OVERVIEW

Khao Lak, located in Thailand, is a small upscale seaside resort, which caters to families and people looking for a relaxing vacation. The area suffered dramatically from a major tsunami in 2004. Since tourism is an important part of the economy, the community has spent time rebuilding many of the resorts, over the years, making it easier for travelers with disabilities to find accessible hotel options. The Khao Lak community is known to be very friendly and helpful with travelers with disabilities. High tourism season in Khao Lak runs from November through March.

LANGUAGE

The official language of Thailand is Thai.

CURRENCY

The official currency of Thailand is the Baht (THB).

QUICKLINKS

LOGISTICS: Air – Water – Ground
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels – Resorts
ENTERTAINMENT: Tours – Activities – Restaurants & Nightlife
EMERGENCY SERVICES: Hospitals – Medical Equipment
ABILITYTIPS: Precautions

KHAO LAK : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

The closest airports to Khao Lak are located in Phuket and Krabi. Both airports have international and domestic flights offered.

Before you make arrangements to fly into either airport, speak with your airline representative regarding accessible features and to coordinate special assistance.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about airport services for this destination.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION

See sightseeing tours listed below for transportation needs.

TAXI

Add your accessible travel knowledge about taxi services for this destination.

SHUTTLE

Add your accessible travel knowledge about shuttle services for this destination.

RENTAL CAR (Wheelchair Van)

Add your accessible travel knowledge about rental car services for this destination.

BUS

Add your accessible travel knowledge about bus services for this destination.

TRAIN (Light Rail)

Add your accessible travel knowledge about train services for this destination.

KHAO LAK : Accommodations

HOTELS

Add your accessible travel knowledge about hotel services for this destination.

LUXURY RESORTS

Resorts and hotels in Khao Lak are smaller than the majority of the facilities in Phuket and Bangkok. The intimate settings create an atmosphere in which natural beauty dominates the landscape. Those looking for a peaceful beach vacation often prefer the Khao Lak region versus the more developed Phuket. It is highly recommended to book accessible rooms well in advance during the high season. Michael, 11/22/2010

Baan Khao Lak Resort:  Rebuilt after the 2004 tsunami, this beachside resort integrated universal access into its core design philosophy. The resort consulted disability rights organizations and people with disabilities throughout the reconstruction phase of the facility. It since has won a Tourism Authority of Thailand award as one of the top accessible resorts in Thailand. Some of the resort’s European customers consider it more accessible than the “accessible” resorts in their home countries. This is the most accessible resort in town.

Universal access features:

• Ten large rooms specifically designed to meet the needs of travelers in wheelchairs / with mobility impairments
• All paved walkways and pool decks are fully wheelchair accessible
•  An accessible walkway on the beach
• Two accessible public bathrooms
• The pool features wide steps and supportive bars
• Spare manual wheelchairs are available

For more information contact the resort.

Phone: +66 (76) 485 123-4
Fax: +66 (76) 485 125
E-mail: bklresort@hotmail.com

J.W. Marriott: The Marriott features all the creature comforts you would expect from a 5-star international resort. It has a beautiful three-kilometer long swimming pool that zig-zags along many of the rooms. Its international restaurant is fully accessible. Unfortunately, the Italian, Japanese, and Thai restaurants have small steps.

Universal access features:

• Three rooms specifically designed to meet the needs of travelers in wheelchairs / with mobility impairments
•  Most paved walkways and pool decks are wheel chair accessible
•  Two handicap accessible public bathrooms
•  The pool features wide steps and supportive bars

 Le Meridian: Beautiful grounds and pools surround this resort. The resort features four restaurants of varying levels of accessibility. Le Meridian offers a large range of activities including a Thai boxing ring with classes for kids, archery, and a small zoo with accessible paths. They have kayaks available free of charge as well as sail boats at a cost. They have a weekly schedule of activities available for adults and kids. For adults they offer exercise with a trainer, animal towel folding, Thai cooking, water sports and others.

