Quick answer: An arthritis-friendly holiday matches the trip to your body: a single base, level access, short journeys and built-in rest. Book free help through National Rail Passenger Assist or airline assistance, ask accommodation specific access questions, plan a quiet first day, and declare your arthritis on travel insurance if going abroad.
Checked on 10 October 2026 against National Rail Passenger Assist, the Disabled Persons Railcard, CAA guidance on airport assistance, FCDO travel insurance guidance and the NHS page on the GHIC. We do not recommend or receive money from any holiday company, insurer or product.
A good holiday is one you come home from feeling rested, not one you need another week to recover from. With arthritis, that comes down to choosing the right kind of trip, getting there without wearing yourself out, and building rest into the days. This guide is about planning a holiday that suits your joints, whether it is a weekend in the UK or a trip abroad. For the detail on flights and insurance, see our separate guides to flying with arthritis and travel insurance.
What makes a holiday arthritis-friendly?
There is no single "best" destination. What matters is the fit between the trip and your body. Ask yourself:
- How far can I comfortably walk, and on what surfaces?
- How long can I sit or stand before I stiffen up?
- Do hills, steps, heat, cold or damp affect me?
- How long does it take me to recover from a long journey?
- What do I most want from the holiday: rest, scenery, culture, family time, activity?
Use your answers to rule options in or out. A city break with cobbled streets and lots of steps may be hard work; a resort with level paths, a pool and somewhere to sit in the shade may be easier. Equally, an active holiday is possible if you choose the right pace and support.
Holiday types to consider
- A single-base holiday where you stay in one place, rather than a tour with frequent packing and moving.
- Self-catering, so you can rest when you need to, control meals and keep to your own routine.
- Accessible coastal or countryside breaks in the UK, with no flights, no currency and NHS care as normal.
- Cruises can mean unpacking once and having step-free access on board, but check the walking needed at ports and the FCDO advice that cruises generally need extra insurance cover.
- Spa or pool-based holidays, as many people with arthritis find warm water comfortable for gentle exercise.
- Escorted or accessible tours, where luggage is handled for you and the pace is planned. Ask exactly how much walking is involved each day.
- Rail holidays, which avoid airports and let you move around during the journey.
When to go
- Avoid peak times if crowds, queues and busy transport tire you out.
- Think about temperature. Many people find extreme heat or cold uncomfortable. Choose a season that suits you.
- Time it around your treatment. Avoid travelling just after starting a new medicine, during a dose change, or close to surgery. Ask your specialist team about the best timing for infusions or injections.
- Leave a gap before and after the trip so you are not rushing to or from work.
Choosing accommodation
Do not rely on the word "accessible" alone, as it means different things to different places. Ask specific questions, or look for detailed access information:
- How many steps are there from the entrance to the room? Is there a lift?
- Is there a walk-in shower or a bath? Are there grab rails?
- How high is the bed and the toilet? Is there a firm chair with arms?
- How far is it to the restaurant, pool, beach or town, and is the route level?
- Is there parking close to the entrance?
- Can they provide a shower stool, raised toilet seat or extra pillows?
Ask for answers in writing, and photos if possible. Detailed access guides for many UK venues are published by AccessAble, and the charity Tourism for All offers travel advice and planning information for disabled and older travellers.
In Great Britain, the Equality Act 2010 requires service providers, including hotels and holiday businesses, to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. In Northern Ireland, similar duties come from disability discrimination law. If something you need is not offered, ask.
Getting there without wearing yourself out
By train
National Rail's Passenger Assist lets you book help for your whole journey, even across several train companies. It includes help navigating the station, getting on and off the train, a ramp if needed, and help carrying up to 3 items of luggage that one person can manage. National Rail says train companies accept assistance requests up to 2 hours before your journey, though booking further ahead is best, and you can also "turn up and go" by speaking to staff at the station.
A Disabled Persons Railcard saves a third on train tickets for you and one adult companion. The Railcard website says it costs £20 for a year or £54 for three years, and that people getting PIP or ADP at any rate are among those eligible. Prices and criteria can change, so check the website.
By car
Plan regular breaks, ideally every hour or so, and share the driving if you can. Our guide to driving with arthritis covers comfort tips and Blue Badges. If you are taking a Blue Badge abroad, check the rules in the country you are visiting, as concessions differ.
By air
The CAA says you are entitled to free assistance when flying from a UK airport if you have a disability or reduced mobility. Book it when you book your flight or at least 48 hours before departure.
By coach or ferry
Contact the operator in advance to ask about assistance, seating and access to facilities. Many ferry companies offer help boarding and lifts to passenger decks if you tell them ahead.
Activities that are often easier on joints
Everyone is different, but many people with arthritis find these easier to enjoy on holiday:
- swimming or gentle exercise in a warm pool
- walks on level, well-surfaced paths, with benches along the way
- boat trips, scenic railways and coach excursions, where you see a lot without walking far
- gardens, galleries and museums, many of which offer seating, lifts and wheelchairs or scooters to borrow if you ask ahead
- short guided tours that state how long and how far they go
If you want to do something more active, such as hill walking or cycling, build up to it at home first, choose shorter routes and allow for a rest day afterwards. Check that your travel insurance covers the activity.
Booking safely
- Ask tour operators and travel agents to note your access and assistance needs on your booking, and get confirmation in writing.
- Financial protection: the FCDO points out that ATOL is a consumer protection scheme for air holidays and flights, managed by the Civil Aviation Authority. Choose an ATOL-protected holiday, or an insurance policy that covers airline or supplier failure.
