Accessible Public Transport in Budapest

Special mention: Budapest among the best European cities

The European Commission presented the 2015 Access City Awards on the occasion of the European Day for People with Disabilities on 3 December 2014 in Brussels in the framework of the accessibility contest for the recognition of the best disability-friendly cities which took significant measures to make their cities accessible.

The Access City Award was established in 2010 to raise awareness of disability and to promote accessibility initiatives in European cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants.

Since 2010, the Access City Award has been given four times during which 189 cities have entered the contest.

In 2014, 62 cities applied for this award. Budapest was selected by the European Commission from among the best seven cities and was granted the special mention for its work in the field of transport.

The award was received last week by Ms Alexandra Szalay-Bobrovniczky, Deputy Mayor for Human Affairs and Dr Balázs Szeneczey, Deputy Mayor for City Development.

Markethalls in Budapest - Hungary. View out of the wheelchair

Great Market Hall, Boedapest - Hungary. Largest indoor market in Budapest, more then 10,000 square meters. At the end of shopping street Váci utca. Its a popular tourist attraction. You have to buy some Hungarian product like . produce, meats, pastries, candies, spices, and spirits such as paprika, tokaji, túró rudi, and caviar.

Accessible Budapest, Hungary near Lake Velence

If you plan to visit Budapest, the capital of Hungary, this page will provide you some useful information on the accessibility of important historical and heritage sites and of other facilities. First of all it must be stated that Budapest does not belong to the cities with high level accessibility in Europe, it is probably at medium level. This means, a part of the transportation, most parts of the built historical environment, most five and four star hotels, a few three star hotels, few restaurants, coffee shops and churches, some of the wellknown medical baths and museums, as well as all shopping centers have an access or are adapted to the needs of people first of all with physical disability, using wheelchair. Attention has been more and more devoted to people with visual, mental and other disabilities as well. Our aim is to create tourism for all in Budapest.

Covered market in Budapest, wheelchair access.

  

Historical and heritage sites and buildings in the Buda Castle  

Situated on a hill at the river Danube, the town Buda (Buda Castle) used to be the capital of Hungary between cca. 1250 and 1873. The historical town including the Royal Palace, surrounded by medieval walls – today 1st district of Budapest, generally called the Castle area – offers the most important sights, the most beautiful  places  to  visit.  The river side and the Castle area belong to the UNESCO World Heritage.

Access to the area:

• Cars are banned from the Castle District in order to protect historical built environment from pollution: only people who live or work in the area, guests of the hotels, taxis, bus nr.16, 16A, 116 as well as cars or microbuses taking persons with physical disability – placing their blue parking card (valid all over Europe) under the windscreen – have permission to drive in free of charge. Bus nr.16 has also a low-floor bus with ramp. Other vehicles will be charged or must be left in the parking place up in the Castle area. At the entrance gates in Hunyadi János Street or Várfok Street the button of „Hotel” must be pushed and the provided ticket taken from the equipment. When leaving the Castle area (on Palota Street) the ticket should be put into the equipment.

• The Funicular (Budavári Sikló) take people from Clark Ádám square (at Chain Bridge) up to the Royal Palace. It is the fully accessible, please see the wheelchair logo. One way costs 1.000 HUF, two ways cost 1.700 HUF. For further information please see www.bkk.hu. (Valid in 2014)      

• The Elevator (Gyorslift) take people from Palota street at Dózsa György Square up to the western side of the Royal Palace (National Széchenyi Library). One way costs 200 HUF (0,6 EUR). It is fully accessible and free of charge for people using wheelchair.  

Mátyás Church (1014 Budapest, Országház u. 14.) – In 2013 fresh renovated.This is the main parish church of the Castle area, a historical building, a symbol of Budapest. People with disabilities can visit the Church with a free ticket. The entrance which is close to the Fisherman Bastion can be used barrierfree. The free ticket can be obtained at the ticket office next to the Church, and at the same time it can also be requested to open that barrierfree door, which is otherwise not always open. In front of the Church the tactile modell of the Mátyás Church and Fisherman’s Bastion with braille inscription is placed.   For more information please see: www.matyas-templom.hu

Fisherman’s Bastion (Halászbástya) – near Mátyás Church: from the ground floor people can enjoy the beautiful view to the river Danube, the Margaret Island and the City of Pest.

Love, date without boundary in Thailand.

