Having multiple sclerosis shouldn't stop you from enjoying holidays with your family or friends. If you have concerns about travel costs, equipment or accessibility, we hope you'll find the information you need here.
We all have different preferences for a holiday, but the common elements are having somewhere appropriate to stay, being able to get there, and having things to do when you are there. Even if that is just going to be relaxing!
Getting away from your daily routine and doing something new can make a real difference to your wellbeing, even if its just for a day or two. For some people, travelling with MS may simply mean remembering your medications or walking aids are packed. For others, a holiday may involve a great deal of research beforehand to ensure that the destination is accessible for you and your companions.
If you have MS and live with symptoms that make getting around more challenging, such as walking difficulties, toileting issues or fatigue, you'll already be familiar with this, as we found in our report, 'Life changing: Getting around with MS'.
Don't underestimate the time it might take to make sure you are going to be comfortable and able to enjoy your holiday. We've brought together some useful organisations that are likely to understand your needs and help you cut down on the planning time and effort.
Choosing the right holiday destination
Many hotels and holiday companies now promote themselves as having accessible rooms, but standards vary. Accessibility on site is not always checked by a person with mobility issues or other disabilities, and so you may need to be cautious about their assumptions. It's no good having a walk-in shower or accessible bathroom if your wheelchair won't get through the door! It's worth checking with the accommodation before making a reservation to be sure that your needs can be met.
Here are some things that might be relevant to consider when searching for the right accommodation for you:
- Can you modify the heating or air conditioning to keep yourself comfortable?
- Are all areas of the accommodation accessible using wheelchairs or walking aids?
- Are there lifts or ramps wherever floor heights change?
- Are corridors wide enough for a wheelchair, if needed?
- Is there a ceiling hoist to aid you in moving around the room?
- Will you have access to a fridge to store medicines?
- Can your dietary needs be easily met?
- Is there car parking or a public transport access nearby?
- Is the accommodation near to local facilities?
- Are there things to do nearby that you and all of your group will enjoy?
- Is the accommodation in a place that is disability-positive and accessible to all?
These organisations may be able to help with answers to some of the questions above.
Disabled Holidays: A specialist travel company who offer a wide range of holidays for people with all kinds of accessibility needs. They also cover specialist tour operators, flight assistance, taxi transfers and mobility equipment hire.
Matching Houses: A company that helps arrange house swaps with other people around the world who have the same accessibility needs.
Tourism For All: A charity that have a listing of accessible destinations and places to stay around the UK.
Shared Care Scotland: Information about accessible accommodation for short breaks in Scotland.
Jumbulance Trust: An accessible travel charity organising travel for adults and children who are disabled or have a complex health condition.
MS Society Short Breaks Service: Can help you plan a short break in the UK or abroad, or look for respite care in a residential care home setting.
Rough Guide to Accessible Britain: Lists over 200 ideas for days out with hints and tips on some on attractions around the UK.
Euan’s Guide: This has access reviews for attractions, accommodation and leisure facilities across the UK. You can also select access needs to narrow down your search and leave your own reviews too.
Winter Sports Travel: Accessible Resort Guide: Find winter sports and resorts in Europe that are tailored to your needs.
Ceiling Hoist Users Community: Lists hotels, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation with ceiling hoists.
Tripadvisor: The reviews of hotels on the travel website include filters for wheelchair access and reduced mobility rooms.
The Calvert Trust: This organisation has sites in Exmoor, the Lake District and Kielder in Northumberland where individuals and families affected by disability can enjoy well-supported active, outdoor holidays. Each site operates independently and offers slightly different opportunities.
AccessAble: An accessibility listing for thousands of UK venues, restaurants and destinations around the UK.
Travelling abroad with MS
Getting to your holiday destination may be more complex when you have MS. In general, it makes sense to alert any travel companies you plan to use of your needs when you book. Try to get written confirmation of the assistance that has been agreed, and confirm this when you arrive at the station or check in for a flight.
For contact details for all UK bus, coach and train companies, read our blog 'Making it easier to get around with MS' on advocating for more accessible travel. You can look up station facilities on their websites.
The government pages on transport support for disabled people may also be helpful.
The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for ensuring equal access to flights for disabled people. You can review your rights and how to get assistance at an airport on their airport accessibility website.
If you have a condition that affects your mobility, airports must provide free assistance to help you check in, move through the airport, board the plane, find an appropriate seat, use the toilet and leave the plane. A sunflower lanyard is often used to discreetly alert staff of passengers with hidden disabilities who may need extra support. It is possible to contact your local airport to request one or you can purchase one from the Sunflower Scheme website.
Financial help for holidays
Family Holiday Charity : A charity that provides financial assistance for low-income families for holidays and breaks. Applications are made by a health or social care professional - MS nurse, GP, social worker - who is working with the family.
Disability Grants: This organisation collects information about all kinds of financial support for holidays for disabled people and their families. This includes funding for a carer to accompany a disabled person, support for adventure breaks and respite care.
See also our Grants and financial help page for other opportunities and information.
Travel insurance for people with MS
Most mainstream insurance companies have a sensible approach to MS and should provide a quote based on your own circumstances. It's worth shopping around to compare prices. Check the fine print of the policy to ensure that all your needs are covered - for example, mobility aids and disability equipment are unlikely to be covered by standard travel insurance policies.
Read more about insurance for people with MS.
UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC)
If you are visiting a country in the EU, you should apply for the free UK Global Health Insurance Card (UK GHIC). The UK GHIC has replaced the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). If you have an existing EHIC you can continue to use it until it expires. Your UK GHIC lets you get necessary state healthcare in the European Economic Area (EEA), and some other countries, at a reduced cost or sometimes for free. Each country's health system is different and might not include all the things you would expect to get free of charge from the NHS. You may have to make a contribution to the cost of your care equivalent to that which a local resident would pay. Keep all receipts and any paperwork (make copies if necessary) as they might be needed by you or your insurance company to apply for any reimbursement.
The UK GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance, and we advise you to have private travel and medical insurance for the duration of your trip.
Read more here: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-uk-global-health-insurance-card-ghic/
Most people with MS can have all the vaccinations that are required when travelling abroad. It's better to be protected than run the risk of contracting the diseases, many of which are serious and life threatening.
If you're unwell, for example in the middle of a bad relapse, your doctor may advise you to delay the vaccination. If you're taking a drug which suppresses the immune system, you should not receive 'live' vaccines as you may be at greater risk of developing the disease. Make sure that your doctor is aware of all the medications you are taking when you book your vaccination.
Read more about vaccinations and safety when you have MS.
Taking medications abroad
Different countries may regulate the medications that can be brought into the country. Before travelling, check the rules for all the countries you will be visiting, even if you're just passing through.
If you are travelling with drugs for your MS, keep them in their original packaging and have a copy of your prescription. Unless airline rules say otherwise, keep your medications in your hand luggage.
If you are taking one of the injectable disease modifying drugs, you will need a letter from your MS nurse or from the home delivery company to explain why you are travelling with syringes. Your drug delivery company can provide a travel pack to keep medications cool during your journey. If the medication needs to be stored in a fridge or you are going somewhere where the room temperature is likely to be above 25°C, talk to your travel company before you leave to make sure you will have access to a fridge.
