Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast
Episodes
January 4th - The Woeful State Of UK Aviation As 2022 Begins
04 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
January 3rd - What Does The Future Of Aviation Look Like?
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
December 31st - The Travel Anniversaries Incoming
31 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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. Y...
December 30th - What Travel Will Look Like In The Opening Weeks Of 2022
30 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Southern Railways has announced today that because of staff illness and isolation periods, it will not have any services travelling into London Victor...
December 29th - In The Bleak Midwinter
29 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 s...
December 28th - What's Going On With Trains?
28 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
December 27th - Why This Is The Week To Visit London
27 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
December 24th - How To Get Around The UK On Christmas Day, Without Actually Hitchhiking
24 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
December 23rd - Christmas Travel News Across Roads, Rail And Air
23 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
December 22nd - Your Christmas Trains In Full
22 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I take you through the train timetables and the pressure points on service this Christmas time. With coronavirus cases rocketing, expect last minute c...
December 21st - Navigating Plans For The Rest Of The Year
21 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
December 20th - Will You Still Be Able To Take A Winter Trip?
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
December 17th - The Complicated World Of Rail Fares
17 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
December 16th - What France's Decision On Travel From UK Means
16 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 d...
December 15th - New Route From Newquay To Gatwick, But Should We Be Flying?
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 sp...
December 14th -The trouble with Eurostar
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Eurostar finds itself in trouble as the British government decides to impose draconian restrictions on inbound tourism.Of course this podcast is compl...
December 13th - Rail Timetables Have Changed: Here's The Improvements, And Why The Railways Must Try Harder
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
December 10th - The Desperate State Of Inbound Tourism To Britain, And Why It Matters
10 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
December 9th - Could travel testing and self-isolation soon end?
09 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Could travel testing and self-isolation soon end? The health secretary, Sajid Javid, seems to think so, if his comments when announcing the introducti...
December 8th - Is There A Funding Gap Coming Down The Tracks?
08 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 201...
December 7th - In Praise Of The Three Day Break
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
December 6th - The latest Covid travel rules
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 emai...
December 3rd - My Guide To Florida's Best Beaches
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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,...
December 2 - The Story Behind "The Man Who Pays His Way"
02 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
December 1st - 5 Myths Round The New Travel Rules
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
November 30th - America's Attempt To Fall Back In Love With Rail Travel
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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. J...
November 29th - The New Covid Testing Requirements For Travel
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 later...
November 26th - What The New Covid Variant Means For Travellers From Affected Countries
26 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 canc...
November 25th - The Differing Paths Of Two Asian Hubs After Covid
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 reop...
November 24th - Have You Got A Ticket To Ride?
24 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 cou...
November 23rd - The Northumberland Town Put On The Railway Map This Winter
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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....
November 22nd - As Europe Starts Locking Down Again, What Are Your Rights?
22 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rising Covid rates have seen a smattering of restrictions and lockdowns being brought back in across European countries, the latest to announce a lock...
November 19th - Jabs For Journeys
19 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Simon Calder navigates through the world of Covid passports and what you need to do travelling abroad, following two huge announce...
November 18th - I’ve Read The Government’s Integrated Rail Plan So You Don’t Have To. These Are The Highlights.
18 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The government have unveiled plans to provide 'faster' train journeys across the northern half of the country, delivered 'earlier and cheaper' under a...
November 17th - When's the best time to book that trip to the US?
17 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
November 16th - You Won't Get Far Without A Passport
16 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ra...
November 15th - On The Trail of HS2
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
November 12th - Long Haul, Low Cost Aviation Has A New Route
12 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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...
November 11th - Boeing Admits Liability For Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max Crash
11 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Boeing has acknowledged liability for the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 in March 2019, in which 157 passengers and crew died. Five ...
November 10th - What Are Your Rights When It All Goes Wrong?
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 fortuna...
November 9th - The UK's First Arrivals in Orlando, Florida
09 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In Orlando, British visitors begin to arrive in the US now the travel ban has been lifted.A conversation with some of the first arrivals from the UK a...
November 8th - US Travel Ban Lifts
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The US travel ban has been lifted for fully vaccinated travellers six hundred days after Donald Trump closed off the US to British visitors.Crossing t...
November 5th - Continental Europe and Covid
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I’m in Germany, where Covid rates are soaring – as they are across Continental Europe.Passport rules for Europe: what they are, and what you can d...
November 4th - Jabs and Austria or Israel
04 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Booster jabs and what could possibly go wrong with your trip to Austria or Israel … and clearing up the mystery of testing for trips to the US.Of co...
November 3rd - Aviation and Environment
03 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Aviation and the environment. Will we all be flying around in electric planes by 2030? And is a third runway at Heathrow airport now completely off th...
