Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast
Episodes
Greece: is it really a year-round destination?
08 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Eleni Skarveli, director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation in London, says Athens and Thessaloniki are excellent winter destinations – and ...
How tourism can help endangered species
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today is Paul Goldstein: photographer, expedition guide, and campaigner for protecting wildlife. He’s also author of a book out this week c...
Travel Desk Tuesday: top tips for '26 from Global Travel Editor Annabel Grossman
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Uganda and northern Argentina are off the tourism mainstream, but high on Annabel's recommendations for the year ahead. Adventure travel in Africa and...
Preston to Carlisle – the pretty way
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Avanti West Coast is providing a glorious workaround to the closure of the main rail line between Preston and Carlisle: a scenic train diversion along...
How the Eurostar chaos *should* have been handled
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Right at the end of 2025, tens of thousands of passengers had their New Year plans wrecked when a problem in the Channel Tunnel. 30 trains linking Lon...
How to be a responsible tourist
01 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
To start 2026, I'm talking to Mark Tanzer, well respected chief executive of Abta, the travel association – about reasons to be cheerful, challenges...
How does a hotel keep going through Christmas and into New Year?
31 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I'm talking to Mike Vincent, General Manager of the Langdale Chase Hotel overlooking Windermere in Cumbria – who has been working through the festiv...
The secret behind Manchester Airport's growth
30 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I've been talking to Chris Woodroffe, managing director of Manchester airport, about plans for the future in terms of passenger numbers – and also p...
Part 2/2 – 2026 predictions with travel CEO
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy the PC Agency, is back to talk about travel in 2026.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel...
Part 1/2 – From cake to caterpillars: Travel boss reveals 2025 highs and lows
26 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Charles, chief executive of travel consultancy the PC Agency, flies more than anyone else I know. So in the first half of a two-part interview, I...
Coming to a bus stop near you this Christmas Day?
25 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
For people living in the UK without a car, Christmas Day has long been a problem. No trains are running, and in most areas local buses remain in the d...
Part 3/3 — Dubai airport CEO's advice to the UK
24 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive of Dubai Airports, used to run Gatwick airport. In the third and final part of our conversation, the boss of the world...
Part 2/3 — The future of aviation according to Dubai airport boss
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the second part of my exclusive conversation with Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive of Dubai Airports, we gaze deep into the future of aviation. Not ...
Global vision: how the boss of Dubai airport sees the world
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today and for the following two days, I am bringing you a conversation with the man who is responsible for more "passenger miles" than anyone else on ...
Essential airline etiquette for the festive season and beyond
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I'm joined by The Independent's US travel editor, Ted Thornhill, for his insights on the tricky business of reclining seats, sharing armrests, stowing...
Your city-break dream list for 2026 – part two
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Amelia Neath, travel writer for The Independent, continues her romp through the best-value European city breaks for 2026. Today: the top five are reve...
What's on your city-break dream list for next year?
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Travel writer for The Independent Amelia Neath has compiled a brilliant list of best-value European city breaks for 2026. It's another two-parter: tod...
Joy to the world – if you go by train
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Travel desk Tuesday, and today senior travel writer Natalie Wilson is reporting on the Belmond British Pullman Christmas lunch trip from London Victor...
Guatemala 2026: risks and rewards
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Starting a new year with a journey to a new destination is always rewarding, and one of the most memorable 1 January departures took me to Guatemala. ...
Fast track to America – from Scotland?
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Could Edinburgh airport be the first in the UK to offer pre-clearance for travellers to the US? That's the hope of today's guest, Gordon Dewar – chi...
Looking ahead to smoother skies and swifter journeys
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today is Kathryn Leahy, chief operations officer for the air-traffic control service, Nats. We talked about the impact of bad weather – suc...
All change: Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy on the future with Great British Railways
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I've been hearing from the man responsible for improving reliability and attracting more people to the railway. Lord Hendy has strong views on how uni...
