Getting there

Information for people with disabilities if you are travelling by plane, train, boat or car - including information on your legal rights.

Disability Discrimination Act and transport services

People with disabilities have protection when using transport services. The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) makes it unlawful for service providers to treat people with disabilities less favourably than someone without a disability.

    Public transport in Northern Ireland

    Translink is the main provider of public transport in Northern Ireland. Metro (Belfast) bus services use low floor, wheelchair accessible vehicles. Each has visual displays and audio announcements so passengers know which stop is coming next.

    Trains are usually easier to board and many stations have step free access. However, some stations and some Ulsterbus and Goldline vehicles have steps.

    If you need any help when travelling call the Translink contact centre at least 24 hours before you travel to make sure you can get the information and help that you need.

    Free or half fares for bus and rail

    If you have a disability you may be able to get free or discounted bus and railway travel within Northern Ireland. 

    The Consumer Council

    The Consumer Council has information about your legal rights when travelling with a disability or reduced mobility on public transport. It can also advise you if you've experienced a delay or cancellation and help you make a complaint with Translink. 

    Travelling by ferry

    Most ferry ports and ferry companies must help passengers with a disability or reduced mobility.

    The Consumer Council has information on access to ferry travel for people with disabilities and those who are less mobile.

    Travelling by air

    When you travel by air, always let your airline, travel agent or tour operator know if you need any extra help at the airport or on the plane.

    The Consumer Council has information for air passengers who need help when travelling. It also has information about extra charges airlines might charge you and help to let you to make informed decision when arranging travel. You can also find out about your rights as an air passenger.

    At the airport

    To allow airlines and airports to make any necessary arrangements for your journey, if you have a disability or reduced mobility you should give them as much notice as possible.

    This usually means telling them about your needs when you are making your flight booking - generally at least 48 hours beforehand.

    Each of the main airports in Northern Ireland have information for passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility on their websites:

    If you plan to fly out of Dublin airport, visit the help and support section on its website:

    The Civil Aviation Authority also has information about your rights and how to get help at airport if you have a disability.

    Assistance dogs and air travel

    If you want to take your guide dog on the plane with you, always tell the airline about this beforehand. The airline can ask the owner to produce proof that the dog has been trained by a recognised organisation.

        Travelling by car

        Having a medical condition or disability does not necessarily mean you cannot or will not be allowed to drive. You must let the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) know about any medical condition or disability that may affect your driving.

        Disabled Motoring UK is a charity for drivers with disabilities, passengers and Blue Badge holders. 

        Accessible parking bays

        An accessible parking bay is a reserved space on the public road for use by Blue Badge holders only. They are also known as disabled parking bays and most are provided along with other on-street parking. In some circumstances you can apply for a bay near your home or work.

        Taxis

        Drivers of taxis are under a duty to carry any guide, hearing or certain other assistance dogs in their vehicles. They cannot charge extra for this.

        Travelling with pets

        When travelling with your pet, the rules you must follow depend on the country you are going to or coming from. 

          More useful links

           

          Share this page

          What do you want to do?
          What is your question about?
          Do you want a reply?
          Your email address
          To reply to you, we need your email address
          Your feedback

          We will not reply to your feedback.  Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers.

          This feedback form is for issues with the nidirect website only.

          You can use it to report a problem or suggest an improvement to a webpage.

          If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly as we don’t have access to information about you held by government departments.

          You must be aged 13 years or older - if you’re younger, ask someone with parental responsibility to send the feedback for you.

          The nidirect privacy notice applies to any information you send on this feedback form.

          Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers.

          Plain text only, 750 characters maximum.
          Plain text only, 750 characters maximum.

          What to do next

          Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

          What to do next

          If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

          Carer's Allowance

          Call 0800 587 0912
          Email           dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

          Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

          Call 0800 587 2750 
          Email           customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

          Disability Living Allowance

          Call 0800 587 0912 
          Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

          Employment and Support Allowance

          Call 0800 587 1377

          Jobseeker’s Allowance

          Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

          Personal Independence Payment

          Call 0800 587 0932

          If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

          What to do next

          Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

          What to do next

          For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

          What to do next

          For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

          What to do next

          For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

          What to do next

          For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

          What to do next

          Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

          What to do next

          For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

          What to do next

          For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

          What to do next

          For queries about:

          If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

          What to do next

          For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

          What to do next

          For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

          What to do next

          For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

          What to do next

          If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

          If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

          What to do next

          For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

          What to do next

          For queries or advice about rates, email:
          rating@lpsni.gov.uk

          For queries or advice about property valuation, email:
          valuation@lpsni.gov.uk

          For queries or advice about land registry, email:
          CustomerInformation.LandRegistration@finance-ni.gov.uk

          For mapping queries, email:
          Mapping.Helpdesk@finance-ni.gov.uk

          What to do next

          If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

          If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

          What to do next

          For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.