Travelling with a child or young person who has a disability, brain injury or additional needs can sometimes require more planning. From arranging assistance at a railway station to travelling with mobility equipment or medication, knowing what support is available can help make journeys feel more manageable.
Whether you’re travelling by train, heading to the airport or simply planning a day out, there are steps families can take before leaving home to make the experience smoother.
Disabled passengers have the right to access assistance when travelling by train, and Passenger Assist is available to support people who may need additional help during their journey.
Assistance can include help getting around the station, boarding and leaving a train, changing between services and carrying luggage.
For domestic rail journeys, train operators should require no more than two hours’ notice when Passenger Assist is booked in advance. If assistance hasn’t been booked beforehand, train and station operators should still make reasonable efforts to provide the support needed to travel. Office of Rail and Road
When planning a journey, it can be helpful to check accessibility at each station you’ll be using, particularly if your journey involves connections.
Families may also be eligible for a Disabled Persons Railcard.
The Railcard provides one-third off most rail fares for the eligible person and one adult travelling with them. For an eligible child, the child continues to pay the usual child fare, while an accompanying adult can receive one-third off most fares. Eligibility criteria apply. Railcard Website
If your child or young person uses a wheelchair or other mobility equipment, contact the airline before travelling to discuss what will be needed.
UK guidance recommends telling your airline at least 48 hours before departure if assistance is required. Disabled passengers can travel with up to two items of mobility equipment free of charge. GOV.UK
Before travelling, it can be useful to have the make and model of the wheelchair or mobility aid available, along with its dimensions and any instructions for safely folding, handling or operating it.
If you use powered mobility equipment, speak to the airline well in advance about its requirements, particularly around batteries.
Taking photographs of mobility equipment before handing it over can also provide a record of its condition in case anything is damaged during the journey.
Medication is another area worth planning ahead.
If medication needs to be carried in hand luggage, check the airport and airline requirements before travelling. This is particularly important for liquids, medical equipment or medication that needs to remain refrigerated.
Keep essential medication somewhere accessible rather than placing it in checked luggage where possible, and consider carrying supporting medical documentation when required.
If you’re unsure whether a particular medication or piece of medical equipment can pass through security, contact the airport or airline before you travel rather than waiting until the day.
If your family travels with an assistance dog, check the requirements for your journey well in advance.
Depending on where you are travelling, you may need documentation relating to the dog’s health, vaccinations or eligibility to travel.
It can also help to pack everything they may need during the journey, including food, water, bowls and any medication.
Sometimes the smaller practical details can make the biggest difference to a family journey.
Knowing where accessible toilets, changing facilities and suitable rest stops are located can remove some of the uncertainty, particularly on longer journeys.
Changing Places toilets provide additional space and specialist equipment beyond a standard accessible toilet, including an adult-sized changing bench and hoist. The Changing Places website allows families to search for facilities and even plan a route around available toilets. Changing Places
Accessible travel can involve extra steps that other travellers may not have to consider.
Allowing additional time for getting through a station or airport, finding accessible facilities, transferring between services or dealing with unexpected changes can make the day feel less pressured.
It can also help to have a simple backup plan. Keep important telephone numbers accessible, know who to approach if booked assistance doesn’t arrive, and consider what your family would need if a journey is delayed or disrupted.
For children and young people who find unfamiliar environments, crowds or changes to routine difficult, talking through the journey beforehand can also help. Photos of stations, airports or destinations, a simple visual itinerary, familiar comfort items and planned quiet breaks may make travelling feel more predictable.
Every child, young person and family is different. What makes travelling easier for one person may not work for another.
Planning ahead isn’t about limiting where families can go. It’s about understanding what support is available, anticipating potential barriers and putting the right arrangements in place so that children and young people can participate as comfortably and confidently as possible.
At Big Stepping Stones, we believe families should be able to access practical information and support that helps make everyday experiences — including travelling — feel a little more manageable.
Planning travel is just one of the many practical challenges families may face when supporting a child or young person with a brain injury, neurodisability or additional needs.
At Big Stepping Stones, we help families navigate these challenges by providing advice and guidance, shared experience and signposting to relevant services and organisations. Whether you’re looking for information about accessible travel, financial support, education, care, rehabilitation or simply aren’t sure where to turn next, we can help you explore the options available.
Our aim is to make it easier for families to find trusted information and practical support, while helping you feel more confident making decisions that work for your child and your family.
You don’t have to have all the answers before getting in touch. If there’s something you need help navigating, Big Stepping Stones can help point you in the right direction.
