Overseas Travel Checklist for Wheelchair Users

Travelling with a wheelchair often involves extra planning, and it’s easy to overlook important details when you’re organising flights, accessible accommodation, equipment and support. A clear checklist can make the process easier to manage.

This checklist takes you through the main stages of an overseas trip, before booking, before flying, at the airport and on arrival. Use it digitally, print it, or work through it section by section as you prepare.

Before You Book

My tip: Where possible, I prefer to telephone the airline I’m planning to fly with, the accommodation provider and any other important service directly rather than rely solely on information online. It gives me the chance to ask specific questions, confirm what I need and clarify anything that isn’t clear.

☐ Check that the destination can meet your access needs, including transport, accommodation and the places you plan to visit.
☐ Check accommodation details such as doorway widths, shower access, grab-rail positions, lift access and the space you need to manoeuvre.
☐ Ask the accommodation to confirm the accessible features you need and, where possible, provide current photos of the actual room and bathroom.
☐ Compare airlines and choose the one whose Wheelchair, Assistance and Equipment Policies best match your needs
☐ Record your wheelchair’s key dimensions and weight, including any detachable parts or power-assist equipment, and review how to protect your wheelchair before you fly.
☐ Confirm any airline restrictions or requirements for your wheelchair, scooter, power-assist device or other mobility equipment.
☐ Prepare any battery specifications or Dangerous Goods documentation your airline requires for powered mobility equipment.
☐ Tell the airline what assistance you need and make sure it is recorded in your booking.
☐ Ask whether you can pre-board so there is enough time for boarding, transfers and wheelchair handover without being rushed.
☐ Check visa, entry and customs requirements for any disability or mobility equipment you’re taking with you.
☐ Check what your travel insurance covers for your wheelchair, mobility equipment and any medical supplies you’re taking.
☐ Identify wheelchair or mobility-equipment repair services at your destination, particularly if you rely on specialist equipment.

Documents & Essentials

☐ Check your passport validity and the entry requirements for every country on your itinerary.
☐ Check that your travel insurance covers your wheelchair, mobility equipment and any medical needs relevant to your trip.
☐ Carry any medical or assistance letter relevant to your trip, including information about your mobility needs or medication if required.
☐ Carry your wheelchair or mobility-device manual and any manufacturer battery documentation required for air travel.
☐ Label important mobility equipment with your name and a contact number that can be reached during your trip.
☐ Keep copies of important prescriptions, either printed or saved securely offline.
☐ Keep an emergency contact list with family, medical and travel-assistance contacts you may need while overseas.
☐ Pack the chargers and travel plug adapters you need, plus any spare fuses or voltage converter required for your equipment.
☐ Carry any disability identification or assistance lanyard you normally use, if it is relevant to your trip.

Your Wheelchair

Manual Chairs

☐ Check your wheelchair tyres for wear, damage and correct inflation before travel.
☐ Carry a spare inner tube or puncture-repair kit if your wheelchair tyres use them.
☐ Check that wheelchair bolts and fasteners are secure and that bearings are running smoothly.
☐ Pack a small wheelchair repair kit with the tools you normally use, such as Allen keys, a spanner, tape or cable ties.
☐ Remove and carry any loose or easily detachable wheelchair parts, such as your cushion, sideguards or straps, where practical.

Power Chairs

☐ Confirm your powered wheelchair battery type and specifications, including whether it is lithium-ion or another battery type.
☐ Confirm whether your airline requires battery terminals to be protected or isolated, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
☐ Remove and carry the joystick or other detachable control components with you, if your wheelchair manufacturer and airline procedures allow.
☐ Carry your wheelchair charger with you where practical, and check your airline’s requirements before travel.
☐ Pack a basic wheelchair repair kit with the tools and spare parts you’re most likely to need.
☐ Chair switched off & freewheel instructions attached

Packing Checklist

☐ Pack the medication you need for the trip and keep essential medication in your carry-on luggage, subject to airline and security requirements.
☐ Pack enough catheter, continence or personal-care supplies for the trip, with a sensible spare allowance for delays.
☐ Pack your usual pressure-relief cushion or other seating support, if you use one.
☐ Pack your transfer board or other transfer aid if you normally use one.
☐ Pack clothing you can layer so you can adjust to temperature changes during flights, airport waits and at your destination.
☐ First-aid supplies
☐ Sunscreen, wipes, gloves, sanitiser
☐ Duplicate printed documents
☐ Lightweight day bag / cross-body bag
☐ Need a more detailed packing list? See my full Packing Checklist for Wheelchair Users.

