Travel Devil – Guilt-free Sustainable Travel for Adventure Seekers

Is flying always bad? Should you feel guilty for boarding a plane? And most importantly, what can you actually do if flying is unavoidable?

Together, Clara and Lotte explore the reality behind flight emissions, compare flights vs train travel, and explain why aviation has such a large environmental impact, sometimes up to 30 times higher than electric trains.

But this episode is not about perfection, it’s about realistic, accessible sustainable travel.

You’ll learn:

• What flight shame really means and why many travelers feel it
• How flight emissions compare to trains, cars, and even cruise ships
• Why reducing flights matters more than eliminating them completely
• The truth about carbon offsetting (and why airline options can be misleading)
• Practical tips to make your flights more sustainable
• How to travel consciously even after you land

From choosing direct flights and flying economy, to supporting local businesses and rethinking how we travel, this episode gives you practical, non-judgmental advice for traveling more responsibly.

Because sustainable travel isn’t about being perfect, it’s about making better choices, step by step.

About the guest:
Lotte is the creator behind The Sustainable Travel Guide, where she shares tips and insights on how to travel more consciously without giving up meaningful experiences.

• Follow her on Insta: @he.sustainable.travel.guide
• Download her Pdf guide about a sustainable approach to flying: Thesustainabletravelguide-pdf
• Find all sources here: Podcast Sources Ep. 50

light shame explained · how to fly sustainably · sustainable flying tips · how to reduce carbon footprint travel · is flying bad for the environment · eco travel tips 2026 · alternatives to flying Europe · train travel vs plane emissions · short haul flights impact · how to travel more sustainably · climate conscious travel · green travel tips · aviation climate impact · should you feel flight shame

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• Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevil.podcast
• Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken
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What if you could explore Scotland without flying and experience some of the most beautiful train journeys in Europe?

In this episode of Travel Devil, yout host Clara talks to James, also known as The Non-Flying Scotsman, who has been travelling the world without planes for over 10 years. After a frustrating experience with an airline, he made it his mission to prove that you can explore the world by train, ferry, and sleeper trains instead.

We dive deep into Scotland’s incredible rail network and discover:

• The most scenic train journeys in Scotland (including the famous Harry Potter viaduct)
• How to take the Caledonian Sleeper train from London to Scotland
• The best train routes through the Scottish Highlands
• Why Scotland is perfect for slow and sustainable travel
• How much train travel costs in the UK, and how to find cheaper tickets
• Why some people still fly instead of taking the train
• Hidden destinations like Dundee, Aberdeen, and the Scottish islands
• Tips for booking trains and planning your Scotland rail adventure

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Scotland by train, this episode is your ultimate guide.

Follow James:

• Follow James on Instagram @thenonflyingscotsman

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• Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevil.podcast
• Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken
• Watch more on my YouTube channel

Thinking about traveling Germany by train in 2026?
This is your complete and honest guide to Deutsche Bahn and train travel across Germany.

In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken breaks down everything you need to know: from ICE vs regional trains, booking tickets step-by-step, how to save money, seat reservations, BahnCard discounts, the Deutschlandticket, and even how to get refunds when your train is delayed.

Clara lives in Germany for 5+ years and has been traveling across the country regularly ever since.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The difference between ICE, IC, RE, RB & S-Bahn
• Flixtrain vs Deutsche Bahn: which one should you choose?
• Super Sparpreis vs Sparpreis vs Flexpreis explained
• When you actually need a seat reservation
• How to get 25–50% refunds for delays
• How to use the DB Navigator app properly
• BahnCard 25: is it worth it?
• How the Deutschlandticket works (and how to cancel it correctly)
• Regional day tickets vs monthly ticket: what’s cheaper?
• Q&A with questions like "What are the best scenic train routes in Germany?"

Whether you're a first-timer in Germany or already living here, this episode will help you travel smarter, cheaper, and more sustainably.

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• Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevil.podcast
• Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken
• Watch more on my YouTube channel

In this solo episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken takes you along on her winter steam train adventure through Germany - from snowy train platforms in Saxony to wooden vintage carriages, smoky landscapes, and a behind-the-scenes look inside the locomotive cabin.

You’ll hear and see what it feels like to travel on a coal-powered steam train, how these historic trains actually work, and why slow travel experiences like this can make you appreciate modern train travel even more. Clara also shares practical tips for affordable train travel in Germany, including how to use the Deutschland Ticket, Sachsen Ticket, and smart booking hacks for Deutsche Bahn.

