Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast
Episodes
October 20th - Spain finally drops demand for Covid jabs
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ra...
October 19th - More rail strikes. How does it all end?
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
October 18th - When cruises go bad
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 abo...
October 17th - Frustration as Christmas trains still not available to book
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I’m at a particularly busy Waterloo station as many services have been delayed or cancelled owing to signalling problems. But today’s podcast...
October 14th - Confusion on travel restrictions continue for the British government
14 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...
October 13th - Travelling along Morocco's fabulous trains
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 tr...
October 12th - What I said and discovered speaking with the Transport Select Committee
12 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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.Th...
October 11th - 2022 Travel Convention with ABTA's chief executive
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today it's a special edition from the 2022 Travel Convention – featuring Mark Tanzer, chief executive of the travel association Abta, on sustainabil...
October 10th - Eurovision comes to Merseyside
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
October 7th - More train strikes coming
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 bo...
October 6th - The political decisions working against British travellers
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ha...
October 5th - Travel chaos as rail workers walkout over pay
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
October 4th - Hotel rates are up on pre-pandemic levels
04 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 Birming...
October 3rd - Is this the end of First Class as we know it?
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A major commuter train operator has announced that it will scrap first class on its trains linking Kent and East Sussex with London. Southeastern ...
September 30th - Hitchhike your way through the rail strikes?
30 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
September 29th - A look ahead to the weekend's rail strike disruption
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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....
September 28th - The joys and jeopardy of rail travel in Germany
28 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 l...
September 27th - Brexit has cut Eurostar capacity by 30 per cent
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The extra passport checks the UK requested after leaving the EU are “not sustainable”: that is the damning view of Jacques Damas, outgoing chief e...
September 26th - As the pound falls, how to make the most of your holiday money
26 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
After Friday's "mini" budget, Britain has found itself in the midst of a financial storm with markets spooked by the government's plans for tax cuts a...
September 23rd - Japan and Hong Kong to open up to foreign tourists
23 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I’m at Kintan, a Japanese barbeque joint in London’s west end, to celebrate Japan reopening its borders to international travellers.Hong Kong has ...
September 22nd - Celebrating World Car Free Day with a promise to shut the rail network
22 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
"Shutting down the railway network" – that is what the RMT union has vowed to do on 8 October, with its latest strike. The rail union made the annou...
September 21st - A Twitter storm shows the complex reality of British trains and politics
21 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When rail services between London and Yorkshire were disrupted due to overhead wire problems, a Labour MP took to Twitter to say: "Just another remind...
September 20th - Aboard a pioneering train from London Paddington to Heathrow airport
20 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s podcast comes to you from the 10:17 Elizabeth line service from London Paddington to Heathrow airport - the first train to leave the terminu...
September 19th - Travel disruption on the day of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral
19 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Travel disruption struck early on the day of the Queen's state funeral, with the complete shutdown of the Great Western Railway in and out of London P...
September 16th - London's transport prepares for the Queen's funeral
16 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Simon is at London King's Cross rail station, where preparations are under way for a busy bank holiday weekend – culminating in the most solemn even...
September 15th - Heathrow's plans over Queen's funeral means further cancellation misery
15 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
200 flights to and from London Heathrow are to be cancelled on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday as a result of airspace closures for the Queen's funeral. He...
September 14th - The amazing aircraft graveyard of Lourdes
14 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I’m walking through the amazing aircraft graveyard of Lourdes, where Airbus A380s go to die. It was, at the start of the 21st century, the plane tha...
September 13th - My five summits to conquer, even if scared of heights
13 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As I traipse across the Pyrenees, I cast my mind back to other adventures hiking and recollect which summits I've enjoyed climbing. Now, I'm not great...
September 12th - A hike in the French Pyranees
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I am in the French Pyranees, walking along the GR 10 trail — a path that climbs up and down over the mountain range, linking the Atlantic to the Med...
September 9th - Queen Elizabeth II, an extraordinary traveller
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When Queen Elizabeth II ascended to the throne in February 1952, the jet age had yet to begin (though it would within weeks of her becoming Elizabeth ...
September 8th - Exploring Bristol Temple Meads railway station
08 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The joy of exploring a railway station – so long as it is Bristol Temple Meads, one of the great achievements of Brunel.I take you with me on a litt...
September 7th - UK's great heritage railways
07 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
My travel podcast is rather different today, I'm on the West Somerset Railway, travelling from Watchet to Dunster – one of the UK's many great herit...
September 6th - Covid travel rules taking an age to loosen
06 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's travel podcast is about the painfully slow process of aligning international travel rules in the era of Covid-19.It's now 30 months since the ...
September 5th - New prime minister, more rail strikes
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s back to work, college or school for millions today – and, with the squeeze eased on the transport system, I should be looking forward to an a...
