Wheelchair

• Procap Reisen: Procap Reisen provides access to information about accessible travel in Switzerland and around the world. For questions, you can contact the specialized office for accessible travel at Tourismus inklusiv: Tel. +41 62 206 88 30, E-Mail: [email protected].
• ginto: The ginto platform offers information on the accessibility of locations, focusing on the diverse needs of its users.
• OK:GO: The OK:GO initiative helps tourism providers in Switzerland share information about the accessibility of their offerings with the public (via the ginto platform). The initiative is supported by the Förderverein Barrierefreie Schweiz.
• The Stiftung Claire & George organizes services for vacations, including transport, equipment, or care in hotels. Contact at [email protected] or Tel. +41 31 301 55 65.
• ÖV Info gives tips on using online schedules and apps for accessible travel.
• The Switzerland Paraplegic Group SPG provides comprehensive services for people with spinal cord injuries. The SPV is part of it.
• The Swiss Paraplegics Association SPV informs about sports available for people with disabilities, from recreational to competitive sports.
• Rolliausflug: Offers numerous ideas for outings for people with and without disabilities.

Assistance with a wheelchair at airports

If you have booked a flight, you should let your airline know what assistance you need at least 48 hours before departure. The type of restriction is especially important:

• You can climb stairs and short distances without assistance, but need help for longer distances.
• You cannot climb stairs and need assistance even for short flat distances.
• You always need help, even in an airplane.
• You bring your own battery-powered wheelchair, oxygen device or assistance dog.

Rental Stations for All-Terrain Electric Wheelchairs

The Cerebral foundation has established a nationwide rental network for all-terrain electric wheelchairs.

As of 2025, you can find them at the following locations:

• Arosa (GR)
• Aubonne (VD)
• Ballenberg (BE)
• Bellwald (VS)
• Diemtigtal (BE)
• Jurapark Aargau (AG)
• Klosters (GR)
• Malbun-Triesenberg (FL)
• Monte Tamaro (TI)
• Rigi (SZ)
• Scuol (GR)
• Sörenberg (LU)
• Stockhorn (BE)
• Stoos (SZ)
• Val de Travers (NE)

The wheelchairs can be used by children from 4 years old when fitted with a child seat. Weight limits range from 16 to 100 kg. The battery lasts about 3-4 hours with normal use.

In 2004, Switzerland passed the Disability Equality Act (BehiG). This law requires operators to make all train stations accessible. Individuals with mobility impairments must be able to reach stops without obstacles and be able to board and alight from vehicles as seamlessly as possible.

By early 2025, the complete implementation of the Disability Equality Act (BehiG) in Switzerland had still not been achieved. However, trains are gradually being replaced with low-floor cars that are easily accessible. Additionally, the infrastructure for all is being modernized. Therefore, the new trains also feature bike compartments and multifunctional compartments, as well as more power outlets than before.

The SBB places great emphasis on ensuring that travelers with wheelchairs or walkers can reach their destinations barrier-free. Where this is not yet possible, assistance is offered.

The SBB Call Center Handicap organizes assistance when transferring, where platforms have not yet been raised and floors have not yet been leveled. It helps you prepare for barrier-free travel or if you need assistance while on the move.

• Phone number from Switzerland: 0800 007 102. Daily from 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM. The call is free of charge.
• SBB Call Center Handicap
• SBB form Request assistance

In order to be allowed to travel in the wheelchair compartment of passenger coaches, your wheelchair must comply with certain dimensions:

• Width: max. 70 cm
• length: max. 125 cm
• Height: max. 137 cm
• Weight: max. 320 kg (payload of the mobile lifts)

The following conditions also apply to electric scooters:

• Turning circle: 90° to 75 cm

• Geometry: only e-mobiles with 4 wheels

• Safety: An effective braking system effective on both wheels of one axle

The SBB give also otherwise far-reaching help for travelers with handicap:

• The SBB inclusive app is a customer information app that not only makes traveling on public transport easier for visually impaired people.
• The SBB Travel Planning for Accessible Travel gives you tips on how to prepare your trip well.
• SBB page Traveling with a handicap on private transport companies
• SBB Travel concessions for travellers with a handicap
• SBB overview Accessibility of railroad stations
• SBB overview map Stations that are not barrier-free
• SBB info on private transport companies

The SBB is not responsible for all public transport in Switzerland. Buses and trams fall under the responsibility of the cantons and municipalities. The goals of the BehiG have not yet been fully achieved here either. However, most buses are already equipped with low-floor access.

