On the road since 1993

Accessibility

Introduction

We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable on our tours. This statement sets out the accessibility features, facilities, and considerations you can expect when travelling with us.

Our aim is to provide clear information so you can make an informed decision about whether our tours are right for you and to help us support your needs as best as possible during your journey.

Contact & Support

Special Requirements:

To ensure your comfort and that we can accommodate you safely, it is essential to contact us before booking if you:

Contact Options:

Transportation

  • All our UK and Irish tours are operated in 16-seat Mercedes mini-coaches, or similar.

  • In Europe, we use slightly larger 19-seat vehicles.

  • All tour groups are limited to a maximum of 16 passengers.

Entering and Exiting the Coach

  • Entry and exit from the mini-coaches is via the front passenger door and three steps onto the coach. The height from the ground to the first step is approximately 10 in / 26 cm and the two internal steps are between 6 in / 15 cm and 8 in / 20cm high.

  • There are handrails on both sides of the entry steps, and the steps are clearly marked and have non-slip treads.

  • Staff cannot offer physical assistance when boarding or disembarking from the buses or at any point during the tour. Passengers should be comfortable getting on and off the coach independently or with the assistance of a travelling companion.

  • Our coaches are not wheelchair accessible. By prior arrangement, we may be able to accommodate a foldable, lightweight mobility aid.

Seating

  • The seats are standard mini-coach seats, arranged on a single level, with a step up to the back row. The seat configuration is single seats on the passenger side and double seats on the driver’s side, with a central aisle. The back row consists of four seats across the rear of the vehicle.

  • On our 16-seat coaches in the UK and Ireland, the first single seat is a ‘jump seat’ that folds down over the entry steps beside the passenger door. This seat is used as a standard passenger seat on our tours.

  • All seats have full three-point seatbelts which must be worn when the vehicle is moving. Seat belt extenders are available if required.

  • Seats are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis when boarding the tour. If you have accessibility needs that mean you require a particular seat or seating area, please inform us when booking so we can try to accommodate you.

  • Passengers may not always be seated with travel companions due to the seat layout and allocation process.

  • Booster seats are available upon request for children under 1.35 m. All children must be at least five years old at the time of travel.

On-board Facilities

  • There are no toilets onboard any of our mini-coaches.

  • Speakers are fitted throughout the vehicle for onboard audio.

  • Each seat has an air vent with the option to control the airflow as required.

  • USB charging ports throughout the vehicle.

  • Overhead storage for small personal items such as coats, cameras and handbags.

  • A large luggage compartment is available for the storage of suitcases and larger luggage items. Passengers must stick to luggage limits identified on the tour confirmation.

Tour Departure & Boarding

  • Our departure points are located on public roads, bus stations, train stations and hotels. For more information, see our departure points page.

  • Your confirmation email will include the tour departure point and time. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before departure, as we cannot offer refunds or alternatives for missed departures.

  • On arrival, please speak to a member of our staff, who will direct you to the correct coach. With multiple tours departing simultaneously, this ensures you join the right group.

Commentary & Language

  • Our tours are conducted in spoken English only. Some attractions may offer foreign language audio or written explanations.

  • Live commentary is delivered by an English-speaking driver-guide (UK and Ireland) or tour leader (rest of Europe), using a microphone with audio transmitted through onboard speakers.

  • Hearing loops are not available.

  • Music may be played intermittently throughout the coach.

  • As the commentary is live and does not follow a set script, we are unable to provide written descriptions. However, our website provides tour summaries which you may print for your convenience.

  • Safety instructions, timings and important information are all delivered verbally.  

  • Your guide will be happy to answer questions and repeat or write down any key information as needed.

Tour Stops & Attractions

  • Facilities and access varies at each destination. Please check individual attractions’ accessibility statements if you have mobility or access needs.

  • We maximise time off the coach with frequent stops throughout the day, approximately every 1.5 – 2 hours.

  • Routes and mileage vary, but you will spend at least 30% of the day for exploring local attractions, stretching your legs, and enjoying local sites. Approximate timings are available on request.

