Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

With the airlines jostling for your hard-earned holiday plans, I've got to thinking about which city in central Europe is best for a city break this year. I put the question to my Twitter followers, with a choice of four cities: Vienna, Prague, Bratislava or Budapest. Which city did my followers go for and did I think they made the right choice? Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my...

In today's podcast I begin with some apologies. I got the location of the Sky Garden in London wrong and wasn't quite right about Britain's number two holiday destination. I must also make an apology for once again talking about France! In this episode, I'm reflecting on the costs of travel to and from Britain to Paris, as my Eurostar quote had me scrambling for alternative methods. Of course this...

As UK travelers are allowed to return to France, caution remains with strict rules on masks. In Paris, it is still very possible to enjoy the delights of the French capital. Due to the very recent lifting of restrictions it is still largely free of tourists, which may mean it's a good time to visit. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at  i...

France has lifted the travel restrictions for UK travellers as Omicron waves come and go. Hurrah! I hear you shout. But before you dash off to the Eurostar terminal there's still plenty to consider in regards to what you need to have to be able to travel without hassle. PCRs, LFTs and points of entry will all be discussed as I find my way to France when the travel ban is lifted, which is some time...

All you need to know about the travel restrictions in France and when UK travellers might be able to return. 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.

SNCF, the French state-owned railway network, are reintroducing some classic old-fashioned trains, under the brand name Ouigo, which will mean longer travel times but cheaper tickets and a novelty passenger experience. 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 inf...

From Bar Elba to Greenwich Park, where are the best vantage points to get panoramic views of London for free? 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.

It's one of the UK's most popular holiday destinations but France is continuing with its travel ban from the UK unless you're a French citizen. Initially put in place as Omicron spread rapidly in the UK, the variant has now reached everywhere across the globe, including France - so is the blunt instrument of travel bans dead or are we seeing more political motivations afoot? Of course this podcast...

It's been 24hrs since the news that UK travellers will have less stringent testing requirements coming in and out of the country. But what do they actually require us to do? Simon Calder looks at the government's plans and picks his way through so you won't find yourself getting stung before or after the changes are implemented. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel ema...

I take you through the UK government's announcement that from 4am on Friday, international travel is about to become a lot less burdensome. That's right, those of us who are double vaccinated will no long have to take pre-departure Covid tests. They will also not be required to self-isolate while awaiting tests. I'll tell you what that means in practical terms and where restrictions may still be....

I take a look at the state of UK air travel following the disastrous past two years for the aviation industry. While some countries and airlines have pulled themselves out of the fire, the UK's reliance on cheap flights to myriad destinations has meant it is taking longer to recover from the effects of the pandemic. The situation has not been helped by the Omicron variant either, meaning that the...

What does the new normal for air travel look like? I speak with aviation luminary Tim Jeans, former MD of Monarch and chairman of Newquay airport, to find out what he thinks will happen in the aviation industry and how we'll all adapt to flying after the pandemic. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at  independent.co.uk/newsletters . Hoste...

I take a look at the milestones and anniversaries coming our way in January. 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.

Southern Railways has announced today that because of staff illness and isolation periods, it will not have any services travelling into London Victoria until the 10th January. I take a look at the announcement and how it's a problem repeated across the country at the moment due to Omicron's spread. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at  i...

In the bleak midwinter, Frosty wind made moan. Earth stood hard as iron, Water like a stone. I wonder what Christina Rossetti would have made of the state of the world today if she had been able to see it. Earth may not be stood hard as iron, but it is certainly at something of a standstill. With the wave of of Omicron variant, travel at this time of year has become very tricky indeed. So, will it...

In this gap between Christmas and the new year, the country's rail network undergoes a huge amount of engineering work. For those of us who are using trains during this time, planning journeys can be tricky. And, now, the Omicron Covid variant is causing even more issues. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters....

Hello everyone, I hope you all had a lovely Christmas. This week between Christmas and New Year is always unique. Family coming and going, wondering what day it is... visiting the capital city? This is the perfect week to do it, so get out there! 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...

Merry Christmas one and all and hopefully you've made it this far without needing to self-isolate and can share it with loved ones. In this episode, I'm explaining to those who've found themselves needing to travel on Christmas Day itself how you can do in the UK without needing to hitchhike. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independe...

As we approach Christmas Eve, I take a look at the state of play across roads, rail and air travel as those of us not isolating try to make our way to family and friends for Christmas. The railways are currently the most disrupted, with last minute cancellations due to coronavirus cases and looming railworks meaning it might be better to get away sooner rather than later. Of course this podcast is...

I take you through the train timetables and the pressure points on service this Christmas time. With coronavirus cases rocketing, expect last minute cancellations on top of rail works and strike action - I'll take you through your rights as a consumer if it happens to you. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters...

With restrictions being tightened across Europe and parts of the UK, but not England, Boris Johnson has announced before Christmas, I take a look at what your travel plans are currently looking like and what you should do if you find your destination suddenly changing guidance. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsle...

As restrictions tighten in the UK and across the world, I take a look at what the new travel rules may mean for your Christmas holidays and travel. 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 the government have announced the raising of train fares in the new year. I take a look at the complicated world of rail fares and why they need to be increased, as well as how to get the best price for your travel. 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 in...

France has announced that travellers from the UK will no longer be allowed, unless the person is a French national. I look at what you can and can't do with the new directive and how the immediate future of travel looks as Omicron's wave of infections take hold across the world. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsl...

I'm at Gatwick airport, where a new route is a reason for celebration as Nequay becomes accessible from Gatwick airport. But should we be flying? I speak with Adam Wheatley, Managing Director of Eastern Airways. 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.