- Flexible bookings with free or low-cost changes can help if a flare means you need to move your dates.
- Buy insurance soon after booking, so cancellation cover starts straight away.
Pacing your holiday days
The biggest cause of a post-holiday flare is often doing too much in the first few days. Try to:
- Plan a quiet first day to recover from the journey.
- Pick one main activity a day, with rest before and after.
- Alternate busy and easy days.
- Use transport, such as taxis, hop-on buses or hire scooters, to save your energy for what you enjoy.
- Keep some of your routine, such as gentle exercises, sleep times and medicine times.
- Have a plan B for flare days, such as a book, a film or a spa session.
Our guide to pacing and energy management explains these techniques in more detail.
Packing for comfort
- Enough medicine for the whole trip plus extra in case of delays, in your hand luggage
- A copy of your prescription and a list of your medicines
- Comfortable, supportive shoes you have already worn in
- Any aids you use at home, such as a jar opener, cushion or folding stick
- Hot or cold packs, depending on what helps you
- Lightweight wheeled luggage, so you push rather than carry
- A National Key Scheme (RADAR) key for accessible toilets in the UK, available from Disability Rights UK
Our full packing list for arthritis travellers has more ideas.
Health and insurance for trips abroad
- Travel insurance: the FCDO says to buy insurance that covers your existing conditions, and to declare conditions and pending tests or treatment. Failing to declare can invalidate your policy.
- GHIC: the NHS says a free UK Global Health Insurance Card lets you get necessary state healthcare in the EEA and some other countries, including for pre-existing conditions. It does not replace insurance.
- Immune-suppressing medicines: talk to your GP or specialist team well before you go, as some travel vaccines may not be suitable.
- Medicines rules: some medicines are controlled in other countries. Check with the embassy of your destination.
- Heat and sun: some arthritis medicines can make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Check the leaflet and use sun protection.
Holidays with family and friends
Travelling with others can be a great support, but it can also mean feeling pressured to keep up. Before you go, talk about what you can and cannot do, agree on rest times, and suggest splitting up for some activities so no one misses out. Share your medicine list and insurance details with someone you trust.
If a big trip is not possible right now
Sometimes a long journey is not realistic, for example during a bad flare or while waiting for surgery. A short break close to home, day trips or a "holiday at home" with planned treats and rest can still give you a change of scene. Our guide to a holiday at home has ideas.
A holiday planning checklist you can copy
6 to 8 weeks before:
- Talk to your GP, pharmacist or specialist team about medicines, timing and vaccines.
- Buy travel insurance and declare your conditions (if going abroad).
- Check your GHIC is valid (for EEA trips).
- Book rail, airport or ferry assistance.
2 weeks before:
- Order repeat prescriptions so you have enough plus spare.
- Confirm accessible room details and assistance bookings in writing.
- Plan your first and last day as rest days.
The day before:
- Pack medicines, prescription copy and insurance details in your hand luggage.
- Charge your phone and any mobility equipment.
- Share your itinerary with someone at home.
Coming home
Try to leave a day or two between getting home and going back to work or busy commitments. Unpack gradually, keep up gentle movement, and do not be surprised if you feel stiff or tired for a few days. Make a note of what worked and what did not, so the next trip is even easier.
When to get medical help
Speak to your GP or specialist team before you book if your arthritis is not well controlled or you are due a change in treatment. While away, get urgent help if you have a hot, swollen, very painful joint with a fever, signs of infection while taking immune-suppressing medicines, or pain and swelling in one leg or sudden breathlessness after a long journey. In the UK call NHS 111 for urgent advice or 999 in an emergency. In the EU, call 112, and contact your insurer as soon as you can.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to go on holiday with arthritis?
There is no single best place. Choose somewhere that suits your walking ability, comfort in heat or cold, and how much travel you can manage.
Can I get help at train stations?
Yes. National Rail's Passenger Assist lets you book help for your journey, and train companies accept requests up to 2 hours before you travel.
Who can get a Disabled Persons Railcard?
People with certain disabilities and conditions, including those getting PIP or ADP at any rate. Check the eligibility criteria on the Railcard website.
Do hotels have to make adjustments for me?
In Great Britain, the Equality Act 2010 requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled people. Ask for what you need before you book.
How can I avoid a flare after my holiday?
Plan a quiet first and last day, pace activities, keep your usual medicines and exercises going, and leave time to recover before going back to work.
Do I need travel insurance for a UK holiday?
Not for medical care, as you can use the NHS. You may want cover for cancellation or belongings.
Can I take my mobility scooter or wheelchair on holiday?
Usually, yes. The CAA says you can take up to two mobility items free of charge on flights, but for electric scooters and wheelchairs you must give the airline full details, including the battery, in advance. Ferry and rail operators have their own rules, so check before you book.
Sources and further reading
- National Rail: Passenger Assist
- Disabled Persons Railcard
- CAA: Your accessibility rights
- GOV.UK (FCDO): Foreign travel insurance
- NHS: Get healthcare cover abroad with a UK GHIC
- GOV.UK: Take medicine in or out of the UK
- AccessAble
- Tourism for All
Educational information for people in the United Kingdom, not personal medical, legal or financial advice. NHS processes, rules and prices change, so check the linked official sources and speak to your GP, specialist team or pharmacist about your own situation. Charity no. 1218461. Pending clinical review. If you feel very unwell, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent advice, contact NHS 111.
Continue with related help
- Travel with arthritis hub — everything in one place
- Travelling with medicines — a UK checklist
- Gardening with arthritis — enjoying time outdoors
- Flying with arthritis — airport assistance