Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

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...

September 8th - Touch Down in Singapore

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The desperate state of inbound tourism to the UK has been revealed.Europeans touch down in Singapore for a quarantine-free holiday.More on those cheap...

September 7th - With One Eye Closed

07 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

New cheap trains between England and ScotlandAs one London Eye lookalike closes down, another is set to open up.And talking of opening up – that’s...

September 6th - That's your Queue

06 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve been at Heathrow assessing the queues to get into the UK.Ryanair breaks up talks with Boeing – is it a flounce or a strategy?And that Brazil ...

September 5th - Sunday Best

05 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Travel restrictions: the three reasons why even the most bizarre remain in place.Flights are being cancelled – can you expect more than a refund?And...

September 4th - Tourism, Queues and Airports

04 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Inbound tourism to the UK is being destroyed. Should you care?What’s happening with queues at airports?British Airways explains its plans for Gatwic...

September 3rd - I Have a Dream (of Stockholm)

03 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Should the UK scrap the “red list” requiring hotel quarantine?Why cruises cost more from Liverpool than from Southampton.And if you want to pay an...

September 2nd - Bit by Bit

02 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Portugal opens up – a bit.Australia closes down – a bit more.And Russia may be back on the travel map soon.Sign up to Simon's free weekly newslett...

September 1st - Meddling Middle Names

01 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Is your journey to Devon or Cornwall by rail really necessary?What could happen to Turkey at the next “red list review”And does your middle name h...

August 31st - Ryanair: Attack on Autumn

31 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Ryanair declares a fares war for autumn.Italy’s new rules on travel start today.More trouble on the rails – bring back the relief trainsSign up to...

August 30th - Montenegro Evacuation Chaos

30 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Chaos on evacuation flight from red-list MontenegroConcern that the European Union could reinstate restrictions on American visitors.And Qantas sets o...

August 29th - Save Our G&T's

29 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Italy opens up to British holidaymakers – my pick of September escapes.Short-notice cancellations – why are they still happening to holidaymakers?...

August 28th - A Funny Kind of Amber

28 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I warned you yesterday of a bank holiday squeeze on the railways this weekend – well, I’m caught up in it.What to do when it all goes Tango Unifor...

August 27th - Traffic Light Fallout

27 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

After Thursday’s bizarre “traffic light” changes, the fall-out continues from furious travel industry bosses.British Airways has a cunning plan ...

August 26th - New to the Green List

26 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The new green list announcement – Canada is good to go, Turkey stays on the red list.Sign up to Simon's free weekly newsletter at independent.co.uk/...

August 25th - Covid Travel Trap

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been described as the unanticipated Covid travel trap – could your vaccination record lose its sheen as early as the end of the year?Gatwick ...

August 24th - Return to Oz

24 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

New green list possibilities?British Airways signals a return to Australia seven months from now – with a faster journey but smaller plane.And could...

August 23rd - Too Little Too Late

23 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Action at last against the “cowboy” firms on the government’s register of travel testing providers – but it is too little too late. And l...

August 22nd - Raab in Heat After Crete

22 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week there’s another traffic light review. I don’t know exactly what changes will be made, but I can guide you through the practicalities.Tra...

August 21st - Touching Down in Berlin

21 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I’ve just touched down in Berlin, location for probably the world’s least successful new airport project.75 weeks into the coronavirus pandemic, a...

August 20th - Sale on the LNER

20 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

News of a seat sale on LNERLikely moves in the next traffic light announcement.And another reminder: you need no test to leave the UKSign up to Simon'...

August 19th - Spain will Remain

19 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Please stop worrying about Spain going on the red list everybody.Booking “insurance” flights – how to do it.And on the final full day of my trip...

August 18th - September in the Med

18 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

A leading analyst gives a damning verdict on the UK’s travel rules.More holiday cancellations coming in for late summer and autumn. Why?And my recom...

August 17th - Analogue Shetland

17 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Being pinged following flights with infected people – what has changed?The Corona Testing Centre continues to make strange claimsAnd how travel in S...

August 16th - The Scottish Experience

16 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What’s happening in Australia in terms of Covid and travel?Dodgy testing companies giving misleading “advice” on testing to leave the UK.And the...

August 15th - Avios to Burn

15 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Could airlines be forced to tell you the environmental impact of your flight?How to spend those Avios.And a reminder about passport validity.Sign up t...

August 14th - Ryanair's Winter Expansion

14 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The health secretary, Sajid Javid, says he’s taking action on Covid testing charges. Will it do any good?What happens if you test positive while you...

August 13th - £6 Million Mound

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The £6 million mound.Gatwick loses £1000 per minute and says relax the testing rules.And a new new way to fly to Nice from Heathrow.Sign up to Simon...

August 12th - New Kid in Town

12 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

New kid in town at London Heathrow: jetBlue has landed from New York JFK.The UK is lagging behind the rest of Europe in holiday terms.And legal action...

August 11th - Emirates Returns with Purpose

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Emirates is back and ambitious.Virgin Atlantic returns to Edinburgh with a Caribbean connection.And Avanti West Coast is adding more trains to link Lo...

August 10th - The American Question

10 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How long will America be off-limits to British travellers?Hotels in Europe are looking empty, but the US and China are filling up fast.And what happen...

August 9th - Perseid Meteor Shower

09 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today: the health secretary weighs in on testing when you return from abroad to the UK.Repeat after me. You don’t need a test to leave the UK – un...

August 8th - Eurostar Revival

08 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I’m at St Pancras where the Eurostar link to Paris is coming back to life.Hotel quarantine and how to avoid it.And correcting more official nonsense...

August 7th - Pings on Planes

07 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Why I don’t think any major holiday location will be going red.Pings on planes: what are the rules and how will they change?And why it’s the Yorks...

