What means of transport are preferred for a responsible journey?

How to review travel and make room for sustainable mobility? Here are 8 ecological means of transport that combine discovery, immersion and environment.

Increased energy prices, global warming, low-glorious carbon balance: the observation is rather alarming. Preserving the environment and natural resources has clearly become the issue of the century. Among the sectors pointed to the finger as a bad student, tourism is often found. Yet it is possible to combine travel and ecology. The evidence: the emergence and enthusiasm around eco-responsible travel are growing.

But what does this involve? If the choice of accommodation and activities counts, it goes without saying that the means of transport also. Exit the plane and the car, expensive for the planet, there are many other solutions to reconcile respect for nature and exploration of a country or region. So what environmentally friendly means of transport favour a responsible journey? Response in 8 solutions, for short and long journeys.

On foot

There is nothing more about ecomobility than walking: the most decarbonized of all activities . Certainly, walking adapts mainly to short distances. However, this mode of travel embodies the most beautiful way to discover a place. It is the door open to the escapades away from the beaten paths and authentic encounters.

On foot, you really shared with the elements, nature, people crossed on the way. In addition to making a gesture for the planet and your personal enrichment, you maintain your physical form. And yes, 30 minutes of walking per day are enough to improve your health !

Unlike the ideas you received, you can even get a lot faster on a walking tour site than by car. On the sidewalks, few are traffic jams and detours! Finally, the journey by walking overall improves well-being in the city.

In fact, the march reduces noise and pollution in the city, allowing to redorate the bladder of urban transfers. This is called soft mobility. In the same way as bike, scooter, skateboard or even rollerblading.

Bike

As we said earlier, sustainable mobility has become a major concern, mainly in urban areas and their periphery. Municipalities have had to gradually rethink the development of roads to make a good part of the clean means of displacement. To secure and encourage individuals to use ecological transport, cycle paths and green roads have flourished everywhere.

Moreover, their number is increasing, to such a point that the long bike routes have become separate trips. Indeed, several bike paths marked and stretched over tens of kilometers allow you to visit a whole region and its sites of interest... from the top of your saddle ! And this in France as abroad.

So there is no longer a lot of reason to push the two wheels. This means of ecological transport is also very economical. Even without equipment, bike rental is not expensive. If you travel by bike and want to take public transport for your long journeys, don’t forget to check the access conditions.

Most metros do not allow the passage with bicycles. This is less the case of trams or RER, often less crowded. In the train, the instructions change that it is a journey of fifty or thousand kilometers. Most of the time, you need to fold/range your bike if it is dismountable or place it in a special bike location.

By bus

The bus is an excellent means of ecological transport that allows to cover small to medium distances. Indeed, in most countries, tourist buses allow several hours of travel between the tourist sites. These buses are generally comfortable, stop at meals and can even be equipped with Wi-Fi. According to destinations, these trips can even take place at night, allowing you to save a hotel night!

Outside the pecuniary benefit, you sometimes earn more time by bus than taking an indoor flight for example . In fact, arriving two hours (minimum) in advance at the airport, taking the plane, picking up his luggage and taking a taxi to reach the city centre, can quickly take a considerable time. On the contrary, climbing on a bus that will take you to the city centre is much more convenient. Finally, whether they are tourists or locals, the buses are great places of meetings and exchanges with the local population.

By train

Among the ecological means of transport, the train is undoubtedly the one that best adapts to long distance routes. This allows you to change your traffic habits without making a cross on your thirst for discovery. As a comparison, a TGV emits 80 times less CO2 than an aircraft . The track of rails reminds us how the philosophy of slow travel is beneficial.

Here, the wonder lies more in the way than in the destination. The train even re-enchants the sobriety of a simple landscape that scrolls through a window. Thanks to the installation of high-speed trains, some railway routes take even less time than a plane ride. When you count the transport time to the airport (excentered from the city centre most of the time) and all the measures before and after a flight: the hours are extended quickly.

Last interesting thing, the offer of night trains returns from the field, especially in Europe. An extra boost to facilitate responsible travel!

Carpooling

Despite global efforts to promote sustainable mobility, long journeys remain a real challenge in order to limit its carbon footprint. If we cannot put the car aside, we can use it differently. For example, opting for carpooling.

The concept? People who wish to make the same journey are grouped together and make the road in a single vehicle. If it is not an ecological transport in its entirety, it is indeed a way to travel responsibly. In addition to its green aspect, carpooling is economical. The cost of your long journeys is significantly reduced (as compared to a taxi or car rental) as you share the price of fuel and tolls.

When travelling abroad and in France, carpooling is also an opportunity to meet citizens from all over the world, share your strong moments or good advice. Today, many applications allow you to find travel companions.

In electric "vehicle"

Who says new needs in terms of sustainable mobility also needs innovation. This is how all kinds of electric gears have emerged for several years: scooters, gyropodes, hoverboards, electric bikes, gyroroues... all working on rechargeable batteries.

Although they are only adapted to the cities, which more is to modern cities, they are ecological and fun means of transport both during one city break . So instead of an open-roof tourist bus ride in a city, why not a gyropod tower? However, nothing is worth walking in terms of ecology.

In sailboat

Among ecological modes of transport, the boat may be the least accessible since it requires a real navigation experience. However the sailboat, for example works only with natural energy and is 100% environmentally reproachable . It has the advantage of emitting no gases and preserving marine ecosystems.

And if you don’t have the resources or the desire to sail at sea on a sailboat, know that there is the journey by cargo! The boat will leave, with or without you, unlike the cruise ships!

For travellers, a freight ride is a magical experience. You immerse yourself in the daily life and life of the sailors: a universe full of adventures. You swim in a much more authentic atmosphere than that of the huge cruise shippers. This kind of crossing provides this delicious adrenaline taste as well as spectacular views. The only downside of the freighter is the price: the necessary budget far exceeds that of all other ecological means of transport.

By auto-stop or by boat-stop

Certainly, by doing auto-stop, you use a polluting vehicle. However, like the freighter, you do not increase the demand. The motorist does not take his car in order to harvest autostoppers. He makes his journey whether you're here or not. On your side, you don’t add a vehicle on the roads and you’re “reasoning the carbon bill” of the motorist.

As for the stop boat, much less known, it is a great means of ecological and economic transport. You are in contact with a boat owner or captain and you are crossing alongside him. In solo or several, it’s like a car: everything is possible. Generally, no need for money to make a stop boat but the custom is to offer a particular service on board.

The stop boat is an exceptional adventure. Of course, to be useful on board, you must have a minimum of sailing and navigation experience. You will be able to find your boat on equivale sites, dedicated Facebook groups or boat conveyor sites. Otherwise, directly to the port if you are flexible and sterile.

When it comes to stop, by car and by boat, do not forget to be careful. Even more if you're alone! Feel your instincts and don’t go up with someone who doesn’t seem trustworthy to you.