Recommended coach companies for people with disabilities

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jane52
jane52 Online Community Member Posts: 78 Contributor
in Transport and travel
Looking to travel to Europe by Coach.   Has anyone found a coach company that is good for people with disabilities (invisible disability), may need small amount of support when exiting and boarding coach when on boat crossing channel.

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  • Rosie_Scope
    Rosie_Scope Posts: 6,325 Scope Online Community Coordinator
    Which part of Europe are you hoping to travel to @jane52? 

    National Express coaches have an accessibility helpline and are happy to provide assistance, but it looks like they're not travelling to Europe until the end of the year, so that's no good! I have found that many coach drivers are happy to lend a hand with passengers who need a steady arm getting on and off, but it will depend on their company policy how much assistance they can give.

    Are you looking to just use coaches as your mode of transport to your destination, or are you planning to do a coach tour of Europe? There are a few companies that run package holidays specifically for disabled people if that's any use to you. 
  • jane52
    jane52 Online Community Member Posts: 78 Contributor
    Hello Rosie

    Thank you for replying and letting me know about National Express Coaches.
    I may use coaches as my main mode of transport as this is cheaper, or mix flying and then coaches.
    Whatever holidays I go on,  will be package holidays - UK and Europe

    I did my first test flight using the disability support through the airline with my son recently to Barcelona and that went well enough.   My friend spoke of something called DPNA to ask for at the airports which is separate to the airline.   Not fully clear on this yet and do I need to book both if I try a flight by myself in the future.   Did not get support from UK airport until gone through baggage checks etc.  Once reached desk for support advised could have rung a buzzer at the beginning of airport journey.   Did not know this. I am guessing this was what my friend meant by DPNA?  Coming home told at Barcelone airport, after some time, that could have gone to different desk as registered as needing support.  Again, no communication re this, so do not know if I am missing something re how I manage the flights.  
     
    If I travel just by coach, main concern is boarding and leaving coach on the ferry, when coach in parking area amongst lots of other coaches.   Anxiety comes from having passed out a couple of times from epilepsy in traffic.  I know more now the reasons for the seizures, so can take some steps to prevent them happening e.g. make sure eating right food as reactive hypoglycemea was triggering some of seizures.  May just need to treat it as a phobia like people have fear of flying.

    Re the package holidays for disabled people.  I am not sure I need that level of support and I would find them expensive.    Just come back from a day out coach trip in Uk - manage these fine.   What I do think I will need are cards on me in languagues of countries in Europe I visit with details re my epilepsy, other health conditions, medications, contact details .   Anything else to put on the card?  in case I have a seizure abroad.  I have found somewhere  that will produce these cards in different languages.   I did my own google translate in Spanish on paper when went to Barcelona.   I wear medic alert bracelet and necklace.  Medic alert say they answer in English but could find someone who speaks other languages if telephoned from abroad? 

    I will take a look at National Express Coaches and see what they offer re holidays; also speak with them.

    Thank you for your help

    Jane

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