Sadgoth's Guide to Wave gotik treffen / leipzig 

There are many forms of Disability however for the purposes of this page I will focus on those with mobility issues, so that is for those requiring walking frame, wheelchair etc...

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BEFORE YOU TRAVEL TO GERMANY

Before you arrive in Germany it is advised that you gain some paperwork to prove that you are disabled, this will depend on where you live and the services that are available to you, however you will need some form of documentation to support your access Disabled Areas throughout the Festival

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If you live in the UK you might want to  apply for one of these cards if you do not have one (UK). The Access Card is a card like no other, we translate your disability / impairment into symbols which highlight the barriers you face and the reasonable adjustments you might need, these cards informs providers quickly and discreetly about the support you need and may gain you access to things like concessionary ticket prices and complex reasonable adjustments without having to go into loads of personal detail. Its all based on your rights under the Equality Act and providers responsibilities https://www.accesscard.org.uk/

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TICKETS

Disabled visitors who have a respective note in their handicapped ID receive a discount of 100% on the ticket for their accompanying person. To receive the respective wristbands both the disabled visitor and the accompanying person have to register together with our main box office (main entrance to Agra-Messepark, Bornaische Strasse 210)

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If you are eligible you will need to contact the WGT office and send them a picture of your disabled id and when they reply they will attach a covering letter to the email which need to show at the main box office at Agra (this is the only place you can collect your tickets if you are disabled)

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Getting to leipzig

FLYING

If you have previously flown to another country and are ok to get on / off an aircraft with or without assistance then you are going to be ok going to Germany. The new Berlin airport has access everywhere  and you should be fine around the airport and there is a lift down to the train station

 

TRAINS

​Depending on what type of train you chose or from where you’ll start you will or won’t have struggle with wheelchairs. In some trains are 3 steps up to the floor (so they are not level with the platform. Mostly ‘Regionalexpress’ with two floors or ‘IC’ and ‘ICE’ are those types). The doors of IC and ICE are quite narrow and once on board you may struggle to gain access to the carriage (due to suitcases and overcrowding, depending on what time of day you travel). Some trains, mostly those for local traffic, like ‘Regionalbahn’ are much better to get into.

 

However if you can manage the train then its is by far the best hassle free way to get to Leipzig, but remember to book assistance where it is possible. When you pre-book your tickets the main option will present journeys via Berlin Htbf and not allow you much time at this busy and complex station. The cheapest tickets also restrict your choice of connecting trains which can add to your stress. An alternative route is to travel via Sudekreuz which is a far simpler less busy station to navigate. To find the option of this route on the website you need to click the box to increase transfer times and select 45 mins. This will then provide travel options via Sudekreuz with the first part of the journey on the S Bahn local trains which are not subject to the same specific train restrictions as the IC trains usually offered. This could mean that you can be more flexible in your choice of the local train and arrive in good time for your ICE train connection. There is also a Disabled WC at this station but you do have to request a key at the help desk.

 

Also there is a group called ‘Bahnhofsmission’  they are Christians but mainly their duty is to help people traveling with a train. If desired you can call them and ask for help. They’re quite experienced with disabled persons, some chapters also have lifts, and it’s also possible to be escorted by them if needed. phone: +49 341/9 68 32 54 or +49 152 375 21 666. They are be able to help you finding help if you come from somewhere else.leipzig@bahnhofsmission.de Their service is free as far as I know, however you can tip them if you want. 

 

If you are able to use local traffic trains you might have the right to use the trains for free (this’ll include every train except IC an ICE) but the procedure to get a the needed passport is complicated. There is a special app for handicapped people but as far as i know it’s in German. In general it is possible to go with train when handicapped if you do some more work in planning. Whether you use trains or buses or you have other questions don’t hesitate to ask the people around!

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COACH

The Flixbus service to Leipzig might also be an option from this station, but luggage size restrictions, for example if you travel with a wheelchair or rollator, may be an issue and the steps into the bus were somewhat steep but might have changed.

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DRIVING

Depending on your disability, vehicle and ability to drive will depend on how easy it is for you to drive to Leipzig, certainly if you have a large enough vehicle for any equipment you need / wheelchair then it may prove to be a good method to get to Leipzig, however you will probably need at least another driver (due to the amount of time it will take you to drive across the continent, unless you are used to long distance travel). Parking in Leipzig can be a little difficult, some hotels have parking, many don't but I would think that most have parking for disabled people.

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Getting AROUND LEIPZIG

TRAMS

Most trams are at least partially low floor. Only the oldest ones (Tatra T4D) are not, but they may have a low floor trailer as a third car. No tram lines use only old stock, so even if you may have to skip one tram, you should not have to wait long for a low floor one.

