Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast
1,350 episodes — Page 7 of 27
March 24th - Heathrow: what went wrong?
I've spent the weekend covering the airport shutdown. Around a quarter-million passengers who were due to fly to, from or via Heathrow on Friday and over the weekend saw their travel plans wrecked when the airport closed for nearly 24 hours.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 21st - Taking the temperature of UK tourism
Today the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions has released its figures for 2024 – showing a "slow but steady" increase in visitor numbers. But the backdrop is tough times for attraction providers, exacerbated by successive governments putting up the barriers to foreign visitors.I'll been catching up with ALVA director – and top tourism thinker – Bernard Donoghue.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 20th - Electric ferry for pedestrians and cyclists starts crossing the Thames in East London soon
I've been talking to Sean Collins, chief executive of Uber Boat by Thames Clippers, about his shiny new ferry – and how it will transform travel across the river downstream of Tower Bridge in London.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 19th - Visit this museum to understand divided Berlin
Today, the German capital is a busy, fun and coherent city. But I first knew Berlin when the Wall carved through its streets, dividing families. Some of those oppressed in East Berlin were allowed to leave – along with curious tourists like me.The main way out was at Friedrichstrasse station, where the Tränenpalast – or Palace of Tears – is now the most powerful reminder of division.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 18th - Welcome to Liechtenstein
Cheese dumplings, the castle of the princely family, a national trail and some excellent skiing. That’s some of the offering from one of Europe's blink-and-you-miss-it countries: Liechtenstein, a mountainous crumple of territory measuring 15 miles by four.I have been talking to tourism spokesperson Claudia Agnolazza.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 17th - Five years on from the first UK Covid travel restrictions
Hope you don't get flashback anxiety – I have been looking back with many a shudder at the extraordinary tangle of travel restrictions that blighted our movements for two years from 17 March 2020.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 14th - Is April the new August?
This year Easter is unusually late ... and that spells a very different holiday pattern for many people, especially families. Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive, Advantage Travel Partnership, tells me some are swapping an August fortnight in Mallorca for two weeks in Thailand at Easter for much the same price.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 13th - Game fishing from the Algarve shore
I'm in Portugal, and talking to Captain João Melo about the prospects for serious fishing 40 miles off the coast of the Algarve –and how the tuna are tagged and released, rather than eaten. Sounds one heck of a day out (and, forgive my maths error, the cost is €258 per person based on six sharing the vessel).This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 12th - Etias postponed yet again
BREAKING NEWS! British travellers will not need an online permit to visit the European Union and wider Schengen Area until April 2027 at the earliest.In this episode, I break down the full timeline of what we can expect from the rollout of this new service over the coming two years.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 11th - Could you soon be skimming along the River Thames at 30mph?
I am talking to Mikael Mahlberg of Swedish e-ferry manufacturer Candela. His firm makes the electric hydrofoil that darts between the islands of Stockholm and will soon be gliding across Lake Tahoe. He explains how a low-impact ferry can transform urban transport.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 10th - Could the post-Brexit rules we demanded be eased?
One of the many triumphs of the Brexit agreement was that British travellers to the European Union are now counted as “third-country nationals” – limited to stays of a maximum of 90 days in any 180 days.But Steven Jolly, of the France Visa Free group is campaigning for friendlier relations between the British government and the EU.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 7th - "We want to make cruising sexy again"
Explora Journeys might sound like an overland adventure company, but in fact it is an upmarket cruise line.The president of the organisation, Anna Nash, told me how it differs from mass-market cruise firms, and says she welcomes competition from land-based companies such as Ritz-Carlton dipping a toe into the water and offering voyages.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 6th - Could the UN World Tourism Organisation finally get a female leader?
