Green travel

If you feel it's important to travel with the least possible environmental footprint, we completely agree with you. Today, we know how important it is to take care of our planet, and we can all contribute a little bit everyday. We would like to attempt to make it easier for you to be environmentally aware also while travelling. 


Photo: Annca Pixabay

Choose Norway all year, not simply in summer!
An active all year round tourism industry contributes to profitability and sustainable development of a destination. It could be just as spectacular to visit us in autumn, winter or spring. By choosing to travel in other months than peak season, you are actually contributing to the long term viability and sustainability of activity providers, attractions, accommodation establishments and restaurants. Travelling off season helps diminishing the pressure on the destination in main season. Nature hikes you can do all year, however we recommend you do it with a nature guide, especially when days are getting shorter and darker. 

>>Take a look at how beautiful it can be also in the darker season! >> It's waterful!

International airport with consideration for the environment
As the first airport in Scandinavia, Stavanger International Aiport, Sola, has its very own honey production, and they have had this since 2014. Beehives are placed along the runway, and thousands of bees take off and land here searching for nectar from flowers from the surrounding area. The honey is sold at the airport. Read more about the honey production and why the airport chooses to do this. 

 
Photo: Avinor

Getting here by bus and train
Travel with public transport all over the region. See bus timetables at bus company Kolumbus, and train timetables at the train company VY.  Kolumbus also has a travel planner, making it easier for you to travel by public transport while in the region. Try the travel planner for your next trip! See also the list of bus and train options to and from as well as within the region. 

Travel like the locals
We have made it easy for you to experience attractions with the help of public transport. Experience the region on our tours with public transport! Explore the beauty of the coastline, the fjords and the mountains and visit the local communities - using sustainable transport to get there. We have packaged the most popular itineraries in the area, and made it easy for you to book the trip. You travel on your own - truly like a local. There's no guide or tour leader. Purchase the tours online or visit our tourist informations to buy tickets there. 

Rent a bike
You can rent bikes for city tours or for long distance biking. Contact Norway Bike Rental for long distance bikes. For shorter bike tours, contact the bike rental at Paa Hjul near the railway station in Stavanger, Jernbaneveien 3. Contact: +47 479 75 994, paahjul@bymisjon.net / Paa Hjul on Facebook. 

Rent a car
Several rental companies offer electric cars or hybrid cars to their guests, i.e. Avis and Hertz. Search for electric cars og hybrids at Avis, or try Hertz's Green Collection. In addition, we offer providers such as Etours Ryfylke, who rent out the fun and popular Renault Twizy car that is 100 % electric! In Stavanger, you can rent a Twizy at the Stavanger tourist information or by emailing the provider: post@etours-ryfylke.no. 

>> Read also about power stations for electric cars in the region.

>> See also roundtrip suggestions when travelling with electric cars. 

How to act in Norwegian nature?
Know that the "right to roam" (Allemannsretten) is the very foundation for all opportunities for travel in nature in Norway. This right also includes the duty to preserve this valuable outdoor law. It is therefore important that you as a visitor are aware of these obligations and that you comply with them. You can read about duties and the "right to roam" act here. One of the most important things to keep in mind, is that you should not disturb wildlife or leave garbage behind. You can also make an extra effort on the trip by picking up all the litter you see and throw in the nearest bin. If you are really engaged, and have an interest in doing a bit extra, there are also cleaning actions you can take part in, such as the "Ryddeaksjon jærkysten", a great initiative by the Jæren Friluftsråd to keep our coastlines and beaches clean. Ryfylke Friluftsråd also regularly organises cleanup days, follow here for how you can participate.

>> Large parts of the Jæren beaches are protected landscapes as well as bird conservation and plant conservation areas. Read more here.

Support local producers
If there is a possibility to eat and drink local products, most people would probably agree that this is good for the environment. Sometimes it's not possible to choose local produce, however it might occasionnally be an option. Here is a small list of our local producers, and also feel free to ask for their products in the restaurant or at the grocery store. You sometimes don't need to do that much to be able to support at least a few local providers also while on holiday. 

Fond of shopping?
Most people like to do some shopping on vacation, and it can be extra fun to buy something indigenous to bring home. It's sustainable to support local production in a destination. See shopping choices for local produce here. Brands such as Oleana who produces in a sustainable way emphasise in using ecologically sound raw materials. Oleana wishes, among other things, to inspire a lifestyle where you buy fewer things, but of higher quality.

Accommodation
Most places to sleep offer easy-to-comply-with environmental actions. You could for instance contribute simply by notifying the hotel that you do not require cleaning of your room every day you're staying there, and you can be attentive to towel use, they do not have to be changed every day if you put them up to dry. You could further be a bit frugal with regards to how much water you use. Often, the accommodation establishments have information on their website in terms of how they work to be a responible and sustainable business. Simply ask them how you can help to reduce the environmental footprint while staying there, and they will gladly help you. 

Read more about what the following chains do in terms of responsible and sustainable management of their hotels: 
>> Scandic Hotels Group
>> Thon Hotels
>> Radisson Hotel Group
>> Nordic Choice Hotels
>> De historiske hotell
>> Best Western