Getting around more easily

Driving can help you to stay independent, especially in areas where there is poor public transport. But as you get older, you may lose confidence or have a health condition that affects your ability to drive. Age UK have a range of information on their website about Driving as you get older. 

If you have problems with walking or other health conditions that affect your mobility, you may be able to get a Blue Badge to help you park closer to the places you want to go.

If you think you might benefit from some equipment to help you use your home safely, contact your local council to ask for a care needs assessment. You’ll be able to get advice on the types of equipment, as well as adaptations you might need to make to your home, such as widening doorways. Our webpage Getting disability equipment has more information about what to consider and where to start.

Mobility scooters and powered wheelchairs

Before you buy or hire a mobility scooter or electric wheelchair, it’s a good idea to get an assessment from a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist. Contact your GP for advice.

There are many different types of scooter and powered wheelchair, so you’ll need to do some research. A good starting place is the Research Institute for Disabled Consumers, an independent consumer research organisation for older and disabled people. The Disabled Living Foundation can also give advice and has a series of factsheets to help you choose mobility equipment. If you live in Scotland, Disability Information Scotland has helpful information about mobility equipment and travel.

Manual wheelchairs and walking aids

You may feel more confident about getting out and about if you use walking aids, such as a walking frame, crutches or sticks, or a manual wheelchair.

In England and Wales, NHS Wheelchair Services can assess you for a wheelchair. Ask your GP, or an occupational therapist or physiotherapist, to refer you for an assessment with NHS Wheelchair Services. You may also be able to borrow equipment from the NHS (you may have to pay a deposit). Ask a GP or physiotherapist for more information about borrowing equipment. 

If you live in Scotland and you have difficulty walking, your GP or a community nurse or physiotherapist may be able to arrange for you to access a wheelchair or a walking frame or sticks.  

You may also be able to hire or borrow a wheelchair from the British Red Cross for a small fee if you only need to use it for a short time. Use the postcode search to find a mobility aids service near you.

You can get more advice about manual wheelchairs and walking aids from the Disabled Living Foundation.

ShopMobility lends scooters, wheelchairs and other aids to people who are less mobile, so they can shop and visit leisure facilities in their local area. Some schemes offer escorts for people with sight loss. Staff at the scheme will assess you to find equipment that you’re comfortable with, and give you training and safety information. There may be a small charge for the service.

The scheme varies depending on where you live. Find a ShopMobility centre in your area.

If you just need someone to go shopping with you, and you live in England, you may be able to find an escorted shopping service through your local Age UK. There may be a charge for this.

Bus passes

The age when you can get an older person’s bus pass depends on where you live:

• in England, you can apply when you reach State Pension age (in London, if you are 60 or over, you are eligible for a 60+ Oyster Photocard, which gives you free travel on buses, Tube, London Overground and most National Rail services).
• in Scotland and Wales, you can apply when you are over 60.

There may be restrictions on when you can use it, such as off peak only.

You may also be entitled to free bus travel if you have a disability.

Contact your local council to find out if you qualify and how to apply.

Coach and rail discounts

If you’re over 60, you may be able to get discounted fares on coach and rail travel. You’ll need to buy a Senior Coachcard or Senior Railcard to get the reductions. Other coach operators and rail lines may have similar schemes, so make sure to check before you make travel arrangements.

You can also get reduced fares for you and a friend or family member with a Disabled Persons Railcard. You may also be able to get a Disabled Coachcard. 

Travelling by train

If you need help with your bags or getting on and off trains, for example, you can book assistance by contacting Passenger Assist or the train company you’re planning to travel with. Details are on the National Rail website, which also has a ‘stations made easy’ tool, so you can check station facilities and accessibility.

If you’re travelling with a wheelchair or powered scooter, you should book a space in advance. Train companies have different policies about what they can take. Contact the relevant company for advice.

