Accessibility vs Cost: Why Do Accessible Holidays Often Cost More?
Planning a holiday can be stressful enough. When you add mobility, sensory, or other access needs into the mix, it becomes even more complicated. One of the biggest frustrations many families face is simple: why do genuinely accessible holidays so often cost more?
In this article we explore why an accessible holiday can be more expensive, how to find lower cost options, why it is risky to give up important accessibility needs just to save money, and what guests, owners, and the wider industry can do to change things. Throughout, there are questions designed to start real conversations and share lived experiences.
Why Do Accessible Holidays Often Cost More?
It is easy to assume that higher prices are just a case of supply and demand. There are fewer accessible holiday options, so the ones that exist charge more. Sometimes that is part of the story, but there is much more going on behind the scenes.
Creating a genuinely accessible holiday home usually requires more than adding a ramp at the front door. It often means rethinking the whole layout of a property, from parking and entrance routes through to bedrooms, bathrooms and outdoor areas. Those changes come with real costs, both upfront and ongoing.
The Hidden Costs Property Owners Face
Most guests never see the invoices behind an adapted holiday home. When an accessible property is designed well, it often looks simple and natural. In reality, the owner may have invested thousands of pounds in upgrades that standard holiday lets never have to consider.
Examples of common hidden costs include:
- Widening internal doorways so that wheelchairs and mobility aids can pass through comfortably
- Installing level access or wet rooms instead of standard step-in showers or baths
- Reinforcing ceilings or floors to support hoists and other equipment
- Fitting secure grab rails, shower seats, and non slip flooring
- Creating step free or lowered thresholds at entrances and patio doors
- Adding designated accessible parking spaces close to the entrance
Some owners also invest in profiling beds, riser recliner chairs, portable hoists, visual alarms, or sensory friendly adjustments. These improvements benefit guests enormously but require real financial investment. A higher nightly rate often reflects these genuine upgrades.
When Accessibility Becomes a Premium Add On
There is another side to the story. While many owners are simply trying to cover genuine costs, there are cases where accessibility is treated as a premium extra rather than a basic need. Because fully accessible holiday properties are limited in many areas, some listings charge considerably more, even when the increased cost is not fully justified.
This is sometimes called “accessibility inflation”. Guests may feel forced to choose between overpaying or going without essential features such as step free access, adapted bathrooms, or workable parking. This is not just a pricing issue. It is a fairness and dignity issue.
A helpful reflection:
Have you ever seen two similar properties where the accessible holiday option was significantly more expensive? How did it influence your decision?
The Emotional Cost Of Giving Up Accessibility To Save Money
When budgets are tight, some families quietly compromise on access needs in order to make a holiday possible at all. The true price of that decision often only becomes clear when they arrive.
Common examples include:
- Choosing a cottage with a step at the entrance because it is cheaper, then spending the whole holiday lifting a wheelchair in and out
- Accepting a standard bathroom instead of a level access shower, and having to “make do” with unsafe transfers or strip washes
- Booking accommodation where the parking is far from the entrance, leaving guests exhausted before the day has even begun
- Taking a busy, noisy apartment because it costs less, even though a family member has sensory needs that make this overwhelming
These compromises might save money, but they create stress, pain and anxiety that can overshadow the whole trip. In some cases they can even lead to injury or medical emergencies. An accessible holiday that jeopardises wellbeing is not really a holiday at all.
A helpful question to ask yourself when comparing options is:
If this feature is missing, will it affect my safety, dignity, or ability to rest?
If the answer is yes, it is usually not worth sacrificing, even when money is tight.
How To Find Lower Cost Accessible Holidays Without Compromising Safety
The positive news is that it is possible to reduce costs without giving up essential accessibility features. The key is focusing on where and when you travel, rather than compromising on what you need on the ground.
1. Look Just Outside Major Hotspots
Properties 10 to 20 minutes outside popular towns or seaside areas often cost significantly less, while still giving you easy access to attractions, beaches, and local facilities.
