London for Everyone: Your Guide to Accessible Travel
What Is The Sunflower Lanyard For Travel Assistance?
What Travel Assistance in London? The Sunflower Lanyard scheme is a discreet way for individuals with hidden disabilities or mobility issues to signal to staff that they may need additional assistance or understanding during their travels. Originally introduced at airports, the scheme has expanded to various transportation hubs, including train stations and bus terminals, across the UK and beyond.
The lanyard, featuring a bright yellow sunflower emblem, allows wearers to indicate their need for support without having to disclose their specific condition. Staff members trained in the scheme recognize the lanyard as a cue to offer assistance or make accommodations to ensure a smoother journey for the wearer. This initiative aims to promote inclusivity and provide a more supportive environment for travelers who may face challenges that are not immediately apparent to others.
What Travel Assistance In London?
The Signs that Indicate Assistance is Available!
What Travel Assistance Is Available At UK Airports
What Travel Assistance in London? Travel assistance at UK airports encompasses a range of services designed to facilitate smooth and stress-free journeys for passengers with disabilities or mobility limitations. These services typically include wheelchair assistance, priority boarding, assistance with baggage, and guidance through security and immigration processes.
Passengers can request assistance when booking their flights or directly from the airport, often through dedicated assistance desks or online forms.
Trained staff members, often equipped with special equipment like wheelchairs and mobility aids, are on hand to provide personalized support tailored to each passenger’s needs.
Additionally, airports may offer designated waiting areas, accessible restrooms, and specialized transport between terminals. The goal of these services is to ensure that all passengers, regardless of their abilities, can navigate the airport with dignity, independence, and efficiency.
National Rail Travel Assist
What Travel Assistance in London? Travel assistance on the National Rail network in the UK is a comprehensive service provided to passengers with disabilities or mobility issues to ensure they can travel safely and comfortably. This assistance covers various aspects of the journey, including boarding and alighting trains, navigating stations, and accessing facilities.
Passengers can request assistance when booking tickets or by contacting the train operator in advance.
Trained staff members are available to provide personalized support, such as wheelchair access, help with luggage, and guidance through the station. Stations are equipped with accessibility features like ramps, elevators, and tactile paving to assist passengers with disabilities.
Additionally, priority seating and designated waiting areas are available to ensure a smooth travel experience. The aim of travel assistance on the National Rail network is to promote inclusivity and accessibility, allowing all passengers to enjoy the convenience of rail travel with confidence and ease.
What Is Travel Assist On National Rail?
What Travel Assistance in London? Passenger Assist allows you to request an assistance booking in advance. Any train company can organise assistance for your entire journey, even if you are travelling on multiple services.
Passenger Assist includes:
- offering a helping hand to navigate the station
- help getting on or off the train
- meeting you from your train and taking you to your next train or the exit
- arranging a ramp on or off your train
- assistance relating to a non-visible impairment
- carrying your bag(s) – up to 3 items of luggage as per the National Rail Conditions of Travel (PDF, 1.1MB)
- getting an Assistance Dog Under Seat card
How to use Passenger Assist
There are many ways to request assistance.
- By using Passenger Assistance by Transreport: an app and website that lets you make an assistance request. You receive a confirmation email once your request has been checked and confirmed. You can find out more about the app on our Passenger Assistance by Transreport page
- Via the Passenger Assistance website(external link, opens in a new tab)
- Call: 0800 022 3720. Select option 1 andsimply let us know the journey you plan to take, and we will connect you to the right train company to place your booking request
- Text: 60083 (Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00) with your Passenger Assist enquiry
- Textphone/minicom: 0345 60 50 600
Once we receive your text or textphone request, we will send you a message with the number you need to contact.
Help with luggage
What Travel Assistance in London? If you are a disabled person, older or less mobile, and therefore require assistance with your luggage, you can request this in advance of your journey through Passenger Assist or on the day at the station.
All other passengers are responsible for their own luggage. In some stations you can make use of luggage trolleys.
Different train companies have different luggage policies on what staff can assist with. Please check the luggage allowance for the train company you are travelling with on their website before you travel.
What Assistance is Available On The London Underground(Tube)?
What Travel Assistance in London?Travel assistance on the London Underground, operated by Transport for London (TfL), is designed to ensure that passengers with disabilities or mobility needs can navigate the tube network with ease. This service encompasses various accommodations and support mechanisms tailored to individual requirements.
Passengers can request assistance through various channels, such as contacting TfL’s customer service, booking assistance online, or simply asking staff at the station. Assistance may include:
- Wheelchair Access: Stations are equipped with step-free access where possible, including ramps and elevators, to facilitate wheelchair users’ movement throughout the network.
- Staff Support: Trained staff members are available to provide guidance, help with ticketing, and offer assistance with boarding and alighting trains.
- Priority Seating: Priority seating is available on trains and platforms for passengers with disabilities, pregnant women, and those traveling with small children.
- Accessible Facilities: Stations feature accessible toilets, tactile paving, and other amenities designed to enhance accessibility for passengers with disabilities.
- Audio and Visual Announcements: Trains and stations provide audio and visual announcements to assist passengers with visual or hearing impairments in navigating the network.
- Assistance Dogs: Assistance dogs are welcome on the London Underground, and special arrangements can be made for their travel.
- Travel Support Cards: TfL offers Travel Support Cards for passengers who may need extra help but prefer not to disclose the nature of their disability. These cards can be shown discreetly to staff to request assistance.
- Accessible Routes: TfL’s journey planner and maps highlight accessible routes and stations, enabling passengers to plan their journeys accordingly.
What Assistance is Available On The London Bus Network?
What Travel Assistance in London? London bus travel assistance is a service provided by Transport for London (TfL) to ensure that passengers with disabilities or mobility needs can access and use the city’s bus network comfortably and safely. This assistance includes various accommodations and support mechanisms tailored to individual requirements.
Passengers can request assistance by contacting TfL’s customer service, booking assistance online, or simply asking the bus driver
What Travel Assistance In London?
Concise List of FAQ’s
Trains:
- How:
- Book assistance online when buying tickets.
- Contact the train company directly.
- Types:
- Wheelchair access.
- Boarding help.
- Luggage assistance.
- Staff help at stations.
- Booking:
- Book in advance, especially for specific needs.
- Cost:
- Usually free.
- Assistance Animals:
- Guide dogs allowed, check with the operator.
Buses:
- How:
- Ask the driver.
- Contact the bus company.
- Types:
- Wheelchair ramps.
- Priority seating.
- Boarding help.
- Features:
- Many buses have ramps, priority seats, and audio announcements.
- General:
- Contact the individual travel operators for the most accurate and up to date information.
- If you encounter any problems, speak to staff or contact customer service.
