Accessible Travel Around the World

Traveling with someone who has a disability, and who may have mobility issues can be difficult. Unfortunately, not everywhere is accessible, excluding many from traveling the world. In this blog post, we will share some of the cities you might have not known were accessible, and entirely possible to travel to even if you or someone you’re traveling with has mobility issues. ​

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Las Vegas, Nevada​
Las Vegas, is one of the most accessible destinations in the United States and is highly accommodating to people with disabilities and mobility issues. The city offers a wide range of accessible rooms at various price ranges. For instance, hotels like the Bellagio have hoyer lifts built into the ceiling, while others provide free standing lifts that can be moved into your room. Additionally, many hotels have pool lifts available. The pavements in Vegas are smooth and wide, making it easy to navigate with a wheelchair or walker. Pedestrian crossings are equipped with visual and audio signals, and there are around 20 different elevated walkways with wheelchair lifts to cross the strip. Surprisingly, attractions like the High Roller Ferris Wheel, SlotZilla Zip Line and Zoomline, Fremont Street Experience, and even go-karting with hand controls are accessible as well.

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​​Singapore
Singapore is considered the most accessible place in Asia, offering a plethora of tourist attractions to visit. Gardens by the Bay, a nature park spanning over 250 acres, is fully accessible. They provide free shuttle service for wheelchair users, and if you're not bringing your own wheelchair, you can rent one at the Visitor Center. Other accessible attractions include the Singapore Zoo, Science Center Singapore, the National Museum of Singapore, and Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay. Guide dogs are allowed in all public spaces, as they are considered working animals. Over 95% of pedestrian walkways, taxi stands, and bus shelters in Singapore are barrier-free, and most buses and trains are wheelchair accessible.

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Sydney, Australia ​
The majority of Sydney's attractions are wheelchair accessible, and all new or renovated buildings are required by law to be accessible. Similar to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Australia has its own act called The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). At Sydney Airport, they have partnered with Aira, a service that enables blind and low-vision travelers to navigate the airport using their smartphones. Wheelchair accessible taxis are available, and international disability parking permits are valid in Australia's mobility parking spaces. Notable accessible attractions in Sydney include Sydney Tower & Skywalk experience, Wild Life Sydney Zoo/Sydney Sea Life Aquarium, and The Royal Botanical Gardens. Lastly, don't miss out on Manly Beach! Take the ferry over and rent a beach wheelchair that can roll on the sandy beaches of Sydney.

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Playa Del Carmen, Mexico​
Although Playa Del Carmen is not fully accessible, the main tourist hotspots have recently become more accessible. The main tourist area is entirely flat, with 5th and 10th Avenue being the best places for wheelchairs. In 2021, Playa Del Carmen replaced all its cobblestones with flat slabs of brick. While not everything is fully accessible yet, efforts are being made to improve accessibility. About 50% of tourist shops and 70-80% of restaurants are wheelchair accessible, mainly due to outdoor seating. There is a completely accessible public beach near the ferry to Cozumel, complete with beach wheelchairs. Local companies like Playa Mobility offer rentals for standard and motorized wheelchairs. Some eco parks, such as Xel-ha and Xcaret, also provide rentals and ensure accessibility for swimming and water activities.

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Greece​
Greece might not be the first place that comes to mind when thinking of an accessible vacation, but like Playa Del Carmen, it is making efforts to become more accessible. Since the 2004 Paralympics, Greece has improved accessibility despite its rocky and hilly terrain. Major museums, sites, and central pavements in Athens are wheelchair-friendly. All metro and trains are fully accessible, and guide dogs are allowed in public spaces. What makes Greece unique is its endeavor to make beaches accessible to all. Greece’s Tourism Minister, Vassilis Kikilias, stated that "Equal access to the sea is an inalienable human right." As a result, Greece is constructing over 200 solar-powered wheelchair ramps that allow wheelchair users to safely enter and exit the ocean without assistance from another person.

​Are you interested in accessible travel? Contact one of our Travel Consultants! Call us today at 314-439-5700