Gloria Guevara is campaigning for the post of Secretary-General of the United Nations body that works to promote sustainable tourism around the world. She told me why she is the person for this tricky role.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 5th - Wednesday 5 March is the first day that Europeans can apply for the UK ETA
I've been looking into Electronic Travel Authorisation ahead of the 2 April 2025 deadline – after which every foreign visa-exempt visitor to the UK, with the exception of the Irish, will need to pay £10 and register online.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 4th - Travel: Things can only get better
March hasn't started brilliantly on the travel disruption front, with ultra-long passport queues at Stansted, a delayed flight from Gatwick and a cancelled train.But I had an appointment to talk to Decius Valmorbida, president of travel for technology firm Amadeus – and finally caught up with him at McDonald's opposite Strasbourg station.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
March 3rd - Roaming the railways of Italy
For the past five days I have been rattling around the southernmost province of mainland Italy, Calabria. Most of the ground has been covered by train, which is a joy: affordable, usually reliable and with superb scenery. I reckon you should stick to the cheap, “classic” network rather than the high-speed trains.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 28th - Annual increase of rail fares across England and Wales
On Sunday 2nd of March, rail fares across England and Wales will rise by 4.6 per cent. Alex Robertson, chief executive of the consumer watchdog Transport Focus, has been telling me that passengers need to feel that they are getting value for money – by increasing reliability of trains.Also a reminder to buy that railcard on 28 February or 1 March, before they increase by £5 to £35.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 27th - Cash is king – but where are the best deals?
Despite the spread of contactless payments around the world, it's always useful to have some cash. And, more broadly, where are the locations where you might be wise to change some money now for a trip later in the year.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 26th - Heathrow eyes a third runway by 2035
Heathrow has just announced record passenger numbers for 2024 – but it has a much bigger prize in its sights.I have been talking to Thomas Woldbye, the chief executive of the UK's busiest airport, about his plans for the future – and the natural environmental concerns about expansion.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 25th - Dubai – the destination at its best in Ramadan?
I'm talking to Issam Kazim, responsible for Dubai Tourism, about the remarkable visitor numbers and "key performance indicators" (KPIs) – and, with Ramadan about to start, the prospects for a visit during that Islamic month of fasting.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 24th - Decision day approaches for new runway at Gatwick
It’s a busy week for airport announcements in the London area. On Wednesday Heathrow is likely to say more on its expansion plans for an added runway – and Gatwick is hoping to hear a decision from the transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, about its hopes to bring the standby runway into permanent use. I’ve been speaking to Stewart Wingate, chief executive of London Gatwick.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 21st - The SAS million-point challenge – Part 2
Today the second episode of a special two-part podcast with Barry Collins – a property developer from Eastbourne who decided to take up the SAS million-point challenge. He had to fly on 15 of the 17 SkyTeam airlines in the last few months of 2024 to learn 1,000,000 frequent flyer points. We last heard from him when, at Jakarta, a fellow frequent-flyer broke it to him that some of his flights didn't actually count ...This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 20th - The SAS million-point challenge – part 1
On Thursday and Friday I am bringing you a special two-part podcast with Barry Collins – a property developer from Eastbourne who decided to take up the SAS million-point challenge. Fly 15 of the 17 SkyTeam airlines and you earn 1,000,000 frequent flyer points. All began well …This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 19th - Russia: international pariah, but well connected
As talk of a peace deal intensifies, Russia remains on the no-fly list for the UK and European Union. But many airlines from outside Europe are happy to fly to and from Moscow, St Petersburg and elsewhere – with the UAE better connected than ever, including flights on Air Arabia for only £80 one way between Abu Dhabi and Moscow. Access from the UK via Belgrade and Istanbul is easy. But be warned that the Foreign Office says Russia is a no-go zone.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 18th - Trainline isn’t the only answer
“You won’t find cheaper tickets anywhere else”: that is the remarkable pledge from rail retailer Trainline.A poster campaign outside one of the UK’s busiest railway stations creates the impression that the market-leading ticketing firm is at least as cheap as other sources. But I have different recommendations to save money when you travel by train.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 17th - North Korea reopens to tourists this week
An exclusive for you today. After five years of closure to tourists, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will receive its first Western visitors this week. As Simon Cockerell, general manager of Koryo Tours has been telling me, only a small and remote region, Rason, will initially open.NB: The Foreign Office warns against visiting North Korea.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 14th - Britain's busiest rail line to be hit by strikes this month and next
Mind the gap – between what train drivers on London's Elizabeth line have been offered, and what they believe they deserve. The employers have offered a 4.5% raise which would take their annual salary above £75,000, but the members of the train drivers' union, Aslef, have voted overwhelmingly to strike on four days in February and March. Are they pushing their luck?This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 13th - The King's Cross station sprint
Network Rail wants passengers to stay safe at stations – not running for their trains – and to avoid delays to trains at London King's Cross, the hub for the East Coast main line. So it is trialling removing trains from the departures board three minutes before departure.In response, I have been trialling how long it takes to walk from the concourse to the mysterious platform 0.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 12th - The things that can go wrong with flights
After a trip involving six intercontinental flights, I have arrived back at Birmingham airport over an hour behind schedule. The sequence since leaving the UK two weeks ago goes: Cancelled, Late, Cancelled, Late, Late, Late.Don't put too much store by the airlines' schedules.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 11th - Valentine destinations: Paris? Puglia? Prague?