 Universal access features:

• Three large rooms specifically designed to meet the needs of travelers in wheelchairs / with mobility impairments
•  Most paved walkways and pool decks are wheelchair accessible, spa and restaurant have small step to access.
•  One handicap accessible public bathroom
•  A clinic on site and a doctor on call 24 hours a day
•  Paved paths provide access to the resorts landscaped grounds and small zoo

 Phone: +66(76) 427 500
Email: reservations.khaolak@lemeridien.com

Add your accessible travel knowledge about luxury resorts for this destination.

KHAO LAK : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Roll on Travel: Offers tours to travelers with disabilities and anyone else looking for an up-market travel experience. Three people on their executive team are wheelchair users who have travelled extensively around the globe. Roll on Travel usually runs wheelchair accessible cultural group tours in Chiang Mai, the north, Sukothai and central Thailand, down to Bangok, including some national parks. And the tours can be extended to the beaches. The company has been offering accessible tours for 10 years and knows what hotels are accessible as well.

Wheelchair Tour to Thailand: Wheelchair Tour to Thailand was established by a Thai native who is a wheelchair user. He has traveled to at least 70 of the 76 provinces in Thailand and knows the off the beaten track places better than anyone else offering accessible tours. The company has an accessible vehicle with a ramp that will accommodate 2 wheelchairs. The areas of Thailand they service are North, Central, and East of Thailand (except South of Thailand).

Add your accessible travel knowledge about sightseeing tours for this destination.

ACTIVITIES

Many of the activities listed here are not easily accessible by Western standards, however, with a little creativity, access is possible. A bilingual guide will add depth to your experiences and provide you the assistance you need. Guides will also be able to help find local people to assist with carrying people using wheelchairs up stairs, on to boats, and into other more demanding locations. Travelers in wheelchairs or with severe mobility needs have reported doing all of the following activities, although some require more assistance than others.

 Bamboo Rafting: This is a popular activity at Lam Kean close to Khao Lak.  Contact Thai Mooing tourism association for more information. Another great spot for rafting is the stunning Khao Sok National Park. Rafts provide a peaceful along the limestone cliffs and jungle shores of the park’s large lake. Note that this activity is probably only suited for a slow walker, or possibly a person utilizing a manual wheelchair. A lifevest should be worn when participating in water related activities.

 Bird Watching: Many rare birds can be seen in Phang-nga including: Gurneys, Finfoots, Bigwinged Brown Kingfishers, Egrets, and Herons. Thai Muang National Park is a great place to spend a relaxing afternoon bird watching. The park is split into two sections – beach and mountain. The beach area features fully accessible bathrooms.

 Cooking Class: Baan Khao Lak Resort (see accommodations) offers a private cooking class in a fully accessible environment. The class runs from 3 pm to 5 pm daily. Participants will learn to cook three menu items and afterwards enjoy their creations.

Tel.: +66(76) 485 123-4 or E-mail: bklresort@hotmail.com

 Fishing: Fishing is a popular activity among locals and tourists alike. It is possible to catch marlin, sailfish, barracuda, tuna and more. Contact a tour operator about a fishing tour leaving from Taplamu Pier.

 Golf: Khao Lak offers golfers two 18-hole golf courses. Taplamu Navy Golf course is one of Thailand’s few seaside golf resorts. Thai Muang Beach Golf & Marina offers another challenging course. Contact Martin Bauer at info@AsieGolf.com  for information on Handigolf trips across Southeast Asia.

 Kayaking: Phang-nga’s coastline features mangroves, limestone, small coves, caves and islands, and an interior with rivers lined with fascinating cave systems. Khao Lak has become a haven for tourists wanting to try out kayaking. Another great spot for kayaking is the stunning Khao Sok National Park, located 1.5 hrs from Khao Lak. A kayak is a great way to explore the extraordinary landscape and the stunning limestone cliffs that rise from the Khao Sok Lake. These cliffs can reach heights of 960m, three times the height of the cliffs of Phang-nga Bay. Contact a local tour guide for details.

