If you’re planning a wheelchair accessible trip to India but don’t know where to begin, this travel guide is for you.
In this post, Nath Fernandes from The Wheelchair Traveller Blog shares his insights on how he independently organised an incredible two-week trip to India. He covers important topics such as:
- Accessibility in India
- Wheelchair accessible transportation options
- Wheelchair accessible places to visit
- Wheelchair accessible accommodations
- The accessibility of Indian Railways
A DIY Journey Through India
India is a true melting pot for the senses, offering a rich tapestry of tastes, smells, and sounds. However, have you ever imagined travelling coast to coast using a powered wheelchair?
People thought I was a bit crazy when I started planning an epic 15-day trip back in December 2023. The question I was most frequently asked during this time was, “Which travel agency are you using?” My response was simply, “I’m going it alone.” I learned from experience that travel agencies that do not specialise in accessible travel often struggle to understand that travelling in a power wheelchair requires careful research and planning.
Consequently, the travel playbook must be rewritten, which is a challenge for many companies. After facing a few rejections, it became clear that I would have to undertake this journey on my own, and thus the mammoth challenge began!
For various reasons, information about accessibility in India is quite scarce, meaning I had to begin with a blank slate. I have been fortunate to travel the world for the past 12 years, during which time I met people in countries like Armenia, where accessibility isn’t a top priority, and even assisted in creating the first accessible tour company in Tunisia.
While much of this knowledge and experience could be applied, I must admit that there were many moments during the planning stages when I questioned whether the grand plan would work in practice, not just in theory. Ultimately, it turned out to be one of the best adventures of my life, and the plan ran like clockwork 99% of the time.
During the six months of planning, I continually asked myself how much of this beautiful country could be explored in a power wheelchair (which I affectionately named “Superbunny”) by any means possible. Let’s briefly discuss a few key elements that contributed to the trip’s success:
Wheelchair Accessible Transportation in India
Accessible transportation is a crucial factor to consider for any holiday, not just in India. Living in the UK, we are fortunate to have infrastructure that supports wheelchair users, but upon arriving in India, that freedom to travel is almost nonexistent.
In recent years, India has made significant strides in improving transportation accessibility. For instance, the introduction of Vande Bharat Express trains has been a game changer, allowing wheelchair users to feel included rather than being segregated in separate carriages designated for disabled people, something that would be unheard of in the UK. However, as of February 2025, many railway stations still lack boarding ramps or elevators.
The explorer in me was adamant about visiting the South of the country rather than the typical tourist hotspots in the north, such as the Taj Mahal, for a more authentic experience.
Initially, I considered using the railway network to travel from city to city, like Chennai to Bangalore. While this may seem like a sensible option, the major issue arises when exiting the station. As I’ve mentioned in my blog, Indian pavements are often not accessible and can have trees growing in the middle or bollards meant to stop motorbikes, which are too narrow for a wheelchair.
Although many cities have built metro systems that are wheelchair accessible, the pavement challenges remain. Many elevator exits lead directly onto busy traffic lanes, or, as I experienced in Chennai, there might be a makeshift sewer right outside. Additionally, most buses are currently inaccessible, even in major cities.
To ensure that I could take my wheelchair along, I realised I needed an accessible vehicle, of which only a handful exist in the entire country. After extensive research, I discovered The Swarga Foundation, which operates several accessible vehicles used for transporting patients. I enquired about the possibility of hiring a van with a driver for two weeks, and they kindly agreed at a reasonable price. This arrangement allowed me to explore the country without transportation limitations.
Admittedly, the van and driver had to travel 11 hours to pick us up from Chennai airport. It felt like a race to the airport, as both of us left our homes at the same time, just from different parts of the world.
For the duration of the trip, the van and two drivers were available within 15 minutes of our location 24/7, ensuring that accessible transportation was just a WhatsApp message away. This was essential in Chennai, where navigating the area in a wheelchair seemed almost impossible.
My Accessible India Itinerary
When I travel, I find it important to experience both the major tourist attractions and explore the country as if I were a local with a disability. Thanks to an accessible van, I mapped out a coast-to-coast route starting in the vibrant city of Chennai on the shores of the Bay of Bengal.
From there, we headed inland to the mountainous regions of Tamil Nadu, ultimately finishing our trip in the tourist hotspot of Kochi, located on the banks of the Arabian Sea.
