Top Sustainable Tourism Apps for Exploring Europe Responsibly
In recent years, the travel industry has seen a significant shift towards sustainability, driven by the growing awareness of environmental issues and the desire to preserve our planet for future generations. Sustainable tourism apps are at the forefront of this movement, leveraging technology to promote eco-friendly travel practices and connect travelers with responsible options. Whether you’re traveling to Europe or call it home, these apps can help you explore the continent responsibly.
Key Takeaways
- Discover apps that promote eco-friendly travel practices.
- Find green accommodations and reduce your carbon footprint.
- Support local food systems and sustainable produce.
- Share rides and reduce reliance on cars.
- Access water refill stations to minimize plastic waste.
Bikemap
Bikemap is the world’s biggest bike route collection, offering a fantastic way to explore Europe responsibly. Founded in 2014 by passionate cyclists, Bikemap aims to share awesome routes with cyclists around the globe. With nearly 8 million users worldwide, it’s a fair bet you’ll have a great in-app experience while lowering your carbon footprint during your trip.
Why Use Bikemap?
This very cool company empowers cyclists worldwide with well over 11 million mapped cycling paths. Responsible travelers can rent a bike in any new city and explore powered by their own two feet. Bikemap offers unique, user-generated cycling routes in 100+ countries, ensuring you have access to the best local travel information possible.
Features
- User-generated routes: Get insider secrets from local cyclists.
- Global coverage: From Ireland to Israel, find paths in over 100 countries.
- Community-sourced information: Enjoy some of the most on-the-ground local travel information.
Using Bikemap is not just about finding bicycle tracks; it’s about discovering the most stunning cycling routes and creating your own bike trails. It’s a journey powered by your own two feet, making your travel experience both sustainable and exhilarating.
BlaBlaCar
The BlaBlaCar app is an easy way to make any trip more sustainable. Rather than rent a car, carpool or use the BlaBlaCar bus along popular routes all over the world.
Why Choose BlaBlaCar?
BlaBlaCar is a fantastic alternative when you need something either faster or more direct than a train, and far cheaper and more sustainable than renting a car. When I was planning a long weekend trip into France from my home in Barcelona, BlaBlaCar came out far ahead of the train because it shaved many hours off of the route, and there were three different trusted carpools heading to my destination on my preferred day.
Safety Concerns
BlaBlaCar might not appeal to everyone due to safety concerns, but it’s one of the most helpful travel apps for travellers like myself who can’t drive and are reliant on public transport. Sometimes, it’s hard to reach certain places, or you have restricted bus options, and that is where this app can be a life saviour. Think of it as a mix of Uber with normal people driving and pre-planned hitchhiking — it’s essentially a carpooling app which helps drivers split the cost of fuel.
Additional Features
Considering the company also offers bus routes along the most popular routes, it’s a no brainer to put this on your phone before your next trip. You’ll be amazed how it upgrades your transport options and adds an entirely new layer of sustainable travel.
Note that each country offers a different BlaBlaCar app.
HappyCow
With livestock farming producing up to 50% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions, going vego – or at least cutting down on meat – certainly has its benefits. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find vegetarian (let alone vegan) restaurants abroad. Enter, HappyCow: an app that locates the nearest vegetarian and vegan-friendly eating establishments in over 175 countries. Users can also upload photos and share reviews.
If you’re vegan or vegetarian then you may already have this on your phone—it’s a great app to have as part of a sustainable lifestyle, not just responsible travel. That said, those who embrace “Meatless Mondays” can keep up the habit on the road, while also usually discovering a fun and different side to a culture’s cuisine.
The crowd-sourced review app has extensive information that has been collected, vetted, and updated by the global community since its founding way back in 1999.
Komoot
If travel for you is about adventuring into the great outdoors, then Komoot needs to be on your phone. This sustainable travel app offers ready-built routes through some of the best-kept secrets near you. It helps you plan your routes, whether that’s an off-road biking route or some seriously adventurous treks—and everything in between. It also keeps you safe and prepared for your sustainable outdoor adventure with information covering your route’s surface, difficulty, distance, and elevation.
Komoot is the largest and fastest-growing digital platform for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts in the world – and it has a simple mission: to make outdoor exploration accessible to everyone.
Features
- Ready-built routes
- Detailed route information (surface, difficulty, distance, elevation)
- Off-road biking and adventurous treks
Why Use Komoot?
