We are a national charity and the UK's central source of travel and holiday information and support for disabled people and their carers. Each year we answer over 30,000 enquiries from people with physical, sensory and learning disabilities, carers and older people.

INDEX

Section 1: Getting There & Getting Around

Section 2 Accommodation

Section 3: Tour Operators

Section 4: Useful Contacts  

Austria is a landlocked country bordered by Switzerland, Liechenstein, Germany, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Italy. With the diversity of cultures between the main cities, each one influenced by the neighbouring country, the climate similar to that of Britain will not detract from the beautiful landscape. Austria is renowned for having scenery beyond compare; Lush green valleys are filled with exquisite colours of spring and summer flowers and crowned by snow-capped peaks. Add to this the mountain scenery, criss-crossed with streams, waterfalls and crystal-clear lakes.

SECTION 1: GETTING THERE AND GETTING AROUND.

Tripscope

The Vassall Centre, Gill Avenue,  BRISTOL,   BS16 2QQ

Tel: 08457 585641 Fax: 020 8994 3618

Email: enquiries@tripscope.org.uk Website: www.tripscope.org.uk

A free telephone information service providing advice on most aspects of travel and transport for elderly and disabled people. This can range from journey planning to where to hire a wheelchair whilst on holiday, the whereabouts of a local Dial-A-Ride, or where to get an escort for someone to go on holiday. Contact the above number, which is also the Minicom number, between 9.30am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday (answerphone at other times).

Air

Austrian Airlines 10 Wardour Street, LONDON W1V 4BQ

Tel: 0845 6010948 Fax: 020 7434 7363

Austrian Airlines states that there are accessible facilities at Austrian airports generally, they request that full details of any disability are disclosed at time of booking. There are scheduled services by Austrian Airlines from London Heathrow to Vienna with onward connections to Linz, Salzburg, Klagenfurt, Graz and Innsbruck.

Air Transport Users Council (AUC)

CAA House 45-59 Kingsway, LONDON WC2B 6TE

Tel: 020 7240 6061 Fax: 020 7240 7071

The Air Transport Users Council is an independent body, with members from throughout the UK, which looks after the interests of all airline passengers, whether they are travelling on business or for pleasure. Their free publication entitled "Flight Plan", which is a passenger’s guide to planning and using air travel, includes a section for travellers with special needs and lists useful contacts for people with disabilities.

London Gatwick Passenger Information Brochure

Mailing Unit, BP Travel Trade Services Ltd, Orbital Park, Sevington, Ashford, Kent TN2 0GA

Tel: 01233 211016 Fax: 01233 500400

A passenger information booklet entitled ‘Direct’ is available by contacting the above address. The publication features a Special Needs section together with a timetable of direct scheduled flights for Gatwick, maps and a wealth of useful information for passengers travelling through the airport.

Gatwick Travel-Care

Room 3014B, Gatwick Airport, Gatwick, West Sussex RH6 0NP

Tel: 01293 504283 Fax: 01293 503317

Gatwick Travel-Care is an independent agency with experienced staff and volunteers who are familiar with the airport environment. They offer information, advice, and practical help in confidence. Situated in the Gatwick Village, on the 3rd Floor of the South Terminal, the office open weekdays from 09.00hrs to 17.00hrs, and weekends from 09.00hrs to 16.00hrs.

Heathrow Travel-Care

Room 1308 Queens Building Heathrow Airport HOUNSLOW TW6 1BZ

Tel: 020 8745 7495 Minicom: 020 8745 7565 Fax: 020 8745 4161

Email: heathrow_travel_care@baa.co.uk Website: www.baa.co.uk

Heathrow Travel-Care is an independent Social Work and Counselling service operating at Heathrow Airport. Crisis work, counselling, training and fear of flying are just some of the agency's areas of work. Qualified and experienced staff provide a 24-hour information, advice and counselling service to all that work at and use the facilities at Heathrow. The office is open from 09.30 – 16.30 Mondays to Saturdays (closed Sundays, Bank Holidays and one morning a week – currently Thursday). A social worker is on call outside office hours and can be paged through the main office number. BAA Heathrow produce a Flight and Travel Guide which is published twice yearly in March and October. Copies of this guide are available from WH Smiths priced £2.25, or by telephoning 01702 481520. Information for passengers with special needs is available on the BAA Heathrow website, the address of which is shown above.

