Recently got back from Prague (we used a guided tour) and I now realized it is starting to get harder for me to keep up with the pace of a "normal" guided trip. I walk with a cane and can tolerate about 45' of walking, much difficulty with hills, can slowly navigate stairs maybe 10 steps max as long as there is a handrail but mod difficulty. Looking for any tour agencies you have used that caters to disabled population. I am wary of just picking tour agency off the internet so hoping to get recommendations you have had experience with. Open also to any suggestions on disable-friendly apps, websites, or strategies you have used traveling outside of the US. Thank you!
Posted by
Schwerin
4124 posts
For Germany I recommend the following sources:
"Traveling in Germany with reduced mobility" by German National Tourist Board (GNTB):
https://www.germany.travel/en/accessible-germany/disability-friendly-travel-for/restricted-mobility.html
"Accessible (train) travel" by largest German rail provider Deutsche Bahn - travelers can get help by their Mobility Service Centre (MSC):
https://int.bahn.de/en/booking-information/accessible-travel
For more information about the MSC I also recommend the PDF brochure in English.
On this page you can find details about every German train station, also maps showing lifts. Station or town names need to be entered in their German name, e. g. Köln for Cologne or München for Munich.
https://www.bahnhof.de/en
I like to add the information that there are also pages from larger cities, e. g. Accessible Berlin, and / or their local public transport providers.
Posted by
OP
5 posts
Thank you for the tips! I heard that Germany is one of the countries that are more disabled-friendly, we definitely will plan on visiting it. I also would like to mention that we also visited Krakow on our own on this particular trip and their tram system has lifts---very much appreciated.
Posted by
Schwerin
4124 posts
One more thing: Deutsche Bahn will add new ICE L to its fleet of long distance trains. The "L" stands for „Low Floor“. Special is here that these trains are not so fast as other train types but they realized barrier-free entry to trains because the wagon floors are on the level of the platform (see photo).
So, in best case wheelchair owners and other people with mobility limitations can enter and leave the trains without help from the staff. Additionally there are three spaces available for wheelchair users with electrically height-adjustable tables. It has also more new features for travelers. More details and photos are shown on ICE L info page in German language.
The new train will initially be introduced gradually within Germany when the new timetable comes into effect on December 14, 2025. The first journeys will be between Berlin and Cologne (ICE 1548, departing Berlin Central Station at 7:10 a.m., and ICE 1055, departing Cologne Central Station at 3:36 p.m.). From May 1, 2026, the ICE L will run between Berlin, Hamburg, and Westerland (Sylt), marking its first use on a tourist route. From July 11, it will then be used on further tourist routes from Frankfurt (Main) via Giessen and from Cologne via Münster to Westerland (Sylt). The ICE L will also run from Dortmund to Oberstdorf. In the future, the train will also travel to Amsterdam, Copenhagen, and Vienna as soon as all the necessary conditions are in place.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
6331 posts
I have no personal experience with Sage Travel, but I have seen them recommended for years:
https://www.sagetraveling.com/