Freilauf Podcast #19: Sustainable travel – 9 tips for relaxed cycling holidays
Eco-friendly travel ideas from tourism expert Anna Kodek
Sustainable travel – sounds a bit complicated at first, right? But it can be so easy! Anna Kodek is a blogger and expert on responsible travel. In our interview, she shares her best sustainable travel tips for your next cycling holiday.
And if you don't have time to listen to the episode, you can find their nine best recommendations summarized in our article below.
Sustainability has interested Anna from an early age – but she was long oblivious to its importance when it came to travel.
In this episode of "Freilauf" – our cycling travel podcast – we talk to Anna Kodek about eco-friendly cycling holidays. Although she's always been interested in sustainability, the topic was never really relevant to her own work in tourism. But at some point, the many travel possibilities captivated her and wouldn't let her go.
Perfect for anyone who wants to travel in a more sustainable and personal way!
Want more freedom? Then subscribe to our podcast!
Read Anna's 9 most important tips here – how to organize your trips not only sustainably, but also in a relaxed way.
Table of contents:
- These basic tips will help you plan your sustainable trip effectively.
- Tip 1: Sustainable travel and accommodation
- Tip 2: Appropriate daily stages
- Tip 3: Preparing for different weather conditions
- Regional recommendations and cycling route tips for environmentally friendly, cyclist-friendly cycling tours
- Tip 4: Anna's favorite bike paths
- Tip 5: Star tours to islands
- Tips for minimalist packing and equipment for sustainable travel
- Tip 6Versatile clothing
- Tip 7: Bicycle rental available on site
- Environmentally friendly travel practices on the go
- Tip 8: Arrival by night train
- Tip 9: Local recommendations
- Why sustainable travel?
- Conclusion: Sustainable travel makes you happier
These basic tips will help you plan your sustainable trip effectively.
Whether you're on your first cycling holiday or you're a seasoned pro, careful planning will save you a lot of stress on the road. Anna swears by getting into the details early on:
Tip 1: Plan sustainable travel and accommodations well in advance.
- 6-9 months prior: It sounds like a long time, but it's worth it! Especially on night trains and in small, sustainable accommodations, the best places are quickly gone.
- Use the time to really delve into the research: What are the sights to see? Are there any sustainable cafes or small shops that you absolutely want to visit?
Where can you find the information?
- Accommodation: Platforms such as BioHotels or Green Pearls offer sustainable options.
- Night trains: Booking sites like Trainline or ÖBB Nightjet.
- Sightseeing attractions: Tourism websites of the region or travel blogs are often the best sources.
Tip 2: Appropriate daily stages for relaxed travel
For sustainable cycling trips in exploratory mode, Anna recommends relaxed daily stages of 20-40 kilometers, depending on whether you're traveling with children or alone. This leaves enough time to take a detour or simply enjoy the view.
„"I always plan for an extra hour."“, „ says Anna.„You never know if you might discover a really beautiful spot somewhere.“
Photo: Anna Kodek (private)
Where can you find the information?
You have many different options for route planning: If you prefer working with analog route planners, you can find route information, descriptions, and break suggestions at bikeline. You can find diverse and detailed route information, for example, at biroto.eu and from Spring 2025 also in our cyclebee app.
If you would like to test cyclebee in advance, please register directly as Test user to.
Tip 3: Be prepared for different weather conditions
Rain, wind, heat? No problem if you've found a few alternatives beforehand: a museum, a nice café or a swimming pool to cool down or warm up (depending on the situation).
Also check the possibilities of taking your bike on public transport – in case the weather turns really bad.
Where can you find the information?
- Tauernsprinter rail and bike
- Regional transport plans (often available online)
- Apps like the ÖBB app and DB Navigator show you transport options, including bicycle transport.
Regional recommendations and cycling route tips for environmentally friendly cycling holidays
†Not every region is equally bike-friendly, but there are some real gems that Anna particularly recommends:
Tip 4: Anna's favorite bike paths that make sustainable travel easy
- Adige Cycle Path (South Tyrol): Excellent infrastructure, ideal for relaxed stages.
- Loire Cycle Route (France): Known for its cultural highlights, such as castles and picturesque landscapes.
- Atlantic Coast Route (France): A beautiful route along the French Atlantic coast.
