Last updated: September 2025
Travel is changing. More people want to reduce their footprint while still exploring the world. The right apps make responsible travel simpler by helping you cut waste, choose lower-carbon transport, and stay organised. These eco friendly travel apps work for weekend getaways and long adventures.
Planning a trip? Pair these apps with your Eco-Friendly Packing List and Best Sustainable Travel Footwear for an easy, low-waste setup.
Quick Apps Overview
- Too Good To Go
- HappyCow
- Refill
- Ecosia
- BlaBlaCar
- Maps.me
- Giki
1) Too Good To Go — Fight Food Waste
Available on: iOS and Android
Best for: Budget travelers who want to rescue surplus food.
Restaurants and supermarkets throw out edible food every day. Too Good To Go connects you to local surprise bags at a discount, which saves money and prevents food waste.
Tip: It is especially popular in many European cities.
Related read: Cut disposables with our Zero-Waste Swaps.
2) HappyCow — Find Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants
Available on: iOS and Android
Best for: Plant-based dining anywhere.
HappyCow lists vegan, vegetarian, and veg-friendly spots in countries around the world, with filters and saved lists for easier planning.
Tip: Save favourites before you head out so you have options even with limited data.
3) Refill — Free Water on the Go
Available on: iOS and Android
Best for: Cutting single-use plastic bottles.
Refill maps places to top up your bottle for free so you can skip buying water in plastic. Bring a bottle and refill as you travel.
Get kitted out: See reusable bottles and kits on our Zero-Waste Swaps page.
4) Ecosia — The Search Engine That Plants Trees
Available on: iOS, Android, Browser
Best for: Low-effort climate action while you browse.
Ecosia uses ad revenue to fund tree planting and publishes a live counter of trees funded by users. Make it your default while on the road.
5) BlaBlaCar — Shared Rides Across Europe
Available on: iOS and Android
Best for: Affordable, lower-carbon transport between cities.
BlaBlaCar connects drivers with empty seats to passengers on the same route. Always review safety ratings and recent driver reviews before booking.
6) Maps.me — Offline Hiking and Nature Maps
Available on: iOS and Android
Best for: Offline navigation for hiking and cycling.
Maps.me provides detailed offline maps, including hiking trails and points of interest. Download areas over Wi-Fi and explore without mobile data.
Related read: Heading outdoors soon? Check our Best Sustainable Travel Footwear.
7) Giki — Track Your Carbon Footprint
Available on: iOS and Android
Best for: Measuring and reducing your impact.
Giki helps you calculate your carbon footprint and choose practical steps to lower it, from transport choices to food.
Comparison Table: Eco Friendly Travel Apps
| App | Best For | Platforms | Offline Use | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Too Good To Go | Reducing food waste, saving money | iOS, Android | No | Free, pay for bags |
| HappyCow | Finding vegan and vegetarian dining | iOS, Android | Limited | Paid app, optional IAP |
| Refill | Free water and reuse locations | iOS, Android | Limited | Free |
| Ecosia | Eco friendly browsing, tree planting | iOS, Android, Browser | No | Free |
| BlaBlaCar | Shared rides, lower-carbon transport | iOS, Android | No | Free app, paid rides |
| Maps.me | Offline hiking and cycling maps | iOS, Android | Yes | Free |
| Giki | Tracking your carbon footprint | iOS, Android | No | Free |
Offline functionality can vary by feature and device. Download areas or save lists before you go.
Why Use Eco Friendly Travel Apps?
- 📉 Cut emissions by picking greener transport and shared rides.
- 🛍 Reduce waste by rescuing food and refilling water bottles.
- 🌱 Support local businesses with plant-based dining and markets.
- 📲 Stay prepared with offline tools that make sustainable choices easy.
Final Thoughts
Eco friendly travel is not about perfection. It is about better choices, step by step. With the right apps on your phone, you can lower your footprint and support communities wherever you go.
Next steps: Grab our Eco-Friendly Packing List and browse Sustainable Footwear to round out your setup.
Are these apps free?
Most are free to download. Some have paid features or in-app purchases, and ride or food costs apply where relevant.
Do they work offline?
Maps.me offers full offline maps. HappyCow and Refill allow limited offline use when you save places in advance. Other apps require internet.
Which helps with zero-waste travel?
Too Good To Go reduces food waste and Refill helps you avoid single-use plastics.
Which helps track my carbon impact?
Giki lets you calculate your footprint and suggests steps to reduce it.
What are the best eco-friendly travel apps in 2025?
The top 7 in this guide are Too Good To Go, HappyCow, Refill, Ecosia, BlaBlaCar, Maps.me, and Giki.