The Travel Expert with Simon Calder

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

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 sou

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

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

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 che

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, Simo

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 i

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

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

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

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 ne

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

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 a

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

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

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 u

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

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 summe

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 4

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/7B8r8XAkKIY In this week’s episode, Simon calls in from a boat in the Outer Hebrides while Greg roasts in ce

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

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 hea