By the way, you can also find this information in the SBB timetable by entering the route you intend to take. The detailed information (NF=Low-Floor) is available here.

Some cantons provide detailed information about:

• Basel
• Bern
• Lucerne
• Zurich

In the Canton of Zurich, new vehicles have been purchased exclusively with low entry (low-floor) since 1990. Only a few vehicles are still high-floor, but according to ZVV, they are used “in such a way that mobility-impaired individuals experience as few disadvantages as possible.” According to the Swiss Paraplegic, the so-called Cobras are the best for wheelchair users. These are low-floor trams that are reported to be particularly spacious and functional. When the doors open, a small ramp automatically unfolds to the platform, allowing for easy boarding and alighting with a wheelchair.

In Graubünden, some bus stops, such as the one in Scuol-Tarasp or in Chur, have already been modified to be wheelchair accessible. All postbuses in the region are equipped with either a ramp or a lift and thus are wheelchair-friendly. However, the canton recommends notifying about trips in advance. This ensures a smooth process, especially when multiple wheelchairs are on the move.

In the coming years, most entrances and exits will be manageable without problems. Only if the effort for adaptations proves to be "not proportionate", exceptions are allowed until the next regular reconstruction.

Swiss Activities Tip:

• Please do not confuse the Postbus with bus cabs. Bus cabs are not part of the public transport system and are not wheelchair accessible. Here the passenger must be able to be transferred with a VW bus. In addition, electronic wheelchairs are not loaded.

Enjoy traveling across the lake by boat and taking in the surrounding scenery. Nowadays, most boats are accessible for wheelchairs.

Lake Lucerne (SGV)

The SGV operates a fleet of boats that almost exclusively provide barrier-free access in the second class. The only exception is the MS Rüti, which is a smaller boat. You can access both the outdoor decks and the restaurants at ground level. All boats have a wheelchair-accessible toilet.

The first class is only partially accessible. On historical steamships, the first-class salon is at ground level. On the MS Diamant, you can reach the first-class area on the upper deck by lift.

The Lake Lucerne is one of the most famous lakes in Switzerland. It features many bays and enjoys a pleasantly mild climate. At the same time, you have a uniquely beautiful view of the Rigi massif, the Pilatus, or the Stanserhorn.

Swiss Activities Tip:

• With a day pass for Lake Lucerne, you can spend the whole day on various boats at Lake Lucerne.

Zug Lake Boat Trips

All the passenger boats on the Zug Lake are accessible and equipped with wheelchair-friendly restrooms. On the MS Zug, you’ll find a lift for wheelchairs, allowing you to access the upper deck.

Lake Zurich (ZSG)

All the passenger boats on the Lake Zurich are wheelchair accessible. However, the wheelchair must not be wider than 80 cm. If needed, the staff at all landing points will assist you with boarding. The journey takes place in 2nd class, and in exceptional cases (MS Panta Rhei), also in 1st class. All boats (except for MS Bachtel) have wheelchair-friendly restrooms.

Seeing Zurich from the lake is truly a unique experience. The ride down to the rose city of Rapperswil is worthwhile just for the stunning view of the Glarus Alps.

Offer at Swiss Activities:

• Day Ticket Lake Zurich

Limmat River (ZSG)

Accessing the Limmat boats with a wheelchair is not possible.

Lake Geneva (CGN SA)

Generally, you can board all CGN ships with your wheelchair. There are accessible toilets available (except on the "Col-Vert" and "Général-Guisan" ships). To be sure, you can email [email protected] to check.

The crescent-shaped Lake Geneva offers beautiful and extensively accessible promenades. Geneva, Lausanne, Vevey, and Montreux are the most famous towns by the lake, often attracting celebrities. The UNESCO-listed Lavaux wine region is best seen from the lake.

Two beautiful routes with Swiss Activities:

• 2-hour Riviera Tour from Montreux
• Lake Geneva Tour from Geneva

Lugano Lake (SNL)

The SNL shipping company operates boat trips on Lake Lugano. Access to the boats is barrier-free, just like moving around inside them. People with disabilities can get information or register for trips by calling +41 91 222 11 11.

Walensee Boat Trips

Wheelchairs need to be reserved in advance. You can do this via email at [email protected] or by calling +41 81 720 34 34.

