From your front door to the starting line
The day has arrived. You pull the door shut and the familiar sound of the lock clicks behind you. The morning air feels colder than you expected, and the suitcase is already heavier than it should be. One hand grips the cane, the other balances your phone, and for a moment you pause on the pavement, listening for the car engine, the footsteps, or the bus pulling in down the road.
There’s excitement in the air; the trip is finally happening. But with it comes that knot of nerves: Will the ride arrive on time? Will you find the right platform? Will this be a smooth start, or one of those journeys that tests your patience from the first step?
Most people feel this mix. For blind and visually impaired travellers, the questions just press in a little closer.
Getting to the hub
The first leg is simple on paper: reach the doors of your hub. In real life, it’s the first little puzzle of the day.
- Family or friends – The calmest start when it’s possible: a familiar voice, a quick goodbye at the curb, and you’re right where you need to be.
- Rideshares / taxis – Uber, Bolt, FreeNow or a local firm can be super handy. The only wrinkle is cars don’t always stop exactly where you expect, so it can mean a short shuffle with a suitcase to meet them.
- Local buses – At the stop, there’s no audio telling you which service has arrived, so asking the driver is still the surest way. Once on board, many UK buses announce stops aloud (helpful—when it works).
- Underground / Metro – In London it’s “turn up and go”: staff can guide you from the gate to your platform without pre-booking. Other cities run things differently, so checking ahead helps.
- Local or mainline trains into a bigger hub – If you’re taking a train to reach a larger station or airport rail link, you can book Passenger Assist in the UK for that segment so staff meet and guide you.
Before you leave: Google Maps or Moovit are handy for live timings and route choices at home. They won’t fix everything, but knowing what to expect and giving yourself a few extra minutes makes this first stretch feel calmer.
Inside the hub
Step through the doors and the rhythm changes. The air is cooler; tannoy voices crackle overhead. Wheels clatter over tile, shoes tap across tactile paving, and a swirl of coffee and perfume drifts from the concourse. Queues brush past in waves, rolling suitcases echo through high ceilings, and food stalls send out bursts of warm, tempting smells. Even when you’ve planned well, it can feel like the building is moving faster than you are.
This is where support matters most. Many travellers arrive with someone who can guide them inside; if you’re solo, arranging assistance takes away a lot of guesswork.
- Airports – Assistance teams can meet you at the entrance and guide you through check-in, security, and to your gate.
- Mainline train stations – With Passenger Assist booked, staff can meet you, walk you through the station, and take you to your platform and seat.
- Ferry terminals – Support varies, but staff are usually available if you ask at the desk.
Be My Eyes or Seeing AI / Lookout can step in for quick wins, reading a sign, confirming a gate number, or checking a screen when announcements aren’t clear.
Time is your ally. That small buffer lets staff reach you, lets boards update, and lets you move at a pace that feels steady rather than rushed.
Reflecting on this stage
Getting to and through a hub isn’t always easy. It takes energy and patience, sometimes more than people realise. But with preparation, the right tools, and a little support, it shifts from overwhelming to manageable.
And that’s the heart of these blogs: sharing what works. Your way through a station, your tip for handling buses, or your trick for staying calm might be exactly what someone else needs.
That’s what Be Seen Net is here to build: a space where blind, visually impaired, and sighted travellers can share what makes journeys smoother.
Because everyone deserves to be seen.