Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

From Antigua, Guatemala's bus station, today's podcast takes you on a sensory journey through the heart of Central American transport. Discover the artistic 'chicken buses', the bustling crowds, and the distinct aroma of diesel, all integral to the local travel experience." This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Aca...

I'm in Panama City, talking to Robin Faulkner about the boutique hotel he created in the capital's old town – and, more widely, about the wonders of this Central American nation. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I am examining the persistent rail strike by Aslef, now impacting the UK's rail system into 2024. The strike, involving 14 train operators, has entered its third calendar year, leading to widespread travel chaos. Our discussion includes an analysis of the strike's causes, its current status, and potential future developments. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to...

Today I explore the complex narrative surrounding the 'Icon of the Seas', the world's largest cruise ship. I discuss its extravagant offerings against the backdrop of environmental concerns, probing the moral and ecological dilemmas posed by such grandiose voyages. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See a...

The contentious issue of tipping in the wake of a disappointing meal. Today I present a compilation of listener opinions on tipping etiquette, dissecting the practice's rationale and offering guidance on navigating these often-tricky situations in restaurants. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast....

Join me as I share my experience with tipping etiquette around the world and discuss the appropriate tipping etiquette in various regions, from the non-tipping culture in Continental Europe to the mandatory gratuities in the United States. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

Join me, Simon Calder, as I explore the world of currency exchange at Currency Online Group in London Waterloo. In today's episode, I speak with Lee Davey about the nuances of foreign currency transactions, the impact of digital payments, and predictions for exchange rates. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Aca...

Join me, Simon Calder, as I converse with Rail Minister Huw Merriman about the Great British Rail Sale. We explore enticing rail deals amidst potential strike disruptions, focusing on the benefits for passengers and the future of UK rail travel. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

In this episode, I unpack the chaotic week of UK travel. From railway strikes to unexpected flight diversions, we take a closer look at how these disruptions are reshaping the travel landscape for thousands of passengers. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's travel podcast. Christmas/New Year flights to Australia are now on sale. Should you book now at high prices, or risk fares increasing still further while hoping a late-booking might bag a bargain? This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's podcast is all about the UK's cheapest rail ticket, just 70p from Manchester to Stockport! How long will you be able to take advantage of this mega-deal? This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's podcast: an exclusive interview with Michael O'Leary, chief executive of Europe’s biggest budget airline, Ryanair. He tells me about his worries about air traffic control problems this summer; how Boeing is dealing with the 737 Max; how cheap air fares are here to stay; and why the government's probe into drip pricing is wrong. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here...

Join me, Simon Calder, as we explore LNER's innovative approach to train tickets, replacing traditional off-peak tickets with a new flexible system. This pilot programme might just be a glimpse into the future of rail travel in the UK. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info...

I, Simon Calder, explore the unceasing rail strikes by Aslef and their impacts. We'll navigate through the complexities of the dispute and how it's shaping the UK's transportation landscape as it enters another year of discontent and disruption. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Airlines offer some great deals for flying from outside their home nation, via their home nation, to somewhere else outside their home nation. This is known as "Sixth Freedom" flying. But beware: even though British Airways is offering some amazing deals for Dublin-London-New York flights, you can't simply get on (or off) at London and leave out the Irish connections. This podcast is free, as is m...

Today I bring you an insights from the bustling corridors of the UK’s top airports. 2023 has seen a tremendous upswing in air travel, with Heathrow, Manchester, and Stansted airports leading the charge in passenger numbers, underscoring a remarkable year in aviation. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See...

I'm at Heathrow Terminal 2, where Boeing 737 Max 9s are operating. Now, following Friday's incident in Alaska it's quite reasonable for many of you to be screaming, "Why?!" but I'll explain why they are and what the flight carriers are doing to make sure there's not a repeat of the incident. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Fri...

Join me, Simon Calder, as we delve into British Airways' decision to extend the minimum connecting time at Heathrow Terminal 5 from 60 to 75 minutes. While it eases passenger stress, this change impacts travel dynamics, offering competitors like Lufthansa and Air France an edge in attracting transit passengers who prefer shorter layovers. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Find out...

I'm Simon Calder, reporting on the curious case of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. Departing from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California, this journey on a Boeing 737 Max 9 took an unexpected turn when a panel detached mid-flight at over 16,000 feet. As we await detailed investigation results, join me in assessing the situation, exploring potential causes, and reaffirming air travel safety measures....

I'm Simon Calder, reporting from London Waterloo, where we're on the brink of a major Tube shutdown, spanning from January 7th to 12th. With the RMT Union's strike imminent, London's transport network faces significant upheaval, affecting commuters and travelers alike. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Find out more here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...

In today's episode, I discuss the Kalinic family's challenging experience with a £100,000 medical bill during their trip to Africa. This story highlights the crucial importance of comprehensively understanding travel insurance, especially for non-standard travel arrangements. Join me as we unravel essential tips for secure and informed travel planning. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newslet...

Join me, Simon Calder, as I discuss the collision at Tokyo's Haneda Airport involving a Japan Airlines Airbus A350. In this podcast, I delve into the incident's implications for aviation safety and highlight the importance of emergency procedures and safety briefings, which contributed to the successful evacuation and survival of all passengers on board. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsl...

The saddest part of my job as a travel correspondent is to write about tragedies, which includes airline accident. But compared with previous years, the tragedies have been about three times under the average of the last ten years. It is a remarkable to the people who do all they can to ensure we're safe as airline pasengers This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Find out more here . Ho...

Happy New Year! There will be new electronic passport gates according to a report in The Times. It's really just an improvement on e-gates making them more efficient. This will be made possible with the new travel electronic authorisation system which the UK is introducing. Although it means that the country will need to have a lot more information on a lot more travellers. This podcast is free, a...

I'm at London Bridge station assessing the problems for travelers in the run-up to New Year. See you all in 2024! This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Find out more here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.