London

Information on accessible travel for disabled people visiting London including transport and accommodation around London.

London continues to improve accessibility and is gradually improving as a destination for disabled travellers, the city's public transport system can still be problematic for mobility impaired users. For those with a wheelchair, the London Underground can be a big source of frustration while access to suburban train services is usually little better. Access to most underground stations is via numerous steps. The system can become extremely crowded at peak times and, therefore, difficult for those with mobility problems.

Tramlink has been designed to be fully accessible to disabled passengers. All tram stops provide step-free access. At some stations there are passenger lifts to provide connections to other rail services as well as to and from street level.

All buses and Docklands Light Railway trains are wheelchair accessible and there are various facilities and services for disabled travellers on all modes of public transport in London. Low-floor buses have ‘kneeling’ suspension and step-free access, making it easier for everyone to get on board - especially older people and parents with pushchairs.

All black cabs are wheelchair accessible and most have a variety of additional aids for disabled travellers.

Individuals or institutions in receipt of a Blue Badge are eligible for a 100 per cent discount from congestion charging. This applies to individual Blue Badge holders throughout the European Union.

An increasing number of hotels in London provide disabled visitors with accessible and wheelchair friendly accommodation. Many hotels have step-free access and rooms adapted for a range of disabilities. Often hotel staff have received disability training and therefore have increased awareness of the access needs of disabled people. Most hotels allow assistance dogs, including guide dogs, hearing dogs and service dogs. It is usually against the law for service providers to refuse to allow assistance dogs on their premises.

In recent years, access to shops and services in London has improved significantly. Under the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), service providers have to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people, such as providing extra help and removing physical barriers. Most large stores provide assistance for disabled people. For example, someone who is blind can get help reading labels and choosing items. Someone with a mobility impairment can get help reaching items and carrying them to the check-out.

Further Information Regarding London

Finding Accommodation in London
Tips for finding decent accommodation when visiting and staying in London on vacation.

Day Trip London to Oxford
While you're visiting London, sometimes it's nice to get out of the multicultural metropolis and see some of the smaller towns/cities where you can get a truer taste of English society. One excellent edifice of culture is the city of Oxford located not far from London.

Day Trip from London to Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, is only about 170km north west of Central London beside the River Avon. So if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of London for a day, you can't go wrong here.

Day Trip from London to Norwich
For a day trip from London why not venture eastwards to the charming city of Norwich in the East Anglia region? Experience life at a gentler pace as you explore this historic cathedral city where you can indulge in a spot of shopping or visit some of it's fascinating medieval buildings.

Day Trip from London to Isle of Wight
The Isle of Wight is located just off the south coast of England, 2 miles off the coast to be precise. Regular ferries operate to the island from Portsmouth, Southampton and Lymington and it's a fantastic idea for a day trip from London.

Public Transport from Heathrow Airport London
London Heathrow is quite a large airport with 5 Terminals scattered throughout the grounds. Read on to find out the best way to travel between Terminal buildings and how to get to/from Heathrow Airport.

London Heathrow Airport Terminals
London Heathrow Airport is the busiest airport in Europe and handles more international flights than any other airport in the world. Read our Heathrow Airport terminal guide.

Travel by Car or Public Transport in London
London, and indeed the rest of England, has a fairly comprehensive public transport system. So you might be wondering why you'd bother with a car rental at all. Our guide goes through the benefits of each.

Self Driving out of London Heathrow Airport
The airport is located very close to the M4 and M25 motorways, so these can get you basically anywhere you need to go. The M25 is the orbital route that circumnavigates the entire city. With this in mind getting onto the M25 is a good start for anyone looking to drive to other parts of the country from Heathrow Airport.