Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Eurostar finds itself in trouble as the British government decides to impose draconian restrictions on inbound tourism. 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.

Rail timetables have changed and I take a look at where they've improved for rail passengers and where the operating companies and Network Rail must try harder. 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've seen the numbers for inbound tourism to Britain and it's a horror show for December. I explain why inbound tourism matters both for Britain and elsewhere and why the government's plans are adding to coronavirus woes. 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 m...

Could travel testing and self-isolation soon end? The health secretary, Sajid Javid, seems to think so, if his comments when announcing the introduction of Plan B measures to tackle the Omicron variant. Simon Calder tries to pick his way through the announcements and what it means for travellers. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at indep...

I've been taking a look at the numbers and the journeys being taken in the UK by rail are still low, with November only have 70% of the usage from 2019. A lack of travellers, particularly work commuters, could mean ticket prices rising as train companies and the treasury's forecasts and modelling run increasingly askew. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You c...

I've been thinking about the latest covid travel rules and how the three day break might be the saviour to getting some travel in and not falling foul of the rules around coronavirus testing or being forced to quarantine abroad. 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...

The key details of the new Covid travel restrictions, what will change and when? 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 I walk across the sands of Cocoa Beach in Florida, I take you through my guide to Florida's best beaches. 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.

In this episode, Simon reflects upon his slogan "The man who pays his way", his mantra to make sure that he's approaching and experiencing the travel industry just like everyone else is. 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.

Following an email from British Airways asking around new travel rules as I enjoy my time in Florida, I dispel five myths around the new travel rules put into effect as nations try to suppress the Omicron variant. 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 informat...

I'm travelling across Florida in a double-decker train, which is making me reflect upon America's attempts at falling back in love with rail travel. Joe Biden is a big fan, but can the President's enthusiasm catch across the US? 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 fo...

After a weekend of bad news around the Omicron variant of coronavirus, new testing measures are being put in place for travel, with changes from lateral flow tests to PCR tests and adjustments to quarantine rules. I take you through what the new measures are and how you can minimise quarantine time and still keep everyone safe. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel emai...

Overnight, news of a new variant that concerns scientists in South Africa and a host of other countries has led to many worrying about whether to cancel holidays and whether those already on holiday in South Africa will have to return to face expensive stays in Quarantine hotels. As ever, Simon Calder takes you through the latest announcements and how you can make the best choice if you're plannin...

I’m looking east, to the great Asian hubs of Hong Kong and Singapore – very different states of play in those two fabulous locations. As they reopen following Covid restrictions, Hong Kong's zero-covid approach risks causing mayhem for flights and workers, while in Singapore bookings are exploding in pace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I'm travelling with a valid ticket, but talking about passengers travelling without one – who could soon face a £100 fine. As I cross the country, heading back from Edinburgh to London, I'll take you through the new rules and how to avoid those costly fines. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at  independent.co.uk/newsletters . Hoste...

Simon Calder hits the rails today, reporting from Morpeth, possibly the only northern town in Britain that's had good news around rail travel of late. LNER has been the train company ferrying passengers up to Edinburgh but it now has competition with the new "easyjet of the rails", Lumo - but why has this happened here and what has it meant for Morpeth? Of course this podcast is completely free, a...

Rising Covid rates have seen a smattering of restrictions and lockdowns being brought back in across European countries, the latest to announce a lockdown being Austria. But if you've booked a getaway for any destination that subsequently moves into lockdown, what are your rights as a traveller? Simon Calder fills you in on what you can do if you find yourself flying into lockdown. Of course this...

In today's episode, Simon Calder navigates through the world of Covid passports and what you need to do travelling abroad, following two huge announcements that might have slipped past many people. Simon takes you through what documents you need to show, which countries are looking for evidence of booster shots and what the NHS app shows. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly...

The government have unveiled plans to provide 'faster' train journeys across the northern half of the country, delivered 'earlier and cheaper' under a £96bn rail plan - but have confirmed the rumours that the eastern leg of HS2 to Leeds has been scrapped. I take a look at the plans and see what's really happening and whether it does mean better train connections for northern cities. Of course this...

America opened up this month – and from the correspondence I’m getting, it’s clear that many people are looking at going west in the coming year. But when should you book? Which is best, confidence or commitment-phobia? I take a look at what you have to weigh up before booking that trip to the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They've not been in much use of late but as we begin to use our passports again, misinformation about changes following Brexit and expiry dates are raging. Helpfully, Simon Calder is here to walk you through what you need to remember when using that passport for travel again. Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at  independent.co.uk/newslet...

The government is set to scrap the eastern leg of HS2 between the Midlands and Leeds with the Transport Department instead set to announce a new rail plan on Thursday. Simon Calder takes a look at the state of the railways in Britain, looking at how the government's new plan for HS2 affects "levelling up" the country and what it means for places like Leeds, which have long felt the effects of bein...

Travellers will have more flight choices, with budget carrier Scoot launching services from London Gatwick to Singapore on Dec 16. The low-cost arm of flag carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) have announced that the flights to London's Gatwick Airport via Bangkok will initially take place three times weekly for only two weeks, before resuming on March 22 next year, with the journey taking about 16.5h...

Boeing has acknowledged liability for the crash of  Ethiopian Airlines  flight 302 in March 2019, in which 157 passengers and crew died. Five months earlier, another 737 Max came down in the Java Sea shortly after leaving the Indonesian capital, Jakarta. All 189 people on board Lion Air flight 610 were killed. The cause of both tragedies was a software system that fatally malfunctioned a...

We’re getting deeply into winter, when things tend to go wrong for airlines and holiday companies. Often, it’s simply not their fault. But fortunately there’s a strict duty of care to look after passengers – and get them where they need to be. But what are your rights as a passenger in terms of due care and compensation? Simon Calder talks you through the obligations airlines and holiday companies...