 Spa: The J.W. Marriot and Le Meridian both feature world class spa services, but have steps. Baan Khao Lak offers Thai Massage and other standard treatments in a fully accessible environment.

 Scuba Cat: This Phuket-based dive shop employs two dive masters with certification from the International Association for Handicapped Divers (www.iahd.org). In addition to their certified IAHD Dive masters, Scuba Cat is able to provide underwater guides, capable dive buddies, and training programs in accordance with IAHD standards, and guidelines. www.scubacat.com  (look for IAHD under the courses tab) or email: info@ScubaCat.com

 Shopping: The Evening Market at Ban Niang is open every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. It is outdoors and sells fresh fruits, vegetables and seafood as well as prepared food, clothes and handicrafts. Takuapa and Old Town features Sino-Portuguese architecture and a typical local market that is best visited in the early morning.

 Turtle Conservation: Located at the Navy base at Taplamu just a few kilometers from Khao Lak, this important turtle conservation and nursery on the Andaman coast offers visitors the opportunity to see hundreds of turtles at different stages of development. The turtles here are nursed along until strong enough to fend for themselves, then they are released into the sea. The conservation center is outdoors and easy to access. You can visit the baby turtles throughout the year or join in releasing them into the sea during the “Sea Turtle Festival” in March each year.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about activities for this destination.

RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

Add your accessible travel knowledge about restaurants and nightlife for this destination.

KHAO LAK : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

There are several medical clinics available in Khao Lak and the surrounding region. In case of severe conditions or for international standards, people normally go to nearby Phuket.

 Dr Chusak Clinic: Located in Khao Lak Town, comes highly recommended for common medical treatments. He is open from 5:30pm to 8:30pm daily and on call 24 hours per day. 

Address: 10/1 Moo 7 Petchkasem Rd

Phone: 076-485-738 or 076-485-738

Phuket International Hospital: A private hospital that features high international standards and prices that tend to be a bit less than Bangkok Phuket Hospital.

 Address: 44 Chalermprakiat Ror 9 Rd Phuket 83000.

Phone: +66 76 249-400
E-mail: info@phuketinternationalhospital.com

 Bangkok Phuket Hospital: The quality of the doctors and of the hospital facilities are among the finest found anywhere in Thailand. The hospital rooms at the Bangkok Phuket hospital are more luxurious than those of some 5-star Phuket Hotels.

 Address: 2/1 Hongyok Utis Road, Muang District, Phuket, 83000.

Phone: +66 (0) 7625 4425 +66 (0) 7625 4425
Email: info@phukethospital.com

Add your accessible travel knowledge about medical services and hospitals for this destination.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Add your accessible travel knowledge about medical equipment rentals for this destination.

KHAO LAK : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

A trip into another country that is not familiar must be well planned in advance, everything from flight, to transportation, to accommodations. Remember that accessible standards can be different from your own standards from back home. Ask lots of questions when planning your trip abroad to ensure your accessibility requirements are met.

It’s recommended that a small tip be given to your driver, guide or any assistants. This gesture, will be greatly appreciated and help ensure you get excellent service. 10% is a typical amount and more than 10% is considered generous.

Add your accessible travel knowledge and abilitytips for this destination.

KHAO LAK : Additional links

Add your accessible travel knowledge and additional links for this destination.

OVERVIEW

Israel is located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea. Known for its religious and cultural history, Israel is a popular tourist destination with 3 million people visiting in 2008 alone.  Overall, it is a developed country with a significant amount of information and resources for physically challenged travelers and senior travelers.

AbilityTrip thanks The Israel Government Tourism Corp and Access Israel for their cooperation and support.  They have posted a significant amount of information on accessible destinations – “For example, the summit of the Massada fortress near the Dead Sea is now accessible, and wheelchairs can now reach the upper level of the site. A special area on Masada has been adapted so that persons with visual disabilities can touch and feel the surroundings.”

LANGUAGE

The official language(s) of Israel are Hebrew and Arabic, although English is spoken by most as well. 

