Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Sue Heath was removed from her British Airways flight to Malta just before Christmas, despite her UK passport meeting all post-Brexit EU entry requirements. In today’s podcast, I explore the alarming misunderstanding of passport rules by BA staff at Gatwick and the implications for travellers, sharing insights into Sue’s experience and advice for passengers facing similar issues.This podcast is free, as is The Independent Travel newsletter, which you can subscribe to here and have delivered every Friday.

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2025 and with it I'm sure there's a renewed optimism for places to visit and sights to see. So, I've run down the list of where I think is a great place to visit - all within five hours travel time of the UK. This podcast is free, as is The Independent Travel newsletter, which you can subscribe to here and have delivered every Friday.That list in full:January - BradfordFebruary - ViennaMarch - TromsoApril - SarajevoMay - RotterdamJune - BelfastJuly - KyivAugust - St John’sSeptember - ThessalonikiOctober - TangierNovember - ConstantineDecember - Krakow

In today’s podcast, British Airways’ controversial changes to its Executive Club are now rebranded as the British Airways Club. From April 2024, loyalty will be tied directly to spending, making it harder for budget travellers to earn perks like lounge access and seat upgrades. I discuss how the revamped system impacts frequent flyers, with insights from industry experts on whether this shift rewards loyalty—or alienates economy travellers.This podcast is free, much like The Independent Travel newsletter. Subscribe here and get it delivered every Friday.

I'm at my favourite airport hotel anywhere: the Thistle Terminal 5, which is not quite at London Heathrow Terminal 5 but has a priceless terrace overlooking the northern runway. I list the reasons why you'd enjoy stopping here before flying out of Heathrow Airport - as well as asking a plane spotter what he's taking a look at.This podcast is free, much like The Independent Travel newsletter. Subscribe here and get it delivered every Friday.

Boxing Day – and many people are on the move around Britain. But how easily will they be able to travel? I’m at London St Pancras International, the UK’s best connected rail station – at least in normal times. In this episode, I run through what the train timetables look like as Network Rail runs engineering works across the network but if you're looking to catch the Boxing Day races in Liverpool, you're in luck.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here.

A round-up of all the festive travel disruption!This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered every Friday.

While travel unravels across the UK, I have escaped to Vienna – where I caught up with Helena Steinhart of the Vienna Tourist Board. She tells me about Christmas celebrations, why January to March is a good time to be in the city and how Vienna differs from central European rivals Budapest and Prague.

A week before Christmas, loads of people are going to be travelling by train. I'm at London Blackfriars talking to Samantha Facey, Health, Safety and Security Director at the UK's biggest train operator, GTR, about staying safe.This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered every Friday.