Disabled, young and wild are caractaristics not going well together without prejudice. Parents keep their young disabled children safe, sometimes too safe. Most teenage friends don't know how to respond to the limitations of a handicap. And a date, a lover or a marriage is just one step too far for the imagination of most people. But sometimes people do fall in love and then they have to face the opinion and prejudice of their family, friends, co-students, colleagues, etcetera. An article of the Telegraaf tells a story of American teenagers falling in love. He is disabled due to a muscular disease and she is a healthy and beautiful young lady. It could be my story 35 years ago.

But most disabled people are not that lucky. After many years they are still not able to find a girl or boy friend. But sometimes love can be found in unexpected places like Thailand. Thai women are very caring and loving. It is still part of their nature. But in return they like you to support their family consisting of their children, parents and sometimes even brothers and sister and their children. The Thai economy is thriving on lonely men looking for a loving, caring partner.

So are you looking for a girl friend? Are you lonely and looking for love? Why not come to Thailand? We have beautiful wheelchair accessible accomodation which will suite your needs of accessiblity and privacy. More information? Contact me by email wheelchairthailand@gmail.com .

Beach wheelchair Thailand Hua Hin

A ling time ago we have imported a beach wheelchair with 4 balloon wheels to take long walks on the beach. People who depend on a wheelchair enjoy these walks along the water very much. Sometimes they even go into the water, but then have difficulties to get out.

But last year we have added a three wheel beach wheelchair which can float. And what happened?Guests of our wheelchair accessible holiday homes go into the sea, float around and get a lovely taint.
And to show you how well it floats, we have shot a small movie of a disabled guest with his permission at Khao Takiab Beach, Hua Hin, Thailand. Thank you, Harri. How long ago was your last dip in the sea?

 

In Hua Hin we have a private beach wheelchair for our guests. In France the First Aid Posts at the beach in Canet Plage have the same beach wheelchairs available for free. The guards even help you with moving over from your wheelchair. And after you do you can float around in the Mediterranean Sea. And how lovely is that?

Location Wheelchair Holidays

In previous Blogpost I already talked about our holiday homes in France, Hungary and Thailand. And often I write about the things we have done. In my wheelchair I experience the same problems as you would when you would visit one of my accommodations. But not only the accommodation needs to be wheelchair accessible, the location is as important as the holiday home itself.

Where do you prefer your holiday accommodation? On top of a mountain, at a remote beach, at the end of a dirt road? Or in town with easy access to amenities and sights? Right. You probably choose the last one. Just like me and anyone else you like to leave the house and drive around in your wheelchair independently. A location where your family or travel companions don't need to push your wheelchair, with restaurants around the corner and shops within walking distance.
When you like what you read have a look at our Maps, publicly shared on Google Maps.

• The holiday homes in Hua Hin, Thailand. Zoom in and click on the green houses. The apartment is located in the centre of Hua Hin and the pool villa's at the border of the centre. The small wheelchair signs represent the wheelchair accessible toilet and the little yellow suns ramps onto the beach. In Hua Hin is no accessible public transport, but our van can take you where you like to go.
• The sea is only 700m from our apartment in Canet Plage, France . All amenities are within walking distance. public transport is accessible and the bus stop is only 300m. Airport and TGV train station can be found in Perpignan at 15km and can be reached by bus.
• Lake Velence, Hungary, partly nature reserve, is only 100m from our detached house in Velence. A small country town with amenities within walking distance. A nice location for families with younger children and or seniors. Accessible trains run up and down Budapest. Departure from Velence Station at 2km.

Below here one of our maps. Hua Hin, Thailand. Last updated 24 December 2013.


View Wheelchair accessible Hua Hin - Thailand in a larger map

Questions? Want to know more? Don't hesitate to write an email. When we don't know our staff knows. They live there and speak the local language fluently.

King regards,
Hanneke Fronik, Theo and Johanna, Mishi and Eva, Pannida en Hans, Kan, Kiao, Lek en Fon. We all like to welcome you and serve you as best as we can to give you the holiday of a lifetime.

Holidays for Wheelchair Thailand

Holiday season, peak season. Many tourist and local Thai people enjoy the festivities, the atmosphere and the Christmas spirit all around. Street are lit, shopping malls are decorated and many shops, restaurants, etc. wish their customers a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Just a few pictures to show you Hua Hin during Holiday Season.

Parade King Bhumibol of Thailand.

In honour of King Bhumibol's Birthday a parade is passing according the map below.

Where? Petchkasem Road, Hua Hin, in front of Klai Kangwong Palace.
When? December 5, 10.30am.

Wheelchair access? The streets are level so it should not be a problem to find a spot to watch. Come early. It will be crowded. Bring water and a umbrella.

Hope to see you there.

