Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

You might have missed it, but today the UK extended its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) to cover another six Middle East countries. Visitors from these countries must enroll online and pay £10 before boarding a flight to the UK. But how does it differ from schemes with similar acronyms – Esta and Etias – and why is the insistence on transit passengers relevant to British travelers?This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heathrow’s new chief executive, Thomas Woldbye, tells me about the return to profitability for the UK's biggest airport; how to plug a £400m gap in revenue; the possibility of a third runway; and asks for the onerous ETA requirement for transit passengers at the hub is removed.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For today’s travel podcast I’ve been talking to one of the UK aviation leaders: Marion Geoffroy, UK managing director for Wizz Air. We talked about the potential for more air-traffic control problems in Europe in 2024, the issues of competing with Ryanair and easyJet – and, first, the remarkably young fleet of Wizz Air’s UK operation.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's podcast, I'm thrilled to share the unique story of Al and Colin, a couple emigrating from London to Auckland, not by air but via a six-week cruise on Queen Victoria. Their journey encapsulates a love for adventure, a strategic avoidance of jet lag, and an opportunity to fulfil bucket list dreams like witnessing the Panama Canal.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's podcast from sunny Sarajevo, I explore the legacy of the 1984 Winter Olympics and delve into the current fare wars shaping travel to Bosnia. Walking the historic luge track, now a woodland path adorned with street art, offers a unique window into Sarajevo's past and present.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I discuss the multi-dimensional rail disruptions in the UK, spotlighting the Aslef union strikes and separate disputes affecting LNER and Northern. I also touch on the dire situation in France, where weekend rail strikes pose significant problems for families returning to the UK.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's discussion focuses on the implications of passenger weight for airline safety, fuel use, and the comfort of plus-size travelers. We explore how airlines like Finnair and Air France are addressing these concerns.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I uncover the charm of travelling Europe in a motorhome with a twist: escorted tours that offer social interaction, guidance, and peace of mind. We discuss the popular routes, the logistics of flotilla travel, and why some travellers choose to return year after year.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me as I explore the concept of political tours with Nicholas Wood, revealing how travel can deepen our understanding of global political events. From witnessing the tension in Kosovo to anticipating elections around the world, we discuss the unique blend of journalism and tourism that makes these tours truly one-of-a-kind.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join me as I explore why Krakow and Reykjavik are now among the favourites for city breaks, and I reflect on my own experiences to recommend the perfect duration for urban adventures.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.