WHEELCHAIR TRAVEL EXPERT WHO'S BEEN TO 50 COUNTRIES SHARES HOW MUCH A TYPICAL ACCESSIBLE TRIP COSTS

PEOPLE

 

'Wheelchair Travel Expert' Who's Been to 50 Countries Shares How Much a Typical Accessible Trip Costs (Exclusive)

By Jordan Greene  Published on November 10, 2025 04:30AM EST

 

Cory Lee booked his first international trip to Australia soon after graduating college, and it changed everything.

 

Born with spinal muscular atrophy, a rare disease that weakens muscles over time, the Georgia native has since made it his mission to see the world. Now 35, he spends more than 150 days a year traveling and sharing his experiences through his blog, Curb Free with Cory Lee as a "wheelchair travel expert."

 

“I wanted to show others that you can travel in a wheelchair and still experience incredible destinations around the world,” he tells PEOPLE exclusively.

 

But while the adventures are worth it, they often come at a price — especially since accessible travel rarely comes cheap.

 

For most trips, Lee partners with tourism boards or destinations that cover flights, hotels and meals in exchange for content highlighting accessibility. Still, there are plenty of out-of-pocket expenses.

 

“Arranging wheelchair-accessible transportation and tours can be quite expensive, especially if it’s a private van,” he explains. “Hotels that are more expensive also tend to be more accessible, so that adds to the cost. If I want to do a budget-friendly trip, I look for destinations with accessible public transportation so I don’t have to book private vans.”

 

Recently, Lee spent a week at Ireland’s famed Ashford Castle — a dream trip that came with a steep price tag. “It was one of the most expensive trips I’ve ever taken, about $15,000 for the week,” he says. “You could definitely visit Ireland for much less, but staying in an accessible castle was a huge bucket-list item for me.”

 

Still, not every destination drains the wallet. “I went to Ecuador for 10 days for about $3,000 — South America is generally budget-friendly — and I did an eight-day safari in South Africa for under $5,000,” Lee says. “But destinations like Tokyo or London are certainly more expensive.”

 

Despite the cost, Lee says every penny is worth it, especially for the chance to do things he never imagined possible in a wheelchair. Over the years, he’s ridden a camel through the Sahara Desert, soaked in Iceland’s famous Blue Lagoon and even gone paragliding over the Swiss Alps.

 

“I mean, paragliding was something I never thought I’d realistically be able to do,” he admits. “I was honestly scared to death about it at first. But when I was in Switzerland, a company called Accessible Switzerland told me they offered adapted paragliding and showed me the seat I’d use. I thought, ‘If I’m ever going to do it, the Swiss Alps are a pretty epic place.’ ”

 

So he did.

 

“It was the coolest thing I’ve ever done,” Lee says. “Soaring through the air, looking down at the Alps all around me — it was incredible. And surprisingly accessible! Once I got past the fear of running off the mountain, all the stress disappeared. It was peaceful, beautiful and something I’ll never forget.”

 

Looking ahead, Lee can’t wait to add more destinations to his list. One dream spot is French Polynesia, where he plans to stay in an overwater bungalow later this month.

 

“I would also love to go to China and see the Great Wall, and to Peru to visit Machu Picchu,” he says. “China is difficult because accessible transportation is limited in Beijing and around the country, so I’ve been putting it off until it gets better. But one day, I hope to go. Those two, along with French Polynesia, are definitely at the top of my list.”