  • Most tours include a variety of stops which may include photo opportunities, refreshment breaks, historical sites, visitor attractions, towns or villages, and nature walks.

  • Tour guides or leaders do not typically accompany groups at sites and destinations. You’ll usually have free time to explore independently, though some entry tickets may include guided visits.

Mobility & Fitness

  • All passengers must be able to enter and exit vehicle independently, or with support from a travelling companion.

  • Passengers must also be able to lift and load their own luggage and personal belongings on and off the coach, and carry this for short distances as required – such as between the coach and accommodation. 

  • Tours don’t include strenuous activities unless specifically mentioned, but there will usually be some walking required to access and visit key sites and destinations.

  • We recommend that you’re able to comfortably walk up to 1 mile (~20 minutes) at a time on varied terrain, which may include hills, stairs, cobblestones, narrow passageways, and uneven surfaces. If you are concerned about suitability, please check with us or ask for recommendations.

  • Some days on our European tours (outside the UK and Ireland) may involve significant walking, sometimes exceeding 10,000 steps per day.

  • With prior notice, we may be able to store a small lightweight mobility aid, providing it weighs no more than 20kg and measures no more than 22in x 17in x 10in when folded down.

  • We are unable to accommodate fully electric mobility aids. Devices with a removable battery may be accepted, but the battery must be removed and stored safely in your hand luggage within the vehicle each time the device is stowed.

  • Many sites are only accessible on foot and may be challenging for passengers using wheelchairs, walking frames, or other mobility aids.

Support & Assistance

  • For health and safety reasons, our staff cannot provide physical assistance or carry passenger luggage.

  • We can offer one free carer or companion seat to those who need additional support to access our tours. This must be requested by email or telephone at the time of booking.

Accommodation on Multi-Day Tours

  • We offer flexible accommodation options on our UK & Ireland tours and don’t accommodate our tour groups together in the same property. Groups are split between a variety of B&Bs, Hotels and other accommodations to suit preferences indicated at the time of booking.

  • On our European packaged tours, groups stay together in handpicked Hotels.

  • Accommodation accessibility varies by provider, so we cannot provide specific details in advance. Please inform us of any mobility or special requirements (e.g., dietary or allergy needs) when booking or contact us for assistance.

  • Most accommodations on our UK and Irish tours are accessible only by stairs. On European tours, lifts are more common, but cannot be guaranteed. Please request ground-floor or accessible rooms when booking.

  • B&Bs are often in residential areas on the outskirts of towns or villages, and while hotels are typically more central, this cannot be guaranteed. All accommodations may be up to 1.5 miles (~30-minute walk) from restaurants and local facilities. Taxis are available in all locations and can be booked and paid locally.

  • For accommodation advice, contact our accommodation team at rooms@rabbies.com.

Service Animals 

  • By prior arrangement only, we welcome highly trained service and assistance dogs on our coaches in the UK, and registered guide dogs elsewhere. It is crucial that you confirm suitability and availability with us before booking.

  • While we may welcome service or assistance dogs on our coaches, we cannot guarantee access at attractions, cafés, accommodations, or other sites operated by third parties. Many locations only accept registered guide dogs, and some may prohibit animals for health and safety reasons. We recommend checking in advance.

Booking a Tour

Our tours can be booked in various ways:

  1. On our website www.rabbies.com

  2. By email (tours@rabbies.com)

  3. By phone 0131 226 3133 (within the UK) +44 131 226 3133 (from abroad)

  4. Through many local travel agencies and tour operators worldwide

  • We aim to keep our website up to date with accessibility requirements. The whole website is secure, and we use the multi-national company, Stripe as our online payment provider.

  • Our team are trained to speak in clear English on the phone. Please feel free to ask them to speak slower or to repeat things – it’s in our interest to understand you! We may have team members who speak other languages – just ask and we’ll see if we can help.

  • We aim to respond to all emails within 48 hours.

  • If you prefer to book through your local travel agency, please ask them to contact us on your behalf using the contact details above.

Further Information

If you have any further questions, concerns or would like advice and recommendations about tours and suitability, please contact us.