Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Travel fraud is on the rise as people become ever more desperate to find a bargain. But what are the warning signs? I'll take you through the ways to spot if something isn't as good as it looks and ways you can double-check to make sure it's the real thing you're booking. Of course, this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Get it delivered to your inbox here . Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

I'm joined by my colleague Charlotte Hindle and we are tackling a frequently asked question — this time on the US/Cuba tension, and how it could impact your travel plans. Of course, this podcast is free, as is my newsletter at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Notice to Air Missions, or NOTAM, is so very important in keeping air travel safe — but what is it? In today's podcast I'll explain what happened during the FAA system meltdown, which resulted in thousands of flights being grounded across the US. Of course, this podcast is free, as is my newsletter at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more infor...

Rail passengers across Britain are experiencing the first days free of industrial action for weeks. The last of five days of strikes ended in the early hours of Sunday morning, with full services for the first time almost everywhere in the country. The RMT union’s overtime ban, which has caused thousands of train cancellations in the past few weeks, is also over. But the long and bitter dispute dr...

I'm on the new all-electric 63 bus — the first route in London that has that characteristic. It's very much an experimental bus route that's been created to encourage more people to get back on public transport. This is because, since the pandemic, fare revenue in the capital has dropped off a cliff. So, let me explain to you why it's important to get back on the bus network. This podcast is free,...

Following a 48hr strike by RMT members, Aslef members are now striking, crippling train services across much of England. It's a truly miserable start to the year for the country's rail industry and one that doesn't seem to have a resolution in sight as union delegates and the government blame one another for lack of progress. I take a look at the current situation and what it'll take to get the si...

In today's podcast I've made my way to the Egyptian beach resort town of Hurghada, and I tell you all about how my journey is going so far… Of course, this podcast is free, as is my newsletter at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's travel podcast comes from Gatwick Airport, where I hope to begin my last-minute travels to Egypt. Of course, this podcast is free, as is my newsletter at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millions of people across England can save money on bus travel with the introduction of a £2 cap on fares for more than 4,600 routes. It lasts until the end of March. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Italy, the US and several other countries imposed restrictions on travellers arriving from China , what is the likelihood the UK could follow suit? This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hong Kong, one of the last big tourism destinations in Asia with onerous Covid travel restrictions, has lifted almost of them for vaccinated visitors – starting immediately. The government says the move has been made “to fully leverage Hong Kong’s strengths in connecting with the world”. But is it too late to lure travellers back after a ban on tourists? This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsl...

I'm at Paddington Station where the great reset following the Christmas break and recent industrial action was supposed to be behind us. Unfortunately for many travellers though, the railways continue to be in a right old state. When this shambles of strikes, overrunning engineering work, signal failures and general mayhem is finally over, the railway industry will have a heck of a job to do to tr...

As industial action plays on, I take a look at what's gone wrong and what is actually running on the rails today, Of course, this podcast is free, as is my newsletter at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rail fares in England will rise by nearly 6 per cent in March, the Department for Transport (DfT) have said. The DfT has set a cap of 5.9% for increases to fares regulated by the government, such as season tickets on most commuter journeys, some off-peak return tickets on long distance journeys and flexible tickets for travel around major cities. So, in this episode I explore whether this rise in...

Travellers are getting really stressed about reaching their Christmas destinations. I would advise to please start as early as you can — and if you were thinking of driving on Friday or Saturday, avoid the middle of the day. Bear in mind that trains are going to be very busy on Friday and shutting down very early on Christmas Eve, but I'm very much hoping everyone will get where they need to be. T...

British Airways has been forced to cancel dozens of long-haul flights. I explain what caused the problem, what the likely consequences will be and your rights as a passenger. Also, an update on expected disruption by industrial action over the coming days. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. S...

I'm on a train yet again – the 100mph (average speed!) new nonstop from Coventry to London. But less than brilliant news about the extreme Christmas Eve cancellations caused by the next rail strike. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You will have heard that airport security rules surrounding cabin baggage are to be relaxed in June 2024. It'll allow you to leave liquids, laptops, and all that other malarky, in your handheld luggage. However, until then nothing has changed, so I will remind you of what you can and can't put in your bag as you fly over the Christmas period. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which...

There has been a development with the train strikes. As rail workers belonging to the RMT union prepare for 10 more days of national strikes, members of the white-collar TSSA union have voted “overwhelmingly” to accept the pay deal offered by Network Rail. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsl...

A listener asked me what exactly the train strikes that have been endured this week are about, a question that's not that simple to answer. But here I am trying to give a broad overview of the reasons for the strikes and what the next steps are. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

As the UK deals with the latest round of national rail strikes, I'll be talking about the interesting media figure, and person, that is the general secretary of the RMT union, Mick Lynch. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can get delivered every Friday to your inbox by signing up here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...

Airline schedules have been torn up on Monday, with The Independent  identifying more than 320 flight cancellations to and from London’s airports alone. So is the UK terrible at coping with extreme weather? Well, I don't think it is, actually. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can get delivered every Friday to your inbox by signing up here: https://www.independent.co...

The most protracted and disruptive national rail strikes since 1989  begin on Tuesday 13 December. They involve  walk-outs on a total of 12 days , stretching into the New Year, by the  RMT  union as well as some industrial action by the  TSSA  and Unite unions. But so long as you plan carefully, there is no reason to avoid the trains on strike days – thousands of...

The UK Border Force have announced a series of strike days as Britain's winter of discontent continues. I detail what the strike is over and when the days will be, and what it will mean for Britain's airports during the some of the busiest times of the year. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can get delivered every Friday to your inbox by signing up here: https://www.inde...

Today's podcast is from Burton-upon-Trent station in Staffordshire, and I am speaking about the state of the railways, and why I am despairing. I've based that on new strikes being called by the RMT union and the dispute surrounding it, which suggests to me that we are in for the long haul. It's not great for the future of the railways, and it's not great for the traveller. Of course, this podcast...