Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

February 20th - The SAS million-point challenge – part 1

20 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On Thursday and Friday I am bringing you a special two-part podcast with Barry Collins – a property developer from Eastbourne who decided to take up...

February 19th - Russia: international pariah, but well connected

19 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As talk of a peace deal intensifies, Russia remains on the no-fly list for the UK and European Union. But many airlines from outside Europe are happy ...

February 18th - Trainline isn’t the only answer

18 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

“You won’t find cheaper tickets anywhere else”: that is the remarkable pledge from rail retailer Trainline.A poster campaign outside one of the ...

February 17th - North Korea reopens to tourists this week

17 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

An exclusive for you today. After five years of closure to tourists, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will receive its first Western visito...

February 14th - Britain's busiest rail line to be hit by strikes this month and next

14 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mind the gap – between what train drivers on London's Elizabeth line have been offered, and what they believe they deserve. The employers have offer...

February 13th - The King's Cross station sprint

13 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Network Rail wants passengers to stay safe at stations – not running for their trains – and to avoid delays to trains at London King's Cross, the ...

February 12th - The things that can go wrong with flights

12 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a trip involving six intercontinental flights, I have arrived back at Birmingham airport over an hour behind schedule. The sequence since leavin...

February 11th - Valentine destinations: Paris? Puglia? Prague?

11 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On Travel Desk Tuesday, I’m talking to Annabel Grossman, global travel editor for The Independent, about Lonely Planet’s selection of alternative ...

February 10th - Heathrow airlines and hotels deplore "vast overcharging and declining service"

10 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In an unprecedented and coordinated attack, the airlines that use Heathrow airport – as well a prominent hotelier – are demanding lower charges an...

February 7th - We need to talk about upgrades

07 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

When do airlines give upgrades, and who are the beneficiaries?Spoiler alert: it will help if you marry a captain. But I wonder if upgrades are actuall...

February 6th - Ryanair Boss Michael O'Leary Puts The Aviation World To Rights

06 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Michael O’Leary has been chief executive of Ryanair since 1994, and over the past three decades he has taken the carrier from a small and unprofitab...

February 5th - British Airways Softens Revenue-Based Loyalty Scheme

05 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

At the very end of 2024, British Airways revealed comprehensive changes to its loyalty programme, which will mean access to its top tiers will be alig...

February 4th - Asia: Access All Areas?

04 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Access to most areas of China is getting easier, with a new light-touch online visa and an extension of the valuable "transit without visa" option. Wi...

February 3rd - When will North Korea reopen to tourists?

03 Feb 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The “Democratic People’s Republic of Korea” is arguably the strangest nation in the world (although Turkmenistan gives it a run for its money). ...

January 31st - Travel trends: turning Japanese

31 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

January seems to have been going on forever, which has been dismal for many – but promising for travel agents. I’ve been talking to Ashley Quint, ...

January 30th - The village standing in Heathrow's way

30 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced government backing for expansion at London Heathrow airport, I've been to Harmondsworth – the pretty villag...

January 29th - What we can do about poor airport connectivity

29 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On the day chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to back expansion at Heathrow, I'm talking to Paul Charles, chief executive of the PC Agency and forme...

January 28th - The aviation jargon you didn't know you needed

28 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s Travel Desk Tuesday, and today I’m talking to my excellent colleague Natalie Wilson about new aviation jargon creeping into the travel lexico...

27th January - Seeing the world through a reporter’s lens

27 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nicholas and Karen Wood run Political Tours, which aims to help you "see the world like a reporter does". On their travel agenda this year: Mexico (th...

January 24th - The worst weather-related travel chaos of my career

24 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It's grim out there! Today I'm at London's Kings Cross station reporting on what might just be the worst weather-related travel chaos I've ever seen. ...

January 23rd - Is Heathrow nearer to a third runway?

23 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I'm still hearing views on Heathrow, today from John Strickland of JLS Consulting – who wonders if he will still be around when a third runway is bu...

