Green travel for millennials: How to start easily? (Simple tips for your first eco-friendly journey today)

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Alright, so this whole “green travel” thing, especially for us millennials, it’s been buzzing around for ages. I used to just, you know, nod and agree whenever someone brought it up. Didn’t really put much thought into it, if I’m being honest. Seemed like another one of those trends.

Green travel for millennials: How to start easily? (Simple tips for your first eco-friendly journey today)

My Wake-Up Call Trip

Then I went on this trip a couple of years back, I think it was somewhere in Southeast Asia. And man, the amount of plastic I saw everywhere was just… shocking. Seriously, beaches that looked pretty in photos were just littered with bottles and bags up close. It kind of stuck with me, you know? That’s when I started to think, okay, maybe I should actually try to do something different. Not like I had a huge plan, but it was a start.

So, I decided to actually give this green travel stuff a real shot. My first thought was, what can I actually do? I’m not exactly an eco-warrior, just a regular person who likes to see new places.

First Steps: Tackling Transportation

My first big experiment was transportation. I used to just hop on the cheapest flight without a second thought. So, for my next local-ish trip, I forced myself to look into trains and buses. Let me tell you, planning a multi-leg train journey was way more involved than just clicking “book flight.” It took ages. And yeah, it was slower. Way slower. But, honestly? Seeing the countryside roll by instead of just clouds was kind of nice for a change. I actually felt like I was traveling.

Then came the packing. My backpack was always a chaotic mess, stuffed to the brim. I started thinking, do I really need five pairs of shoes? Probably not.

  • I got myself a decent reusable water bottle. That was a game changer. No more buying endless plastic bottles.
  • I also started carrying a reusable coffee cup. Some cafes even give you a discount!
  • And I really tried to cut down on all those tiny travel-sized toiletries. Solid shampoo bars, that kind of stuff. Took some getting used to, but it definitely reduced my plastic footprint.

The Not-So-Easy Parts

But let’s be real, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Finding genuinely eco-friendly accommodation can be a nightmare. So many places slap an “eco” label on themselves just because they ask you to reuse your towel. Big deal. And sometimes, the greener option is just way more expensive, or it takes up so much precious vacation time. It’s a real balancing act, especially when you’re trying to stick to a budget.

Green travel for millennials: How to start easily? (Simple tips for your first eco-friendly journey today)

I remember one time I tried to book this “eco-lodge” that was super remote. Looked amazing online. But then I figured out getting there without a private car (which I was trying to avoid) would involve like, three buses and a long hike. With my luggage. Yeah, I bailed on that idea. Sometimes convenience just wins, and I’m not going to pretend otherwise.

Focusing on Local

One thing I really got into was trying to go local as much as possible. Instead of hitting up the big international chain restaurants, I started seeking out small, family-run eateries. The food was usually better, and cheaper too! And I tried to buy souvenirs from actual local artisans, not just the generic stuff you see everywhere. It felt good to know my money was supporting the local community more directly.

I also started looking for experiences that were, you know, less about consumption and more about actually experiencing the place. Hikes, visiting local markets (the real ones, not just the tourist traps), maybe even a cooking class. Stuff that didn’t involve buying a load of plastic junk.

Still Figuring It Out

So, my journey into “green travel” has been a bit messy, to be honest. Lots of trial and error. I’m definitely not perfect. I still take flights when I have to, or when it’s the only practical option. But I think about it more now. I weigh the options. I try to make small changes where I can.

It’s not about being a hardcore eco-saint for me. It’s more about being a bit more mindful, a bit more responsible. And honestly, some of these changes have actually made my travels more interesting and rewarding. It’s a work in progress, for sure. But I guess every little bit helps, right?

Green travel for millennials: How to start easily? (Simple tips for your first eco-friendly journey today)

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