Travelling is fun, exciting, and a great break from the stressors of everyday life. However, it can be damn expensive- not only for your pocket but for the environment as well.

Here are a few things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint while travelling, without missing out.

Eat Locally And Responsibly

One of my favourite things about tourist hotels used to be breakfast buffets. Gigantic arrays of feasts worthy for not just one, but several kings!

Buffets, though, can be extremely wasteful and restrict indulgence in local and new foods. The amount of food simply left to waste is horrifying, at the least. Food that could have otherwise been used by the less fortunate and takes a tonne of resources to produce.

The next time you travel, order à la carte instead and encourage your hotel to supply leftovers to NGOs and poorer communities who need it the most. To take a step further, try to eat as much local produce as possible, and drink local brews and brands. This helps down on the emissions from transporting food over borders and long distances in general. Plus, you get to try new and exciting cuisines that you may have never glanced twice at otherwise!

Travel Light

Not only is carrying bags upon bags of luggage cumbersome, but it can also get pretty expensive and increase pollution. The more the weight of the luggage, the higher the carbon emissions on aeroplanes.

Pack light, smart, and utilitarian. Avoid carrying things that you could buy locally when you travel, without making a dent in your wallet of course. Focus on reusable items instead of disposable ones, such as a refillable water bottle or a metal straw. Carry multi-purpose clothes, and only as many as you'd strictly need for the trip.

Go Digital

E-tickets are wonderful yet underused innovation. Not only do they make travel more convenient, but they reduce the amount of paper used- hence reducing deforestation.

Wherever possible, try to book tickets digitally instead of buying printed versions. Booking these online in advance can also give you some wicked discounts and deals. Currency notes are often printed on unsustainable paper as well!

Stop Taking Cabs

Hey, I get it. You're tired after a long day and the car seat provides just the comfort and privacy you need. However, there's a reason the Odd-Even scheme was a thing: cars are one of the largest polluters, alongside two-wheelers.

So, whenever, possible, use public transport and cut down on the number of wheels on the road. For places close by, try walking or cycling. It's often cheaper on the whole and allows you to interact with the people and culture on a more personal level. Plus, you know, helps save the Earth and stuff.

Research Your Travel Destinations

Instead of going to Paris or New York this year only to face humungous, annoying crowds of tourists, try finding a more off-beat destination or checking out the most eco-friendly travel destinations. Discover something new and unheard of, and sleep without the guilty conscience of having contributed to the huge amounts of pollution caused by tourism.