January 22nd - Heathrow Hubbub

22 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I'm back at Heathrow – where, as I discussed yesterday, reports suggest the third runway could be given the green light. Several developments since ...

January 21st - Green vs growth: London airports set to expand

21 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As Labour backs airport expansion to boost growth, what’s the future of Heathrow, Gatwick, and Luton?This podcast is free, as is The Independent Tra...

January 20th - Internet on the Move: travel connectivity with Matt Sims

20 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Simon Calder chats with Matt Sims, host of the Motorhome Matt podcast, to uncover the secrets of hassle-free internet access while travelling. From bu...

January 17th - Avanti disruption despite strike cancellation: Sunday services in chaos

17 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Simon Calder discusses the impact of Avanti West Coast's cancelled strike on Sunday, January 19th, which leaves most trains between Manchester and Lon...

January 16th - Arvinder Singh Bahal's global adventure

16 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I’m at London Heathrow Airport with my good friend Arvinder Singh Bahal, author of The Tireless Traveller, and one of the few people to visit every ...

January 15th - Ticket Trouble Tales: The ORR Wants Your Train Fare Fiascos!

15 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever been subject to a Penalty Fare on a train, or even been prosecuted for allegedly travelling by train? If so, the Office of Rail and Road...

January 14th - Part two of my Florida exploration: Anna Maria Island

14 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Part two of my report from the west coast of Florida – and I am in Anna Maria Island, meeting independent retailers and the local oyster hero, as we...

January 13th - Escaping the cold in a Florida Fishing village

13 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

I have managed to swerve the worst of the wintry weather in the UK. I booked a £501 return flight to Tampa on the west coast of Florida and headed so...

January 10th - Driving Mr Calder through Florida

10 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Motoring in America is different from the UK. I'm driving along in an automobile with the cinematographer and director Douglas Bolton, who's an expert...

January 9th - Bradford’s moment in the spotlight: UK city of culture 2025

09 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bradford begins its year as the UK City of Culture with an extraordinary opening event on January 10th. Simon Calder speaks with Shanaz Gulzar, creati...

January 8th - Flight Tax or fuel future? the truth behind airfare headlines

08 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Amid headlines warning of skyrocketing airfares due to a new "flight tax," Simon Calder unpacks the reality of the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) man...

January 7th - The 21-day train journey that doesn’t exist

07 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mark Smith, the Man in Seat 61, joins Simon Calder to unravel the myth of a 13-country rail journey. They discuss the route’s logistical impossibili...

Janaury 6th - Christmas is over but flight disruptions are still going

06 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A third chaotic weekend in a row for the UK's airline passengers. Normally we expect disruption over Christmas but by the time it's the 6th of January...

January 3rd - Jet2’s year ahead: new horizons and a final flight for the 757

03 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s podcast, I speak with Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 Holidays and Jet2.com, about the airline’s ambitious expansion in 2025, including new ba...

January 2nd - Grounded at Gatwick: BA staff misapply post-Brexit passport rules

02 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Sue Heath was removed from her British Airways flight to Malta just before Christmas, despite her UK passport meeting all post-Brexit EU entry require...

January 1st - My recommendations on where to visit in 2025

01 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2025 and with it I'm sure there's a renewed optimism for places to visit and sights to see. So, I've run down the list of w...

December 31st - BA’s Executive Club revamp: spend more, earn more

31 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s podcast, British Airways’ controversial changes to its Executive Club are now rebranded as the British Airways Club. From April 2024, l...

December 30th - My favourite spot to enjoy Heathrow Airport

30 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I'm at my favourite airport hotel anywhere: the Thistle Terminal 5, which is not quite at London Heathrow Terminal 5 but has a priceless terrace overl...

December 27th - It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas doesn't like Eurostar

27 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas doesn't like Eurostar. Last year, a sudden strike by Eurotunnel staff thwarted thousands of passengers. An...