Komoot is perfect for those who love to explore the great outdoors responsibly. Whether you’re a seasoned adventurer or a casual hiker, Komoot provides the tools you need to plan and enjoy your journey. Plus, it’s a great way to discover hidden gems and lesser-known trails.
How to Get Started
- Download the app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Create an account and set your preferences.
- Browse or search for routes based on your interests.
- Save your favorite routes and start exploring!
Tap Hydration & Water Stations
Tap Hydration & Water Stations is a must-have app for any eco-conscious traveler. It’s as simple as opening this sustainable travel app and letting it geolocate you—then walk to the nearest refill station and enjoy. With over 250,000 locations in 100+ countries, Tap makes it easy to find a water fountain or restaurant offering free, fresh, clean drinking water.
Why Use Tap?
Since carrying a reusable water bottle (and ditching plastic disposable bottles for good) is one of the very first steps most responsible travelers undertake, the Tap app should be on the phone of every sustainable traveler. Tap is on a mission to eliminate the single-use plastic water bottle by connecting water to the internet.
How Does It Work?
- Open the app.
- Let it geolocate you.
- Walk to the nearest refill station.
- Enjoy free, fresh, clean drinking water.
Global Reach
Tap offers more than 250,000 locations in 100+ countries where you can refill your water bottle for free. It’s that simple. Open the app and find a water fountain or restaurant offering free, fresh, clean drinking water.
The acquedotto pugliese introduces the "acqua in brocca" initiative to promote sustainable practices in hospitality across Puglia, Italy.
Community-Sourced Information
Like Bikemap, this is community-sourced information, so you’re getting some of the most on-the-ground local travel information possible. Talk about insider secrets!
Localvore Passport
Localvore Passport is a fantastic app for those who love to explore local food scenes while traveling. This free app helps users find fresh, local produce markets, open-to-the-public farms, and community-supported agriculture venues. By using your phone’s GPS location, Localvore Passport provides a list of nearby food providers and even offers seasonal recipes to help you cook with the produce you purchase.
While the app is free to use, a paid membership offers access to special discounts and giveaways. Localvore Passport is perfect for responsible travelers who love exploring farmers markets and eating at restaurants that use local produce, which reduces waste and supports local communities.
For an extra fee, you can also access exclusive recipes that make the most of the fresh produce you find. This app is your ultimate guide to eating fresh and local, no matter where your travels take you.
BookDifferent
BookDifferent is a game-changer in the realm of sustainable tourism. This innovative platform allows travelers to book eco-friendly accommodations worldwide and contributes a portion of the booking fee to environmental causes. It’s a win-win for both travelers and the planet.
Why Choose BookDifferent?
BookDifferent stands out for its commitment to sustainability and community support. By choosing this platform, you’re not just booking a place to stay; you’re investing in the future of our planet. The platform’s user-friendly interface and comprehensive eco-ratings make it easy to find accommodations that align with your values.
BookDifferent is more than just a booking platform; it’s a movement towards a more sustainable and responsible way of traveling.
Key Features
- Eco-friendly accommodations verified by third-party organizations
- Contributions to environmental causes with each booking
- User-friendly interface with comprehensive eco-ratings
Final Thoughts
BookDifferent is revolutionizing the travel industry by making it easier for travelers to make eco-conscious choices. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a long-term adventure, this platform offers the tools and resources you need to travel sustainably. So why wait? Start your eco-friendly journey with BookDifferent today!
AWorld in Support of ActNow
AWorld in Support of ActNow is a must-have app for anyone looking to make a positive impact on the planet while traveling. This app is the official platform in support of ACTNOW, the United Nations campaign for individual action on climate change and sustainability. AWorld uses Impact Engagement methodology to generate real change, making it more than just an app—it’s a movement.
Learn and Take Action
With AWorld, you can learn how to live the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The app encourages individual travelers to take action against climate change and live sustainably. Whether you’re at home or on the go, AWorld provides actionable steps to make a difference.
Connect to a Global Community
One of the standout features of AWorld is its ability to connect you to a global community. You can join thousands around the world who are committed to living sustainably, making your efforts feel part of a larger, impactful movement.
