Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Today I'm coming to you from beautiful Carrapateira, a little village in the Algarve hills overlooking the southern coastline of Portugal. To get the most of my holiday budget, I'm embracing the backpacker lifestyle and staying in the Hostel Do Mar. No need to plan in advance – just turn up, enjoy the facilities from free books to yoga mats, and meet lots of interesting people. Of course this podc...

I love Lisbon, one of Europe’s most beautiful capital cities, and the locations on its western flanks – in particular Cascais, Estoril and Sintra. But until now I haven’t strayed south to the Setubal Peninsula: much less well known, but full of surprises. Do try O Barbas – an amazing seafood restaurant overlooking the Atlantic in Costa da Caparica; the wild, windy and atmospheric cape of Espichel;...

Good afternoon from Funchal, Madeira. Today I'll be speaking about how the travelling experience was from Gatwick to Portugal - and the joys to be found in the island's beautiful capital. 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 a planeload of Virgin Atlantic passengers from Johannesburg find themselves flying away from London to refuel in Durban, my thoughts about how diversions are part of everyday life for the airline passenger. 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.

For many, the thought of getting a bus between Britain's cities is the option of last resort and some would say buses have no future in Britain's infrastructure. I'm here on one of the busiest roads in the country for such buses to try and change those minds. The bus industry is going through extraordinary changes and can still play a significant role in the infrastructure of Britain's transport n...

Many of us are digging out our passports again only to discover that they're not valid for as long as we thought. The Home Office is reporting an 'unprecedented' surge of applications for passports, creating a backlog that risks ruining holiday plans for some this summer. I talk you through the problem, how it's not being helped by either the government or the airlines as they grapple with Brexit...

I'm on the Celebrity Beyond, a new cruise ship set to launch imminently and take its floating residents around the Mediterranean. It's a bold move, launching a new cruise ship, after the industry's torturous past few years as coronavirus ravaged ships and effectively brought all trips to a standstill for a number of months. But the Celebrity Beyond points to some thinking there's still plenty of l...

Today I'm discussing the context around the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham's tweet showing high-end train tickets from Manchester to London to be more expensive than a range of long-haul air fares. Train tickets are indeed too expensive, but what should be done about it? Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newslet...

In May 2021, the government announced its plans for the biggest reform to the railway in three decades, bringing it back together, after years of fragmentation, under Great British Railways – a new public body that will run and plan the rail network, own the infrastructure, procure passenger services, and set most fares and timetables. But will it work? Of course this podcast is completely free, a...

Sri Lanka is a beautiful country full of discoveries to be made - but the political and economic situation at the moment is giving many of you second thoughts about your travel plants to the country right now. I've enlisted the help of adventure tour guide and wildlife photographer Paul Goldstein on whether now is the time to visit. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel...

More than one million train tickets are being slashed to as much as half-price in the “Great British Rail Sale”, and it is attracting a lot of interest. The government and rail industry are hoping the sale will boost ticket sales after the impact of the pandemic. But will it work? I explore what the sale is (deeply discounted Advance rail tickets between 25 April and 27 May) and what it isn’t (a s...

Happy bank holiday! Chances are if you're travelling by train you might be passing through London's Waterloo station. It's the UK's busiest train station and I'm here to give you a guided tour of its history! 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 I am at London's Kings Cross, the only way to get to Scotland by rail this Bank Holiday.  Of course travellers should always choose train over plane, but often it's not as straightforward as that. 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.

The great Easter getaway is most definitely on. I've been to hubs across the capital today to witness for myself the scenes of queues and hordes of people trying to get to their destinations. It all reminds me of the pleasure of travelling when most others aren't. In this episode I take you through when it might be best to visit, particularly Italy - when and where it might be the best time to get...

Looking ahead to the Easter rush, we've unfortunately got a forecast of chaos potentially looming. Public transport works are happening on all the usual ways of getting to London's main airports - I give you the lowdown on what is and isn't working. Also I look at how to have a stress-free airport experience, as well as the best ways to handle your holiday money. Of course this podcast is complete...

Today I’m lunching at the Da Pietro restaurant, facing the exquisite cathedral facade in the city of Como. How did an ambitiously priced €10 side salad come in at €15? And why the traveller needs to be wary of hidden charges when dining out across the world. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at  independent.co.uk/newsletters . Hosted on A...

On this fine Spring day I'm hiking The Brunate Trail in Como, the Northern city in Lombardy, Italy, coveted by celebrities and holiday-makers alike. I explore how to get here and what gems there are to enjoy, from the homes of a-listers, to charming restaurants and bars, to 12th century churches. And if, unlike me, you can still catch your breath after climbing to the hill-top town of Brunate, you...

I’m in heaven, or at least as close as you can get to it within the UB7 postcode: room 177 at the Thistle Heathrow Terminal 5 hotel, looking out across the northern runway at succession of jets heading off for the US and southeast Asia. Airport hotels are primarily a convenience, but they can also be inspiring. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign u...

An important correction on yesterday's podcast. In an extraordinary reversal of an announcement made on Wednesday, Spain has withdrawn its promise to open up to unvaccinated British visitors. The Spanish tourist board in London has apologised "unreservedly for the miscommunication," explaining that the error was due to a "misunderstanding of the new entry requirements.” In all the confusion,...

Britain's most popular destination to escape to, Spain has dropped restrictions around vaccinations and tourists from Britain as the great reopening gathers pace. It follows France, which has updated its terms and conditions for British travellers and is a welcome boost for Easter holidays. That is, of course, if you manage to get on a plane. While our most popular destinations open up, a host of...

The cost-of-living crisis is forcing many people to cut back on their spending, and holidays tend to be one of the first things to get the chop. However, that dream get-away you've been planning may still be possible, even on a tighter budget than expected. So today I'm rising to the challenge and answering your questions about how to travel around North America without breaking the bank. Of cours...

As normality returns and restrictions are eased, the UK’s two biggest airlines are finding it hard to cope. There are widespread cancellations by easyJet because of Covid-related staff shortage – 100 yesterday, the same again today, with more than 40 to and from its biggest base at London Gatwick. At Heathrow, British Airways has made almost 100 cancellations so far, with some very long delays as...

Airports and airlines are under pressure at the moment, with passenger numbers soaring and staffing issues leading to crowds, confusion and cancellations. What are your rights when it all goes, in the travel industry's acronym, Tango Uniform? 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....

I'm at the end of my week of travel across the Baltic states where I've encountered the most majestic scenery, vibrant cities full of history and with very modern ways of living and communities who could not be friendlier or more accommodating. Unfortunately for them though, and felt especially here in Tallinn, so close to the Russian border, the invasion of Ukraine has really dampened their reope...

Right now is a fine time to the a stranger in a strange land – that is both friendly and safe - and as I continue my journey around eastern Europe I explain the joy of getting a long-distance bus. It's the most popular mode of travel in these parts and is a great way of getting a sense of the place and people, as I discover as I slalom through to my destination in Estonia. Of course this podcast i...