December 26th - Boxing Day and we're on the move again, but how far can you get?

26 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Boxing Day – and many people are on the move around Britain. But how easily will they be able to travel? I’m at London St Pancras International, t...

December 23rd - Travel tangles & festive fiascos

23 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A round-up of all the festive travel disruption!This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it ...

What Vienna has over Budapest and Prague

20 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

While travel unravels across the UK, I have escaped to Vienna – where I caught up with Helena Steinhart of the Vienna Tourist Board. She tells me ab...

December 18th - How to stay safe on the trains at Christmas

18 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A week before Christmas, loads of people are going to be travelling by train. I'm at London Blackfriars talking to Samantha Facey, Health, Safety and ...

December 17th - Storm Darragh's Damage and Disruption

17 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Thousands of Christmas travellers hoping to cross the Irish Sea by ferry face disruption due to Storm Darragh damage. The port of Holyhead – which p...

December 16th - The drive behind National Express

16 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I'm joined by National Express chief executive Alex Jensen.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here ...

December 13th - Not such an unlucky day for Avanti West Coast passengers

13 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Lucky for some, in particular passengers on Avanti West Coast who have just been told the train managers' strike for 22, 23 and 29 December has been c...

December 12th - Frantic Friday, Slow Saturday and Messy Monday

12 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's travel podcast is all about Frantic Friday, Slow Saturday and Messy Monday, the unholy trinity of busy days on the motorways of Britain in the...

December 11th - Dreaming of a train strike free Christmas? Keep dreaming

11 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Over the past few years, rail strikes have become as synonymous with Christmas as Mariah Carey and Wham! The incoming Labour government vowed to “mo...

December 10th - How could UK trains be the most expensive in Europe?

10 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

A recent survey has revealed that the UK has the most expensive domestic trains in Europe. It does not compute for me.This podcast is free, as is Inde...

December 9th - Planes, Trains, and Travel Pains

09 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm looking back at the damage from Storm Darragh and Storm Burt to travel plans, and wondering if aviation and rail could be more resilient.Thi...

December 6th - System failure brings UK rail services to a halt

06 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I am at London Paddington station, hub for the Great Western Railway serving the West of England and South Wales. There's disruption to many trains he...

December 5th - It's groundhog day with me on Delta Airlines

05 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I'm at the junction of Andrew Young International Boulevard and Peachtree Street in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, which is a complete surprise to me beca...

December 4th - It's back to public ownership for three railways

04 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I'm trying to make sense of the government's announcement of the first three train operators to be brought back into public ownership.This podcast is ...

December 3rd - Catch-up with Wizz Air on how the budget airline is handling its operation at Gatwick airport

03 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I'm talking with Marion Geoffroy, Managing Director of Wizz Air UK, about the airline's operation at London Gatwick airport. The disruption on 22 Nove...

December 2nd - Expect the Spanish Inquisition

02 Dec 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Nobody expects the Spanish Inquisition when they travel on holiday to our favourite foreign destination, but from today, the government in Madrid is e...

November 29th - Travel Visa Vortex: Navigating Global Red Tape with Samantha McKnight

29 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Untangling the red tape of global travel with Samantha McKnight, vice-president of Client Solutions for CIBTvisas in London.Subscribe to The Independe...

September 28th - Why our railways need support

28 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I have been covering two big railway stories: the roll-out of a new £1bn fleet of trains, known as Arterio, at London Waterloo; and, the remark...

November 27th - Easyjet's past and future discuss the latest financial results

27 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I am talking to the present – and future – bosses of Britain's biggest budget airline, easyJet, about the latest financial figures and the year ah...

November 26th - Marketing, Mountains, and the Backpacker Spirit

26 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ant Stone, Director of Marketing EMEA for G Adventures, tells me about how Pakistan and Tibet are opening up – and that he's a backpacker at heart.T...