The Walensee is surrounded by charming villages as well as steep cliffs. The mountain panorama of the Churfirsten is as stunning as the 85 m high Seerenbach Falls.

Thun and Brienz Lakes (BLS)

All BLS passenger vessels allow access to the second-class main deck. They also have wheelchair-accessible restrooms.

On the ships MS Stadt Thun and MS Berner Oberland, the first-class upper deck is accessible by elevator. However, electric wheelchairs are not transported by the elevator.

The two lakes Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, situated on either side of Interlaken, are true jewels due to their stunning locations. They are surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Bernese Oberland.

Swiss Navigation Company Untersee and Rhine

Not all courses / stops are wheelchair accessible, in some cases only hand wheelchairs. Contact by phone +41 52 634 08 88.

In general, more and more mountain railroads and railroad stations are being converted to be barrier-free. Not everywhere this is possible without major effort. Therefore, there are also a few delays in the implementation.

But if the mountain railroads have transported you well to the top, there is still the question: what can you do there without any problems?

That is why we have taken a closer look at some popular mountain peaks.

Accessibility (BF) of selected mountain railways

Some mountain peaks are accessible via several railroads. These include the Rigi, the Jungfraujoch and the Pilatus. We present these three in detail below as day trips.

Your dream of paragliding can come true with a tandem flight, even if you're in a wheelchair. More and more tandem paragliding providers are now offering flights for wheelchair users. You won't have any tasks during takeoff and landing. While in the air, there's no difference for the passenger. A specially designed wheelchair ensures a safe seat.

Offers at Swiss Activities:

• Tandem Paragliding (also with wheelchair)

Hiking with a wheelchair should ideally be free of major obstacles. We have also made sure that our examples allow for easy access for you. There are no stairs, rough gravel paths, or similar disasters for wheelchairs here. We’ll introduce you to a few examples in more detail.

• Loop Trail around Lake Davos: The hike is almost flat, ranging from 1559 m to 1573 m above sea level, and can be done year-round. In winter, it follows groomed snow paths. The starting and ending point is the parking lot at Davosersee, Bahnhofstrasse, 7260 Davos Dorf, coordinates 46.814292, 9.846516.
• Silvaplanersee in Winter: The winter hiking trail runs completely flat over the frozen Silvaplanersee between Sils Beachclub and Silvaplana Surfcenter, especially becoming a special experience in the evening light. It is accessible with a wheelchair.
• Engstligenalp Summer: The Läger Loop Trail on the Engstligenalp is completely wheelchair-friendly. This 4.5 km long trail is almost flat and takes about an hour. Access via the barrier-free Engstligenbahn.
• Mattmark Dam: The dam is located at 2200 m above sea level at the southern end of the Saas Valley and can be navigated along the west shore with a wheelchair. Access by post bus from mid-June to mid-October. There is an elevator in the restaurant. View from the terrace of the glacier and Monte Moro Pass.
• Glacier Gorge Grindelwald: The Glacier Gorge Grindelwald is accessible for about one kilometer. Wooden walkways lead through the gorge with cliffs up to 300 m high and are well navigable with a wheelchair. Reachable in 15 minutes from Grindelwald via the Grindelwald bus line 122.
• Hike Lauterbrunnental -Trümmelbach Falls: The path is mostly flat and passes several waterfalls. From Lauterbrunnen, take the village street, continue past Staubbachfall towards Stechelberg. After 45 minutes, the path to the Trümmelbach Falls branches off to the left. Return trip by post bus to Lauterbrunnen.
• Engelberg Round Trail: The trail leads from Engelberg to the monastery and through the beautiful mountain valley. You can continue along the Aa river and return through bright forests back to Engelberg.

Helpful links for barrier-free hiking

• You can find a large collection of other obstacle-free hiking trails on SwitzerlandMobility.
• Interlaken Tourism shows here accessible hikes around Interlaken
• From OK:GO comes this compilation of barrier-free hiking trails in the Saas Valley.

Rent a Terrain Electric Wheelchair

The Cerebral/RBO Foundation has established a network of rental stations for terrain electric wheelchairs (all rental locations). A rental station has even been opened on the Monte Tamaro. This is especially great since only small wheelchairs up to 65 x 78 cm can be transported by the cable car.

On the Foundation's page you can also find specific suggestions for mountain hikes with an all-terrain power wheelchair.

A wide range of day trips is available for you, even if you have a disability. Here, we primarily show you day trips that you can customize yourself.

