11 Sustainable Travel Practices in India You Can Follow

2. Travel overland: choose trains and long-distance buses

When covering long distances inside India, pick trains or reputable long-distance buses instead of short domestic flights whenever possible. Research shows trains and buses generally produce far less CO2 per passenger than flying — one estimate used by Indian travel writers suggests a roughly 90% lower per-passenger emission on comparable routes. Overnight trains are a smart way to save both time and a night’s hotel cost, and they offer a scenic, community-rich way to see the landscape between cities. Booking options on Indian Railways and private bus operators make travel simple; premium options like AC coaches or Volvo buses provide comfort for international travellers. Overland travel also helps reduce airport congestion and noise near communities. If you’re heading to hill stations or coastal towns, consider combining trains and short, shared transfers rather than booking multiple flights. Besides lower emissions, you’ll get moments that don’t show up in guidebooks — chai on the platform, local conversation in the aisle, and landscapes that unfold slowly outside the window.