Train travel with a disability

Your rights in brief

If you have a disability, the rules intended to protect you mean that a train company:

• may not deny you travel on the grounds of your disability

• may not charge a higher price for the travel even if you need assistance

• must try to give you the assistance you need for the train journey

• must give you information you need and can understand.

Right to adapted information

Everyone who travels by train has the right to certain information from the train company. If you have special needs, such as those due to impaired vision or hearing, the train company must adapt the information to you so that you can understand it just as well as everyone else.

The train company must also provide information on:

• What assistive devices are on-board the train.

• How you can get on and off of the train if you need extra help to do so.

Help in getting on and off

The train company must help you get on and off of the train. If your journey includes a transfer, you should get help transferring to the connecting train. The train company and the railway station are obliged to cooperate to give you the help you are entitled to, without charging for that help.

Using services on the train

On-board the train, you as a person with a disability must be able to use the same services as all other passengers. The staff on-board the train must help you with this if you need assistance.

Assistance on the train journey

If you have a disability and need assistance, you must notify the travel company no later than 48 hours before the time of departure. If you do not notify the travel company, they must still try to offer you the assistance you need. To get the help you need, you must be at the place and time that the travel company indicates.

Get help at the station by a "ledsagare"

If you have a disability you have the right to get help at the train station by an assistant (ledsagare in swedish). The guide will meet you at a designated meeting place at the station and follow you to the train or the bus. They can also help you with the luggage. Make sure you book assisted travel at least 24 hours before your journey.

Read more about assisted travel at stationsledsagning.se

Delayed and cancelled train

If a train journey is cancelled or delayed, you are entitled to help from the train company. If you have a disability, you must be able to get the same assistance as other passengers, such as help with other transportation if the train journey is interrupted. Read more about your rights and compensation in the event of a delayed or cancelled train

Damaged or lost assistive devices

If the train company damages or loses an assistive device that you need for your disability, such as a wheelchair, you have the right to damages. You can seek compensation for the full value that you have lost.

Report to the Swedish Consumer Agency if the rules are not followed

The Swedish Consumer Agency and the Swedish Transport Agency have a joint responsibility for ensuring that the rules that protect passengers with disabilities are followed. If you think that a travel company is breaking the rules, you can report it to the Swedish Consumer Agency.

A report to the Swedish Consumer Agency does not mean that your individual case will be investigated. However, it is important information for the Swedish Consumer Agency when they review how the companies are following the rules.

File a complaint to the Swedish Consumer Agency

Read more about travelling with a disability on the Swedish Transport Agency’s website