You are very welcome and thank you for all of your great advice and insight and tips. It meant a lot and I hope the video will help travelers enjoy their trips to Europe even more. big hug. mark
Funny because as a french myself I would say Paris is one of the LESS accessible cities I've been in : if there is another wheelchair user in a bus , you can't get in. You can't get in 95 % of metro stations by yourself 30% of stations are accessible with staff assistance but you have to book 48 hours in advance and, don't be late or change tour plan ! 50% of local city train to go to or from suburbs (R.E.R ) have an elevator, half of it is always on maintenance... So yes if you have enough money to travel the city in taxi from one museum to another, Paris would be perfectly fine ... Entering in a restaurant or small shop will be quite tricky if you can't afford luxury places on Champs-Elysées...
I honestly couldn't disagree with you more about #2. Of all the places I've traveled, London is the least accessible. It was also the place where I got faced the most discrimination for being young and disabled. It's a NIGHTMARE and I only go there when I absolutely have to. Very few of the tube stations are accessible and even the ones that are, getting on and off is damn near impossible. I was literally shoved to the ground on two separate occasions because I took too long getting in. And if it were just me, I'd write it off as having a bad experience. But I know multiple people who were living in London and had to move because it's not just inaccessible to tourists, but also to the locals. And that's what it comes down to. The tourist sites can't measure accessibility alone. Until a disabled person can function properly and be treated as a human being while using every day essentials in the city, it can't be viewed as being accessible.
I am asked to go back to your country due to my disability in London. The College said me they don't have solution for me. In one of the junction in London if I am not forgetting Waterlo type name, I have to cross it my my foot.
A city which always seems to be missed is ROTTERDAM in the Netherlands. It's ultra accessible due to it being very modern. After it was heavily bombed during World War 2 they have been rebuilding it ever since and continue. I've been so many times and I love it there and it's ideal for my wheelchair!
Thank you for your helpful videos and for addressing this important topic. Naturally, everyone has different experiences and opinions but the sum total of your insights as well as those who respond with comments is of great benefit. Keep up the great work!
honestly the problem im having with this video is youre not a wheelchair user you cant really judge access unless youre the one accessing (or not) it in a wheelchair, even if you travel with a wheelchair user its just not the same. Having said that, nice to see a Polish city on the list, im English but my Grandmother was Polish, thought about going a few times.
In Sweden, it has been law for a long time that every bathroom (for example) has to be large enough for a wheelchair. Therefore all bathrooms even in private apartments must tailor to wheelchairs. All metro stations in Stockholm have elevators, and all metro trains have step-free boarding not only for wheelchairs, but for pushchairs (strollers) too. All buses are step-free with disabled access (ramps at the rear or middle doors on the articulated buses and a button you push to alert the driver to give you assistance on the side of the bus). All pushchairs and wheelchairs do not pay to use the bus in Stockholm. The light rail line, the Tvärbanan that does a circle around the city is also fully step-free for wheelchairs and pushchairs. If anyone wants help getting around Stockholm (or Sweden) or advice on that I'm willing to give help. =)
Hello, I would be interested in learning more about the access there. An experience I see a lot in U.S. is that bathrooms are *technically* accessible but that accessibility is about footprint (space), not about the door opening one has to do. Does Stockholm have all buttons on bathrooms so they can open on their own? Thank you for this information.
Hi .. Iam looking for imigrate sweden And Iam asking how to find jobs there .. Iam a pharmacist wheelchair user and work for pharmaceutical company in Egypt
Lisbon's cobble stones were horrible on crutches in the rain. They are actually really slippery. I did fine in Munich with crutches. Madrid Spain was wonderful. Check out a company called accessible Madrid. Rome was fine we did a day long gulf cart tour with a company called My Best Tours and I walked to sights we wanted to go back to in following days we were there.
I am able to walk (though with difficulty) and I remember all the places where they turned the escalators OFF in the evening. Left me with over 70 steps in the morning and at night in order to leave my hotel.
