Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

February 21st - Australia Reopens

21 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Coming to you from Sydney Harbour, tourists seem to be far and few between. But it is more straightforward than you might think to travel to this love...

February 18th - Storm Eunice: What Can We Learn?

18 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

From commutes to holidays, Storm Eunice has caused devastation to millions of people's travel plans. Is severe weather becoming more of a frequent occ...

February 17th - Storm Warning: Eunice Is Coming...

17 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Storm Eunice will create mayhem for travellers on the roads, railways and seas throughout the Southern half of the UK from around dawn on Friday 18th ...

February 16th - Surcharges

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I explain how the rise in fuel prices is affecting your plane tickets.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can...

February 15th - Railways in recovery

15 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Railway companies are having to adapt to a myriad of changes in our travel patterns due to the coronavirus pandemic, from how we spend our holidays to...

February 14th - Why is car rental so expensive this year, and can you do anything about it?

14 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The coronavirus pandemic has left car rental companies with a shortage of cars, meaning car rental prices are three times higher than usual. But never...

February 11th - Eurostar Travel

11 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm taking the Eurostar, which has survived the Covid crisis despite being hit harder than any other transport undertaking. Join me as I explain...

February 10th - "Landmark moment for international travel" as post-arrival test is scrapped

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Covid tests for travellers returning to the UK have been scrapped at long last, which Grant Shapps has described as a "landmark moment for internation...

February 9th - J'taime Paris, Je déteste l'aéroport Charles De Gaulle

09 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Paris is back on the tourist map as restrictions ease across Europe but on my first visit back to the French capital, I'm reminded of the complexity o...

February 8th - The Great British Railways Looks For A Home

08 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Much fanfare was made this week by transport secretary Grant Schapps about a competition to find a city to house the headquarters of The Great British...

February 7th - Australia Opens Up

07 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Australia has announced the reopening of its borders to vaccinated tourists and other visa holders for the first time in almost two years. The reopeni...

February 4th - The Road To The Future

04 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Motorists might have to pay by the mile in future, a cross-party Commons select committee has proposed as they see no "viable alternative" as a tax sh...

February 3rd - TfL Tries To Mind The Gap

03 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Transport for London has announced in their latest financial update that the black hole in London's transport network has ballooned to £1.5 billion, ...

February 2nd - Ryanair Loses Compensation Court Battle

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ryanair has failed in its attempt to overturn a court ruling that it must pay compensation to passengers affected by industrial action that dates back...

February 1st - The EU Changes Travel Rules But Inconsistency Remains

01 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today, the EU is altering its travel restrictions in two big ways. Firstly, it is recommending a change in how member states manage travel restriction...

January 31st - Eden Project Gets Permission To Expand

31 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Britain will soon have a new eco-tourism attraction, following news that the charity behind the Eden Project in Cornwall have been given planning perm...

January 28th - Grant Shapps' Travel Dead Cats

28 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Grant Shapps has made a number of transport announcements. These have fallen during the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged parties held at 10 Dow...

January 27th - Private Jets And Public Funds

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Foreign secretary Liz Truss flew by private jet to Australia at a cost of over half-a-million pounds to the taxpayer, rather than using sche...

January 26th - Ghost Flights

26 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ghost flights, in which a plane completes a journey with no passengers on board, have always taken place. I take a look at the reasons why and how Cov...

January 25th - Heathrow's slide down the European table, and why it matters.

25 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

For a long time London Heathrow airport has sat on top off the list of best airport's in Europe. Due to a number of factors but chiefly the fallout fr...

January 24th - Travel Testing Scrapped, But Not Quite Yet

24 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

All Covid testing requirements for vaccinated travellers arriving into England are to be scrapped, the government has confirmed. The “day two” lat...

January 21st - Is Your Train Journey About To Get Quieter?

21 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Train journeys could become a lot quieter if plans recently announced are anything to go by. Yes, train companies and the government are looking to re...

January 20th - The Mysterious Case Of Ryanair Flight 4978

20 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

British and Irish airlines are some of the safest in the world but the case of Ryanair flight 4798 shows that it's not just crashes that airlines need...

January 19th - To Book Or Not To Book, That Is The Question

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The UK government has declared Covid restrictions will not be renewed at the end of January, as the worst of the Omicron wave looks to have passed. Bu...

January 18th - Which Is The Best Central European City To Visit?

18 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 y...

January 17th - The Cheapest Way Home?

17 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

January 14th - The Restrictions in France

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

January 13th - France Is Open, But There's Much To Consider

13 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 Eur...

January 12th - What is going on with France?

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

January 11th - Ouigo, slow and cheap French trains

11 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

SNCF, the French state-owned railway network, are reintroducing some classic old-fashioned trains, under the brand name Ouigo, which will mean longer ...

January 10th - The best free views in London

10 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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...

January 7th - Why Is France Continuing It's Travel Restrictions?

07 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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. Initia...

January 6th - Deciphering The New Testing Requirements For Travellers

06 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 act...

January 5th - Changes To Covid Testing Before And After Travel

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

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 rig...

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 ...