Zurich airport, facilities for handicapped. Can I rent a wheel chair for two weeks?

Question

1. Can I rent a wheel chair, at the airport, for two weeks, for my daughter who is slightly handicapped ? I would like to carry it around in Switzerland and return it when we leave from Zurich airport. How much will this cost ?

2. Are there any concessions available for the handicapped in Switzerland ? If so, what are they ?

Answer 1

Zurich airport is one of the new modern airports in Europe and I am sure they have wheel chairs but just for the duration of your stay at the airport - to transfer you from one spot to the other - this has to be pre-arranged. I hardly think there is a place
at the airport that rents out wheel chairs.
You might want to contact this agency:
http://www.disabilitytravel.com/independent.htm
http://europeforvisitors.com/switzaustria/articles/accessible_switzerland.htm

If you type into Google wheelchair rentals in Europe or in Switzerland you will see several links in the right handside with sponsored links, they might be of use to you. Like this one:

http://www.dener.com/indx.cfm?q=Wheelchairs%20Hire

Answer 2

I agree with the person above. I highly doubt the airport rents wheelchairs. Check out their website here just in case:

http://www.zurich-airport.com/ZRH/default.asp?ID_site=1&sp=en&hp=1&t=Zurich%20Airport

It is not easy to find rentals in Switzerland. As an example, I wanted to rent a carpet cleaner (like you get at the grocery store here) and I found only one place in a city of 20,000 people that had one for rent. That was the Pharmacy. If you have a contact in Switzerland, perhaps they could check into it on their end and maybe able to find a place in Zurich that offers wheelchair rentals.

As far as handicap accessability, you will find Switzerland to be very accomodatting. The train may be an issue, but tourist destinations and other venues are all handicap friendly.

Can you check a wheelchair in a box as you would baggage? I would think that may be just as easy and less headache. Sorry I can't be of more help. :) Perhaps even the airline doesn't count it as a piece of baggage.