Wheelchair accessible holidays

Wheelchair accessible holidays have seen huge advances in recent years, and while the tourism industry as a whole is still a long way from perfection on this, we’re thrilled to see more and more exciting destinations and experiences opening up for wheelchair travellers. On this page we run through what you can expect, and some essentials to keep in mind, when booking a wheelchair accessible holiday.

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Wheelchair accessible holidays

Even though wheelchair users only make up a small percentage of people with disabilities, when tourism operators talk about accessibility it tends to be that wheelchair access is what they have in mind. And it’s true that, from a logistical perspective, this is the most visible disability and one of the easiest areas for tourism providers to see what needs doing and get improvements right. Not that they always do of course, but it’s getting better.

In years gone by wheelchair travellers were pretty limited in their choices when it came to holidays. They also had to deal with a worryingly cavalier approach to customer service and care of essential equipment when travelling by air. Again, things are still not perfect in this area but we think there have been substantial improvements over the last few years.

However what we really love is the incredible diversity of wheelchair accessible holidays that we are now able to offer: African safaris; Antarctica, Alaska and Nile cruises; horse riding in Spain; cultural tours of Japan, India and South Africa. All destinations and activities that not so long ago might have seemed off-limits but which have been opened up in large part thanks to the efforts and activism of trailblazing wheelchair travellers.

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Practicalities

Most of our wheelchair accessible tours are tailor made. That gives you greater freedom not only when it comes to selecting your dates of travel, but crucially in crafting itineraries around the places that interest you, and avoiding places and activities that are likely to prove too much of a challenge, or where accessibility cannot be guaranteed.

If you’re bringing your own wheelchair, do keep in mind that access to electricity and spare parts can be irregular in some places. If it is a suitable option for you, then the tour operator may be able to arrange for you to hire one in the destination, saving you the hassle, cost and risk of flying with your own.

Accommodation

There’s no shortage of horror stories around from people who have discovered to their dismay that what was sold to them before departure as an accessible accommodation turned out to be very far from it when they actually arrive. Our wheelchair accessible holidays give you the confidence that you will be staying in rooms that have either been designed expressly with wheelchair users in mind, or purposely adapted with widened doorframes and spacious, fully equipped bathrooms.

You can book ground floor rooms and accommodation with lifts so that you can access facilities easily. Some tours, such as African safaris, do present more of a challenge, but there are increasing numbers of safari lodges that are now suitable for wheelchair users, and bush camps where tents are grouped close together.

Travel Team

If you'd like to chat about Accessible Travel or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

01273 823 700

Calling us from outside the UK?

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Our travel team is always happy to discuss your particular requirements when it comes to accessibility. If we know early in the process exactly what you need then through communication with suppliers we can make appropriate holiday recommendations, and ensure that every aspect of your trip will meet your needs, from accommodation to meals and support.

Support

In many cases you will also be able to arrange additional support in-resort if you feel you need it. That might include door-to-door transfers throughout your itinerary, the use of private vehicles and driver-guides in destinations such as Japan or Cuba; vehicles with hand controls for self-drive tours of South Africa, and booking porters to carry you on a throne chair if you want to see the mountain gorillas of Rwanda.

In some destinations, such as Japan, you can expect to receive comprehensive pre-tour information covering everything you need to get around on your own, including the precise location of accessible lifts in train stations, what to say if you need assistance from staff or passers-by, and which temples feature wheelchair ramps. On cruises of Antarctica and the Nile, you will have lifts between floors on the vessel, and trained staff members available to help you on and off the ship for shore excursions. On African safaris you may be lifted by rangers into and out of jeeps or canoes, and stay in lodges where massages are offered to soothe aching limbs after long, juddering game drives. In every instance, with enough notice, holiday companies should be happy to explain how they can help with any specific requirements you have.

More about Accessible Travel

Accessible holidays guide

This accessible holiday guide aims to show you the world can still be your oyster, no matter what your special need - it's also a call to action to the travel industry to cater better for those with various disabilities and needs.

Top disabled access holiday destinations

The world is gradually switching on to the fact that there is a rapidly growing number of people with disabilities wanting to travel more, but who just can’t face it because the place makes it too difficult for them.

Holidays for people with limited mobility

Our fantastic and diverse range of limited mobility holidays will encourage you to get out and see the world one step at a time, because not everyone is content to just stay close to their accommodation the whole time

Holidays for deaf & hard of hearing travellers

Many of the accessible holidays that you’ll see on our site can be adapted for travellers that are deaf or hard of hearing, with operators always happy to go the extra mile - your hearing may be impaired, your enjoyment of the holiday won’t be.

Holidays for blind & partially sighted travellers

What do hiking in the Spanish Pyrenees, fascinating cultural tours of Japan and ski trips in the mountains of India have in common? They’re all available in our amazing range of blind and partially sighted holidays.

Holidays for people with cognitive issues

Travelling with cognitive issues needn’t limit your options if the trip is well organised before departure - our cognitive issues holidays are able to accommodate a wide variety of conditions, blending practicality with inspirational activities.

Accessible holiday activities

Accessible holiday activities are definitely on the up, and not just holidays purposefully created for people with special needs - mean really full-on stuff, like watersports, gorilla trekking, horse riding and more.

Your disabled access holiday requirements

Accessible tourism is about tourism for all, no matter your needs - here are some tips on how best to teach tourism operators about your disabled access holiday requirements, as well as any other requirements that you might have.

Disabled access holiday advice

Our disabled access holiday advice comes from some of our most celebrated travellers with various special needs - the overall advice is get out there and have fun, not just opt for the boring option because they are catering for your needs.

Responsible accessible tourism holidays

Responsible accessible tourism holidays are a weird concept, because in many ways, every responsible tourism holiday should address equal access - this section of our guide is a call to action to tourism organisations of all stripes.