With a greater consciousness around the impact that we are all having on the environment, many people look to travel as one of the biggest challenges to negotiate in terms of reducing their carbon footprint.
Almost any travel (except walking or cycling) will affect the environment, but some modes of transport are better than others. In addition to looking at how you are travelling, you should also consider looking at the length of your trip. Travelling far away can, for example, have a far greater impact on the environment than staying within the UK.
The UK is Home to so Much History & Beauty, but What is The Best Way to Travel?
There are many reasons why people are looking to take their holiday in the UK at the moment – and one of them is for environmental reasons. Another is because the UK has so much to see and enjoy. From the country’s most prestigious historic castles to a visit to London and catching a West End show, there is something for everyone.
If you have decided to venture on a holiday in the UK and get lost in the history, beauty, and excitement that this country has to offer, you have several options of how to travel.
Car
Travelling by car gives you the freedom to go where you want to go when you want to go there. It means that you can pack the family up, take all your belongings and head off. However, unless you have a super-economic electric car, this can be expensive and, frankly, not great for the environment.
Electric or hybrid cars can be useful and better for the environment, but they require a degree of planning to ensure that you are able to access charging stations at the time that you need them.
You can help to reduce the impact of your car use by car-sharing with other people if it is possible.
Train
The UK has a good train network available to the public, especially if you live or are visiting big towns or cities. Trains are considered to be one of the most environmentally-friendly modes of transport, but they are fairly limited in the places that can be visited – you can only visit somewhere that has a railway station after all!
Some famous landmarks – some places in the Lake District, for example – are not necessarily easy to travel to by train, and there are also limitations in terms of the amount of luggage and space that you can have.
Coach
Travelling by coach gives you the best of both worlds of the car and train. You have much more flexibility in terms of the places that you can visit, whilst being able to enjoy the journey. Due to the fact that many people are using the same coach, it is far more eco-friendly than everyone driving their separate cars, and you do not need to worry about the price of fuel!
Travelling by coach enable you to sit back and relax during the journey – no need to be driving, ensuring that you arrive at your destination with the energy to actually enjoy it!
In addition to this, you are given more flexibility over the luggage that you can take with you, and there is always the possibility that you will make new friends! Here at National Holidays, we have a wide range of trips and destinations across the UK to choose from, from mystery breaks to sporting breaks and family fun.
Plane
Air travel has a reputation for being very damaging to the environment. However, each individual flight is actually one of the most energy-efficient ways of travel that exists. The problem is the number of flights (short and long haul) that we have every minute.
Lighter aircraft use significantly less fuel than heavier aircraft, but regardless, they are still a relatively carbon-intensive way to move around – especially if you are travelling alone or in small groups. In addition to the impact of the flight on the environment, you should also consider the fact that you might need to drive to and from the airport, as well as to and from your destination when you have arrived at its nearest airport.
Eco-Friendly Travel with National Holidays
Here at National Holidays, we have a wealth of trips and destinations that you can choose from. Our coaches have a range of different pickup points near you, and we have trips and destinations suitable for all the family.
Travelling by coach is one of the most eco-friendly modes of transport to explore the UK in, so why not have a browse through what we have to offer and start to plan your next trip?