Wheelchair seating and assistance

​@mpsmom 

Unfortunately it is still the case for most journeys, especially the international ones. In Switzerland, it should be possible to travel without assistance between Basel - Lucerne and Lucerne - Zurich in some trains, but I would ask to be sure and to take the right trains.

DB (German railway)  also provides an email Address(msz@deutschebahn.com )

https://int.bahn.de/en/booking-information/accessible-travel

SBB (switzerland) lists on their website also an online formular as an alternative to calling. 

 https://www.sbb.ch/en/travel-information/individual-needs/travelling-reduced-mobility/contact-center-handicap.html

France could be a bit more difficult as i only found information in french. (Which i mostly understand).

For France, there's also an online form, also in English:

https://www.garesetconnexions.sncf/en/assistances-psh-pmr/requests/contacts

Rail Europe has a good list of contact details, country by country. As above, it might be only available in the local language, or might require you to create an account. 

https://help.raileurope.com/article/41776-station-assistance-boarding-the-train

I know for a fact that SNCF in France is available in English over the phone. A friend who booked assistance found it easy.

Check with your mobile phone company about an international calling plan. If not, try an app like Viber (similar to Skype), which gives you cheap international calls.

You also have the right to turn up without booking, and the railway must make all reasonable efforts to provide assistance. (This is true in the EU, I don’t know about Switzerland)

In Switzerland, there's a law stipulating that all train stations should already be accessible, but the work has been delayed and they aren't. Not all trains have low-level doors.

Transport companies are required to provide assistance if it is not possible to board the train alone, but I don't see any other option than to book it in advance so that staff are available on site. In some special situations it could be necessary to organize another type of transport, e.g. taxi.

thanks rvdborgt.  traveling TGV-Lyria and I don’t see them mentioned on the form.  Think I still need to call though to reserve wheelchair seating.  Still absolutely not sure.  lol

You can enter Paris Gare de Lyon to Luzern, for instance.

But to book a wheelchair space, you'll probably have to call indeed.

Have you checked the information here:

https://www.interrail.eu/en/support/travelling-with-reduced-mobility