Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Today's podcast comes to you from a slow-moving security queue at Heathrow. Britain's biggest airport has extended its cap on departing passengers to the end of October, adding to wider uncertainty. And with British Airways' mass cancellations, it's a dismal summer for travellers. Of course this podcast is free, as is my newsletter that you can get every Friday. Sign up here: https://www.independe...

Today, I’m on board yet another delayed Air Canada flight. I don’t even know if there’s such a thing as an on-time departure on the Canadian national carrier but certainly, the experience of hopping around Canada has been much inferior to budget airlines in the UK. When flights are disrupted, passengers want to be kept informed. But on my series of late flights from Chicago to Montreal, Quebec Cit...

Today I'm stepping out from the absolutely gorgeous 1930s Ambassador Hotel and into the streets of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. As I do so, I share with you my best tips for booking hotels and what you can do to get yourself the best possible deal. Of course this podcast is free, as is my newsletter that you can get every Friday. Sign up here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. Se...

Pulling out of Detroit by rail, you really get a glimpse of America hurtling by. As I made my way to Chicago, you can see the ghosts of suburbs long gone, forests and woodland and a slightly archaic train system in operation. Here's what to be aware of if you're making your way by train in America. Of course this podcast is free, as is my newsletter that you can get every Friday. Sign up here: htt...

One of the shining examples of America's post-war optimism and wealth creation as millions chased the American Dream, Detroit has fallen on rather hard times of late. It's fall from grace is well documented, but my visit to the home of motown has left me wondering where the soul is now. Of course this podcast is free, as is my newsletter that is available every Friday. Sign up here: https://www.in...

I have just checked out of The Clarence Park hostel in central Toronto, which is a joy – on a budget. In today's podcast, I talk to you about the opportunities that hostels offer when travelling. If you don’t want to pay too much for your trip, then it's your best bet! Of course this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletter...

Today I’ve travelled 100 miles north from Quebec City to the thoroughly intriguing city of Saguenay. As you approach, you drive through the usual North American suburban tedium – and suddenly find yourself on the shore of a fjord that runs east to the St Lawrence River. A waterside boardwalk takes you towards a compelling industrial archaeological site. The old papermill is now a museum, while the...

Swimming in the rain, I've just been swimming in the rain. Quebec City has created something special at the docks this summer: L’Oasis. This an Olympic-sized swimming pool in the port, where you bathe in the water of the St Lawrence River. It is quite the most exhilarating urban experience I have had in a long time. An entire dock has been filled with the essentials for a top-class swimming pool:...

Even in the third summer since the start of the Covid pandemic, many traps await the unwary traveller. One of the strangest, to my mind, is the new requirement from the Canadian authorities for a post-arrival test for a random selection of travellers, including international visitors. Anyone who tests positive must go into 10 days of hotel quarantine. I got through Montreal airport successfully, b...

And the winner of the worst flight of 2022 goes to Air Canada flight AC8968 from Chicago to Montreal. We join Simon on board at 2am after they have been waiting half-an-hour for an airbridge, extending the delay to three hours. This podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter, which you can sign up for at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

In praise of the impromptu airport lounge: from his usual perch at Pret à Manger, overlooking the runway at Luton airport, Simon recommends the pre-boarding experience at Caffe Nero at Heathrow Terminal 5; Wagamama in North Terminal at Gatwick; and Wetherspoon’s at Stansted. Of course, this podcast is free, as is Simon's weekly newsletter which you can subscribe for at https://www.independent.co.u...

British Airways has announced that there will be no chance to book short-haul flights until August 16th at the very least, in a bid to keep themselves under the passenger cap at Heathrow airport and to try and stop the chaos that has befallen those of us looking to get away this summer. The removal of bookings doesn't mean that the flights pre-booked won't be happening, thankfully, but I take a lo...

Today's episode is a tale of two French-speaking nations, France and Canada – and their very different attitudes to travel and Covid. Of course, this podcast is free, much like my newsletter that you can have arrive in your inbox every Friday. Sign up at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m speaking to you from gate B 14 at Naples International Airport in Italy and taking you through my experience of travelling through Italian airports this week. Of course, this podcast is free, much like my newsletter that you can have arrive in your inbox every Friday. Sign up at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m in the bay of Naples where I take you through a few of the ferry routes that used to run from the UK to ports in Continental Europe. Of course, this podcast is free, much like my newsletter that you can have arrive in your inbox every Friday. Sign up at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As I stroll through a scenic (if slightly noisy) Ponza, I take you through some of my favourite Italian islands.  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.

As of 1 June, Covid-19 restrictions on entering Italy have been lifted. I’m in Rome to give you an update on the travel experience from London Heathrow to the Italian capital, which all felt very relaxed compared with the last time I visited during the Covid pandemic. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe for at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted o...

Tourist traffic is now flowing freely through Dover and Folkestone after widespread long delays during the main getaway weekend. Ministers have blamed the French authorities for failing to deploy more border staff to fulfil the more onerous post-Brexit rules to which the UK asked to be subject and I examine what British passport holders must now have done with their travel documents. The next step...

As the great summer getaway kicks off, journeys have been beset by issues while millions of Brits are expected to travel this weekend as the school holidays begin. Those attempting to travel by ferry to France from  Dover  are enduring waits of four hours or longer, with the port blaming the French for “woefully inadequate staffing”. The issue has been exacerbated by the extra checks at...

Yesterday I gave evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on how the present passport palaver is hurting prospective travellers. I told them how, in the last century, the Passport Office at times of stress would give people an extra six months or year on their passport, for free and instantly, on the spot. Now it seems that idea could be reborn. Of course, this podcast is free, much like my n...

I visited London Euston station in order to bring you the latest on how railway networks have been handling the aftermath of the UK’s hottest day. Of course, this podcast is free, much like my newsletter that you can have arrive in your inbox every Friday. Sign up at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I went to Paddington Basin – and Paddington station – in central London to observe how many trains were cancelled as operators deal with Britain's current unprecedented heatwave. As some – but by no means all – of the national rail network shuts down, I'm concerned about the reputation for reliability that the railway needs and deserves. Of course, this podcast is free, much like my newslett...

Britain is in the grips of an unprecedented heatwave, with records expected to tumble over the coming days. I've taken a look at the response by the transport networks and companies and give some advice on what's been altered to accommodate for the high temperatures. Of course, this podcast is free, much like my newsletter that you can have arrive in your inbox every Friday. Sign up at https://www...

It could be a very tricky summer to navigate Britain's rail systems, even when temperatures aren't hitting record levels. A host of rail unions have announced their strike dates after the RMT union staged their first walkouts in June. It will mean lots of disruption across Britain's network - here I run you through what's happening and what it's likely to do for passengers. This podcast is free, m...

Civil aviation? Not any more at Heathrow, as Emirates rebels against the airport's demand to cut passenger numbers. It's a summer of discontent in the aviation industry so far and as schools break up for summer, it might be about to get worse. Will Heathrow's idea work or make any difference at all? And what could it mean for the future? As always, this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter...