Transport and parking
Costs of travelling to hospital
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.
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.
Claiming a refund
The Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS) can help pay travel costs if you have to go to hospital for planned tests or treatment.
You usually have to pay for your travel and then claim a refund within 3 months. In some cases, you may be able to get an advance payment to help you attend your appointment.
Ask your hospital how to make a claim. This is different in different places. 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.
The scheme bases the refund on the cheapest travel option that is right for you. Usually this means they will pay for public transport. But it can depend on what you need and what is available. Sometimes it is possible to claim for:
- petrol costs
- taxi fares.
Who can claim?
You can claim a refund if you or your partner get 1 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 have a low income – this means you can get help with travel costs as part of the NHS Low Income Scheme.
Hospital car parking
Hospital parking policies are different across the UK:
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Scotland and Wales
In Scotland and Wales, you can park for free at the hospital.
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England
In England, hospital parking may be free if you either:
- have a Blue Badge (explained under the heading 'Blue Badge Scheme' below)
- attend regular appointments to manage a long-term condition.
Many hospitals in England give people with cancer free car parking or discounts. Ask your hospital for more information.
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Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, hospital parking is free if you either:
- have a Blue Badge (explained under the heading 'Blue Badge Scheme' below)
- are having chemotherapy or radiotherapy.
Some hospitals in Northern Ireland may allow free parking in other situations. Ask your hospital for more information.
Congestion and LEZ charges
In some cities, you may have to pay charges to drive your car within certain areas.
In London, the Congestion Charge is a daily charge to drive within central London at certain times.
In London and other cities, if your vehicle does not meet certain emissions standards, you must pay a daily charge to drive within a Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
If you need to pay these charges 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, must confirm you are too ill to travel on public transport. Remember to keep your receipts so you can claim your refund.
Related pages
Other travel schemes and services
Free or reduced-cost bus and train travel
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England
In England, you can get a bus pass for free off-peak travel if you:
- are state pension age
- have a disability and meet certain criteria.
Contact your local council for information and to apply.
If you live in London, you can travel free on buses, tubes and other transport within London if you:
- are 60 or over
- have a disability and meet certain criteria.
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Scotland
In Scotland, the National Entitlement Card gives you free bus travel if you:
- are under 22
- are 60 or over
- have a disability and meet certain criteria.
The card may also give you a discount on rail travel. Find out more at Transport Scotland.
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Wales
In Wales, the Concessionary Travel Card gives you free bus travel if you:
- are 60 or over
- have a disability and meet certain criteria.
You may also get discounted or free train travel. Find out more at Transport for Wales.
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Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, a SmartPass gives you free bus and train travel if you are 60 or over.
The pass gives you a discount on travel if you have a disability and meet certain criteria.
Visit NI Direct for more information or contact Translink on 028 9066 6630, or use textphone 18001 028 9066 6630.
Services available across the UK
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Railcards – England, Scotland, Wales
In England, Scotland and Wales, a national railcard can give you a discount on train travel. You have to buy the railcard. You can then use it to buy tickets at a reduced price.
There are different railcards available including:
- Disabled Persons Railcard – if you have a disability and meet certain criteria this card offers discounts for you and a friend or travel companion
- Two Together Railcard – if you will travel with the same person
- Senior Railcard – if you are aged 60 or over.
Find out more at your local train station or visit National Rail.
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Community transport services
If you have problems using public transport, community transport services may be available in your area. For example, there may be services giving door-to-door transport and trips to local shopping centres. Some services have wheelchair-accessible transport that can pick you up from home. These are sometimes called dial-a-ride services.
To find out what is available in your area, use the Community Transport Association website or contact your local council.
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Local voluntary groups (good neighbour schemes)
Some local areas have groups that offer practical help to people who need it. This often includes help with transport to hospital or to visit your GP. Ask your local council or your local library what is available in your area.
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Shopmobility schemes
Shopmobility provide wheelchairs and scooters to help people get around their local area or shopping centres. If you have restricted mobility, you may be able to hire or borrow equipment from a scheme near you. In England, Scotland or Wales, visit Shopmobility UK. In Northern Ireland, visit Shopmobility Northern Ireland or call 0300 102 0150.
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Reduced taxi fare schemes
These schemes are available in some areas. Speak to your local council for more information.
