Simon Calder, an esteemed travel journalist, isn’t the kind of celebrity to prioritise luxury. Known as “the Man Who Pays His Way” because he does not accept free travel facilities, Simon’s passion for minimalistic travelling and hitchhiking inspired his passion for travel journalism. Though his first job was as a cleaner at Gatwick Airport, Simon took the opportunity to start writing a budget travel guide; Hitchhiker's Manual: Britain. After a couple of years, Simon completed his degree in Mathematics at the University of Warwick, whilst continuing his exploration of Europe through hitchhiking - at one point he held the record for the quickest hitchhike from Land's End to John o' Groats.
After University, Simon continued writing, releasing several books on travelling. His first broadcast as a travel expert occurred in 1980 on the Simon Bates programme Studio B15. In 1994, Simon became The Independent’s Travel Correspondent, which resulted in him winning News Journalist of the Year and Business Travel Journalism Award for his report of United Airlines’ treatment of Dr David Dao. Simon continues to contribute to the BBC, as a presenter and consumer adviser on Rip Off Britain. Furthermore, Simon regularly inputs his knowledge as a travel expert for radio and TV stations, including presenting The Travel Show, a weekly travel phone-in on the London talk radio station LBC until 2012.
