Wheelchairs and mobility devices
I use a mobility device, what accessible facilities are available?
Some of our trains are accessible for customers with mobility devices.
These trains are the Tilt Trains and Spirit of Queensland:
- on these trains, our team uses a ramp to help you get on and off with your device
- there are accessible seats that have space included for your mobility device. This means you can either sit in the seat and store your device in the space or stay in your device
- these trains have accessible toilets. The Spirit of Queensland also has accessible showers.
To help you plan your journey please check the Carriage Layouts for information about our accessible seats and spaces and to learn about dimensions of our aisles, corridors and doors on our services.
The Spirit of the Outback, Westlander and Inlander are not accessible for most customers with mobility devices due to the narrow doors, aisle ways and lack of accessible facilities onboard.
Customers who have trouble accessing the onboard dining facilities can request food and beverages to be served to their seat or sleeper. Find out more about Onboard Dining and Menus.
I can walk short distances but use a mobility device to get around. Can I take my device on the train with me?
Yes you can take your mobility device on the train. These are your options for each train:
- Tilt Train and Spirit of Queensland: depending on the dimensions and weight, your device can be stored in an accessible space near you. You also have the option to stay in your device for some or all of your trip.
- Spirit of the Outback, Westlander, and Inlander: your device can only be stored in the luggage carriage.
A booking is required as space is limited. Please check the information on mobility device dimension and weight limits at Accessible facilities by service or discuss with your travel consultant.
I have trouble walking and use a walking frame. Will I be able to do so onboard?
You may be able to use a walking frame or other mobility aid, depending on its size. Please visit
Carriage Layouts for dimensions of our aisles, corridors and doors on our services to help you plan your journey. You may find it helpful to Tour Our Trains to understand the layout of our trains.
I made a booking for myself in an accessible seat/RailBed with my carer/companion, but their name doesn’t appear on my ticket. How do I know where they will sit and where my mobility device will go?
Your carer/companion has been allocated a seat, it just doesn’t show on the ticket. There is also an allocated space close by for your mobility device. Please visit our Carriage Layouts webpage and select your train carriage from your ticket. We describe and display where your carer/companion will sit and where your device will be located. You can also Tour Our Trains to see this virtually.
Deaf or Hard of Hearing
I am deaf/hard of hearing and want to know what is in place to assist me?
The hearing loop system is currently available on most railway station platforms and on the Tilt Train and Spirit of Queensland services. The hearing loop is operational in all seating areas of these services and in the Spirit of Queensland Café area.
The Spirit of Queensland also provides captioning on all content if you are travelling in carriages with entertainment screens.
If you require any assistance onboard, please view our
Assistance available for details on how our team can help.
To find out whether your railway station has a hearing loop system available, check our
Find your station page.
Blind or Low Vision
I am blind/low vision and want to know what is in place to assist me?
All Tilt Train services, and Spirit of Queensland services have:
- high visibility handrails and grab handles on seats, aisle-ways and flooring in contrasting colours
- accessible signage provided throughout the carriages with raised text, clear colour contrasts, pictograms and Braille
- overhead lockers with raised numbers and Braille to assist you in identifying your seat location
If you require any assistance onboard, please view our
Assistance available for details on how our team can help.
Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs and Assistance Animals
Can I travel on a long-distance train with my guide, hearing or assistance animal?
Yes, we are happy to accept bookings for animals that are:
- guide, hearing and assistance dogs trained and certified in accordance with the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 (Qld) with an identity card issued in accordance with that Act or
- animals that meet the assistance animal requirements as outlined in the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) (“assistance animal”). This means animals that assist a person with a disability to alleviate the effect of the disability and meet standards of hygiene and behaviour appropriate for an animal in a public place. They must also have an approved assistance animal pass.
All assistance animals travel free of charge on Queensland Rail Travel services, and a booking is required for each assistance animal.
Guide, hearing and assistance animals must be trained, and customers may be asked to produce evidence that the animal has been trained appropriately.
In the absence of evidence or identification, travel with the assistance animal may not be approved. If you are unable to provide sufficient evidence that the assistance animal has been trained, please discuss with us in advance of travel.
For further information including how to book, please visit
Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs and Assistance Animals.
