Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

As I walk across the sands of Cocoa Beach in Florida, I take you through my guide to Florida's best beaches.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Simon reflects upon his slogan "The man who pays his way", his mantra to make sure that he's approaching and experiencing the travel industry just like everyone else is.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following an email from British Airways asking around new travel rules as I enjoy my time in Florida, I dispel five myths around the new travel rules put into effect as nations try to suppress the Omicron variant.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm travelling across Florida in a double-decker train, which is making me reflect upon America's attempts at falling back in love with rail travel. Joe Biden is a big fan, but can the President's enthusiasm catch across the US?Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a weekend of bad news around the Omicron variant of coronavirus, new testing measures are being put in place for travel, with changes from lateral flow tests to PCR tests and adjustments to quarantine rules. I take you through what the new measures are and how you can minimise quarantine time and still keep everyone safe.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Overnight, news of a new variant that concerns scientists in South Africa and a host of other countries has led to many worrying about whether to cancel holidays and whether those already on holiday in South Africa will have to return to face expensive stays in Quarantine hotels. As ever, Simon Calder takes you through the latest announcements and how you can make the best choice if you're planning to travel to affected countries soon.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m looking east, to the great Asian hubs of Hong Kong and Singapore – very different states of play in those two fabulous locations. As they reopen following Covid restrictions, Hong Kong's zero-covid approach risks causing mayhem for flights and workers, while in Singapore bookings are exploding in pace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I'm travelling with a valid ticket, but talking about passengers travelling without one – who could soon face a £100 fine. As I cross the country, heading back from Edinburgh to London, I'll take you through the new rules and how to avoid those costly fines.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon Calder hits the rails today, reporting from Morpeth, possibly the only northern town in Britain that's had good news around rail travel of late. LNER has been the train company ferrying passengers up to Edinburgh but it now has competition with the new "easyjet of the rails", Lumo - but why has this happened here and what has it meant for Morpeth?Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rising Covid rates have seen a smattering of restrictions and lockdowns being brought back in across European countries, the latest to announce a lockdown being Austria. But if you've booked a getaway for any destination that subsequently moves into lockdown, what are your rights as a traveller? Simon Calder fills you in on what you can do if you find yourself flying into lockdown.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, Simon Calder navigates through the world of Covid passports and what you need to do travelling abroad, following two huge announcements that might have slipped past many people. Simon takes you through what documents you need to show, which countries are looking for evidence of booster shots and what the NHS app shows.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government have unveiled plans to provide 'faster' train journeys across the northern half of the country, delivered 'earlier and cheaper' under a £96bn rail plan - but have confirmed the rumours that the eastern leg of HS2 to Leeds has been scrapped. I take a look at the plans and see what's really happening and whether it does mean better train connections for northern cities.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

America opened up this month – and from the correspondence I’m getting, it’s clear that many people are looking at going west in the coming year. But when should you book? Which is best, confidence or commitment-phobia? I take a look at what you have to weigh up before booking that trip to the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They've not been in much use of late but as we begin to use our passports again, misinformation about changes following Brexit and expiry dates are raging. Helpfully, Simon Calder is here to walk you through what you need to remember when using that passport for travel again.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government is set to scrap the eastern leg of HS2 between the Midlands and Leeds with the Transport Department instead set to announce a new rail plan on Thursday. Simon Calder takes a look at the state of the railways in Britain, looking at how the government's new plan for HS2 affects "levelling up" the country and what it means for places like Leeds, which have long felt the effects of being left out of Britain's rail plans.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Travellers will have more flight choices, with budget carrier Scoot launching services from London Gatwick to Singapore on Dec 16. The low-cost arm of flag carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) have announced that the flights to London's Gatwick Airport via Bangkok will initially take place three times weekly for only two weeks, before resuming on March 22 next year, with the journey taking about 16.5hrs.In this episode, Simon Calder takes a look at previous attempts at making low cost, long haul flights work. It's been many an airlines downfall, particularly in trying to make transatlantic flights at cheap rates work, but this new route will be a welcome addition to links to Asia and also to Gatwick airport, which has been particularly affected by the pandemic.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Boeing has acknowledged liability for the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 in March 2019, in which 157 passengers and crew died. Five months earlier, another 737 Max came down in the Java Sea shortly after leaving the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. All 189 people on board Lion Air flight 610 were killed. The cause of both tragedies was a software system that fatally malfunctioned and defeated the pilots’ efforts to save the aircraft.In today's episode, Simon Calder explains what went wrong with the software and the future of the aircraft, which is back in operation with carriers like Ryanair.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re getting deeply into winter, when things tend to go wrong for airlines and holiday companies. Often, it’s simply not their fault. But fortunately there’s a strict duty of care to look after passengers – and get them where they need to be.But what are your rights as a passenger in terms of due care and compensation? Simon Calder talks you through the obligations airlines and holiday companies are required to meet, as well as things to be aware of when booking flights, particularly transatlantic ones.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Orlando, British visitors begin to arrive in the US now the travel ban has been lifted.A conversation with some of the first arrivals from the UK and an update on the rules and regulations for getting here and travelling around the country.