Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Ten days ago I was waxing lyrical about London's 63 bus. The future of surface transport in the capital, I called it. Well, after that Leon Daniels – former managing director of Surface Transport for Transport for London – got in touch to say that many of the innovations I welcomed had, in fact, been in place for years. So I invited Leon to tell us all more.Of course, this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Travel fraud is on the rise as people become ever more desperate to find a bargain. But what are the warning signs? I'll take you through the ways to spot if something isn't as good as it looks and ways you can double-check to make sure it's the real thing you're booking.Of course, this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Get it delivered to your inbox here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm joined by my colleague Charlotte Hindle and we are tackling a frequently asked question — this time on the US/Cuba tension, and how it could impact your travel plans.Of course, this podcast is free, as is my newsletter at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A Notice to Air Missions, or NOTAM, is so very important in keeping air travel safe — but what is it?In today's podcast I'll explain what happened during the FAA system meltdown, which resulted in thousands of flights being grounded across the US.Of course, this podcast is free, as is my newsletter at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rail passengers across Britain are experiencing the first days free of industrial action for weeks. The last of five days of strikes ended in the early hours of Sunday morning, with full services for the first time almost everywhere in the country.The RMT union’s overtime ban, which has caused thousands of train cancellations in the past few weeks, is also over. But the long and bitter dispute drags on, which is why I wanted to bring you up to date on the state of the railway.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I'm on the new all-electric 63 bus — the first route in London that has that characteristic. It's very much an experimental bus route that's been created to encourage more people to get back on public transport. This is because, since the pandemic, fare revenue in the capital has dropped off a cliff.So, let me explain to you why it's important to get back on the bus network.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following a 48hr strike by RMT members, Aslef members are now striking, crippling train services across much of England. It's a truly miserable start to the year for the country's rail industry and one that doesn't seem to have a resolution in sight as union delegates and the government blame one another for lack of progress. I take a look at the current situation and what it'll take to get the situation resolved.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up for it here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's podcast I've made my way to the Egyptian beach resort town of Hurghada, and I tell you all about how my journey is going so far…Of course, this podcast is free, as is my newsletter at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's travel podcast comes from Gatwick Airport, where I hope to begin my last-minute travels to Egypt.Of course, this podcast is free, as is my newsletter at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Millions of people across England can save money on bus travel with the introduction of a £2 cap on fares for more than 4,600 routes. It lasts until the end of March.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can subscribe to here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.