So, dear friend, you’ve understood the essence of Slow Travel and are now eager to dive deeper into this transformative way of exploring the world. But hold your horses! Before you pack your bags and start on your next adventure, we must talk about something vital: the best slow travel transportation means you find.
Despite seeming obvious, some of them will be…surprising. Sure, you could take a plane like everyone else, but what’s the point of rushing to your destination if you want to travel slowly? That’s like praising vegan cuisine and then sneaking in a huge ham sandwich. It doesn’t add up. Does it? So, stay curious as the following might be valuable to you.
So, dear friend, you’ve understood the essence of Slow Travel and are now eager to dive deeper into this transformative way of exploring the world.
But hold your horses! Before you pack your bags and start on your next adventure, we must talk about something vital: the best slow travel transportation means you find.
Despite seeming obvious, some of them will be…surprising. Sure, you could take a plane like everyone else, but what’s the point of rushing to your destination if you want to travel slowly? That’s like praising vegan cuisine and then sneaking in a huge ham sandwich. It doesn’t add up. Does it? So, stay curious as the following might be valuable to you.
Slow Travel Transportation
Why Should You Choose Slow Travel Transports?
Have you ever heard the saying, “The journey is just as important as the destination”? It’s not just a cliché, it’s a way of life and one of the most important Slow Traveller’s mantras. Fast travel robs you of the rich cultural shifts, changing landscapes, and subtle traditions that unfold when slowly moving between places. Essentially, you miss many opportunities to travel by rushing from point A to point B.
Choosing slow travel transportation transforms every mile into an adventure. Instead of just teleporting yourself, you immerse in the journey, embracing spontaneity and flexibility. These slower modes of transport often lead to serendipitous moments and unexpected experiences, the kind you couldn’t plan even if you tried.
Have you ever heard the saying, “The journey is just as important as the destination”? It’s not just a cliché, it’s a way of life and one of the most important Slow Traveller’s mantras.
Fast travel robs you of the rich cultural shifts, changing landscapes, and subtle traditions that unfold when slowly moving between places. Essentially, you miss many opportunities to travel by rushing from point A to point B.
Choosing slow travel transportation transforms every mile into an adventure. Instead of just teleporting yourself, you immerse in the journey, embracing spontaneity and flexibility. These slower modes of transport often lead to serendipitous moments and unexpected experiences, the kind you couldn’t plan even if you tried.
What Defines Slow Travel Transportation?
To call a mode of travel “slow,” it generally ticks a few boxes:
- Time: Covering 3,000 kilometres in 6 hours? Not slow.
- Sustainability: If it’s an environmental disaster (looking at you, cruise ships), it’s not slow travel. You can check your transportation CO2 emission here.
- Immersion: Do locals use it? Or is it only a foreigner’s privilege? Bonus points if the driver doesn’t speak a word of your language.
- Supporting Local Economy: Opt for regional services or local guides to boost the community you’re exploring. These modes of transport often require local knowledge and interaction, which enriches the travel experience and supports the sustainability of the communities visited.
To call a mode of travel “slow,” it generally ticks a few boxes:
1. Time: Covering 3,000 kilometres in 6 hours? Not slow.
2.Sustainability: If it’s an environmental disaster (looking at you, cruise ships), it’s not slow travel. You can check your transportation CO2 emission here.
3. Immersion: Do locals use it? Or is it only a foreigner’s privilege? Bonus points if the driver doesn’t speak a word of your language.
4. Supporting Local Economy: Opt for regional services or local guides to boost the community you’re exploring. These modes of transport often require local knowledge and interaction, which enriches the travel experience and supports the sustainability of the communities visited.
"Travel slowly; the path less rushed is the path more deeply experienced."
The Best Slow Travel Transportation Means
Sailing - The freedom
Unless you’ve mastered swimming across (never met someone like that yet) the Atlantic, sailing is your best bet for ocean crossings. Almost only needing the wind as a natural push, sailing is more than just a way to get from point A to point B, it’s a whole journey and one of the best Slow Travel transportation means.
How to find a boat with no experience? Say less! Many crews are open to enthusiastic beginners. Check out platforms like FindaCrew, Crewseekers, Oceancrewlink, or Labourseauxequipiers to join a voyage. Otherwise, you can also spontaneously wander at the marinas or explore in further detail my sailing adventures or the testimonies from other travellers by clicking here.
Unless you’ve mastered swimming across (never met someone like that yet) the Atlantic, sailing is your best bet for ocean crossings. Almost only needing the wind as a natural push, sailing is more than just a way to get from point A to point B, it’s a whole journey and one of the best Slow Travel transportation means.
How to find a boat with no experience? Say less! Many crews are open to enthusiastic beginners.
Check out platforms like FindaCrew, Crewseekers, Oceancrewlink, or Labourseauxequipiers to join a voyage. Otherwise, you can also spontaneously wander at the marinas or explore in further detail my sailing adventures or the testimonies from other travellers by clicking here.
