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Children (0-12 years) Transport, Days Out & Holidays

Children (0-12 years) Transport, Days Out & Holidays

Last checked: July 2026

You can find information about flying at:

Your child’s right and the right of disabled people to special assistance when flying is stipulated in UK law. It applies when flying:

For more information, please see:

Boats & Ferries

Most UK ports have good facilities for disabled travellers, but services can vary in Europe.

Before you book a ferry crossing or cruise, check with the operator or travel agent that they will be able to help with any requirements you may have.

Buses

All buses must have ramps and designated wheelchair spaces inside the bus.

A national bus concession scheme for disabled people is run by local councils. It operates differently in different parts of the UK.

Coaches

There’s no national concessions scheme for coach travel but ask if a coach operator offers any discounts. Accessible coaches we know of are operated by

  • National Express
  • Oxford Tube
  • Megabus
  • Gold Line (Northern Ireland)
  • City Link (Scotland).

Community Transport

This local door-to-door transport service is often called ‘Dial a Ride’ or ‘Ring and Ride’. It’s usually run by local councils or transport authorities. They can be booked in advance and are cheaper than taxis. It generally can’t be used for everyday trips when alternative transport is available.

Taxis

All black cabs in London must be accessible for wheelchair users. How accessible they really are can vary.

Outside London, local taxi licensing offices can tell you what’s available in a particular area.

It’s illegal for taxi drivers to discriminate against wheelchair users.

Some areas have taxi concessions in place which make taxi travel cheaper:

Trains

All rail vehicles in service have to meet the Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR).

Most stations have portable ramps if the train doors aren’t level with the platform. Access at most large stations is generally pretty good. You need to book free assistance in advance so that a member of staff is ready with a ramp when you get on and off. Train companies ask for at least 24 hours’ notice.

Book through the train operating company, in person at a local station or online:

Once booked, Passenger Assistance is treated like a reservation. You and the staff at the relevant stations each get an email record of what you have booked and when it’s for.

If you live in London most of the time, check if your child is eligible for a Disabled Persons Freedom Pass > and what it would cover.

Tube in London

These guides tell you which stations are accessible:

If you need to bring medical equipment and find a quiet spot to change or feed your child, some places can let you use a first aid or rest room. Many families check out places in advance to see what facilities are available.

Accessible Toilets and Changing Facilities in the UK

Many families with children with SMA will need these facilities:

Accessaloo App > – uploaded and rated by users worldwide.

Changing Places toilets > provide a height adjustable changing bench with hoist and plenty of space. Visit their website for more information and a map > of where Changing Places can be found. 

The National Key Scheme >is for accessible toilets that can be found in shopping centres, cafes, department stores and in bus and train stations around the country. To unlock the toilets, you will need to buy a RADAR key >.

ToiletMap > – Great British Toilet Map gives opening hours and locations. Use the filter to find accessible toilets.

Places To Go

If you live in Northern Ireland, the Mae Murray Foundation Resource Library > has a wide range of equipment and resources which members may borrow. This may be possible for a day out. They also have an inclusive beach loan scheme >.

These websites are full of ideas, tips and advice:

AccessAble > – access information for over 120,000 places of interest in the UK

Accessible Boating > – charity offering day trips on an accessible boat.

CanalAbility > – charity offering accessible canal boat day trips

Cinema Trips can be much cheaper with a CEA Card (Cinema Exhibitors’ Association Card) >. This works nationally giving anyone age 8 years and over one free ticket for a person accompanying them. To apply, your child will need to be receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA).  The card currently costs £6.00 a year.

Euan’s Guide > – access reviews from disabled people and their friends and families. Covers tourism and entertainment venues as well as post offices, supermarkets and railway stations.

Fledglings > – part of the charity, Contact. They stock a range of products to make this easier on days out. This includes Radar Keys, Wheelchair Covers and more.

Kids Days Out > –  child friendly activities across Britain and whether they are wheelchair accessible throughout.

National Trust Accessibility Guide >.

Seagull Trust (Scotland) > – a charitable organisation run by unpaid volunteers. It provides free barge trips for people with additional needs. They have fully accessible boats suitable for wheelchairs.

The Rough Guide to Accessible Britain > includes accessibility information, including disabled parking and reviews, hints and tips written by disabled visitors.

Access Card > this photo ID that can be used to easily communicate your child’s access requirements to events and venues. It also works online with other platforms like ticketing systems, to unlock the access facilities you need.

It can award a +1 companion. However they state: ‘For children, we do not question that your child may need a certain amount of support when out and about, but we are unlikely to award the +1 symbol where they would already be in direct supervision and guidance by a parent or other family member’.

Cost: £15 for 3 years.

The National Disability Card > makes it easy to show others that your child is disabled. For anyone age 0 – 99, it’s accepted at 600+ locations in the UK and abroad, including Disneyland Paris. The scheme includes:

  • the official RADAR Key for access to disabled toilets nationwide and other
  • Priority access at Disneyland Paris (with a 25% discount on tickets)
  • Exclusive savings on shopping, days out and events
  • 25% off the National Carers Card for carers

Cost: £20 for 2 years.

The National Carers Card > Anyone, regardless of age, who cares for someone requiring assistance due to illness, frailty, disability, mental health issues, or addiction and can’t manage without support, is eligible for a National Carers Card. This encompasses family members, friends, volunteers, and professionals who provide care anywhere in the UK, including England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

The primary purpose of the National Carers Card is to show others that the person is a carer. As a card holder they’re also eligible for concessions and discounts from its partner brands.

Cost:  £20 (including VAT).

The Max Card > – the UK’s leading discount card for cared for and looked after children age 0 – 25.  Families can use their Max Card at venues across the UK to get free or discounted admission. They’re provided by Local Authorities and selected charities across the UK.

The CEA Card (Cinema Exhibitors’ Association Card) > works nationally. It entitles anyone age 8 years and over to one free ticket for whoever is going with them. To apply, you need to be receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP).

Cost: £6.50 a year.

We cover:

  • a checklist of what to think about before you book
  • taking your child’s wheelchair
  • travel insurance
  • ideas for where to go
  • help with funding

Read more >

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