Disabled Living Foundation 380-384 Harrow Road LONDON W9 2HU

Tel: 020 7289 6111 Fax: 020 7266 2922

With the help of British Airways, the Disabled Living Foundation has produced a publication entitled "Flying High: a practical guide to air travel for elderly people and people with disabilities." The illustrated guide takes the reader through various stages of the journey and includes sections on how to plan it; what to expect at the airport and on the aircraft; arrival at the destination and the return journey. It includes detailed information on personal toilet and toileting appliances that can be used on board the aircraft, and on how to use and store equipment, such as walking aids, transfer devices, specialist seating and eating and drinking aids. Equipment suppliers’ addresses, additional sources of advice and information centres at major airports are also listed. To order a copy, please write to the above address enclosing a cheque for £2.50.

Department Of Health PO Box 777 LONDON SE1 6XH

Tel: 0800 555 777 Fax: 01623 724524

Produce a free booklet entitled "Health Advice for Travellers" which includes information on: avoiding health risks, planning for healthy travelling and obtaining emergency medical treatment abroad. To obtain a copy, telephone the free Health Literature Line given above. For orders of more than 10 copies, please write to the above address. The information contained is also available on page 460-464 of CEEFAX.

ROAD

Please note that the Blue European Disabled Persons Parking Permit is valid in Austria and should be displayed prominently on the windscreen. Unlimited free parking is then permitted in spaces where the sign C18 is displayed, or parking spaces normally reserved for short-term parking. Where the sign C19 is displayed you may stop for loading, unloading without the normal ten-minute time limit. Additionally there are designated car parking spaces available near to hospitals and other public service facilities.

For information on accessible taxis and transfers in Austria, please see the entry in the useful publications section on ‘Information on Facilities for Disabled in Austria’, available from the Austrian National Tourist Office in London.

Rail

In all express and through trains, one car offers a compartment or seating area near the entrance, especially reserved for people with disabilities. In the dining car there are spaces to locate a wheelchair in both the smoking and non-smoking sections.

On many Austrian Railway routes, carrying chairs and wheelchairs are available to passengers at no extra charge. Please reserve these at the departure train station at least three days before starting your trip.

Austrian Railway cars providing wheelchair access have lavatories equipped with automatic opening and closing sliding doors. Folding chairs have been installed in these cars for locating wheelchairs or baby carriages.

At approximately 100 train stations all over Austria, you can order the wheelchair power lift for getting on and off the train more easily (book at least three days before starting your trip).

Further information on services for people with disabilities is listed in the publication "Behindertenführer", available free of charge at every Austrian train station. Alternatively it can be obtained by writing to Behindertenservice-Stelle, 1010 Vienna, Gauermanngasse 2-4, Austria. Tel: 00431 580035800 or Fax: 00431 580025246.

SECTION 1: ACCOMMODATION

Holiday Care has not inspected the hotels listed in this information pack. The hotels or the Austrian Tourist Office state that they have facilities for people with disabilities. It is most important to check, before making a booking, that the hotel of your choice is able to meet all of your needs.

HOTEL CHAINS

Best Western Hotels

Tel: 0800 393130 (Reservations in UK) Fax: 00353 1 6612646

Website: www.bestwestern.com

The 2000 Best Western Atlas and Hotel Guide shows 17 hotels in Austria, which have accessible facilities. Please check with the individual hotels featured for exact details or alternatively contact Reservations in the UK.

Hilton International

Tel: 01923 434000 (Reservations in UK) Website: www.hilton.com

The Hilton International Directory 2000 shows the following hotels as having facilities for guests with disabilities.

Tel: 0043 1717000 Fax: 0043 17130691

Holiday Inn

Tel: 0800 897121 (Reservations in UK)

Website: www.holiday-inn.com

The Directory lists the following four hotels as having accessible facilities. Contact Reservations directly for further details.

Novotel

Tel: 020 8283 4530 (Reservations in UK)

Website: www.novotel.com

The Novotel Directory states that all four of their hotels in Austria have two rooms especially for people with disabilities. They are situated in the following locations; Novotel Linz, Novotel Salzburg City, Novotel Wien Airport and Novotel Wien West. Contact Central Reservations for specific access details.

