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Anyone traveled with someone in a wheelchair/disabled?

Posted by (Indianapolis) on

My husband and I went to Italy in 2010 for our honeymoon. We're returning again in 2015 with my parents. (Yay!) :)

My father has had double knee surgery and more recently surgery on one shoulder. He can't walk long distances without pain so we're thinking of purchasing a wheelchair for him and we'll push him along our journey. (My husband and I are in our 20's and we'll be traveling in late fall so heat should be less of an issue).

Has anyone traveled in Italy with a wheelchair or motor scooter? Did you encounter any major issues? I do remember places where he'll probably have to go down a flight of stairs or two, or climb onto a bus/train rather than rolling... But in general I think we'll be able to get around if the wheelchair is small/collapsible?

I appreciate any advice from someone who's done this.

Posted by
1501 posts

Florence should be easy, because it's flat -- so I hope it's on your itinerary. In Rome you can rent a golf cart for the more hilly areas. Go to Trip Advisor for this. I saw them when I was in Rome in September. Cobblestones can be a problem, but I've seen all kinds of people using wheelchairs in Italy. You can google handicapped travel in Europe, and they will recommend hotels, etc. that offer accessable rooms and hotels with wheelchairs.

Posted by
247 posts

oh! I would never have thought to rent a golf cart. What a great Idea. Thank you. I'll look into that.

Posted by
16899 posts

  • It will be pretty easy to find hotels with small elevators, if you are OK with the strong likelihood that there will be a half or full flight of stairs before you reach the reception and the elevator - that you might be going up and down twice each day. Try to communicate your needs very clearly with the hotels, if you're looking for a ground floor room, no stairs, etc.

  • For 4 people traveling together within a city, taxis are pretty cheap and convenient, versus a crowded bus.

  • In major or purpose-built museums, it's pretty easy to find the elevator. In some older buildings (e.g., when I visited Bologna's university museums with my parents), you have to ask staff to take you to the elevator and it may be a bit of a walk/roll to get there.

  • See also general tips at http://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/trip-planning/travelers-with-disabilities.

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