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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
Alaska Airlines
Japan 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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1214Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Latest Episodes

Five years ago, Cat Jones created a start-up to use smart tech solutions (coupled, often, with Interrail passes) to deliver tailor-made journey by rail, sea and bus across Europe.

This podcast is free, as is Independent Travel's weekly newsletter. Si... more

I am at London Gatwick airport, location of easyJet's biggest base, to celebrated the 30th birthday – on Monday – of Britain's biggest budget airline. Since 10 November 1995, aviation has been democratised, giving us wider horizons than ever. I've be... more

Today I'm at World Travel Market, the UK's biggest travel trade event, and talking to Lara Paxton of New Scientist Discovery Tours about the prospects for a new kind of adventure: whether searching for dinosaur traces in the Gobi Desert, or visit the... more

Four weeks ago the MP for Barnsley South took over the tourism brief: a real challenge, in my view, with visitor numbers and spend last year lower than pre-Covid. I've been hearing about her vision for boosting business, and in particular broadening ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Bill Rivett
The captain of the first EasyJet flight.
GB Airways
Episode: November 7th - 30th birthday – on Monday – of Britain's biggest budget airline
Stephanie Peacock
Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth
Episode: November 5th - Meet the new minister – Stephanie Peacock MP, promoting tourism to Britain
Adam Gill
Technology director and passenger on the train during the incident
Episode: November 3rd - Horror on the 6.25pm from Doncaster to London King's Cross
Sir Richard Branson
Founder of Virgin Group
Virgin Trains
Episode: October 31st - Eurostar gets competition from London to Paris and beyond from Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Trains
Sean Moulton
Aviation analyst and expert in airline routes
Episode: October 24th - Winter is coming ... on Sunday 26 October the northern hemisphere winter season begins for the world's airlines
Richard Hammond
Founder and videographer for Green Traveller
Green Traveller
Episode: October 22nd - Is there really a future in "Green Travel?"
Greg Monson
Partner at Kicheche Safari Camps
Kicheche Safari Camps
Episode: October 17th - 25 years on: Kicheche Safari Camps – a model for wildlife tourism?
Richard Allan
Managing Director of Chiltern Railways
Chiltern Railways
Episode: October 16th - New trains for old on Chiltern Railways, linking London Marylebone with Banbury and Birmingham
Alex Norris
Minister for Border Security and Asylum
UK Government
Episode: October 15th - EU entry-exit system: UK borders minister on the new challenges for travellers

Host

Simon Calder
Simon Calder is the Independent's travel correspondent and a leading UK travel journalist, known for providing expert insights and informative discussions about the travel industry.

Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars from 696 ratings
  • All ads

    50% of the episode time is ads

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Crocodile1985
    United Kingdom5 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 Kingdom7 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 Kingdoma year ago

Listeners Say

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

Many express frustration with the high ad content relative to show length, causing some to unsubscribe.
Listeners appreciate the insightful travel updates and expert interviews, highlighting the engaging content.
There is a mix of affection for the host's expertise and criticisms regarding audio quality and background music.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

November 6th - Discover your inner scientist - on holiday
Q: Where is New Scientist going to be for the eclipse on the 12th of August, 2026?
We have two different trips in different locations, an expedition boat in Greenland and a land-based trip in Burgos, Spain.
November 6th - Discover your inner scientist - on holiday
Q: If people do not have particularly a scientific background, are they going to enjoy it?
Definitely they will enjoy it. There are a number of guests that travel on these trips that also don't have a science background.
October 21st - Can Sweden enhance your mind and body in winter?
Q: Would you say that you feel you need holidays in order to just feel physically and emotionally better?
Yes, holidays can be essential for resetting mental health and provide enjoyable experiences.
October 21st - Can Sweden enhance your mind and body in winter?
Q: Can you think of any reason why Sweden would be particularly restorative?
Sweden's offerings like wild swimming, sauna culture, and connection to nature help rejuvenate travelers.
October 17th - 25 years on: Kicheche Safari Camps – a model for wildlife tourism?
Q: Would you say this is a good example of how tourism can be such a tremendous force for the world?
Yes, the positive impact of wildlife tourism and its model is crucial for conservation and community revenue.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Location
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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

This podcast offers valuable insights into the world of travel, focusing on emerging destinations, tourism trends, and practical travel advice. Frequent discussions with industry experts, including travel correspondents and tourism officials, cover topics like sustainable tourism practices, the impacts of economic changes on travel, and up-to-date information on various travel destinations. With its engaging storytelling and expert interviews, the show stands out for its commitment to responsible travel and in-depth analyses of the travel industry, making it a go-to resource for travelers seeking both inspiration and information.

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1. The Martin Lewis Podcast
2. Money Box
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4. Full Disclosure with James O'Brien
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How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 1214 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. Bill Rivett
2. Stephanie Peacock
3. Adam Gill
4. Sir Richard Branson
5. Sean Moulton
6. Richard Hammond
7. Greg Monson
8. Richard Allan

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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