Accessible tourism

1. I am a disabled boy and I am going to travel around Italy by train. What kind of assistance is given to persons with disabilities?

Trenitalia offers an assistence service to people with disabilities 24 hours a day. The service is provided by the “Sala Blu”which is present in 14 main railway stations. The service is provided subject to prior agreement with the Sala Blu. Customers must report to the assistance point in the station 30 minutes before train departure. The Sala Blu provides the following services: information, seat bookings, wheelchair availability, guide at the station and escorting to the train, guide until train leaves the station or to another connecting train, getting on/off with lift-van for wheelchair customers, possible hand baggage service, free on request (1 item), distribution of information material. To ask for assistance service, call the national helpline number 199 30 30 06 or the toll number 199 89 20 21.

More info: Trenitalia – Disabled passengers

2. I am a sight impaired tourist and I am travelling around Italy with my guide dog. Are there hotels equipped to welcome my dog?

All the facilities (hotels, holiday villages, bed & breakfast) are obliged to welcome and offer their services to blind people with their dogs. There are facilities especially equipped to welcome tourists with their animals. A list of all the facilities can be found on the web site “Turisti a 4 zampe” available in German, Spanish, French and English (realized by the Minister of Tourism, Hon Michela Vittoria Brambilla).

Suggested web site: Turisti a 4 zampe

3. We have a disabled child and we would like to spend our holiday in a seaside resort. Are there any beach resorts equipped for people with disabilities?

Yes, there are several resorts in different Regions which have camping and accessible beaches for people with limited mobility. You can find the complete list on the web site “Village for all” available in german, spanish, french and english. Sponsored by Ministry of Tourism.

Suggested web site: Village for all

4. I am coming to Italy by plain and I’d like to know if disabled people are provided with any forms of assistance by the air company or at the airport.

The European Union has provided forms of assistance to people with disabilities or restricted mobility ( referred to as “PMR” Passeggeri a mobilità ridotta ). The European legislation has granted forms of protection to those passengers with difficulties in using air transport due to any physical disability. The assistance is applied to every scheduled, charter and low cost flight leaving from or going through a UE airport. To every scheduled, charter and low cost flight departing from an airport in a non EU country and having as destination a EU airport, when the airline is a EU company. To obtain assistance you have to apply to the air company or to the tour operator which issued the ticket at least 48 hours before plain departure.

More info: European Commission – Mobility and Transport

5. I am an european citizen and I am coming to Italy next month to visit the main art cities. I would like to know if there are reductions or facilitations for foreign tourists with disability who want to visit museums, art galleries and archaeological sites.

Yes, admission to museums, monuments, art galleries and archaelogical sites is free for european citizens with disabilities. The admission is also free for a relative or a companion as long as the last one can prove to work for the social health service. How to get free admission: You have to report to the ticket office and show your document which attests your physical condition.

6. I am a disabled Canadian tourist. I live in Canada and I have got the specific permit for disabled people for driving and parking. I will come to Italy (in Rome) on Holiday and I will be travelling with a rental car. Is my permit for disabled people valid in Italy?

In general in Italy there are no limitations for parking with a foreign permission for disabled people.
You must consider that:

1. Not all Italian municipalities provide an exemption from payment for disabled people, in pay zones, the so-called “blue lines”;
2. Check that the parking lots for disabled people are not granted to specific users, which is recognisable by the eventual number for specific permission as reported on the parking sign pole next to the parking lot for disabled people.

In the city of Rome, in order to access the LTZ (Limited Traffic Zone), you must call the number of Roma Capitale 060606 (available in english) and communicate the number of permit issued in your country, together with the numberplate of the car that you are driving in Italy and the days of your stay in Rome: the system of access to the LTZ passages will be automatically updated, allowing your entry. As regards the parking lots, however, vehicles provided with permits for disabled people issued by foreign countries are usually not sanctioned.

7. Are reduced train and airline tickets available for disabled people?

Reduced airline tickets for disabled people are not available. Disabled people are entitled to special assistance, however they must pay for the full ticket. In railway transport some reductions are available on tickets for accompanied disabled, as you can check by visiting the Ferrovie dello Stato website, section “PRM” – “Blue Card”.

Source: Trenitalia