Ibis Hotels

Tel: 020 8283 4550 Reservations in UK.

Website: www.ibishotel.com

The Ibis Directory lists all four of their hotels in Austria as having accessible facilities:-

Tel: 0043 316 7780 Fax: 0043 316 778300

Tel: 0043 732 69401 Fax: 0043 732694019

Tel: 0043 159998 Fax: 0043 15979090

Tel: 0043 1217700 Fax: 0043 1 21770555

Leading Hotels of the World

Tel: 020 7290 1000 (Reservations UK)

The 2000 Directory shows the following hotels to have accessible facilities:-

Email: oehof@oehof.com Website: www.oesterr-hof.salzburginfo.or.at

Email: mail@thurnhers-alpenhof.at Website:www.thurnhers-alpenhof.at

Marriott Hotels

Tel: 0800 221222 (Reservations UK) Website: www.marriotthotels.com

The Marriott Worldwide Directory shows the following hotel as having accessible facilities.

Tel: 0043 1 515 180 Fax: 0043 1 51518 6736

Email: mhrs.vieat.gm@marriott.com

Renaissance Hotels

Tel: 0800 181737 - UK Central Reservations

Website: www.renaissancehotels.com

The Renaissance Worldwide Directory states that there are accessible facilities at the following two hotels:-

Tel: 0043 1 711 750 Fax: 0043 1 711 7590

Tel: 0043 1 89102 Fax: 0043 1 89102 100

HOTELS

The following hotels have sent us details of their accessible facilities but Holiday Care strongly advise that they be contacted directly to confirm exact details.

Austria Trend Hotel Carinthia

Ossiacherzeile 39, 9500 VILLACH/KAERNTEN

Tel: 0043 4242 20020 Fax: 0043 4242 2002 390

This hotel has 93 rooms, three of which are accessible to wheelchair users. Lateral transfer to WC 200 mm. Inner measurements of lift 1200 x 900mm. Facilities include fitness room and lift.

Crowne Plaza Salzburg - The Pitter

RainerstraBe 6-8 5020 SALZBURG Austria

Tel: 0043 66288978 Fax: 0043 662 878893

E mail: crowneplaza-pitter@salzburginfo.at

Website: www.crowneplaza.com/salzburg

The main entrance to the hotel has a ramp and the lift is stairless and accessible. There are two rooms especially adapted for guests with disabilities that have roll in showers, accessible wash basins and adjoining rooms for a carer if required. The restaurant and Plaza Bar are both located on the ground floor and have level access. The hotel is situated just 1km from the city centre and 7km from Salzburg Airport.

Hotel Europa Tyrol Suedtiroler Platz 2, 6020 INNSBRUCK

Tel: 0043 512 5931 Fax: 0043 512 587800

First class luxury hotel with 122 rooms, three of which are accessible. Door widths of 800 mm and door width of bathroom 750 mm. Lift available.

Hotel am Brillantengrund Bandgasse 4, 1070 VIENNA

Tel: 0043 1 523 3662 Fax: 0043 1 526 1330

Email: brillontengrund@atnet.at

A 53 bed hotel. Some rooms are accessed via one step (120 mm). Door widths 850 mm, bathroom 650 mm. Turning space in bathroom 800 x 500 mm or 700 x 700 mm. Inner measurements of lift 900 x 1100 mm. Facilities include breakfast room and garden.

Berghotel Tulbingerkogel Tulbingerkogel A3001, Mauerbach.

Tel: 0043 1 97 91 095

Hotel situated in the Vienna Woods with 38 bedrooms. Main entrance via six steps but there is an accessible side entrance. Door widths 850mm, bathroom and WC 700 mm. Measurement of lift 1000 x 1400 mm. There is also a steam bath, swimming pool without steps and sauna.

Hotel Vienna

Grosse Stadtgutgasse 31 (Beim Praterstern), 1020 VIENNA

Tel: 0043 214 33 17 Fax: 0043 222 216 1079

The hotel has 18 bedrooms with bath/shower/WC and 22 rooms with shower/WC. Entrance is via two steps but a ramp is available. The rooms are spacious and although not specially adapted as such, wheelchair users have been successfully accommodated in the past.

