Your Complete Guide to Accessible Holiday Preparation: Top Tips from the Experts at World Accessible Holidays
Planning an accessible holiday can feel overwhelming, but with the right preparation, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone. At World Accessible Holidays, we’ve helped hundreds of families create unforgettable memories, and we’ve learned that proper preparation is absolutely key to a successful trip.
Start Early – The Golden Rule of Accessible Travel
The most important tip we can share? Start planning as early as possible. Unlike standard holidays, accessible travel requires additional coordination time and availability is more limited. We recommend beginning your planning at least 6-8 months in advance, especially for peak season travel.
Early planning allows you to:
- Secure the best accessible accommodations
- Arrange specialised equipment hire
- Coordinate airport assistance
- Research destination accessibility thoroughly
- Book accessible transfers and excursions
The Three Pillars of Accessible Holiday Planning
1. Transportation & Getting There
Air Travel Preparation:
- Contact your airline at least 48 hours before travel to confirm accessibility requirements, although we do this much further in advance
- Arrive at the airport with extra time – we recommend 3 hours for international flights
- Pack essential medications and equipment in carry-on luggage
- Bring documentation for medical equipment (eg lithium battery safe to fly certificate) and mobility aids (eg wheelchair height reduction instructions)
Ground Transportation:
- Book accessible transfers in advance – don’t leave this to chance
- Research public transport accessibility at your destination
- Consider hiring accessible vehicles if you plan to explore independently and book well in advance due to limited availability
2. Accommodation Excellence
What to Look For (depending on your needs):
- Roll-in showers with grab rails
- Accessible room entrances (no steps or thresholds)
- Pool access with hoists, ramps, or Roman steps (always verify in writing!)
- Accessible routes to restaurants, bars, and facilities
- Location – if you can’t manage hills make sure the hotel isn’t on top of one!
Questions to Ask Hotels:
- Can you provide written confirmation of accessibility features?
- What’s the exact room layout and bathroom configuration?
- Are there accessible routes to all hotel facilities?
- How can I access the pool?
- Can you provide photographs of the room and bathroom?
3. Equipment & Support Services
Essential Equipment Planning:
- Book mobility equipment hire well in advance
- Confirm delivery and collection arrangements plus any deposits payable
- Pack backup batteries and chargers for any equipment you are taking with you. Make sure lithium batteries are below 300wh.
- Consider bringing familiar items like cushions or supports (eg mobile hoist)
- Does the supplier offer damage insurance?
Medical Considerations:
Carry extra medications in original packaging
Bring prescription letters from your GP for any medications over 100ml or classed as narcotics. Make sure to check entry requirements.
Research medical facilities at your destination
Ensure travel insurance covers pre-existing conditions
The Reality Check: When Things Don’t Go to Plan
Even with perfect planning, sometimes things go wrong. Here’s how to handle common issues.
If accessibility features aren’t as described:
- Document everything with photos
- Contact your travel provider immediately
- Know your rights under disability legislation
- Don’t accept “that’s just how it is” as an answer
Equipment failures:
- Always have backup plans
- Know local equipment suppliers
- Keep receipts for emergency purchases
- Contact your wheelchair insurance provider if your wheelchair breaks
Why Professional Support Makes the Difference
While these tips will help you plan independently, there’s real value in working with specialists who understand accessible travel inside and out. At World Accessible Holidays, we’ve built relationships with suppliers, verified accessibility features personally, and developed systems to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Our clients often tell us that the peace of mind alone is worth it – knowing that someone with expertise is handling the complex details while they focus on enjoying their holiday. The best part is that we book at high street prices, so our prices are comparable to any high street agency.