On Travel Desk Tuesday, I’m talking to Annabel Grossman, global travel editor for The Independent, about Lonely Planet’s selection of alternative romantic destinations for 14 February.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 10th - Heathrow airlines and hotels deplore "vast overcharging and declining service"
In an unprecedented and coordinated attack, the airlines that use Heathrow airport – as well a prominent hotelier – are demanding lower charges and higher standards. Virgin Atlantic, British Airways’ parent IAG, the Heathrow Airline Operators’ Committee (AOC) and the Arora hotel group say the current way that charges are set by the Civil Aviation Authority are not fit for purpose.Heathrow says it wants a better long-term arrangement, but that expansion – in the form of a third runway – must be paid for.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 7th - We need to talk about upgrades
When do airlines give upgrades, and who are the beneficiaries?Spoiler alert: it will help if you marry a captain. But I wonder if upgrades are actually worth a huge amount? My very limited experience of business class travel suggests they may be overrated.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 6th - Ryanair Boss Michael O'Leary Puts The Aviation World To Rights
Michael O’Leary has been chief executive of Ryanair since 1994, and over the past three decades he has taken the carrier from a small and unprofitable regional airline to the biggest in Europe in terms of passenger numbers.Today he’s talking about Heathrow’s third runway, Air Passenger Duty and his plans to base aircraft in Ukraine when the skies reopen to passenger flightsThis podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 5th - British Airways Softens Revenue-Based Loyalty Scheme
At the very end of 2024, British Airways revealed comprehensive changes to its loyalty programme, which will mean access to its top tiers will be aligned with high spending on the airline and its holiday operation.After 43 years, the BA Executive Club is to be renamed The British Airways Club from 1 April, 2025.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 4th - Asia: Access All Areas?
Access to most areas of China is getting easier, with a new light-touch online visa and an extension of the valuable "transit without visa" option. With travel to Asia surging, I have been talking to top tour operator Wendy Wu. She says her firm, Wendy Wu Tours, can untangle the red tape.Also: why a visit to China right now will prove especially rewarding.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 3rd - When will North Korea reopen to tourists?