This episode blends storytelling, travel inspiration, and practical tips for anyone curious about slow travel, sustainable transport, and unique train journeys in Europe.

In this episode, we cover:

• What it’s like to ride a historic steam train in Germany
• How steam trains work (in simple terms)
• Inside the locomotive cabin experience
• The environmental impact of steam trains vs modern trains
• Why slow travel feels more meaningful
• Winter train travel in Saxony
• Sachsen Ticket vs Deutschland Ticket explained
• How to save money on German train travel
• Deutsche Bahn app tips & booking hacks
• Using Omio for European train tickets (with a discount tip)

You can get €10 discount on your first purchase of train tickets on Omio:

https://go-refer.omio.com/oVAM15 - Or if you prefer to use a code, enter this code when you pay: claraf2z3v6f

📍This journey took place on the Lößnitzgrundbahn between Radebeul Ost and Radeburg - 20 minutes by train from Dresden - 1h30 by train from Leipzig.

Whether you’re a train lover, a slow travel fan, or just looking for a unique weekend trip idea in Germany, this episode will inspire you to travel differently.

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• Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevil.podcast
• Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken
• Watch more on my YouTube channel

Train travel is often praised as a sustainable alternative to flying.
But if you’ve spent time around train stations, platforms, and tracks, you’ve probably noticed something else: trash. A lot of it.

In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken sits down with Paul Waye, the world’s first professional plogger - someone who runs and picks up litter at the same time. Recorded on location in the Netherlands, this conversation talkes about why public spaces around trains are so polluted, why cigarette butts are one of the biggest hidden problems, and what behavior change really looks like in everyday life.

Paul shares how plogging started during his daily run to the train station, how it grew into a full-time job, and why the first piece of trash you pick up matters more than how much you collect. Together, Clara and Paul talk about train stations, commuter behavior, deposit systems, smoking bans, and why infrastructure alone isn’t enough if habits don’t change.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What plogging actually is
• Why trash piles up just outside train stations
• The cigarette butt problem most travelers overlook
• How deposit systems work in countries like Germany and the Netherlands
• Why clean trains don’t always mean clean tracks
• Behavior vs. infrastructure in sustainable travel
• Simple ways travelers and commuters can make a difference

This episode is a reminder that sustainable travel isn’t only about how you move; it’s also about how you behave once you arrive.

sustainable travel • train travel europe • slow travel • eco travel • cigarette butts pollution • microplastic pollution • sustainable transport • green travel myth • train stations europe • environmental impact travel • travel devil podcast • Clara Francken • plogging • plastic pollution travel • sustainable mobility • public transport sustainability • climate conscious travel • ethical travel europe • travel podcast europe • Paul Waye • plogging train stations

More about Paul 👇

• Follow the Paul on Instagram @wayeoflife
• Visit Paul's website: www.wayeoflife.com

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• Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevil.podcast
• Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken
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Is there anything more beautiful than arriving at your destination by land instead of air? In this solo episode, host Clara Francken shares exactly how she traveled from Greece to Germany without flying - using ferries, regional trains, high-speed trains, and even the most stunning Flixbus ride of her entire life.

This episode is a mix of stories, practical tips, cost breakdowns, and slow-travel inspiration. Whether you dream of doing an Interrail trip, want to reduce your travel footprint, or simply love hearing about chaotic but wholesome journeys… this one’s for you.

✨ Total cost: €254.80
✨ Route: Greece → Italy → Switzerland → Liechtenstein → Austria → Germany
✨ Best part: The views. The views!!

What we cover:

• Why I traveled overland instead of flying
• Ferries between Greek islands & Italy
• Night ferry experience (and the €9 hack!)
• Italy’s magical coastline trains
• A small meltdown in Bari’s train station
• The most beautiful Flixbus route I’ve ever taken
• Crossing Liechtenstein’s tiny railway
• Austria’s stunning Railjet trains
• Final reflections on sustainable travel

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• Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevil.podcast
• Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken
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AI is transforming the way we travel, from how we plan our trips to how we book hotels and trains. But is it really sustainable?

In this solo episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken explores the climate footprint of artificial intelligence and its growing role in tourism. From ChatGPT to Gemini, she looks at how AI tools can both harm and help our planet - AND how travelers can use them responsibly.

