Best Western European city for a wheel chair traveller

I haven't traveled in Europe in or with a wheelchair, so I don't have first-hand experience, but it seems that Madrid, and Spain in general, has made a huge effort to aid mobility, and also accommodations for the blind. I can't guarantee that this is universal, but it seemed that lots of Madrid Metro stations had elevators, museums had ramps, etc. However, there are still lots of cobbles and stairs, and I've never specifically been looking for special access ramps, doors, handicap parking, etc.

Cars in general are a pain in large cities, but you may be prepared for that. Public transportation (Metro, buses, taxis, etc.) might offer some accommodation for wheelchair travelers, but back out on the street, you're a bit on your own. Based on my casual observations, curb cuts don't seem to be universal at corners for rolling along sidewalks.

Here is a link to Rick Steves podcast transcripts on travelers with limited mobility, https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/read/easy-access-europe, its 2006, but may provide some useful information. There is over a dozen places listed.

Here is also a link on the RS Forum from January 2015 on Paris in a wheelchair, https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/paris-in-a-wheelchair, more info that may help.

Another link, http://www.sagetraveling.com/paris-accessible-travel

We had a wheelchair for our daughter in Paris. We asked for help on arrival from our flight and a person was there and quickly took us through private immigration and out of the airport in record time. When we approached a museum we were ushered to the front of the line or a side entrance.

Most of the streets were smooth, but Versailles was impossible, cobblestones so large and separated we couldn't get the wheelchair over them.

Buses would be good especially if your mom can walk to her seat and then back off the bus. There is a rack to store the wheelchair, and the buses we took were not crowded at all. Unfortunately, we gave up trying to figure the bus system out. We opted for using the metro or walking, but our daughter could walk short distances ( up stairs in the metro station) and my strong husband lifted the chair over the turnstiles and up the stairs and onto the train. We had serveral people ask if we needed help, which was so considerate!. That probably won't work for you. But, just figure out the bus and I think you'll be ok.

The French were extremely helpful everywhere we went! We were impressed.

You don't want to drive a car in Paris. Honestly, buses or walking is your best bet. You will get a lot of excercise pushing that wheelchair around.

Make sure your hotel has an elevator and, just know, their first floor is our second floor, so if you are on the first floor there will be stairs!!

While I don't have wheelchair experience, I have plenty of stroller experience. Vienna's public transportation is fantastic for those with mobility issues as subway and trams are all street/floor level accessible. Elevators are available for every subway stop. Buses are equipped to accommodate wheelchairs. Curbs are sloped and most businesses have ramps or mechanisms to get in with wheels. A car would really be a hindrance. The city center is quite flat and not many bumpy cobblestones (if there are cobblestones, it is on the actual street, not the sidewalk). While I am sure that there are exceptions, I think Vienna is a pretty accessible place.

To add to Susan and Monte's helpful post, note that elevators in hotels over there are frequently much smaller than we are accustomed to here in the States. When you inquire as to elevator be sure to be clear that you'll be fitting a wheelchair in it.

I have a strong feeling that Rome (and Italy in general) would not be a good candidate...with the whirling vehicles and vespas, I was at first scared to cross the street (although of course you get over it). Rome was definitely not pedestrian friendly compared with other places I've traveled to - other than that, it's a fantastic city. The archeological sites have uneven pavement and the churches wouldn't be accessible either.

Emily, are all the Vienna trams ULF now? The older ones I saw the other year have some pretty steep steps into the vehicle.

Ron said "Being a tourist in Paris is a stressful and hectic experience, perhaps with the exception of pampered V.I.P. persons."

Hard to believe, but honestly, we felt V.I.P while visiting Paris! We went mid June, some areas were crowded, but it didn't feel bad to us. We had so many experiences that made my daughter feel special. Besides automatically taken to the front of the line, seeing the Mona Lisa in front of the rope, not behind it, disabled bathrooms kept open for the disabled, basically a private tour behind the the public areas of Versailles ( getting to and from the elevator), we had cars stop on their green light to let us cross streets ( and others almost running us over!) and in the metro over a 3 -4 min time period asked if we needed help carrying our wheelchair about 6 times! On the bus we had people get up and offer a seat to our daughter. The list goes on and on. And not to mention our whole airport experience.....very V.I.P.!

Last year when we went to London we requested transport in the airport. We had my dad, age 90, plus my daughter in a wheelchair. We brought the wheelchair for my daughter and requested one for dad. I couldn't believe it.....we waited for them to unload my daughter's wheelchair for over 45 min! And no one ever showed up to help my dad. In contrast, when we exited the plane at CDG we stepped out and there was a guy standing there with my daughters wheelchair in hand, he took my carryon backpack for me and we whizzed through the airport. We felt very V.I.P.

We left Paris with the impression that disabled people are highly respected. We don't get that feeling here in the states. That experience was in 2014. I don't know how it is now.

I say, if you want Paris or Rome, go to Paris. As you know, it is never easy with a wheelchair. We had the advantage of my daughter being able to walk ( she walked over huge cobblestone at Versailles) and my hubby who is strong carry the chair at times, and just pushing her around the city.

We have no experience with a chair in other cities except Paris and London. When we go to small towns and villages, our daughter can walk.

Accessible is important, being treated with so much respect was a very pleasant surprise. Paris is wonderful!!! Have a great trip!

One more thing: a disabled person and a guest get in free to museums. I don't know what you need in order to do this. We decided it wasn't worth trying to get as we didn't know what would fly or not in terms of proof. We bought the museum pass, yet as we passed the line I don't remember if we were ever asked to show our pass.

I know your mother is not disabled, but I would imagine if she is in a wheelchair the same would be true.

If you go to Paris, do make certain the hotel knows you will have a wheelchair, just to make sure you can in and out of it in terms of stairs/elevator etc. Also, get a central hotel so you can walk to most sights. That would make transportation easier too.

Philip - on every tram line there will be the older style with steps and the modern style with roll on entry. The signboards clearly indicate the arrival times for both type of tram. It is never a long wait for either type.

Soumyatha

Given the two cities in your original post, i would recommend Paris over Rome.

First of all, Paris is my fave, so I am biased.

Secondly, the terrain in Paris is more wheel friendly. So many sites in Italy involve ancient cobblestones and tight pathways.

Thirdly, IMO, there is more (sense of) open space in Paris compared to Rome. If i had to view the major attractions at chair level for the whole visit I would probably find it easier to to see stuff in Paris. I think there are more assessible viewpoints or areas to give you clearer lines of sight to major attractions without the need to do lots of climbing.