Here are the places I visited in India:
- Arulmigu Sri Vadivudai Amman Sametha Sri Thiyagarajaswamy Temple (There are a few steps but I found it doable in my wheelchair – please check before you visit to ensure it is manageable for you)
- Chennai Railway Museum
- Marina Beach in Chennai
- Mahabalipuram
- Waterfall Tea Estate
- Kumarakom (for the Backwaters)
Wheelchair Accessible Accommodation in India
As we all know, the term “accessible room” can mean different things depending on the country. Chennai, being an international city, has many chain hotels to choose from, making it fairly easy to find accommodations. However, as you venture outside of the major cities, it can be more challenging, as many independent hotels do not offer accessible rooms.
Luckily, The Swarga Foundation is located in Coimbatore, which was on our route. They kindly scouted out a few resorts in the mountainous area for us, and we ended up staying on a coconut farm that had invested in a ramp, making my access to the accommodation much easier.
If you’re planning to visit India, it’s worth noting that the majority of people are very welcoming toward disabled tourists and often go the extra mile to assist. However, I found that, at times, people could be “too helpful,” so it’s necessary to politely ask them to step back when needed.
Here are the three accessible hotels I stayed at in India:
Marriott Hotel Chennai: This was a typical Marriott accessible room; however, the bathroom was rather small and did not have a shower seat. The staff were very helpful and sourced a chair for use in the shower.
Ibex River Resort (Pollachi): Situated on a coconut farm in rural India, this hotel had to make a few adjustments for my visit, as they had never hosted a power wheelchair user before. The hotel kindly purchased a ramp to allow me to enter the cabin. Unfortunately, there is a flight of steps leading to the breakfast and meal area, but they agreed to provide room service free of charge. The bathroom was a reasonable size, and they added a garden chair as an improvisation.
Fragrant Nature Kochi: This has to be one of the best accessible rooms I have seen so far! The room is very spacious, making it great for wheelchair accessibility, and the wet room comes with a shower seat. Additionally, both the room and wet room doors are automatic, which is something I have never encountered before.
Accessibility of Indian Railways
As a train enthusiast in the UK, it was important for me to experience the Vande Bharat Express. This train was not only on my bucket list, but it also represents efforts toward a more inclusive society.
The Swarga Foundation kindly coordinated with the local station to ensure everything was in place, including booking a wheelchair space and arranging for boarding ramps, which can be quite challenging for disabled visitors.
Unfortunately, I found that the boarding ramp at Chennai’s station was less than adequate. However, with my portable ramp (which I always carry for emergencies) and the help of some strong individuals, we managed it.
I have since been informed that Chennai’s railway station has invested in an adequate boarding ramp as a result of my visit.
What to Pack for a trip to India
When packing for India, I realised I had to consider every possible scenario that could arise during the 15-day trip. The question was how to fit everything into one suitcase. Many high-end hotels in India offer laundry services, so I only packed for 7 days. This allowed me ample space for essential items like a toolkit, a spare wheelchair joystick, and even some gym equipment.
Final Thoughts on My Accessible India Trip
There’s no doubt that India has its share of accessibility issues, but if you can look past these, you will find a country rich in culture and beauty waiting to be discovered. When I challenged myself to see how much I could explore using a power wheelchair, I underestimated the freedom that hiring an accessible van and a driver would provide. It not only provided easy transportation around Chennai and Kochi but also allowed me to immerse myself in Indian life.
During our drive from Coimbatore to Kochi, we relied solely on Google Maps to navigate, as neither our driver nor we were familiar with the route. Due to traffic congestion on the highway, the app rerouted us through traditional villages and dirt roads, offering a glimpse into rural India. This is exactly what I went to India to experience, rather than the typical tourist trail promoted by travel agencies.
The added benefit of having a private driver was that it broke the language barrier, allowing us to discover hidden gems along the way. While in Chennai, we travelled to Mahabalipuram, a historical site on the Bay of Bengal. Unfortunately, many Indian restaurants have steps, but our driver was able to communicate with locals and found us a step-free rooftop restaurant with a beautiful view overlooking the Bay of Bengal.
Thank you to Nath Fernandes for sharing his travel tips and advice for planning a wheelchair accessible trip to India. You can read Nath’s India journey in full on his blog or follow him on social media to keep up to date with his latest travels:
Blog – https://thewheelchairtraveller.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thewheelchairtraveller
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/thewheelchairtraveller/
X – https://twitter.com/VEUcan
YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@thewheelchairtraveller
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