Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Today's podcast comes from an interminable passport queue at Heathrow Terminal 2. Only a limited number of planes are allowed to touch down at the UK's busiest airport before 6am, which means they avoid having to fly holding patterns before arrival and the wait for UK Border Control is short. That’s one reason I paid a premium for the pre-6am arrival on Singapore Airlines. But when the carrier decided to wait for transferring passengers before leaving Singapore, the schedule started to unravel.  Of course this podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter. Get it delivered every Friday to your inbox by subscribing at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

 I'm in Singapore, and here's a few things I've learnt from travelling here – from airport formalities to the all-you-can-eat buffet with penalties attached.Of course this podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter, which you can find by signing up at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final podcast of the week is brought to you from King’s Creek Station in Australia's Northern Territory. But I’m not talking about Australia - except in the context of how to get to and from there over Christmas since Heathrow Airport announced it will lift the passenger cap this weekend.Of course this podcast is free, like my weekly newsletter, which is available to subscribe to at: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's travel podcast comes from a very echoey Simpson's Gap just outside Alice Springs in central Australia. This is a gorge carved over millions of years through the West MacDonnell Ranges – Tjoritja in the language of the Aboriginal caretakers of this land.Simpson's Gap is the most accessible of the gorges that perforate the ranges. You can also take in Standley Chasm, with 80-metre high walls, and Ormiston Gorge – where your reward is a dip in a natural waterhole.Of course this podcast is free, like my weekly newsletter, which is available to subscribe to at: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My Australian adventure continues as I enjoy two very different sunset cruises in the country’s Northern Territory; the Yellow Water Cruise in Kakadu National Park, and a tour of the Nitmiluk Gorge in the Katherine River.Of course this podcast is free, like my weekly newsletter, which is available to subscribe to at: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Greetings from a hot, tropical Darwin! I'm in the capital of Australia's Northern Territory – a city transformed, full of life and diversity, and quite different from the one I last visited 15 years ago.Of course, this podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe for it today: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon Calder is in Darwin, Australia, where he's talking you through why you don’t need to fret over connecting flights (or even check any luggage).Of course 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.

For the final travel podcast of the week, I have come along to one of my favorite transport hubs anywhere: Victoria Coach Station in central London. The range of destinations is remarkable, the building is beautiful, and there is a real sense of shared humanity.Of course 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.

Today’s podcast is brought to you from London’s Carnaby Street where, amongst the throngs of shoppers, I’ll be talking about Spain, which has rather abruptly announced the ending of Covid-19 restrictions.The nation, which is the most popular overseas destination for British holidaymakers, has lagged well behind most of the rest of Europe in removing vaccination and testing rules.Of course 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.

The latest round of national rail strike dates have been announced. The ongoing dispute shows little sign of ending but slowly there seems to be more dialogue about what the government is expecting and what they feel the unions have to accept. But what will bridge the gap between the two sides?Of course this podcast is free, like my weekly newsletter, which is available to subscribe to at: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.