Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

There's been a couple of cases of voyages going a little bit wrong the past week or so, and it can be very annoying for passengers. I tell you all about it.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.

I’m at a particularly busy Waterloo station as many services have been delayed or cancelled owing to signalling problems. But today’s podcast is thinking forward to Christmas, with travellers growing frustrated as rail tickets are currently not available to book for the festive period. 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.

In the last travel podcast of the week – I'm confused about the government. Not the trouble at the top, but why a travel journalist should have to be alerting various parts of the UK government to what the actual rules are for British travellers to Europe since Brexit.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.

I'm aboard a Moroccan train, from Casablanca heading north to the capital Rabat. This nation has the best network in Africa, with proper high-speed trains running between Tangier and Casablanca, plus user-friendly ticketing. For once, I am travelling in first class – upstairs in a comfy seat. Fares here are such good value that you can afford to treat yourself. 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.

I was the warm-up act for today's Transport Select Committee hearing about travel disruption over the summer. Here's what I said, and what I learnt.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe to it at https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today it's a special edition from the 2022 Travel Convention – featuring Mark Tanzer, chief executive of the travel association Abta, on sustainability, consumer protection and the value of travel professionals.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can get directly to your inbox by subscribing here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Liverpool has beaten Glasgow to be the host city of 2023's Eurovision song contest. Ukraine memorably won 2022's competition and while they would have had several fantastic locations, the war with Russia has meant that Britain have been asked to host this year. Many will be happy to see Liverpool, where some would say modern music emerged from, has won the right to host but already prices for accommodation have skyrocketed and alternatives may need to be sought out as the rest of Europe descends upon the city.Of course this podcast is free, much like 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.

More train strikes are coming, but remember: if a train is running, and you have a flexible (off-peak/anytime) ticket and can physically squeeze on board, then you are able to travel – so if it says "no tickets available", don't be deterred.Of course this podcast is free, much like my newsletter that you can get delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

British travellers are being impeded by decisions made by lawmakers elsewhere in the world, and it's not on. America's laws to isolate Cuba further has seen British travellers. If you've been to Cuba since March 2011 then you're not eligible for the ESTA scheme, which is ridiculous. And Indian politicians are also making laws that impede us British travellers. I give you the lowdown on what the rules mean.Of course this podcast is free, much like my newsletter that you can get delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe 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 a deserted Paddington Station, as train workers stage another strike as part of a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions. Of course this podcast is free, much like my newsletter that you can get delivered to your inbox every Friday. Subscribe here: https://www.independent.co.uk/newsletters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.