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Artwork for Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

The Independent
British Airways
Entry-Exit System
Ryanair
Aviation
Gatwick Airport
Air Travel
Heathrow Airport
Tourism
Eurostar
India
Greenland
London
Travel
Dubai
Boom Supersonic
Spain
Easyjet
Concorde
Greece
Air Traffic Control

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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1358Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelLeisureSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Latest Episodes

For my final podcast for The Independent, I am talking to film director Ido Fluk about his new movie – which transported me back to 1970s Germany. a war-weary land where much was changing. Koln 75 tells the story of the best-selling jazz piano album ... more

Get up to speed with the help of data sleuth Dr Nick Brown, who believes that in time the EES will work well – but adds a warning or two about Etias.

This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Sign up here to get it delivered... more

My guest today is Simon Woodroffe – the entrepreneur behind household names including YO! Sushi and Yotel, and also one of the original Dragons on BBC’s Dragons’ Den.

He has been telling me about the travel aspects of his career: founding Yotel, sa... more

Senior travel writer Natalie Wilson has just returned from her first trip to Tuscany and Umbria. She tells of being quoted €1,000 for a cab ride in Italy, and reports on her experiences of the EU entry-exit system.

This podcast is free, as is Indepen... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Ido Fluk
US-Israeli film director
Director of Koln 75
Episode: Time travel to 1970s Germany in a new film: Koln 75
Simon Woodroffe
Entrepreneur, founder of Yotel
Yotel / YO! brand
Episode: The story behind a hotel revolution: Yotel!
Mark Smith
The Man in Seat 61, international rail guru
Seat 61
Episode: What is the future for international rail travel in Europe?
Matthew Valentine
Global Head of Sales, Havila Voyages
Havila Voyages
Episode: See the magnificent coast of Norway from the local ferry
Saadia Baber
Founder and chief executive of Xperience Pakistan
Xperience Pakistan
Episode: Should you plan a trip to Pakistan?
Olga Kefalogianni
Greek Tourism Minister
Greek government
Episode: UK visitors will get fast-track entry to Greece until better solution is found, minister tells me
Laura Lindsay
Travel industry analyst at Skyscanner
Skyscanner
Episode: Demand is displaced, not depleted – people still want to travel
Maria Jelenska
A guest from Gdańsk who discusses the city
From Gdańsk, Poland
Episode: Come to my home town – Gdansk
Christophe Mathieu
Chief executive of Brittany Ferries
Brittany Ferries
Episode: Brittany Ferries says no cancellations nor surcharges due to fuel shortages

Host

Simon Calder
Host of Independent Travel Podcast; travel journalist and industry commentator

Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars from 718 ratings
  • Mixed feelings

    Some of the content is interesting but they’re now full of adverts (up to 50% of the duration!) which puts me off.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Carryanna
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • All ads

    50% of the episode time is ads

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Crocodile1985
    United Kingdoma year 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 Kingdoma year 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 Kingdom2 years 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 Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Positive feedback highlights reliability and usefulness of travel updates and expert guests.
Ad-heavy feel; balance between updates and ads is a recurring comment.
Background music and editing quality are common points of critique in reviews.
Some listeners wish for fewer ads and a quieter audio experience.
Listeners appreciate credible, practical travel insights and guest expertise.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What is the future for international rail travel in Europe?
Q: When will the new cross-border rail regulations be implemented?
The regulations are expected to take years to pass through the EU institutions, so it won't happen next week or next month, but it's being actively worked on as a major step to improve cross-border rail travel.
What is the future for international rail travel in Europe?
Q: What was the standard way of booking European rail travel in the 1980s and early 1990s?
It was simple and flexible in a kilometric, mileage-based system where national rail operators shared distance tables and tariffs, allowing through fares between many destinations; but it was not always competitively priced and required coordination across multiple national operators.
Mississippi, land of the Blues
Q: What were you having to tip?
The guest explains that in America tipping between 20 and 25 percent is common, and in Mississippi staff often depend on higher tips due to wages, so travelers should be generous.
The best of Armenia in six minutes flat
Q: What is the tourist going to find in Yerevan and beyond?
The host and guide describe a city built with distinctive tuf stone and modern districts, plus the region's diverse architecture and scenery, signaling a mix of ancient charm and new developments.
Should you plan a trip to Pakistan?
Q: How should a first-time visitor approach safety and travel advisories when planning a trip to Pakistan?
She suggests talking to local operators, relying on up-to-date local knowledge, and using the FCDO as a reference while recognizing that local operators can adapt itineraries in response to protests or security developments.

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?

A daily travel-focused show delivering updates, analysis, and practical guidance from industry experts and policy voices. Episodes blend timely travel news with interviews on topics like border policies, fuel hedging, airline loyalty, and regional travel, often featuring senior industry figures, government officials, and seasoned travel journalists. A distinctive aspect is the mix of data-driven insights, first-hand travel experiences, and policy context, aimed at helping listeners plan trips, understand industry shifts, and navigate disruptions. The format tends to balance pragmatic travel tips with broader market and policy discussions, and the host's accessible style plus a steady stream of expert guests is a notable strength for readers... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Martin Lewis Podcast
2. Money Box
3. Which?
4. The Rest Is Money
5. This is Money Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 1358 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. Ido Fluk
2. Simon Woodroffe
3. Mark Smith
4. Matthew Valentine
5. Saadia Baber
6. Olga Kefalogianni
7. Laura Lindsay
8. Maria Jelenska

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