Live Sustainably One Action at a Time
AWorld makes it easy to integrate sustainable practices into your daily life. From reducing waste to supporting local economies, the app offers a variety of ways to live more sustainably. Every small action counts, and AWorld helps you track your progress and stay motivated.
AWorld is not just an app; it’s a tool to support mobility, tourism, and sustainable living. Join the revolution and make a difference with every trip you take.
FairTrip
FairTrip is reinventing the travel guide by focusing on sustainable travel. This app is dedicated to responsible travelers who want to discover authentic and impactful places. These locations are selected for their positive social impact and support for the local community. Users can book accommodations, restaurants, and experiences directly from the app, with 10% of the app’s revenue being donated to impact projects in developing countries.
Discover Authentic Places
The app allows users to share new places with the FairTrip community. These suggestions are validated by the FairTrip team before being added to the app. Users can also follow their favorite FairTrippers to find their favorite spots and never miss their new discoveries. With over 3,000 places referenced all around the world, FairTrip aims to promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth through responsible tourism.
Support Local Communities
FairTrip is not just about finding cool places; it’s about making a difference. By choosing places listed on FairTrip, you are supporting local businesses and communities. This helps to ensure that your travel has a positive impact on the places you visit.
Be a Better Tourist
Choose hotels or homestays wisely. FairTrip is a great source for more sustainable accommodation. The app helps you find homestays that offer a genuine experience and support the local economy.
FairTrip is your go-to app for responsible tourism. It’s not just about seeing new places; it’s about making a positive impact wherever you go.
Global Yodel
When I travel, one of the first things I like to do is figure out what the locals like to do and where they like to do it. Locals have the best insight into their city, and following their lead has led me on some awesome and unexpected adventures. Global Yodel is an app (and site!) to connect travelers with a local’s perspective.
It’s part social media platform and part database of destinations around the world. With close to 1,000 places covered—from New York City to rural Australia and lots of places in between—Global Yodel is still growing. Have some knowledge to share? Check out their website for how to get featured.
Discover the hidden gems of each city and experience the world like a local with Global Yodel. Your next adventure awaits!
Switzerland Yodel 2024/2025
Welcome to this year’s edition of Switzerland Tourism’s Yodel Magazine, designed to be your trusted companion when organizing trips for your valued clients.
Discover the world with Global Yodel! Whether you’re planning a local adventure or an international journey, our platform has everything you need to make your trip unforgettable. From detailed itineraries to expert travel guides, we’ve got you covered. Ready to start your adventure? Visit our website and explore all the amazing features we offer!
Conclusion
In the ever-evolving landscape of travel, sustainable tourism apps are not just a trend but a revolution. These digital platforms are harnessing the power of technology to make eco-friendly travel accessible, engaging, and impactful. From apps that help you find green accommodations to those that measure and reduce your carbon footprint, the innovation is both inspiring and essential. Whether you’re planning to share a car in France, report illegal trash dumping in India, or find sustainable seafood in the USA, these apps have got you covered. So, next time you pack your bags for an adventure, make sure to download a few of these cool sustainable travel apps and explore Europe responsibly. Happy eco-traveling!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are sustainable tourism apps?
Sustainable tourism apps are digital platforms designed to help travelers make eco-friendly choices during their trips. These apps can assist in finding green accommodations, reducing carbon footprints, supporting local food systems, and more.
How can apps help me travel more sustainably?
Travel apps can help you make environmentally conscious choices by providing information on eco-friendly accommodations, tracking your CO2 emissions, identifying sustainable local produce, and more. They make it easier to integrate sustainable practices into your travel plans.
Are there any apps that help with eco-friendly transportation?
Yes, there are several apps designed to promote eco-friendly transportation. For instance, Bikemap helps you find bike routes, while BlaBlaCar connects you with carpooling options to reduce your carbon footprint.
Can I use these apps to find sustainable food options?
Absolutely! Apps like HappyCow help you locate sustainable and vegan-friendly food options, ensuring that your dining choices are aligned with your eco-friendly values.
Do these apps work globally or only in specific regions?
Many of these sustainable tourism apps have a global reach, but some may be more effective in specific regions. For example, Bikemap and BlaBlaCar are widely used in Europe, while other apps might have a more localized focus.
Are these sustainable tourism apps free to use?
Many sustainable tourism apps offer free versions with basic features. However, some may have premium versions or in-app purchases that provide additional functionalities.
