Door to Door: a travel guide for disabled peopleGoing by air: Getting to and from the airportAirports are generally on the outskirts of cities and towns and although the larger busier ones have accessible transport links, this is not always the case. Arranging transport beforehand will help to relieve some of the stress of getting to, through, and away from the airport environment. For a lot of disabled people flying out of UK airports, having a friend or relative drive them to or from the airport, is the most convenient method. If you drive your own car to the airport, however, remember that parking costs can be high. It is worth contacting the airport to enquire if there are any parking concessions for disabled people. Alternatively the disabled driving organisation Mobilise (www.mobilise.info) may be able to give you advice. It is worth checking with the airport whether there are any accessible buses for transfer from long stay car parks. An increasing number of taxi and private hire operators (minicabs) have wheelchair accessible vehicles available, particularly in the larger cities which may be available for travel to the airport. In the case of larger parties specialist 'Airport' minibus companies may be able to provide their service with an appropriately accessible vehicle. At the destination airport abroad, there may be some accessible taxis and minibuses for transfers from the airport to your accommodation, but this is generally much less common than in the UK. Your travel agent or the airline may be able to arrange for it to be provided. More information about getting to and from the airport is given in the DPTAC publication 'Access to air travel: Guidance for disabled and less mobile passengers'. Updated: 16.03.07 | Contact: dptac@dft.gsi.gov.uk |