Fewer flights, more immersion: What is 'tripchaining' and could it help you travel more sustainably?

Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, August 14th 2025 at 3:54 GMT by Euronews
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Tripchaining can help travellers save money and time, while spending more time in destinations for a more authentic and memorable holiday.View on euronews

Fewer Flights, More Immersion: The Rise of Trip Chaining in Modern Travel

In an era where sustainability, cost-consciousness, and meaningful experiences are reshaping how we explore the world, a new travel trend called "trip chaining" is gaining momentum. This approach involves linking multiple destinations or activities into a single, extended journey, often minimizing the number of flights taken. Instead of hopping from one spot to another via frequent air travel, travelers are opting for ground-based connections like trains, buses, or road trips to create a more cohesive and immersive adventure. The goal? To reduce environmental impact, save money, and dive deeper into the cultures and landscapes of fewer places, rather than skimming the surface of many.

At its core, trip chaining encourages a shift away from the traditional "bucket list" mentality, where vacations are packed with quick visits to numerous hotspots. Picture this: instead of flying from New York to Paris, then to Rome, and back home—all in a whirlwind two weeks—you might fly to Paris, spend a week soaking in the city's art and cuisine, then take a high-speed train to the French countryside for a few days of rural exploration, followed by another train to Switzerland for alpine hiking. From there, perhaps a scenic bus ride into northern Italy, culminating in a relaxed stay in Milan before flying home. This chained itinerary not only cuts down on carbon emissions from multiple flights but also allows for a narrative flow in the trip, where each segment builds on the last, fostering a sense of progression and discovery.

Experts in the travel industry point to several driving forces behind this trend. Environmental concerns are paramount. With aviation accounting for a significant portion of global greenhouse gas emissions, many travelers are seeking ways to lighten their footprint. Organizations like the World Travel & Tourism Council have highlighted how reducing flights can make a tangible difference, and trip chaining aligns perfectly with this ethos. For instance, by consolidating air travel to just the long-haul legs and using eco-friendlier options for shorter distances, individuals can slash their personal carbon output by up to 50% on multi-destination trips, according to some sustainability reports.

Cost savings also play a huge role. Airfare prices have skyrocketed in recent years due to fuel costs, demand surges post-pandemic, and airline consolidations. By chaining trips, travelers avoid the expense of multiple round-trip tickets. Ground transportation, while sometimes slower, is often cheaper and more predictable. Take Europe as an example: a Eurail pass can connect cities across countries for a fraction of what individual flights would cost, plus it offers the bonus of scenic views and spontaneous stops. In Asia, high-speed rail networks in countries like Japan and China make chaining destinations effortless and affordable, turning what could be a series of pricey flights into an economical overland odyssey.

Beyond practicality, the real allure of trip chaining lies in the immersion it promotes. Travel psychologists and bloggers argue that constant flying disrupts the rhythm of a vacation, leading to jet lag, fatigue, and superficial engagements. Chaining allows for slower travel, which in turn enables deeper connections. Imagine arriving in a new region by train, watching the landscape evolve from urban sprawl to rolling hills—this gradual transition heightens anticipation and appreciation. Once there, with more time allocated per spot, travelers can engage in authentic experiences: joining local cooking classes, volunteering on community projects, or simply wandering off the beaten path without the pressure of a tight flight schedule.

Real-world examples illustrate the trend's appeal. Take Sarah, a 35-year-old marketing executive from California, who recently chained a trip starting in Lisbon, Portugal. She flew in, spent five days exploring the city's historic neighborhoods and fado music scene, then took a train south to the Algarve for beach relaxation and hiking. From there, a bus to Seville, Spain, where she immersed herself in flamenco and tapas culture, before a final train to Madrid for art museums and a relaxed wind-down. "It felt like one continuous story," she shared in a travel forum. "I avoided the hassle of airports multiple times and really got to know the Iberian Peninsula's nuances." Similarly, families are embracing this for educational value—parents report that chaining trips helps children learn about geography and history in a hands-on way, far beyond what disjointed flights allow.

Of course, trip chaining isn't without challenges. It requires more planning to align schedules for trains, buses, or ferries, and it demands flexibility for potential delays. Not every region is well-suited; remote islands or vast continents like Australia might still necessitate flights. Accessibility is another consideration—those with mobility issues may find overland travel more taxing than flying. Yet, innovations are helping: apps like Rome2Rio aggregate multi-modal transport options, while companies such as Omio streamline bookings for chained itineraries. Travel agencies are even curating "chain packages" that bundle accommodations, transfers, and activities into seamless experiences.

Looking ahead, trip chaining could redefine luxury travel too. High-end operators are incorporating it into bespoke tours, emphasizing "slow luxury"—think private rail cars through the Swiss Alps or chauffeured drives along California's Pacific Coast Highway, chained with stays in boutique eco-lodges. This aligns with broader shifts toward regenerative tourism, where the focus is on giving back to destinations rather than just consuming them. As climate awareness grows, expect more incentives: some airlines are partnering with rail companies for "fly-rail" hybrids, and governments in Europe are subsidizing green transport to encourage such practices.

In essence, trip chaining represents a mindful evolution in how we wander. It's a response to the exhaustion of over-tourism and the guilt of high-emission habits, offering instead a path to richer, more sustainable journeys. Whether you're a solo adventurer seeking solitude in nature or a group craving cultural depth, this trend invites you to rethink your next getaway—not as a checklist of places, but as a tapestry of connected moments. By flying less and immersing more, travelers aren't just seeing the world; they're truly experiencing it, one link at a time. (Word count: 912)

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