Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Clean, efficient, and amazing value for money. No, not me: the Seoul Metro system, which has some foibles but overall is an excellent and incredibly far reaching network. This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When choosing the optimum flight path gets tangled with geo-politics, the results are never positive. My report on the long and winding route from Zagreb to Seoul on the world's longest budget airline link. This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reporting from King's Cross, I explore the recent Commons debate on rail reliability. I offer my perspective on Labour's approach to rail reform and the challenges of improving UK rail services. This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's travel podcast, in which my excellent travel desk colleagues – Annabel Grossman, Benjamin Parker and Natalie Wilson – quiz me about 30 years at The Independent. This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Good heavens! Today I'm looking skyward with astronomer extraordinary Dr John Mason, who reports on the total eclipse last month, and the biggest display of Northern Lights for decades, last weekend. This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

One month to go before Euro 2024 kicks off in Munich, and two months before the final (England v Scotland?) in Berlin. Today I speak to Charles Wilson of CW Sports Travel. This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South Western Railway is shortly to bring in ultra-fast wifi on trains between London and Hampshire. But almost everywhere else in the UK, connectivity on rail is lousy. Why is this, and what can be done about it? This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I explore the weekend closure of the M25 and its impact on travellers between Heathrow and Gatwick Airports. From Central London, I delve into the reasons behind the closure, the detours, and how to navigate the changes. This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're now at the end of the latest round of rail strikes by the train drivers’ union, Aslef, and so it's a good moment to look forward with some anticipation to the new rail options when the summer timetables come into effect on 2nd June. This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tens of thousands of airline passengers arriving at airports across the UK faced waits of several hours last night after another collapse of the eGates system that automatically check passports. The IT failure took over four hours to fix, during which time large queues built up. This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once again I am at London Waterloo station reporting on another strike by members of the Aslef union. But as a third summer of strikes by train drivers belonging to Aslef begins, a glimmer of hope for an end to the conflict. Negotiations with rail firms could shortly resume after a year. Union boss Mick Whelan tells me a ‘relatively’ clean pay deal could end the dispute. This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thirty years ago Queen Elizabeth II and French president Francois Mitterand officially opened the Channel Tunnel between Folkestone in Kent and Calais in northern France. So how much has the link transformed travel – and what does the future hold? Unfortunately, it’s been a tale of broken promises so far in terms of direct services between the UK and Continental Europe. The only prospect of improvement: cutting costs and opening up to new budget operators. This podcast is free, as is The Independent's weekly travel newsletter. Sign up for all our newsletters here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm on the route of the (actually scheduled) Orient Express, 15 years after that legendary train last left Vienna to cross Germany into France overnight. My transport is an Austrian Railways Nightjet, destination Amsterdam and Hamburg. And I'm rather impressed ... This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm still in Newcastle Airport admiring the recently opened three-tier lounge experience. It's a great place to catch up with Rob Burgess, editor of the frequent-flyer website, Head For Points. I picked his brains about what makes a good airport lounge experience, who's doing it right, wrong and what the modern lounge traveller is really looking for. This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm in Newcastle, whose international airport is the venue for a world lounge first: three tiers, loosely corresponding to economy, business and first class travel. My guest in the Aspire lounge – or lounges – is David Collyer, Global Vice President of Executive Lounges at Swissport. He tells me his vision for the lounges and how it sets a possible path forward for other airports. This podcast is free, as is the weekly newsletter of travel updates. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, from Euston Station, I explore the looming disruptions poised to challenge UK rail passengers this May. From Network Rail's engineering projects during the bank holiday to a series of planned strikes affecting key routes. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's podcast brings you to Paddington Station, where I speak with passengers just off the Heathrow Express. Despite the ongoing UK Border Force strike, travellers report unexpectedly quick entries, highlighting the efficiency of e-gates and minimal queues. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s podcast, I’m aboard an Italian train, reflecting on the Labour Party's vision for the UK's railways. From the comfortable and punctual Italian rails, we dive into the Labour Party’s initiatives to address the UK’s rail system issues. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me, Simon Calder, in today’s travel podcast as I navigate the newly implemented entry fee at Venice's Santa Lucia Station. This fee, targeting daytrippers with a €5 charge on peak days, aims to reduce overcrowding and preserve the city’s heritage. I provide a firsthand account of the inaugural day, including reactions at the checkpoint and insights from local officials on how this fee might reshape tourism in Venice. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me, Simon Calder, in today's travel podcast as we delve into Heathrow's bustling activity and strategic outlook with Chief Financial Officer Javier Echave. We discuss the record-breaking passenger traffic of 18.5 million in the first quarter of 2024, the challenges posed by upcoming strikes, and the introduction of new security scanners. Amidst financial hurdles and operational updates, discover how Heathrow maintains its status as a top global hub and prepares for a busy summer season. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.