Going on holiday is a great way to relax, see new places, and spend time with family and friends. Planning ahead can make your trip easier and more comfortable, helping you enjoy a successful holiday whether you’re staying in the UK or travelling abroad.
You may want to check whether we have an alert card for your condition. This can be helpful if you need care while you’re travelling in the UK.
You can get holiday ideas from guidebooks, websites, or specialist tour operators. To help you pick the right destination, you may want to think about:
If you’re booking through a travel agent or organisation, you can ask them to help you find the right holiday for your needs. Check that the transport and accommodation meet your accessibility requirements. You can find a list of holiday providers further down this page.
Most transport services and attractions offer assistance or equipment to help you enjoy your holiday in the UK. These include ramps, accessible car parking, and beach wheelchairs.
Visit Britain has a helpful accessible guide to Britain, covering travel, accommodation, and things to do.
Before you book your holiday, check that the country you’re visiting has the services and facilities you need. Your holiday company can help with this.
The UK government has useful information about travelling abroad with a disability.
Your doctor can tell you whether it’s safe for you to fly. If you use ventilation support, you should check with your ventilation team before you travel. Some airlines ask you to fill in a medical information form to help them meet your needs. Even if you’re not asked for this form, you may find it helpful to carry a letter describing your muscle wasting condition and what help you may need.
Many mainstream holiday companies have specialist assistance or accessibility teams that can help you plan your trip. When you book your flight, ask for any help you may need at the airport or during the flight.
Cruises can be a good option if you want to travel without flying. Many cruise lines offer accessible cabins and facilities, as well as onboard support.
You can go on cruises that depart from several ports across the UK including Southampton, Liverpool, Tilbury, Newcastle, Greenock (near Glasgow), and Belfast.
This means you may be able to travel without flying.
Before booking, it’s a good idea to speak to the cruise company’s accessibility or special assistance team. They can help you check whether the ship and itinerary meet your needs. Some specialist travel agencies also offer accessible cruises and can help with planning.
You may want to ask about:
Some cruise lines also offer early boarding, priority disembarkation, and adapted transport for excursions. If you need to hire any equipment for your trip, some providers can arrange this in advance.
Limitless Travel and Disabled Holidays both offer accessible cruises – see the list of holiday providers below.
Think about what equipment you usually use and whether you’ll need it on holiday. You may want to take your own equipment with you, but there may be some items that you can hire.
If you book through an accessible holiday company, they may include equipment hire as part of your booking. Make sure that any equipment is suitable for your needs before booking.
If you use ventilation or other medical equipment that needs power, check that you can safely use and charge it where you’re staying. You may need to bring adaptors, voltage converters, or transformers for overseas trips.
If you’re travelling by plane, check with the airline that you can take your equipment with you. Some airlines will not carry certain types of battery or oxygen cylinders.
Mobility Equipment Hire Direct
Offers mobility equipment rental in the UK and abroad.
🔗 mobilityequipmenthiredirect.com/
National Mobility Hire
Offers mobility scooters, wheelchairs, and children’s strollers to hire.
🔗 nationalmobilityhire.com/
It’s a good idea to check your wheelchair is in full working order before you travel. You may want to take spare inner tubes and a puncture repair kit with you.
If you use a powered wheelchair, you may need a charger, adaptor, voltage converter, and transformer.
Try to find out where to get your wheelchair serviced if you have any problems while you’re away. If you’re staying in the UK, there may be a local repair service nearby.
Tell your airline as soon as possible if you’ll be travelling with a wheelchair. This is especially important if you use a powered wheelchair as some airlines do not accept some types.
Your airline can give you information about travelling with a wheelchair. They may ask you to get on the plane before other passengers but let them know if you need extra time. At the end of the journey, you may leave the plane after other passengers.
You may need to move to another wheelchair before boarding the plane. Make sure the airline staff know if you need them to bring your wheelchair to the door of the plane at the end of the flight. Otherwise, they may bring an airport wheelchair for you to use.