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Patient Transport Services
Some hospitals offer a free Patient Transport Service to help people with certain needs get to and from hospital. This may be available for:
- people who need medical support during their journey
- people who have difficulty walking
- parents or guardians of children who are being transported.
Ask your hospital what is available in your area. Usually, someone from your healthcare team refers you to the Patient Transport Service.
Regional transport services
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Disability Action Transport Scheme (Northern Ireland)
The Disability Action Transport Scheme provides low-cost transport for people with disabilities in Northern Ireland.
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St John Ambulance Cymru
This charity offers transport for people in Wales who have problems using public transport or their own vehicle. Visit St John Ambulance Cymru or call 0330 058 6591 and select option 3.
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The Highlands and Islands Travel Scheme
This scheme offers help with the cost of travel to and from hospital appointments, if you both:
- live in the former Highlands and Islands Development Board area
- have to travel more than 30 miles on land, or more than 5 miles by ferry, to the hospital.
You can only make a claim after travelling and must show your receipts for the journey. You must pay the first £10 yourself unless you are getting certain income-related benefits. If you need someone to travel with you, you can also get help with their travel costs. A healthcare professional must confirm this is medically necessary for you.
Find out more at NHS Highland or ask your GP or hospital for a claim form.
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Isles of Scilly Travel Cost Scheme
The NHS funds transport for all Isles of Scilly residents to get to and from the mainland for hospital treatment. You must pay a £5 booking fee. Visit Healthwatch Isles of Scilly for more information.
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London Taxicard Scheme
A London Taxicard gives a discount on travel in licensed London taxis and mini cabs. You may be able to apply for this if you live in London and have long term mobility difficulties, or severe sight impairment.
For more information and an application form, visit London Councils or call 0207 934 9791.
Other driving costs
Road (vehicle) tax exemption
You may be able to get free road tax if you are disabled. You may qualify if you get any of the following:
- the mobility component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) at the enhanced rate
- the mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) at the highest rate
- the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- Armed Forces Independence Payment.
If you get the mobility component of PIP at the standard rate, you may qualify for a 50% discount on your road tax.
For more information, call the DVLA vehicle tax service on 0300 123 4321 or visit GOV.UK. You can also speak to your local Post Office. To find your nearest Post Office branch that deals with vehicle tax, go to the Post Office website or phone 0345 722 3344.
Motability Scheme
Under this scheme, you can get help to hire a new car, scooter or powered wheelchair instead of getting the cash benefit of:
- the mobility component of PIP at the enhanced rate
- the mobility component of DLA at the higher rate
- the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement
- Armed Forces Independence Payment.
Contact the Motability Scheme to apply.
Blue Badge Scheme
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. Always 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.
Who can apply for a Blue Badge?
You are eligible for a Blue Badge if you have specific medical conditions or get certain benefits. These include the following:
- If you get the higher mobility component of Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
- If you scored 8 points or more in the ‘moving around’ area of your Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Adult Disability Payment (ADP) assessment.
- If you scored 10 points in the ‘planning and following a journey’ area of your PIP assessment, due to psychological distress. This only applies if you live in England or Northern Ireland.
- If you scored 12 points in the ‘planning and following a journey’ area of your PIP or ADP 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.
There may be other situations that mean you can still get a Blue Badge. These include if you have long-term problems with walking or severe problems using both arms.
How to apply for a badge
If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, visit GOV.UK or contact your local council.
If you live in Northern Ireland, apply online at NI Direct or call 0300 200 7818.
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.
Other badge schemes
There are other 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.
Tunnels, bridges and toll roads
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.
London Congestion Charge
There is a daily charge 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.
Low Emission Zone Charges
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.
About our information
This information has been written, revised and edited by Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Information Development team. It has been reviewed by expert medical and health professionals and people living with cancer.
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References
Below is a sample of the sources used in our benefits information. If you would like more information about the sources we use, please contact us at informationproductionteam@macmillan.org.uk
GOV.UK www.gov.uk [accessed May 2025].
NI Direct www.nidirect.gov.uk [accessed May 2025].
Social Security Scotland www.socialsecurity.gov.scot [accessed May 2025].
Macmillan Welfare Rights Team
Reviewer
Date reviewed
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