Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

I'm answering your questions on the thorny issue of travel vouchers — I think it's better to just get cash.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I chat with Andy McNeill, general manager of the Europa Hotel in Belfast.We talked in the Titanic Suite of the Northern Ireland landmark.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government says it will go for "single leg pricing" on the railways – an extremely valuable and overdue change, but I am not convinced it will happen.I hope I am wrong.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's podcast, Simon Calder talks with leading travel writer and author of Bradt guides to Budapest and Hungary, Adrian Phillips.Of course, this podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter. Subscribe to get it each Friday here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Some big news broke this morning: the chief executive of Heathrow airport, John Holland-Kaye, it to stand down after nine years in the role.Here's my assessment of the departing boss of the UK's biggest airport — and who is likely to succeed him.Of course, this podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter. Subscribe to get it each Friday here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dry, cold January is done with and you might be contemplating celebrating the fact with a tipple somewhere nice. In today's episode, I speak with Lucy Thackray, deputy travel editor, about her favourite spots for a drink.Of course, this podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter. Subscribe to get it each Friday here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The next round of national rail strikes are set to begin on Wednesday (tomorrow). Here's all you need to know about the services likely to be affected.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Flybe, the UK regional airline, has gone bust for a second time – with the loss of hundreds of jobs and leaving the travel plans of thousands of passengers in tatters. The news was broken at 4am on Saturday by the Civil Aviation Authority, which is urging travellers with bookings on Flybe not to go to the airport. My assessment of the situation and what you can do as a passenger due to travel with the airline.This podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter, which you can find here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One of the most common questions sent to me is what to do if your booking isn't as was advertised. I take you through what you as a consumer can demand, as well as some hints and tips in general when it comes to making bookings for things like accommodation.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Australia Day – a time of contemplation more than celebration these days – I've sought advice on three great travel options from Tony Wheeler, co-founder of Lonely Planet.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eurostar is capping the number of passengers on its trains through the Channel Tunnel because of the squeeze created by post-Brexit passport checks. I’m reporting on my way back from Brussels from a Eurostar train with plenty of room.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roman remains, Georgian glory and Jane Austen’s chapters: there are plenty of good reasons to travel to Bath.But I’ve been discovering a new dimension, Bath Quays – only eight minutes’ walk from the station and with Newark Works (a converted crane factory) as a “creative hub”.Richard Pearce, the man whose vision this is, told me more…This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The posh seats on trains from Kent and East Sussex to London are still fitted, but anyone can sit in them. But while one train firm scraps first class due to lack of demand, others are creating extra classes.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Manchester airport closed down briefly on Thursday morning – causing havoc for thousands of travellers. Many of them are still struggling to get where they need to be.What went wrong, why did airlines respond as they did – and what are your rights?This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Could we soon see an end to at least one of the long and bitter rail disputes? I'm 70% optimistic.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the day the Office for National Statistics said air fares had soared by 44% in December 2022, Simon Calder looks into what is driving the increase and whether flight prices will start coming down soon.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's been quite a bit of confusion around passport validity and expiry times with regards to being able to travel, with Brexit leading to changes for British travellers. I've received huge volumes of questions on the matter and with Charlotte Hindle I answer your questions around passports and when and where requires more than six months on your existing passport.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ten days ago I was waxing lyrical about London's 63 bus. The future of surface transport in the capital, I called it. Well, after that Leon Daniels – former managing director of Surface Transport for Transport for London – got in touch to say that many of the innovations I welcomed had, in fact, been in place for years. So I invited Leon to tell us all more.Of course, this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Travel fraud is on the rise as people become ever more desperate to find a bargain. But what are the warning signs? I'll take you through the ways to spot if something isn't as good as it looks and ways you can double-check to make sure it's the real thing you're booking.Of course, this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Get it delivered to your inbox here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm joined by my colleague Charlotte Hindle and we are tackling a frequently asked question — this time on the US/Cuba tension, and how it