Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

On today's podcast, I chat with Manchester Museum Director, Esme Ward about what visitors can expect from the museum, having just opened its doors for the first time in almost 18 months after undergoing a £15m transformation project. 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.

I'm joined on today's podcast by my colleague Charlotte Hindle, and we're discussing how to get your money back when travel plans go awry. 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.

Today's travel podcast is in praise of overnight sleeper trains – but many of them exist only because they are hugely subsidised by taxpayers. 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.

Today is Valentine's Day and I'm joined by Travel Editor (and also, I like to think, Chief Romance Correspondent) of the Independent, Helen Coffey, to discuss the least and most romantic places in the world to travel. 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 travel podcast, I answer the big question on everyone's mind: when will the next rail strikes...strike?  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 Home Office is warning British travellers to “prepare for disruption” during a strike by members of UK Border Force. I'm on the seafront at Dover, discussing the strike which is due to take place over the key February half-term weekend: Friday 17 to early on Monday 20 February. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here . Hosted on Acast. S...

In today's podcast, I sit down with award-winning photographer Paul Goldstein as he encourages people to improve their camera skills, and be more ambitious with their travel photography. 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.

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...

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...

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 h...

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...

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...