Walk The World
There’s nothing more primal than walking. It’s the ultimate Slow Travel transportation, costing nothing more than sore muscles. Amongst the best walking trails worldwide or through lesser-known paths, there is surely something for your taste as walking allows you to fully connect with your surroundings. Plus, it’s as sustainable as it gets.
There’s nothing more primal than walking. It’s the ultimate Slow Travel transportation, costing nothing more than sore muscles. Amongst the best walking trails worldwide or through lesser-known paths, there is surely something for your taste as walking allows you to fully connect with your surroundings. Plus, it’s as sustainable as it gets.
Train - the OG of Slow Travel
Ah, the train, the classic representative of slow travel. With rail networks expanding globally, trains are an efficient and eco-friendly alternative to planes. They offer an unparalleled time-sustainability balance where you can witness the best breathtaking scenic train views and routes. Pro tip: Check out national train discounts to keep costs down.
Ah, the train, the classic representative of slow travel. With rail networks expanding globally, trains are an efficient and eco-friendly alternative to planes.
They offer an unparalleled time-sustainability balance where you can witness the best breathtaking scenic train views and routes. Pro tip: Check out national train discounts to keep costs down.
Cycling - Ride the Globe on two wheels
Cycling is an excellent option for Slow Travel enthusiasts. It’s sustainable, and adventurous, and connects you with a thriving biking community like Adventurecycling or Warmshower where you can find a place to sleep for free. Weather permitting, why not camp beneath the stars each night? Check out Europe’s best cycling routes to get started.
Cycling is an excellent option for Slow Travel enthusiasts. It’s sustainable, and adventurous, and connects you with a thriving biking community like Adventurecycling or Warmshower where you can find a place to sleep for free. Weather permitting, why not camp beneath the stars each night? Check out Europe’s best cycling routes to get started.
Buses - A timeless Classic
Buses might lack the speed of trains, but they make up for it in price and cultural immersion. Squeezing into a crowded bus, surrounded by locals, offers a raw and authentic glimpse into everyday life. (Ever been up close and personal with someone’s armpit on a bus? Welcome to true immersion!)
Buses might lack the speed of trains, but they make up for it in price and cultural immersion. Squeezing into a crowded bus, surrounded by locals, offers a raw and authentic glimpse into everyday life. (Ever been up close and personal with someone’s armpit on a bus? Welcome to true immersion!)
Hitchhiking - My favourite
Armed with a thumb and sometimes a cardboard sign, hitchhiking is a Slow Travel transportation classic. Beyond free rides, it often leads to generous hosts offering food, advice, or even a place to sleep. Worried about safety? Read the Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to decrease the bad ending possibilities and keep a cautious yet open mind.
Armed with a thumb and sometimes a cardboard sign, hitchhiking is a Slow Travel transportation classic. Beyond free rides, it often leads to generous hosts offering food, advice, or even a place to sleep.
Worried about safety? Read the Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to decrease the bad ending possibilities and keep a cautious yet open mind.
Ferry - The Dilemma
While ferries aren’t the perfect slow travel transportation, they can be a reasonable alternative to flights for crossing seas and Oceans. Their environmental impact varies depending on distance and whether you’re travelling on foot or with a vehicle, you can check more details in this article Ferry vs Plane. Not ideal, but sometimes the lesser of two evils or the unique solution.
While ferries aren’t the perfect slow travel transportation, they can be a reasonable alternative to flights for crossing seas and Oceans.
Their environmental impact varies depending on distance and whether you’re travelling on foot or with a vehicle, you can check more details in this article Ferry vs Plane. Not ideal, but sometimes the lesser of two evils or the unique solution.
The VanLife Experience
Experience in the making, coming soon. Stay Curious 🙂
How will you move?
Let the best slow travel transportation options transform how you explore the world. Each mode is a gateway to richer experiences, deeper connections, and a more sustainable way of moving.
Nowadays, the plane isn’t the only way to travel anymore and many communities are getting formed around different alternatives. When we take time to look closer, the choice is ours.
But tell me, what calls to your inner explorer? Will you embrace the charm of trains, the authenticity of hitchhiking, or perhaps the mysterious rhythm of sailing? The land or sea is yours to conquer but, remember, the journey is not just about arriving; it is about every extraordinary moment in between.
Bon voyage!
Wander with Purpose – Connect with Heart.
Let the best slow travel transportation options transform how you explore the world. Each mode is a gateway to richer experiences, deeper connections, and a more sustainable way of moving.
Nowadays, the plane isn’t the only way to travel anymore and many communities are getting formed around different alternatives. When we take time to look closer, the choice is ours.
But tell me, what calls to your inner explorer? Will you embrace the charm of trains, the authenticity of hitchhiking, or perhaps the mysterious rhythm of sailing? The land or sea is yours to conquer but, remember, the journey is not just about arriving; it is about every extraordinary moment in between.
Bon voyage!
Wander with Purpose – Connect with Heart.
