Top tips for travelling with sight loss

With summer on the horizon, with it comes the excitement of planning holidays, weekends away and even just a day trip to somewhere new. But if you’re living with sight loss, especially macular disease, travel can bring a few extra challenges.

The good news is, there’s lots of advice out there, especially from people with sight loss who’ve been able to overcome these challenges.

Whether you're travelling by train, tackling a busy airport, or finding your way in unfamiliar places, these tried-and-tested tips from people living with macular disease can help make your journey easier, more enjoyable, and stress-free.

Travelling by train

One of the most common tips is to be prepared before you even leave home.

If you’re using an app to book train tickets or check routes, take screenshots of key details like platform changes, in case you lose phone signal or can’t access Wi-Fi on the day of travel. If it helps, print these in large font and take them with you.

“All this planning will help to assure you that you have as much covered as possible and help to relax, sit back and enjoy the journey,” said Macular Society regional manager Amanda Read.

“Always carry the essentials so you can be self-reliant, and that includes your phone charger, water and a snack, just in case you can’t access these on the train.”

The apps also show departure boards and platform numbers to help you feel as prepared as possible on the day of your journey.

If you don’t use apps, you can contact National Rail Enquiries to find train times over the phone on 0345 748 4950, or chat to ticket office staff at your local station when you are passing through.

There is also the Passenger Assistance app, where you can log your journey details and request help, alternatively you can contact them on 0300 022 3720. You can book assistance up to two hours before you travel.

You can also get one-third of your train ticket price if you hold a disabled person’s travel card.

Flying

Airports can feel overwhelming but, similar to train travel, there is help available if you ask in advance. Contact your airport or travel agent at least 48 hours before flying to book passenger assistance. Staff can assist through the whole process from checking in to boarding the plane.

Macular Society regional manager Jo Fishwick said: “If you book through a travel agent they can inform the airport about your disability. As someone who flew to Iceland, I went with my daughter and although she's sighted, we chose to use assistance and it made life a lot easier and you have fewer queues.”

Get support from your local sensory team before you go away

Whether you struggle with glare in the bright sunlight, or are having difficulty seeing steps and kerb edges, talking to your local sensory services team can help get you aids to help you be more independent and travel safely.

The team can discuss everything from symbol canes to using coloured filters to help reduce glare.

If you are travelling abroad, the Partially Sighted Society offers foreign language lanyards and high-visibility armbands featuring the international symbol for sight loss, so you can communicate your needs without having to explain them in another language.

Amanda said: “Whatever stage you are at with your sight condition, you may be experiencing difficulties or extra stress when travelling. Speaking to your local sensory team before you travel can make you feel less apprehensive. They are specialists in talking about mobility issues, and showing you how you can help yourself and others while out and about. You may even need or want a simple visual impairment pin badge, which are sold by the Macular Society.”

Check out where you are staying in advance

Take time to research your accommodation and check what accessibility features it offers or could provide. Reviews from other visually impaired travellers can be especially helpful, giving you real insight before you book. When it comes to making the booking, be honest about your accessibility needs with the property owner, or agent. If possible, try to speak to a member of staff on the phone who can help identify the best room for you. If you are looking at a hotel, for example, they can also assist you upon arrival.

Jo said: “If I wasn't traveling with someone sighted, I always let the hotel or B&B know that I'm blind. They can try to accommodate you with a ground floor room, or one that is closest to the lift if you would prefer. It can make such a difference.”

Amanda said: “It’s also worth taking a torch with you. Waking up in the night in a hotel or different place to home can be disorientating, especially with low vision. Having a torch or portable light to hand might help avoid hazards.”

Local Facebook groups can also be great for asking questions about a particular area you are staying in, including recommendations or accommodation which is known for its accessibility.

Don’t forget, free apps such as Seeing AI or Be My Eyes can also help you identify visual information, for example reading labels on toiletries.

And what about exploring the local area? Amanda added: “If you enjoy getting out and about while you are away and want to learn more about the place you are visiting, but are worried about walking around an unfamiliar area, it might be worth finding out if there are guided walks that would offer you support. Chat with them about your needs and how they may be able to help. Or, if you are travelling in the UK, contact the local sight loss charity, as they may have a VI walking group who would love to have you come along with them.”

Other top tips to consider when going on holiday:

• Always wear sunglasses in the sun, as they can help you see with your remaining vision and take away any uncomfortableness. A brimmed hat or cap can help too.
  
  
• Limit your time outdoors, particularly when the sun is strongest (typically midday to late afternoon).
  
  
• For sun lotion and sprays, try placing small bump-on stickers where the product dispenses - it makes it easier to aim accurately. Or, Amanda recommends using a solid cream stick, which you can glide over your skin in smooth strokes. It’s less messy, less sticky, and much easier to apply.
  
  
• Take a spare cane on holiday - especially if you have an older one you no longer use as much. It’s perfect for places like the beach where it’s more likely to get damaged. Plus, it means you’ve got a backup if one gets lost or broken.
  
  
• Tie coloured stickers or string to your luggage case, which can make it easier to identify at the airport.
  
  
• Finally, don’t forget your travel insurance. Amanda’s advice is to keep emergency contact numbers saved to your phone, or make screen shots that you can easily locate, or print them off, so they can be easily accessed should you need to contact your insurance company.