We are planning a trip in Spring 2025. Due to my husband's inability to walk and/or stand for long periods, I would like to get some information about navigating Milan, Venice, Florence, Rome in a wheelchair. He currently does not use a wheelchair so I was wondering about purchasing a light weight wheelchair for this trip to allow him to enjoy these marvelous cities. Also, is short term wheelchair rental readily available in these cities as an alternative? We are flying in to Italy and traveling to the different cities by high speed train. Any insight that you can provide would be much appreciated.
Posted by
Boston
1800 posts
My brother used a travel wheelchair on a multi-stop trip to enable his wife to fully participate. She could walk (only) a short distance and could handle a few steps. They felt it was a successful purchase, and quite manageable. Amazon ASIN (product number) B002VWK3IY Description: Drive Medical Lightweight Folding Transport Wheelchair With Carry Bag & Flip-Backs Arms.
Posted by
430 posts
Hello Angie, my mother was in a wheelchair for many years so I took note of accessibility or not of Italy as it is a place I love and felt she should see. I thought it would be almost impossible to take her there. I felt I would need 3 men to help me, one in back and one on each side of the chair to lift her over the curbs and all the other cobbles and corners as ramps are non-existent and nothing is flat or smooth. Rome would be very difficult and Venice would be impossible. When you go I would get a place to stay near a taxi stand, you could walk up and get in line and have the driver go around to the door to pick up your spouse. Bathrooms are usually up or down stairs and very small, if there is an elevator it will be very tiny, some trains do have lifts and the staff will help you board. Years ago RS had a book regarding accessible Europe, maybe someone has an old copy they could send you? I wish you the best on your trip, spring is a wonderful time to see Italy. Artichokes and asparagus are in season, the hills are green. J
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
7971 posts
I wasn’t using a wheelchair, or with anyone using one, but I noticed in Florence last year that some corners had curb cuts and others didn’t. And in both Florence and Rome, many sidewalks weren’t wide enough, or likely smooth enough, to be navigable with a wheelchair.
Getting on and off some trains involved doing some acrobatic moves, too, high above the platform level. I wonder, would any type of walker frame, maybe one that folds up, enable him to walk and/or stand long enough to get where you and he will want to go?
Throughout cities and villages in Italy over the past two years, places were swarming with parents pushing baby strollers, often double-wides. These were pushed along (and sometimes lifted over) cobbles, curbsides, etc. They often took up the width of a sidewalk, and pedestrians had to maneuver around and through seeming packs of strollers. I don’t recall noticing wheelchairs much, but others would need to find ways to share the space with a wheelchair user - especially with someone who hadn’t regularly used one until very recently.
Posted by
New England
699 posts
Are you speaking about the foldable lightweight travel wheelchair called a transport chair? I have years of experience with those for two family members. While wonderfully lightweight, most transport chairs have small wheels and transmit a rough and uncomfortable ride when traversing uneven surfaces such as broken sidewalks here at home or, I imagine, European cobblestones. If it has to be a transport chair, get one with the largest wheels you can find (varies by make and model). Good luck!