Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Today I'm on the Greyhound bus from Albany New York to Boston, celebrating 110 years of this remarkable transportational institution. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I am aboard the Ethan Allen Express train from Middlebury Vermont to Saratoga Springs New York State. There's only one such southbound train a day. Fares are heavily subsidised, and yet it's barely one-third full. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm speaking to you from Montreal where I marvelled at yesterday's solar eclipse. Have a listen to the excitement I recorded as night descended for roughly 90 seconds over the crowds. Sadly what you can't hear is the confused seagulls who had no idea what was going on. But no animal behaves as strangely as humans during an eclipse. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to...

Join me, Simon Calder, as I navigate the suspense and excitement at Heathrow's Gate B32, waiting to board the Eclipse Express to Montreal. Discover the celestial mechanics and the fervent hopes of eclipse chasers eager to witness the solar spectacle sweeping across North America. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See a...

National rail strikes by train drivers have entered their 22nd month with a series of “rolling” walk-outs, one region at a time, planned for early April. Members of the  Aslef  union plan to halt thousands of trains on 5, 6 and 8 April. The aim is to disrupt services on the 14 rail firms in England that are controlled by the UK government and represented by the  Rail Delivery Group...

Passengers are under stress at airports – they’ve all got a plane to catch, it’s an unfamiliar environment and now a stranger is going to rummage through their belongings. Many airline passengers say the worst part of any journey is the airport security check. People resent having to pack liquids in small quantities and then extract them – and electronics such as laptops and tablets – from cabin b...

Join me as I unravel the upcoming train strikes by the Aslef Union, highlighting the key issues and offering advice on coping with the travel chaos. From alternative transport options to essential travel advice, get prepared for the strike days. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe now and have it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...

In this episode, Bernhard Rieder shares insights on Austrian Railways' pioneering efforts with Nightjet. We cover the expansion of their network, the allure of night train travel, and the impact on European tourism and sustainability efforts. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe now and have it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati...

TV historian Bettany Hughes is about to take viewers on more journeys across the world, with Estonia, Albania, Bulgaria and beyond featuring on the Channel 4 series, beginning 6 April. I sat down for a chat about the series. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe now and have it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm at Manchester airport on the busiest Good Friday ever for the UK's third-biggest aviation hub – talking to the managing director, Chris Woodroofe. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here to get delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Under the iconic gaze of John Lennon at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, I engage with Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com, on the dawn of the airline's latest venture. Heapy reveals the strategy and passion fueling Jet2.com's growth and its commitment to enhancing the travel experience.  This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here and have it delivered to your inbox every Friday....

Join me, Simon Calder, as I debunk widespread passport validity myths, ensuring you're not wrongly denied boarding or renewing prematurely. From EU rules to multiple passports, let's get the facts straight together. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here and have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore aviation's exciting developments and eco-conscious shifts with Rhys Jones. From anticipated airline amenities to sustainable aviation fuels, discover how the skies are becoming greener and more innovative. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here and have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the total solar eclipse on the horizon, I explore the phenomenon's wonders with Dr. John Mason. Learn about the path of totality across North America, the unique experiences it offers, and how to secure the best vantage points. We also look ahead to 2026's eclipse in Spain, offering early planning advice for those seeking their next astronomical adventure. This podcast is free, as is my weekl...

In this episode, I chat with Airbus' Julie Kitcher about their bold steps towards environmental responsibility, including the exciting future of hydrogen passenger planes set to take off by 2035. We delve into sustainable aviation fuels, Airbus' sustainability strategies, and the collaborative efforts needed for a greener future in aviation. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscr...

Today, I explore the enduring rail strike saga from Bristol Temple Meads, examining the causes, the unions involved, and the profound effects on the UK's rail network. I discuss the complex negotiations, the striking strategy of the ASLEF Union, and what lies ahead for travellers amid these disruptions. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here and have it delivered to your...

Inside the secret world of frequent flyer schemes, credit cards with inbuilt perks and the joys of airport lounges, with Head for Points founder Rob Burgess. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here and have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joining me, James Hill shared his expert advice on visiting Rome during the bustling Easter season and the significance of the papal jubilee. Offering practical tips for crowd avoidance and spotlighting Italy's hidden treasures, James advocated for the enriching experience of guided tours. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here and have it delivered to your inbox every Fr...

In today's podcast, Bernard Donoghue, director of the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions, highlighted the ongoing recovery of the UK's visitor attractions and the need to bridge the remaining gap from pre-Covid levels. We explore the detrimental policy changes affecting European visitors and the push for fiscal incentives to boost the sector, underscoring the shift towards more engaging an...

In West Ealing, I met Mark Hopwood, GWR's managing director, to discuss an innovative battery-powered train trial aiming to transform branch lines and boost environmental sustainability. We also navigated GWR's challenges, the M25 closure's impact, and strategies to attract more passengers in a changing travel landscape. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here and have it...

I caught up with National Express's John Balton to discuss their first electric coach trial and its implications for the travel industry. From enhancing the passenger experience to competing in a crowded market, we explored how National Express is steering towards a sustainable future. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here and have it delivered to your inbox every Friday...

In conversation with Jonathan Wade from National Highways, I discussed the unprecedented weekend closure of the M25, highlighting the project's necessity and its ramifications. Advice for affected travellers and a look into future closures were also shared, aiming to mitigate the impact. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here and have it delivered to your inbox every Frid...

I travelled to Paris to talk to the people who are handling tourism this summer. The 33rd modern Olympiad opens in the French capital on 26 July 2024, closing on 11 August. While accommodation rates have surged ahead of the Games, in this exclusive interview, tourism boss Corinne Menegaux said: “We expect an occupation rate between 60 and 70 per cent.” So you can expect some bargains if you wait p...

Today's travel podcast shines a light on fear of flying. Commercial aviation has never been safer, with no fatal crashes involving scheduled passenger jets in 2023. But anyone anxious about flying need not look far to feed their aerophobia – I'm thinking of events such as the fire on board the Japan Airlines Airbus A350 approaching Tokyo, and the Alaska Airlines incident involving a door plug on a...

I examined a significant flight disruption case with TUI in Barbados, questioning the airline's compensation strategy and underscoring the necessity for passenger rights enforcement for appropriate support and reimbursement. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.