Before Leaving Home

☐ Confirm the accessible drop-off location and wheelchair access at your departure airport.
☐ Pre-book accessible transport to the airport if you need a wheelchair-accessible taxi or transfer.
☐ Confirm your airline assistance request before travel and check that your wheelchair or mobility-equipment details are recorded correctly.
☐ Check in online before you leave home if your airline offers it, and review your assistance details at the same time.
☐ Take clear photos of your wheelchair and important mobility equipment before travel, including any existing marks or damage.
☐ Check the weather + accessibility for each destination stop
☐ Pack snacks + water for long delays
☐ Ensure your power bank is charged
☐ Before heading to the airport, work through my Final Before-Leaving-Home Checklist.

At the Airport

☐ Allow extra time at the airport for check-in, assistance, wheelchair handling and boarding.
☐ Ask where your wheelchair will be returned on arrival and request delivery to the aircraft door where the airport and airline procedures allow.
☐ Attach clear wheelchair handling instructions to your chair, including how to fold, disengage or secure it where relevant.
☐ Remove any loose or easily detachable wheelchair parts before handover, where practical, and keep important items with you.
☐ Go to the gate early, let the staff know you have arrived, and confirm that any aisle chair or other boarding assistance you need is available. Wheelchair users are often pre-boarded before general boarding to allow extra time for transfers and seating.
☐ Confirm final handover of chair with ground staff
☐ Ask where to collect your chair on arrival

On the Plane

My tip for longer flights: Because I use a suprapubic catheter (SPC), on longer flights I carry an overnight drainage bag that I can connect to my leg bag if I need extra capacity. When I board, I let a cabin crew member know that I may need to use it during the flight. At the end of the journey, I disconnect and securely seal the used overnight bag, place it inside an opaque plastic bag, and ask the cabin crew how they would like me to dispose of it rather than leaving it on the aircraft floor. Airline procedures can vary, so I recommend checking with your airline before travel if you expect to manage catheter or continence equipment onboard.

☐ Use the aisle chair and transfer assistance provided by the airline if you need help reaching your seat.
☐ If you may need to use the toilet during the flight, ask the crew what accessible toilet facilities are available on the aircraft and where they are located.
☐ Use your usual pressure-relief or repositioning routine during the flight, based on what is appropriate for you.
☐ Keep any medication, personal-care supplies and other essentials you may need during the flight within easy reach.

Upon Arrival

☐ Before transferring into the aisle chair, ask the cabin crew to confirm that your wheelchair has been returned to the aircraft door. Before transferring back into your wheelchair, inspect it and any mobility equipment for obvious damage. If possible, have your travelling companion or airline staff check it with you.
☐ If you find any damage, report it to the airline or ground-handling staff before leaving the airport and ask for the incident to be formally recorded.
☐ Take clear photos of any damage before the wheelchair or mobility equipment is moved or repaired.
☐ Confirm accessible transport to the hotel
☐ Re-check room accessibility on arrival

During Your Trip

☐ Keep a small wheelchair repair kit with you during the day, especially if you’re travelling away from your accommodation.
☐ Charge your powered wheelchair or power-assist device as needed, using the correct charger and travel plug adapter for your destination.
☐ Check routes for uneven surfaces, steep kerbs or other access barriers before heading out.
☐ Follow your usual skin and pressure-care routine during the trip, and check any areas that are prone to pressure or irritation.
☐ Plan regular breaks and adjust your clothing, shade or indoor time if heat or cold affects your comfort or mobility.
☐ Keep backup routes for inaccessible attractions

Before You Fly Home

☐ Reconfirm your airline assistance request and check that your wheelchair or mobility-equipment details are still recorded correctly for the return journey.
☐ Pack essential wheelchair tools and any loose or detachable parts in your carry-on only where airline and security rules allow. Avoid packing tools that could be treated as prohibited items or weapons — I once had a screwdriver confiscated at security and now leave those items out of my carry-on.
☐ Take fresh photos of your wheelchair and mobility equipment before the return flight, including any new marks or damage.
☐ Confirm your accessible transport to the airport and allow enough time for check-in, assistance and wheelchair handling.
☐ Check souvenirs fit your luggage
☐ Keep meds + essentials in carry-on