German Train Accessibility

I%26#39;ll be in Germany for 10 days in March and need a wheelchair and crutches to get around. I can get out of the chair and move a bit but we%26#39;ll need to lug this on and off of trains. Is there a door on the trains that I can use with the wheel chair? I read that the trains themselves have space inside, but what about getting on them?

Thanks/ Sheila

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DB has a complete section on this on their homepage - but only in German

bahn.de/p/��handicap.shtml

There is no easy answer on this

1. Bigger railway stations and new ones will have lifts or ramps.

2. Most wheelchair friendly are the ICE trains, S-Bahn trains and newer regional trains.

With far distance trains you can look at the Wagenstandsanzeiger on the platform which cars have a wheelchair symbol and were they will stop at the platform

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S-Bahn and regional trains have generally wider doors . Places for wheelchairs are mostly also where the places for bicycles are. Here the symbols are at or near the doors (bicycle and/or wheelchair).

3. Basically there are 3 platform heights

- old fashioned low level (e.g. along secondary lines). Really difficult with a wheelchair.

- medium level, standard for far distance trains, only 1 or 2 steps into the train. No major problem with a little assistance.

- high level = same level, easy access. However only new platforms with a %26quot;closed system%26quot;, i.e. where only the same type of trains stop (S-Bahn, ICE).

4. In the bigger stations assistance can be ordered for in advance. They have e.g. even little lifts for heavy wheel chairs. However I guess in your case the assistance of the train staff and fellow travelers should be sufficient.

5. Some trains have also %26quot;vehicle-mounted accessaid%26quot;. These is mentioned under details by the DB timetable.

The mobility centre of DB has the best overview what is possible/available. You could contact and/or send your itinerary to

msz@bahn.de

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