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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
Gatwick Airport
Elizabeth Line
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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1298Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
LeisureSociety & CulturePlaces & Travel

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Artwork for Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Latest Episodes

I am in Broken Hill, New South Wales: the Silver City. Besides being a classic Australian mining town, it has been the location for some cult movies – including Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The central set for the music was the marvellous Palace H... more

I have been talking to stranded travellers in Sydney – probably the location with the highest number of people keen to get to the UK, but scuppered by the airspace closures in the Gulf. Today meet Keith Wood, who with his wife Jan is trying to get ba... more

My guest today is Nicholas Wood, founder and director of Political Tours: friend of the podcast, to whom I talked to last May. Since then a vast amount has happened politically and in the travel realm – most recently the Foreign Office putting Cuba o... more

Travel desk Tuesday – and today's excellent colleague just back from a big trip is Global Travel Editor Annabel Grossman. She has returned from wintry Finland, where she adored the handsome capital Helsinki – and in particular its amazing library – a... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Darren Henley
Chief Executive of Arts Council England and Chair of the National Lottery Forum
Arts Council England
Episode: National Lottery Open Week is back from 7 to 15 March 2026
Natalie Wilson
Senior travel writer
Episode: First time in Africa for senior travel writer Natalie Wilson
Sandra Pellegrini
An expert on Latin America at a conflict monitoring group called ACLED
ACLED
Episode: Mexico: UK Foreign Office issues urgent warning as flights are cancelled due to drug cartel violence
Anna Butler
Tour director of Expat Adventure
Expat Adventure
Episode: "Huge, massive beautiful place" – welcome to Mongolia
Philip Breckner
Expert from Discover Egypt
Discover Egypt
Episode: Egypt: new opportunities in an ancient land
David Gilbert
Professor of Urban and Historical Geography at the Royal Holloway Centre for the GeoHumanities
Royal Holloway, University of London
Episode: The expert's guide to the great cities of the world
Captain David Sanders
Retired airline pilot with extensive flying experience
Episode: View from the flight deck
Sharon Cleator
Founder of Sharon's Solutions, providing travel resources in the Algarve
Sharon's Solutions
Episode: Insider’s guide to Portugal’s Algarve
Stephen Melton
History teacher and Latin American expert
Episode: Insider tips on Buenos Aires

Host

Simon Calder
Host of the travel podcast, sharing insights and updates from the travel industry. Notable for his expertise and approachable narration style.

Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars from 703 ratings
  • All ads

    50% of the episode time is ads

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Crocodile1985
    United Kingdom9 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 Kingdom10 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.

Some reviews mention issues with audio quality and editing, which detracts from the overall experience.
Listeners appreciate the insightful travel information provided by an industry expert.
Others express frustration about the distracting background music that can overshadow the content.
There is a noticeable concern regarding the podcast's heavy advertisement burden relative to its short duration.
Many praise the daily updates as a valuable resource for staying informed about travel news.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

National Lottery Open Week is back from 7 to 15 March 2026
Q: How much effort am I going to have to do into pre-organising all this?
The biggest effort probably is getting your shoes on, getting your coat on and getting out there. Many experiences can be enjoyed without extensive pre-planning.
National Lottery Open Week is back from 7 to 15 March 2026
Q: How does this work? I have a lottery ticket. What do I do?
You just need to show up with your lottery ticket, and you can participate in various activities across the UK during the National Lottery Open Week.
First time in Africa for senior travel writer Natalie Wilson
Q: Could you see Mount Kenya in the distance?
Yes, we could see Mount Kenya clearly, with snow on the top.
First time in Africa for senior travel writer Natalie Wilson
Q: Can you tell us about the accommodations where you stayed?
We stayed in cottages at Borana Lodge, which were rustic luxury rather than the modern hotels, and it wasn't canvas tents.
First time in Africa for senior travel writer Natalie Wilson
Q: What were your first impressions of Africa?
My first impressions were that it was quite groggy from the long flight, but it was worth it. Seeing giraffes from the plane over Nairobi National Park was impressive.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

Focused on nuanced insights and updates regarding the travel industry, this podcast covers a broad spectrum of topics including major airport expansions, evolving travel regulations, and expert discussions about destinations worldwide. It features a range of guests from experts in aviation and travel writing to directors of tourism organizations, providing a well-rounded exploration of contemporary travel issues. Unique to this podcast is its commitment to succinct, daily updates that make it accessible for listeners looking for quick and reliable information in the fast-paced world of travel.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Martin Lewis Podcast
2. The Rest Is Money
3. The News Agents
4. The Rest Is Politics
5. The Rest Is Politics: Leading

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 1298 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. Darren Henley
2. Natalie Wilson
3. Sandra Pellegrini
4. Anna Butler
5. Philip Breckner
6. David Gilbert
7. Captain David Sanders
8. Sharon Cleator

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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