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

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.
Please note that wheelchair spaces cannot currently be booked on Rail Europe. See below for more information about how to book wheelchair spaces.

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
If you have booked a ticket for a bus operator via Rail Europe, you will need to contact the coach company directly if you use a wheelchair, have limited mobility, or need assistance to get off or on the bus.

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