Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

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. Joe Biden is a big fan, but can the President's enthusiasm catch across the US?Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 lateral flow tests to PCR tests and adjustments to quarantine rules. I take you through what the new measures are and how you can minimise quarantine time and still keep everyone safe.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 cancel holidays and whether those already on holiday in South Africa will have to return to face expensive stays in Quarantine hotels. As ever, Simon Calder takes you through the latest announcements and how you can make the best choice if you're planning to travel to affected countries soon.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 reopen following Covid restrictions, Hong Kong's zero-covid approach risks causing mayhem for flights and workers, while in Singapore bookings are exploding in pace. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 country, heading back from Edinburgh to London, I'll take you through the new rules and how to avoid those costly fines.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. LNER has been the train company ferrying passengers up to Edinburgh but it now has competition with the new "easyjet of the rails", Lumo - but why has this happened here and what has it meant for Morpeth?Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rising Covid rates have seen a smattering of restrictions and lockdowns being brought back in across European countries, the latest to announce a lockdown being Austria. But if you've booked a getaway for any destination that subsequently moves into lockdown, what are your rights as a traveller? Simon Calder fills you in on what you can do if you find yourself flying into lockdown.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode, Simon Calder navigates through the world of Covid passports and what you need to do travelling abroad, following two huge announcements that might have slipped past many people. Simon takes you through what documents you need to show, which countries are looking for evidence of booster shots and what the NHS app shows.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The government have unveiled plans to provide 'faster' train journeys across the northern half of the country, delivered 'earlier and cheaper' under a £96bn rail plan - but have confirmed the rumours that the eastern leg of HS2 to Leeds has been scrapped. I take a look at the plans and see what's really happening and whether it does mean better train connections for northern cities.Of course this podcast is completely free, as is my weekly travel email. You can sign up at independent.co.uk/newsletters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. But when should you book? Which is best, confidence or commitment-phobia? I take a look at what you have to weigh up before booking that trip to the United States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.