Lift door widths are 90.5cm, bedroom door widths 89cm, bathroom door widths 64.5 cm and the inner measurements of the lift are 925 mm x 1270 mm.

Alpotel Tirol

Innrain 13 (Ursulinenpassage), A-6020 INNSBRUCK.

Tel: 0043 512 577931 Fax: 0043 512 57793115

This four star hotel is centrally located and there are no steps up to the entrance of the hotel. The lift is accessible and there are accessible bedrooms and bathrooms available.

Sporthotel Igls

Hilberstrasse 17, A-6080 IGLS - INNSBRUCK.

Tel: 0043 512 377241 Fax: 0043 512378679

This is a traditional luxury hotel in the heart of Tyrol, 4km from the city of Innsbruck and close to the cable cars. A Best Western hotel.

Hotel Ibis

Darntnerstrabe 18-20, 4020 Linz

Tel: 0043 732 69401 Fax: 0043 732 694091

This Ibis hotel is conveniently placed close to the centre of Linz and near the railway station. There are four rooms suitable for guests with disabilities and four designated car parking spaces directly outside the hotel.

Hotel Bayrischer Hof

Kaiserschützenstr. 1, A-5020 Salzburg

Tel: 0043 662 4697 0 Fax: 0043 662 46970 25

This hotel is close to the centre of Salzburg, approximately ten minutes walk from the Mirabell Gardens, with the old town a little further on over the Salzach river.

SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION.

Camping For The Disabled c/o Mobility Information Service

Unit 2 Atcham Estate SHREWSBURY Shropshire SY4 4UG

Tel: 01743 761889 Fax: 01743 761149

This organisation can provide you with a list of camp sites that they have visited throughout France and Austria that may have facilities for disabled campers. Contact the above address for further details.

Canvas Holidays Ltd. 12 Abbey Park Place DUNFERMLINE Fife KY12 7FD

Tel: 08709 022022 Fax: 01383 620075

Email (Reservations): reservations@canvas.co.uk

Email - Brochure Requests: broreq@canvas.co.uk

Information is available about campsites that meet the basic standards using the following criteria; "At least one Canvas tent pitch is accessible to a wheelchair and is within 10m of a toilet block with adapted facilities. There is also access to the site shop, bar/restaurant with assistance." Canvas state that many of the campsites in their brochure have ramps in place to access the main facilities, together with wheelchair accessible WC's and showers - a number of them are on level ground. Contact the reservations department for further information.

Eurocamp Travel Ltd Hartford Manor Northwich Cheshire CW8 1HW

Tel: 01606 787878 Fax: 01606 787034

E Mail: enquiries@eurocamp.co.uk Website: www.eurocamp.co.uk

Eurocamp states that there are accessible facilities at one site in Austria, at Ossiachersee. Eurocamp have provided the following details regarding the sites accessibility.

"The campsite is not flat, but the pitches are large enough to allow wheelchair access when the car is parked. There is easy access from the car park to reception and to the other facilities on the site. The paths around the site are mostly tarmac, however a few paths are gravel. All paths are well lit at night. Where there are steps around the site there are also handrails."

Eurocamp requests that full details of any disability are given when booking to ensure the sites chosen are suitable.

YOUTH HOSTELS

Oesterreichischer Jugendherbergsverband Schottenring 28 1010 VIENNA

Tel: 0043 1 533 53 53 Fax: 0043 1 535 08 61

Website: www.oejhv.or.at/bestell.htm

The Austrian Youth Hostel Association will send a map, which gives details of accessible youth hostels (with English explanation of symbols).

There is an International Booking Network (IBN) which can be contacted for precise details.

There are accessible youth hostels in Vienna, Graz, Feldkirch-Levis, Innsbruck, Salzburg, Linz, Weyer, Ebensee, Bad Ischl, Buruck, Mur Mariazell and Klagenfurt.

Travel Service is the official travel agency of the Austrian Youth Hostel Federation. It specialises in group travel throughout Austria and offers budget accommodation for groups. Contact the above address directly for further details.

