5 Women Share Their Experiences Travelling With A Disability

As a traveller with a disability, never take ‘accessible’ at face value – you need to ask loads of questions, because accessibility is relative. We all have different requirements. What does the bathroom look like, for example? Are there steps anywhere on the property? Can they send photos? It feels like a lot, but it saves a lot of headaches later. I’d also advise others to give themselves extra time for everything and always travel with a toolkit of essentials – think spare parts for your wheelchair and key medications in your hand luggage. And know your rights – it makes a massive difference if things go wrong.

Flying is the biggest hurdle for me. Every time I hand my wheelchair over at check-in, there’s that fear it’ll get damaged – or worse, lost. You’re so vulnerable, and that never really goes away. Poor compensation and reparations when things do go wrong mean the risk often outweighs the reward. Beyond that, challenges like old cities with poorly enforced access laws, inaccessible transport, or discriminatory attitudes can really throw a spanner in the works. But even with the challenges, the joy of travel – and proving to myself and others that it can be done – keeps me coming back for more.

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Pippa Stacey is a writer, speaker and disability advocate. Living with ME/CFS, she shares insights into chronic illness, accessibility and inclusive education. She’s the author of ‘University and Chronic Illness’ and founder of Spoonie Survival Kits, using her platforms to empower others with disabilities.

Barcelona is hands-down the best accessible holiday experience I’ve had. It was so easy to get around as a wheelchair user, and Nova Icaria Beach was unbelievable. There was a whole section on the sand reserved for disabled people, including accessible facilities and changing rooms, and even teams of volunteers to take you out into the sea on a beach wheelchair. When I first acquired my chronic illness, I never would have believed I’d find myself swimming in the sea with my friends again one day.

I’m yet to be truly wowed by any hotels, but I’m about to head off on a P&O cruise around the Norwegian Fjords. As somebody with multiple allergies, I’ve always been made to feel safe and well accommodated on cruises in the past. I’m hoping that cruising will provide an incredible on-board experience and an energy-friendly way to enjoy the amazing fjord views.

My advice for others is not to be afraid to book airport assistance, even if you have a non-visible disability. Travel days can be exhausting, so having support in place to reduce time standing and queuing can make all the difference. If you have food allergies, research safe and suitable places to eat ahead of your trip. If there’s a language barrier, print Chef Cards to take with you and show them to kitchen staff.

If you don’t want to travel with your own mobility aids, or your access needs will be different while away, look into renting mobility aids at your destination. I’ve had brilliant experiences doing this in Spain – flying with my manual wheelchair and renting an electric one on the other side. Just make sure to book in advance and check reviews carefully to ensure you’ve chosen a reliable provider.

As somebody with a chronic illness, rest and recovery is a big piece of the puzzle for me. Sometimes accessible rooms in hotels can be the least noise-insulated, which is a major barrier. They’re often placed next to elevators or in high foot-traffic areas, and while they’re set up for wheelchair users, the noise can worsen my symptoms and undo the benefits. I always try to choose destinations and accommodation that will allow me to rest peacefully when I need to, so I can enjoy the trip as much as possible.

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Everyone’s experience is different, and while I have a neurological condition, I don’t usually describe myself as disabled. That said, one thing I’ve learned is the importance of wearing comfortable shoes – you’ll thank yourself later. When flying, I always check the airline’s seat and legroom options. Even if nothing ideal is available when booking, I’ve found that speaking to cabin crew directly often helps – they’ve usually been very accommodating once on board.

One of the hardest things I’ve experienced is dealing with invisible conditions. I don’t use a disability badge or mobility aids, so it can be frustrating when I need adjustments and feel like I have to explain myself. Whether it’s asking for a more comfortable seat, a bit of extra legroom, or simply somewhere to sit for a few minutes, the judgement from others can be disheartening. It’s especially tricky in cafés or restaurants where you're expected to buy something just to sit – sometimes you just need a moment, without having to justify it.

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Alice McHaffie is a rising talent in British wheelchair basketball, currently playing for the Tees Valley Mohawks basketball club in the North of England and part of the GB U25s squad. Diagnosed with a disability aged ten, she found purpose through sport and now also supports spinal cord injury research through Sunrise Medical and RGK Wheelchairs initiatives.

I found travelling to Amsterdam and Paris super easy and stress-free on the Eurostar. I’ve taken the train a few times now and I’ve always had an enjoyable experience. You do have to book ahead of time for an access seat or space on the train, and when you arrive, you go through security in a separate queue. You then have the option to go to a lounge, or you can wander around the station until the train is ready.

Ramps are put out so I can enter and exit the train, and there’s also a wheelchair-accessible toilet on board. I’ve found the staff to be really lovely and efficient. There are plugs near the seat, which is handy for charging my wheelchair add-on – my F35 electric wheel – so it’s ready for the day ahead. In Amsterdam, I found the accessibility really accommodating, with wheelchair-accessible trams. The trains also had ramps that came out with the press of a button, which meant I didn’t have to pre-book, allowing me to travel around with more freedom – it was lovely not to be tied down to a plan.

As a wheelchair basketball player, I stay in a lot of hotels when travelling to games, and I’ve found the best ones to be Premier Inns. There are usually emergency pull cords and buttons around, as well as wet rooms, which are really helpful for disabled people. The hotel always asks about evacuation plans in case of a fire, and they have procedures in place to help people exit if they need assistance.

When travelling by plane, most wheelchairs are put in the hold. In some cases, a chair can be stored in a dedicated storage area in the cabin, but you do have to ask if there’s space. If the flight’s not full, you can sometimes request that the chair frame is placed on a spare seat. Not all flight operators allow this, but if your chair is collapsible, it might be stored in the overhead compartment. Having the wheelchair on board and not in the hold really helps reduce the risk of damage – and offers peace of mind that it’ll arrive in one piece.

Throughout my travels, I’ve faced various challenges – especially when it comes to the care of my wheelchair. This is more of an emotional one, because it’s hard for someone else to understand that if my wheelchair or other equipment is damaged, I won’t be able to do anything when I land. Wheelchairs are made to measure to meet individual needs – and if one breaks, it can leave a person stranded, taking away their freedom. I’ve also experienced flight delays, and in those situations, access arrangements haven’t always been properly communicated, which adds to the stress. For instance, ambi-lifts (used for boarding planes) must be pre-booked – without them, I can’t get on the plane.

Overall, travelling can be an emotional time filled with anxiety – whether I’ll be able to board, whether my wheelchair will be loaded, or whether it’ll arrive broken. Despite these concerns, I try not to let them stop me from exploring. I remain hopeful that staff in the travel industry are receiving better training around disability awareness, and that people will become more understanding of the worries disabled travellers face.

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