Just wondering if anyone can tell me what accessibility is like on Eurail trains. The website doesn't seem to be very specific.

Also, if anyone has any information about public transport in general around Europe that would be great.

Thanx!

Do you mean the Eurotunnel Trains from St Pancreas International?

I've not done the trip yet but was going to book then they had the fire. From the info I received the w/c spaces are good and you and your PA get a discount. You have to contact the department that deals with w/c travel, but I know these websites often send you round in circles. I actually found a plan of the train showing the w/c spaces, which are in Business Class.

When I was in London last, I went to St Pancreas to check it out; its amazing and makes other stations look grubby to say the least.

If you can find the right department, you shouldn't have any trouble as you get escorted through.

I'm thinking of going to Paris this year, but its just in the thought stage....

thanks for the reply.
Eurail is a type of ticket that you can get to take trains all over Europe. So you purchase a ticket and its valid for say 3 months, and you can take the trains between countries and cities for that three months.
I live in Australia, and the public transport here is great - most of the train stations and buses are all accessible. I am trying to work out the level of difficulty I might face using only public transport when I travel through Europe at the end of this year. I am planning on visiting France, Italy, Greece, Spain and Austria at this stage. So if anyone has been to any of these places any tips are great!!!
thanx

Hi there!

I did it in 1996 alone...I am a cross para/quad. Most western countries are OK....I slept on some of the trains....some were good for chairs ...and those that weren't I asked for help from young backpackers to get in/out of bed.

Best countries....Holland, Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria

Toughest ...Croatia, Slovenia, Hungary

Tourist info booths can be a bother....you may have to ask someone to go in, and get someone to come out to talk to you.

Hey, some things will go wrong, but keep smiling and you'll have lots of fun.

Cheers...Walt!

OK I'm looking to go over to Europe for six weeks in September.

Two of those weeks I'm looking at buying a Eurail pass and travelling Europe, the probem is they tell me they don't off any discounts for wheelchair users who need to travel with PA's and upgrading you to buisness class for free or discount isn't avalible I'm told ... here's the email I received.

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Dear Kaz,

Eurail is indeed run by different national Railway companies.

We unfortunately do not offer a discount for wheelchair users, we only
offer a Youth discount (person's under the age of 26 on their first day of
travel) and we have a Saver Pass;
The Saver Pass is just one Pass, but with 2 or more names on it. The
prices listed on our website are per person, which corresponds with a
discount of 15% on the normal Adult Pass. The Eurail Saver Pass options
allow 2 to 5 passengers to travel together at all times with one single
pass, which is about 15% cheaper than the normal Adult Pass. You’ll need
to travel together, since there is only one pass with all names listed.

I hope this answers your question.

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As Scribbler said above I feel like I'm getting a run around.

Can anyone help me?

I'm also can't get any joy asking about access on train -and sleeper trains- either ...

... weather I transfer out of my chair onto the seats/beds.

The answer depends on the country.

For example:
Germany has ICE (inter-city express) trains that do the longer distances at high speeds, even traveling internationally. You have the option of staying in your wheelchair or transferring into a train seat. However, you need to call the rail service provider (Deutsche Bahn) at least a few days in advance of your trip, as they will need to organize someone to get you onto the train and off the train. These rail workers are not trained to help you into a train seat, but they have offered to help. I usually just stay in my chair. The rail workers on the train are neither insured nor required to help you transfer in and out of your chair, and that includes for using the restroon.

The other trains in Germany: the S-Bahn are the short distance trains, and they are generally roll-on-and-offable, but not all the stations they stop at are accessible, and you have to stay in your chair while you're on board, often just sitting in the aisle or doorway. The RE (regional express) trains have one carriage for bikes, wheelchairs and baby carriages, and you will need help getting in and out, so again, call in advance. The S-Bahn and RE trains have no onboard assistance, just conductors.

It is possible to request someone who's been trained to assist to travel with you, but I've never actually done this, and I don't know how it works: I just know that such a service exists.

The Netherlands has a similar build of trains, and similar "call in advance for assistance getting on and off" requirements. The situation in Poland is more difficult, as some trains have very narrow doors and so your journey will have to be even more carefully planned.

Overall, traveling by train in a wheelchair is possible in Europe, but you need to have made a lot of phone calls and a very structured plan so as to know exactly where you can get on and off trains and how to prepare.