Transport and parking

Travelling for medical appointments can be expensive if you are having regular treatment and tests. You may be able to get help with your travel costs. Or you may be able to claim back some of the money you spend when travelling for medical reasons.

If you must travel to and from hospital for treatment, you may be able to claim a refund under the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS). This can cover:

• your bus or train fares
• some petrol costs
• taxi fares – in some situations.

If you need someone to travel with you to hospital for medical reasons, you may also be able to get a refund on their travel costs.

You can claim a refund if you get one of the following benefits:

• Income Support
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit
• Universal Credit (UC) – if you meet certain criteria.

You can also claim a refund if:

• you get, or are named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate
• you have a low income – this means you can get help with travel costs as part of the NHS Low Income Scheme.

You can usually get your refund at the hospital from the cashier’s office. In some cases, you may be able to get an advance payment to help you attend your appointment. You should check before you travel.

You will need to bring the following things to the hospital:

• Proof you are getting one of the qualifying benefits. For example, you could bring your benefit award letter, tax credit exemption card or certificate awarded under the NHS Low Income Scheme.
• Proof of your travel costs, such as tickets or receipts.
• Proof of your appointment, such as your appointment letter or card.

Some voluntary organisations have drivers who can take people to hospital and other places – for example, to the shops. Check at your local library or search online for details of voluntary organisations in your area.

Hospital car-parking policies are different across the UK:

If you have problems with moving around, you may be able to get a Blue Badge. This allows you to park in parking spaces closer to where you need to go. You can usually park for free:

• on streets with parking meters or pay-and-display machines for as long as you need
• in disabled parking bays on streets for as long as you need, unless a sign says there is a time limit
• on single or double yellow lines for up to 3 hours, unless there is a no loading sign.

You may have to pay if you are using some private car parks, such as in hospitals or supermarkets. You need to check the signs in the car park.

You must continue to follow the usual parking rules. For example, you can still get a fine if you park somewhere that could put people in danger.

You automatically qualify for a Blue Badge if you have specific medical conditions or get certain benefits. These include the following:

• Getting the higher mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
• Scoring 8 points or more in the ‘moving around’ area of your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment.
• Scoring 10 points in the ‘planning and following a journey’ area of your Personal Independence Payment assessment, due to psychological distress. This only applies if you live in England
• Scoring 12 points in the ‘planning and following a journey’ area of your Personal Independence Payment assessment, due to psychological distress. This applies if you live in Scotland or Wales.

For the full list of criteria to automatically qualify for a blue badge, visit GOV.UK or speak to your local council.

If you do not automatically qualify, you can still get a Blue Badge in some situations. These include if you have long-term problems with walking or severe problems using both arms.

Your healthcare professional or a welfare rights adviser may be able to help you fill out the application forms. A Blue Badge costs up to £10 in England, £20 in Scotland and £10 in Northern Ireland. It is free in Wales.

Blue Badges usually last up to 3 years. You must reapply before your current Blue Badge expires.

There are special badge schemes for people with restricted mobility who live, study or work in areas where the Blue Badge Scheme does not apply. For example, in London there is a:

• green badge for Camden
• red badge for the City of London
• purple badge for Kensington and Chelsea
• white badge for Westminster.

Visit Disabled Motoring UK’s website for more information.

Blue Badge holders and other disabled people pay a reduced rate, or no fee, at some river crossings, bridges and tunnels. In most cases, you must apply in advance to get a discount. Toll discounts can change, so check before you travel.

Contact your local council for advice. If you live in Northern Ireland, call the Blue Badge Unit on 0300 200 7818.

There is a charge of £15 a day to drive within central London at certain times. If you have a Blue Badge, you do not have to pay the charge. But you must make a one-off payment of £10 to register for this discount.

If you need to pay the Congestion Charge to get to a medical appointment, you may be able to claim this money back from the hospital. A healthcare professional, such as your cancer doctor or nurse, would need to confirm you are too ill to travel on public transport. Remember to keep your receipt for the Congestion Charge so you can claim your refund.

For more information, visit tfl.gov.uk or call 0343 222 1234. You can also use textphone 020 7649 9123.

To help improve air quality, an Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) runs all the time in central London. If your vehicle does not meet certain emissions standards, you must pay a daily charge to drive within this zone. This is £12.50 a day for most types of vehicles. It is payable on top of the Congestion Charge.

If you have a Blue Badge, you still need to pay the ULEZ Charge. There is an exception if your vehicle is registered with a disabled or disabled passenger vehicle tax class. This exception applies until 26 October 2025.

There are special rates for bus, coach and train travel for eligible older people and people with disabilities.

A bus pass gives you a reduced price, or often free travel, on local buses. You can apply for a bus pass if you:

• have reached State Pension age in England
• are aged over 60 in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
• are disabled and meet the eligibility requirements.

If you live in London, you can travel free on buses, tubes and other transport if you are aged 60 or over. This only applies to travel within London.

There may also be local support towards taxi costs.

For more information about reduced rail fares, you can check at your local train station or visit the National Rail. This website covers rail travel all over the UK.