My wife has mobility issues from a muscle disease. Our 2 mile walk on flat ground is a struggle towards the end. One or two stairs at best. Low toilets are a major challenge. Is Europe possible? I figure large cities like london or Paris accommodate those with disabilities, at hotels and on public transportation.
Posted by
Huntsville, AL, USA
8124 posts
My wife was in a wheelchair on last year's visit, and we had no problems at all. We went over on a repositioning cruise. Caught a cab from Southampton over to the train station. And a cab ride to our hotel on the north end of Hyde Park. We later took a flight over to Ireland where we rented a car for a week.
I had a backpack carry on bag, and I towed her 21" swivel wheel carry on bag. Thankfully I'm strong enough to handle the bags and push her long distances.
The wheelchair got us preferred treatment by the TSA in airports and we went to the front of every restaurant line. Not all cities are really great for chairs--with rough pavers on sidewalks, etc.
We returned Monday from Spain and Paris. Spain was especially setup for wheelchair travelers, and their main attractions are also good for the mobility challenged.
Thankfully my wife's received a knee replacement after last year's trip, and she was able to walk mega miles in Madrid, Barcelona and Paris without any problems.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area
5697 posts
A lot of the public transit systems are old -- so stairs instead of escalators. Sometimes it's better to use taxis. Same with older hotels which may have teeny (1-person) elevators or ones that don't go to all the floors. Europe is doable, but you need to ask questions about accessibility.
Posted by
86 posts
Yes, I have rheumatoid arthritis and walking distances is a big problem for me. I use a small folding travel scooter (www.travelscoot.com) which I can lift myself if needed. I've been to Paris twice, the Dordogne region of France and all over Spain. Next month I'm off to London and Ireland.
You will need to do a lot of research when selecting hotels as you will want one with elevators and possibly disabled room. In the majority of places I've visited all the public buses have been accessible, but subways can be hit or miss. Again, research is the key. Don't dismiss the countryside as some places have made disabled access a priority.
By far, the easiest country I've traveled in has been Spain. Spain has the Attendo service which means you can book (no charge) a person to help you. The person will carry bags and help you on the train or if in a wheelchair they will bring a portable lift.
I'm not sure this forum is really the best for disabled travel. Check out Sage Travel (specializes in disabled travel) and has tons of info. Most countries/cities have access info on their website. Brush off your research skills and start Googling as it is doable. Enjoy!
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
32702 posts
Each country is different, and regions within countries are different.
The UK, for example has laws requiring cut kerbs but not all are cut, and not all in the right place.
There are also requirements for disabled toilet facilities - most places are pretty good at that, in my opinion. Often if a restaurant has facilities for able bodied people upstairs or down there will be a separate disabled one on the ground floor, usually with raised toilet and large water handles. But by no means all. It is worth doing a recce on the web before visiting. Most trains - but no tubes, and sometimes not on commuter trains - have a disabled toilet facility but sometimes they are blocked and out of use due to overuse or vandalism. Again, worth checking.
And every country is different.
Where, if everything were possible, would you and your bride like to visit?