 

The closest tram stops of the following venues have platforms with level entry to the trams:

• Agra (Dölitz Strassenbahnhof)

• Volkspalast (An den Tierkliniken or Altes Messegelände)

• Schauspielhaus (Gottschedstraße, but *not* Thomaskirche)

• Heidnisches Dorf (Leinestrasse)

• Stadtbad (Wilhelm-Liebknecht-Platz, *partly*, avoid the last car of the trams)

• Moritzbastei (Roßplatz, Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz, Augustusplatz)

• Westbad (Lindenauer Markt)

• Haus Leipzig (Gottschedstraße, Westplatz)

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The closest tram stops of the following venues do not:

• Felsenkeller / NAUMANNs (Felsenkeller)

• Täubchenthal (Markranstädter Straße)

 

SBAHN (City Tunnel)

City stops (from Hauptbahnhof to Bayrischer Bahnhof) all have lifts, but not all stops are easily reached in a wheelchair, and there are disabled toilets on every train

 

DRIVING

Of course if you hire a car or have driven to Leipzig you have the ability to get around the city and venues by driving. Driving in Leipzig is just like driving in any other city that you have never been to before, you are going to struggle a few complex intersections and might get bibbed (but that is usual when navigating around a new city), however it is not overly complicated, the roads are generous although you will have to navigate around and with Trams (which in the main part of the city is fine, but down to the Agra can get a bit more complicated as the road drops to single lane / tram)...parking at the Agra can be interesting, and many of the side streets are used and get very busy, I am not sure if there is disabled parking at the Agra.

 

TAXIS 

Your best option for disabled mobility. When booking a taxi ask for „für Rollstuhlfahrer“ and they will send a suitable car. Prebooking is possible (and advisable).

Most likely to handle requests quickly:

+ 49 / 0341 4884 (4884)

+49 / 0341 982222 (Löwentaxi)

 

TOILETS IN THE CITY

There is a limited number of accessible facilities available all over the city. For the most recent list I could find, visit http://www.le-online.de/gesund.htm#allg and go to “Behindertentoiletten (öffentlich)”

 

WGT VENUES

AGRA

• The Agra is mostly flat, there are a few steps here and there but there are ways around them (although you might have a longer journey to get from A to B). Best access to the buildings (excluding the Agra gig area) is probably via the Shop entrance (the first doors you see in Halle 1). These doors will give you access to the Shops and cafe area between Halle 1 and 2. In this area there is a fully equipped and accessible WC. The best toilets at the Agra are located in 4.1 in the cafe however there area about 6 steps here, these also lead to 4.2 where the largest dancefloor will take place each night.

• Access to Halle 2 where bands will play is via the other side of Halle 2 (however if you have the correct paperwork you can access via the area between Halle 1 and 2 (which is prohibited normally) NOTE: if you are with a group of people they maybe asked to walk the long way around.

• The outside areas around the Agra are mostly accessible, you should note however the area directly outside of the middle of Halle 1 and 2 can be reached, but there are 2 steps down to the main area, so you will have to go back to the entrance to Halle 1 to get access to the rest of the festival area.

FELSENKELLER

• full access

• no lift

• no disabled facilities

 

HAUS LEIPZIG

• full access

• disabled parking close by (REWE)

• separate lift to the gallery

• disabled facilities located in the foyer

 

Heidnisches Dorf:

• It’s the most accessible venue, if the weather is dry (the entire site is outdoors on grass), I think. Mostly a lot of space to drive through with a wheel-chair, lots of seats to have a rest and some accessible toilets (you have to pay for). There isn’t a special ramp for wheel-chairs or so to see bands, but you can watch from beside the crowd.

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Moritzbastei:

• I am quite sure that the Mortiz is going to be extremely difficult for any disabled people to access without plenty of help. The upstairs area is however quite nice with a bar and food, however most people will be downstairs. If you are set on entering the Moritz I would head to the upstairs area (in the batcave) when it opens at about 10pm, there is access and a couple of tables you can sit at (however all the bars and toilets are downstairs).

• very limited access

• no disabled facilities

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Stadbad

• No details yet

 

Taubchenthal:

• This is a wonderful location and is accessible to all, you should be fine to get around in this venue (although the upstairs area will be difficult, however all the facilities are downstairs as is the food, bars and stage). There are plenty of places to sit outside (not so inside) however there is no dedicated area for disabled people and it gets very busy, indeed if you get in later in the day you might struggle to get out again as the entrance is smaller than the inside...great place to hang out at night for WWWY, plenty of room and large bar area.

 

Westbad:

• Its not the easiest place to reach but once you are there ask security for assistance and they will show you to the lift. There is no dedicated area for disabled people although its quite a large space, however the male toilets are two flights of stairs down (I am unsure where the female toilets are)

• full access

• disabled lift

• disabled facilities on the first floor between lift and entrance

 

​Schauspiel Leipzig:

• limited access

• no disabled facilities

• lift to the parquet, designated area for 6 wheelchairs

 

Volkespalast :

• half a dozen stone steps at entrance but security usually very helpful in assisting. Level access within venue including into both stage areas. Good amount of seating. Large disabled WC hidden away near top of steps down to ordinary WCs. You have to find security and they bring a key. Taxis usually available outside.

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