SECTION 3: TOUR OPERATORS

Crystal Holidays

Kings Place Wood Street KINGSTON UPON THAMES Surrey KT1 1JY

Tel: 0870 8880022 Fax: 0870 8487032

Email: travel@crystalholidays.co.uk Website: www.crystalholidays.co.uk

Crystal Holidays are happy to advise disabled travellers on the suitability of the holidays featured in their brochure.

Erna Low

9 Reece Mews LONDON SW7 3HE

Tel: 020 7584 2841 Fax: 020 7589 9531

E mail: spas@ernalow.co.uk Website: www.bodyandsoulholidays.com

Tour operator specialising in health, beauty, fitness and relaxation holidays. Their accommodation in the resort of Blumau has rooms suitable for disabled people.

Kirker Holidays 3 New Concordia Wharf, Mill Street, London SE1 2BB

Tel: 020 7231 3333 Fax: 020 7231 4771

Email: cities@kirker.itsnet.co.uk

Kirker Holidays arrange holidays and city breaks, including trips to Austria. They can suggest which hotels are best suited to disabled people and make the necessary arrangements with airlines and car transfers.

Page & Moy Holidays 136-140 London Road LEICESTER LE2 1EN

Tel: 08700 106373 Fax: 08700 106449

Website: www.page-moy.com

The Page & Moy Holiday Collection contains holidays to Austria but the company stresses that all details of any disability must be given before booking. If, in the opinion of Page & Moy, a particular holiday is not suitable for the disability in question, they reserve the right to refuse to make a booking.

Thomson Tour Operations Ltd

King's Place 12-42 Wood Street KINGSTON Surrey KT1 1JY

Tel: 020 8939 5092 Fax: 020 8939 0402

Austria features in the Ski and SnowBoarding and the Lakes & Mountains brochures. Thomson advise travellers with disabilities to contact their Client Welfare Department. Information about accessible facilities at individual hotels can be obtained from the Fact File, which is available to all ABTA travel agents. Thomson's do advise that many of the older Austrian hotels are unsuitable for wheelchair users due to the narrow doorways. They recommend that travellers book holidays from the brochure rather than the late deals so that accessibility can be checked.

SPECIALIST TOUR OPERATORS

Can Be Done 7-11 Kensington High Street, LONDON W8 5NP

Tel: 020 8907 2400 Fax: 020 8909 1854

Email: cbdtravel@aol.com Website: www.canbedone.co.uk

This company provides a programme of accessible tours and holidays throughout the world as well as tailor-made tours and holidays to suit individual clients' needs. Contact them directly for further details relating to holidays in Austria.

Chalfont Line Holidays 4 Medway Parade PERIVALE UB6 8HA

Tel: 020 8997 3799 Fax: 020 8991 2892

The company includes Austria in its touring holiday of Central Europe. Please contact them directly to confirm details of current holidays.

New Discovery Holidays Worldwide

Winged Fellowship, Angel House, 20-32 Pentonville Road, LONDON N1 9XD

Tel: 020 7833 2594 Fax: 020 7278 0370

The Winged Fellowship Trust, a registered charity, arranges holidays for individual disabled people who are unable to go on holiday without a helper. Volunteer helpers provide one-to-one assistance and a nurse also accompanies the group. Prices are inclusive of flights, accommodation on half-board basis, coach transportation during the holiday, insurance and one-to-one assistance. Please contact them direct for a list of planned holidays as destinations change from year to year.

Travel Ability The Ferns Framilode GLOUCESTER GL2 7LH

Tel: 01452 740820 Fax: 01452 740898

E mail: info@travelability.co.uk Website: www.travelability.co.uk

A travel service for wheelchair users, those with reduced mobility, their families and friends. Travel Ability aims to offer ‘Access to the World’ for all. Their 'Accessible Accommodation Abroad' information covers a wide variety of wheelchair accessible villas, apartments and hotels in the Mediterranean and world-wide. Personal care assistance can be arranged with local nursing agencies in all locations. Equipment rental is also available in many locations. Their website provides valuable 'need to know' information for travellers with disabilities and comprehensive details of all the services they have to offer.

The British Ski Club For the Disabled

Randlehayes Farm Aylesbeare EXETER Devon EX5 2JN

Tel: 01395 232915 Fax: 01395 232330

E mail: rcann@bscd.org.uk

Contact the club directly to ascertain whether holidays to Austria are being planned. There are none planned for 2001 but this may change in the future.

