Service
Transport rights for those with reduced mobility
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
If you have a disability or reduced mobility, you have the right to access air, train, bus, coach, or boat travel like anybody else.
When you buy your ticket, the vendor must give you information about your journey in a format that is accessible to you as well as information on the specific facilities available to you on board the aircraft, train, bus, coach or ship.
For all modes of transport, you have the right to free assistance at terminals and on board vehicles. You cannot be refused transport because of your disability or reduced mobility except for reasons justified on the grounds of safety or of the design of the vehicle or infrastructure.
When you travel by plane, you have the right to assistance, free of charge. This can include:
*ground handling services if you are travelling with an assistance dog
To ensure the best assistance, contact the airline, ticket seller or tour operator at least 48 hours before your trip and explain what assistance you need.
Airlines do not have to provide help with eating or taking medication during a flight. If you need this type of help, the airline might request that you travel with someone to help you.
You can't be denied boarding because of your disability or reduced mobility, unless the aircraft is physically too small, there are security concerns, or safety rules prevent the airline from transporting you.
You are entitled to free assistance getting on and off and changing trains, on board and at the station before and after your journey. To get the best assistance, contact the railway company, ticket seller or tour operator at least 48 hours before your trip and explain what assistance you require.
You can't be denied boarding because of your disability or reduced mobility, unless security concerns, or safety rules prevent the railway company from transporting you.
You are entitled to assistance free of charge if you are planning a long-distance journey (250km or more). You have the right to assistance at designated terminals, and with getting on and off the bus or coach. In addition, the company must let a person of your choice travel with you free of charge - if this solves any security or safety concerns that would otherwise prevent you from travelling.
To make sure you get the assistance you need, you should contact the bus / coach company, ticket seller or tour operator at least 36 hours before your trip. You may be asked to come to a designated point no more than one hour before the scheduled departure.
You can't be prevented from buying a ticket, making a reservation or getting on board because of a disability or reduced mobility - unless this is strictly necessary to comply with legal health and safety requirements, or where the infrastructure cannot guarantee safe transport.
You are entitled to free assistance getting on or off a ship, on board and at the port. To make sure you get the best assistance, you must tell the carrier, ticket seller or tour operator at least 48 hours before your trip, and explain what kinds of assistance you require. Even if you have not done this, the carrier and terminal operator still has to make all reasonable efforts to help you.
If you have special needs in terms of accommodation, seating, assistance, or if you need to bring medical equipment, you must tell the ticket seller when you make the reservation.
Carriers may ask that another person accompany you if this is necessary for safety reasons, or because of the way, the ship or the port infrastructure is designed. This companion will travel free of charge.