2. Travel Off Peak Where You Can
Prices rise sharply in school holidays and bank holiday weekends. If your family has flexibility, consider:
- Travelling mid week instead of weekends
- Choosing early spring or late autumn instead of peak summer
- Looking at shorter stays that still give you a meaningful break
3. Book Direct With Owners
Many owners pay commission to listing platforms. Booking an accessible holiday directly can sometimes secure better rates, especially for longer stays. It is always worth politely asking if there is any flexibility for a full week or repeat visits.
4. Use Specialist Accessible Holiday Platforms
Specialist sites that focus on accessible holidays and adapted accommodation often feature a wider range of price points. Because they attract guests who value accessibility, owners may feel more confident offering fairer pricing rather than treating access as a luxury extra.
5. Ask Detailed Questions Before You Book
The clearer you are about the property, the less likely you are to overpay for features you do not need. For example, you might be happy with portable ramps and a shower chair rather than a fully adapted bathroom, as long as the layout works for you.
Helpful questions to ask include:
- How wide are the doorways, and is there step free access from parking to the entrance
- Is the bathroom level access, and are there grab rails or space for a shower chair
- Can furniture be moved to create more circulation space
- Do you have any photos or videos that show the route from parking through to the main living areas
What Owners Can Do Without Huge Expense
Not every improvement requires a full renovation. Many cost effective changes can significantly improve how accessible a holiday home feels for guests, especially when combined with clear and honest information.
Affordable steps owners can take include:
- Adding portable ramps for small steps and providing clear instructions for safe use
- Installing grab rails near toilets and in showers where the wall structure allows
- Providing shower chairs or perching stools
- Rearranging furniture to create wider, clearer pathways through rooms
- Ensuring at least one bedroom is on the ground floor where possible
- Improving outdoor lighting and clearly marking paths and steps
One of the most powerful things an owner can offer is accurate, detailed access information. Even if a property is not perfect, guests can make informed decisions when they can see clear descriptions, measurements, and photos of every key area.
The Role Of Tourism Boards And Government Support
At the moment, many owners who would like to adapt their properties feel that the costs fall entirely on them. Grants, tax incentives, or low interest loans for accessibility improvements are limited and often hard to access.
If we want more accessible holidays at fair prices, there is a strong argument that:
- Tourism boards should actively promote and support accessible upgrades
- Local councils should recognise the economic value of inclusive tourism
- Government schemes should make it easier and more affordable to invest in adaptations
Accessible tourism is not a niche. Families that need accessible holidays and adapted accommodation represent a large and loyal market. When they are priced out, local businesses and communities miss out too.
Turning Frustration Into Conversation And Change
The gap between accessibility and cost will not close overnight. However, real change often starts with honest conversation between guests, owners and the wider travel industry.
If you are a guest, you can:
- Share your experiences of fair or unfair pricing for accessible holidays
- Support owners who are clearly investing in good access at reasonable rates
- Leave detailed reviews that highlight accessibility strengths and weaknesses
If you are an owner, you can:
- Be transparent about your accessibility features and limitations
- Explain where your higher costs come from, especially if you have invested heavily in adaptations
- Ask guests for feedback on what matters most to them, so future upgrades are focused and effective
Join The Conversation
This is not just a pricing problem, it is a dignity and inclusion problem. When people have to choose between affordability and basic accessibility, something is not working in the way the system is set up.
To help move the conversation forward, you might like to reflect on and share your answers to questions like:
- Have you ever paid more for a holiday simply because it was the only accessible option available
- What is one accessibility feature you would never give up, even if a cheaper option was available without it
- If you are an owner, what has been the hardest or most expensive accessibility improvement to make
- What kind of support or incentives would make it easier for more properties to become truly accessible
Your experiences and ideas matter. By speaking up, sharing stories, and supporting the places that genuinely care about accessibility, we can help build a future where an accessible holiday is not a luxury item, but a standard part of travel for everyone who needs it.
Parts of this article were written with the assistance of AI to help improve clarity, structure, and accessibility. Some of the imagery used in the article was also generated with the help of AI. All content has been reviewed, edited, and approved by Disability Destinations before publication.