Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Once again I am at London Waterloo station reporting on another strike by members of the Aslef union. But as a third summer of strikes by train drivers belonging to Aslef begins, a glimmer of hope for an end to the conflict. Negotiations with rail firms could shortly resume after a year. Union boss Mick Whelan tells me a ‘relatively’ clean pay deal could end the dispute.This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here.

Thirty years ago Queen Elizabeth II and French president Francois Mitterand officially opened the Channel Tunnel between Folkestone in Kent and Calais in northern France. So how much has the link transformed travel – and what does the future hold? Unfortunately, it’s been a tale of broken promises so far in terms of direct services between the UK and Continental Europe. The only prospect of improvement: cutting costs and opening up to new budget operators.This podcast is free, as is The Independent's weekly travel newsletter. Sign up for all our newsletters here.

I'm on the route of the (actually scheduled) Orient Express, 15 years after that legendary train last left Vienna to cross Germany into France overnight. My transport is an Austrian Railways Nightjet, destination Amsterdam and Hamburg. And I'm rather impressed ...This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here.

I'm still in Newcastle Airport admiring the recently opened three-tier lounge experience. It's a great place to catch up with Rob Burgess, editor of the frequent-flyer website, Head For Points. I picked his brains about what makes a good airport lounge experience, who's doing it right, wrong and what the modern lounge traveller is really looking for.This podcast is free, as is the travel newsletter from The Independent. Sign up for it here.

 I'm in Newcastle, whose international airport is the venue for a world lounge first: three tiers, loosely corresponding to economy, business and first class travel. My guest in the Aspire lounge – or lounges – is David Collyer, Global Vice President of Executive Lounges at Swissport. He tells me his vision for the lounges and how it sets a possible path forward for other airports.This podcast is free, as is the weekly newsletter of travel updates. Sign up for it here.

Today, from Euston Station, I explore the looming disruptions poised to challenge UK rail passengers this May. From Network Rail's engineering projects during the bank holiday to a series of planned strikes affecting key routes.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday.

Today's podcast brings you to Paddington Station, where I speak with passengers just off the Heathrow Express. Despite the ongoing UK Border Force strike, travellers report unexpectedly quick entries, highlighting the efficiency of e-gates and minimal queues. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday.

In today’s podcast, I’m aboard an Italian train, reflecting on the Labour Party's vision for the UK's railways. From the comfortable and punctual Italian rails, we dive into the Labour Party’s initiatives to address the UK’s rail system issues. This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday.

Join me, Simon Calder, in today’s travel podcast as I navigate the newly implemented entry fee at Venice's Santa Lucia Station. This fee, targeting daytrippers with a €5 charge on peak days, aims to reduce overcrowding and preserve the city’s heritage. I provide a firsthand account of the inaugural day, including reactions at the checkpoint and insights from local officials on how this fee might reshape tourism in Venice.This podcast is free, as is my weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered every Friday.