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Artwork for Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

The Independent
M25
London
National Express
Heathrow Airport
Flying With Confidence
Total Solar Eclipse
Elizabeth Line
Gatwick Airport
British Airways
Rome
Covid-19
Japan Airlines
Alaska Airlines
Olympic Games
Traffic Congestion
Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft
Decarbonization Of Aviation
North America
Paris
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF)

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1253Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePlaces & TravelLeisure

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Artwork for Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Latest Episodes

Right at the end of 2025, tens of thousands of passengers had their New Year plans wrecked when a problem in the Channel Tunnel.

30 trains linking London St Pancras International with Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam.

Paul Charles, chief executive o... more

To start 2026, I'm talking to Mark Tanzer, well respected chief executive of Abta, the travel association – about reasons to be cheerful, challenges from the EU entry-exit system and the environmental impact of tourism.

As well as: What's the point... more

I'm talking to Mike Vincent, General Manager of the Langdale Chase Hotel overlooking Windermere in Cumbria – who has been working through the festive season along with his staff.

"We're nice people looking after nice people," he says.

This podcast... more

I've been talking to Chris Woodroffe, managing director of Manchester airport, about plans for the future in terms of passenger numbers – and also public transport connectivity to MAN. With a brief mention of the thorny subject of drop-off charges.

T... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
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Recent Guests

Graham Vidler
Chief Executive of the Confederation of Passenger Transport
Confederation of Passenger Transport
Episode: Coming to a bus stop near you this Christmas Day?
Paul Griffiths
Chief Executive of Dubai Airports
Dubai Airports
Episode: Part 3/3 — Dubai airport CEO's advice to the UK
Harris Whitbeck
Minister of Tourism for Guatemala
Government of Guatemala
Episode: Guatemala 2026: risks and rewards
Gordon Dewar
Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh Airport
Episode: Fast track to America – from Scotland?
Kathryn Leahy
Chief Operating Officer for Nats
Nats
Episode: Looking ahead to smoother skies and swifter journeys
Adam Renak
Co-founder of Hitchr
Hitchr
Episode: On the road – again?
Dan Smith
Co-founder of Hitchr
Hitchr
Episode: On the road – again?
Brian Young
Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa for G Adventures
G Adventures
Episode: Best beach, mountain, river, bar and country? Ask an expert
Sandra Ishmael
UK Director for the Netherlands Board of Tourism
Netherlands Board of Tourism
Episode: Going Dutch? These are the highlights in the Netherlands in 2026

Host

Simon Calder
Host of the Independent Travel Podcast and experienced travel correspondent with extensive knowledge and insights in the travel sector.

Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars from 702 ratings
  • All ads

    50% of the episode time is ads

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Crocodile1985
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • Content good, quality meh

    I like Simon Calder and these little snippets, and although the ads are annoying I understand they have to make money somehow. However, there are quality issues that have made me unsubscribe - in particular the editing, where words are missed out usually at least once an episode and sometimes lots more. It’s a quick daily podcast, but surely someone can spend 5 mins listening to it to check for glitches?

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Elowen S
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Always interesting

    Love the actual podcast but not a fan of all these adverts. They’re getting very monotonous

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    cassy94york
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Big fan of Simon Calder but…

    The latest episode was only 10 mins long, but had 5 mins worth of ads?! I’ll stick to Simon’s other podcast, You should have been there.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    KW090807060504
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Good

    Take ads off. When possible use a better mic with a bit more noise cancelling. No stupid music.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    real-lucas12
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many enjoy Simon Calder's engaging presentation style and knowledge, especially regarding current travel trends and logistics.
Listeners appreciate the insightful content and expert travel advice provided, making it a go-to resource for travelers.
Some reviews express frustration over the proportion of advertisements to content, indicating a desire for a greater focus on informative segments.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Coming to a bus stop near you this Christmas Day?
Q: Is this a trend which is likely to continue?
Yes, the trend has been increasing over the last few years and will likely continue as demand grows.
Coming to a bus stop near you this Christmas Day?
Q: What's driving this increase in bus services on Christmas Day?
Society is changing, with families needing to travel further to see relatives and more people working on Christmas Day.
Part 3/3 — Dubai airport CEO's advice to the UK
Q: Is the UK doing enough to secure the future of aviation?
Griffiths believes that no continent is adequately addressing aviation sustainability challenges.
Guatemala 2026: risks and rewards
Q: How does the Foreign Office travel advice portray Guatemala, and what do you think about it?
Whitbeck discusses the safety concerns from travel advisories, advocating for a more region-specific approach to accurately reflect tourist safety in popular areas.
Guatemala 2026: risks and rewards
Q: Can you talk me through the distinct regions of Guatemala?
Harris Whitbeck explains Guatemala's rich cultural diversity, with 23 Indigenous groups and languages, as well as distinct nature offerings like volcano hikes.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Insights and recommendations on travel trends and experiences form the core of discussions, supported by expert guests who provide unique perspectives on global destinations. Expect practical travel advice, news updates, and personal stories that inspire listeners to explore the world while navigating the complexities and changes in the travel industry. Noteworthy themes include strategic travel planning amidst evolving logistics, highlights of lesser-known attractions, and the impact of emerging technologies on travel experiences. The podcast is characterized by its engaging format and Simon Calder's renowned expertise in the travel sector, appealing to anyone looking to stay informed and inspired about travel options today.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Full Disclosure with James O'Brien
2. The Rest Is Politics
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4. The Rest Is Entertainment
5. Newscast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 1253 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Graham Vidler
2. Paul Griffiths
3. Harris Whitbeck
4. Gordon Dewar
5. Kathryn Leahy
6. Adam Renak
7. Dan Smith
8. Brian Young

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