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The Travel Expert with Simon Calder

The Telegraph
Aviation Security
Ryanair
Travel Health
United States
9/11 Attacks
North-South Divide
Flydubai
Travel
Air Traffic Control
New Winter Flight Routes
South Korea
Airline Baggage
Schengen Area
Qantas
Lonely Planet
Greek Islands
Philippines
Lithium Batteries
England Travel Destinations
Caribbean

Join veteran travel journalist Simon Calder for an exciting new adventure - The Travel Expert, a new weekly podcast from the Telegraph.

Alongside fellow travel writer Greg Dickinson, Simon will explore destinations from the Alps to Zanzibar, plus the inside track on the latest travel news - and importantly, how it all affects your next trip.

And Simon and Greg will answer your burning questions, ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes24Founded5 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelAviationLeisureSociety & Culture

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Travel Expert

Latest Episodes

This week, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson dive into the rising number of bomb threats on European flights, breaking down what's happening and what passengers need to know about their rights.

We also look at tourist tax increases for 2027 - includi... more

This week, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson dive into the most exciting new winter flight routes launching to Granada, Giza, and the Red Sea, alongside crucial British Airways terminal changes at Heathrow.

Plus, we're joined by travel health expert T... more

This week, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson tackle your most pressing travel questions in a special Q&A edition. From finding the best budget-friendly seaside towns in southwest England and choosing between the Chilean and Argentine routes to Patagoni... more

This week, we're joined by Britain's foremost hotelier and star of Channel 5's The Hotel Inspector, Alex Polizzi, to share her views on the biggest challenges facing the hospitality industry, her favourite hotels in the world, and what it really take... more

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Recent Guests

Thorrun Govind
Pharmacist, health lawyer and former chair of the Royal College of Pharmacy in England
Royal College of Pharmacy
Episode: What travel health experts wish you knew before your flight
Alex Polizzi
Hotelier and broadcaster, and presenter of Channel 5's The Hotel Inspector
Polizzi Collection
Episode: How to detect an elite (and dreadful) hotel, according to the Hotel Inspector
Rob Burgess
Founder of Head for Points
Head for Points
Episode: The UK airports ditching passport checks for facial verification
Rachel O'Reilly
Doyen of travel professionals, expert on exotic destinations
Various including LUNPOLI, KUONI and independent work
Episode: An insider's secrets to booking the ultimate winter sun escape
Michael Palin
Sir Michael Palin, veteran travel presenter/actor
Writer/Presenter
Episode: Michael Palin on the Philippines, over-tourism and his Python-era travel tales
Rosa Silverman
Senior features writer at The Telegraph
The Telegraph
Episode: North vs. South: Settling the ultimate staycation debate
Nuria Cremer-Vazquez
Spain expert, Telegraph Travel
Telegraph Travel
Episode: The forgotten corners of Spain hungry for more tourists
Michael O'Leary
Chief Executive, Ryanair Group
Ryanair
Episode: Ryanair ‘will not wait for anybody’ as Britons prepare for summer of border chaos
Tony Wheeler
Co-founder of Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet
Episode: The best (and worst) of US travel, according to the co-founder of Lonely Planet

Hosts

Simon Calder
Host of The Travel Expert; long-time travel journalist with broad coverage of destinations, aviation, and travel policy.
Greg Dickinson
Co-host and travel writer, provides field reports, host banter, and Greece expertise.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 68 ratings
  • Top man

    Ryan

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Holderness days
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Fantastic

    This has quickly turned into one of my favourite weekly podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    berkeleysq
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Difficult listen

    I enjoy the content of the podcast and the knowledge of both presenters, but the presentation means I can’t listen to a full half hour. Simon’s staccato style makes it very difficult to listen to and digest the information. I appreciate it’s difficult to alter that but it doesn’t suit a discussion podcast. Don’t fall into the same style Greg!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Benarchie
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • good tips for holidays

    enjoyed the first show, gives a lot of practical advice as well as destination inspiration

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PeggyLou1989
    United Kingdom5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners value practical tips and destination ideas from real travel experiences.
Discussions on travel disruption resonate with frequent flyers and industry professionals.
Guests and topics are seen as credible and informative by many.
Some listeners wish for smoother, slower pacing during host discussions.

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 travel health experts wish you knew before your flight
Q: What specific vaccinations should a traveller maybe to the tropics have, almost as a matter of course, and keep those current?
Govind recommends checking childhood vaccines such as MMR and considering destination-relevant vaccinations including diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis, rabies and yellow fever. She advises arranging vaccinations well before departure and consulting a travel health professional.
What travel health experts wish you knew before your flight
Q: What's the go-to source for travel health information? Where should people be looking?
Govind recommends Travel Health Pro, run by the National Travel Health Network and Centre, for trusted destination-specific advice on vaccines, malaria risks and other health guidance.
Travel Expert Q&A Special: Solo Korea tips, Patagonia routes and the world's best airports
Q: What is the best way to get to Patagonia from the UK, Chile or another route?
Dickinson says the choice depends on which part of Patagonia the traveller wants to see: fly to Santiago for Chile's Lake District and Torres del Paine, or to Buenos Aires for Argentina's glaciers and national parks, then use domestic flights.
Travel Expert Q&A Special: Solo Korea tips, Patagonia routes and the world's best airports
Q: What is the best budget-friendly seaside town in the southwest?
Dickinson suggests less expensive bases such as Penzance or St Austell, or nearby Tenby in Wales; Calder recommends Weston-super-Mare for its friendly atmosphere, low prices and seaside hotel options.
How to detect an elite (and dreadful) hotel, according to the Hotel Inspector
Q: What advice would you give guests to get the most out of their stay, and what do you think of online reviews?
Polizzi says she does not read online reviews but welcomes guests contacting her directly. She encourages customers to report problems while still at the hotel so staff can try to fix them.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Travel Expert

What is The Travel Expert about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A pragmatic travel conversation hosted by veteran writers, pairing practical trip planning with big-picture industry insight. Regular hosts discuss destinations, airline news, border controls, and evolving travel infra, while answering listener questions on value, points, and practical tips. The tone blends accessible banter with data-driven context, often featuring guest experts who bring region-specific perspectives or industry leadership. A standout for listeners who want timely travel intelligence, candid industry commentary, and actionable advice for planning trips and navigating travel disruption. The format tends to balance gear-focused tips with broader trends in aviation, tourism, and global travel culture, making it useful for bot... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Travel Expert?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Travel Expert:

1. Rosebud with Gyles Brandreth
2. The News Agents
3. Desert Island Discs
4. The Rest Is Entertainment
5. The Holiday Expert Show

How many episodes of The Travel Expert are there?

The Travel Expert launched 5 months ago and published 24 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 The Travel Expert?

Recent guests on The Travel Expert include:

1. Thorrun Govind
2. Alex Polizzi
3. Rob Burgess
4. Rachel O'Reilly
5. Michael Palin
6. Rosa Silverman
7. Nuria Cremer-Vazquez
8. Michael O'Leary

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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