CURRENCY

The official currency of Israel is the Shekel

QUICKLINKS

LOGISTICS: Air – Water – Ground
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels – Resorts
ENTERTAINMENT: Tours – Activities – Restaurants & Nightlife
EMERGENCY SERVICES: Hospitals – Medical Equipment
ABILITYTIPS: Precautions

ISRAEL : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

Ben Gurion International Airport:  “Ben Gurion Airport’s ultra-modern terminal, Terminal 3, was opened in 2004 and serves all international flights.”   Please contact your airline directly to ensure your flight will be properly supported and assistance will be arranged according to your needs. 

Add your accessible travel knowledge about airports for this destination.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION

Public transportation in Israel does not fulfill the needs of the majority of the disabled population. 

Milbat: The Israel Center for Technology and Accessibility. Milbat, situated at the Sheba Medical Center (972-3-5303739) specializes in building, transport and other aides for people with disabilities. The center gives advice on transport solutions for people with disabilities. The website is written in Hebrew, but there is an English tab located at the top left of the website.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about transportation services for this destination.

SHUTTLE

Add your accessible travel knowledge about shuttle services for this destination.

BUS

Add your accessible travel knowledge about bus services for this destination.

TRAIN (Light Rail)

Israel Railways: According to accessibility regulations, a passenger with disabilities must notify the railway company at least 12 hours in advance of the trip. Notify Israel Railways by calling their national call center at 03-5774000 or abbreviated dialing code *5770. Before you plan to travel, it’s best to plan out the course to verify all stops are wheelchair accessible. Visit the Israel Railways website to verify accessible stops. All accessible trains and train stops are designated with the international symbol for access.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about train services for this destination.

FERRY

Add your accessible travel knowledge about ferry services for this destination.

ISRAEL : Accommodations

HOTELS

Access Israel: There are several types of accommodations in Israel. The most accessible options will be hotels.  Some information on house exchanges, B&B’s, etc. can be found on Access Israel. 

Add your accessible travel knowledge about accommodations for this destination.

ISRAEL : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

There are many featured trips and areas of access here.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about sightseeing tours for this destination.

ACTIVITIES

Accessible Beaches: There are a variety of beaches located throughout Israel, which vary in levels of accessibility.

  Massada:  “For example, the summit of the Massada fortress near the Dead Sea is now accessible, and wheelchairs can now reach the upper level of the site. A special area on Masada has been adapted so that persons with visual disabilities can touch and feel the surroundings.”

 Jerusalem:  There are many accessible places including the open air market (shuk), the Western Wall and Yad Vashem (the Holocaust memorial) to visit in Jerusalem.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about activities for this destination.

RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

Add your accessible travel knowledge about restaurants and nightlife for this destination.

ISRAEL : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

Add your accessible travel knowledge about medical services and hospitals for this destination.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Yad Sarah: Yad Sarah is a volunteer organization with branches all over Israel that lends tourists wheelchairs, crutches and other aides without charge and only a secutity deposit. More information is available on the Yad Sarah website or by calling +972-2-6444555.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about medical equipment rentals for this destination.

ISRAEL : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

Add your accessible travel knowledge about precautions for this destination.

OTHER USELFUL LINKS:

www.goisrael.com

Add your accessible travel knowledge about uselful links for this destination.

OVERVIEW

Macau, located near Hong Kong and borders mainland China, is a popular tourist destination for people from all over the world, who are seeking wheelchair accessible travel. Macau has been compared to Las Vegas in terms of its gambling options. Even though visiting Macau can be difficult for people with mobility impairment or for people with other special needs travel, due to a deficiency in accessible transportation options, an accessible holiday can be attempted with careful planning.

LANGUAGE

The official language(s) of Macau is Chinese and Portuguese.

CURRENCY

The official currency of Macau is the Macanese Pataca.