SECTION 4: USEFUL CONTACTS

Austrian National Tourist Office 13-14 Cork Street, LONDON W1S 3NS

Tel: 020 7629 0461 Fax: 020 7499 6038

Email: info@anto.co.uk Website: www.austria-tourism.at/

The tourist office produces a very useful information sheet in English on facilities for disabled people in Austria. They also hold comprehensive information on accessible hotels, self-catering accommodation, activity holidays, farmhouse holidays and guides on various parts of the country but these are available in German only. Additionally they provide information regarding wheelchair hire in the following resorts; Carinthia, Upper Austria, Salzburg, Tirol, Borarlberg and Vienna.

Behinderten-Aktiv Urlaub

Presslgasse 5/2, 8230 HARTBERG, Steiermark, Austria

Tel: 0043 33 32 65405 Fax: 0043 33 32 63805

This organisation is run by people with disabilities for people with disabilities. They publish brochures (in German only) regarding accessible accommodation and restaurants in Austria. All of the venues have been inspected by the group themselves, contact them for further details.

Young Austria (Oesterreichisches Jugendferienwerk)

Alpenstr. 108a , 5020 SALZBURG

Tel: 0043 662 6257 582 Fax: 0043 662 6257 582

Email: office@youngaustria.at Website: www.youngaustria.at

Young Austria was founded in 1950 as a travel agency, which specialises in holidays for young people, including those with disabilities. Their brochure 'YA! Youth Hostels' gives details of accessible accommodation in chalets and pensions in various Austrian resorts.

Travelcare Limited

69 High Street CHISLEHURST Kent BR7 5AQ

Tel: 0800 181532 (available Mon – Sat) Fax: 020 8295 1345

Offer comprehensive travel insurance underwritten at Lloyd's of London. There is no age limit or general age loadings on single trip policies. Optional cover available in the respect of manual wheelchairs up to £750. Also available are Annual Multi-Trip and extended Stay Travel Insurance as well as Breakdown Schemes for both the UK and the Continent. For help and advice, contact Travelcare’s Freephone Insurance Helpline shown above.

PLEASE MENTION THAT HOLIDAY CARE SERVICE HAS REFERRED YOU.

Tyrol without Handicap

Email: tirol.info@tirolwerbung.at Website: www.tiscover.com/handicap

This brochure is available from the Austrian Tourist Board and is printed in German and English. The brochure gives you details on hotels for wheelchair users, travelling by train, taxi and hire car services and medical services.

HOLIDAY CARE

At Holiday Care we have a computerised database comprising 170 different fields of information about all aspects of accessible holidays and travel in the UK and at selected overseas destinations.

In particular we can help with information on:

- Accessible accommodation

- Accessible visitor attractions

- Accessible transport

- Holidays for children with disabilities

- Holidays for carers/respite care

- Sources of holiday funding for people with disabilities

Whether you are taking a holiday in the UK or overseas, it is important to have holiday insurance: we suggest that you contact TRAVELCARE on 0800 181532 for further information. Please mention that Holiday Care referred you.

If you are an older person, a carer, or if you have a physical, sensory or learning disability, do contact us and we will be pleased to help you find the holiday that is right for you.

FRIENDS OF HOLIDAY CARE

If you would like to help us by becoming a Friend of Holiday Care, you can do so by making an annual donation of £17.50 as an individual (£35.00 for overseas). As a Friend you will benefit from greatly reduced rates when booking one of the ten wheelchair accessible rooms at the Copthorne Tara in (Kensington) London and occasional special offers, as well as regularly receiving our Friends newsletter 'Breakout'.

If you would like to become a Friend, please phone us for details.

HOLIDAY CARE

2nd Floor, Imperial Buildings, Victoria Road

Horley, Surrey RH6 7PZ

Tel: 01293 774535

Minicom: 01293 776943 Fax: 01293 784647

E-mail: holiday.care@virgin.net Website: www.holidaycare.org.uk

Copyright © Holiday Care Service November 2000

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy in this publication,

Holiday Care Service can accept no liability whatsoever for any errors,

inaccuracies or omissions, or for any matter in any way connected

with or arising out of the publication of this information

Holiday Care Service Registered Charity No: 279169