Vienna with MS: Accessible Travel & Photography Part 1

Andrea and I love to travel, but over the years, that passion has had to adapt. As her health has declined due to MS, our trips have required a bit more thought, patience, and careful planning. We try to fit in as much traveling as her energy levels will allow, but as anyone managing similar conditions will know, the simple logistics of a journey can take a heavy toll long before you even reach your destination.

For us, the key is finding ways to reduce the friction of high-energy hurdles—starting with the airport.

Smoothing the Way: Airports and Assistance

People often don't realize just how exhausting routine travel tasks can be. To protect Andrea's energy, we've learned to lean on every bit of support available.

On this trip, we started with a Meet & Greet parking service at Heathrow, followed by booking Special Assistance. We opted for the self-push service rather than a wheelchair attendant, which gave us the flexibility to take our time, enjoy a relaxed breakfast in the airport lounge, and wait for our flight without feeling rushed.

When we touched down in Vienna, Special Assistance was waiting at the aircraft door. Our assistant was fantastic—not only did he get us through the airport smoothly, but he also gave us practical advice on the best way into the city center on public transport, confirming the route we’d researched beforehand: taking the Metro directly to Karlsplatz, the nearest station to our hotel. He pushed us right to the ticket sales window and checked in to see if we needed any further help down to the metro entrance. It set such a positive tone for the trip.

(Quick transit tip: We purchased a 7-day travel pass covering the Vienna city zone (Kernzone) and zone 2 (VOR), which easily covered all our travel into the city and back out to the airport. If you're looking for absolute speed rather than value, the dedicated non-stop CAT—City Airport Train—gets you from the airport to the city in just 16 minutes.)

Stepping Back in Time

Arriving at our hotel felt like stepping straight into a cherished memory. We had stayed at the Schlosshotel Römischer Kaiser almost 15 years earlier for the first few days of our honeymoon. Walking through the doors, we were greeted by the same warm welcome, familiar decor, and an almost identical room to the one we had originally shared. It’s rare and wonderful to find a place that holds its character so well over the years.

After settling in and doing some light unpacking, we were eager to stretch our legs and take in the city. We took a short, gentle walk over to the Stadtpark to see the iconic Johann Strauss monument.

One thing we always keep in mind for ourselves—and share for other travelers who might struggle with walking long distances—is that Vienna makes getting around very accessible. If the walk to the park is too much, you can easily take public transport right from Mariahilfer Straße to the park edge. The city offers fantastic options depending on your pace, from comprehensive travel passes and transit cards to hop-on-hop-off sightseeing buses.

For us, travel isn't about rushing to see everything on a checklist anymore. It's about pacing ourselves, savoring the familiar spots, and making new memories together—one step at a time. If you’d like to follow along with our journeys and see the world through our lens, be sure to check out Peregrine Path UK on Instagram, our new account dedicated to sharing our travels and enjoying photography together.