but only if it is fully occupied.
As an illustration: For a flight from Berlin to Rome, around 300 kilograms of carbon dioxide (CO₂) are emitted per person. There are also other climate -damaging outlets. Depending on the connection, the train is only four to 40 kilograms per person. If a person drives with a car with an incinerated engine, it causes around 330 kilograms of CO₂. In a group of four in a car, on the other hand, there are only around 80 kilograms of climate -damaging outlets per person. On the website Impactco2.FR, interested parties can compare the CO₂ survey from various means of transport for any routes.
Relaxation nearby
In addition to the election of the means of transport, the distance is also crucial for emissions. Because to relax, you don’t necessarily have to fly to Bali. According to research results, it is only important for recovery that the holiday destination fascinates you, feels removed from everyday life, expands perspectives and fits your own needs and wishes. This can also be done within Europe. A Swedish study has shown that the emissions of the travel sector could be reduced by 67 percent if travelers choose European goals that also meet their needs.
The Federal Environment Agency therefore recommends holiday destinations within a radius of 1,000 kilometers. At this distance you will find numerous places with mountains or beach. Do you want to experience culture on a city trip and enjoy culinary diversity? Instead of a flight to New York, scientists then recommend traveling to London climate -friendly.
For a sustainable vacation, you should also do without overcrowded tourism regions, prefer local companies and shops, avoid garbage and eat seasonally and regional. Even economical use of energy and water should not be lost on vacation.
Camping lets us forget everyday life
The vacation in the tent is particularly environmentally friendly. For him, no areas have to be sealed and built on and electricity consumption is also limited. Due to the closeness to nature, we can also better escape our everyday life and thus leave the stress at home. Because routines and activities differ greatly between the campground and the big city apartment and so we feel far away from the stressful everyday life without having to fly for several hours. The vacation in nature makes you happy, trains resilience and self -confidence with challenges and strengthens interpersonal relationships.
Impressive views of forests, the smell of rain and the singing of the birds immediately after waking up show us the value of nature. So you can not only learn a lot about your own environment, but also find new motivation for sustainable behavior.
Six travel destinations for camping vacation without a car
If you want to try camping vacation yourself, you can do this, for example Black Forest do. The region offers well -developed hiking trails through natural forests, bogs and heights. In so-called trekking camps you can spend the night in the natural and national parks at low cost. The camps are simple and are particularly suitable for hikes of several days. Many starting points are easy to reach by train and bus. On the website trekking-schwarzwald.de you can book the accommodation options and plan tours.
Lacanau-Océan is one of the most popular surf regions on the French Atlantic coast. The wide beach and the constant waves offer good conditions for both beginners and experienced surfers. The journey is possible by train to Bordeaux and on by bus. On site, campsites in the pine forest enable natural nights with short paths to the sea.
The Müritz National Park Lies in the heart of the Mecklenburg Lake District and is primarily known for its wide water areas, dense forests and diverse bird world. The region can be explored particularly well with the canoe or bike. Arrival is possible by train (Müritz) and, if necessary, by bus.
The Elbsandstein Mountains In Saxon Switzerland, striking rock formations and a dense network of hiking trails offer. The region is easy to reach by public transport, for example via the S-Bahn from Dresden. In 58 “boofing” marked, i.e. places in caves and rock overhangs, mountain athletes can spend the night, provided they respect the rules of the national park.
The Bleather lake is considered one of the most famous travel destinations in Slovenia and as a model for sustainable tourism. A picturesque promenade, well-signposted hiking and bike paths and free bathing areas ensure relaxation. From the nearby Lesce-Bled train station, a bus drives directly to the town center.
The North Sea Coast Cycle Path leads on around 930 kilometers through varied coastal landscapes from Bad Nieuweshans (Netherlands) to Rudbøl (Denmark). The route runs mainly on paved, car -free paths and is also well suited for families. Different natural areas such as the Wadden Sea and Museums can be explored on the way.