Storm Bram sweeps in, hitting trains, boats and planes
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Dozens of flights and ferry sailings have been cancelled due to strong winds and heavy rain. British Airways cancelled its first wave of domestic depa...
On the road – again?
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I have been hitchhiking for half a century. But in that time thumbing rides has shrunk from the mainstream method for budget travellers to get around ...
Today: I'm in India, but looking ahead to the World Cup draw tonight
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What's the best strategy for booking your travel to attend the FIFA World Cup next summer in the US, Canada, and Mexico?As soon as the draw is made, p...
Best beach, mountain, river, bar and country? Ask an expert
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Continuing the theme of looking ahead to 2026: I have been talking to an old travel pal of mine, Brian Young. He is now EMEA managing director for G A...
What will AI mean for the future of travel planning?
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"AI and the internet will be a huge part of the future of travel." So says Andy Headington, CEO of digital travel marketing specialists Adido. LLMs –...
Going Dutch? These are the highlights in the Netherlands in 2026
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Subtract Amsterdam from the Netherlands and what's left would comprise a beautiful, diverse and cultured nation. I've been singing the praises of seco...
Advent begins: so what are the travel trends for 2026?
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My first guest of the month is Rachel O’Reilly Director of Communications for Dertour UK – a company that includes Kuoni, Journey Latin America, I...
Wizz Air's UK boss promises new routes from Luton to key holiday destinations – and restoring links with Ukraine
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wizz Air's UK Managing Director, Yvonne Moynihan, has been telling me about the year so far; Wizz Air's new "Class" product that will emulate British ...
Could "solar sails" be the future for polar adventure voyages?
27 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Exploring the Arctic is one of the greatest experiences open to tourists – visiting remote locations such as Svalbard and Greenland – but there ar...
What a way to go to India – reminiscing about overland travel 50 years ago
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the 1970s, air fares were so high that the best way to reach India from the UK was on public transport – which Butterfield's Overland Tours was h...
Cambodia, a nation transformed
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I first visited Cambodia in 1993, as the south east Asian country was recovering from the genocide of the appalling Khmer Rouge regime under the dicta...
'Your primary audience is you in 10 years. That's who you're writing your updates for'
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Claire Jones is chief executive of Polar Steps, a travel planning up that takes you worldwide (not just the Arctic and Antarctic). The idea is that al...
Why a short hop from Newcastle to London Heathrow might involve going around in circles
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the second part of my conversation with Martin Rolfe, chief executive of NATS – formerly National Air Traffic Services – we discuss the need to...
Keeping the skies safe – and open
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today and tomorrow I'm talking to Martin Rolfe, chief executive of NATS – formerly National Air Traffic Services – about the work air-traffic cont...
I'm on the train – and the wifi is superb
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Great Western Railway has just unveiled "Formula 1" high-speed internet connectivity on one of its intercity express trains, connecting London Padding...
Indian autumn: Sophie Dickinson is just back from her first trip to the world's most populous country
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Travel Desk Tuesday, and The Independent's Deputy Travel Editor has top tips on travelling around by rail and road. Sophie's highlight: the Golden Tem...
Women are extremely under-represented in senior roles in aviation – how could that change?
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Katherine Moloney is founder of Elevate(her) Aviation. She started flying at 18, and is licensed to fly both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Kath...
All along the watchtowers – with self-guided tourism where they lend you the key!
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Heilbronn is a small city in western Germany. It is notable for being selected as European Green Capital for 2027. But what I find rather more amazing...
"The jungle has everything you need to survive, but also things that can kill you"
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I'm finding out about how to survive in jungles and other wildernesses with Dr Joshua Allison, Medical Director at Unique Expeditions. All you need to...
Should premium passengers pay a £500 climate levy?
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
That's the plan being discussed at COP30, the UN climate summit in Belem, Brazil. France, Spain and Kenya want to see business class, first class and ...
