When score a metropolis’s accessibility for vacationers with disabilities, one of the vital crucial elements that I take into account is the supply of quick and frequent public transportation from the airport to town heart. With the historic unreliability of wheelchair taxis, disabled vacationers should have the ability to rely on public transportation to guarantee they received’t be stranded on the airport.
Even when public transport is on the market, I give desire to cities with a direct rail connection between the airport and downtown. Essentially the most accessible cities have trains or subway techniques that enable wheelchair customers to roll on and off unassisted — independence is the important thing to true accessibility.
On this article, I’ll have a look at the 20 U.S. Cities that supply wheelchair accessible trains from the airport to downtown — if you happen to’re seeking to choose a trip vacation spot that makes getting round simple, this record is a good place to start out.
Atlanta, Georgia
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport (ATL) is served by the Metropolitan Atlanta Fast Transit Authority (MARTA) with its Pink and Gold strains. The airport prepare station is related to the terminal constructing and is situated steps from home baggage declare.
The fare for a one-way journey is $2.50 and it takes round 20 minutes to get from the airport to town heart. MARTA is a wheelchair accessible metro system with level-entry boarding between prepare and station platform and elevators in any respect stations.
Baltimore, Maryland
The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) operates a light-weight rail service from Baltimore/Washington Worldwide Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) to downtown Baltimore. One-way fares are priced at $1.90 to $4.20 relying on the space traveled, and it takes roughly half-hour to achieve town heart.
Town’s mild rail trains are wheelchair accessible, with boarding at a chosen wheelchair platform. The prepare’s operator should deploy a bridge plate to allow entry to the cabin — wheelchair areas can be found on trains, by way of passengers seats that fold up and out of the way in which.
Boston, Massachusetts
Boston Logan Worldwide Airport (BOS) is related to downtown Boston by the MBTA Blue Line subway. Whereas the Blue Line’s Airport Station is situated on airport property, vacationers might want to take a bus between the station and terminal constructing.
The fare for a one-way journey is $2.40, and it takes roughly half-hour to get to town heart over the mixed subway and shuttle bus rides. The Blue Line subway prepare stops at Authorities Heart Station, which is situated close to many well-liked Boston points of interest. MBTA trains are wheelchair accessible, with stage boarding and designated areas for wheelchair customers.
Alternatively, vacationers can board the Silver Line SL1 bus on the airport, using it to South Station, the place connections to Amtrak and the MBTA Pink Line trains are doable. There isn’t any fare collected on the Silver Line for departures originating on the airport.
Chicago, Illinois
Chicago has two main airports: O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD) and Halfway Worldwide Airport (MDW), each of that are related to downtown Chicago by way of town’s elevated prepare service.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) operates a Blue Line prepare service from O’Hare, with a transit time of roughly 45 minutes to achieve town heart. Wheelchair customers usually require a ramp to board blue line trains (see the photograph above), together with on the airport station — passengers ought to flag down a station staffer or operator to request use of the ramp.
Halfway Airport is served by the Orange Line, with service to town in roughly 25 minutes. Stage-entry boarding is on the market on Orange Line trains and designated wheelchair areas are offered onboard.
Cleveland, Ohio
The Larger Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) operates the Pink Line prepare service from Cleveland Hopkins Worldwide Airport (CLE) to downtown Cleveland.
The one-way fare is $2.50, and it takes roughly 25 minutes to achieve the Tower Metropolis-Public Sq. Station downtown. RTA trains are wheelchair accessible.
Dallas, Texas
Dallas/Fort Value Worldwide Airport (DFW) is related to downtown Dallas by the DART Orange Line. The fare for a one-way journey is $2.50 and it takes roughly 50 minutes to get from the airport to town heart.
All DART mild rail trains are wheelchair accessible with stage entry boarding and designated wheelchair areas onboard. Within the downtown hall, most stations re situated at avenue stage — all through the community, all stations are wheelchair accessible with ramps and/or elevators.
All the pieces is greater in Texas, because the saying goes, and Dallas does issues BIG — take a look at these 18 Wheelchair Accessible Sights in Dallas, together with the JFK Assassination Museum, the Bush Presidential Library, dwell music in Deep Ellum, lovely public parks and extra!
Denver, Colorado
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) operates the A Line prepare service from Denver Worldwide Airport (DEN) to downtown Denver.