QUICKLINKS

LOGISTICS: Air – Water – Ground
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels – Resorts
ENTERTAINMENT: Tours – Activities – Restaurants & Nightlife
EMERGENCY SERVICES: Hospitals – Medical Equipment
ABILITYTIPS: Precautions

MACAU : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

Macau International Airport

Add your accessible travel knowledge about airports for this destination.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION

The Macau Tourism Board suggests visitors with mobility impairment to contact local travel agencies for coach rental services for getting around Macau. Public transportation is not an option if you utilize a motorized wheelchair, and are not able to transfer into a taxi and store a manual wheelchair.

They have suggested contacting these local travel agencies.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about ground transportation for this destination.

TAXI

There are taxis available in Macau, however at this time; there are none equipped with special equipment such as a wheelchair accessible ramp or lift.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about taxi services for this destination.

RENTAL VEHICLE (Accessible Van)

There are rental cars in Macau, but Macau does not have wheelchair accessible vans equipped with a ramp or lift for rent. Visitors must contact the Public Security Police Force or email the government to be granted permission to drive in Macau. The email address is: info@fsm.gov.mo.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about rental car services for this destination.

SHUTTLE

Add your accessible travel knowledge about shuttle services for this destination.

BUS

Currently, Macau does not have wheelchair accessible buses, and the bus can be extremely crowded. 

Add your accessible travel knowledge about bus services for this destination.

TRAIN (Light Rail)

Add your accessible travel knowledge about train services for this destination.

FERRY

Turbo Jet: Turbo Jet is a ferry service that runs between Hong Kong and Macau. The ferry terminals in HK and Macau are wheelchair accessible. Turbo Jet asks that visitors contact their staff for assistance prior to arrival. The journey between Hong Kong and Macau is approximately 60 minutes.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about ferry services for this destination.

MACAU : Accommodations

HOTELS

Macau has a large selection of hotels to choose from and this list of hotels claim to have rooms which are wheelchair accessible. When booking a hotel room, be sure to ask specific questions that relate to your particular accessible accommodations. Remember in other countries, ADA laws do not apply, so it’s important to ask a lot of questions about the hotel, the room, bathroom, door width, etc.

 Altira Macau: The Altira in Macau does have some rooms which are specifically designed for wheelchair accessibility. It’s advised to call in advance to book an accessible room to properly meet your needs. The hotel can also provide a manual wheelchair for guests if necessary.

 The Venetian Macau: The Venetian Macau can provide an accessible suite which is all on one level. The bathroom is equipped with a roll in shower. Guest services can also provide a manual wheelchair upon request. Please contact the hotel directly for further information.

 Westin Resort Macau: The Westin Resort in Macau is conveniently located on the waterfront and near an 18 hole golf course. The hotel has one accessible room specifically designed for people who utilize a wheelchair. A couple accessible features include: grab bars, lowered closet/sink and a roll in shower. When making a reservation specify room type as ACC and request the room that will accommodate your needs.

 Wynn Macau: The Wynn does have wheelchair accessible rooms available upon request. Some accessible features include: lowered switches, lowered threshold, lowered closet, roll in shower, and grab bars. Accessible rooms must be booked in advance and specifically requested. 

Add your accessible travel knowledge about hotels for this destination.

MACAU : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

Add your accessible travel knowledge about sightseeing tours for this destination.

ACTIVITIES

Macau Fisherman’s Wharf: The macau Fisherman’s Wharf is fully accessible to guests with a disability. At the Wharf there is something for every visitor, whether it be shopping, dining, or gaming, surely you will find an activity that’s interesting and fun. Wheelchairs can also be rented at the visitor center.

Museums in Macau: In Macau, there are a variety of museums to visit. The Macau Tourism Board has suggested the following museums to be wheelchair friendly: Grand Prix Museum, Wine Museum, Macau Museum Of Art, Handover Gifts Museum of Macau, and the Communications Museum.

Macau Tower: At the Macau Tower, visitors will find fun and entertaining things to do, everything from dining, and shopping, to theater entertainment. 

Leal Senado Square: Even though the buildings at the Leal Senado Square is not totally wheelchair accessible, the architecture and the square are a spectacular site to see and a popular tourist stop. There is always something going on in the square and many festivities are held here.