September 1st - UK government proposes reduction in flight compensation
01 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today, the consumer group branded as Which? has stepped up its campaign against reforming air passengers’ rights rules for flights within the UK.Cam...
Eurostar ends direct link to Disneyland Paris
31 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today I’m at London St Pancras International station, talking about the decision of Eurostar to end its link to Disneyland Paris. The direct train t...
August 30th - Michael O'Leary sets out Ryanair's plans
30 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Europe’s largest budget airline, Ryanair, has set out plans for its biggest-ever winter schedule from the UK. Yet at the same time the chief executi...
August 29th - When a Harry Potter star gets downgraded
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Harry Potter star Matthew Lewis has slammed Air Canada as the “worst airline in North America” after he was allegedly kic...
August 26th - What can be learned from the Eurotunnel shuttle evacuation?
26 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today I’m on a ferry in the harbour of Marseille, southern France. But I’m talking about events this week under the Channel – when Eurotunnel ca...
August 25th - In search of fame and fortune on the Mediterranean
25 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today I am in Villefranche in the south of France. In search of Sir Elton John – in a very relaxed sort of way. Mostly, I want to celebrate the beau...
August 24th - ScotRail is telling passengers to not take one of its trains
24 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s podcast is all about the remarkable move by Scotrail to persuade people not to travel on one of its key inter-city trains, the 10.51am from ...
August 23rd - On board the surprise Florence Express
23 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's podcast is brought to you from on board the surprise Florence Express after my delayed indirect train became a direct train – a minor Italia...
August 22nd - Reflections as I walk along the coast of Sicily
22 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I’m walking along the north coast of Sicily, between Capo d’Orlando and Brolo, to the accompaniment of some chirruping cicadas. Along the way, a r...
August 18th - A slow-moving security queue at Heathrow
18 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
August 17th - Yet another delayed Air Canada flight
17 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 nat...
August 16th - Hotel booking top tips
16 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
August 15th - Taking to America's railroads
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 g...
August 12th - Trying to find the soul of Detroit
12 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 har...
August 11th - In praise of the backpacker hostel
11 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 opp...
August 10th - The thoroughly intriguing city of Saguenay
10 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 No...
August 9th - Swimming in the rain, I'm swimming in the rain
09 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 Olym...
August 8th - Canada's random Covid-19 testing policy
08 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 re...
August 4th - And the winner of the worst flight of 2022 goes to Air Canada flight AC8968
04 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 be...
August 3rd - Which are the best eating and drinking spots at London’s main airports, aesthetically?
03 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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-b...
August 2nd - British Airways removes short-haul flights until August 16th
02 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
August 1st – A tale of two French-speaking nations
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
July 29th - Insights on the summer travel experience
29 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 airpo...
July 28th - Forgotten ferry routes from UK to Continental Europe
28 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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, t...
My Guide to the Best Italian Islands
27 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 compl...
July 26th - A relaxing journey from London to Rome
26 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 Heathr...
July 25th - Delays at Dover and Folkestone and why they're a sign of the future
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Tourist traffic is now flowing freely through Dover and Folkestone after widespread long delays during the main getaway weekend. Ministers have blamed...
July 22nd - What's gone wrong at Dover?
22 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ho...
July 21st - Passport delays to be solved, hopefully
21 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Yesterday I gave evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee on how the present passport palaver is hurting prospective travellers.I told them how, ...
July 20th - Railway roulette at London Euston station
20 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
July 19th - Will the reputation of the rail network suffer due to cancellations?
19 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today I went to Paddington Basin – and Paddington station – in central London to observe how many trains were cancelled as operators deal with Bri...
July 18th - Britain's transport network responds to the heat
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
July 15th - Rail strife: expect a long, hot summer of discontent, train travellers
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
July 14th - Civil Aviation?
14 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
July 13th - The passport crisis and what you need to know
13 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As the school holidays in England and Wales approach, so many people are telling me that they are concerned about passports, and their expiry dates. I...
July 12th - Heathrow Airport announces capacity limits
12 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Heathrow airport today announced a 100,000-a-day passenger capacity until September to try and deal with staff shortages in baggage and front-desk ser...
July 11th - The ghost Eurostar station at Ashford International
11 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's podcast, I am in Ashford, Kent, to visit the ghost terminal that used to connect Eurostar trains between mainland Europe and the UK before ...
July 8th - Why I am such a fan of overbooking
08 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today I want to talk to you about overbooking and what a fantastic thing it is, if it is done correctly. I explain how airlines overbooking their flig...
July 7th - Your travel questions answered
07 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
our questions answered – seeking (as always) to put minds at rest about the very likely absence of travel chaos this summer, but also concerned to r...