The one-way fare is $10.50, and it takes roughly about 40 minutes to achieve town heart at Union Station.
Miami, Florida
Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA) is related to downtown Miami by the Miami Metrorail. The Orange Line metro prepare departs from the airport’s rental automotive and public transport heart, which is related to the terminal constructing by way of the Miami Airport Mover monorail.
After boarding the Orange Line, vacationers might want to switch to the Inexperienced Line at Earlington Heights station to journey downtown. The fare for a one-way journey is $2.25 and it takes round 30 to 40 minutes to achieve town heart. Stage-entry boarding and house for wheelchairs is offered on all trains, and elevators can be found in any respect stations.
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Journey from Minneapolis/St. Paul Worldwide Airport (MSP) to downtown Minneapolis is feasible by way of the METRO Blue Line, which has stations at each Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. The fare for a one-way journey is $2.50-$3.00 relying on the time of day, and it takes round 25 minutes to get to town heart.
The hole between prepare and station platforms is minimal, permitting for level-entry boarding with a wheelchair. All stations are accessible, with elevators or ramps offered.
New York Metropolis (JFK)*
The AirTrain connects John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) to the New York Metropolis Subway and the Lengthy Island Rail Street at Jamaica Station. The subway strains accessible embody the E, J, and Z strains, whereas the LIRR gives service to Pennsylvania Station in Midtown Manhattan. Though rail service from JFK Airport does require a connection, the switch is pretty simple, which is why I’ve included it on this record.
The AirTrain runs 24/7 and takes round 35 minutes to achieve Midtown Manhattan. The one-way fare is $7.75 for the AirTrain and $2.75 for the subway or $10.00 for the LIRR. The AirTrain is wheelchair accessible in any respect terminal stations and at Jamaica Station. The onward LIRR prepare to Penn Station can be accessible by way of a ramp deployed by the prepare’s conductor.
Newark, New Jersey
Newark Liberty Worldwide Airport (EWR) is related to Newark Penn Station by way of the AirTrain Newark monorail system. The AirTrain runs 24/7 and takes roughly 10 minutes to achieve the station, the place vacationers can entry New Jersey Transit, PATH and Amtrak trains to New York Metropolis and different locations within the New York Metropolis metropolitan space.
A one-way fare for the AirTrain is $7.75, and onward prepare fares differ relying on the vacation spot. The AirTrain is wheelchair accessible, with stage boarding and lodging for wheelchair customers.
Oakland, California
The BART (Bay Space Fast Transit) prepare connects Oakland Worldwide Airport (OAK) to downtown San Francisco, Oakland, and different elements of the Bay Space by way of the Pittsburg/Bay Level – SFO/Millbrae Line.
The Oakland Airport BART Station is situated simply throughout from the terminals and takes round 35 minutes to achieve downtown Oakland and roughly 45 minutes to achieve downtown San Francisco. BART is wheelchair accessible, with elevators at stations and wheelchair areas accessible on all trains.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The SEPTA Airport Line connects Philadelphia Worldwide Airport (PHL) to Heart Metropolis Philadelphia. The prepare stops in any respect main airport terminals and takes round 25 minutes to achieve town heart.
The one-way fare is $8.00. SEPTA is wheelchair accessible, with elevators on the airport and metropolis heart stations, and wheelchair areas accessible onboard trains. A boarding plate is used to bridge the hole between the prepare and station platform.
Phoenix, Arizona
Passengers can journey between Phoenix Sky Harbor Worldwide Airport (PHX) and downtown Phoenix by means of the Valley Metro Rail’s Blue Line. To succeed in the Blue Line at forty fourth Avenue & Washington Station, vacationers ought to board the Phoenix Airport’s free Sky Practice, which additionally stops at Terminals 3 and 4, the rental automotive heart and parking storage.
Sky Practice rides are free, nevertheless the Blue Line fare is $2. Whole journey time from the airport terminal to downtown Phoenix is roughly 35 to 40 minutes. Each the PHX Sky Practice and Valley Metro Rail are wheelchair accessible, with stage boarding and wheelchair areas accessible on all trains.
Portland, Oregon
The MAX Pink Line connects Portland Worldwide Airport (PDX) to downtown Portland, Oregon and different elements of town.