August 6th - Mexican Wave

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Mexican wave of escaping Brits.Nine out of ten returning holidaymakers take PCR tests. Really?And French bookings go through le toit – the roof....

August 5th - France's Reprieve

05 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

France gets a reprieve after the Réunion affair.Mexico goes red, but India and the UAE turn amber.And the green list expands. A bit.Sign up to Simon'...

August 4th - The Stretch

04 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Stretch out to Paris and Amsterdam in business class comfort.Beware of engineering works over the August bank holiday weekend.And a look ahead to tomo...

August 3rd - All Change for the Amber Watchlist

03 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

All change for the Amber WatchlistThe view from Canada on the UK’s border rules.And British Airways is back between Belfast and Glasgow.Sign up to S...

August 2nd - Amber Watch List

02 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Amber watch list: what is it, and should you be worried?International cruising restarts. Or does it?And what’s heading down the track in terms of ra...

August 1st - New York to Boston

01 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Could changing planes in “red list” countries become quarantine free?Stay away a day longer – if you’re coming in from an amber nation, fully ...

July 31st - Side-tripping

31 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Covid numbers from Europe and what they could mean in the week ahead.With double-jabbed Europeans and Americans coming in to the UK from Monday, w...

July 30th - Italy Extends Quarantine

30 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

France looks set be upgraded from its amber plus loneliness.Italy extends the quarantine spell for British holidaymakers.And Saudi Arabia opens up to ...

July 29th - Island of Réunion

29 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The new rules on quarantine-avoidance for people vaccinated in other countries.International cruising is allowed once more.And the bizarre story of Ré...

July 28th - Passport Checker in Check

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Six months on, the UK may finally grant quarantine-avoidance to people vaccinated in other countries.The Home Office “passport checker” is back an...

July 27th - Checkpoint Bravo

27 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today: What is Checkpoint Bravo and what could it mean for your travels?Ryanair warns of “bogus discount scam”And a Paris landmark restaurant is u...

July 26th - The Status of Foreign Jabs

26 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Foreign jabs – their status for avoiding UK quarantine.Heathrow and Ryanair report many millions more in losses.And the Home Office admits its onlin...

July 25th - Who, What, Why, When & Where?

25 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The key questions you are asking me about travel in the time of coronavirus – what’s been weighing down my virtual mailbag, from travelling if you...

July 24th - Sinking of Queen Mary

24 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The race to the sun is under way – or is it?When your local airport will be busiest this summer.And could Queen Mary soon be sunk – deliberately?S...

July 23rd - What's Wrong with Canada?

23 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At the start of what should the busiest weekend of the year for Britain’s airports, my best guess on traffic light changes.What’s wrong with Canad...

July 22nd - Testing for Croatia

22 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Advice for rail passengers this summer.The two testing issues that international travellers from the UK most often get wrong.And Croatia is the latest...

July 21st - Hypersonic Air Travel

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today: As the summer getaway begins, if you’re driving, these are the key congestion locations in the UK.Italy: what’s happening with quarantine f...

July 20th - The Irish Experience

20 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today: sadly I’m back from Ireland already, but I want to give you an update on the travelling experience between Great Britain and the Republic.eas...

July 19th - Freedom Day

19 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today: I’m in hot and sunny Dublin, capital of the only no-hassle foreign country.“Freedom day,” at least for some.And how to launder red list s...

July 18th - The French Flavour

18 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There is a French flavour with France making access much easier for vaccinated visitors.And how the transit rules will apply for people returning via ...

July 17th - France Goes Amber Plus

17 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

France goes to amber plus – I’ll be talking through all the implications of that overnight move.And in one piece of good news: Ireland is as green...

July 16th - Ireland Goes Green

16 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Green light for Ireland from Monday.In quarantine and already double jabbed? What happens from 4am on Monday?And Thailand's Koh Samui opens up.Sign up...

July 15th - Balearics Downgraded

15 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The Balearics downgrade to amber list, while Bulgaria and Croatia get upgraded – what it means for your trip.Malta softens its stance on the Indian ...

July 14th - Buy on Board

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On British Airways, “buy on board” is back for economy passengers in Europe.Travelling by train on the West Coast main line? Watch out for closure...

July 13th - Bank is Closing

13 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Rail Fare Reform – I’ve been hearing from a train ticket guru.Beneath the City of London, the Bank is closing for four months.And is red to green ...

July 12th - Center Parcs is Coming Home

12 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Green list speculation mounts.Center Parcs is coming home. To Crawley.And Heathrow’s woes continue.Sign up to Simon's free weekly newsletter at inde...

July 11th - Journey to Space

11 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Journey into space – will orbital tourism take off?Planning your August trip? Not so fast.And how to avoid peak prices on the West Coast Main Line.S...

July 10th - Malta's Vaccine Surprise

10 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Just started quarantining from an amber list country? Keep going.Malta’s vaccine surprise.And Wizz Air drops its UK domestic flights before they’v...

July 9th - Issue with European Vaccines

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How bad will the queues be for passport control this summer?What’s wrong with European vaccines?And some of the possible green list countries.Sign u...

July 8th - When Amber Turns Green

08 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When Amber turns Green – I’ve got all the details of the new “vaccination vacation” plan.When does it start?How will it work, especially for c...

July 7th - The Word of Committees

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

New vaccination trials at Heathrow. What’s happening – and what isn’t?Face masks on the Tube could continue.And MPs demand action to win back th...

July 6th - Face Mask Special

06 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Face masks on public transport after England's rules are relaxed on 19 July.What’s happening on trains, boats and planes? I have the answers.Sign up...

July 5th - The Legacy of Thomas Cook

05 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

180 years on from Thomas Cook’s first excursion, what is his enduring legacy?Face masks on trains. What’s happening?And cutting through the confus...