Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Today I speak to you from the kitchen where I am trying to apply for a visa to India. Breathtaking bureaucracy and a fall at the last hurdle. Of course, this podcast is free as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe to it here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Since the end of the Covid crisis, UK passport holders have been barred from the eVisa scheme due to a political dispute on access to Britain for Indian travellers. The option was restored for nationals of 156 countries, including all 27 European Union members. But the UK was in a small minority of nations whose citizens must apply in person for a visa. The process is far more expensive and time-c...

I'm in London Paddington station with news of intensified competition on the line between the English and Welsh capitals. Starting in 2024, Grand Union Trains will run five times daily from Carmarthen via Cardiff and Bristol Parkway to London, in competition with GWR. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on...

Travellers hoping to escape by train to Paris, Brussels or Amsterdam in the run-up to Christmas could have their plans wrecked by the latest strike call. Members of the  RMT  union working at London St Pancras as security staff for  Eurostar  will walk out on four days in a dispute over pay. Read the full story here: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/eurostar...

On a recent trip to Doha, and wrestling with the airport's rubbish wifi, I've had a think about airports and their proximity to the cities they serve. Whether it's Florence or Gibraltar, there's a host of great airports within walking distance of the city centre. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acas...

The World Cup is reaching the knockout phases and many are looking to head to Qatar on a last-minute whim. Which might be great timing, for I can reveal collapsing air fares to Qatar for the World Cup, and slumping hotel rates when you get there. There are some catches and things to be aware of though, which I explain. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can get every Frida...

Simon Calder gives you the rundown on what is and isn't running with Saturday's Aslef union strike action. This podcast is free, as is Simon's weekly newsletter, which you can get every Friday by subscribing here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As train firms warn rail passengers to “only travel by train if necessary” on Saturday 26 November, ahead of the next strike, the leader of the rail union has begun talks with the new transport secretary. I'm outside the Department for Transport to ask Mick Lynch how planned industrial action will hit passengers around Christmas. This podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter, which you can...

I've come across the story of a farmer who was hoping to enter the US but her occupation has meant that her fingerprints have all but been erased on her hands, which causes an interesting problem for biometric measures at borders. In this episode I talk about how frontier fingerprinting can be frustrating – but facial recognition is the way forward for travel. This podcast is free, as is my weekly...

Long flights between the UK and Southeast Asia (Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore) currently take even longer as they are obliged (because of Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine) to take a southerly track. Given that, is it worth changing planes in the Gulf to reduce the rigours of a 6,000-mile-plus journey? This podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter, which you can get delivered to you...

Simon Calder reflects on the latest rules imposed on the tournament - including an 11th-hour beer ban - which kicked off in the Gulf state over the weekend. This podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter, which you can get delivered to your inbox every Friday. Just sign up here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I've been in Singapore for a week, here is what I have learnt about this fascinating and friendly city-state. This podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter, which you can get delivered to your inbox every Friday. Just sign up here:  https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British Airways used to fly to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul and many places in Australia besides Sydney. BA has just announced another route from London Heathrow. But it's not restoring any of these dropped destinations ... the link is to Cincinnati, Ohio. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe for it here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

I’m in Holland Village in Singapore, where it is possible to eat and drink your way around the world along Lorong Mambong and Lorong Liput. From Irish and German via Thai and Chinese to the multi-purpose “Indian-Western-Italian-Mexican” combine known as the Pink Panther. If you can’t find it here, you’re probably better off without it. Of course this podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter...

In praise of daytime flights between the UK, the Gulf, South East Asia and Australia. Grab a proper night's sleep in each location along the way and arrive feeling human (as I very much didn't after the 13-hour flight to Singapore). Of course this podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter, which you can find by signing up at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acas...

Hotels: why it's worth going "old school" and checking out a room before you take it. As well as asking if there's a wedding group booked in. Of course this podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter, which you can find by signing up at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As another rail union calls another national strike, I'm despondent about the future of the railway. The train drivers’ union, Aslef, has announced a one-day strike at a dozen train operators on Saturday 26 November. The walk out will trigger widespread cancellations. Of course this podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter, which you can find by signing up at https://www.independe...

On today's travel podcast, I'm speaking to you from London's Elizabeth line on a strike day. Better than nothing, but could do better. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's podcast comes from the Manchester Metrolink, which three years ago was selected as one of the top five tram systems. Not sure I would rate it that highly. But from the Belgian coastal tram to Melbourne's free city-centre network, trundling along is a pleasure. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted o...

I’m at the annual World Travel Market in London’s ExCel centre - back in full swing for the first time since the pandemic - where I’m looking at how a red tape tangle has ruined thousands of holiday plans to India. Before the pandemic, the vast majority of UK visitors entered India on an eVisa – a relatively simple online system. But when the nation opened up to tourism in February 2022, and the e...

The rail strikes were called off on Friday afternoon. So why will disruption continue until Thursday morning? The rail industry is complicated and you can't just flick a switch and watch the trains come back to life. Of course this podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter, which you can find by signing up at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy fo...

I want to tell you about a new project from the travel desk at The Independent — Travel Smart. It's a brand new series of videos from the travel team that aims to provide viewers with all the information and inspiration they need to plan their next trip. Learn more about the first episode here: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/travel-smart-tv-show-launch-b2215105.html Of course...

Today's episode is about celebrating the new €49 one-month ticket that provides access all areas on public transport in Germany. Of course this podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter. Get it delivered every Friday to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I tell you the world’s busiest air routes around the world, according to a list compiled by the schedule analysts OAG – and they are very different compared with before the Covid pandemic. Of course this podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter. Get it delivered every Friday to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...

Today's podcast comes from an interminable passport queue at Heathrow Terminal 2. Only a limited number of planes are allowed to touch down at the UK's busiest airport before 6am, which means they avoid having to fly holding patterns before arrival and the wait for UK Border Control is short. That’s one reason I paid a premium for the pre-6am arrival on Singapore Airlines. But when the carrier dec...