Accessible Train Transportation to Venice
I took trains to Venice from Zurich, Switzerland and from Milan, Italy. Both are wheelchair accessible and gorgeous routes to take to Venice.
Wheelchair Loading/Unloading Process in Zurich to Venice
I took the SBB train from Zurich’s main train station (Zurich HB) directly to Venice with just a few stops. Zurich’s HB is incredibly accessible–please see here for my how-to tutorial on booking accessing SBB trains. This trip was no different. I met the assistance team at the train about 15 minutes before departure and they put down a ramp for me to access the train. I could then roll onto the train and into my space.
The six-hour trip wound through some incredible countryside–Swiss and Italian Alps, pristine lakes, rolling countryside, and towering mountains. And all of it from the comfort of my wheelchair and the big picture window next to my seat. It was a wonderful journey in and of itself.
Wheelchair Loading/Unloading Process in Milano Centrale
I took a day trip from Milan to Venice via a 2.5 hour Trenitalia train ride. I left on the first direct train of the day–leaving around 8 am and arriving in Venice around 10:30 am. The last direct train back to Milan left around 6 pm, so I booked the second-to-last direct train back to Milan (which left around 5:48 pm). This gave me a cushion in case I misjudged my timing and missed the train–there was another right behind it. I also purchased a flexible fare so I could adjust my departure time as needed for free.
I had 7 hours in Venice. There is never enough time in Venice, but 7 hours was enough to see the major sights and enjoy a good lunch.
I contacted Sala Blu the day before, and so I met them in the Sala Blu office at Milano Centrale. They walked me to the train, and loaded me using the mobile elevator. The wheelchair area was spacious and the bathrooms were accessible. The ride itself was smooth and beautiful–there were gorgeous views of mountains and lakes to the north.
Wheelchair Loading/Unloading Process in Venice
The train goes directly to the Venice train station, which is at the northwestern portion of the Venetian island. I was greeted at the train station by a Sala Blu team, who unloaded me using the mobile elevator. They showed me the Sala Blu room where I was to meet them for the return trip, and showed me to the tourist office for maps and to purchase water taxi tickets. I then walked out of the train station and was instantly greeted by the water and history that is Venice. Amazing.
Tip: when getting off the train, ask the Sala Blu team to show you where the Sala Blu office/meeting points. Otherwise, the crew may be focused on helping you exit the building, and may not be thinking of the logistics of your return trip. This brief delay to your sightseeing is worth it–you will know exactly where to go to meet the Sala Blu team for your next departure. The Sala Blu offices are well marked, but knowing where to go in advance of your return can save a lot of stress/anxiety, especially if you are running late.