An archipelago for everyone, travelling for disabled

Stockholm is known for it's beautiful and wide archipelago. An archipelago that offers unique opportunities for experiencing the nature for Stockholms population as well as tourists. An archipelago that is open to everybody- or should we say almost everybody? The foundation for recreation and outdoor life lead by Loa Rissmar, who is disabled and bound to a wheel chair, has during the last few summers travelled around Stockholms archipelago and researched the accessibility for disabled people.

The trips shows that the opportunity to be able to enjoy salt splashes against ones cheek and the toss of the waves has opened up to more and more. This is thanks to more accessible ships and an increased number of destinations in our lovely, beautiful archipelago.

All Waxholmsbolagets own ships are equipped with a wide and stable gangway and the new ships offer a striking view from the upper deck which is easy to access by the elevator. On a number of islands there are accessible outhouses, resting benches and fitted public premises for the disabled.
You can find more information about the archipelago's accessibility for disabled persons in the brochure "Archipelago for everyone" that has been published in a co-operation between Waxholmsbolaget and the Foundation of the Archipelago. The brochure can be ordered through the publishers or downloaded below.

Download the brochure (8MB) »
Read or download the inventory report on Waxholmsbolaget »
See all the ships accessibility onboard »

Accessibility onboard

Waxholmsbolaget owns 20 ships that are in traffic in the Stockholm archipelago. All ships are equipped with a wide and stable gangway. When getting off and boarding there is always crew available onboard to help. On the more modern ships there is an accessible toilet and a minimum of door steps. The older ships - the classical ones - Norrskär, Storskär, Västan, Ramsö and Skarpö - have some what less accessibility onboard and require more movability of the passengers. You can find more detailed information about each individual ship in the ship information under Our Ships via the link "Accessibility onboard".

Passengers with mild walking difficulties and those who use a light and easy wheel chair can travel on almost all of Waxholmsbolaget's ships. Passengers who uses an electric wheel chair also have the possibility to get out with almost all ships, although we recommend travelling with the more modern ships where the accessibility and the space is best. An assistent is good to bring regardless of disablement.

In Waxholmsbolaget's service also operates a number of ships that are owned and operated by other contactors. Among these ships the accessibility varies. On these ships there is also wide gangways with handrails, plenty of space onboard and accessible restrooms, but there are also ships that wheel chairs have to be carried onboard and down the stairs to the lounge. In the brochure "An archipelago for everyone" and in the timetables there is a common description of the accessibility of most of the contractors ships.

Getting off and boarding

All Waxholmsbolagets ships are equipped with an at least 85 cm wide, stable gangway with handrails on both sides. The ships crew is always available to help at boarding and getting off. One of the difficulties can be that the inclination of the gangway sometimes is extra steep- particularly at Strömkajen which is one of the highest docks.
The gangways inclination and height on the footing varies with the water level of the land making.

Restrooms

The accessibility of the restrooms on the ships varies. Generally you can say that the more modern ships have larger restrooms with wider doors. For more exakt information, see each individual ship.

Cafeteria

On most of the ships there is a cafeteria which serves coffee and more simple dishes. Onboard the more modern ships the cafeteria is often easy to access. Most ships do lack space for wheel chairs by the tables and moving from the wheel chair to a seat is often preffered.

Peak season

During peak season, for example during the vacation periods and during the summers weekends there is extra many who travel with the ships. This leads to that the accessibility on the ships lessens, space decreases and the tempo can be experienced as more stressful. It is also harder to find parking places close to the jettys. So it is easiest to travel during the low season when the ships are less crowded.

Sitting outside

The doorsteps between the lounge and the outside deck is often quite high. On some of the ships there is short, steep ramps, to facilitate the passage. Power and balance is required to pass these. For more information about what ships you should choose to travel with if you want to sit outside, please see Our Ships.

Tips before travelling

Before you travel you should find out what ships operate the route you want to go on. It can also be an advantage to check that the ship has the desired accessibility. Especially if you wish to travel with an electric wheel chair or an electric moped.

Times and tables

You can find information about times and tables in Waxholmsbolagets three timetables: northern, middle and southern archipelago. All timetables contain a special reference with the accessibility of the ship for the disabled. More specific information is available under the link "Our Ships"
Every once in a while the ship that has been assigned a certain departure in the timetable is not always the ship that will operate on the route. For different reasons there are sometimes ships that temporarily must be replaced with another ship. Feel free to contact Waxholmsbolaget's traffic information on phone number 08-679 58 30 to get the current information about the different departures.

Terminals

The timetables are available at any of Waxholmsbolaget's three staffed traffic terminals:
at Strömkajen in Stockholm, in Vaxholm and in Stavsnäs. At the terminals you can also get more tips before your trip. There are parking places and restrooms for the disabled at the terminals.

Tickets and prices

Tickets are sold onboard the ships. Passengers who are eligible for seniors discount get a discount on the regular cash price. Written information about prices and discounts is stated here on the website under the link "Archipelago traffic/rates" and in the different timetables.

Assistant

It is often an advantage to bring somebody who can assist you on the islands and ships. Travellers with mobility service cards (issued by Stockholms Läns Landsting) have a right to bring an assistent free of charge.

Archipelago for everyone

In the brochure "Archipelago for everyone" you can read more about both ships and destinations that are suitable for disabled. The brochure is a co-operation between Waxholmsbolaget and Skärgårdsstiftelsen and can be ordered at Skärgårdsstiftelsen on phone number 08-440 56 00 or picked up at any of Waxholmsbolaget's terminals at Strömkajen, Vaxholm or Stavsnäs.The brochure can also be downloaded here (8MB) »

More information

If you wish for more information about the ships and the traffic, rates etc please feel free to contact Waxholmsbolaget's traffic information on phone number 08-679 58 30. You can also contact the different terminals for any questions regarding your trip.