5 Travel Hacks For Affordable & Eco-Friendly UK Trips

Author: Charlotte XO

The UK is not really known worldwide for promoting sustainability or for even affordability when it comes to staycations. In fact, is it really either…we aren’t convinced, but it is slowly getting better! In this article, I will be sharing some of my affordable and sustainable travel hacks for travelling in and around the UK this summer and beyond.

Finding The Best Price

Now you may not want tons of email marketing coming into your inbox every day, but I promise you, it will pay off. Signing up to newssletters often means you’re first to know when sales are on and you can plan ahead. I recommend having a separate email address solely for marketing purposes, meaning your main inbox isn’t cluttered with daily offers! I would also recommend following transport companies on social media as they often post deals there too.

Some train companies that do great deals are:

Great Western Railway (GWR) – Travel to destinations such as Oxford, Bath, Bristol, Swindon and more.
Lumo – Visit Edinburgh for a fraction of the price.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) – Leeds, York, Newcastle and Glasgow are waiting for you

You can also find really affordable coach tickets via:

Megabus
Flixbus
National Express

Travel Off Peak

Travelling off-peak if your schedule allows is a great way to keep costs down. When signing up those mailing lists and selecting your travel dates, stick to weekdays and you’ll have a more pleasant experience and beat the weekend crowds. Furthermore, where you can, leave the car at home and opt to travel by train or coach for a greener way to get around.

Day Tripping

Keeping your trip short is another way to keep costs down and reduce your impact on the planet. It also allows you to get a taste of a place without the commitment. I recommend sticking with a max travel time of 2.5 hours each way so you don’t actually spend your entire day travelling. Consider getting an early train there and the last one back to really make a day of it.

And of course, once you make it to your destination, instead of getting a taxi, use the local public transport, walking if your mobility allows it or hire a bike/e-scooter.

This will help reduce your carbon footprint and give you a chance to experience the local culture.

Some ideas for day trips in the UK are:

Windsor
Oxford
Cambridge
Bristol
Brighton
Folkestone
Winchester
Birmingham
Manchester
Liverpool
Newcastle
Leeds

Staying Overnight?

Hotels aren’t always the most affordable or sustainable accommodation type. However, you can search for hotels that have implemented eco-friendly practices, such as using renewable energy, reducing water usage and an effort in minimising waste. There are also a number of boutique hotels or eco-friendly retreats available across the country. You may also consider staying in a hostel or homestay to support the local community.

Supporting Local Businesses

Avoid chains and seek out the small independent restaurants if you’re hungry. A great way to find great local cuisine is by searching through Instagram, checking the local tourist board website or simply typing ‘restaurants near me’ into Google maps. Supporting local restaurants means supporting the local economy. P.S Local produce is often much better too!

Sustainable travel is all about reducing the negative impact that travelling has on the environment and the local communities we visit. By following these tips, you can help reduce your impact on the environment and contribute to the local economy.

How will you be implementing these affordable and sustainable travel hacks into your trips this summer?