Bus and coach travel

Bus and coach drivers must give reasonable assistance to disabled people, such as helping you to get on and off a bus or coach. This doesn’t include lifting you or heavy mobility equipment. You can get more information from Gov.uk.

If you’re travelling by coach, you should ask for any help you need in advance, when you book your ticket.

Your local council may operate special transport schemes in your area, such as:

• dial-a-ride, for people who can’t use public transport
• a taxicard or taxi voucher scheme, offering reduced taxi fares for older, less mobile people
• a local volunteer drivers scheme, which can arrange lifts in cars driven by volunteers, for a small charge.

Contact your local council to find out what’s available in your area. You could also check with the Community Transport Association to see if there are any community schemes operating near you.

Most councils and some charities have day centres where you can meet people, get a meal or join an outing. You may need to have a care needs assessment from your local council before you can start attending a day centre. Contact your local council to find out if they charge.

Your GP might recommend using hospital transport if that is the best option for your health. For subsequent visits, you’ll have to arrange this yourself at the patient transport desk in the hospital.

If you organise your own transport, you may be able to claim back the costs of travelling to hospital if you’re on Guarantee Pension Credit or qualify for the NHS Low Income Scheme. See our webpage Help with health costs for more information.

If patient transport services don’t operate in your area or you don’t qualify, you may be able to get support to attend hospital appointments from your local Royal Voluntary Service or Age UK.

Getting help to arrange a holiday

If you are receiving social care support from the council and you would find it difficult to go on holiday, ask your social worker if they can offer any help. They may be able to provide you with information about accessible holidays or about possible support to fund your break.

Charities that support people with specific conditions, such as MS Society, Parkinson’s UK, Stroke Association and Chest Heart and Stroke Scotland, may provide supported holidays or be able to help you find one.

If you need a break, ask adult social services at your local council if they can help. They may be able to provide information about suitable accommodation or arranging transport. They can also tell you about charities that can help to fund holidays for people with disabilities. See our factsheet Extra help with essential costs if you're on a low income for more information.

Travelling abroad

When booking a holiday, be clear about what your needs are. If possible, get confirmation in writing of any assistance agreed on by a travel agency or the accommodation at your destination. You might also want to check whether your destination has:

• step-free access to all the main areas and toilets
• access to amenities such as swimming pools, bars or the beach
• charging facilities for equipment such as powered wheelchairs or scooters, and aids such as grab rails, ramps or special mattresses.

Think about the location as well – is it close to the places you want to go? If not, do you know what kind of public transport and assistance is available to help you get around? You might want to research contact details for taxi companies that can accommodate a wheelchair, for example. Remember to check that any tourist sites you want to visit are accessible. 

Considerations before you travel

• Travel insurance – make sure you have the right travel insurance for your needs. Ask for advice from disability organisations and shop around for quotes. You must tell your insurance company about your condition when they ask. If you don’t, your insurance could be invalid. MoneyHelper has more information about how to find a specialist insurance broker or provider.
• Special arrangements for medication – the rules about what’s allowed vary in different countries, and you may need to check with your airline or tour operator if you’re planning to travel with medication. You should also contact your GP at least two months before you go for advice. Find more information on nhs.uk.
• Travelling with a wheelchair or other equipment – remember to:
  • take any spare parts that you might need, such as tools, inner tubes, a voltage converter and adaptor
  • attach instructions to your wheelchair or scooter so it can be handled properly
  • keep any items that could become detached, such as cushions or parts, with you. You can travel with up to two items of mobility equipment free of charge if you’re disabled. This won’t count as part of your baggage allowance
  • check the airline’s policy on any equipment that you need to take with you. Some airlines won’t take certain types of batteries or oxygen cylinders and they might have special procedures for how to pack some items.

The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has a useful checklist for disabled and less mobile passengers to help you prepare for your holiday. 

You can also find information and advice about accessible holidays on Tourism for All, the Rough Guide to Accessible Britain and Revitalise. You can find access reviews on websites written by and for disabled people such as AccessAble and Euan’s guide.