Is It Possible to Travel Green in a Big City Like London?

If you want to enjoy environmentally friendly city breaks and practice responsible tourism in cities, you might be surprised by how much you can do to help. For those visiting England’s capital and want to learn to travel green in London, we can help you make good choices throughout your stay—from simple things you can do during your visit as you explore the city, to what you can do to help with sustainability when you stay with Crown Group of Hotels.

Can You Really Travel Green in a City Like London?

When researching how to travel sustainably in London, you will quickly realise that there are lots of ways to do it. From staying at the right hotels that prioritise sustainability, choosing sustainable transport options, or even sticking to some of the advice we give, you can minimise your carbon footprint without sacrificing anything on your trip. However, to travel green in London, you need to know exactly what your options are, and how you can make the biggest impact.

What Makes London a Surprisingly Eco-Friendly Destination?

London is a surprisingly eco-friendly destination thanks to not only the layout of the city, but also the excellent public transport links that it has. There are schemes like the Santander Cycles in place to help tourists and locals alike get around the city on bicycles (e-cycles are available, too), and contactless payments using your bank card or Apple/Google Wallet make it easy to tap in and out across London’s transport network.

Simple Tips to Reduce Your Impact While Visiting

To travel green in London, you can make small changes that will make a big difference. From making use of walking tours and exploring the city by foot, to using public transport like buses, boats, and bikes, to visiting the local markets for a taste of history and retail therapy, small things make a big difference

When visiting London, we encourage you to:

• Walk where you can (you might be shocked by how easy this is!)
• Use Uber Boats (where you can get sustainability and a view!)
• Public transport is your best friend in London 
• Visit the historical local markets (there are plenty of them around!)
• Enjoy all the walking tours around the city (you will love these!)

Simple Tips to Reduce Your Impact While Visiting

Travelling around London couldn’t be easier — just tap your bank card, Apple Wallet, or Google Wallet at the gates on buses, trains, or the Underground. There’s no need for a separate travel card, and daily caps automatically ensure you always get the best fare.

Santander Bikes Are an Eco Travel Option

This popular travel scheme allows visitors and locals alike to hire bicycles for their trips around London. You can opt to pay for a single ride, day pass, monthly subscription, or annual subscription to suit your needs, and can hire either a regular peddle bike, or an e-bike to get you from one location to another quickly and sustainably. There are hundreds of stations around central London, with many of them near major stations, including Liverpool Street station, Shoreditch, Barbican, St. Paul’s and more—so, wherever you go, there is sustainable travel near you!   

Santander Cycles general prices:

• Annual subscription: from £120 p/a for unlimited 60-minute rides
• Monthly subscription: from £20 p/m for unlimited 60-minute rides
• Day pass: from £3.50 for unlimited 60-minute rides
• Single ride: from £1.65 for up to 30 minutes (and £1.65 for every 30 minutes added)

Payments can be made through the on street terminal at the bike station (single rides or Day Pass), with a membership key, or via the Santander Cycles app. Please remember that only standard pedal bikes are available for hire from the street terminals.

Tips to remember when using Santander Cycles:

• You can keep the cycle for up to 24 hours (you will be charged the additional ride charges)
• Failing to return the cycle within 24 hours will result in a charge of up to £300
• If you damage your cycle, you will be charged up to £300
• You must use a credit or debit card when hiring cycles at a terminal

Where to Stay if You Want to Travel Green in London

If you want your stay to reflect your eco-conscious choices, Crown Group of Hotels is the perfect option. We have six beautiful locations across Central London, with several of our hotels residing in Georgian buildings. Our hotels offer the perfect mix of history and contemporary features to ensure the ultimate comfort, and we have even preserved antique fireplaces and features, and kept the beautiful wrought-iron railings and windows!

We don’t stop at preserving history, though. With us, you can be rest assured that we take steps to maximise sustainability. From prioritising certified goods, screening our supply chains, and avoiding high-risk commodities, to conserving energy, saving water, and reducing waste, we are dedicated to making our hotels as good for the environment as they are for you.

Breakfast With Crown Group of Hotels

Our breakfast buffet includes a selection of pastries (vegan and gluten-free options included), bread (white, brown, gluten-free options), your choice of cereal, yogurts, fresh fruits, jam, cheese, salami, hard-boiled eggs. 

We also offer various juices, teas and coffees to suit your tastes, with high-quality vegan and vegetarian options available for everyone. Our buffet ensures that waste is minimised while allowing you to pick and choose all of your favourite breakfast items. 

Most dietary needs can be met, and we will always do everything we can to ensure that you have a comfortable stay with us.

How Crown Group of Hotels Help You Travel Responsibly

Travel green in London while you make the most of your trip. Compromise nothing, and only enjoy the best of what the city has to offer when you choose to travel sustainably—you won’t regret it.

Stay in the heart of London without compromising your values. Book with Crown Group of Hotels for a greener, easier, and more mindful city experience.

Visit the Mabledon Court Hotel, Bloomsbury Palace Hotel, Hatton Garden Hotel, Arran House Hotel, or Great St. Helen Hotel for your next London adventure. Before booking, please read through our booking and privacy policies and terms and conditions.