WheelchairThailand Hua Hin or Gehandicapten.com

Birthday coming up for WheelchairThailand Hua Hin.

Birthdays. They happen every year and every year we get one year older. In December King Bhumibol is celebrating his birthday on December 5. Hua Hin people are preparing.

Hua Hin People Love our King.

The female part of Wheelchair Thailand celebrates her birthday on December 7. And in The Netherlands we celebrate the birthday of Sinterklaas on December 6 with gifts for the children on the evening before.

But the birthday party for the King beats every festivity in Hua Hin. At the moment the King lives in Hua Hin and many military is coming to Hua Hin, streets are decorated and lit and bulletin boards announce a party.

Translation

Invite to join Candles Ceremony for His Majesty 5th December 2013 and join concert for King's honor with singer Jenifer Kim/Eak Surachet/Wai Kamikase/ Kanomjean Kamikase/Alarm 9 and join Happiness of Population is Happiness of our king exhibition with Art gallery and King's giving Happy New Year Card, At Queen's Park, 19 Rai 5 December 2013 Start from 10 AM.

So come and join this party. I'm sure everyone is welcome to celebrate His Majesty's birthday.

19 Rai is wheelchair accessible. Just don't expect a restroom / toilet with wheelchair access.

See you there.

Vintage wheels for Wheelchair Thailand in Hua Hin

Last weekend in Hua Hin many vintage cars were visiting Hua Hin. First they were displayed at Venezia, the new amusementparks annex shopping mall. From here they drove in convoy, like a parade to the Centara Grand Hotel in the centre of Hua Hin. And Sunday morning I took a look at these magnificent cars from the past. Like the Mercedes on the picture below.

Some cars weren't that old, but made me feel old. Like the Volkswagen T1 from the sixties. I saw this drive around in my country when I was a child. And the Citroën Pallas, better known as the Snoek (Dutch word for pike) also a Golden Oldie. And the Volkswagen Kever (Beetle).

See for yourself here is a link to my album.

Coming up:
Celebrations of His Majesty Bhumibol Birthday.

Airport power Wheelchair check-in

Have you ever considered travelling with you powered wheelchair? And did you decide to leave it at home because you were afraid the handlers would damage it. Then watch this movie about me and my powered wheelchair preparations at the check-in of Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for my 20th flight to Bangkok Airport Suvarnabhumi. I made this movie as an example. When you want to travel you have to find a way how to prepare your wheelchair.



What do you see?

• A small toolkit with which you can handle bolds and screws.
• Tie-raps to tie down cables.
• Removal of joy stick to prevent damage to steering mechanism.
• Disconnecting the battery cable underneath.
• Minimize size of wheelchair. Some airplane loading doors are just 84cm high.
• Wheelchair parts in bag to prevent them to get soaked in the rain. And less weight in your suite case.
• Luggage straps to tie down wheelchair parts in bag.
• Instruction of airport staff how to handle manual breaks and wheelchair during transportation.

Do you have question about how to travel as a disabled? Don't hesitate to email us.

Or read more stories about travelling with a powered wheelchair on my Dutch Blog.

Wheelchair Thailand flat tire

Flat wheelchair tire repair Hua Hin, Thailand.

Amazing what Thai people do to earn a decent living. We are glad with this kind of service, can not find it in our country and certainly not for this kind of money.
Saturday evening 7 pm and I have a flat tire.

HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My wife driving around in our car and looking for a repair shop. Finally after 1 hour I find a shop able and willing to repair my flat tire.

THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




And what kind of shop this is. This man is building motor bikes. So a lot to look at. Not boring at all. Have a look at the picture below. Do you like to ride this? My wife does.

Low rider, motor bike shop Pa La U Road, Hua Hin, Thailand.

Wheelchair accessible beach in Canet Plage, France

This time I want to show you the wheelchair access to the beaches in Canet en Roussillon at the Mediterranean Sea in France. This stretch of beach in Canet Plage, as big as Copacabana Beach or Ipanema Beach in Brazil, is wheelchair accessible. And with the beach wheelchairs available for free and the Mobimat to the waterline you can even go for a swim.
Here is our video of this wonderful beach in the Languedoc-Roussillon, France made bij Gehandicapten.com.

Wheelchair in Canet en Roussillon

High season in France. In July and August it is summer in Europe and all children have school holidays. Along the Mediterranean Sea many tourist enjoy the sun and the fun. In Canet Plage many festivities and activities are presented to please the visitors in this lovely and lively beach resort in the South of France. Also disabled people and handicapped in wheelchairs will enjoy this Catalonian village with Spanish influences.