Day Trip (Golden or Silver Circuit) to Pilatus

If you have a manual wheelchair, you won’t have any problems on this round trip. However, if you’re traveling with a power wheelchair, you might encounter issues with toilets and the cable car between Kriens and Fräkmüntegg. The Pilatus railways offer assistance in this case. You should call this number at least one day before your planned trip: +41 (0)41 329 11 11. Your companion can travel for free. Just sign up at the ticket counter.

The Golden Circuit is a very popular day trip. It usually starts in Lucerne and includes the following segments:

• Boat trip from Lucerne to Alpnachstad
• Ride on the cogwheel train from Alpnachstad to Pilatus
• Time spent at Pilatus
• Ride on the aerial cableway "Dragon Ride" to the intermediate station Fräkmüntegg
• Ride on the aerial cableway from Fräkmüntegg to Kriens
• Bus line 1 back to Lucerne

However, you can also start your tour in Alpnachstad or Kriens.

Wheelchair Accessible Boat Trip from Lucerne to Alpnachstad

The boats of SGV used for the Golden and Silver Tours are all wheelchair accessible. You can easily reach the outdoor decks and 2nd class restaurants. All boats are equipped with accessible restrooms.

Wheelchair Accessible Ride on the Cogwheel Train from Alpnachstad to Pilatus

Access at the valley station in Alpnachstad is wheelchair friendly. The toilets are accessible through a door (narrowest point 90 cm). There is plenty of room for your wheelchair on the cogwheel train itself. The mountain station is also fully accessible, with the narrowest point measuring one meter in width.

Wheelchair Stay at Pilatus

At Pilatus Kulm, there are wheelchair accessible elevators. You can easily reach the restaurants and the 1,000 m² panoramic terrace with your wheelchair.

Wheelchair Accessible Ride on the "Dragon Ride" Cable Car to the Fräkmüntegg Intermediate Station

From the panoramic gallery, you can enter the cable car station through a fully automatic door that is 1.25 m wide. The transport cabin of the cable car is spacious. The narrowest point here is 1.40 m wide. The accessible toilets at Fräkmüntegg are easily reachable with a wheelchair. At the street side, there is a 0.90 m wide swing door as well as a fully automatic door that is 1.60 m wide.

Wheelchair Ride on the Cable Car to Kriens

The gondola of the cable car has limited space. The narrowest point is 0.70 m with a length of 0.95 m. The toilets in Kriens are also wheelchair accessible and can be used without issues with a manual wheelchair. Like the other Pilatus stations, Kriens is designed at ground level with no steps or barriers.

Accessible Bus Ride from Kriens to Lucerne

In Kriens, you board the bus on line 1. It has a low-floor entrance. For further inquiries, you can directly contact the bus company at: +41 41 369 65 65.

The Silver Tour replaces the boat trip with a train ride between Lucerne and Alpnachstad. The trains also have a low-floor entrance.

Offers from Swiss Activities:

• Golden Tour
• Silver Tour

Visiting Jungfraujoch (3,571 m a.s.l.) with a wheelchair

The Jungfraujoch is easily accessible by wheelchair. However, you should not choose the Jungfrau train via Kleine Scheidegg for your trip.

Your journey with a wheelchair is smooth when using the Eiger Express cable car. This cable car takes you from Grindelwald Terminal to the Eigergletscher station. From there, you can switch to the cogwheel train that takes you to the Top of Europe.

The Jungfraujoch is perfectly suited for wheelchair users. The access to the Ice Palace is equipped with a wheelchair lift.

If you're traveling in a group with multiple wheelchairs, inform the ticket officer at the departure station about your trip (from 3 wheelchairs). This way, any necessary assistance can be organized effectively.

Wheelchair Day Trip to Rigi

To enjoy a great day on the Rigi with a wheelchair, take the cogwheel train from Goldau or Vitznau to one of the accessible stations (Klösterli, Rigi Staffel, Rigi Kulm, Rigi Kaltbad, Staffelhöhe). Alternatively, you can use the cable cars Kräbel-Rigi Scheidegg, Küssnacht-Seebodenalp, or Weggis-Rigi Kaltbad. The Rigi Day Pass includes both cogwheel trains and the cable cars from Weggis or Kräbel.

You can easily reach Rigi Kaltbad by wheelchair. Both the spa and the mineral bath are accessible at the Rigi Kaltbad Spa.

