10 Amazing Discounts for Travelers With Disabilities

Trains are a great way to explore. On our trip, we stayed in France for a couple of nights and then took a train from Paris to Barcelona via TVG OUGO. My disabled son and I were able to get upgraded seats at economy prices because the wheelchair-accessible section was in business class. In the US, NJ TRANSIT has a reduced fare program for buses, trains, and light rail vehicles, and Amtrak also offers a disability discount.

Many museums offer reduced or free ticket prices for disabled visitors and their caregivers. For example, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego (MCASD) offers free admission to visitors with disabilities. The Guggenheim offers a discount to someone with a disability and free access to a care partner. Visitors with disabilities and their caregivers receive free admission to The Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago, and the Portland Art Museum offers free admission for companions and care providers.

On our trip to Europe, my family visited Disneyland Paris, where my son and I both received a 25% discount as well as priority access to rides, attractions, and food lines. Make sure you apply ahead of time for verification purposes. Other parks may offer streamlined access for visitors with disabilities, and researching ahead of time is important to fully understand if you qualify.

The Oregon Zoo and the Oregon Coast Aquarium offer free admission to their museums to aides accompanying visitors with disabilities. The Bronx Zoo and the Central Park Zoo, both located in New York City, offer accommodations for a Personal Care Assistant (PCA).

In the U.S., the America the Beautiful – National Parks & Federal Recreational Lands Access Pass allows free access to many national parks across the U.S. for U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a permanent disability “that severely limits one or more major life activities.” Passes are available online or during your next visit to a national park. Discounts are also available on campsites and other amenities at some locations.

Some state parks also offer discounts for individuals with disabilities. For example, California State Parks offer a Disabled Discount Pass that provides a 50% discount on vehicle day use, family camping, and boat fees. And residents of New York State can apply for an Access Pass that provides “free or discounted use of state parks, historic sites, and recreational facilities operated by the NYS Office of Parks.”

If you take a road trip, don’t forget to research ahead of time to see if your destination, or even places you stop en route, offer discounted or free public parking for people with disabilities. For example, in Vermont, metered parking is free for drivers with an accessible parking placard or license plate. California has similar laws depending on the disability.

Historical buildings may not be fully accessible for people with disabilities because they can be exempt from accessible modifications, but many do their best to accommodate everyone. For example, my son and I were easily able to access Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, and we both received free admission. An accessible subway was right across the street. In France, the Arc de Triomphe also offers free admission for a disabled person and one companion.

Visiting a botanical garden can be a great way to spend a day on vacation because you get to learn about a variety of plants and even local conservation efforts. Receiving a discount or free access can make that trip even more enticing. In New York, the Brooklyn Botanic Garden offers free admission for a personal care assistant. So does the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. The Palmengarten in Frankfurt, Germany, offers free admission for disabled visitors who meet certain criteria, as well as free admission to their care assistant. Guests at The Morton Arboretum in Illinois who require the help of an accessibility aide to visit can request a free admission ticket when purchasing their own ticket.

On our trip to Europe, my family took a day trip to Montserrat, a mountain town located an hour outside of Barcelona, where my son received free admission to the Basilica. Additionally, he received a discount on a funicular ride up the mountain. In the U.S., people with disabilities may be eligible to ride for free on the Regional Transportation Authority in Chicago. The New York Ferry System also offers a discount to individuals with a disability. And Portland’s bus and light rail service, TriMet, offers 50-70% off fares with proof of eligibility.