To show you some of the entertainment here is a Youtube video mad by Gehandicapten.com during the first two weeks in July.

In case you are looking for an wheelchair accessible apartment please take a look at this photoalbum.

Don't hesitate to email to Hanneke Fronik for more information about Canet and this accommodation.

Hungary, wheelchair at Lake Velence

Hungary, land of peppers, garlic and onions. But also land of beautiful lakes, gipsy music and part of the European Union. Changing fast in a modern community with wheelchair access.

One of the lakes in Hungary is Lake Velence. A small shallow lake, partly nature reserve, and partly a favorit destination for tourists and local people. Lake Velence has very pleasant water temperatures. So in springtime it is already busy at the lakeside with walkers, bikers, swimmers, wakeboarders, etc.
A smooth bike path around the lake gives handbikers, mobility scooter drivers and wheelchair users the opportunity to enjoy the lake the way they can.

To show you this Lake and all the things you can do around here watch this movie.

 

Within 100 meter from this beach you will find a wheelchair accessible holiday home, which can accommodate 6 people and which has a private pool. More information can be found on the website of Gehandicapten.com.

Questions? Don't hesitate to write an email to Gehandicapten.com

Wheelchair access to holiday accommodation

In Southern France within walking distance of the Mediterranean Sea you will find this wheelchair accessible condominium. Adapted to the needs of wheelchair users, slow walkers and senior travellers.

The video shows you the entrance of this adapted holiday rental by car / wheelchair with remote control and the private back entrance of this condo with wheelchair access.

The owner, starring in this video, is wheelchair user himself due to a muscular disease.

 

More information about this holiday accommodation for rent can be found on this website.

Or email to the owner.

The apartment is located in Canet Plage. Within walking distance you will find the beach and the boulevard, supermarket, restaurants and pubs with sunny terraces, ATM, take away food, shops, markets and even McDonalds for those you don't like French croissants, wine and cheese.

Beach wheelchair floats in Hua Hin Thailand

A new beach wheelchair for guests of Gehandicapten.com / Wheelchair Thailand . I have tried it at Blue Wave Beach, Hua Hin, Thailand and it floats very well. Have a look at this video and convince yourself. Now all disabled people can go into the sea.

 

 

Happy Songkran watch my latest movies about New Year (water) festival in Thailand

New Years Eve in Hua Hin,Thailand

Celebrating New Years Eve in Thailand is different from European New Year.

Thailand celebrates New Year three times a year. Once in February according the Chinese Calendar, once in April according the Thai Buddhist Calendar, once in December according the Western Calendar. Last year WheelchairThailand Hua Hin alias Gehandicapten.com celebrated New Years Eve with friends at 19 Rai.

Coming up the Thai version of the European New Year celebration at 19 Rai (speak Seep Khao Lai).
19 Rai is a big event site with table and chairs, food stalls and music just for this special evening. Gather here with friends and family, eat some good Thai food, drink a beer or two and enjoy the Thai music. Listen to the speeches in Thai by the mayor, get blessed by the monks at 12 o'clock and enjoy the fireworks afterwards. Buy yourself a wish balloon and let it take off in the air. A really nice holiday experience.
The event site is wheelchair accessible, but here is no wheelchair accessible toilet nearby.



Wish balloon at 19 Rai in Hua Hin.

WheelchairThailand Hua Hin at 19 Rai.

Fireworks New Years Eve 2011, Hua Hin.

Monks blessing people at 19 Rai, Hua Hin.
 

 Not your cup of tea. Market Village, the shopping center in Hua Hin, has a New Years Party too. Also luxury hotels celebrate New Year.

Best Practices, Disabled parking in Hua Hin

Disabled Parking

Pranburi, feb. 2012.

The last few months I have been thinking of starting a new serie. Best Practices in Hua Hin and surrounding areas concerning accessibility.
We came across several disabled parking places, but always belonging to hotels or condominiums like Tira Tiraa. But yesterday I came accross the first disabled parking place near a public building.

This parking place is located on the parking lawn of the Pranburi Diver License Office. And yes it is wide enough, long enough and marked with a blue surface and a white wheelchair sign in it. The sign has a white wheelchair and "disabled parking" in Thai and English written.

Okay this is Pranburi and not Hua Hin. But good examples will be followed. So thank you Pranburi driver license office. We are very happy you include disabled people and provide them with accessible parking.

We do hope Hua Hin will follow this best practice of accessibility and make disabled parking places near the municipality, post office, banks, police stations, beaches, parks, shopping malls and so on.