The Travel Expert with Simon Calder
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 explores destinations from the Alps to Zanzibar, plus the inside track on the latest travel news and how it affects your next trip. They answer burning questions, from the cheapest ways to travel Greece to whether airline points are really worth it. Unpack the biggest stories shaping the world of travel, every Friday.
Episodes
The UK airports ditching passport checks for facial verification
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 technology will work.Plus, following the British Museum's decision to ban cameras for the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, the duo explores why tourist attracti
What the Flydubai incident tells us about airline safety
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, and whether passengers should be worried. Plus, as strikes and engineering works converge across the network, the duo dives into the looming winter of discontent
An insider's secrets to booking the ultimate winter sun escape
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 cars at Gatwick Airport, while Michael O'Leary warns that cheap flights are up by 14% as airlines cut back schedules.Plus, we are joined by fellow tra
Michael Palin on the Philippines, over-tourism and his Python-era travel tales
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 meeting with President Bongbong Marcos. From his iconic journeys in Around the World in 80 Days to his favourite Python-era travel tales, Michael reflects
How 9/11 reshaped travel forever and what the future holds for airport security
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, and Simon proposes an ingenious camp-bed solution to rescue stranded passengers. Plus, 25 years on from the tragic events of 9/11, we reflect on how
North vs. South: Settling the ultimate staycation debate
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 is September still the bargain travel time we all hope it is, or are prices finally catching up to the peak summer rush? We break down the latest data t
Exposed: The terrifying risk of lithium batteries exploding on planes
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 round-the-world holiday by private jet. At £173,000, we discuss whether it’s the ultimate bucket-list trip, or if there are far more affordable ways to see the globe wit
The forgotten corners of Spain hungry for more tourists
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 approaching, they share essential advice on avoiding sky-high last-minute fares and finding the best deals for a final summer escape before the rain returns.And we'r
Will you soon be catching an overnight train direct from Scotland to Paris? Plus the rewards (and risks) of taking a gap year
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 Antwerp.Plus following the recent solar eclipse, Simon and Greg share their essential intel for your future eclipse-chasing adventures, from the best spots to catch th
100ml airport rules were ‘security theatre’ all along
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 confusing inconsistency between airports, and what the future of aviation security actually looks like.We also examine Gatwick’s second runway, which has offici
British travellers advised to prepare ‘evacuation grab bags’ during holidays
With wildfires causing disruption across Europe, this week’s episode focuses on your essential rights if your holiday destination becomes a disaster zone. Simon and Greg break down what you can do if travel plans are affected and share crucial evacuation advice from the British Red Cross to ensure you are prepared.Elsewhere in the news this week, the anti-tourism protests in Mallorca. Are the prot
Ryanair ‘will not wait for anybody’ as Britons prepare for summer of border chaos
In this week’s episode, Simon and Greg speak exclusively to Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary as he warns British travellers that his airline won't wait for passengers caught up in passport queues this summer.They also discuss the harrowing mid-air emergency on a flight from Greece to Germany where a cabin window shattered and a passenger was partially pulled through the window.Moving from airport borde
The best (and worst) Greek islands
As Simon dials in from a taverna on the island of Patmos, this week’s episode focuses on the best ways to explore the Greek islands. Where is best for a luxury escape or a family getaway, and what is the best possible island-hopping itinerary? And after a hectic 48 hours in Dubai, Greg shares his findings as geopolitical tensions ramp up in the Gulf. He found cut-price hotels, stoic locals, m
Why the North has better seaside towns than the South
In this week’s episode, Simon and Greg explore the impending “staycation stampede” as the UK swelters in yet another heatwave: is it a real trend, or just the usual summer rush?They also discuss whether the best seaside towns are in the North or the South, and delve into the great debate of sandy versus shingle beaches.Moving from the coastline to the skies, they discuss the potential easyJet take
The best (and worst) of US travel, according to the co-founder of Lonely Planet
In this week’s episode, Simon and Greg welcome into the studio the co-founder of Lonely Planet, Tony Wheeler. Tony has travelled to every corner of the world, including 47 US states. To mark the 250th anniversary of US independence, Greg and Simon quiz Tony on his opinions on tipping culture, roadside motels, and the pros and cons of the Amtrak service.They also discuss the recent chaos across Eur
Europe's top ‘coolcations’, and why the ‘no-fly cruise’ is on the rise
You can watch The Travel Expert on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7B8r8XAkKIYIn this week’s episode, Simon calls in from a boat in the Outer Hebrides while Greg roasts in central London. With the mercury surpassing 40°C in some corners of Europe, they discuss the best destinations to sidestep the Continental heat, including a “coolcation” in a laid-back Spanish coastal town.Plus, they discuss the Forei
The world’s first 20-hour flight, plus why budget airfares are rising
In this week's episode, Simon and Greg discuss the EU's controversial air travel reforms, which could affect British passengers. Under the proposals, airlines warn fares could rise, child-seating policies will be overhauled, and a new system is designed to make compensation claims easier.Plus, the latest news from Project Sunrise: Qantas' ambitious plan to link London and Sydney non-stop. Simon an
A million dollar holiday? Inside America's World Cup rip-off
In this episode of The Travel Expert, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson tackle the complex travel conundrums surrounding the 2026 World Cup.They discuss the US border headaches and travel rip-offs that have plagued the tournament so far, and delve into one quite extraordinary $1m package holiday to watch the final in New York City. Plus, Simon's strategies for a sub-£1,000 alternative.With the solar
Is your summer holiday at risk? How to outsmart the European border chaos
In the first episode of The Travel Expert, Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson discuss the chaos caused by the EU's new biometric border measures, and dissect how to make things as painless as possible when travelling to Europe this summer. Plus, they share their greatest travel experiences – from Turkey's Lycian Way to the Perito Moreno glacier in Argentina – and answer your pressing travel conundrum
Coming Soon: The Travel Expert
Join Simon Calder and Greg Dickinson on The Travel Expert, a new podcast from The Telegraph. Available every Friday, wherever you get your podcasts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
