Green Tips for Eco-Friendly Travel

Traveling is one of the great things you can do almost anytime of the year. Traveling is a great way to beat the stress of everyday life too. However, what many people don't realize is that traveling can be bad for the environment, no matter how you travel. While many people aren't willing to give up their vacations during the year, there are several ways to go green while traveling and going on vacation. So next time you go on vacation, check out these green travel and vacation tips that will put you on your way to making the earth just a little happier.

Prepare Your Home

What many people forget to do is prepare their home for their traveling. Before you leave, make sure you adjust your thermostat accordingly or even turn off the heat or AC. Also, clean out your fridge beforehand and throw out any food that may go bad while you're going. This will avoid you coming home to a mess. Finally, turn off and unplug appliances, including coffee makers, televisions, computers, and lamps. By unplugging appliances you'll save energy too since sometimes plugged in but turned off appliances can use electricity.

Use a GPS

A GPS is often a really great idea if you're traveling by car. Many GPS's are extremely accurate and will get you within a few feet of your destination. What many people don't realize is that GPS's are very green, especially when it comes to traveling. Think about it, a normal car trip can mean getting lost and driving around aimlessly. This can waste gas and time. By using a GPS, you'll most likely not get lost and not waste the gas. You'll also be more likely to get there on time too. So before you hit the road, make the wise decision of investing in a good GPS.

Green Hotels

Staying in your average hotel can mean a lot of energy use. Instead of staying in your typical hotel, try to find a hotel that goes the extra mile to go green. According to Sandra Essary's article "How to Find a Green Hotel for Your Next Vacation," there are numerous ways to find out if a hotel is going green and picking the right green hotel can be extremely easy. In addition to finding a green hotel, make sure you practice the same energy saving tips in the hotel room that you do at home. One example is to turn off the lights when you're not there.

Tour by Foot or Public Transportation

If you're flying instead of driving, one great thing you can do is tour your destination by foot or public transportation. Renting a car can be extremely expensive, especially if you're renting it for a few days. Walking or taking public transportation is a much greener alternative and can save you money as well. Think of it this way, you're not purchasing more fuel or burning it. And public transportation uses less fuel per person as well. It's especially financially-friendly if you're traveling with your family too.