We break down:

• How much energy AI actually consumes compared to Google
• Tips on how to use ChatGPT to plan your sustainable travel
• What travelers can do to limit the footprint of their tech use
• How AI can improve route planning, eco-hotel booking & local experiences
• Tools like EasyTrips, Biliki AI, GoodWings, Exploreo and Komoot making travel greener
• Why AI might one day fix its own carbon problem
• The balance between tech innovation and climate anxiety

This episode is for curious travelers, digital nomads, and eco-conscious listeners who want to explore smarter, without guilt.

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• Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevil.podcast
• Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken
• Watch more on my YouTube channel

Have you ever imagined camping for free in someone’s backyard? In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken talks to Manon from "Welcome To My Garden", the Belgian non-profit platform that connects travelers with locals who offer their gardens as camping spots.

Together, we talk about how the project started, why it’s revolutionizing slow travel, and what it means for the future of sustainable tourism in Europe. Clara also shares her own experience cycling across Belgium and staying at Welcome To My Garden spots.

📌 In this episode:

• How Welcome To My Garden was born and what it stands for
• Why free camping empowers both locals and travelers
• The rise of community-led sustainable travel
• How to find or host your own garden on the platform
• Lessons learned from cycling from Belgium to Tokyo
• How small ideas can reshape tourism systems
• Difference between Welcome To My Garden and campsites or courchsurfing
• Future goals for the community

Whether you’re a cyclist, hiker, or just someone who loves meaningful travel, this episode will inspire you to slow down and reconnect, with nature and people.

🎧 Episode 44 of Travel Devil is out now on all podcast platforms!

sustainable travel • slow travel podcast • welcome to my garden • WTMG • eco travel • belgium travel • free camping europe • green travel ideas • cycling in belgium • responsible tourism • community-based travel • travel differently • backyard camping • local travel tips • travel devil podcast • clara francken podcast

More about Manon 👇

• Follow the Welcome To My Garden on Instagram @welcometomygarden_org
• Explore their map: welcometomygarden.org

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• Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevil.podcast
• Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken
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When we think about sustainable travel, we often picture avoiding flights or packing eco-friendly gear. But what if the real danger lies in something we can’t even see - in microplastics?

In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken talks to Dana Zhaxylykova, a microplastic researcher from Kazakhstan and co-founder of the Microplastic Free app, about how travel habits contribute to microplastic pollution. We discuss topics from tire dust on roads to the “paper” cups we drink from on planes.

Dana shares her journey from the Aral Sea region to studying microplastics across Europe, uncovering how even our most “harmless” travel routines leave invisible traces behind.

In this episode we cover:

• How microplastics form and why they’re dangerous
• The hidden microplastics in airplanes, buses, and tires
• Why a “recyclable” coffee cup might not be so innocent
• The truth about plastic water bottles and travel gear
• What fabrics shed microplastics and which ones are good alternatives
• How to reduce plastic waste when traveling
• Are bioplastics and silicone really better alternatives?
• The impact of laundry and clothing on plastic pollution
• Why microplastics affect every ecosystem, even how it reacts in snow
• Practical tips for sustainable, low-plastic travel

Episode 42 of Travel Devil is out now on all podcast platforms.

More of Dana’s work:

• Connect with Dana on Instagram
• Check out her Microplastic Free App

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• Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevil.podcast
• Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken
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When you think of traveling through Southeast Asia, do you imagine hopping on a quick flight between islands?  In this episode of Travel Devil, host Clara Francken sits down with Eva Werners from Eva & The Planet to talk about the real side of slow and sustainable travel in Thailand and Laos.

Eva shares her stories from night buses, VIP buses, overnight trains, and the legendary two-day slow boat along the Mekong River. Together we dive into what it means to travel like a local and why the bus so often beats the train.

In this episode you’ll hear about:

• Buses vs. trains in Thailand & Laos: which one truly works better
• Difference between the VIP bus,
• The reality of the famous two-day slow boat on the Mekong River
• Why locals often choose buses over trains
• The ups & downs of night buses and night trains
• Lessons learned from long, unpredictable journeys
• VIP Night Bus (Bangkok–Chiang Mai) vs the Standard Night Bus (Bangkok–Chiang Mai)
• Day Buses vs Minibuses (Chiang Mai–Pai)
• Long-Distance Buses vs the new train in Laos

Whether you’re planning a trip to Thailand or Laos, or just curious about slow, conscious travel, this episode will inspire you to rethink how you move across borders.

More from Eva:
Website: evaandtheplanet.com
Instagram: @evaandtheplanet

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• Follow the podcast on Instagram @traveldevil.podcast
• Connect with me on Instagram @clarafrancken
• Watch more on my YouTube channel