November 25th - School's out, prices up

25 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Holiday prices and air fares surge during school holidays compared with term times – two, three or four times as much. Always has been the case, alw...

November 22nd - Prowling the Pantanal: Paul Goldstein’s Jaguar Tales

22 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today's travel podcast guest is Paul Goldstein, wildlife guide and photographer who is just back from leading a tour in the Pantanal of Brazil – whe...

November 21st - Tracking down the busiest rail station

21 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Office of Rail and Road has released the latest figures on the UK's busiest – and quietest – rail stations. London's Elizabeth Line dominates ...

November 20th - Changing Times, Changing Trains

20 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Richard Brown CBE has been one of the leading railway figures in the UK for four decades – including 11 years as chief executive and then chairman o...

November 19th - Planes, trains, and travel pains

19 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's Travel Desk Tuesday for The Independent's travel podcast, and today I am talking to travel writer Amelia Neath about a new Wales-England-Scotland...

November 18th - First-Class Steam Dreams

18 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On today's travel podcast for The Independent, I am talking to Ranjiv Bhalla – founder and chief executive of Veenus Travel, which organises high-en...

November 15th - Which is the best London terminus station, Part 2

15 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I’m at London St Pancras International with transport guru, Thomas Ableman. How do Paddington, Marylebone and Euston compare – and which is his ov...

14th November - The best London terminus station, Part 1

14 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I’m at London St Pancras International with transport guru Thomas Ableman. How does he rate the station, King's Cross, Liverpool Street, London Brid...

November 13th - Celebrating 30 years since the first Eurostar

13 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's 30 years tomorrow since the first ever Eurostar train. I'm talking to the culture and history specialist from France 24, Florence Gaillard. We're...

November 12th - What makes Dorset a hidden Gem

12 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

On Travel Desk Tuesday I'm talking to Ben Parker about Dorset about how it's become a cool trendy secret. Perched on the south of the UK, Dorset is a ...

November 11th - Fast track to Luxor

11 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today will see the first easyJet flight from Gatwick to Luxor take off, opening up southern Egypt to travellers. Philip Breckner, director of Discover...

November 8th - Wall's Well That Ends Well: Remembering the Fall of the Berlin Wall

08 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I am talking to Harald Henning, director of the German National Tourist Office in the UK, in a tiny Trabant car. Almost 35 years ago he bought one in ...

November 7th - Peaks & Perks: A Kathmandu Chat about trekking the Himalayas

07 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I'm in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, in the company of Roland Hunter – founder of The Mountain Company and an expert on trekking in the Himalayas...

November 6th - Feeling curious about Travel Guides For The Wine Curious

06 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I love a new niche guidebook and I'm particularly curious about Travel Guides For The Wine Curious. Today I'm interviewing Adam Lechmere, Publishing D...

November 5th - How a billionaire would enjoy Monaco

05 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's Monaco Grand Prix week and I'm interviewing out Global Travel Editor, Annabel Grossman, who has been there, about the travel and hotel experience...

November 4th - Are people moving back to using travel agents?

04 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I'm interviewing Mark Tanzer the CEO of Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) to discuss the travel industry and the European entry-exit system....

Novemeber 1st - Why airlines overbook seats

01 Nov 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Most airlines overbook their seats, in fact you and I have probably both flown on an overbooked flight. How do you feel about that? I don't mind at al...

October 31st - Oh mon Dieu! How to avoid Eurostar's high fares

31 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I've been travelling on the Eurostar for nearly 30 years now since it's launch in November 1994. But recently, I've been finding that the eye-watering...

October 30th - The Eurostar Bargain Hunt

30 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Snap up a Eurostar bargain? I’m back at London St Pancras International, home of the Channel Tunnel rail firm, with an exploration of the new discou...

October 29th - Why Pembrokeshire is our Global Travel Editor's favourite place to visit

29 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

It's Travel Desk Tuesday which means we're interviewing Annabel Grossman, Global Travel Editor for The Independent, who says that when asked abou...

