Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

 I'm in Singapore, and here's a few things I've learnt from travelling here – from airport formalities to the all-you-can-eat buffet with penalties attached. 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.

The final podcast of the week is brought to you from King’s Creek Station in Australia's Northern Territory. But I’m not talking about Australia - except in the context of how to get to and from there over Christmas since Heathrow Airport announced it will lift the passenger cap this weekend. Of course this podcast is free, like my weekly newsletter, which is available to subscribe to at: https://...

Today's travel podcast comes from a very echoey Simpson's Gap just outside Alice Springs in central Australia. This is a gorge carved over millions of years through the West MacDonnell Ranges – Tjoritja in the language of the Aboriginal caretakers of this land. Simpson's Gap is the most accessible of the gorges that perforate the ranges. You can also take in Standley Chasm, with 80-metre high wall...

My Australian adventure continues as I enjoy two very different sunset cruises in the country’s Northern Territory; the Yellow Water Cruise in Kakadu National Park, and a tour of the Nitmiluk Gorge in the Katherine River. Of course this podcast is free, like my weekly newsletter, which is available to subscribe to at: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

Greetings from a hot, tropical Darwin! I'm in the capital of Australia's Northern Territory – a city transformed, full of life and diversity, and quite different from the one I last visited 15 years ago. Of course, this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe for it today: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon Calder is in Darwin, Australia, where he's talking you through why you don’t need to fret over connecting flights (or even check any luggage). Of course 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.

For the final travel podcast of the week, I have come along to one of my favorite transport hubs anywhere: Victoria Coach Station in central London. The range of destinations is remarkable, the building is beautiful, and there is a real sense of shared humanity. Of course this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newslette...

Today’s podcast is brought to you from London’s Carnaby Street where, amongst the throngs of shoppers, I’ll be talking about Spain, which has rather abruptly announced the ending of Covid-19 restrictions. The nation, which is the most popular overseas destination for British holidaymakers, has lagged well behind most of the rest of Europe in removing vaccination and testing rules. Of course this p...

The latest round of national rail strike dates have been announced. The ongoing dispute shows little sign of ending but slowly there seems to be more dialogue about what the government is expecting and what they feel the unions have to accept. But what will bridge the gap between the two sides? Of course this podcast is free, like my weekly newsletter, which is available to subscribe to at: https:...

There's been a couple of cases of voyages going a little bit wrong the past week or so, and it can be very annoying for passengers. I tell you all about it. Of course 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.

I’m at a particularly busy Waterloo station as many services have been delayed or cancelled owing to signalling problems.   But today’s podcast is thinking forward to Christmas, with travellers growing frustrated as rail tickets are currently not available to book for the festive period.   Of course this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https:...

In the last travel podcast of the week – I'm confused about the government. Not the trouble at the top, but why a travel journalist should have to be alerting various parts of the UK government to what the actual rules are for British travellers to Europe since Brexit. Of course this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newslet...

I'm aboard a Moroccan train, from Casablanca heading north to the capital Rabat. This nation has the best network in Africa, with proper high-speed trains running between Tangier and Casablanca, plus user-friendly ticketing. For once, I am travelling in first class – upstairs in a comfy seat. Fares here are such good value that you can afford to treat yourself.   Of course, this podcast is fr...

I was the warm-up act for today's Transport Select Committee hearing about travel disruption over the summer. Here's what I said, and what I learnt. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe to it at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today it's a special edition from the 2022 Travel Convention – featuring Mark Tanzer, chief executive of the travel association Abta, on sustainability, consumer protection and the value of travel professionals. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can get directly to your inbox by subscribing here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

Liverpool has beaten Glasgow to be the host city of 2023's Eurovision song contest. Ukraine memorably won 2022's competition and while they would have had several fantastic locations, the war with Russia has meant that Britain have been asked to host this year. Many will be happy to see Liverpool, where some would say modern music emerged from, has won the right to host but already prices for acco...

More train strikes are coming, but remember: if a train is running, and you have a flexible (off-peak/anytime) ticket and can physically squeeze on board, then you are able to travel – so if it says "no tickets available", don't be deterred. Of course this podcast is free, much like my newsletter that you can get delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe here: https://www.independent.co.uk/n...

British travellers are being impeded by decisions made by lawmakers elsewhere in the world, and it's not on. America's laws to isolate Cuba further has seen British travellers. If you've been to Cuba since March 2011 then you're not eligible for the ESTA scheme, which is ridiculous. And Indian politicians are also making laws that impede us British travellers. I give you the lowdown on what the ru...

Today's podcast is brought to you from a deserted Paddington Station, as train workers stage another strike as part of a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. Of course this podcast is free, much like my newsletter that you can get delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

I've been at the Annual Hotel Conference in Manchester, which from a travel point of view is more exciting than the Conservative conference in Birmingham. My takeaways: hotel rates are well up on pre-pandemic levels and could stay high; properties are still in the 20th (or even 19th) century, requiring guests to line up at reception to check in; and "the last place I would be thinking of going for...

A major commuter train operator has announced that it will scrap first class on its trains linking Kent and East Sussex with London. Southeastern  says making its trains one-class-only from December 2022 onwards will allow it to add more standard class seats. Could the move signal the wholesale removal of first class? Of course, this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can...

On the eve of the next round of Rail strikes, could hitchhiking provide an alternative transport solution? I’m on the road in Wales, where I search (in vain, I might add) for a lift and tell you about my experiences of hitchhiking and how its changed in my time thumbing for a lift. Of course this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter that arrives in your inbox every Friday. To subscribe, you...

Saturday 1 October will see the biggest shutdown of the Great Britain rail network by industrial action for 40 years. Only one train in nine will run. And there will be further disruption right through to 10 October. Of course this podcast is free, much like my newsletter that you can get delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acas...

I'm currently near Stuttgart, and I'll be spending the day travelling around the city and ending up at its airport, all through the use of trains. So let me share with you what it is like to travel using Germany's rail network. Of course this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can find by subscribing here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com...

The extra passport checks the UK requested after leaving the EU are “not sustainable”: that is the damning view of Jacques Damas, outgoing chief executive of Eurostar. The boss of the cross-Channel train operator revealed that post-Brexit border arrangements have reduced capacity on links from London to Brussels and Paris by one-third – forcing Eurostar “to charge higher prices to our customers”....