Planning a trip should be exciting—but if you’re a disabled person or an older traveller with specific access needs, it often comes with a mental checklist longer than your packing list. From booking accessible transport to checking hotel layouts, there’s a layer of preparation that many non-disabled people never have to think about. What’s meant to be a chance to relax can easily become a source of stress, not because of disability itself, but because so much of the world still isn’t built with inclusion in mind.
Key Takeaways For Accessible Travel
| Tip | What to Know | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Start Researching Early | Don’t trust vague claims—dig into reviews, photos, and real experiences. Look for red flags and double-check with the provider. | Many disabled travellers avoid going abroad due to access worries. Early research helps you avoid poor experiences and wasted money. |
| Book Accessible Accommodation | Contact the hotel directly, ask specific questions, and clarify your needs in writing. “Accessible” means different things to different places. | Not all accessible rooms are actually usable—or desirable. Being clear on your preferences can make or break your stay. |
| Review Airline Policies | Check the airline’s accessibility info before you book. Make sure they know your support needs and mobility requirements in advance. | Even with legal protections, flying with access needs can be unpredictable. Knowing your rights and the airline’s process can reduce stress. |
| Document Your Equipment’s Condition | Photograph and describe your wheelchair or mobility aids before travel. Label them with clear transport instructions. | Airlines do damage mobility equipment. Having proof and clear guidance increases the chance of proper handling and recourse if things go wrong. |
But there is travel advice for seniors and individuals with mobility issues that should be widely known. Being properly informed can make vacations much easier, no matter if you are hard-of-hearing or require a wheelchair. Thankfully, this post outlines four key travel tips that can help you avoid accessibility challenges when jetting off abroad.
Start Researching Early
Unfortunately, having accessibility requirements when travelling can prove to be difficult, and this can cause some people to avoid vacationing abroad altogether. In fact, it was recently found that 42% of disabled households have not travelled overseas because of accessibility concerns.
It’s a real concern for many disabled people and their families—but doing the right research early on can make a huge difference.
From our experience: We once rented a room in a pub that was advertised as having “level access no steps.” When we arrived, there was a huge step at the entrance that we had to cobble together a makeshift ramp to overcome. When we raised this with the staff, they replied, “Yes, once you get inside there are no steps!” This taught us to dig deeper when researching accommodation.
Doing your homework early gives you time to spot problems before they become deal-breakers. You might discover that a destination you were excited about isn’t actually accessible—or, on the flip side, that there’s help available you didn’t know existed. The more time you give yourself to look into the details, the more likely you are to avoid last-minute stress or disappointment.
Remember the wise words of our former and dearly missed team member Chris Cusack
I’d rather do 50% of something than 100% of nothing!
We use Booking.com to shortlist hotels, but then check the hotel’s own website and photos. We also search TripAdvisor reviews for keywords like “wheelchair,” “mobility,” or “access” to get real feedback from other disabled travelers.
Key aspects to research include accommodations, airline policies, attractions and services, and transportation. Some of these points will be discussed in more detail later in this post.
Book Accessible Accommodation
Accommodation can be one aspect of a vacation that can pose issues for those who have accessibility requirements. According to this article from The Guardian, it has been said to be the main problem for disabled travel. Whether you need flat-access showers, grab bars, or wheelchair-accessible rooms, it is essential to guarantee your specific needs are met. Knowing that your hotel can offer you an accessible and comfortable environment will likely help to reduce your travel stress.
Here’s something important to know: Not all wheelchair users want or need an “accessible room.” Don’t feel that you must book one if you don’t need it! We’ve found that accessible rooms are sometimes in the worst location in the hotel with terrible views or no balcony. We ask for a step-free room because we can usually manage as long as the room is big enough. We check this by looking at photos and usually book a larger room or suite to make sure. This often causes initial panic when we check in, as staff worry they don’t have a wheelchair-accessible room booked for us (because we haven’t booked one!), and we have to reassure them that it’s okay.
No one wants to arrive at their hotel only to find they can’t use the bathroom or even get into bed comfortably. That’s why it’s essential to check accessibility details before confirming a booking. Some hotels publish accessibility statements on their websites—but don’t stop there. Reviews from other disabled travellers on sites like TripAdvisor often give a more honest picture of what to expect.
