What travel method is least impactful on the planet?

Thankfully, there is much we can do to help without having to sacrifice our much-needed holidays [phew, I all hear you gasp]. By addressing the question of: ‘do we really need to fly as much as we do?’ helps to be open to the other travel possibilities that are available to us. Plus with carbon offsetting options, rail travel and other means of transport, we can all do our part in helping to protect the environment and lessen the negative impact we have on our planet.

We want to BE Better

We are the specialist escorted tour company so we love to travel all over the world and share amazing destinations and incredible sights with our customers. But we are aware that we also play our part in being a responsible travel company. As part of our BE Better initiative at Titan, we really want to help lessen the negative impact that travel has on the environment. From reducing single-use plastics to improving local communities and economies, our sustainable ethos is all about us making the right choices and being able to offer holidays to our customers that fit with our beliefs.

We believe there are many environmental benefits to travelling on an escorted group tour. For instance, at each of our destinations we predominantly travel via coach, rather than individual vehicles - and a coach journey produces much lower emissions, reduces local air pollution and congestion in comparison to individual car journeys.

We partner with airlines like EasyJet who offset their carbon emissions and are working with a cruise company who has battery-powered ships that are environmentally-friendly. We have many holidays that require no air travel – so if you’d like to reduce the number of times you take to the air and avoid the airport altogether, you do have options. Take a look at some of our other suggestions below if you'd like to learn more about eco travel.

Offset your carbon emissions

Flying is a huge part of travel - there is no denying that. So if you choose to fly, you can also choose to offset your carbon footprint. You can go online and use calculators to work out just how many emissions your flight produced and offset by donating money to renewable energy projects or tree planting schemes all over the world. There are many airlines we use that are committed to offsetting their fuel emissions including EasyJet. For every single flight they operate, they will offset the carbon from the fuel used, by investing in projects that include the planting of trees or protecting against deforestation and renewable energies across the globe.

Travel by rail

As a touring specialist we travel to many destinations in one holiday. And we often have to take connecting flights. However, we also have many holidays where we take trains to travel across regions and countries. Rail is the most environmentally friendly way to travel - the greenhouse effect of gas emissions per km on railway transport is 80% less than cars. And we're pleased to have many rail discoveries holidays that are both luxurious and exciting. From crossing the Rocky Mountains in Canada on the iconic Rocky Mountaineer to taking the bullet train across Japan, seeing the countryside in India and across Africa, and even the mountains in Switzerland, our rail journeys really are wonderful - and so much kinder to the planet. 

No-fly river cruising

If you fancy going on an eco-holiday as well exploring some of Europe’s most beautiful waterways then we have several no-fly river cruises. Instead of catching a flight, you can take a ferry or the Eurostar across the Channel before boarding your river cruise.

From the stunning Moselle, where you will gently glide past castle ruins to the stunning floral colours along the Dutch Waterways, our river cruises offer a more gently, scenic way to travel. And you can discover several destinations in one holiday and only unpack the once. And not an airport in sight…

Explore the UK

We have some stunning destinations at home. With spectacular coastlines and beaches, expansive countryside and magical woodland, cosmopolitan cities and fairytale villages - the UK really does have all the perfect ingredients for a memorable holiday.

Our UK holiday destinations span the length and breadth of the country and by choosing tours in the UK, you can reduce your carbon emissions significantly. Discover the heritage of our fair lands from our historic castles to National Trust estates, as well as UNESCO Heritage Sites and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Indulge in cream teas and wander quaint cobbled streets, or feel the exciting buzz of our great cities including London and Manchester. Plus, you will also be supporting local businesses and communities.

No-fly cruises

Like our no-fly river cruises, we also have no-fly ocean cruises. You could be setting sail to some wonderful destinations across the world from the Baltic to the Canaries to even West Africa, from our UK ports in Dover and Southampton. Departing from your home, you will be driven right to the dock and board your ship without having to take to the skies.

Meanwhile, we are now offering Cruise & Tour holidays - which means after taking an escorted land tour, you will spend the majority of your trip sailing the seas. And one of our latest cruise partners is the environmentally-friendly Havila, who has created state-of-the-art ships that have put planet at the forefront of their design. Fitted with the world’s largest battery packs, Havila’s brand new hybrid ships can sail through the Norwegian fjords quietly and emission free for up to four hours each cycle. As well as using advanced technology to be as energy-efficient as possible.

You can read more about our BE Better initiatives here. And for more information on our escorted holidays speak to one of our expert travel advisors today.