International Travel Tips With a Mobility Scooter

Lifestyle 4 Minutes

A mobility scooter is an excellent tool for international travelers—no matter the itinerary. Whether you’re sipping your way through France’s most famous winemaking regions, exploring the bustling streets of a South American metropolis, or sailing aboard a trans-Atlantic cruise ship, your mobility scooter can help you navigate your next destination with ease.  

What should you know about international travel with your mobility scooter as you prepare for your upcoming jet set? In this guide, our experts are weighing in with three key travel trips and some recommendations for travel-friendly mobility scooters.  

Before you start packing your bags, read on.  

Traveling in Style (and Comfort): Trip Tips from the Pros 

While you might be a pro at traveling domestically with your mobility scooter, there are a few special considerations to make ahead of an international trip. Here are some tips for world travelers.  

Number 1: Check Your Chargers 

If your mobility scooter uses a rechargeable battery, you should carefully research your charging options at your destination. While 110- to 120-volt outlets are the norm in the US (and most of North America), not every country uses the same outlet type:1,2 

  • European standard outlets are 220 to 240 volts 
  • Outlets in Africa, Australia and New Zealand also range between 220 and 240 volts 
  • Japanese outlets typically run at 100 volts 
  • South and Central American outlets vary, but some countries support both ranges 

Even if standard outlets in your destination country use the same voltage, they might use a different prong configuration. While the US typically uses A- and B-style outlets, other countries’ configurations vary.  

A few weeks before your departure, brush up on the outlet compatibility in your destination country and pick up an adapter that’s compatible with your mobility scooter’s charging plug and the outlet configuration at your destination.  

Number 2: Fly with a Compliant Battery 

Depending on your mobility scooter’s battery configuration, you might be bringing along spare batteries on your trip. Before you load these into your suitcase or carry-on bag, check out the TSA’s regulations concerning lithium-ion batteries with more than a 100-watt-hour capacity.3  

Plus, the TSA requires that travelers pack mobility scooters:4 

  • Remove the batteries from their scooter 
  • Protect their battery terminals from short-circuit 
  • Safely pack the batteries to prevent damage 
  • Carry batteries in their carry-on luggage only (not their checked bag) 
  • Inform the pilot where the batteries will be stored once they board the aircraft 

Before travel day, we recommend: 

  • Contacting your airline for complete instructions for packing your mobility scooter and its batteries 
  • Reviewing the TSA’s complete regulations surrounding mobility scooters 
  • Reading up on airport regulations in any country where you’ll be boarding a departing flight 

Number 3: Test Your Storage Setup 

If your upcoming trip will be your first travel experience with your mobility scooter (international or domestic), we recommend testing out your storage process in the days leading up to your departure.  

We specifically suggest a trial run for: 

  • Folding and stowing your mobility scooter – If your scooter folds up or disassembles, check out instructional videos or read your owner’s manual to learn how to break down and reassemble your mobility scooter. Repeated practice will help you memorize and speed up the process. 
  • Storing items in your scooter’s storage compartments – As you explore your destination, you’ll likely stow some items—like a wallet, cell phone, bottle of sunscreen, or hat—in your scooter’s basket or storage hatches. Make sure that all of the items you’re planning to bring on daily excursions will fit as expected.  

If you need help figuring out how to fold, disassemble, or stow your mobility scooter, reach out to your dealer or a representative from the manufacturer.  

Mobility Scooters Built for Exploration 

If you’re looking for a mobility tool for your next adventure, we have you covered—folding mobility scooters can be particularly useful for air, train and cruise ship travel. 

Two exciting folding mobility scooter models include: 

  • The i-Go – The i-Go is the latest folding scooter innovation from Pride Mobility, and it’s one of the most portable mobility scooters on the market today. The i-Go folds into two pieces that weigh just 32 pounds each (including the battery), and the battery can support up to nine hours of runtime for all-day adventures. 
  • The Go Go – The Go Go mobility scooter folds in just three simple steps, and it’s easy to stow in a closet or the trunk of a car. This four-wheeled scooter offers a top speed of four miles per hour and up to thirteen miles of battery life.  

Both of the folding mobility scooters above make excellent companions for domestic travel, adventures abroad and cruise ship vacations.  

Find a Pride Mobility Dealer—And Your Perfect Mobility Scooter 

Mobility scooters are the perfect tool for international travel—especially models built for simple storage and all-day excursions. But before takeoff, make sure to check your host country’s electric outlet compatibility, learn more about TSA and international airline travel guidelines and test out your disassembly process to help your trip go as smoothly as possible. 

At Pride Mobility, we’re excited to share mobility innovations with people on the move. Whether you’re navigating the office, your everyday errands or an international destination, our mobility scooters and electric wheelchairs can support your active lifestyle.  

If you’re ready to see the world, find a Pride Mobility dealer near you and experience our cutting-edge mobility devices in person.   

Sources:  

Easy Tech Junkie. What Is the Difference Between American and European Electrical Outlets?. https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-the-difference-between-american-and-european-electrical-outlets.htm  

REI. How to Choose Travel Power Adapters. https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/world-electricity-guide.html  

US Department of Homeland Security. Lithium Batteries with More than 100 Watt Hours. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/lithium-batteries-more-100-watt-hours  

US Department of Homeland Security. Battery Powered Wheel Chairs and Mobility Scooters. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/battery-powered-wheel-chairs-and-mobility-devices  

Published by Pride Mobility

Welcome to Pride Mobility! We are a leading manufacturer of mobility products, including power chairs, scooters, lift chairs, and more. Our goal is to help people with mobility challenges live their best lives by providing innovative, high-quality, and reliable products that enhance their independence and comfort. Our company was founded in 1986 with a mission to improve the quality of life for people with mobility limitations. Since then, we have grown to become a global leader in the industry, with a wide range of products designed to meet the unique needs of individuals with varying levels of mobility. At Pride Mobility, we are committed to delivering exceptional customer service and support. Our team of knowledgeable and experienced professionals is dedicated to helping our customers find the right products to meet their specific needs, and we are always here to answer any questions or concerns. We take pride in our products and stand behind them with a comprehensive warranty and service program. Whether you are looking for a power chair to help you navigate your home or a scooter to explore the outdoors, you can trust Pride Mobility to provide the quality, comfort, and reliability you deserve. Thank you for choosing Pride Mobility as your partner in mobility. We look forward to helping you live your best life!

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