It’s also worth contacting the hotel directly. Speaking to a real person lets you ask specific questions and explain your exact needs—whether it’s a step-free entrance, a roll-in shower, or just enough space to manoeuvre.
Ask them to take photos or measure that lift with a tape measure!
And if you do make special requests, keep a written record. It can help if anything goes wrong when you arrive.
There are also specialist booking platforms that can help. Sites like handson.travel
(for Deaf travellers) and wheeltheworld.com
(for wheelchair users) are designed with access in mind, making it easier to find places that genuinely work for you.
Review Airline Policies
Airline policies will often detail the accommodations provided for boarding, onboard facilities, and the handling of mobility aids. This information can help travelers make informed decisions about their trip and plan for potential difficulties, both of which can ease stress caused by complex airport environments and/or staff training gaps.
If you’re nervous about flying as a disabled person for the first time, here’s some reassurance: Unlike 20 years ago, there are now hundreds of thousands of disabled travelers, and airports and airlines are used to it. You very likely won’t have an issue they haven’t encountered before, and they will get you on the plane. Eventually. Sometimes you’ll be the last to board, but once your luggage is on, they have to make sure you travel. Sometimes it seems very last minute and they don’t seem in any rush, but they WILL get you on.
Most airlines have a “Special Assistance” section on their website where you can find details about the support they offer—whether that’s boarding help, onboard facilities, or how they handle mobility aids. It’s also worth checking any published accessibility reports to see how different airlines and airports perform when it comes to supporting disabled passengers.
In the UK, we often fly with Jet2 and always select “Special Assistance” during the booking process. What really stands out is that they actually phone us before the flight to confirm our needs and make sure everything is in place. It’s a simple step, but it makes a big difference—and so far, it’s worked really well for us.
If the airline’s website isn’t clear or doesn’t cover your specific requirements, don’t hesitate to contact them directly. Speaking to someone can be the easiest way to get accurate information and avoid surprises on the day.
Booking processes will often include a “Passenger with Reduced Mobility” (PRM) status, which allows you to select the type of support, if any, you need. This can also pre-notify the airline of your needs to ensure the necessary assistance is in place. However, if you cannot mention your PRM status during the booking process, you must alert the airline as soon as possible.
Document Your Equipment’s Conditions
Although airline and other transportation services will likely have procedures in place to handle mobility equipment, problems can still occur. There have been cases where wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and other pieces of equipment have been damaged or even lost during transit, and this can have dire consequences if you rely on them heavily. This is why you must document the condition of your mobility equipment beforehand.
A personal story: On our honeymoon with a stopover in Singapore, my wife’s wheelchair was lost with the luggage. They lent us a really old and uncomfortable replacement wheelchair, and my wife had to spend most of the first day in bed because she just couldn’t use it. They did find it and sent it to our hotel, filling the room with bunches and bunches of cut orchids as a way of saying sorry. We didn’t let it get us down, but it showed us how vital it is to be prepared for equipment issues.
Documenting the condition of these items is vital, as it creates a record that you can use if the equipment is damaged or goes missing. You should take photos and write detailed descriptions of each item to ensure you have sufficient proof that everything is in working order before it moves into the care of airline staff or similar.
It can also be useful to attach instructions to your equipment. This is particularly beneficial if your equipment is electrical, like a power chair or scooter. You should detail the assembly, battery disconnection, and transport information to handlers to ensure it is transported correctly and reduce the risk of damage.
Get out there and see the world!
Travelling as a disabled person or with access needs will probably always involve more planning than it should, because society still overlooks accessibility.
But that extra effort doesn’t have to overshadow the adventure. With a bit of preparation — and the confidence to ask questions, double-check details, and stand your ground when needed — you can focus on the best parts of your trip: new places, new people, and making memories that last. Everyone deserves a holiday that feels like a holiday, and with the right groundwork, that’s absolutely possible.
Giving yourself time to research, double-checking key details, and being proactive about your requirements can take a lot of the stress out of the process. Everyone deserves a break that feels like a break—and being prepared helps make that happen.
