You can give National Rail train companies advance notice if you think you’ll need any help from staff.

You can also check if a station has accessible facilities.

Wheelchairs on trains

On mainline (intercity, suburban and cross-country) trains there’s space for your wheelchair. Put your chair in this space and use the brakes (or switch your wheelchair’s power off) when the train’s moving.

Your rights

Your right to travel by train is protected by the train company’s Disabled People's Protection Policy (DPPP). Each train company must produce a DPPP and you can get a copy from the company.

The DPPP explains how the train company helps disabled passengers use their stations and trains.

Disabled person's railcard

If you’re eligible you can get up to a third off rail tickets by applying for a disabled person’s railcard. You must provide evidence of a relevant disability.

Tell your airline about your disability at least 48 hours before departure if you'll need help.

Airlines and airports have different facilities for disabled people. Find out from your airport or airline if they have the facilities you need, eg a toilet with disabled access.

Help at the airport

If you have a sensory, physical or learning disability which affects your mobility when using transport, at European airports you have the right to:

• help at specific arrival points, such as at terminal entrances, at transport interchanges and in car parks
• help to reach check-in
• help with registration at check-in
• help with moving through the airport, including to toilets if you need it

You’ll also have the right to help because of your age or a temporary illness or injury - eg you’ve broken your leg and it’s in a cast.

As a disabled person, you can travel with up to 2 items of mobility equipment free of charge. This won't count as part of your baggage allowance.

Taking your wheelchair on the plane

You can’t take your own wheelchair into the passenger cabin of a plane - it will be stored in the hold. Speak to your airline to find out what help they’ll provide when boarding.

You should tell your airline, travel agent or tour operator as soon as possible if you’re taking on a battery-powered wheelchair or mobility aid.

Travelling with a companion

You must travel with a companion if you're not self reliant, eg you need help with feeding, breathing, using medication or using the toilet.

The airline you’re flying with will do their best to make sure you sit next to each other, so long as you tell them at least 48 hours before departure.

Travelling with an assistance dog

You have the right to travel with your assistance dog. You’ll need to follow the rules on pet travel.

Find out what you need to do if you're driving and you have a medical condition or disability, eg learning to drive and getting insured.

You may be able to get a Blue Badge so you can park closer to where you want to go.

Buses and coaches

You can get a bus pass for free travel if you’re disabled. Passes from councils in England can be used anywhere in England and Wales:

• at any time on a Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday
• from 9:30am to 11pm on any other day

For travel outside of these times, contact the relevant council.

Help getting on and off

The law says bus and coach drivers must give reasonable assistance to disabled people, eg helping them get on and off the bus or coach. This doesn’t mean physically lifting passengers or heavy mobility equipment.

If you need help to get on and off a coach, you should ask for this when you book your ticket.

Licensed taxis can be hailed on the street, picked up at ranks or pre-booked, but you can only pre-book minicabs (also called 'private hire vehicles').

Wheelchair access

In some areas (mainly larger cities), licensed taxis have to be wheelchair accessible.

To find out if there are accessible taxis near you, contact the taxi licensing office at your local council.

London taxis

In London, all black cabs are wheelchair accessible.

Some of the newer 'black cabs' are also fitted with induction loops and intercoms for hearing aid users.

Assistance dogs

If you travel with an assistance dog they must be allowed into the taxi or minicab with you, unless the driver has an exemption certificate. This can be issued if they've got a medical condition made worse by contact with dogs.

A driver with an exemption certificate will have a yellow 'Notice of Exemption' notice on their vehicle windscreen.

It's illegal to be charged extra to travel in a taxi or minicab with an assistance dog. Otherwise the driver could be fined up to £1,000.

The following types of dog can be taken with you in taxis or minicabs:

• guide dogs trained by the Guide Dogs organisation
• hearing dogs trained by Hearing Dogs
• assistance dogs trained by Dogs for the Disabled, Support Dogs or Canine Partners

Travelling with your dog

Taxi and private hire vehicle drivers have been told how to identify assistance dogs.

Your assistance dog should wear its harness or identification jacket when you are travelling with it. If an identification card was issued for the dog, this should also be carried.

Dogs should remain on the floor and under control at all times. If your dog causes any damage to the vehicle, the driver could ask you to pay for it.

Reporting problems

As well as the rules on wheelchairs and assistance dogs, all taxi and minicab drivers must make sure they don't discriminate against you and can’t treat you less favourably than other customers. They should also make any ‘reasonable adjustments’ to their service for you to make your journey easier.

You should report any problems to the taxi licensing office at your local council.

Shopmobility lends wheelchairs and powered scooters to people who are disabled so they can shop or visit leisure facilities in a town, city or shopping centre.