Before you board the plane, you may want to take any removable wheelchair parts with you. Seat cushions and other loose parts can easily get lost or damaged.
SimplyEmma has a detailed guide to flying with a powered wheelchair.
Before you travel, check you’ll be able to access your accommodation and local attractions. For example, does your hotel have a lift that can fit your wheelchair, or can you have a room on the ground floor? Is the bedroom and bathroom door wide enough for you to use?
If you use a powered wheelchair, check that you can charge it at your accommodation.
Some tourist sites, such as theme parks and beaches, have wheelchairs available to hire. Contact them to find out whether you can book these in advance. If you’ll be using your own wheelchair, you might want to check that you can access all areas.
If you take medication, make sure take enough with you on holiday, plus some extra for emergencies. You may want to take a list of all your medicines in case you need more while you’re away.
If you’re travelling abroad, check with the embassy that there are no restrictions on taking medicines into the country. The airline should have information about how to travel with medication. For example, they may advise taking a letter from your GP and keeping medicines in their original packets.
Remember to pack any medicines in your hand luggage, in case your hold luggage gets lost.
It’s important to buy travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked your holiday, even if you’re staying in the UK. You should then be covered if you need to cancel your trip.
When you’re choosing an insurance policy, look for one that covers medical treatment and does not exclude a ‘pre-existing medical condition’. Make sure you tell the insurance company about your muscle wasting condition and any other health problems.
You may also want to check that your insurance covers:
If you’re travelling within Europe and some other countries, you can apply for a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC). This gives you medical care on the same terms as people who live there. It’s not a replacement for travel insurance and you should make sure you have insurance as well.
We have more information about insurance for people with muscle wasting conditions.
Trusts and funds can help towards the cost of a holiday. Some of these are listed below.
We also have information about dream trips and special experiences for people with life-limiting or progressive conditions.
Family Fund
Offers grants towards holidays in the UK and abroad for children and young people.
🔗 familyfund.org.uk/
The 3H Foundation
Helps fund UK holidays for people with disabilities who are on a low income.
🔗 the3hfoundation.org.uk/
These companies provide accessible holidays in the UK and abroad.
Accessible Holiday Escapes
Has a searchable list of accessible accommodation in the UK.
🔗 accessibleholidayescapes.co.uk/
Disabled Holidays
A disability specialist travel agency providing accessible cruises and holidays in the UK and abroad.
🔗 disabledholidays.com/
Enable Holidays
Disabled holiday specialists providing accessible holidays for wheelchair users.
🔗 enableholidays.com/
Holidays with Help
Provides respite care breaks for people with disabilities and their carers.
🔗 holidayswithhelp.org.uk/
Limitless Travel
Offers accessible holidays and cruises.
🔗 limitlesstravel.org/
Phab
Organises accessible activity holidays for adults and children.
🔗 phab.org.uk/
Tourism for All
A charity that provides details of accessible accommodation and activities.
🔗 tourismforall.co.uk/
ABTA
Has a checklist for disabled and less mobile travellers.
🔗 abta.com/tips-and-advice/accessible-travel/checklist-for-disabled-and-less-mobile-passengers
AccessAble
A guide to accessible attractions in the UK.
🔗 accessable.co.uk/
Civil Aviation Authority
Has information on special assistance at UK airports.
🔗 caa.co.uk/passengers-and-public/
Disability Rights UK
Sells the Radar Key, for accessible public toilets in the UK.
🔗 disabilityrightsuk.org/
Euan’s Guide
Has reviews of accessible venues across the UK and beyond.
🔗 euansguide.com/
Jumbulance
Organises group travel in accessible vehicles.
🔗 jumbulance.org.uk/
Matching Houses
Holiday house swap website for people with disabilities.
🔗 matchinghouses.com/
Author: Muscular Dystrophy UK
Last reviewed: July 2025
Next review due: July 2028
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