travelling to the UK with a German 'card for the severely disabled'

[outnumberedbymen]

Good morning! I was wondering if someone could help me. In August I am taking our eldest (7, with AS/DAMP/hypotonia) to England to visit a friend. We are flying to Heathrow and will then continue by tube and train.

Due to his AS etc, he is the holder of a German 'card for the severely disabled', and over here he is entitled to having a carer with him for free pretty much wherever he goes. This also includes public transport. Taking the bus or train, we would only have to buy a child ticket for him, and I would get on for free.

Now, I am trying to plan our trip and am wondering whether to purchase our train ticket in England in advance or wait until we get there. Reason I am unsure is because I have no idea if, and to what extent, his card will be accepted. Does public transport in England allow for a carer to travel for free with the disabled person? And what else should I be aware of?

I'd be very grateful for any advice

as far as I know, there is no free transport for a carer of a disabled child in the UK. DD is severely disabled and I always have to pay the full price. Some places/attractions have discounts for carer's (or even free entrance) but not sure if the German card is accepted.

but for using the public transport, I would just assume that you will need to purchase tickets for all of you.

I find all but the most expensive money-spinner places accept your word about being a carer, and the money-spinner places discount you a few pence for producing official documentation (and therefore we can't afford so don't go anyway).

Travel is not discounted for anyone except pensioners. In England we get a very small weekly payment that is supposed to compensate for the additional costs of having a disability and that would be expected to cover hiring a carer and their transport.

Travel is best bought in advance as the cost hikes up if you buy on the day.

Actually, if you're quick you might be able to buy one of these:

www.familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk/online10/?gclid=CjwKEAjw8_idBRCExfC15My3owwSJACSDX_W8J-BclJAOYtIATJqDDsMXdRpTkYOBHjYZchwtcPaGhoCmoDw_wcB

It would depend on how much you're likely to use it though when your here in order to justify buying.

Thank you very much, both of you! That's what I thought. In any case, I guess I better take a copy of his diagnosis along too...

I'm not sure the railcard will be worthwhile tbh, as hopefully my friend will have a seven seater by the time we visit, thus the only travel on public transport (apart from using London Underground for the few days we are there)will be from London to Norfolk and back. Will have to do quick calculations whether we would save enough money with the railcard.

I do get carer's allowance here for both our boys with ASD, plus additional allowance to pay for help and respite, as well as quite 'nice' benefits from that disability card. That's a shame you dont get many discounts, because it really is so much more expensive isnt it. Our three boys are being taking to Legoland Germany by their godmothers in a couple of weeks (first time since our eldest was born me and dh get to go away over night without children!!). afaik they only have to pay entrance for the boys and one of the adults, plus all get one of those fast passes so that they dont have to queue.

Thanks again for you replies!

Book train tickets in advance - I use the trainline.com. The tube has wheelchair symbol signs if the station is user friendly. I used them yesterday to get in and out of Heathrow as DS1 loathes escalators - so, we went where there were lifts or a straight forward platform exchange.

I always ask - we are going to HyperJapan this July and there was nothing on the website but when I asked - yes, carers go free. Most places are reasonable over paperwork. Look out for vouchers - often attached to flyers or discounts advertised online: it all adds up.

Hope you have a great holiday.

In London buses are free for all under 12s. And you get to see the sights for free - provided your ds can cope with buses of course. I also find them more wheelchair friendly than the underground.

oh, that is good to know noHaudin. Although to get from Heahthrow to the centre (we are staying at the Youth Hostel at St Paul's) it's probably easier by tube, wouldnt it? He should be fine on busses though. tbh I always found the tube much more stressful.

You would need a train from Heathrow probably to Paddington there's one every 15mins or so and you could probably book tickets from Germany to get your discount. Then bus to St. Paul's. Transport for London (Google it) have a good website on which you can plan journeys, putting in your preferred method of transport and if you need to avoid steps or long walks etc.

www.tfl.gov.uk is the Transport for London's website.

The trainline.com is a good website as well and also gives terms and conditions in German if needed (look at bottom of their particular webpage under terms and conditions).

The Heathrow Express is fast but hideously expensive (£34.00 per adult and £17.00 per child; those are return tickets) and runs only to Paddington from Heathrow. If you're going to St Pauls from Heathrow you may want to use the Underground anyway. You would need to get on the Piccadilly Line train at Heathrow and change at Holborn onto a Central Line train (red line) going eastbound to St Pauls (two stops on from Holborn),

There are lots of places in London that offer free carer passes - check the websites. The Merlin Attractions do - including London Eye, Madame Tussaud's and Legoland and last time I checked the Tower of London and London Zoo do as well.

To get to the Youth Hostel at St Paul's, your best bet is to take the Piccadilly Line to either Hammersmith or Barons Court. At both these stations you can change on to the District Line by just crossing the platform. Get off at Blackfriars which has a lift and step free exit. From there is is just over a 5 minute walk to the hostel. At most a couple of minutes further than from St Paul's a Station, but a far easier journey.

As you son is only 7 all bus, tube and overground (not all London British
Rail services) are free. Make sure you get an Oyster card ( you will only need one for you) as the buses are no longer accepting cash payments.

I hope you have a great trip.

Heathrow connect is the slow version of heathrow express. 10min more, half the cost. Child fare usually half. Pre-book here Very easy suburban change at ealing broadway for Central line to St. Paul's. Express to Paddington would mean the nightmare of changing twice in Central London.

But tubes all the way wd be free for under 11s

Actually, I probably like jaxx's idea better than my own

If you do the big museums (natural history or science) go at 9.55am on a Sunday. First in the queue, in when doors open at 10am, out by 11.30 when the crowds suddenly arrive after their leisurely Sunday breakfasts. Otherwise they're rammed in August. The V&A next door is ok though.

Nice big playground in regents park near the zoo. Usually not too busy (unlike the zoo itself so good to escape to). Forget the various attraction cafés, all overpriced, overcrowded, over-sensory, unhelpful hellholes, & just bring picnics everywhere. Or mcD takeaways, obviously

And this place is amazing.

And don't forget that most museums and galleries here are free for everyone. As said before, london tubes are free for under 11s and buses for under 16s but get an Oyster card. London Eye and aquarium let carers go free.

WOW, just checked back on here and found all your very helpful comments. I will make a list of them all, thank you all so so much!!

I think for Merlin attractions e.g. Legoland you would need to buy an annual pass to get a free carers pass I don't think there is any discount on day tickets.