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The Travel Expert with Simon Calder

The Telegraph
Ryanair
United States
North-South Divide
9/11 Attacks
Aviation Security
Travel
Air Traffic Control
Schengen Area
Qantas
Lonely Planet
Greek Islands
Lithium Batteries
England Travel Destinations
Philippines
UNESCO
Air Travel Safety
Border Control
Project Sunrise
British Airways
Holidays

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes18Founded4 months ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Places & TravelAviationLeisureSociety & Culture

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Artwork for The Travel Expert

Latest Episodes

This week, as air traffic control meltdowns and NATS software defects continue to make headlines, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson discuss whether ongoing aviation chaos is becoming the new normal.

Greg also reports back from watching robots park ca... more

This week, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson are joined by the legendary Sir Michael Palin to discuss his latest adventures in the Philippines, his close encounter with the Chinese coastguard in the South China Sea, and his memorable, last-minute meeti... more

This week as a catastrophic air traffic control meltdown disrupted 300,000 travel plans, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson discuss whether regular aviation chaos is the new normal. Greg takes us behind the scenes to the highly secure NATS headquarters,... more

Following a major cybersecurity breach at Manchester Airport, Greg and Simon discuss whether it’s ever truly safe to log on to airport Wi-Fi - and the essential steps you must take to avoid “juice jacking” while charging your devices on the go.

And ... more

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Recent Guests

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
Senior travel journalist and host focused on travel news, destination ideas, and insider perspectives.
Greg Dickinson
Co-host and senior travel writer, brings practical trip planning tips and industry context.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 59 ratings
  • Top man

    Ryan

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Holderness days
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Fantastic

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

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    berkeleysq
    United Kingdom2 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 Kingdom2 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 Kingdom4 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Candid travel industry insights with a friendly vibe
Practical tips that are useful for holidays and planning
Solid destination ideas and travel-news context
Listener questions add a relatable, helpful angle

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Michael Palin on the Philippines, over-tourism and his Python-era travel tales
Q: What practical advice do you have for travelers today, especially those seeking authentic experiences?
Palin emphasizes reduced reliance on large tour groups, engaging with locals, choosing quality over quantity, and prioritizing genuine listening and language efforts to understand cultures more deeply.
The forgotten corners of Spain hungry for more tourists
Q: Linda wants to know, can one take walking poles in hand luggage on flights to Geneva?
Walking poles are not allowed in hand luggage; they must go in checked luggage, either collapsed or tied up, with spikes capped to prevent damage to other bags.
Will you soon be catching an overnight train direct from Scotland to Paris? Plus the rewards (and risks) of taking a gap year
Q: Is it safe to consider independent travel? And if so, what must visit locations are there?
The hosts affirm that independent travel can be brilliant but stresses planning and safety, recommending staying in safer areas, using reliable transport, and basing decisions on local guidance and personal risk assessment to maximize the experience while minimizing danger.
Why the North has better seaside towns than the South
Q: What are your top tips for overlooked budget travel destinations in France?
Greg suggests comparing prices between British and French Centre Parcs, highlighting a Normandy option that can be significantly cheaper than the UK equivalent, and noting a village vibe near the gates that allows for local experiences; the takeaway is to look for affordable, authentic stays just across the Channel and to consider train routes into coastal towns like Whitstable alternatives.
The best (and worst) of US travel, according to the co-founder of Lonely Planet
Q: What would you suggest as a quintessential American destination beyond the big cities?
New England and Detroit offer rich cultural and historical experiences, with road trips and regional museums providing a deeper sense of American life beyond the coasts.

Audience Metrics

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

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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?

The show combines practical travel guidance with destination spotlights and industry news, guided by two veteran travel journalists who riff on routes, airports, and evolving travel patterns. Recent episodes center on European travel, long-haul and budget airline dynamics, border controls and biometrics, and innovative travel concepts like no-fly cruises, all enriched by listener questions and anecdotes. A standout is the conversational dynamic between the two hosts, delivering actionable tips (packing, timing, bookings) alongside insights into how policy shifts affect trips from Europe to far-flung destinations.

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How many listeners does The Travel Expert get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Travel Expert have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Travel Expert has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Travel Expert?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Travel Expert:

1. The Andrew Neil Report
2. The News Agents
3. The Daily T
4. The Poshcast
5. Page 94: The Private Eye Podcast

How many episodes of The Travel Expert are there?

The Travel Expert launched 4 months ago and published 18 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Travel Expert?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Travel Expert?

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What guests have appeared on The Travel Expert?

Recent guests on The Travel Expert include:

1. Michael Palin
2. Rosa Silverman
3. Nuria Cremer-Vazquez
4. Michael O'Leary
5. Tony Wheeler

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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