How I Plan my Travels as an Electric Wheelchair User

When I first started using a wheelchair, even thinking about travel felt daunting. Planning flights, hotels, transport — it all seemed overwhelming. But over time, through trial, error, and a lot of learning on the go, I’ve found a rhythm that works for electric wheelchair travel, making trips feel far more manageable.

This post isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s simply about sharing what has helped me travel with a little more confidence and ease — in case it helps you too. Before I get into flights and hotels, I want to start with the two things that make travel possible for me in the first place.

My Travel Essentials

Electric Powered Wheelchair

I use EM23-28l power wheelchair from EasyMove (Scroll to see EM23-28L Easy Folding Power Wheelchair With Lithium Battery) / Amazon / Brochure. If you’re based in Bangalore, they offer home demos, which really helped me make an informed decision.

I have very limited balance and can’t take steps independently, so I’m almost always dependent on companions or kind strangers for assistance. That reality has shaped what I look for in a wheelchair.

This one works well for me because:

• It folds easily in just a few simple steps — even someone unfamiliar with it can manage, which is crucial at airports and with cab drivers.

• At around 23 kg / 50 lbs, it’s not ultra-light, but manageable for an able-bodied person to lift and fit into a car boot.

• It runs on a dry lithium battery (24V, 200W) that meets airline specifications.

• I take it all the way to the aircraft door, where my companions or airline staff help fold it and remove the battery and controller.
  

Having a wheelchair that others can easily handle has made a big difference to how smoothly my travel days go.

Sturdy Walker

I use the Stander EZ Fold-n-Go Walker found on Amazon.

Although I can barely take steps, I still like to stand and practice short movements indoors with support. For this, I carry a foldable walker during travel, mainly for use in hotel rooms.

I take it as carry-on luggage. I’ve been using it since 2022 without any issues, and it’s one of the sturdiest walkers I’ve come across. If standing or assisted steps are part of your routine, this can be a useful addition while travelling.

Planning considerations

Because my body doesn’t handle too many out-of-routine days well, I usually keep my trips short — about 3 to 4 full days. This helps me enjoy the experience without pushing myself too hard.

I also prefer to stay in one city per trip. As I’ve mentioned in my other posts, I love using public transport, so I tend to choose cities where I can comfortably rely on metros, trams, and trains. For the same reason, I always pick hotels that are right next to a public transport station.

Keeping things simple and predictable makes travel feel far more manageable for me.

Planning Flights

I’m usually the last to deboard a flight. After landing, I also have to wait to be transferred out on an aisle (cabin) wheelchair and then wait again for my personal wheelchair to arrive at the destination airport. Because of this, I strongly prefer non-stop flights whenever possible. They reduce waiting time and make the overall experience far less tiring.

I also choose a seat as close to the front rows as I can. This helps minimize the time I spend on the aisle (or cabin) wheelchair that’s used to transfer me from the aircraft door to my seat.

I’ll be honest — I still haven’t had to use the aircraft washroom yet! When that happens, I promise I’ll update this post with the experience.

So far, I’ve flown with Air India, Emirates, IndiGo, and Air India Express, and my experiences with them have been largely smooth and hassle-free from an accessibility standpoint.

Hotel Considerations

I always email the hotel in advance to let them know about my accessibility needs. One item I never travel without is a suction hand grip (easily available on Amazon).

Hotel bathrooms can be unpredictable. I use a suction hand grip that attaches to tiled or glass surfaces, which gives me something stable to hold onto during transfers.

Since I can’t stand in the shower, I also ask the hotel to provide a plastic chair. Together, the chair and the hand grip make getting in and out of the shower area much safer and far more comfortable.

Inter-city Transport

I plan my itineraries myself and haven’t needed to use a travel operator or guide so far. When public transport can’t take me point to point, I rely on cabs — either booked through the hotel or via a locally popular app.

When choosing a cab, I always opt for sedans with sufficient boot space for my foldable wheelchair. Smaller cars don’t work for me, and while SUVs may have more boot space, I find them too high to get into independently. Sedans strike the best balance.

Final Thoughts

And voilà — that’s my travel checklist.

Beyond logistics, I always carry a little courage, an openness to things going slightly off-plan, and a willingness to adapt. Travel rarely goes exactly as expected, and that’s okay.

If you’re feeling nervous about taking your first trip as a wheelchair user, know that it’s completely normal. I’ve been there. But if you feel even a small pull to start, I’d gently encourage you to begin small. Fear often lives more in our minds than in reality.

If you’d like to read more of my travel stories, you can find them here.