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US travel ban has been lifted for fully vaccinated travellers six hundred days after Donald Trump closed off the US to British visitors.Crossing the Canada-US border at Niagara Falls at midnight, I was the first non-essential British visitor to the US for almost 20 months.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m in Germany, where Covid rates are soaring – as they are across Continental Europe.Passport rules for Europe: what they are, and what you can do if your airline disagrees.And testing rules for America – yet more confusion courtesy of the Foreign Office.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Booster jabs and what could possibly go wrong with your trip to Austria or Israel … and clearing up the mystery of testing for trips to the US.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aviation and the environment. Will we all be flying around in electric planes by 2030? And is a third runway at Heathrow airport now completely off the table?Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The first scheduled service from the UK to Australia for 20 months has taken off today.But what are the chances of Christmas down under?And Thailand, Israel and Japan are all easing their travel restrictions. After a fashion.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m at World Travel Market in London, where I’ve been talking to industry leaders about the coming winter and summer 2022.And Ryanair is talking up its prospects for European domination.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rail chaos – why?Rail rights?Are trains getting less reliable?Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you were caught up in the Stansted shutdown on Saturday afternoon, these are your rights. The European Union now recognises the NHS app as equivalent to the EU digital Covid certificate.And as a result Luxembourg, the last EU nation to hold out against British visitors, has now opened up. Why you might want to visit.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The red list is scrapped as from Monday. Should it have stayed in place so long?My pick of the nations that are opening up in Latin America.And Crossrail – yet more condemnation of this hopelessly botched London line.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Domestic flights – who will be the winners of the Air Passenger Duty tax cut?Restored and new flights on Emirates from Gatwick and on United from Heathrow.And eastern options for people diving deeper into Turkey.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’ve read the whole Budget so you don’t have to … to find out what it says about transport and travel.And as fares to the US soar ahead of the 8 November opening, you could try my cut-price plan.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, at last the US has revealed most of the details for opening up to fully vaccinated British travellers from 8 November. I’ll bring you the latest.And I’m here at the UK’s busiest railway station, London Waterloo where, if you believe the BBC, passengers are doing the wrong thing by using public transport.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Passenger services begin on the new Lumo trains between London and Edinburgh – I was at King's Cross station to wave the first departure off.Scotrail trains will be cancelled during the Cop26 summit due to a rail strike.And after a weekend of disruption at airports, why paper is the way forward.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Testing requirements for international travellers to England and Wales have been downgraded.Morocco – direct flights to the UK will continue for another week.And eighteen years after the final passenger flights of Concorde, what’s the future for supersonic travel?Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Air Passenger Duty: aviation tax likely to go back to the future, with far-flung trips more heavily penalised.A reminder of what the tax on flying is; where it came from; and how it is likely to change in Wednesday’s budget. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today: Lateral flow replaces PCR tests for England, but confusion abounds.What the law says – and what to watch for when you are booking your test.“Stuck in Morocco”? No, on holiday there. Don’t always assume the worst.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today: I’m on a train south from Edinburgh at the end of a train-vs-plane race. Here’s what I’ve learnt today.And if you (or people you care about) are in Morocco, don’t panic about the flights ban.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Morocco has suddenly banned flights from the UK?Will Britain’s soaring Covid rates lead to other travel bans?And Singapore Airlines is putting its biggest plane on one of its shortest routes.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why premium economy could be a waste of money right now.Heathrow charges are set to surge from New Year’s Day.And Scotland’s new Moroccan connection.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m in Saudi Arabia, for the third time in under two years. How tricky is travel in a kingdom that until very recently was off-limits for tourism for decades?How rewarding is Saudi Arabia as a destination?And what are the ethics of being a tourist here?Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two weekends before the end of October – what’s happening to flight schedules, and why?Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Split-ticketing on the railways of Britain – what it is and what it could mean for you, and the country.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today: Alitalia is dead – long live the new Italian airline, ITA, which looks remarkably similar.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m looking over the Gulf of Aqaba – why it should be on your listFour countries divided by three of the tougher borders in the world.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ABTA, the travel association, demands action now for dealing with future pandemics.Plus the importance of great people in the travel industry – and diversity.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Three countries and four airports in 24 hours – where I am, where I’ve been and how I did it.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Red list changes have taken effect. The highlights.Testing for travel to Spain for unvaccinated people who have recently had Covid.And Ryanair’s “six month” passport rule for British travellers to the European Union: made-up and unenforceable.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PCR gets downgraded to lateral flow – are we any closer to knowing when, and what will it mean?Whatever happened to the plan for “quarantine free transit” at the world’s airports.And travel insurance for anywhere – for almost anyone.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Portugal eases its testing rules for British visitors.Bulgaria opens up to travellers from the UK.And Singapore says Brits can come back in from 19 October.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Foreign Office no-go list has shrunk again, with Jamaica and the Bahamas now regarded as reasonable risks.No clues yet about when returning British travellers will be going with the lateral flow.And the mystery of the “world’s busiest air route”.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British Airways and Ryanair celebrate an investigation being dropped.The no-go list has shrunk – what exactly does that mean?And parts of the travel industry now openly ridicule the government.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.