Pre-Travel Checklist: Andy’s Personal 30-Point Checklist for Mobility Scooter & Wheelchair Users
Pre-Travel Checklist: Andy’s Personal 30-Point Checklist for Mobility Scooter & Wheelchair Users
Hey everyone, Andy Wright here from Andy Wright Travel!
After many flights and countless trips in my power chair, I’ve refined a rock-solid pre-travel checklist that saves me hours of stress and prevents expensive mistakes. Whether you use a manual wheelchair, powerchair, or mobility scooter, this checklist will help you travel with far more confidence and far less last-minute panic.
I use this exact checklist every single time I leave home. Feel free to download the free printable version at the bottom of this page.
1. Documents & Booking Confirmations (2–3 Weeks Before)
- Passport / Photo ID valid for entire trip + at least 6 months after return
- Travel insurance policy (with mobility equipment and pre-existing conditions declared)
- Flight/train/hotel booking confirmations printed + saved on phone
- Special assistance requests confirmed (airline, train operator, airport)
- European Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or global equivalent
- Motability / Blue Badge documents (if relevant)
- Doctor’s letter / fit-to-fly letter if required
- Battery compliance documents (UN 38.3 certificate + Wh rating)
2. Mobility Equipment Preparation (1 Week Before)
- Full service history check on scooter/wheelchair
- Tyres, brakes, and batteries tested
- Spare batteries packed (with terminals taped and in protective cases)
- Charger, spare charger, and international plug adapters
- Tool kit / basic repair items
- Rain cover / protective bag for chair
- Photos taken of equipment from all angles + serial numbers noted
- Battery charge level planned (usually 30–50% for flights)
3. Health & Medication (1 Week Before)
- All regular medication is packed with at least 50% extra supply
- Medication in original packaging with prescription labels
- Copies of prescriptions + doctor’s summary letter
- Any specialist equipment (catheters, dressings, etc.)
- Travel sickness/pain relief medication
- First aid kit tailored to your needs
- Contact details for your GP / specialist
4. Accommodation & Destination Checks (Final Week)
- Confirmed accessible room details in writing (photos requested)
- Hotel accessibility checklist completed (roll-in shower, bed height, door widths)
- Nearest accessible pharmacy/hospital noted
- Local accessible transport options researched
- Weather forecast checked for extreme heat or cold
5. Airport / Transfer Day Essentials
- Special assistance booked and confirmation printed
- Airport parking or drop-off plan confirmed (Blue Badge spaces if driving)
- Taxi/transfer company confirmed as WAV with correct dimensions
- Extra time built into schedule (minimum +90 minutes)
- Portable ramp or assistance plan if needed
6. Packing & Carry-On Must-Haves
In your personal item/carry-on:
- Spare battery (if removable)
- Medication + emergency medical info
- Phone charger + power bank
- Change of clothes + basic toiletries
- Copies of all important documents
- Snacks and hydration supplies
- Wet wipes, hand sanitiser, and gloves
On the wheelchair/scooter itself:
- Secure all loose items
- Remove or protect the joystick if possible
- Tie-down points clearly marked for staff
7. Final 24-Hour Checks
- Charge all devices to appropriate levels
- Double-check the weather and any travel disruptions
- Confirm all assistance bookings one last time
- Share the itinerary with a trusted contact
- Set phone alarms for check-in and assistance arrival
Bonus Tips from the Road
- Always travel with your checklist printed or saved as a phone note.
- Take photos of your packed luggage and equipment before leaving home.
- Build in “buffer days” when possible — jet lag and travel fatigue hit harder when you use wheels.
- Never assume — always verify.
This checklist has saved me from disaster more times than I can count — from forgotten spare batteries to last-minute assistance mix-ups.
Drop your own must-have checklist items in the comments — I read every single one and often add the best suggestions to future versions!
Safe, prepared, and accessible travels, Andy Wright, Wheelchair traveller, vlogger & accessibility advocate