My dog has been approved to start training as an assistance animal, but has not yet completed their training. Can I travel on your services with my dog to take them to training?
No, for an assistance animal to travel on our services they must have completed training with an approved training organisation.
We do allow dogs in training with their trainer if they are a guide, hearing or assistance dog being trained and certified in accordance with the Guide, Hearing and Assistance Dogs Act 2009 (Qld) with an identity card issued in accordance with that Act.
I want to bring with me additional assistive products or devices that are required due to my disability. Is this possible?
Yes. Customers with a disability can bring additional assistive products or devices as required for their personal use. We allow up to 20kg maximum for each item but they must be within the dimensions outlined in our policy -
Luggage allowance information. These additional items do not count towards the carry-on or checked baggage allowances and there is no additional charge to you.
These additional items can be checked in or you can bring them as carry-on luggage (depending on the dimensions). Items that are checked in cannot be accessed during travel and must be collected at your destination. Please be aware, for safety reasons, our onboard team can only assist you with carry-on items e up to 7kg maximum.
Assistive products and devices include but are not limited to products such as canes, walking frames, wheelie walkers, crutches, disability hoists and shower/toilet chairs, oxygen concentrators or medical oxygen cylinders.
I require additional luggage to carry essential items for my guide, hearing or assistance animal outside my luggage allowance. Is this possible?
For customers travelling with an approved assistance animal, our luggage policy allows for one additional luggage item (up to 20kg maximum). This can be checked in or you can bring this as carry-on luggage if you need to access these items while travelling with an assistance animal. Note that our onboard team can only assist with luggage up to 7kg maximum.
General
I require assistance with my medication on my journey, what assistance can the Onboard team give me?
While our Onboard teams are trained in first aid procedures, they cannot assist with giving injections or administering medication. Should you require this assistance, please arrange for someone to accompany you who can.
Our Onboard teams can refrigerate medication for you if required. They cannot administer medication. Your medication must be in a sealed container and clearly labelled with your name, contact phone number and carriage seat/RailBed/sleeper number. Container size must be less than 210mm long x 140mm wide x 75mm deep. For more information on travelling with medicines or medical equipment please visit Fit for travel.
I use my Queensland resident pensioner concession card to access my rail entitlements, can my Carer also use my entitlements?
Carers aren’t covered under your pensioner entitlements. An eligible carer can travel free on our services when accompanying a customer with a disability who requires their assistance. The free Carer’s seat/RailBed or Sleeper needs to be in the same travel option and near you.
Carer eligibility for free travel:
- If you hold a Companion Card, the card can be used to access a free Carer's ticket.
- If you are using Queensland Pensioner Rail Entitlements for your booking, you can provide a letter from a doctor which states the requirement for a Carer to travel with you. The letter allows access to a free Carer's ticket and will be valid for 2 years from the date of issue.
For more information, including how to book please visit
Travelling with a Carer.
Sometimes I experience heightened anxiety in situations with increased stimulation and find loud noises, with lots of people overwhelming. Is there any support available for me when travelling with Queensland Rail Travel?
Yes, if you let us know before you book, we will try to make arrangements like;
- finding you seating in a quieter part of the train if available
- pre-ordering food at the time of booking or when on the train to be delivered to your seat
We also recommend you bring along things to make you more comfortable and reduce stimulation, like noise-cancelling headphones, electronic devices etc.
I like to be able to plan my trip and get an idea of the train environment before travelling, is there anything available to help me?
We have virtual tours so you can take a tour of your train and familiarise yourself with facilities. These tours are also available in descriptive text. Visit Tour our trains for more information.
What happens if my train is running late or there is an issue and it can’t travel?
Our Disruptions FAQs will give you an idea of what to expect if there is an issue with your train.
I have an emotional support animal/companion animal/comfort animal can I bring them on your services?
No, emotional support animal/companion animal/comfort animals are not accepted for travel on our services as they do not have public access rights. They are usually also not officially trained to alleviate the effects of your disability.
Guide, hearing and assistance animals are accepted as they must be trained, and you may be asked to produce evidence that supports this. In the absence of evidence or identification, travel with the assistance animal may not be approved. If you are unable to provide sufficient evidence that your assistance animal has been trained, please discuss with us before you travel.