New Yaohan Department Store: The New Yaohan Department Store is a site to see, and is one of the largest department stores in Macau.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about activities for this destination.

RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

Add your accessible travel knowledge about restaurants and nightlife for this destination.

MACAU : Emergency Services

MEDICAL SERVICES/HOSPITAL

Centro Hospitalar Conde S. Januario
Hospital kiang Wu
University Hospital

Add your accessible travel knowledge about hospitals and medical services for this destination.

MEDICAL EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Add your accessible travel knowledge about medical equipment rentals for this destination.

MACAU : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

Even though Macau is a densely populated city, it’s not as crowded as Hong Kong. Note that it can be a challenge using a mobility device or maneuvering a wheelchair around the city because sidewalks can get crowded. 

Public transportation options that are accessible (vehicle with ramp or lift) unfortunately don’t exist at this time.  

Add your accessible travel knowledge about precautions for this destination.

OTHER USELFUL LINKS:

Macau Government Tourism Office

OVERVIEW

Hong Kong is located on China’s south coast and is well-known for its bright, colorfully lit skyline and its beautiful harbor, known in English as “Fragrant Harbour.” Hong Kong offers a variety of things to do for people with mobility challenges, and the city has worked extremely hard to provide a sophisticated, wide assortment of transportation options for people with disabilities to easily access and tour the city.

LANGUAGE

The official languages of Hong Kong are Chinese and English.

CURRENCY

The official currency of Hong Kong is Hong Kong Dollar.

QUICKLINKS

LOGISTICS: Air – Water – Ground
ACCOMMODATIONS: Hotels – Resorts
ENTERTAINMENT: Tours – Activities – Restaurants & Nightlife
EMERGENCY SERVICES: Hospitals – Medical Equipment
ABILITYTIPS: Precautions

HONG KONG : Logistics

AIR TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORT

Hong Kong International Airport: The Hong Kong International Airport is very expansive and generally welcoming for People with a physical disability. The airport is very open and easy to maneuver and has elevators located throughout with seemingly no barriers. The Hong Kong Airport provides loaner wheelchairs and help to those who need assistance. There are signs for special assistance and a customer service counter. The bathrooms of the airport have accessible stalls, but no family/companion bathrooms exist at this time. Remember to always talk with your airline prior to traveling about special assistance at the Hong Kong airport to ensure your trip goes smoothly.

Wheelchair accessible transportation to and from the airport is available. However, it must be booked in advance. See below for more detail about booking accessible transportation through the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about airports for this destination.

FERRY

The Ferries in Hong Kong and sister islands are relatively accessible for people who use wheelchairs or have limited mobility. The piers have grooved ramps which offer non-slip access onto the ferry and there are also call bells for assistance. Keep in mind there are different types of ferry systems, and not all are accessible, however most of the licensed and franchised companies are fairly wheelchair accessible. Typically an entire boat is not accessible and there are stairs to upper or lower levels, however most ferries have wheelchair areas or seating.

Add your knowledge about accessible features of the ferry system for this destination.

GROUND TRANSPORTATION

TAXI

There are three taxi cab companies which are identified by color, red with a silver top services the Urban Hong Kong area, green with white top services New Territories, and blue with a white top services the Lantau Island domain. The taxis are a typical sedan style vehicle. Most of these vehicles are equipped with Braille for taxi registration information and many are also equipped with a talking taxi meter. For people who use crutches, or other mobility aides such as foldable wheelchairs, these devices can be stored in the cab for no extra charge as long as they fold and can fit into the appropriate area.

Diamond Cab: Rear entry vans with a lowered floor and a ramp for access. Click here to contact the company for more information. Here is a note from the CEO: “I would like to introduce Diamond Cab, barrier-free taxi service available in Hong Kong since Feb 2011 for your web users. We have five wheelchair accessible taxis ready for tourists to book when they travel in Hong Kong.” Doris, 8/13/11

Add your accessible travel knowledge about taxis for this destination.

