Simon Calder was born on 25 December 1955 in Crawley, West Sussex, England. He is the son of science writer Nigel Calder, and grew up near Gatwick Airport, which helped spark his lifelong interest in travel.

He was educated at Thomas Bennett School and later studied mathematics at the University of Warwick, graduating in 1978. During his early years, he developed a passion for hitchhiking and budget travel, experiences that would shape his journalism career.

Calder began his career working at Gatwick Airport as a cleaner and later as a security guard. During this time, he started writing travel guidebooks. He later joined the BBC as a radio engineer before becoming a freelance travel journalist and, in 1994, travel correspondent for The Independent.

He became a presenter on The Travel Show on BBC News and BBC Two, contributing as a travel expert (“Global Guru”), and has also appeared on programmes such as Holiday and Departure Lounge.

Calder lives in London with his wife Charlotte, while enjoying his busy schedule consisting of broadcasting, writing, public speaking, and travel commentary.