We are hoping to travel for a few weeks after docking in Rotterdam, even though my husband recently suffered a fall. We had planned on taking the train from Rotterdam to Bruges and then a few days later the train to Amsterdam. Hubby now permanently cannot lift anything over 8 lbs and may be using a walker, hence how will we get our luggage onto the train. I don't think I can do it by myself without holding up lines of passengers. (This trip has been in the making for a couple years and we really don’t want to cancel.) Any suggestions for still using the train? Or does anyone have the name/phone of a shuttle/taxi service they recommend? In our area, we use shared shuttles to defray the cost but I don’t see anything like that online. Thx for your input.
Posted by
237 posts
If you are holding up a line of passengers, and your husband is using a walker, I'm hopeful that in this world, there will be some kindness of helpful strangers. Of course it's not concrete helpful information, but it's hopeful. Also, surely there will be a wheelchair accessible train door, which would be flush with the platform, and allow you to just pull the luggage on to the train.
Posted by
The Netherlands
1307 posts
“If you are holding up a line of passengers, and your husband is using a walker, I'm hopeful that in this world, there will be some kindness of helpful strangers. Of course it's not concrete helpful information, but it's hopeful. “
I frequently take the train in the Netherlands. I never saw that parents with a pram, (elderly) people with luggage, etc etc were left to struggle to get on and off the train. People are always happy to help, regardless if you hold up the line or not.
“Also, surely there will be a wheelchair accessible train door, which would be flush with the platform, and allow you to just pull the luggage on to the train.”
This is not always the case unfortunately. On the newest types of trains in the Netherlands all doors, not just one, allow for a step free entrance from the platform to the train. On the older types of trains none of the doors have a step free entry. The older types of trains are phased out, but they will still be in operation for many many years. So how do people in a wheelchair get on these older trains? They have to book assistance in advance, so that an assistant with a portable ramp can help them get on and off the train.
The Intercity trains from The Netherlands to Belgium and vice versa are the old type of trains. This means that you have to get up some stairs to get on the train. Like I wrote earlier, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Posted by
IJzendijke, The Netherlands
1976 posts
Here info about traveling with a disability from Dutch national carrier NS: https://www.ns.nl/en/travel-information/traveling-with-a-disability (select English each time changing web pages) and Belgian national carrier NMBS: https://www.belgiantrain.be/en/travel-info/prepare-for-your-journey/assistance-reduced-mobility
Between Rotterdam and Bruges you have to change trains, so plan first and see where assistance is needed.