5 of the best cities for wheelchair users

Yolanda Zappaterra picks the best bookable product from some of the cities ranked ‘most accessible’ in a new report

Click here to download and save as a PDF

1. Sydney

It’s not surprising that Sydney was named as one of the best in the report by The Valuable 500 business coalition, which surveyed 3,500 people with disabilities.

The city boasts wheelchair access in all new and renovated buildings, accessible attractions and harbour views from the Sydney Tower Eye, which has lowered rails and binoculars.

Out of town, Scenic World offers views of the Blue Mountains from the accessible Skyway and Cableway.

Book it: Premier Holidays offers 10 nights in Melbourne, Cairns and Sydney from £2,549, including flights, on May 6, 2023. Accessible flights and transfers, subject to availability.
premierholidays.co.uk

2. Orlando

Orlando has much to offer when it comes to accessible holidays, from sailing in Biscayne Bay to wheelchair-friendly ziplining over alligators at Gatorland, via wheelchair-accessible beaches.

The city’s museums and resorts have a wealth of accessibility facilities, special features and guides, with many of the latter downloadable before travel.

Book it: Ocean Holidays offers a 14-night Orlando package in an accessible pool villa from £1,579, based on four sharing. Price includes BA flights, adapted car hire, UK airport meet-and-greet and four Orlando experiences.
ocean-florida.co.uk

3. Singapore

Singapore’s accessibility, fuelled by its ageing population, includes accessible toilets at the entrance level of all buildings and across the MRT transport system.

Nearly all walkways, bus shelters and many attractions are similarly accessible, including Gardens by the Bay’s Supertree Grove and the Singapore Flyer observation wheel.

Book it: Flights and four nights’ B&B in an accessible room at the Mandarin Orchard in May 2023, starts at £2,520.
enableholidays.com

4. London

Nearly all London’s museums, galleries and attractions are accessible to wheelchair users, as are more than a third of its stations, according to the Passenger Assistance app. Most theatres have some wheelchair-accessible spaces, particularly purpose-built venues.

Book it: Great Little Breaks’ London theatre and hotel packages includes seats for Wicked and two nights’ accommodation at Thistle Hyde Park Kensington Gardens on a B&B basis on 10 March, 2023. Prices start from £373 based on two people sharing. Accessible rooms and theatre seats are subject to availability.
greatlittlebreaks.com

5. Amsterdam

Amsterdam’s 250 miles of bike lanes make it a delight for wheelchair users, who can use their chair or rent adapted bikes (from Star Bikes). Most of the city’s attractions are accessible too, including its canals – the Blue Boat Company has wheelchair lifts.

Book it: EasyJet offers three nights’ room-only in a wheelchair-accessible Paralympic Room (subject to availability) at the Olympic Hotel Amsterdam for £235, including luggage and flights from Bristol on 23 January, 2023.
easyjet.com
PICTURES: shutterstock/Alaattin Timur; Lara Ra, mastersky, Netfalls Remy Musser, Steve Tritto

Read more

x.travelweekly.co.uk/destinations/5-of-the-best-new-museums-for-2022">5 of the best new museums for 2022
x.travelweekly.co.uk/destinations/adventure-hotbed-and-ticket-to-paradise-filming-spot-australias-moreton-island-has-it-all">Adventure hotbed and ‘Ticket to Paradise’ filming spot – Australia’s Moreton Island has it all
x.travelweekly.co.uk/destinations/top-5-vegan-destinations-around-the-globe">Top 5 vegan destinations around the globe