You'll also find accessible hiking paths here:

• Panorama Trail from Rigi Scheidegg to Rigi Kaltbad (or vice versa): Rigi Scheidegg - Hinter Dossen - Unterstetten - First - Rigi Kaltbad There's a wheelchair-accessible toilet in Unterstetten. Details: 7.1 km, 1:50 hours, 6 m↑, 206 m↓
• Rigi Känzeli Path:

Rigi Kaltbad - Viewpoint Känzeli - Rigi Kaltbad with a visit to the rock chapel from the 16th century; even Queen Victoria has been here. Details: 1.9 km, 0:30 hours, 34 m↑, 34 m↓

• First Path:

Rigi Kaltbad - lower First Path - First - upper First Path - Rigi Kaltbad with a visit to the rock chapel from the 16th century; even Queen Victoria has been here. Details: 2.5 km, 0:45 hours, 49 m↑, 49 m↓

If you don't have an electric wheelchair with you, you can rent one in Rigi Kaltbad or Rigi Scheidegg.

You can enjoy playing golf with a handicap. On Swiss Activities, we offer three alternatives to traditional golf that are becoming increasingly popular as trendy leisure activities. You can play them all in a wheelchair.

• Urban Golf in Chur
• Black Light Mini Golf

Museums today are largely accessible, but there’s still a bit to say about it.

At the well-known Swiss Museum of Transport in Lucerne, you’ll find that not only the museum but also the planetarium, the movie theater, and the Swiss Chocolate Adventure are wheelchair accessible. There are also two accessible restrooms with grab bars available.

In the Ballenberg Open-Air Museum, much takes place outdoors. To help you navigate the paths with ease, you have the option to rent an all-terrain electric wheelchair for 25 CHF per day.

With adapted winter sports equipment, you can enjoy winter sports even with a disability. For example, you can join in the winter fun at Pizol with bi-skis, monoski, skibobs, and special snowboards. Various organizations offer sit-ski courses for wheelchair users.

The Swiss Wheelchair Sports trains individuals in 19 disciplines of seated para-sports for competitive sports.

Sitting ski: courses for wheelchair users

The Swiss Paraplegics Group recommends the following providers who offer courses in sit skiing.

The ski school in Saas Fee also trains people with disabilities.

You can find more ski schools in this compilation of the Swiss Ski School.

How best you can ski sitting down depends on several personal conditions. These include your balance, body stability and how you can use your hands and arms.

Ski types for people with handicap

• Monoski: A wide ski on which bindings are mounted parallel to each other; it is skied with ski poles.
• Dualski: You ski in a comfortable seat shell and are wrapped up warm; usually with dualski pilot who steers and controls behind you.
• Bi-ski: Again, you sit in a seat shell, mounted on two waisted carving skis. With crutch skis, the bi-ski can even be steered alone; without crutch skis, you need a companion to steer for you. You then have tethers attached to the skis.
• Tandem Ski: A large seat shell, binding system and guide handle are mounted on two skis, the driver and his guest use the same skis.

You can also find very detailed information about skiing with disability on the site MyHandicap.ch.

Another possibility is the use of a Skibob. This is a kind of bicycle attached to two skis. A modified form of ice hockey is Sledge Hockey, which is also allowed at the Paralympics. There are many more possibilities. Almost every sport can be mastered even with a physical impairment.

As you can see, even with handicap you can live your dreams and do many activities. Good aids like electric wheelchairs or special sports equipment will help you. And more and more destinations are also getting barrier-free access.

On the Rigi, you can find rental stations in the summer at Rigi Kaltbad and Rigi Scheidegg:

• two wheelchairs and two tow devices at the service center in Rigi Kaltbad
• one wheelchair and one tow device at the cable car station in Rigi Scheidegg
• You need to reserve at least 24 hours in advance for the rental by contacting the Guest Service Rigi: +41 41 399 87 87, [email protected].

You can also rent all-terrain wheelchairs (Multidrive) at Stockhorn. They are controlled with a joystick and can carry a maximum of 100 kg.

Companion Ticket for Travel

With the Companion Ticket, you can take a companion with you. They can travel for free on the routes of the Swiss transport companies participating in the Half-Fare Card.

You only need to apply for the Companion Ticket once; it does not need to be renewed. The Companion Ticket will be activated on your SwissPass and is free.

For more information on applying and its validity, please refer to the SBB on their Companion Ticket page.