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/…

Jet fuel: Tui, Europe's biggest holiday company, tells me there is plenty of fuel to last through the summer. Firm does not envisage any flight cancellations. “Consumption is significantly lower than a year ago, refinery capacity is up” due to high prices. independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

@SteveBray999 Thank you for letting us know about your experience. Hope the trip went well. SC

@SimonCalder Just returned from Crete and had a great experience on arrival and departure. Lots of border police on duty doing manual checks. EU machines taped off not in use. No queues. Well done Greece 🇬🇷

EU entry-exit system: Greece vows to fast-track British travellers, with a guarantee of no biometric border checks, untll a better procedure is available. independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

@simonjpenn2401 @Ryanair Thank you for the update. Good luck and enjoy Berlin.

@SimonCalder @Ryanair arrived in Berlin at 10am local time from London. Huge EES queue, nobody in any of the EU lanes. Will take people at the rear longer to enter than it took them to fly here. Ridiculous!!!

@AlisonCoops2224 @JaneFranklin99 Thanks for update.

@SimonCalder @JaneFranklin99 Arrived in Corfu today and queued for about 30-35 minutes. No biometric checks but 7 kiosks with border officials checking passport.

Stirling-Carlisle-Preston-MKC-London Euston: Lumo low-cost trains start on Monday, 25 May. Adds crucial connectivity from central Scotland,. Also opens West Coast Main Line competition against Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Express and London Northwestern independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

World Cup kicks off a month today. Air fares and hotel rooms falling for football fans (room rates down by up to 20%). But regular tourists who want a good deal can also benefit from the slump in demand and prices. LHR-LAX £515 return on BA/Virgin in June. independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

Your favourite European mega-hub?

Europe's worst major airport? Surely it must be Paris Charles de Gaulle, in terms of surface access (CDG Express train from Gare de l'Est is running three years behind schedule) as well as the overall airport design and operation. Other nominations welcome independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

@drooga @easyJet So sorry to hear it, Rajeev. I have been doing what I can to make travellers aware of the EU passport rules we signed up for after Brexit: Passport no more than 10 years old on the day of entry to the EU. At least 3 months left on the intended day of exit. independent.co.uk/travel/europe/…

@SimonCalder @easyJet i have a uk passport expiring Nov 26. was flying to Madrid on today 16.30 flight but turned away at the gate because my passport was issued Feb 16 2016 - it’s considered expired by EU rules. no mention was made on ez jets website as i booked there …

Heathrow travellers: Elizabeth Line and Heathrow Express trains are currently suspended to and from the airport. The Piccadilly Line is closed this weekend for engineering. Best alternative is Tube to Hammersmith, then bus. No GWR trains running to/from London Paddington, either.

@SJMann999 @ThexParishClerk Crikey, what a range of issues in a single transit. Thanks very much for letting me know. Hope you enjoyed Portugal.

@SimonCalder @ThexParishClerk Just leaving Lisbon. Lots of booths open. Son, who’s never done it before, registered and sent to e-gate. Husband, could not read his passport. Daughter, problem with photo. Me, could not find 4 fingers on scanner. All sent for manual check with most others but through in 20 mins

Talliin, small airport. 1 UK plane, 5 passport officers, 1 hour 45 mins to process and get through. Luckily no other planes arrived. @SimonCalder

Thomas Ableman hopes to create a “mini-Switzerland” – with reliable, interconnected public transport – in Derbyshire's Hope Valley. “Clear connections, integrated timetables, punctual services and the freedom to live without a car, even in a small village” independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

First on Everest: Graham Hoyland has written a brilliant book about pioneering mountaineer Howard Somervell. Graham will be telling me more at Hatchard's excellent bookshop in Piccadilly in central London, on Wednesday 13 May at 6.30pm. Tickets here, £10🔽 hatchards.co.uk/events/howard-…

@LouisRoss67 @YouShouldHaveBT Last time I looked Timisoara in western Romania was about the cheapest option, flying out via Dortmund and back via Milan. Trains from there to Budapest. independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

@SimonCalder @YouShouldHaveBT Hi Simon, do you have any tips for travel to Budapest without paying the £1400 easyJet are charging for flights? Checked Vienna (and then a train) but fares are similar

Arsenal fans going to Budapest for Champions League final. Palace off to Leipzig for Conference League final. Do you have a great travel story involving football, or done an outstanding stadium tour overseas? Let us know for the You Should Have Been There podcast @YouShouldHaveBT

Aviation fuel. BA owner IAG confident of jet fuel supply throughout the summer: “The situation is more about the price of fuel than availability.” But the International Air Transport Association (Iata) says: “European fuel supply could come under pressure” independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

Sunbed wars solved. Harness 21st-century technology to map all the available horizontal hotspots on an app. Then sell the right to drop a virtual towel on the poolside couch. Could be done at the point of booking the holiday, or on the day. #TowelWizard. independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…

As London commuters head south from London on hopefully not-too-delayed trains after this morning's disarray, some reading for you about the system that failed: Why do train drivers need radio communication with signallers? GSM-R explained. independent.co.uk/travel/news-an…