November 11th - Ryanair is about to insist that everyone uses a smartphone boarding pass*
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
(* Though, as Dara Brady, Chief Marketing Officer of Europe’s biggest budget airline has been telling me, if you need a boarding pass printed out at...
November 10th - Meet Byway – which harnesses tech to deliver slow travel across Europe
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Five years ago, Cat Jones created a start-up to use smart tech solutions (coupled, often, with Interrail passes) to deliver tailor-made journey by rai...
November 7th - 30th birthday – on Monday – of Britain's biggest budget airline
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I am at London Gatwick airport, location of easyJet's biggest base, to celebrated the 30th birthday – on Monday – of Britain's biggest budget airl...
November 6th - Discover your inner scientist - on holiday
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today I'm at World Travel Market, the UK's biggest travel trade event, and talking to Lara Paxton of New Scientist Discovery Tours about the prospects...
November 5th - Meet the new minister – Stephanie Peacock MP, promoting tourism to Britain
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Four weeks ago the MP for Barnsley South took over the tourism brief: a real challenge, in my view, with visitor numbers and spend last year lower tha...
November 4th - West Midlands to the West Highlands – by overnight train
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Caledonian Sleeper has long linked London Euston with Fort William in the West Highlands of Scotland, as well as Inverness and Aberdeen. From 15 J...
November 3rd - Horror on the 6.25pm from Doncaster to London King's Cross
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone's heart must go to the injured and their families, as well as passengers and train crew, after the appalling knife attack on an LNER train so...
October 31st - Eurostar gets competition from London to Paris and beyond from Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Trains
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
After airlines, domestic railways and a cruise line, the bearded billionaire is set to bring better service and lower fares on international trains to...
October 30th - Inside the world of Jack's Flight Club
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jack's Flight Club is an enterprise that specialises in finding exceptional deals on tickets to Europe and beyond. I've always been intrigued about ho...
October 29th - 'You'll feel like at home, only better': Chisinau tourist guide Irina Iacoban
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the Moldovan capital, deep set in autumn, I've been enjoying a walk and talk with Irina – who helps tourists make the most of a beautiful and int...
October 28th - Eastern Airways closes down – what happens next?
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The latest UK regional airline to closed down is Eastern Airways, which linked Aberdeen with Teesside, Humberside and Wick airports as well as flying ...
October 27th - How badly wrong can an Airbnb booking go?
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At the weekend I was in the Moldovan capital, Chisinau, to report on the finish of the latest Lupine Travel race across Europe. Chatting to past winne...
October 24th - Winter is coming ... on Sunday 26 October the northern hemisphere winter season begins for the world's airlines
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Aviation analyst Sean Moulton tells me about some of the new routes, which include Pakistan International returning to the UK. Aberdeen to Paris and M...
October 23rd - Secret Maps: Unlocking a world in which travellers are not supposed to know where's where
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The British Library, right next door to London St Pancras International, has a new exhibition – opening tomorrow, Friday 24 October – about the wa...
October 22nd - Is there really a future in "Green Travel?"
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My guest today is Richard Hammond, founder of Green Traveller – an organisation that aims to provide news and inspiration about lower-carbon holiday...
October 21st - Can Sweden enhance your mind and body in winter?
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Travel desk Tuesday – and my colleague, senior travel writer Natalie Wilson, has been writing about a Visit Sweden initiative that seeks to promote ...
October 20th - Is Manchester really a key force in UK aviation?
20 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
That's the claim from aviation analyst Sean Moulton, who I met in his home town, Manchester. We talked about the way Britain's third-biggest airport –...
October 17th - 25 years on: Kicheche Safari Camps – a model for wildlife tourism?
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the year 2000, two travel professionals with experience across Africa teamed up to create a safari camp that brings together nature, community, ene...
October 16th - New trains for old on Chiltern Railways, linking London Marylebone with Banbury and Birmingham
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On a shiny 21st-century train with just one careful previous owner, I am talking to Richard Allan – managing director of Chiltern Railways – about...
