Skip to main content

Wheelchair seating and assistance

  • March 3, 2026
  • 8 replies
  • 38 views

Is it still the case that you have to call to get wheelchair seating and boarding assistance?  This is going to cost a fortune calling from the states.  Traveling paris, lucerne, zurich, munich, cologne, amsterdam, bruge and back to paris in early april.

8 replies

Forum|alt.badge.img+3
  • Full steam ahead
  • March 3, 2026

@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.


Forum|alt.badge.img+5
  • Railly clever
  • March 3, 2026

Is it still the case that you have to call to get wheelchair seating and boarding assistance?  This is going to cost a fortune calling from the states.  Traveling paris, lucerne, zurich, munich, cologne, amsterdam, bruge and back to paris in early april.

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).

 


Forum|alt.badge.img+10
  • Railmaster
  • March 3, 2026

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

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


ralderton
Railmaster
Forum|alt.badge.img+8
  • Railmaster
  • March 3, 2026

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)


Forum|alt.badge.img+3
  • Full steam ahead
  • March 3, 2026

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.


  • Author
  • Rail rookie
  • March 3, 2026

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


Forum|alt.badge.img+10
  • Railmaster
  • March 3, 2026

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

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


Forum|alt.badge.img+10
  • Railly clever
  • March 4, 2026