The MAX station is situated on the decrease stage of the airport terminal and takes round 40 minutes to achieve downtown Portland. The one-way fare is $2.50. The MAX is wheelchair accessible, with stage boarding and wheelchair areas accessible on all trains.
Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah
Salt Lake Metropolis Worldwide Airport (SLC) is related to downtown Salt Lake Metropolis by the TRAX Inexperienced Line. The fare for a one-way journey is $2.50, and it takes roughly 20 minutes to get to town heart.
The station is related to the brand new Salt Lake Metropolis Airport terminal constructing by way of an out of doors walkway. From the terminal constructing, passengers ought to exit by way of door 1A and head east.
San Francisco, California
San Francisco Worldwide Airport (SFO) is served by BART, Bay Space Fast Transit, which gives direct prepare service from the airport to downtown San Francisco, together with stops at well-liked vacationer locations comparable to Union Sq. and the Embarcadero.
The journey takes about 30 to 40 minutes and one-way fares price round $10-$12. All BART stations are wheelchair accessible, with elevators and accessible fare gates accessible. Wheelchair areas can be found contained in the prepare automobiles, and the hole between the boarding platform and prepare is minimal.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle-Tacoma Worldwide Airport (SEA) is related to downtown Seattle by the Sound Transit Hyperlink Gentle Rail (Pink Line). The direct prepare service from the airport to downtown Seattle consists of stops at well-liked vacationer locations comparable to Pioneer Sq. and the House Needle. The fare for a one-way journey is $3.25-$4.50 relying on the time of day, and it takes roughly 35-40 minutes to get to town heart.
The SeaTac/Airport Station is situated on the fourth flooring of the airport parking storage, accessible immediately from the airport terminal constructing. The Hyperlink Gentle Rail is wheelchair accessible in any respect stations, with stage boarding and wheelchair areas accessible on all trains.
St. Louis, Missouri
The MetroLink mild rail system serves Lambert St. Louis Worldwide Airport (STL) by way of the Pink Line. The prepare takes roughly 30-40 minutes to achieve town heart, with a number of stops alongside the way in which. The pink line serves downtown St. Louis, with stops close to well-liked points of interest such because the Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, Union Station and extra.
A one-way fare on MetroLink is $2.50, with decreased fares for seniors and people with disabilities. The sunshine rail trains are accessible, with stage boarding and designated areas for wheelchair customers (flip-up seats). All MetroLink stations are wheelchair accessible, with elevators and/or ramps to the station platform.
To be taught extra about wheelchair accessibility within the Gateway Metropolis, check out the St. Louis Wheelchair Journey Information.
Washington, D.C.
Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport (DCA) is related to downtown Washington, D.C. by the Yellow and Blue Strains of the WMATA Metro rail system. The fare for a one-way journey is $2 to $6 relying on the time of day and distance traveled, and it takes roughly 15-20 minutes to get to town heart on the Yellow Line.
The airport metro station is related to the DCA Airport by way of an enclosed walkway, nevertheless the station platform is open air. All Metrorail stations are wheelchair accessible, with elevators and tactile paving put in. There’s a minimal hole between the prepare and station platform, making it simple for wheelchair customers to roll on and off the trains unassisted.
Town’s major worldwide airport, Washington Dulles Worldwide Airport (IAD), is served by the Metro’s Silver Line. In November 2022, a brand new prepare station opened on the airport, changing the prior bus service to Wiehle-Reston East Station. The airport station is related to the principle terminal by way of an indoor pedestrian tunnel with shifting sidewalks. Fares differ by time of day and distance traveled, however vary from $2 to $6.
Ultimate Ideas
Practice service on the airport just isn’t unusual in Europe and Asia, the place practically all main airports are served by metro/subway techniques and intercity trains. That stage of connectivity doesn’t but exist in the USA, however plans are underway to construct rail extensions to a number of main airports. Washington, D.C. was the newest to introduce a brand new airport rail connection, with the Silver Line extension delivering service to the nation’s twenty eighth busiest airport, Washington Dulles Worldwide.
With out direct prepare service to the airport, wheelchair customers can face vital obstacles to accessible — and will even be pressured to sleep on the airport when wheelchair taxis are unreliable or unavailable. Metropolis and transportation planners should acknowledge the utility of rail service direct to America’s airports, as a lot of the world has already finished.
