Society & Culture

The Travel Expert with Simon Calder

by The Telegraph

Places & TravelSociety & CultureLeisure

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Latest episodes

Travel Expert Q&A Special: Solo Korea tips, Patagonia routes and the world's best airports

October 23, 2026 · 31 min

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…
How to detect an elite (and dreadful) hotel, according to the Hotel Inspector

October 16, 2026 · 33 min

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…
The UK airports ditching passport checks for facial verification

October 9, 2026 · 27 min

This week, as British airports prepare to introduce "contactless borders" with facial recognition at e-gates, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson discuss whether passport checks are finally becoming a thing of the past and how the new…
What the Flydubai incident tells us about airline safety

October 2, 2026 · 29 min

This week, following a terrifying 14,000 ft drop in altitude and a violent cockpit altercation on a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv where a pilot was stabbed, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson discuss airline safety, pilot security…
An insider's secrets to booking the ultimate winter sun escape

September 25, 2026 · 36 min

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…

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Michael Palin on the Philippines, over-tourism and his Python-era travel tales

September 18, 2026 · 45 min

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…
How 9/11 reshaped travel forever and what the future holds for airport security

September 11, 2026 · 30 min

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…
North vs. South: Settling the ultimate staycation debate

September 4, 2026 · 28 min

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…
Exposed: The terrifying risk of lithium batteries exploding on planes

August 28, 2026 · 31 min

Following a high-stakes experiment at a laboratory in Warwick, Greg reveals why airlines are so terrified of lithium battery fires - and the essential safety rules you need to know before you fly. Plus, we explore the world’s first…
The forgotten corners of Spain hungry for more tourists

August 21, 2026 · 30 min

Looking for a quick getaway? This week, Simon and Greg dive into the rise of the “micro-cation” - the trend of squeezing maximum adventure into minimum time, and whether it’s a sustainable way to travel. Plus, with bank holiday weekend…
Will you soon be catching an overnight train direct from Scotland to Paris? Plus the rewards (and risks) of taking a gap year

August 14, 2026 · 33 min

All aboard! This week, Simon and Greg debate the future of rail travel as we examine the feasibility of a direct overnight train from Scotland to France. Plus they look at further Eurostar developments—including the upcoming stop in…
100ml airport rules were ‘security theatre’ all along

August 7, 2026 · 35 min

It has been 20 years since the 100ml liquid restrictions were first introduced at airports, and many travellers are asking the same question: when will it finally come to an end? This week, Simon and Greg look at why the rule persists, the…

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About the show

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, from the cheapest ways to travel around Greece to whether airline points are really worth it. Unpack the biggest stories shaping the world of travel, every Friday - with The Travel Expert. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.