Travelling with a mobility scooter: a practical guide

Travelling with a mobility scooter is perfectly doable, but it rewards planning. Most of the problems people run into (a scooter that will not fit in the boot, a battery that an airline refuses to carry, a hotel with three steps at the entrance) are entirely predictable and avoidable.

By car: it comes down to the heaviest single piece

Transportable scooters either fold in one piece or come apart into several. What matters is not the total weight but the weight of the heaviest piece, because that is what somebody has to lift into the boot, possibly several times a day.

Before buying or renting for a trip, try lifting that piece yourself. If it is borderline in the shop, it will be too heavy on day four of a holiday.

By air: batteries are the sticking point

Airlines treat mobility equipment separately from normal baggage, and the rules depend on the type of battery. Dry cell and gel batteries are generally handled differently from lithium ones, and each airline sets its own limits and paperwork.

• Contact the airline well before you fly, not at the airport.
• Have the battery type and rating to hand; it is usually printed on the battery itself.
• Ask whether the scooter can be used up to the gate and where it will be returned to you.
• Keep the manual or specification sheet with you.

Because these requirements change and vary between carriers, always confirm directly with your airline rather than relying on general advice.

Checking accommodation properly

Photos rarely show steps. Ask specifically about the entrance, whether there is a lift and how wide the bathroom door is. If you are bringing a scooter, ask where it can be charged and stored overnight, since some places will not allow charging in the room.

Charging and range

• Take the charger and, if you can, a spare fuse.
• Charge overnight rather than topping up briefly during the day.
• Plan routes with the return trip in mind: range figures assume flat ground and a full battery.
• Remember that hills and rough surfaces consume noticeably more charge.

The alternative: rent at your destination

For many people the simplest answer is to leave the scooter at home and rent one where they are going. It removes the transport problem entirely, and if something goes wrong, it is the rental company that sorts it out.

You can see the transportable options in folding and travel scooters.

Not sure what you need? Senior World has been based in Fuengirola since 2008 and covers the whole Costa del Sol. Call us on +34 952 66 31 31 and we will talk it through, no obligation.