Anybody who has faced accessibility challenges at airports or hotels knows the frustration all too well. The horror stories are plenty – from wheelchair users being physically dragged onto aeroplanes while onlookers stand by, to step-free hotel rooms that turn out to have a single, unsurmountable stair into the shower. While travelling with a disability is still far from seamless, attitudes are shifting and the landscape of accessible travel is evolving rapidly.
Often created out of personal frustrations, specialist sites now provide expert advice and conjure up bespoke itineraries with an unwavering attention to detail, ensuring that accessibility is prioritised at every stage of the journey. Whether it’s a ceiling hoist in a hotel room, an amphibious wheelchair for a seaside dip or ensuring a museum has modern ramps, no element can afford to be overlooked.
Here are six of the best holiday booking sites leading the way in making travel truly accessible.
Wheel The World – For Wheelchair Adventures Without Limits
For wheelchair users longing to marvel at the pyramids in Egypt, bask on the beaches of Fiji or experience the romance of Paris, the booking site Wheel The World is a game-changer. The site was founded by Alvaro Silberstein, who, after a car accident left him paralyzed from the chest down, refused to let his disability curb his wanderlust. His journey hiking Torres del Paine through Patagonia in a special all-terrain wheelchair went viral, inspiring thousands of disabled travellers to pursue their own adventures. Offering everything from roll-in showers and adaptive bikes to beach wheelchairs and accessible kayaking, his platform is a one-stop shop for wheelchair users keen to explore the world. Discover more.
Disabled Access Travel – Stress-Free Travel In Europe
Booking a holiday can feel like a gamble for those with mobility challenges, but Disabled Access Travel removes this uncertainty. Specialising in wheelchair friendly transport, mobility equipment rental, personal carers and medical assistance abroad, the operator ensures stress-free travel around more than 100 destinations within Europe. The company even created Accessaloo, an app designed to locate and review wheelchair accessible toilets worldwide – because finding a suitable loo shouldn’t be a stressful ordeal. Discover more.
Handson Travel – Immersive Experiences For Deaf Travellers
From desert safaris in Morocco to snorkelling excursions in Australia, Handson Travel organises one-of-a-kind travel experiences in over 60 countries for the deaf and hard of hearing. Specialising in small-group adventures, this American deaf-owned, deaf-led operator ensures communication is never a barrier. Supported by 70 local deaf guides fluent in sign language, they have organised over 350 curated tours since launching 20 years ago. Their highly sought-after itineraries often sell out three years in advance, proof that the demand for inclusive travel experience is greater than ever. Discover more.
Traveleyes International – Seeing The World Differently
By his late teens, Amar Latif had 95% sight loss and was advised to stay close to home. Determined to explore the world, he discovered that his trips could only be insured if accompanied by a carer – though he didn’t need personal care, just a sighted companion. Inspired, this realisation led him to set up Traveleyes International, a group holiday company pairing vision-impaired travellers with fully sighted companions. Participants rotate partners daily, fostering fresh perspectives and new friendships. In return for providing rich, descriptive narration of the surroundings, the fully sighted travellers receive a discount of up to 50%, creating a truly inclusive experience. Discover more.
RightRooms – The Booking Site That Thinks Of Everything
After struggling to find detailed hotel accessibility information while on crutches with a broken leg, Fiona Halton founded RightRooms. This booking site, which lists over 100 hotels worldwide, goes beyond the basics offering crucial details typically overlooked by mainstream platforms. Are there braille buttons in the lift? Is it an alcohol-free hotel? Do the bedrooms have blackout blinds? Is the bedding synthetic for allergy sufferers? Are the taps lever-operated or push-button? If the information isn’t readily available, their concierge service can curate a tailored list of options that meet individual needs. Discover more.
accessibleGO – Hassle-Free Hotel Bookings For Disabled Travellers
Finding an accessible hotel room shouldn’t be an ordeal, yet for many disabled travellers, it remains a logistical headache. The platform accessibleGO is designed for those with mobility needs looking to book hotels and transport across America. Founded by Miriam Eljas after witnessing her disabled mother struggle with accessibility issues, this site is a valuable resource. Users can filter hotels based on needs extending beyond the standard ‘wheelchair accessible’ tag. A roll-in shower? Outdoor space for a service dog? A fridge for medication? Everything is covered. Once booked, an accessibleGO team member liaises with the hotel to ensure all requirements are met. The dynamic community forum, boasting over 125,000 members, provides a space where disable travellers from all over the world gather to ask questions, get answers, share travel tips, and make like-minded friends. Discover more.