The “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” is arguably the strangest nation in the world (although Turkmenistan gives it a run for its money). It has been closed to Western tourists for five years, but could it be on the point of reopening? Simon Cockerell, Koryo Tours General Manager and frequent North Korea, says nothing is certain – and meanwhile his company can offer more accessible destinations.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 31st - Travel trends: turning Japanese
January seems to have been going on forever, which has been dismal for many – but promising for travel agents. I’ve been talking to Ashley Quint, director of Hertfordshire agency Travel Time. There’s intense interest in exotic-but-safe Japan, though manage your expectations on the price.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly podcast. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 30th - The village standing in Heathrow's way
After Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced government backing for expansion at London Heathrow airport, I've been to Harmondsworth – the pretty village that will be half-demolished if the plan for a third runway goes ahead. I met Rob Barnstone, coordinator of the No 3rd Runway Coalition, and Justine Bayley of the Stop Heathrow Expansion group.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly podcast. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 29th - What we can do about poor airport connectivity
On the day chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to back expansion at Heathrow, I'm talking to Paul Charles, chief executive of the PC Agency and former communications director for Virgin Atlantic. He spells out the problem of airport connectivity, and what he believes should be done.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly podcast. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 28th - The aviation jargon you didn't know you needed
It’s Travel Desk Tuesday, and today I’m talking to my excellent colleague Natalie Wilson about new aviation jargon creeping into the travel lexicon: lice, of the gate and aisle varieties; check-in chicken; and rawdogging, which, frankly, sounds dismal.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly podcast. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
27th January - Seeing the world through a reporter’s lens
Nicholas and Karen Wood run Political Tours, which aims to help you "see the world like a reporter does". On their travel agenda this year: Mexico (the country, not the Gulf), Trieste to Rome in Italy, Ireland, Cyprus, Taiwan, and South Africa. But not currently Israel/Palestine, Russia, or Iran. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 24th - The worst weather-related travel chaos of my career
It's grim out there! Today I'm at London's Kings Cross station reporting on what might just be the worst weather-related travel chaos I've ever seen. There are cancellations and closures in the skies, on the railways and on the roads across the UK and Northern Ireland.If you're trying to travel today, this is essential listening!This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly podcast. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 23rd - Is Heathrow nearer to a third runway?
I'm still hearing views on Heathrow, today from John Strickland of JLS Consulting – who wonders if he will still be around when a third runway is built? As the Labour government inches nearer a decision, this political football that has been round and round may be reaching a conclusion. But we've said that before, haven't we?This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly podcast. Sign up here to get it delivered to your inbox. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 22nd - Heathrow Hubbub
I'm back at Heathrow – where, as I discussed yesterday, reports suggest the third runway could be given the green light. Several developments since then: Environmentalist George Monbiot has revived calls for a frequent-flyer levy. easyJet chief executive Kenton Jarvis has said that his airline would only be interested in going in to Heathrow if it can do so at scale. And I speculate that "mixed mode" – landings and take-offs on both runways – could be brought in ahead of a third runway opening. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 21st - Green vs growth: London airports set to expand
As Labour backs airport expansion to boost growth, what’s the future of Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton?This podcast is free, as is The Independent Travel newsletter, which you can subscribe to here and have delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 20th - Internet on the Move: travel connectivity with Matt Sims
Simon Calder chats with Matt Sims, host of the Motorhome Matt podcast, to uncover the secrets of hassle-free internet access while travelling. From budget-friendly hardware to choosing the best mobile data plans.This podcast is free, as is The Independent Travel newsletter, which you can subscribe to here and have delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 17th - Avanti disruption despite strike cancellation: Sunday services in chaos
Simon Calder discusses the impact of Avanti West Coast's cancelled strike on Sunday, January 19th, which leaves most trains between Manchester and London running on a reduced schedule. Learn why reinstating services isn’t as simple as it seems and the ongoing challenges facing UK rail travel.This podcast is free, as is The Independent Travel newsletter, which you can subscribe to here and have delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 16th - Arvinder Singh Bahal's global adventure
I’m at London Heathrow Airport with my good friend Arvinder Singh Bahal, author of The Tireless Traveller, and one of the few people to visit every country on Earth. From skydiving above Mount Everest to navigating Turkmenistan visas, we discuss his incredible journeys across the globe.This podcast is free, as is The Independent Travel newsletter, which you can subscribe to here and have delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 15th - Ticket Trouble Tales: The ORR Wants Your Train Fare Fiascos!
Have you ever been subject to a Penalty Fare on a train, or even been prosecuted for allegedly travelling by train? If so, the Office of Rail and Road wants to hear from you. As Stephanie Tobyn, the organisation's Strategy, Policy & Reform Director told me, they are interested in understanding how the current rules are working.This podcast is free, as is The Independent Travel newsletter, which you can subscribe to here and have delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
January 14th - Part two of my Florida exploration: Anna Maria Island
Part two of my report from the west coast of Florida – and I am in Anna Maria Island, meeting independent retailers and the local oyster hero, as well as finding out about the secret life of dolphins. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.