Clubmates Travel
Is Accessible Travel Affordable Anymore? An Honest Conversation About Cost
Posted on February 27, 2026 by Matilda Negri
Reading time about 9 minutes
Understanding the Real Cost of Travel Today
Many people we speak with tell us the same thing. They would love to travel, but it no longer feels affordable. Everyday living costs are rising, respite options are harder to access, and the idea of paying for a full trip upfront can feel overwhelming, especially for people living on a pension or with limited income.
These concerns are real, and they deserve to be acknowledged properly. Travel has become more expensive for everyone, not just people with disabilities. Accommodation, transport, fuel, food, and activities all cost more than they did a few years ago, and that reality affects all travellers. It’s why we are seeing a huge change in the way we travel – with so many more people exploring what Australia has to offer before jumping on a flight overseas.
Everyone Pays for Travel - The Difference Is Support
One important part of this conversation is understanding that everyone pays for their travel. People without disabilities cover the full cost of accommodation, transport, and experiences themselves. They do not receive funded support while they are away, because they do not require it.
For NDIS participants, the difference is not that travel should be free. The difference is that support needs do not disappear simply because someone leaves home. Assistance with daily living, personal care, supervision, communication, medication, and emotional regulation is still required, even more so in unfamiliar environments.
That is why supports can continue to be claimed from an NDIS plan when they align with a participant’s goals. The setting changes, but the need for support does not.
Supported Travel Is Not About Funding a Holiday
There is often confusion around what is and is not funded. Supported travel is not about claiming the cost of a holiday. The travel itself is paid for, just like it is for anyone else.
What can be claimed are the supports that a person requires to live their life safely and meaningfully. These supports remain the same whether someone is at home or away, provided they align with goals such as social and community participation, capacity building, confidence, and independence.
In other words, people are not asking for extra support. They are continuing their everyday supports in a different environment, one that offers new experiences, social opportunities, and personal growth.
Payment Plans: Making Travel Budgeting Possible
We understand that for many people with disabilities, saving a large amount of money is not realistic. Living on a pension or with a reduced capacity to earn often means there is very little flexibility left after covering basic needs. Even when travel feels important, the idea of saving a lump sum can stop people from considering it at all.
This is why payment plans play such a crucial role. Rather than asking people to save, costs are spread into regular, scheduled payments over time. These payments are predictable and manageable, and the trip is paid off before departure.
For many people, this approach removes a significant amount of stress. It allows travel to be planned in advance, without the pressure of trying to put money aside in an already tight budget.
Why Travel Matters Beyond a Break From Home
Travel is often seen as a luxury, but for many people with disabilities, it offers much more than time away. Being in a new environment creates opportunities to build confidence, develop independence, practice social skills, and connect with others in ways that everyday routines may not allow.
When respite options are limited, supported travel can become one of the few ways people are able to safely leave their home environment, experience something different, and feel part of the wider community. These experiences can have lasting effects on wellbeing, confidence, and quality of life long after the trip ends.
Planning Travel in a Way That Fits Real Life
We understand why people hesitate. Financial commitment can feel risky, especially when circumstances are already challenging. Families and carers often feel a strong responsibility to make the right decision, and uncertainty can lead to putting plans on hold indefinitely. So many people come to us exhausted from research, some having given up on the dream of travel years ago.
That is why our role is not to convince anyone to travel, but to explain it clearly, break costs down honestly, and help people plan in a way that reflects their real situation. For many people, supported travel becomes possible not because it is cheap, but because it is understood, planned properly, and paced in a way that works.
Travel does not need to be impulsive or overwhelming. With the right support, clear information, and realistic planning, it can become something achievable, meaningful, and genuinely life-enhancing. Our team are waiting to help: 1300 158 003.
Ready to see what's possible?
Let’s have an open conversation about your goals, your budget, and how supported travel could realistically work for you.
China is one of those countries that keeps surprising people—especially when you see the landscapes that don’t even look real. Towering rainbow mountains, glass walkways over steep cliffs, mist-covered peaks that inspired movies like Avatar—China’s natural wonders feel like stepping into another world.
And guess what? With the right support and planning, these mind-blowing places can be explored by people of all abilities. At ClubMates Travel, we believe that accessible travel should be more than just getting from A to B—it should be about awe, wonder, and saying “I can’t believe I’m actually here.”
Here are a few incredible spots in China that look out of this world—and why they might just end up on your travel wishlist.
Zhangjiajie National Forest Park – The Real-Life Pandora
Ever seen floating mountains? Well, you’re about to. Zhangjiajie is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the inspiration behind the flying mountains in Avatar. Giant stone pillars rise up through misty clouds—it’s so surreal it feels like CGI.
There are cable cars and glass elevators that take you up into the peaks, and accessible walkways in many areas, making this a great option for travel for people with disabilities when paired with the right support crew.
The Rainbow Mountains – Zhangye Danxia Geopark
Imagine layers of red, orange, gold, and green rock stretched across rolling hills. These colourful formations look like someone took a paintbrush to the land. They’re even more breathtaking in person.
The Rainbow Mountains are best explored in daylight hours when the colours shine brightest. Some viewing platforms and paths are paved and can be navigated with mobility assistance. Like all our accessible holidays, having specialist travel support makes a huge difference in comfort and safety.
Yuanyang Rice Terraces – A Living Mirror
At sunrise or sunset, the rice terraces of Yuanyang reflect the sky like an enormous mirror. It’s peaceful, dreamlike, and incredibly calming—perfect for travellers who want to slow down, connect with nature, and just take it all in.
This spot is especially powerful for people who are working toward NDIS goals like mindfulness, emotional regulation, or confidence in new environments. With supported travel, it’s more than sightseeing—it becomes a sensory and emotional experience.
The Glass Bridge – Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon
If you’re feeling brave, there’s a 430-metre-long glass bridge suspended over the canyon. Yes—it’s see-through. But it’s also safe, sturdy, and absolutely unforgettable. For those not afraid of heights, this is an epic moment that will stick with you for life.
We understand that thrill-seeking looks different for everyone. At ClubMates, our support crew are trained to encourage, not push—so passengers can take part in activities at their own comfort level.
Jiuzhaigou Valley – China’s Fairytale Water World
Think turquoise lakes, sparkling waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks. Jiuzhaigou is a dreamscape—peaceful, scenic, and full of charm. It’s also one of the more accessible nature parks in China, with eco buses and walkways that help make the journey smoother.
This kind of environment is great for building confidence, promoting social participation, and feeling part of something beautiful.
Why China? Why ClubMates?
Travelling to a country as big and bold as China might feel impossible—but that’s where we come in. As one of Australia’s most experienced NDIS holiday providers, we specialise in international supported travel that opens up the world for people with disabilities. We design every itinerary to work toward common NDIS goals—things like independence, community access, resilience, and joy.
Our team handles everything: accessible hotels, ground transport, daily activities, and of course, personal support workers who are trained specifically for disability travel.
If you’ve ever dreamt of seeing the Great Wall, watching lanterns float across the sky, or standing in a place that feels like another planet—then maybe it’s time to get curious.
ClubMates makes accessible travel across the globe achievable, enjoyable, and unforgettable.
Talk to our team about our upcoming tours to China or ask about designing your own supported adventure. We’ll help you figure out how your supports work with your NDIS funding and what out-of-pocket costs you can expect.
Because no one should miss out on the wonders of the world—especially you.
