Budget travel doesn’t have to mean boring. It also doesn’t have to be expensive or wasteful. Instead, traveling on a budget can a great way to be eco-friendly, as it often involves minimizing expenses and embracing sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and local communities.  

We listed our top international destinations for eco-travel here, but if you’re looking to spend even less and stick close to home, here are our top recommendations for eco-friendly vacation ideas for solo travelers or families alike: 

Budget-Friendly Vacation Ideas 

One of the best ways to travel budget-friendly is to stick close to home. Seek out locations in nature within driving distance and consider lower-cost activities. 

1. Camping: Camping in parks, preserves, and recreational areas is a great way to reduce your cost and carbon footprint. Camping allows you to get out in nature to enjoy hiking, trails, and scenery while supporting local forest or park services. If you don’t have camping equipment, many U.S. campgrounds offer cabins, yurts, or rentals. Look for official campgrounds that allow reservations or yurts; if you’re trying to save money, avoid looking for "glamping" (glamorous camping) activities in favor of more rustic options. 
2. Hiking: Hiking is a classic example of a low-cost, eco-friendly way to enjoy your time off. Local, state, private, and national parks are all wonderful places to explore scenery on foot. Most park entrances have a small entrance or parking fee but know that this small cost goes toward supporting stewardship programs. Many wildlife reserves allow hiking and photography but be sure to check if pets are allowed and what the nearby lodging allows. 
3. Volunteer At a Farm, Park, Or Wildlife Reserve: This is an excellent way to remain budget friendly while supporting the environment. Volunteering involves exchanging your time and labor for accommodation, meals, or experiences, reducing the total cost of the trip. You can volunteer at wildlife refuges (such as Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Big Cat Rescue, or Wildlife Rescue & Rehabilitation), national parks, conservation zoos, or park centers doing trail maintenance. Look up local conservation organizations in your destination area that can give options for volunteering.  
4. Work Exchanges: Websites like Workaway, HelpX, or WWOOF offer opportunities to volunteer on organic farms, community projects, or eco-lodges around the world in exchange for room and board. You get to decide how long to volunteer for, and with a variety of destinations to choose from, you’re sure to find opportunities in most international countries. Farm work exchanges support local farmers and promote sustainability—a great option for young adults wanting to lower expenses and still have a memorable experience. 
5. Eco-Friendly Activities: Environmentally friendly activities such as hiking, biking, birdwatching, horseback tours, photography tours, or beach cleanups are low cost, if not free activities for anyone to enjoy. Look for public parks, national or state parks, or dedicated wildlife preserves to get outside without a huge expense. Check local community listings to find weekend meet-ups (or clean-ups) in your destination.  
6. Volunteer for a Clean-Up: Volunteering at beach clean-ups, trail building weekends, and park restoration efforts are great ways to give back and promote environmental stewardship. These are usually 1- or 2-day commitments, and is a positive way to enact change, engage with a community, and enjoy nature. 

Tips for Budget Traveling 

Whether you’re on a road trip to volunteer or you’re away in the Alps, consider these additional tips for reducing travel costs: 

Travel Off-Season:

Summer is the busy season for most tourist destinations, so consider traveling a bit before or after to reduce airfare and hotel costs. Check the local weather to determine a good balance between the high tourism season and the best weather for your needs. 

Eco-Friendly Accommodations:

Look for budget-friendly eco-friendly accommodations such as hostels with sustainability initiatives, eco-lodges, or guesthouses. In the U.S., campgrounds and K.O.A.’s (Kampgrounds of America) are lower-cost options for lodging that provide cabins, yurts, or RV campsites for a small fee. 

Stay Longer and Slow Down:

Instead of rushing from one destination to another, consider staying longer in one place to reduce transportation costs and minimize your environmental impact. Slow travel allows you to immerse yourself in local culture, support the community, and enjoy a more sustainable travel experience. 

Pack Light and Reusable:

Pack light to save on baggage fees and reduce your environmental footprint. Bring reusable items such as water bottles, food containers, shopping bags, and utensils to minimize waste while traveling. 

Travel Locally:

Explore destinations closer to home to reduce your carbon footprint and save on transportation costs. Consider visiting nearby national parks, nature reserves, or small towns that can be reached by public transportation or a short drive. 

Use Sustainable Transportation:

Opt for public transportation options like buses, trains, or ridesharing services instead of flying or driving long distances. Public transportation is often more affordable and has a lower environmental impact than driving or flying. 

Eat Local:

Support local farmers' markets, eateries, and food stalls to experience authentic cuisine and reduce the carbon footprint associated with imported foods. 

Our Suggested AXA Travel Insurance Plan  

Because everyone’s travel plans, priorities, and budgets are different, we recommend you speak with our licensed travel agent today to hear about what plan is best suited for your needs.   

AXA offers travelers three travel protection plans: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Each plan offers different levels of coverage to suit individual needs. Compare plans here.  

Note: Non-domestic hospitals often do not accept U.S. health insurance or Medicare. We recommend travelers consider purchasing any of these plans, particularly for coverage they offer for emergency accident and sickness medical expenses while traveling outside of the U.S.  

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