Simon Calder

Passport validity for European Union. A UK passport must meet two conditions: On day of entry to the EU, issued less than 10 years ago. On intended day of exit from EU, at least 3 months left before expiry date. (Also Switz/Iceland/Norway but not Ireland.) independent.co.uk/travel/europe/…

My usual Saturday/Sunday 5.30pm Instagram Live, taking your travel questions, is delayed this afternoon due to my train running late. Sorry. Hoping to start at 5.45pm (the current estimate arrival at London King's Cross). Looking forward to your questions. instagram.com/simon_calder/?…

Good morning from ... well, you decide. A former stately gateway to adventure, now in need of rescue. What and where? In particular, which continent?

Great getaway: 6pm Friday update. The main problem is for airline passengers: the "delay domino effect". Air-traffic control flow restrictions across Europe have been holding up loads of flights, with aircraft and crew falling increasingly behind schedule. independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

Boom v Zoom Will supersonic flight ever return? @Boomaero: Yes. It “unlocks new possibilities for human connection” Top aviation exec @JonathanHinkles: No. "We've got Zoom. Business meetings that were Concorde's bedrock don't require people to fly anymore" independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

Concorde. Thoughts with the loved ones of the 113 passengers, crew and hotel workers who died 25 years ago today when the Air France supersonic jet crashed after take-off from Paris CDG. Recollections from @kayburley, on air at the time, and travel leaders independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

On the eve of the busiest day of the year so far for travellers, I'm working on the Friday morning newsletter. Includes Concorde, navigating Albania and why you should never check in baggage. If you don't already subscribe, you might want to sign up here⬇️ independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

Busiest travel weekend of the year: Friday 25 to Sunday 27 July. Air: Air-traffic control delays likely, with Scotland hit by airspace closures due to President Trump's visit. Road: Friday to 7pm, Saturday 10am-5pm and Sunday 11am-6pm worst. Good luck all. independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

Today's travel podcast. The CEO of the Port of Dover about the week ahead – the busiest of the year for departures to France. Doug Bannister says: Arrive no more than two hours early; if you miss your booked ferry, you will go on the next available sailing shows.acast.com/green-list-tra…

The North Yorkshire coast is beautiful, with some excellent beaches such as Runswick Bay. But as anywhere on UK shores, there are risks in water. Besides the RNLI's work, local communities also run rescue boats – and I was delighted to meet the guys from Runswick Bay Rescue Boat.

UK airports begin their peak days today. Today: Newcastle has its busiest day of the summer. Friday, it's Birmingham. Sunday, Luton. Good luck everyone. independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

DfT: "The Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie; in just a matter of years, rail passengers in the UK could be able to visit these iconic sights from the comfort of a train thanks to a direct connection linking London and Berlin" Really? independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

Roaming. Many mobile deals are strictly EU, so beware international frontiers. Your phone may explore more widely than you, causing unexpected items in the billing area. Examples: Corfu-Albania, Croatia-Bosnia, as well as the Pyrenees near plucky Andorra. independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

USA Summer 2025. If you are considering a visit, I've compiled all you need to know about Esta rules, searches of your social media history and queues for Customs and Border Protection. Best plan: go via Dublin, where you can be pre-cleared at the airport. independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

Standing room only? Department for Transport has published a list of the 10 most-crowded trains in England and Wales. 3 Bedford to London St Pancras departures feature in the top 5. West Midlands Trains, South Western Railway and Chiltern also make the cut independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

Accordions on a plane. Rules for musical instruments are complex. On Ryanair, a cello needs its own seat in the name of "EXTRA ITEM SEAT". I was unaware easyJet allowed squeezeboxes on board, and that the bellows expand. Offers for the best accordion tunes to busk with on planes?