SHUTTLE (Tramway)

Hong Kong Tramways, Limited: The Hong Kong Trams run along the Northern Shore of Hong Kong, and are fixed to a track, much like a double-decker trolley system. This mode of transportation is feasible for people who have a visual impairment or a slight mobility challenge. However, it is not recommended for wheelchair users or people who can’t climb stairs.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about shuttles for this destination.

BUS

The Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation: HKSR offers transportation to and from the airport, to and from hotel, and for sightseeing use. This service is not the public bus service, but rather a non-profit organization. They society offers a variety of transportation options depending on services needed. One type of service is the “Rehabus Service” – this service has over 100 various wheelchair accessible vehicles in its fleet. The vehicles are equipped with wheelchair lifts for easy access and are equipped with wheelchair safety restraints. There are dial-a-ride services, car pool services, or scheduled routes in place. This service must be booked in advance by visiting their website or calling. For out of area visitors call +852 8100 8655 or email rehabus@rehabsociety.org.hk for more information.

There are also five different franchised bus companies in Hong Kong and we have listed a few below who have some accessible buses in their fleet; note that not all buses have accessible features.

Kowloon Motor Bus Company: KMB offers an easy access bus service for wheelchair users. Some of their buses are equipped with the following accessible equipment: lowered floors with ramp for easy access, lowered board call button, handrails painted in bright colors, onboard announcement system for next stop, and Braille plates which provides information about the bus license number and route information. The website provides an accessible bus route and fare information in a PDF file for quick trip planning, and also provides pictures of the accessible features.

Long Win Bus Company Limited: Offers bus services to north Lantau and the Airport. It consists of 18 routes with around 155 air-conditioned buses.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about the bus system for this destination.

TRAIN

Mass Transit Railway (MTR): The MRT is working hard to accommodate not only people with disabilities, but also people traveling with small children who need easy access, and baby boomers. Overall the MTR is very accessible and they are planning to make future projects even better. The MTR website offers a list of accessible facilities for customers with special needs. Click here for more details about accessible features.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about the train system for this destination.

HONG KONG : Accommodations

Add your accessible travel knowledge about accommodations for this destination.

HONG KONG : Entertainment

SIGHTSEEING TOURS

The Star Ferry Company, Limited: The Star Ferry Ride in Victoria Harbor is a great way to see Victoria Harbor and the fabulous views of the city. The Ferry is mostly wheelchair accessible by ramps and the lower deck of the ferry is accessible for wheelchair users. Note that there is not a restroom on board the ferry. Senior citizens 65 or older are allowed to travel free by presenting an I.D. or a senior citizen card before entering the yellow turnstile. There are other Ferry Rides to the outer islands – Hong Kong is a collection of islands and there are accessible ferries to get to all of them – most ferries board by ramps.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about sightseeing tours for this destination.

ACTIVITIES

Hong Kong Disneyland:” Hong Kong Disneyland is reachable via subway, similar contents to the Los Angeles Disneyland but about ¼ of the size. The  subway and resort were both fully accessible with elevators, disabled bathrooms, etc.  Of course certain rides in the resort are not appropriate for people with disabilities, but there are many other options like shows, parades, restaurants, and shopping.” Feifei, 1/1/2010

Shopping: Shopping and eating at several commercial center areas of Hong Kong (e.g., Causeway Bay, Central, Meng Kok, TST), most large department store buildings are fully accessible, but stores in small streets sometimes have limited accessibility (e.g., no elevator, very small bathrooms). Feifei, 1/10/2010

The Peak: Victoria Peak is the highest spot in Hong Kong with beautiful views of the city and the harbor. It is amongst the top 10 places to visit, but pollution and general haziness often decreases the quality of the view. There is an inaccessible tram to the top – but you can take a private car, taxi, or prearranged wheelchair transport to compensate. Once at the peak the observation decks are accessible. The experience provides one with a great perspective on the city and gives maps to highlight key buildings.