could impact your travel plans.Of course, this podcast is free, as is my newsletter at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Notice to Air Missions, or NOTAM, is so very important in keeping air travel safe — but what is it?In today's podcast I'll explain what happened during the FAA system meltdown, which resulted in thousands of flights being grounded across the US.Of course, this podcast is free, as is my newsletter at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rail passengers across Britain are experiencing the first days free of industrial action for weeks. The last of five days of strikes ended in the early hours of Sunday morning, with full services for the first time almost everywhere in the country.The RMT union’s overtime ban, which has caused thousands of train cancellations in the past few weeks, is also over. But the long and bitter dispute drags on, which is why I wanted to bring you up to date on the state of the railway.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm on the new all-electric 63 bus — the first route in London that has that characteristic. It's very much an experimental bus route that's been created to encourage more people to get back on public transport. This is because, since the pandemic, fare revenue in the capital has dropped off a cliff.So, let me explain to you why it's important to get back on the bus network.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following a 48hr strike by RMT members, Aslef members are now striking, crippling train services across much of England. It's a truly miserable start to the year for the country's rail industry and one that doesn't seem to have a resolution in sight as union delegates and the government blame one another for lack of progress. I take a look at the current situation and what it'll take to get the situation resolved.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's podcast I've made my way to the Egyptian beach resort town of Hurghada, and I tell you all about how my journey is going so far…Of course, this podcast is free, as is my newsletter at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's travel podcast comes from Gatwick Airport, where I hope to begin my last-minute travels to Egypt.Of course, this podcast is free, as is my newsletter at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millions of people across England can save money on bus travel with the introduction of a £2 cap on fares for more than 4,600 routes. It lasts until the end of March.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Italy, the US and several other countries imposed restrictions on travellers arriving from China, what is the likelihood the UK could follow suit?This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hong Kong, one of the last big tourism destinations in Asia with onerous Covid travel restrictions, has lifted almost of them for vaccinated visitors – starting immediately.The government says the move has been made “to fully leverage Hong Kong’s strengths in connecting with the world”. But is it too late to lure travellers back after a ban on tourists?This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm at Paddington Station where the great reset following the Christmas break and recent industrial action was supposed to be behind us. Unfortunately for many travellers though, the railways continue to be in a right old state. When this shambles of strikes, overrunning engineering work, signal failures and general mayhem is finally over, the railway industry will have a heck of a job to do to try to entice passengers back. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As industial action plays on, I take a look at what's gone wrong and what is actually running on the rails today,Of course, this podcast is free, as is my newsletter at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rail fares in England will rise by nearly 6 per cent in March, the Department for Transport (DfT) have said.The DfT has set a cap of 5.9% for increases to fares regulated by the government, such as season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long distance journeys and flexible tickets for travel around major cities.So, in this episode I explore whether this rise in fares is... fair.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Travellers are getting really stressed about reaching their Christmas destinations.I would advise to please start as early as you can — and if you were thinking of driving on Friday or Saturday, avoid the middle of the day. Bear in mind that trains are going to be very busy on Friday and shutting down very early on Christmas Eve, but I'm very much hoping everyone will get where they need to be.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British Airways has been forced to cancel dozens of long-haul flights. I explain what caused the problem, what the likely consequences will be and your rights as a passenger. Also, an update on expected disruption by industrial action over the coming days.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm on a train yet again – the 100mph (average speed!) new nonstop from Coventry to London. But less than brilliant news about the extreme Christmas Eve cancellations caused by the next rail strike.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You will have heard that airport security rules surrounding cabin baggage are to be relaxed in June 2024. It'll allow you to leave liquids, laptops, and all that other malarky, in your handheld luggage.However, until then nothing has changed, so I will remind you of what you can and can't put in your bag as you fly over the Christmas period.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can get delivered every Friday to your inbox by signing up here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There has been a development with the train strikes. As rail workers belonging to the RMT union prepare for 10 more days of national strikes, members of the white-collar TSSA union have voted “overwhelmingly” to accept the pay deal offered by Network Rail.