When you have a disability, travel is rarely simple. But at least it’s getting easier, as the world adapts to better accommodate travelers with different needs.

“No place is off limits, and hotels, museums and cultural institutions offer more accessibility than ever before,” Tzell Travel Group travel expert Jayne Bliss tells The New York Times. There are agencies and tour operators that specialize in accessible adventures, from African safaris to Mediterranean cruises. Here are our best tips for planning travel when you have a disability.

1. Be an outspoken advocate for your own needs. 

Travel providers should be able to accommodate disabled travelers — but that doesn’t mean they’re always prepared to do so. “Under the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) and DOT’s disability rules, passengers are generally not required to provide advanced notice for disability-related accommodations,” the U.S. Department of Transportation says.ⁱ It’s still wise to ask, in advance, for anything you’ll need: a wheelchair at the airport, special seating, help with luggage, hazmat packaging for a wheelchair battery, etc. That will help you avoid frustrating surprises at the airport.

The same goes for hotels. Even when hotels advertise accessible rooms and facilities, smart travelers call ahead to confirm the details. Are doorways wide enough for your specific wheelchair dimensions? Is there space under the bed to use a hoist? Is the resort shuttle bus able to accommodate travelers with mobility impairments?

2. Let other travelers guide you.

Travel accessibility often is defined by small but important details: curb cuts, boarding ramps, working elevators. Fortunately, there’s a vibrant community of travelers with disabilities who are sharing their experiences and offering advice on specific destinations. A few resources to check out:

• org, a blog authored by wheelchair user John Morris, who has written detailed accounts about his experiences in more than 30 countries
• Simply Emma, which offers accessible travel guides and tips for visiting cities all over Europe and the U.S.
• Rexy Edventures, which chronicles the “adventures of a deaf and handsome luxury backpacker travelling the unexpected.”

3. Prepare ahead for airport security.

The hassle and physical challenges of going through security can be a major obstacle. For travelers with disabilities, the best defense is thorough preparation. Months before you travel, sign up for TSA Pre✓, which allows you to go through expedited security, once approved. At least 72 hours before your trip, call the Transportation Security Administration helpline — 1-855-787-2227 — to request special assistance at the security checkpoint. Also, print a TSA Notification Card to communicate your needs to TSA officers.

4. Seek out hotels that actively welcome travelers with disabilities.

There’s a big difference between hotels that are merely accessible and those that are designed to make disabled guests’ lives easier. Travel blogger Cory Lee names 20 fantastic hotels around the world that welcome wheelchair-using travelers like himself. There’s a Greek resort with a wheelchair ramp into the pool; a seaside hotel in Thailand where every floor can be reached via ramp; and an eco-lodge in Ecuador with accessible tours and off-road wheelchairs.

5. Buy travel insurance that can cover pre-existing conditions.

Many people assume that travel insurance won’t cover them if they have a disability, chronic illness, or other recurring condition. That’s not the case! Look for a travel insurance plan that includes the Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver. (You can see a list of these plans here, along with a definition of “pre-existing medical condition.”)

Plans that include this waiver can cover losses due to a pre-existing medical condition, as long as you meet all of the requirements:

1. Your policy was purchased within 14 days of the date of the first trip payment or deposit;
2. You were a U.S. resident when the policy was purchased;
3. You were medically able to travel when the policy was purchased; and all other terms and conditions are met;
4. On the policy purchase date, you insured the full non-refundable cost of your trip with Allianz Global Assistance, including trip arrangements that will become non-refundable or subject to cancellation penalties between the policy purchase date and the departure date.

If you incur additional non-refundable trip expenses after you purchase your policy, you must insure those expenses within 14 days of their purchase (otherwise, they’ll be subject to the pre-existing condition exclusion).

If you do have a chronic condition, travel insurance can give you peace of mind. You know you have protection in case of a covered medical emergency while you’re traveling or other travel mishaps, like lost/stolen baggage or travel delays.

6. Open your mind to adventure.

Travel, by its nature, is unpredictable. Sometimes, that leads to delightful adventures; sometimes, to disastrous consequences. But that’s okay.

“When you travel with a disability, things go wrong, they just do. Worse still, problems will be amplified because you are away from home and out of your comfort zone,” write British bloggers The Bimblers. “When these things inevitably happen, don't let them ruin your trip. Stay positive and know there are very few things that can't be fixed, even on the road.”

Remember that when you have Allianz Travel Insurance, you’re never alone. You can call the emergency assistance hotline anytime, from anywhere in the world, and our expert team will reach out to help you. 

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