How to plan accessible travel

In this guide, we explain how you can plan accessible travel.

When travel is accessible, it is easy to:

• find and use
• get to places.

This includes accessible travel with public transport.

Public transport can include:

• buses
• trains
• light rail
• ferries.

Trip Planner is an online tool to help you plan your travel.

You can use Trip Planner to get information about your trip.

For example, how long it will take you on public transport if you leave at a certain time.

Trip Planner also lets you:

• share a link of your travel plans with others 

• print a copy of your travel plan

• save your favourite trips, such as a bus route you use often.

You can plan how you travel on the Trip Planner page on our website.

To make sure your travel is accessible select 'Refine'.

Then you will need to select 'Accessible services only'.

You can learn more on the How to use Trip Planner page on the Transport NSW website.

There are different travel apps you can use to:

• plan your travel

• get information about your trip

• save your favourite trips, such as a bus route you use often.

You can find travel apps to download onto your phone on the Travel Apps page on the Transport NSW website.

You can look at bus maps to help you plan your travel.

You can find a map on the Bus maps page on the Trip Planner.

You can find maps for other types of public transport on the Trip Planner.

You can also find maps at places like:

• bus stops
• train stations
• light rail stops.

If you plan to travel on the train, you can check if there are any issues that might affect your trip.

For example, if they are fixing the train tracks.

You can find this information on the Travel alerts page on the Transport NSW website.

You can have different types of support to travel on public transport in NSW.

For example, you can have:

• a support animal

• mobility aids.

Mobility aids support people who have problems:

• moving around
• using their body.

For example, a wheelchair or a walking stick.

You should check if your mobility aid will fit on the public transport before you travel.

You can check this on the Mobility aid specifications page on the Transport NSW website.

We have 3 tips to help you when you travel.

1. Take someone with you if you think you might need support as you travel.

For example, a friend or carer.

2. Make sure you have a travel ticket when you travel in NSW.

You can find out about the types of travel tickets people can use in the Ticket eligibility page on the Transport NSW website.

When you travel in NSW, you can also use an Opal card.

An Opal card is a card you put money on to travel on public transport in NSW.

You can find out more about Opal cards in the Opal card types page on the Transport NSW website.

You should also make sure you have proof that you are able to use certain supports to help you travel.

For example, a Companion Card.

A Companion Card lets some people with disability take a support worker to an event or activity for free.

3. On the day you will travel, check to see if there are any issues that might affect your trip.

For example, you can find out if:

• your train is running late
• an elevator isn’t working.

You can find this information on the Travel alerts page on the Transport NSW website.

If you need support with your travel, you can ask public transport staff about:

• your travel plans
• what support you need to travel.

You can learn more about train travel in NSW on the Access to trains in NSW page on the Transport NSW website.

You can learn more about bus travel on the Accessible bus travel on the Transport NSW website.

You can learn more about ferry travel on the Accessible ferry travel on the Transport NSW website.

You can learn more about light rail travel on the Accessible rail travel page on the Transport NSW website.