4 Budget-Planning Tips for Disabled Students Traveling around Europe

Travelling is one of the most common activities among students. Getting to see the world and experience a new way of life is a great way to prepare yourself for the time in college or university. And many students take a gap year between high-school and college to travel abroad. Traveling might not be so easy for some of us. But that shouldn’t scare you in the slightest.

If you’ve always dreamt of going to Europe but are kind of intimidated by the obstacles of taking an extended trip as a disabled person – this is just the list for you. Here you’ll be able to find some of the most important tips that will help you have a great affordable and comfortable vacation.

It is true that disabled people can face certain obstacles when it comes to traveling. But what was thought to be pretty much impossible ten years ago is a real possibility today.

Picking a Destination

One of the main ways you can save a bit of money is by carefully picking your destination. The travel costs can vary wildly depending on where and even when you go. Major cities can be a little hard on your wallet but that doesn’t mean you should ditch the idea of visiting any cool place. There are plenty of attractions that are located outside of big towns that are just as fun to visit.

And if you are a student, this is the stage you should think about taking care of your deadlines. If there was ever one thing that could cast a shadow on your vacation it’s unfinished assignments. So making sure you don’t have any academic debts is an essential part of planning. Turn in your written assignments or outsource them to reliable services like Essay Pro. This way, your papers will be taken care of and you will be able to head off.

You don’t have to avoid all popular spots either. The bigger the city the more likely it is to have better infrastructure for disabled people. It’s a kind of a trade-off that you have to address on the planning stage. An ideal way to go about it would be to strike a balance between costs, your personal interest, and accessibility.

Picking Transport

A correct choice of transport can also help you quite a bit. There are several factors you have to consider when deciding which one to use:

• Comfort;
• Costs;
• Time;
• Personal preference;
• Booking specifics.

Europe is relatively small. If you want to see as much as possible in as little time as possible, a plane is an obvious choice. A couple of hours in the air will get you pretty much anywhere you want. Granted, it’s the most expensive way to travel.

Most airlines are used to accommodating people with disabilities and you won’t have much trouble with them. EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic both have a decent reputation in this regard, but any company will try and make sure your flight is as comfortable as it can be. Just make sure to get to the airport in advance.

Taking a train is another alternative to flying. It is, of course, a little bit slower. But the experience can be worth your time. The rocking of the cart and the scenery passing by the window can be a great vacation in and of itself. So if you’re a fan of this leisurely kind of traveling you might want to consider this cheaper alternative to planes.

Although trains have their advantages, they also have certain problems. The main one you’ll have to deal with is that almost every country in Europe has its own system with different companies setting rules for their railroads. That means, the conditions and specifics of every trip can vary. You’ll have to do a bit of extra research every time you board a new train.

Plan Ahead

Planning ahead might sound like a pretty obvious thing to do. But in this case, it’s way more specific and effort-consuming than just booking some tickets and browsing local tourist attractions. You’ll have to take every detail into consideration.

Planning your route is one of the most important things. It’s a good idea to have a map of bus routes, train stations, take notice of wheelchair-accessible buildings. It is also a good idea to have a backup plan in case something goes wrong. Being prepared never hurts.

If you’re traveling with the help of the company that specializes in accessible tours most of the issues will be taken care of for you. The guides usually know what they’re doing very well. The route will be well-thought-out and you’ll not even notice any inconveniences. But it never hurts to do some surveying of your own. Just in case.

Getting a Room

The infrastructure in Europe has come a long way in terms of accommodating disabled people. But depending on the city, or even area you’re in, there can still be much to be desired. For example, most hotels have only two to three rooms for guests with disabilities. That means you’ll have to think where you’ll be staying in advance.

Booking the room as early as possible is generally a good idea. Depending on the season, you might have to make a reservation as early as a month ahead. Additionally, early booking can help you save some money. Getting a room in the peak of the season is not only unlikely but also costly. Planning everything is key to a successful vacation.

Final Words

Seeing the world is a great opportunity that you should definitely take when you’re young and enthusiastic. It might not be possible to leave everything and go sightseeing across Europe once you’re swamped with a job and/or have a family to sustain. Don’t let anything dissuade you from this one-of-a-kind experience.

It is definitely not as hard or intimidating as it might seem. There are loads of tours out there that will happily take care of anything you might need. And even if you’re traveling alone – careful planning will make your trip seamless and very enjoyable. So don’t hesitate, pack your suitcase and go to Europe!