Cobblestones are very even?! Take a wheelchair ride over some cobblestones, any cobblestones. You really have no idea what you are saying if you think cobblestones are accessible. Seriously. Makes me wonder if you have any idea of what accessibility really is.
went searching for this topic and wow ! 11 years ago ! baller for making this way back when. Is there an updated version ? I'm looking for a beachtown that my partner can easily cycle around without walking long distances or going up or down many stairs
I have problems with stairs and have lived/worked in almost all the Euro capitals. Europe in general is not great for reduced mobility access, but getting better. Metros are usually not easy to enter/exit, unless you are lucky to use stations with elevators to the platforms, which Milan is suprisenly very good. London, Rome and Paris usually require stairs to the Metro trains. Busses are also not so good due to the high step. Regular fast trains are usually ok if you request assistance and only involve a few steps to board. The newer trams are also pretty good since the tram floor is usually close to the street level upon access, so places like Zurich and most Northern European cities have made an effort in this regard. And most museums and newer buildings have some special access only need to find the right employee to guide you accordingly. I live in Italy and the only real challange is using ferrys without elevators as well as places with specific terrain like Amalfi coast or Venice. Mind you I do not use a wheelchair and can walk well on flat surfaces, only steps is a concern so not sure if I fully qualify to answer everyone’s concerns. If you have reduced mobility and want to come to Europe, maybe stick to the North as Italy, Greece and most of Spain would require extra planning, but is well worth the visit as it offers so much as we all know. I see folks with wheelchairs all the time pretty much all over Europe just be prepared to possibly exclude certain sights if needed. There is a website with detailed special travel “sagetraveling.com” I believe could provide helpful tips.
Thank you so much for your videos I m learning so much. I am a disabled man in my 50's worked all my life to the point it screwed my health up. While I can still walk with out assistance, I can't make extended walks. That being said I would like to travel now that I have the time to do that, and living on disability I will be saving up to do my traveling more then likely about 2 years to afford my first trip. My parents years ago used a tour group travel, I am thinking that may be the best way for me to go. Any suggestions on a trip to England?
+stephen761 Tour groups do make things a lot easier for sure. Circle Line, River Cruises, Viking Cruises are some that I know about and have heard good things about. They also cater to 50+ age groups a lot too so that can make it a bit smoother sailing. Great travels to you!
St Petersburg Russia is the worst for disabled visitors. There are almost no elevators in the entire city. I asked where I could go that had an elevator and they laughed at me. They think you’re lazy if you need a wheelchair.
In your opinion what countries would be doable for a solo 74 yr old woman with limited walking mobility? Are there restrooms on every corner? Do they have rentable three wheeled motor scooters?
Jorge Luis Farfán Vila contact the Tower directly and ask about accessibility, you may find for your particular situation and wants from the visit its no problem or they can help out.. The crown jewel area is inside, flat and smooth and spacious for example, outside has chunky cobbles but not everywhere- the young ravens area is really flat and accessible.. they have discounts for carers if you need help getting about there and the equality act means theyve had to try make the adjustments they can- like most of the uk its best to contact the place directly and chat about it with them
Hi, I was wondering if things have changed in Portugal considering this video was from 10 years ago. I use a mobility scooter and would love to visit where my grandparents were born. Thanks 😊
Just got back from Munich. I was there with my mom who drives a scooter and my sister who is in a wheelchair. Are you kidding ranking them #1? The curb cuts were horrible, it was not accessible. I think Singapore should have been #1.
Germany is a very well organized country. Worst countries for disabled would be Russia & Ukraine, don't expect to see elevators at train stations, stairs only which is difficult for the disabled.
Where does Switzerland come in this round up, we want to travel on the trains there. By the way, in general, the UK is great for disabled travelling. I think we invented it :-) !
Wow why do Uk people keep talking crap about this unicorn disabled friend Uk? Not true guys! Do not believe them! I live in London and been to most big cities here and you will definitely suffer!