Travel More Sustainably in and out of the UK

With climate change and overtourism making regular headlines, sustainable travel is becoming more and more of a focus. Sustainable travel means choosing transportation, accommodations, and activities that reduce your environmental impact while protecting the destinations you visit. Traveling sustainably doesn't mean you have to vacation close to home. You can still venture beyond the United Kingdom — it's all about making choices that reduce your environmental impact and help protect the planet and the places you visit.

Sometimes it's the little things that make a big difference, whether that's choosing a more eco-friendly way to reach your destination, avoiding travel in peak season, or using public transportation once you're there — it all adds up.

So, whether you're dreaming of a holiday to Spain or exploring the must-see tourist sites in France, here are a few things to consider before you book.

How to reach your destination

One of the most important decisions when it comes to sustainable travel is how you reach your destination. Choosing a mode of transportation with a lower environmental impact can make a significant difference to the overall footprint of your trip.

Ferry travel vs. flying

Trying to decide between flying and taking the ferry? Flying is often the fastest way to get from A to B, but traveling by ferry has plenty of benefits. Not only can you get up, stretch your legs, enjoy live entertainment, or go shopping, but there's also another reason to choose the ferry over flying: it's a more eco-friendly alternative to flying.

On average, a ferry passenger generates around 19g of CO₂ per kilometer, compared with around 186g of CO₂ per passenger on a short-haul flight. Depending on the route and how you travel, the difference can be huge.

For travelers heading from the UK to destinations such as Ireland, France, and Spain, traveling by ferry can be a more environmentally friendly alternative to flying, especially when combined with other lower-carbon forms of transportation such as rail or public transit.

Bringing a car with you does increase emissions, but it often still has a lower carbon footprint than flying.

For an even lower-impact journey, choose a conventional ferry over a high-speed ferry. Conventional ferries generally use less fuel, so they produce lower CO₂ emissions per passenger.

Which way of traveling has the lowest carbon footprint?

Operators such as Brittany Ferries offer regular crossings from the UK to destinations in France and Spain. Traveling as a foot passenger and reaching the ports by public transportation can be an even more sustainable option.

Here are two examples of journeys from London using Brittany Ferries where taking the ferry is more eco-friendly than flying:

London to Paris

By air: Fly from London to Paris.  
More sustainable alternative: Take the train from London to Portsmouth, travel with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Caen (Ouistreham), then take a bus or taxi to Caen station for a train to Paris.

London to Bilbao

By air: Fly from London to Bilbao.  
More sustainable alternative: Take the train from London to Portsmouth, then travel with Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth to Bilbao.  

*These results are based on 2 people traveling together.

Want to compare the carbon footprint of your journey? Use our carbon footprint calculator to find the most sustainable way to reach your destination.

Sustainable ferry travel

Ferry companies are increasingly looking at ways to reduce the environmental impact of their services. Brittany Ferries, for example, received the Green Marine Europe environmental certification for the sixth consecutive year in 2025 and has introduced a number of initiatives to make its operations more sustainable.

Here are some of the ways Brittany Ferries is working to reduce its environmental impact:

• Introducing hybrid ships: New hybrid ferries, including Saint-Malo and Guillaume de Normandie, combine LNG engines with large batteries. This can help reduce fuel use by up to 15% and greenhouse gas emissions by up to 25%.
• Exploring renewable fuels: Brittany Ferries plans to progressively replace fossil LNG with renewable alternatives, such as biomethane and e-methane.
• Reducing air pollution: LNG produces lower levels of sulfur oxides, soot, and particulate matter, helping to reduce air pollution.
• Making existing vessels more efficient: It's not just new ships that can make a difference. Brittany Ferries uses tools such as real-time route planning and fuel-monitoring software, as well as smoother hull coatings and other modifications, to help reduce drag, fuel use, and emissions.
• Reducing onboard waste: Waste management is built into onboard operations to help reduce the amount thrown away.
• Protecting marine life: Brittany Ferries works with ORCA on initiatives designed to monitor and protect marine wildlife in the waters where its vessels operate.

Our top tips for a sustainable vacation

Sustainable travel isn't just about how you get there — the choices you make once you arrive can make a difference too. From where you stay to how you explore, there are plenty of ways to make your trip more sustainable. Here are some of our top tips:

• Use public transportation: Where possible, walk, bike, or use public transit instead of taking a car or taxi. You'll reduce emissions while also seeing more of your destination.
• Reuse towels and bed linens: If your accommodation gives you the option, ask for your towels and sheets to be changed less often to help reduce water and energy consumption.
• Keep things local: Support the communities you're visiting by eating at local restaurants, buying seasonal and locally produced food, shopping at independent businesses, and visiting local markets. You could also choose locally run tours and experiences, helping more of your vacation spending stay within the local community.
• Embrace slow travel: Slow travel means taking your time to explore a destination and immersing yourself in the local culture and way of life. Consider staying longer in one place or combining different destinations into one longer trip rather than taking multiple short breaks.
• Travel outside of peak season: Popular destinations can come under huge pressure during the busiest times of the year. If you visit in the shoulder or off-season, you help spread tourism throughout the year and get to enjoy a more relaxing experience.

Exploring Europe by ferry

With a range of operators offering routes between the UK and Europe, traveling by ferry can be a more sustainable way to start your trip.

Brittany Ferries offers routes from the UK to France and Spain, with sailings from ports including Poole, Portsmouth, and Plymouth. Other operators also offer routes between the UK and Europe, giving you plenty of choice when planning a more sustainable journey.

Book your ferry today

Traveling more sustainably doesn't mean you can't leave the UK. It's all about making more eco-conscious choices when you travel — such as starting your journey by ferry. At Direct Ferries, we make it easy to compare routes and crossings, so you can find a sailing that suits you.