Accessible Travel in Europe
Access to Train and Ferry Travel for People with Disabilities
Accessible travel around Europe by rail and ferry is getting easier for older and disabled people, especially since new EC regulations on access to rail travel.
Accessible Trains & Ferries
Overland is the way to travel if you a disability or other access need. Forget the airport queues and corridors, plane stairs and seats and loos and baggage regulations. High-speed trains go from city centre to city centre, right to the heart of your destination without the fluff of airport taxis, delays and traffic jams. Ferries likewise – if you're heading for a coastal town or want to take your own car, they're generally the easiest, most comfortable choice.
Plan Ahead
Research and reserve well in advance and make sure you can join all the dots on your trip. Then call a day or two in advance to confirm and check the lifts and facilities are working. You'll often get a discount if you can prove your disability – always ask.
Eurostar: Disabled Access
For travelling between the UK and the rest of Europe, the Eurostar is excellent – all stations have good access, trains have two wheelchair spaces each, assistance is on hand, and onward travel from Paris and Brussels to destinations in the rest of Europe is possible. Remember that not all onward connections leave from the Eurostar terminus at Paris Gare du Nord. Gare de l'Est, for high-speed trains to Germany, Austria, Switzerland and eastern France, is a 15-minute walk away, but other stations are not easily accessible by public transport. A reliable accessible taxi service is G7.
The Eurotunnel is a good way to reach the continent from the UK if you want to drive your own car. You can stay in the car for the journey if you wish, and the terminal buildings have good access facilities also.
Ferries: Disabled Access
Ferry companies vary in the facilities they offer and in their willingness to help. One of the most accessible ferries around the UK, France and Spain is Brittany Ferries, which offers lifts, toilets and adapted cabins for overnight crossings. Irish Ferries is also way ahead in terms of comfort and assistance around the Irish sea. Whichever company you choose, book well in advance, be clear about your needs and arrive in plenty of time to board.
Access to Trains in Europe and Scandinavia
In most of Western Europe and Scandinavia, almost all major city train stations have disabled toilets and can provide assistance with booking and boarding a train. Most rail websites detail access arrangements in a separate section and use icons to designate accessible trains. Book assistance at least 48 hours in advance and be clear about your needs. International and inter-city express trains generally have space for wheelchair users and many have disabled toilets. A dishonourable exception is the overnight Trenhotel between Paris and Barcelona or Madrid.
Access to Trains in Eastern Europe and Portugal
Eastern Europe and Portugal haven't quite caught up in terms of either information or facilities. Wheelchair spaces, disabled toilets and lifts – even escalators – are thin on the ground, and websites and information points are generally of little use in terms of access information. If you can manage a few steps and have a friend with you, you should be able to get around, but do insist on help if you need it.
Regional vs InterCity Trains
Regional trains can't be relied upon in any country, as they tend to be a hotchpotch of new and old carriages and of different operating companies. In many cases, newer, more accessible trains are being introduced and if you can find out when they're passing and plan accordingly, you can reach your destination with little trouble. In Spain, for instance, Madrid has accessible regional trains running at least once an hour, but the Asturias region has only a couple per day.
EC Regulations on Accessible Rail Travel
New EC regulations on access to rail travel adopted in July 2007 are tightening their grip, and the situation is on its way up. Whatever you need, be clear and insist on your rights. Accessible overland travel is the way to go.