October 15th - EU entry-exit system: UK borders minister on the new challenges for travellers
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At London St Pancras International, hub for Eurostar – and one of three locations in the UK where passport control is carried out before departing f...
October 14th - Inside the world of British Airways cabin crew
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My colleague, senior travel writer Natalie Wilson, has been telling me more about the making of a film about training to be cabin crew.This podcast is...
October 13th - Entry-exit system arrives – and I try it out
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I'm in Prague, tackling the Kafkaesque bureaucracy of the new Schengen area digital borders scheme.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's we...
October 10th - Entry-exit system starts on Sunday – hear from Abta's EES expert
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This weekend it's not exact all change for British holidaymakers going to the European Union and wider Schengen area – but some of us will have our ...
October 9th - How to make the most of Mallorca
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today I'm talking to Alex Smith – who has lived and worked in the travel industry in Mallorca for two decades. Five years ago she created the YouTub...
October 8th - How to start – and run – a successful travel business
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jacqueline Dobson, president of Barrhead Travel and Internova Leisure, tells me that this chain of travel agencies grew from a single branch in a subu...
October 7th - "The universe is looking favourably on northern Spain"
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
So says Jessica Harvey Taylor, head of press for the Spanish Tourist Office in the UK, who's been telling me about the increased appetite among Britis...
October 6th - The amazing city tour that invites rewards in the form of donations to charity
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Meet Dr Nick Brown, resident of Palma in Mallorca. His day job is as data sleuth, but he also does all he can to help tourists make the most of the is...
October 3rd - Flight cancellations – what is the best way to deal with them?
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
That's the discussion I've been having with my excellent colleague, global travel editor Annabel Grossman. In September we both had flight cancellatio...
October 2nd - The insider's guide to "status matching" with travel loyalty schemes
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rob Burgess, founder of the frequent flyer website Head for Points, explains how to benefit from this quirk: could status with one airline earn you th...
October 1st - Is the Airbus A321 XLR the biggest gamechanger in aviation?
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
That's the belief of Rhys Jones of the frequent-flyer website Head for Points, who explains why the economics of the extra long range narrow-bodied tw...
September 30th - Play, a low-cost Icelandic airline, has shut down
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The carrier is telling passengers: “All flights have been cancelled.” Around 500 staff have lost their jobs. It follows former Icelandic carriers ...
September 29th - Entry-exit system: 'We're ready, so bring it on'
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
That's the message from Yann Leriche, chief executive of Getlink – the company that runs Eurotunnel and LeShuttle car-carrying operation between Fol...
September 26th - Meet Linger, the company that wants to organise the ultimate career break for you
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Wilson, founder of Linger, tells me that many legal and financial services firms are happy for their top people to take sabbatical – a break t...
September 25th - All change for British travellers to Europe from 12 October
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Hi from London St Pancras International – most beautiful railway station in the world, and also the hub for Eurostar. I am talking to Simon Lejeune,...
September 24th - Gatwick – what will expansion mean, and when will passengers get to benefit?
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My guest is Stewart Wingate, Vinci Airports Managing Director for United Kingdom, overseeing future development and strategic direction of London Gatw...
September 23rd - Check out this guide to the Czech Republic
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I am in Brno in the Czech Republic, where I have come to meet Kevan Vogler – a Canadian who has been living in his adopted homeland of the Czech Rep...
September 22nd - Gatwick's second runway gets government go ahea
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I've been covering airport expansion in south-east England for decades. Could this finally be the moment when an additional runway is pressed into ser...
September 19th - Should the retirement age for pilots be raised from 65 to 67?
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
That's the recommendation of the International Air Transport Association (Iata). Opponents say the airlines see raising the age limit as an attempt to...
September 18th - What happens in the wake of an aviation tragedy?
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Flying is incredibly safe. But as we have seen over the past nine months, accidents happen with tragic consequences. I am talking to Elmarie Marais, t...
September 17th - Andorra in summer?
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I am still in southwest France, specifically at Toulouse airport departure lounge, where I am talking to Jackie Banfill and Frank Epstein – who have...
