Financial tips and discounts for traveling with a disability

Travel can be expensive. So can living with a disability, says Sylvia Longmire, a (usually solo) world traveler, full-time wheelchair user, and accessible travel writer.

Even so, there are ways to save money when you travel, she assures.

Over 70 million Americans—or more than 1 in 4 U.S. adults, per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—report having a disability. Additionally, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics reports that nearly 19 million Americans aged 5 and up say they have disabilities that limit travel.

Whether for business or pleasure, there are ways to make traveling with a disability less taxing. Here are some tips, tricks, and resources to help you plan a trip and save money.

3 things to remember when planning to travel with a disability

Careful planning is essential when traveling with a disability to avoid unnecessary stress and help make sure your trip goes smoothly. By preparing ahead of time and keeping certain factors in mind, you can create a travel experience that’s both enjoyable and accessible. Here’s how to start planning for your next adventure.

Travel insurance is a must

“The number one thing is never, ever skimp on travel insurance,” Longmire says. “This is across the board, but especially for people with disabilities. We’re a little more at risk, I think, for having something happen that disrupts our plans.”

You can get travel insurance for a single trip, or if you’re a frequent traveler, you can sign up for an annual plan. While many travel insurance policies exclude pre-existing medical conditions, you can usually get a waiver that lifts that exclusion. To do so, you’ll typically need to insure the full cost of your trip within two or three weeks of making your first deposit. Longmire recommends doing your research to make sure you’re fully covered.

Lorraine Woodward, CEO of an accessible short-term rental platform, has seen firsthand the regrets of those who skip travel insurance. “You absolutely could benefit from it,” she emphasizes. “It’s a great investment.”

Always budget for emergencies

Ultimately, a person with disabilities needs to be a little more vigilant than a traditionally abled traveler might, Longmire says.

Having a wheelchair alone puts you at risk for financial hiccups. Say an airline damages your chair—which happens quite often, Longmire attests. They’ll most likely arrange for repairs, but getting by in the meantime can be costly. “If you need a rental on the spot to hold you over, especially in a foreign country, be prepared to shell out some money.”

Longmire advises staying closer to home if you can’t afford what might happen in an emergency. “If you’re traveling on a budget, and that budget is within pennies of whatever you have left in your savings, don’t do it. It’s not worth it.”

Do your homework

One of the biggest burdens of traveling with a disability, Longmire says, is the amount of research and preparation it takes. “I’d say it’s at least triple, maybe quadruple, what an able-bodied person has to do.”

But however laborious all that work may be, it can be fulfilling, too. “Sometimes, for me, doing the research is half the fun,” she says. “I look at the photos. I find out the accessibility. And I think, ‘Oh my gosh, I can do that’—and that’s very exciting.”

Follow the insights and research of those in the accessible travel industry, adds Woodward. “Ask an expert in the accessible travel industry. Travelers with disabilities travel week in and week out, sharing the little nuances of savings.”

Renting medical equipment

Traveling with a disability often requires specific equipment that may be too large or inconvenient to pack. Some organizations online provide rentals of essential items like bathroom chairs or portable ramps. In addition, you could consider local medical supply stores. Renting items means you have the equipment you need on your vacation—without the hassle of bringing along bulky items from home.

3 ways to save when traveling with a disability

So, what advice do accessible travel writers have? Here are a few tips for a more cost-effective trip that won’t sacrifice accessibility.

Get creative to save on airfare

When flying with a physical disability, comfort and cost are often at odds. Airlines aren’t required to provide you with a seat in a different class than the one you paid for—which means if you need extra legroom or the ability to recline, you’ll have to pay for it.

Longmire, whose multiple sclerosis causes frequent leg spasms, usually flies premium economy for the added legroom and footrest. For international flights, that can cost around 90% more than standard economy. For longer flights, she’ll fly business class—around 65% more expensive than premium economy—so she can recline fully.

Typically, she chooses whichever airline offers the cheapest solution to her seating needs. Being airline agnostic, however, means using a frequent flyer program to defray costs isn’t really an option. Instead, her cost-saving strategy is all about timing.

“The best way to save money on airlines for anyone, with a disability or not, is to fly in the shoulder season or offseason,” Longmire says. “I went to Scotland at the end of October. Yeah, it was cold. But I had really good gear, and it was one of the best trips I’ve ever taken. And I saved a lot of money.”

Take advantage of public transit

As someone who often travels alone and can’t rent a car, Longmire is a big fan of public transportation, both for cost and convenience.

On a recent trip to Nashville, Tennessee, she found a hotel directly off a bus line connecting the airport to downtown. She paid a small amount to get to her hotel on public transportation when using an accessible van would have cost her more than 10 times as much. “It may take a bit longer than a taxi, but who cares?” Longmire asks. “I’m there on a trip. I don’t want to be rushed.”

Many metropolitan areas offer free or discounted access to public transit for people with disabilities. Be sure to plan ahead: You’ll often need to submit documentation like a signed doctor’s note to get a discounted card or pass from the transit authority.

Don’t overlook short-term rentals

Finding an accessible short-term rental place to stay can be frustrating, says Woodward, who has muscular dystrophy and uses an electric wheelchair. “And one of the biggest challenges in the travel industry, from a financial standpoint, is thinking that hotels are your only option.”

Especially for groups, accessible short-term rentals have a lot to offer in terms of affordability, from the obvious (the cost of one short-term rental vs. four separate hotel rooms) to the not-so-obvious.

“Just look at meals,” Woodward says. “A hotel may have a breakfast bar, but some travelers may need to blend their food. Or want to eat leftover pizza and there’s no microwave. In an accessible short-term rental, you can make a bunch of sandwiches and head out on a hike.”

Cooking dinners in the rental is another way to save on dining out. “You can have the food you want and the space to keep it, too,” Woodward adds.

Other ways to access travel discounts for people with disabilities

Traveling with a disability doesn’t have to be too expensive if you know where to find the right discounts. Whether you’re booking transportation, visiting national parks, or planning museum visits, many organizations offer special pricing for travelers with a disability. Here are a few discounts that can make your trip more affordable.

• Trains: Some train lines offer discounts for passengers with disabilities and their travel companions, with some routes offering even bigger discounts for specific destinations.
• The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass: This free, lifetime pass grants adults and children with disabilities free admittance at more than 2,000 recreation sites managed by six federal agencies, including the National Park Service.
• Autism Travel Club: For a modest annual fee, you can access discounts and reviews for “autism-ready” businesses, restaurants, attractions, and hotels in many U.S. cities.
• European museums: Many museums in Europe offer free or steeply discounted admission for visitors with disabilities, according to Longmire. Wherever you’re traveling, it’s worth checking for discounts. “When in doubt, always ask,” Woodward says.
• Cruise line shore excursions: Some cruise lines now offer accessible shore excursions at a fraction of the cost of arranging them independently.

How to save money when traveling with a disability

Traveling as a person with a disability often requires putting in extra effort. By thoroughly researching online, making calls, and reading what the experts say, you can avoid unnecessary expenses and keep your budget in check.

It all pays off in the end, Longmire says. “Seeing my itinerary and knowing all the things I’m going to do and see… It’s exciting, even if it takes weeks and sometimes months to plan.”

Are you new to the world of disability? Check out this financial checklist for those facing a new disability.

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