Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

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 prices has meant I've rather fallen out of the habit. In this episode though I take a look at Eurostar Snap, which is a ticket scheme aimed at making the most of an opportunity for the right price.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 discount tickets for passengers prepared to book late and have no choice about the departure time on the day they choose to travel.This podcast is free, as is The Independent's weekly travel newsletter. Subscribe here to have it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Travel Desk Tuesday which means we're interviewing Annabel Grossman, Global Travel Editor for The Independent, who says that when asked about her favourite place to go in the world she keeps thinking of Pembrokeshire. From St Davids to Tenby to some of the most beautiful coasts in the world the county has a lot to offer.This podcast is free, as is The Independent's weekly travel newsletter. Subscribe here to have it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 talks us through how alliances work and why they exist, as well as what 'codesharing' mean in airline lingo.This podcast is free, as is The Independent's weekly travel newsletter. Subscribe here to have it delivered every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 advantage today people, who have the option, are increasingly choosing unconventional times of the year to go away.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Get all the latest travel info by signing up here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today I'm speaking to Alastair Willson, Chief Executive of Ascend Airways. His airline help other airlines overcome operational difficulty by supplying the aircraft and the cabin crew for them. As the industry becomes increasingly seasonal, with there being a huge difference between the number of summer flyers compared to the winter, Ascend Airways can step in for these disparities.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Get all the latest travel info by signing up here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 about passenger numbers and how Taylor Swift's Era Tour gave a late-summer surge for travel hubs like Heathrow Airport.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Get all the latest travel info by signing up here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Vincent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Kaya Niedenthal of Currency Online Group to discuss the recent fluctuations in currency markets, how the strength of the pound and dollar impacts travel, and why cash still plays a vital role—even in an era dominated by plastic payments. We also delve into tips for getting the best rates and why some places still prefer good old-fashioned cash.     This podcast is free, like the Independent Travel newsletter. Get it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 – and then the airline changes the plane type and you're back with a seat that is almost prehistoric in modern aviation terms. Rob Burgess, founder of the frequent-flyer website Head for Points, is demanding a suite guarantee.This podcast is free, like the Independent Travel newsletter. Get it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.