Wheelchair access on trains and buses
Wheelchair access on trains and buses is available with many European operators. Advance booking is usually required.
Frustratingly, we can't make these bookings on behalf of our customers because the rail operators' online booking systems don't incorporate wheelchair reservations. But the following guidelines will give you an idea of what to expect and how to book.
- General Info
- Eurostar
- France
- Spain
- Italy
- UK
- Switzerland
- Germany
- Austria
- Netherlands
- Belgium
Wheelchair travel on European trains
- Most modern European trains have designated spaces for wheelchair users, which are located near wheelchair-accessible toilets. They are often alongside a "companion" seat for a fellow traveller.
- If the wheelchair user can sit in an ordinary seat, a standard seat can be booked and the wheelchair can be folded and stowed away on the train.
- You can request assistance at the station and help boarding the train from most operators (see our article Station assistance & boarding the train).
- Unfortunately, some night trains do not cater for wheelchair users. Please contact us prior to booking so that we can provide detailed advice for the specific night train you want to book.
Wheelchair travel on European buses
- If you can board the bus without your wheelchair or mobility device, you can travel on any bus on a normal ticket. Your wheelchair should fold down and be stowed with luggage.
- If you plan to travel on the bus in your wheelchair, you'll need to book your ticket directly with the bus operator, as Rail Europe does not have the functionality to book wheelchair spaces. Please contact the bus company you are travelling with directly to let them know about your needs. If you can’t find their information, we can help you get in touch with them
Eurostar
It's possible to book wheelchair spaces with Eurostar online or by calling +44 (0)3432 186 186. All spaces are in the Standard Premier or Business Premier carriages next to wheelchair-accessible toilets with push-button access. A seat for a companion can be booked next to a wheelchair space at a discounted rate.
It is recommended that wheelchair users arrive at the station at least 45 minutes before departure. A ramp will be set up for boarding. Further assistance can be arranged by asking at the Eurostar ticket desk upon arrival. If you have booked a wheelchair space, assistance does not have to be arranged in advance.
TGV & TGV Lyria
All TGV trains have wheelchair spaces that can be booked at a concessionary fare through one of the following travel agents:
Travel Bureau - 01902 324 343
Ffestiniog - 01766 772051
Switzerland Travel Centre – 0207 420 49 34
All spaces are near wheelchair-accessible toilets. One companion may also be eligible for a reduced fare.
TGV INOUI
TGV INOUI trains have, in 1st class, one or more spaces for travelling without having to leave your wheelchair. These spaces are situated right next to spacious toilets accessible to passengers who are in a wheelchair. This type of space can be allocated on request (subject to availability).
TGV INOUI offer a special fare allowing wheelchair users (and their companion) to travel in 1st class at a 2nd class fare.
On direct connections to and from Brussels-Midi with Eurostar and TGV INOUI, you can now book the wheelchair space Online, as well as the seat for an accompanying person.
Renfe,,
Renfe trains have designated spaces for wheelchair users called "Plazas H". These spaces can be booked in one of a few ways:
- Calling Renfe on +34 902 24 05 05 (Spanish only). During this call, wheelchair users can ask for special assistance in the station. Renfe will automatically organise assistance for getting onto the train.
- Via the Renfe website, by ticking the box which states, "Travel in your own wheelchair on the outward journey" (Viaja en su propia silla de ruedas para la ida) after you have selected your preferred train. This reveals a window to select the type of assistance your need. The options appear in Spanish, even if you have the site set to English, so select "Travel in a wheelchair" ( Viaja en silla de reudas, Plaza H ).
Other useful information
Wheelchairs cannot exceed the following dimensions: width 70cm, depth 130cm, and height 140cm.
Bookings for wheelchair spaces must be made at least 12 hours before the train departs. It is recommended that travellers in wheelchairs arrive at the station at least 30 minutes before departure.
If you don't travel in a wheelchair, but would like to request assistance at the station you can contact Renfe's Atendo team.
Italo
All Italo trains have wheelchair spaces in Carriage 8. You'll need to ring Italo at 011 39 06 0708 to book wheelchair spaces or to request assistance at the station.
Trenitalia
Passengers traveling in wheelchairs or who require assistance in stations will need to request help at least 24 hours in advance of travel, via Trenitalia's Sale Blu ("Blue Hall"). This is managed by Trenitalia's RFI - Rete Ferroviaria Italiana - department.
Wheelchair spaces are independent of actual tickets, so you'll need to have tickets pre-booked before requesting a wheelchair space.
