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Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

The Independent

Simon Calder is the Independent’s travel correspondent, the UK’s leading travel journalist. From news updates to discussions with experts, Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast will bring you all you need to know from the world of travel.

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

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Top 10 Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast - April 28th - What the effects of the latest rail strikes will be
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04/28/23 • 7 min

Travellers trying to reach the Eurovision Song Contest and the FA Cup Final by rail could find their trains cancelled by a series of strikes. The main rail union, the RMT, and the train drivers’ union, Aslef, have called more walk-outs in May and June. Staff will stop work at more than a dozen train operators, including all the key long-distance and commuter rail firms. On Friday 12 May, Wednesday 31 May and Saturday 3 June, train drivers belonging to Aslef will walk out. Aslef has also imposed an overtime ban on eight days between 13 May and 1 June.

The RMT has called a strike by members working at 14 train operators on Saturday 13 May.


This podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter - subscribe here to get it in your inbox every Friday.



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

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Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast - August 7th - Are things getting worse?

August 7th - Are things getting worse?

Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

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09/07/23 • 6 min

How many more things can go wrong this summer? Floods, staff sickness at Gatwick's air traffic control, and missed flights and ferries due to a manhunt. All exogenous events – but are they getting worse?


This podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter. Subscribe now to have it delivered every Friday.



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

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Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast - October 12th - What I said and discovered speaking with the Transport Select Committee
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10/12/22 • 6 min

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.

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Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast - January 8th - Mid-Air Mystery: Unpacking the Alaska Flight Door Mishap
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01/08/24 • 6 min

I'm Simon Calder, reporting on the curious case of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. Departing from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California, this journey on a Boeing 737 Max 9 took an unexpected turn when a panel detached mid-flight at over 16,000 feet. As we await detailed investigation results, join me in assessing the situation, exploring potential causes, and reaffirming air travel safety measures.


This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Find out more here.



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

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Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast - February28th - What to do when passenger names are wrong

February28th - What to do when passenger names are wrong

Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

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02/28/23 • 10 min

One of the most frequent questions I get asked is about what to do if a passenger name is incorrect on a booking. Airlines are very eager that names be correct, while trains in the UK aren't bothered at all. In this episode, I guide you through what the rules are and what you can do about an incorrect name on a booking.


This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Subscribe here.



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

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Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast - October 2nd - Hiking Highs: Tales from the Pyrenean Trail

October 2nd - Hiking Highs: Tales from the Pyrenean Trail

Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

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10/02/23 • 9 min

In this episode, Simon Calder takes listeners on a journey from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Along the way, he encounters trail markers, rustic refuges, and navigates occasional misdirections. From tales of majestic mountains to moments of uncertainty, explore the wonders and challenges of the Pyrenees with him.


This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can get every week. Subscribe here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday.



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

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They say “no” – all the charges are published and highlighted, and these are optional extras. If you’re prepared to travel with just a small bag and don’t mind where you sit on the plane, then the fare you see is the fare you pay.


My view: it’s perfectly fair to charge people extra for the extra cost of providing services. In the UK easyJet started that in 1995 when they started charging 50p for a cup of tea. When charges for luggage started in 2006, the cost of checking in a suitcase was just a couple of pounds – reflecting the cost of handling. But now the prices are ridiculous. In a couple of weeks I’m flying from Newcastle to Dublin. The flight is £17 but if I want to bring a decent sized piece of cabin baggage on board, I will pay £20 – more than doubling the cost. Charges for seating people together are also disproportionate.


This podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter. Subscribe now to have it delivered every Friday.



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

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Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast - September 4th - British Airways' U-Turn flights

September 4th - British Airways' U-Turn flights

Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

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09/04/23 • 6 min

No fewer than four British Airways flights turned back after take-off from London at the weekend – on one occasion flying two-thirds of the way to the destination before making a U-turn. The considerable disappointment of the passengers will be assuaged by hundreds of pounds in compensation. But what happened, and should passengers be worried?


(Spoiler alert: No)


This podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter. Subscribe now to have it delivered every Friday.



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Recently we saw one of the busiest travel days of the year and a complete failure of the National Air Traffic Service. This meant that controllers had to reduce their workload to just 15%. With thousand of cancelled flights and hundreds left stranded, I've gone through the key events to try and get everyone some answers.


This podcast is free, much like my weekly newsletter. Subscribe now to have it delivered every Friday.



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

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Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast - October 4th - End of the line for HS2

October 4th - End of the line for HS2

Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

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10/04/23 • 7 min

Yes, it’s another rail strike day in England. I’m at London Waterloo, normally the busiest rail station in the UK. Train drivers belonging to the Aslef union are walking out for the 15th day in a long and bitter dispute over pay and working arrangement. Meanwhile in Manchester, the prime minister is set to announce cancellations from Manchester to Birmingham – not just of all trains today, but of all high-speed in the future, as Rishi Sunak axes the important parts of HS2.


This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter, which you can get every week. Subscribe here to have it delivered to your inbox every Friday.



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

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FAQ

How many episodes does Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast have?

Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast currently has 987 episodes available.

What topics does Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast cover?

The podcast is about Places & Travel, Society & Culture and Podcasts.

What is the most popular episode on Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast?

The episode title 'April 28th - What the effects of the latest rail strikes will be' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast?

The average episode length on Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast is 7 minutes.

How often are episodes of Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast released?

Episodes of Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast are typically released every day.

When was the first episode of Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast?

The first episode of Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast was released on May 8, 2021.

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