September 16th - What happens when your flight is cancelled at the airport?
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I'm just on the French side of the Pyrenees, but I reached here – with my hiking friend Mick – after some extreme stress, when our Vueling flight ...
September 15th - Checking in bags for a flight? Don't head for the airport without hearing from Steve Kelso from Gatwick
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Steve is Head of Engineering at the UK's second-busiest airport, and responsible for the baggage systems. Almost all the time things work well for the...
September 12th - As the Tube strike ends – what was it all about, and will we see more?
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
All week I have been covering the strike by members of the RMT union working for London Underground, which has paralysed the capital. While some Tube ...
September 11th - What's happening in aviation? Jeremy Bowen is the man who knows
11 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The summer has actually been excellent in terms of coming out of the UK," says Jeremy. While the peak day for flights from the UK is still back before...
September 10th - Not Hot List – places off the tourism mainstream, from Nevada to Sierra Leone
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today is the day that Intrepid Travel has revealed its Not Hot List – places off the tourism mainstream, from Nevada to Sierra Leone. I've been spea...
September 9th - Walking from Scotland via England to Wales – what are the highlights?
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paul Goldstein, adventurer and wildlife campaigner, successfully completed 25 Marathon-length walks from Tigerton in Scotland to Tiger Bay in Wales to...
September 8th - Autumn and winter in Austria: what awaits the traveller?
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I'm talking to Martina Jamnig, director of the Austrian National Tourist Office in London, about the activities on offer in autumn and winter – whic...
September 5th - Today is National Travel Agent Day – and here's a top travel figure on a mission
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
5 September is the day to celebrate travel professionals, and therefore a good day to hear from Julia Lo Bue-Said OBE, chief executive of the Advantag...
September 4th - The freedom of Europe – how to make the most of the current Interrail flash sale
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nicky Gardner, co-author of Europe by Rail, tells me the best places to make the most of all-you-can-travel rail.This podcast is free, as is Independe...
September 3rd - Dollar dives, euro strengthens, and the surprise third currency
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
At the end of the summer I'm talking to Kaya Niedenthal of Currency Online Group in London about trends in the currency markets: what's worth buying n...
September 2nd - Travel Desk Tuesday: the joys of St Lucia
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Caribbean is a mosaic of delectable isles - but what makes St Lucia distinctive? Senior travel writer Natalie Wilson was there in the summer and w...
September 1st - How do you solve a problem like overtourism? The story from Dubrovnik
01 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
"The pearl of the Adriatic" has been enticing millions of tourists every year, with its spectacular setting and mighty walls wrapping around the old c...
August 29th - Entry-exit system begins 12 October – and these could be the worst-affected European airports
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
From 12 October, the EU's much-delayed entry-exit system (EES) will begin to be rolled out. Using some mathematical modelling, Oliver Ranson from Airl...
August 28th - The most successful and resilient figure in aviation? Meet Michael O'Leary
28 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Since he took over as chief executive of Ryanair in 1994, Michael O'Leary has guided what was an ailing Irish regional airline to become Europe’s bi...
August 27th - Going solo: how travelling on your own can be a joy more than a challenge – especially for women
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
My guest is travel expert Gilly Bachelor, who is a champion of solo travel for women. Tomorrow (Thursday 28 August) she is organising a special evenin...
August 26th - "You feel like you’re giving back as much as you’re taking”
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Travel Desk Tuesday, and Global Travel Editor Annabel Grossman has been telling me about her experience in Bali – the Indonesian island that has bee...
August 25th - Cabin air quality: what’s the problem – and the solution?
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today I am talking to a campaigner on cabin air quality, Captain Tristan Loraine. He believes passengers and crew are often at risk because of engine ...
August 22nd - Beach safety thanks to public-spirited local volunteers
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
On the eve of the last bank holiday weekend before Christmas, I'm in Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire – at the home of Andrew Smith, part of the crew o...