Traveling with a disability or access need takes more planning than it should, but US cities are in many ways well set up for it. Federal law requires public transit, hotels, museums and most public buildings to provide reasonable access, and both San Francisco and Boston have accessible transit options and many step-free attractions. Older buildings, steep hills and historic streets still create real challenges. This guide focuses on the questions worth asking and the details worth checking before you go.
Booking accommodation
"Accessible room" can mean very different things. One hotel's accessible room has a roll-in shower and lowered fixtures; another has a bathtub with grab bars and a slightly wider door. Do not rely on a booking website's label. Contact the hotel directly and ask specific questions:
- Does the bathroom have a roll-in shower, a transfer bench or a tub with grab bars?
- What is the clear width of the room and bathroom doors?
- How high is the bed, and is there space beside it for a wheelchair?
- Is the entrance step-free, and are there elevators to every floor?
- Are visual alarms, vibrating alerts or other features for guests who are deaf or hard of hearing available?
Ask the hotel to confirm the specific room type in writing, and check again shortly before arrival. Our guide to booking the right hotel covers the rest of the process.
At the airport and on the plane
Tell your airline about your needs when you book, or as soon as possible afterward. Airlines can arrange wheelchair assistance through the airport, help with boarding, and storage for mobility aids. Wheelchairs and mobility devices generally travel free of charge, but tell the airline about battery types for powered chairs well in advance. Allow extra time at security, where screening procedures for travelers with disabilities and medical devices are available on request.
Trained service dogs are generally welcome in US public places, including hotels and restaurants. Airlines have their own documentation requirements for service animals and typically do not treat emotional support animals as service animals, so check your airline's current rules well ahead of travel.
Getting around San Francisco
All BART stations have elevators, and BART runs from SFO and Oakland airport into the city. Muni buses have ramps or lifts and can kneel to the curb, and the underground Muni Metro stations have elevators. At street level, light rail access varies by stop, with raised platforms at key locations. The historic cable cars are not wheelchair accessible.
The bigger challenge is the terrain. Some of San Francisco's streets are extremely steep, and a short distance on the map can be a hard climb. Plan routes along the flat waterfront and through the flatter neighborhoods, and use buses for the hills. Our guide to getting around San Francisco explains the transit system.
Getting around Boston
Many MBTA subway stations are accessible, but some older stations and a number of surface stops are not fully step-free, and elevators sometimes go out of service. The MBTA publishes elevator and escalator status, so check it on the day before you set off. Buses have ramps and can kneel. Historic areas such as Beacon Hill have narrow, uneven brick sidewalks and steep streets, which can be difficult in a wheelchair or for anyone unsteady on their feet. See getting around Boston for the network.
Paratransit and accessible cars
Visitors who use a paratransit service at home can often arrange temporary eligibility for the local service while traveling; contact the local provider well before your trip. Both cities also have wheelchair-accessible taxis, and some ride-hail apps offer accessible vehicle options, though availability varies and waiting times can be long.
Sights and attractions
Most major museums are step-free and many offer wheelchairs to borrow, assistive listening devices, captioned media and tours for visitors who are blind or have low vision or who use sign language. Check the access page on each attraction's website, and call if you need details. Older historic houses and ships may have limited access to upper floors, so ask about alternatives such as photo tours or ground-floor exhibits.
Practical planning tips
- Plan fewer things per day and allow time for elevators, detours and rests.
- Carry medication and essential supplies in your hand baggage, with copies of prescriptions.
- Bring chargers and adapters for any powered equipment.
- Check your insurance covers mobility equipment and pre-existing conditions.
- Look for street-level imagery on a map app to check curbs, slopes and entrances in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Can wheelchair users ride the cable cars?
No. San Francisco's historic cable cars are not wheelchair accessible. Buses and the Muni Metro cover many of the same areas.
How do I know if a subway station's elevator is working?
Both BART and the MBTA publish elevator status online. Check before you travel and have a backup route in mind.
What should I ask a hotel before booking?
Ask for exact details of the bathroom, door widths, bed height and step-free access, and get confirmation of the room type in writing.