October 28th - Allies in the sky: What happens when airlines make alliances

28 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

SAS airlines recently made the shift from Star Alliance to Sky Team. Rhys Jones, writer at Head For Points, explains what that actually means. Rhys ta...

October 25th - More holidayers are choosing unusual months to travel

25 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As we enter the cusp of winter you might assume that travellers are reducing however according to my guest, Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive of adva...

October 24th - The airline you can't buy a ticket for

24 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking to Alastair Willson, Chief Executive of Ascend Airways. His airline help other airlines overcome operational difficulty by supplyin...

October 23rd - How Taylor Swift gave Heathrow Airport take off this summer

23 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The third-quarter financial results from the UK’s biggest airport are out –I’ve been hearing the details from chief financial officer Sally Ding...

October 22nd - The new singles friendly couples resort

22 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

What happens when a single female goes to a couples’ resort in the Caribbean? Find out from Natalie Wilson, who recently returned from Sandals St Vi...

October 21st - Pounds, Dollars, and plastic: navigating travel currency

21 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Kaya Niedenthal of Currency Online Group to discuss the recent fluctuations in currency markets, how the strengt...

October 18th - The real business with business-class

18 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

You pay a fortune for a business-class ticket because you want to experience the sumptuous new comfort of the latest generation of the premium product...

October 17th - Heathrow's layover letdown

17 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Yesterday I was at Gatwick – today it's Heathrow, the one true hub airport in the UK. Within six months, transit passengers changing between interna...

October 16th - Winter is coming

16 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Winter is coming – and for UK airports that can spell trouble. I'm at London Gatwick, talking to Chief Operating Officer Mark Johnston about prepara...

October 15th - Surfing the Royal waves

15 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Travel Desk Tuesday today features Ben Parker, UK travel editor (and secret surfer), who has returned from an island-hopping trip around Hawaii – wh...

October 14th - Craving a sunny winter retreat? I recommend Egypt

14 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

By mid-October many of us are looking at options for winter sun. For my money, the optimum combination of great weather, ancient history and good valu...

October 11th - The EU Entry Exit System won't darken our doorways just yet

11 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The EU Entry Exit System has been postponed again. But when it is rolled out it could delay our entrance to the Schengen Area. Here's what it means fo...

October 10th - Airlines land back in city shops!

10 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The airline city-centre ticket office is making a comeback. In the 20th century, every airline had walk-in shops in all the major cities served. But t...

October 9th - The worst motorway in England

09 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

England's worst motorway is the M42 south and east of Birmingham, according to a new survey of over 9,000 motorists by Transport Focus.I've been findi...

October 8th - Frozen trails: skiing Norway’s "little Antarctica"

08 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, Simon Calder chats with Annabel Grossman about her intense skiing journey through the isolated landscape of Fins, Norway. Known as “...

October 7th - The Great West Way prepares for Jane Austen's 250th anniversary

07 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

The Great West Way is a marketing enterprise for the corridor from London to Bristol – taking in Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, Blenheim Palace, and th...

October 4th - The best region to buy wine according to Jilly Goolden

04 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Ahead of the weekend, where's best to be a wine tourist around the globe? I'm talking to the doyenne of wine experts, Jilly Goolden – who has great ...

October 3rd - How Finnair is dealing with the closed Russian airspace

03 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Finnair is an intriguing airline. The national carrier of Finland carved a Nordic niche offering great connections through its Helsinki hub between we...

October 2nd - Is it possible to have a sustainable cruise ship?

02 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Cruise lines are often condemned for the environmental impact they have on the planet. But Ponant, the upmarket French small-ship expedition line, has...

October 1st - How you end up eating KFC in a hotel in a Mallorca

01 Oct 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In a new feature, Travel Desk Tuesday, I talk to one of my excellent colleagues at The Independent about their recent journeys. First up: Natalie Wils...