November 2nd - A Christmas Down Under
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The first scheduled service from the UK to Australia for 20 months has taken off today.But what are the chances of Christmas down under?And Thailand, ...
November 1st - Is This Freedom Day?
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I’m at World Travel Market in London, where I’ve been talking to industry leaders about the coming winter and summer 2022.And Ryanair is talking u...
October 31st - Rail Chaos
31 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rail chaos – why?Rail rights?Are trains getting less reliable?Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign ...
October 30th - Stansted Shutdown
30 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you were caught up in the Stansted shutdown on Saturday afternoon, these are your rights. The European Union now recognises the NHS app as equ...
October 29th - End of the Red List
29 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The red list is scrapped as from Monday. Should it have stayed in place so long?My pick of the nations that are opening up in Latin America.And Crossr...
October 28th - Tax Cut Winners
28 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Domestic flights – who will be the winners of the Air Passenger Duty tax cut?Restored and new flights on Emirates from Gatwick and on United from He...
October 27th - The Budget and Travel
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I’ve read the whole Budget so you don’t have to … to find out what it says about transport and travel.And as fares to the US soar ahead of the 8...
October 26th - How the US will Open
26 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today, at last the US has revealed most of the details for opening up to fully vaccinated British travellers from 8 November. I’ll bring you the lat...
October 25th - Lumo Trains Begin
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Passenger services begin on the new Lumo trains between London and Edinburgh – I was at King's Cross station to wave the first departure off.Scotrai...
October 24th - Testing Requirements Downgraded
24 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Testing requirements for international travellers to England and Wales have been downgraded.Morocco – direct flights to the UK will continue for ano...
October 23rd - What is Tax on Flying?
23 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Air Passenger Duty: aviation tax likely to go back to the future, with far-flung trips more heavily penalised.A reminder of what the tax on flying is;...
October 22nd - Going with the Flow
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today: Lateral flow replaces PCR tests for England, but confusion abounds.What the law says – and what to watch for when you are booking your test.“...
October 21st - Train Vs. Plane
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today: I’m on a train south from Edinburgh at the end of a train-vs-plane race. Here’s what I’ve learnt today.And if you (or people you care abo...
October 20th - Morocco Bans UK Flights
21 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Morocco has suddenly banned flights from the UK?Will Britain’s soaring Covid rates lead to other travel bans?And Singapore Airlines is putting its b...
October 19th - The Moroccan Connection
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Why premium economy could be a waste of money right now.Heathrow charges are set to surge from New Year’s Day.And Scotland’s new Moroccan connecti...
October 18th - Ethics and Tourism
18 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I’m in Saudi Arabia, for the third time in under two years. How tricky is travel in a kingdom that until very recently was off-limits for touri...
October 17th - Getting Back
17 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Two weekends before the end of October – what’s happening to flight schedules, and why?Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly ...
October 16th - Split-Ticketing
16 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Split-ticketing on the railways of Britain – what it is and what it could mean for you, and the country.Of course this podcast is completely free, a...
October 15th - Alitalia is Dead
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today: Alitalia is dead – long live the new Italian airline, ITA, which looks remarkably similar.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my...
October 14th - Over the Gulf of Aqaba
14 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I’m looking over the Gulf of Aqaba – why it should be on your listFour countries divided by three of the tougher borders in the world.Of course th...
October 13th - ABTA Demands Action for Future
13 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
ABTA, the travel association, demands action now for dealing with future pandemics.Plus the importance of great people in the travel industry – and ...
October 12th - Three Countries in 24 Hours
12 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Three countries and four airports in 24 hours – where I am, where I’ve been and how I did it.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my w...
October 11th - Red List Changes Take Effect
11 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Red list changes have taken effect. The highlights.Testing for travel to Spain for unvaccinated people who have recently had Covid.And Ryanair’s “...
October 10th - Quarantine Free Transit
10 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
PCR gets downgraded to lateral flow – are we any closer to knowing when, and what will it mean?Whatever happened to the plan for “quarantine free ...
October 9th - Bulgaria Opens
09 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Portugal eases its testing rules for British visitors.Bulgaria opens up to travellers from the UK.And Singapore says Brits can come back in from 19 Oc...
October 8th - No-Go Continues to Shrink
08 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Foreign Office no-go list has shrunk again, with Jamaica and the Bahamas now regarded as reasonable risks.No clues yet about when returning Britis...
October 7th - No-Go List Shrinks
07 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
British Airways and Ryanair celebrate an investigation being dropped.The no-go list has shrunk – what exactly does that mean?And parts of the travel...
October 6th - The Most Powerful Passport
06 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
TUI says the good travel times are just around the cornerThe world’s most powerful passport is revealed.British Airways reveals its winter plans for...