- Baltic Sea Cycle Route (Germany): A popular route with great views and proximity to the coast.
- Helsingborg–Gothenburg (Sweden): An excellent cycle route with noteworthy highlights such as dolphins, lighthouses and the micronation of Ladonia.
- EuroVelo routes: Europe's cycle route network is great for longer tours and perfectly signposted.
Where can you find the information?
- Helsingborg–Gothenburg, Anna's described dream tour
- EuroVelo provides details on all routes.
- Regional tourist offices (often with websites) have information on local highlights and tips.
Tip 5: Star-shaped routes to islands with little car traffic
Islands are usually easy to navigate and full of variety. Anna's tip: Take day trips from your base – this saves you the hassle of packing every day.
Anna loves islands: She especially likes those with little car traffic and beautiful paths. Anna's favorite:
Bornholm (Denmark): Perfect for exploring the island by bicycle, including round trips.
Photo: Anna Kodek (private)
Tips for minimalist packing and equipment for sustainable travel
„"I took way too much with me on my first cycling holiday."“, “That’s what Anna says. Today she knows that less is often more.”.
Tip 6: Pack versatile clothing for light luggage.
Anna only needs a small backpack or a few panniers (approx. 24-28 liters). However, she wouldn't want to do without these must-haves:
- Multifunctional clothing
- First aid kit
- Rain jacket
- Sun protection: „"Sunburn on tour is the last thing you want."“
Tip 7: Rent a bicycle locally instead of bringing your own.
Want to avoid the hassle of transporting your bike? Anna recommends renting one locally. Many rental companies even have drop-off points at various locations if you're doing a multi-day tour. For shorter daily stages, it doesn't matter if the bike isn't always a perfect fit for you.
Anna likes to rent a bike locally. She says:
„"This is not only practical, but often also cheaper than taking your own bike."“
Photo: Anna Kodek (private)
Where can you find the information?
Anna recommends Research local rental stations on tourism websites. This will quickly show you how bike-friendly a region is 😉
Environmentally friendly travel practices on the go
For Anna, sustainable travel is more than just a buzzword. It's about respecting nature while simultaneously supporting local people.
Tip 8: Sustainable travel by night train
„"I love night trains!"“ They are comfortable, environmentally friendly, and often have bicycle compartments. (Note from cyclebee: unfortunately, they are usually booked up quickly, and booking for multiple people is a particular challenge.)
Combine bus and train to stay flexible. Anna advises: „"Booking early is worthwhile – this way you save money and get the best connections."“
Tip 9: Resonance tourism through exchange with locals – sustainable and personal
Stay in small guesthouses or family-run accommodations. They often have more charm, and you'll be supporting the local economy.
Try regional specialties and shop in small stores. „"This is not only more sustainable, but also much more personal."“, Anna thinks so.
Tip: Ask locals about their favorite places. – this often leads to the best experiences!
Where can you find the information?
- Platforms such as Have a good trip offer an overview of sustainable accommodations.
- Regional marketplaces or events (you can often find out about these through tourist offices) are perfect for discovering local products.
Why environmentally conscious travel is so important to Anna
Anna is a big fan of sustainable travel, both personally and professionally. She gives free lectures and workshops as part of her work for a non-governmental organization. respect_Friends of Nature International.
Privately, she shows in her blog (responsible-travel.com), how easy it can be to explore Europe by bus, train and bike.
„"It is important to me that not only I benefit from a trip, but also the local people."“, “That means: no huge hotel chains, but small guesthouses. No fast food, but regional cuisine. And always an open ear for the stories of the locals.”.
Conclusion: Sustainable travel makes you happier
Traveling in an environmentally friendly way doesn't mean sacrificing comfort or fun – quite the opposite. It often makes your trip more relaxed, personal, and much more enriching.
So, what are you waiting for? Plan your next cycling trip with Anna's tips:
- Do your research in advance and find exciting places.
- Travel light and have a Plan B in mind.
- Be open to new encounters and consciously experience your goal.
With these small changes, you can make a big difference – for yourself, the environment, and the people you meet on your journey. Try it out and discover how wonderful sustainable travel can be!
Find more tips and information about environmentally friendly cycling holidays in our newsletter.
Become an early bird and receive valuable tips and inspiration for the most beautiful form of travel there is: cycling holidays, regularly in the newsletter.