There are several ways to request a wheelchair space or get help in stations:
- In person at a Sala Blu office in specified stations in Italy.
- By ringing Sala Blu: 199 30 30 60, or Trenitalia's call centre: 199 892021 option 7 (both from within Italy) or for international calls +39 06 47308579.
- By emailing SalaBlu.ROMA@rfi.it (recommended for passengers from outside Italy).
UK trains
Most trains can accommodate wheelchairs that are 70cm wide and 120cm long. There's a small number of older trains that can only carry wheelchairs with a maximum width of 67cm. National Rail Enquiries have more information about to how to book wheelchair spaces on the UK rail network, including contact details.
Holders of a Disabled Persons Railcard get 1/3 off adult rail fares for travel on the National Rail network in Great Britain. If you're travelling with another adult they will also get 1/3 off their rail fare.
SBB (Switzerland)
SBB has made lots of adjustments to trains, stations and passenger information to ensure its customers can travel independently. For example, low-floor carriages on all regional service routes make it easier to board and alight. More and more stations are now also 100% accessible, with step-free access to the trains.
To buy tickets, you can search for trains on https://www.sbb.ch/, then select "barrierefreies reisen" (barrier-free travel) to show trains that have wheelchair spaces on board. Some trains are barrier-free so wheelchair users can get on and off the train without assistance (these show a wheelchair symbol). Some require you to book assistance getting on and off at least one hour before travel by calling the number below (these show a wheelchair symbol in square brackets) or notify the driver who will provide ramp assistance.
There are two ways to request help in stations:
- By calling the SBB Call Center Handicap on 0800 007 102 (freephone within Switzerland) between 6am and 10pm. If you are calling from abroad, call 0041 51 225 78 44
- By emailing mobil@sbb.ch
Deutsche Bahn
Customers can contact the mobility service of DB directly by phone using the following number
030 65212888
Calls cost 20 cents per call from a German landline, max. 60 cents per call from a German mobile network; costs for calls from abroad depending on provider;
Mon-Fri: 06:00 am - 10:00 pm, Sat, Sun & on public holidays: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
OBB
If you´re a passenger in a wheelchair and want to travel together with your family or children on our long-distance trains, we ask you to contact our ÖBB customer service on 05 1717 5 to reserve your seat.
Low-cost travel with a certificate of disability: With your certificate of disability, you can travel with ÖBB throughout Austria at a discount of 50%. You do not need a discount card, but rather save directly on each and every trip with ÖBB.
In order to benefit, you need an Austrian certificate of disability or a certificate of severe war-related disability with the following information:
Specification of a degree of disability of at least 70% or
An entry "The holder of this certificate can claim discounts on transport rates in accordance with the Federal Disabilities Act (Bundesbehindertengesetz)"
Accompanying person or assistance dog travel with appropriate note in the handicapped pass free of charge.
NS
In order to travel safely, it is vital that you, the passenger, comply with the travel terms and conditions. Make sure that you have booked your entire journey, and check whether your wheelchair or mobility scooter meets the requirements. Also, please take the following details into consideration:
Request travel assistance at least 1 hour prior to your intended departure time.
State the date, departure time, and departure- and arrival stations for the journey you would like to take.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to request travel assistance for multiple persons.
The booking confirmation for your journey with assistance states the meeting point at your departure station. Please report to the meeting point at least 15 minutes prior to departure. The assistant will help you board the train, transfer, and exit the train. He or she will also accompany you to the exit at your destination.
You can register your wheelchair or mobility scooter at: ns.nl/reisassistentie, under 'information and settings', so that they can provide the assistance you need. You must be able to carry your luggage yourself. If you have any questions about your journey, the travel assistant would be happy to answer them.
SNCB
You can benefit of a special fare for wheelchairs passengers, with specific designated spaces in first class. This allows you to travel without having to leave your wheelchair. Therefore, you can also travel in first class (with your companion) for the price of a standard second class ticket.
These wheelchair spaces are situated right next to the wheelchair-accessible toilets and must be booked when purchasing your ticket (subject to availability).
To book your ticket at the special price in 1st class, with a designated space for your wheelchair:
Call 02 432 38 01, from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., weekends and public holidays from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m.
Then book your assistance, go to b-europe.com, under the heading «Customerservice» > «Reduced-mobility passengers». Call 02 528 28 28 - open every day from 7 a.m. to 9.30 p.m.
On the day of travel, go to the agreed meeting point at least 30 minutes before your train’s departure time.