Lantau Island: Is the largest island in Hong Kong, and is accessible by ferry, subway and bus or car. One can easily take the ferry one way and then the cable car / subway the other. There is an accessible cable car that provides beautiful views of the island. Visitors can ride it either up or down from the subway station to the base of the village or use it as a full round trip.

Located on Lantau Island is the Big Buddha, which is the largest outdoor seated Buddha statue in the world. The Buddha is a big attraction on the island. The top of the Buddha is not wheelchair accessible, but the bottom is, and the views are just as magnificent.

Po Lin Monastery: The Po Lin Monastery is located on Lantau Island and is unfortunately not wheelchair accessible. The rest of the village in Lantau Island is accessible with one major street, cute shops and restaurants.

Stanley: Stanley is a town and tourist attraction in Hong Kong. It is a peninsula on the southeastern part of Hong Kong Island, which can be accessed by bus or taxi. There is an open air market to visit that is largely accessible but there are parts that unfortunately have stairs or other obstacles. Another major site to see is the Tin Hau Temple. Unfortunately, it is largely inaccessible but there are many open plazas and areas with great views of the interior.

Temple Night Market: Temple Night Market is an open air market located in Kowloon. The market is accessible by subway, bus or taxi. The market is garnished with a variety of gifts, crafts and other misc treasures.

Victoria Harbor Light Show: Everyday at 8pm there is a light show that is viewable from either Hong Kong island or Kowloon island. Watching it from the Avenue of the Stars (similar to the one in Hollywood) is a great way to see the show – it is free and accessible.

Museum of Contemporary Art: The museum is located in Kowloon and is fairly new. The museum is accessible with some permanent and special exhibits. We went to see a Louis Vuitton exhibit which was great. Entrance to access the building for people using wheelchairs is at level G/F. A wheelchair passenger lift provides access to each floor. The museum website provides a floor map which illustrates where the restrooms are located for people with disabilities. The museum also offers wheelchairs for use during a visit if needed and are located on level 1/F at the information counter.

Cheung Chau: Cheung Chau is another outlying island, which is accessible only by ferry. The island sports many beaches, a few temples, cafes, and lots of little shops. The main paths are accessible, but there are a lot of stairs throughout parts of the town. The streets of Cheung Chau are very narrow, so the cars are quite compact.

Malls: There are countless malls in Hong Kong, and each one is relatively new and equipped with elevators.

Avenue of the Stars: Like Hollywood’s Walk of Fame, this is a water front path in Kowloon that is very pleasant to walk and is very accessible. You can click through the photos at the top right of this page to see Bruce Lee’s star.

Add your accessible travel knowledge about activities for this destination.

RESTAURANTS/NIGHTLIFE

Tea at the Peninsula Hotel: High tea is a tradition in Hong Kong and the Peninsula is located in Kowloon and is a favorite spot to relax. The hotel is accessible and the tea is served in the front lobby.

There are countless restaurants in the various malls around the city so that is the safest and most accessible option. A few examples (there are hundreds more)

-IFC

-Time Square

-Lee Garden

-Elements

“Many restaurants along the street have doorsteps and no ramp. Some restaurants on the second floor only have stairaccess but no elevator. Restaurants in large department store buildings are usually fully accessible with elevators, e.g., Lei Mo Tai building at Causeway Bay has many floors of restaurants.” Feifei, 1/10/2010

Add your accessible travel knowledge about restaurants and nightlife for this destination.

HONG KONG : AbilityTips

PRECAUTIONS

Most of the streets are pretty new and have curbs that are accessible. However, remember that ADA laws do not apply in many countries around the world, including Hong Kong. Hong Kong can also be very hot and humid, oppressively so. Bring plenty of bottled water when touring the city and a spray bottle if needed.

“The city is in general very crowded, should avoid taking the subway or buses at rush hours (7-9am, 4-7pm).” Accessible taxis are not usually readily available on the street, would be best to ask hotel/restaurant staff to arrange before you go.”  Feifei, 1/10/2010