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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
Decarbonization Of Aviation
Hydrogen-Powered Aircraft
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.

PublishesDailyEpisodes1237Founded5 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Society & CulturePlaces & TravelLeisure

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Artwork for Simon Calder's Independent Travel Podcast

Latest Episodes

My guest today is Kathryn Leahy, chief operations officer for the air-traffic control service, Nats. We talked about the impact of bad weather – such as Storm Bram – on air-traffic control. And looking ahead, how “performance-based navigation”will ma... more

I've been hearing from the man responsible for improving reliability and attracting more people to the railway. Lord Hendy has strong views on how unifying tracks and trains will bring better services. He also believes the Great British Railways app ... more

Dozens of flights and ferry sailings have been cancelled due to strong winds and heavy rain. British Airways cancelled its first wave of domestic departures, while Aer Lingus Regional has grounded many flights between Great Britain and the island of ... more

I have been hitchhiking for half a century. But in that time thumbing rides has shrunk from the mainstream method for budget travellers to get around to the most minority of sports – on the periphery of transport, with most people never having stood ... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Brian Young
Managing Director for Europe, the Middle East and Africa for G Adventures
G Adventures
Episode: Best beach, mountain, river, bar and country? Ask an expert
Sandra Ishmael
UK Director for the Netherlands Board of Tourism
Netherlands Board of Tourism
Episode: Going Dutch? These are the highlights in the Netherlands in 2026
Rachel O'Reilly
Director of Communications for Dertour UK
Dertour UK
Episode: Advent begins: so what are the travel trends for 2026?
Heather Thorkelson
Founder of Minimal Impact Expeditions and polar explorer
Minimal Impact Expeditions
Episode: Could "solar sails" be the future for polar adventure voyages?
Richard Loosley
Author of 'What A Way To Go To India' and travel expert from the 1970s.
Troubadour
Episode: What a way to go to India – reminiscing about overland travel 50 years ago
Claire Jones
Chief Executive of Polar Steps
Polar Steps
Episode: 'Your primary audience is you in 10 years. That's who you're writing your updates for'
Martin Rolfe
Chief Executive of NATS
NATS
Episode: Why a short hop from Newcastle to London Heathrow might involve going around in circles
Andy Jasper
CEO of the Eden Project
Eden Project
Episode: I'm on the train – and the wifi is superb
Mark Hopwood
Managing Director of Great Western Railway
Great Western Railway
Episode: I'm on the train – and the wifi is superb

Host

Simon Calder
Host of the Independent Travel Podcast and experienced travel correspondent with extensive knowledge and insights in the travel sector.

Reviews

3.7 out of 5 stars from 700 ratings
  • All ads

    50% of the episode time is ads

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Crocodile1985
    United Kingdom6 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 Kingdom8 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.

Many enjoy Simon Calder's engaging presentation style and knowledge, especially regarding current travel trends and logistics.
Listeners appreciate the insightful content and expert travel advice provided, making it a go-to resource for travelers.
Some reviews express frustration over the proportion of advertisements to content, indicating a desire for a greater focus on informative segments.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Best beach, mountain, river, bar and country? Ask an expert
Q: Your favourite country, is that a fair question to ask?
Young states that Vietnam is currently his favorite country after a recent trip, while Mallorca remains a short-haul favorite.
Best beach, mountain, river, bar and country? Ask an expert
Q: What about your favourite mountain?
Brian shares that Kilimanjaro is his favorite mountain due to his adventurous experience climbing it.
What will AI mean for the future of travel planning?
Q: So has it all been a force for good, making things more efficient, cheaper, easier?
Yes, AI and the Internet have greatly influenced the efficiency and accessibility of travel, enabling more people to travel more often.
What will AI mean for the future of travel planning?
Q: What can you tell the travel industry about how they can actually harness the online world?
Travel agents and operators can adapt to the rise of AI by creating good content that answers travelers' questions, as AI tools are learning from existing content.
Wizz Air's UK boss promises new routes from Luton to key holiday destinations – and restoring links with Ukraine
Q: What is Wizz Class and what can customers expect from it?
Wizz Class is a new initiative aimed at improving customer experience with added benefits such as priority boarding and food options, while remaining cheaper than competitors like British Airways.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

Insights and recommendations on travel trends and experiences form the core of discussions, supported by expert guests who provide unique perspectives on global destinations. Expect practical travel advice, news updates, and personal stories that inspire listeners to explore the world while navigating the complexities and changes in the travel industry. Noteworthy themes include strategic travel planning amidst evolving logistics, highlights of lesser-known attractions, and the impact of emerging technologies on travel experiences. The podcast is characterized by its engaging format and Simon Calder's renowned expertise in the travel sector, appealing to anyone looking to stay informed and inspired about travel options today.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Which?
2. Money Box
3. The Martin Lewis Podcast
4. Desert Island Discs
5. Radical with Amol Rajan

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 5 years ago and published 1237 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. Brian Young
2. Sandra Ishmael
3. Rachel O'Reilly
4. Heather Thorkelson
5. Richard Loosley
6. Claire Jones
7. Martin Rolfe
8. Andy Jasper

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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