October 5th - Flying in Europe
05 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
UK’s new high-speed rail route may lose its eastern promise.Flying in Europe: the UK remains way down in flights compared with two years ago.And Aus...
October 4th - Super Jumbo
04 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today bring changes for the better if you’re fully vaccinated, but for the worst if you are unjabbed.British Airways brings back the Airbus A380 “...
October 3rd - The Depot
03 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Depot opens next month – I’ve had a sneak preview of what will become one of Europe’s great attractions.One card for all the trains, buses a...
October 2nd - Life's Work Complete
02 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today: I’m in the Netherlands, where they do things differently – I’ll explain how.As the countdown to the next red list changes gets under way,...
October 1st - Australia Opens November
01 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Australia opens up from November – but not to you and me.Turkey eases its testing rules for fully vaccinated British travellers.And Britain’s ID c...
September 30th - Drop-off Charge
30 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Heathrow is the last big UK airport to bring in a drop-off charge.Could the US bring in a mandatory vaccination rule for airline passengers?And United...
September 29th - ID Card into UK Outlawed
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Able to drive as far as Dover? Your problems could be only just beginning.Using a national ID card to enter the UK is about to be outlawed.And three m...
September 28th - Southeastern Fraud Allegations
28 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Southeastern rail franchise is torn up amid fraud allegations – but don’t panic if you’re a passenger.South Africa is a cert to be removed from ...
September 27th - No Early Christmas for London-Perth Nonstop
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
London-Perth nonstop flights won’t start before Christmas after all.Ireland scraps its red list – some more information on the change.And plans by...
September 26th - Ireland Scraps Red List
26 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ireland abruptly scraps its red list. Could the same happen in the UK?Reports of chaos at the airport – not here, but in Europe, with passengers fly...
September 25th - The Mystery of the Train That Doesn't Exist
25 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Three months to Christmas Day – should you be making festive travel plans now?What’s happening with the new travel rules for Scotland, Wales and N...
September 24th - Lateral Flow at Lidl?
24 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Could you get your lateral flow post-arrival tests from Lidl?South African Airways back in the air. Good news … or not?And Ambre Plus – with a TPF...
September 23rd - Short-haul Op Ditched at Gatwick
23 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
British Airways ditches its Gatwick short-haul operation.Those BA passengers stranded in Tashkent – are they due compensation?And the UK airport tha...
September 22nd - Red List Reduced with Warning
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Red list reduces – but Foreign Office still warns against travel to Egypt.British Airways passengers stranded in Tashkent.And The Wizard of Oz – w...
September 21st - If it's Good Enough for WHO
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
National Express and Megabus could be about to merge.More on the US opening up – with particular attention to the rules on jabs and kids.And my beau...
September 20th - American Adventure
20 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The US opens up – so how can you take an American adventure?And I’ve been at Battersea Power Station for the opening of two new stations on the Lo...
September 19th - Swabs Attached
19 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What’s the score for children returning to the UK – do they need to self-isolate or not?Some more detail on the government’s travel changes.And ...
September 18th - Rules Review
18 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
More on the international travel rules – and the incoherence across the UK.A year late, red list hubs are opening up – underwhelming.And how ...
September 17th - Today's Rule Changes
17 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The international travel rules have changed.I’ll explain why we’re still on red, amber and green.And how the testing regime will change.Sign up to...
September 16th - The Waiting Game
16 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The waiting game goes on – how I predict international travel rules will change.What could happen to the despised red list.And trains turn out to be...
September 15th - Cut Sandwiches
15 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Passport validity – the travel giants agree with me, at last.Qantas vows to start flying from the UK to Australia by Christmas. Probably.And Switzer...
September 14th - The Boeing is Back
14 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Red alert – what could change in the next "traffic light" review?Boeing says, we’re back in business.And Tubes and trains are still cordoning seat...
September 13th - End of the ID Card
13 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
More government leaks about easing travel restrictions.Manchester airport closed and flights diverted after a medical emergency.And how the ending of ...
September 12th - Australian Aviation
12 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A reduction in testing for travellers arriving in the UK is on the cards – how will ministers justify it?Wales now allows cheaper Covid tests.And 20...
September 11th - 20 Years On
11 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
20 years on from 9/11 – what has changed in aviation?Passport rules for Europe – please check yours as soon as you’ve finished listeningAnd, no,...
September 10th - Bus Wars
10 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Rail commuters disappear.Bus wars in Bristol and beyond.Jet Airways trying to revive itself.Sign up to Simon's free weekly newsletter at independent.c...
September 9th - Back on the Rails
09 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today: easyJet and Wizz Air call the whole thing offThe “traffic light” review – what can we expect?And back on the rails? Let’s see.LNER repo...