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A listener asked me what exactly the train strikes that have been endured this week are about, a question that's not that simple to answer. But here I am trying to give a broad overview of the reasons for the strikes and what the next steps are.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the UK deals with the latest round of national rail strikes, I'll be talking about the interesting media figure, and person, that is the general secretary of the RMT union, Mick Lynch.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can get delivered every Friday to your inbox by signing up here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Airline schedules have been torn up on Monday, withThe Independent identifying more than 320 flight cancellations to and from London’s airports alone.So is the UK terrible at coping with extreme weather? Well, I don't think it is, actually. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can get delivered every Friday to your inbox by signing up here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The most protracted and disruptive national rail strikes since 1989 begin on Tuesday 13 December. They involve walk-outs on a total of 12 days, stretching into the New Year, by the RMT union as well as some industrial action by the TSSA and Unite unions.But so long as you plan carefully, there is no reason to avoid the trains on strike days – thousands of them will be running.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can get delivered every Friday to your inbox by signing up here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The UK Border Force have announced a series of strike days as Britain's winter of discontent continues. I detail what the strike is over and when the days will be, and what it will mean for Britain's airports during the some of the busiest times of the year.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can get delivered every Friday to your inbox by signing up here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's podcast is from Burton-upon-Trent station in Staffordshire, and I am speaking about the state of the railways, and why I am despairing.I've based that on new strikes being called by the RMT union and the dispute surrounding it, which suggests to me that we are in for the long haul.It's not great for the future of the railways, and it's not great for the traveller.Of course, this podcast is free as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe to it here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I speak to you from the kitchen where I am trying to apply for a visa to India. Breathtaking bureaucracy and a fall at the last hurdle.Of course, this podcast is free as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe to it here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the end of the Covid crisis, UK passport holders have been barred from the eVisa scheme due to a political dispute on access to Britain for Indian travellers.The option was restored for nationals of 156 countries, including all 27 European Union members. But the UK was in a small minority of nations whose citizens must apply in person for a visa.The process is far more expensive and time-consuming than the online eVisa, and there is a long waiting list for appointments at Indian visa centres in the UK.But the High Commissioner for India in London, Vikram Doraiswami, has now issued a video message saying: “This service will be made available for you forthwith.“That should enable friends from the UK to travel far more easily to India."The video was accompanied by a tweet saying: “eVisa facility will again be available for UK nationals travelling to India. System upgrade is underway and the visa website will soon be ready to receive applications from friends in the UK”.But it is not clear exactly when operations will resume. The UK does not appear on the list of nationalities for which the eVisa is an option.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can find at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm in London Paddington station with news of intensified competition on the line between the English and Welsh capitals.Starting in 2024, Grand Union Trains will run five times daily from Carmarthen via Cardiff and Bristol Parkway to London, in competition with GWR.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Travellers hoping to escape by train to Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam in the run-up to Christmas could have their plans wrecked by the latest strike call.Members of the RMT union working at London St Pancras as security staff for Eurostar will walk out on four days in a dispute over pay.Read the full story here: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/eurostar-strike-london-paris-brussels-amsterdam-b2236106.html This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On a recent trip to Doha, and wrestling with the airport's rubbish wifi, I've had a think about airports and their proximity to the cities they serve. Whether it's Florence or Gibraltar, there's a host of great airports within walking distance of the city centre.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The World Cup is reaching the knockout phases and many are looking to head to Qatar on a last-minute whim. Which might be great timing, for I can reveal collapsing air fares to Qatar for the World Cup, and slumping hotel rates when you get there. There are some catches and things to be aware of though, which I explain.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can get every Friday by subscribing here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon Calder gives you the rundown on what is and isn't running with Saturday's Aslef union strike action.This podcast is free, as is Simon's weekly newsletter, which you can get every Friday by subscribing here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.