July 6th - What British Airways cancellation announcement means for you
07 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
BA is taking nearly five million seats off the market, drastically reducing availability and pushing up fares “It’s the right thing to do for our ...
July 5th - Are we about to see the rail strikes worsen?
05 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Two weeks on from the first national rail strike, I'm at London Bridge station to assess the prospects of the summer ahead – with strike ballots und...
July 4th - EasyJet operations chief quits amid flight chaos
04 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The chief operating officer of Britain’s biggest budget airline has resigned just as the peak summer season gets under way.Peter Bellew apparently l...
July 1st - Should you check in your baggage when flying?
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's podcast is all about flying with baggage – should you check it in?I tell you what you can do to minimise the chance that your precious belon...
June 30th - What is happening at Heathrow?
30 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I went down to Heathrow Airport, which has axed 30 flights scheduled to leave Thursday morning, as it asked airlines to reduce their schedules to ease...
June 29th - The London Overground line
29 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today, I jump on the much used Overground line to travel around the top of north London — the route is a kind of North Circular Road of the railways...
June 28th - Changes afoot at Heathrow
28 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I've been nosing around and keeping my ear to the ground and it seems that the carriers at Heathrow are quietly moving about. British Airways is movin...
June 27th - Do we need to start checking our plane's performance history?
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
If you are tracking a flight you have booked to see how well it is performing – and you don't like what you see – can you cancel and get a full re...
June 24th - What the by-election results mean for the rail strikes
24 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
By-elections - always a good excuse for a protest vote at the best of times but the two that the Conservatives lost yesterday in Wakefield and Tiverto...
June 23rd - British Airways workers announce strike action
23 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
British Airways ground staff at London Heathrow vote to strike. No dates for industrial action yet. My take on what It could mean.Of course this podca...
June 22nd - Looking back on day one of the rail strikes as second day is confirmed
22 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I've been looking to see what were the repercussions of yesterday's rail strike on the network and suffice to say it was an uneven picture. It seems m...
June 21st - How the rail strike is affecting London's train hubs
21 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The first day of three planned rail worker strikes by the RMT union has begun and despite the doom-mongering I was pleasantly surprised when visiting ...
June 20th - Is Brexit at all responsible for our air travel misery?
20 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Depending on who you speak with, Brexit is either the sole reason for our current air travel chaos as airlines and airports struggle to fill the gaps ...
June 17th - Gatwick plans to cancel some summer flights
17 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Airline passengers booked to fly from Gatwick this summer could be contacted and told their flight has been cancelled.The Sussex airport, the second b...
June 16th - How to manage your holiday money
16 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With sterling plummeting on the foreign exchanges, it's more important than ever to manage your holiday money.Choose a payment method with no foreign ...
June 15th - Rail strikes in June
15 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
During the planned nationwide rail strikes for three dates in late June, only limited passenger train services will run – most of them on ...
June 14th - Heathrow Terminal 4 opens
14 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In a move that shows the swift recovery of the aviation industry after the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, Terminal 4 at London Heathrow airport re...
June 13th - Compensation for flight cancellations and long delays
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Under the European air passengers’ rights rules, if your flight arrives 3 hours or more late behind the published schedule, or if it is cancelled, t...
June 10th - Crew fatigue on flights has hit the headlines
10 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Aviation, especially in Britain, is incredibly safe. When the boss of Wizz Air appeared to suggest too many of his people were staying away because of...
June 9th - European air passengers’ rights rules, a reminder
09 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is about European air passengers’ rights rules – and the curious way that the arrival time of a plane is defined.Entitlement to hu...
June 8th - Rail strike likely to go ahead in June
08 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The train strike for later this month is very likely to go ahead. This near-certainty applies to all three national rail strike days – 21,...
June 7th - Flight cancellation crisis continues after bank holiday
07 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With half-term hostilities over, I fondly imagine the airlines would have a chance to get everyone home who was caught up in the hundreds of short-not...
June 6th - London hit by tube strike...again
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
London is once again gummed up by a Tube strike involving members of the RMT union.Transport for London, which runs the Underground, is accused by the...
June 2nd - A trip to Burghley House
02 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
I took a trip to the stately home of Burghley House, which reminded me of the virtues of the Midlands. It's a wonderful part of the world, but once ag...
June 1st - The world's best-ever rail deal?
01 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Could this be the world's best-ever rail deal: unlimited travel anywhere in Germany by rail, bus, tram or U-bahn for the whole of June for €9 (£7.7...
May 31st - What is Brexit's role in the present travel chaos?
31 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We need to talk about Brexit – and its role in the present travel chaos. Of course Amsterdam and Dublin airports are seeing long queues, but leaving...
May 30th - A User's Guide to the Elizabeth line
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As London's ferociously expensive new railway begins its first full week, I've been looking deeper into the benefits of the project formerly known as ...