For visitors

Ask for step-free directions

Everyone All guides

If you use a wheelchair or a pram, or simply want to avoid stairs, some maps let you switch your route to a step-free one. It takes lifts and ramps instead of stairs and steps, so you can get where you are going without a barrier in the way.

Turn on step-free

  1. Get directions

    Open the place you want to reach, tap Directions, and set your starting point as usual. See Get directions to a place if you need a hand.

  2. Switch on the step-free option

    In the directions panel, turn on the step-free toggle. The route redraws to avoid stairs and steps.

  3. Follow the step-free line

    The step-free route is usually drawn in its own colour so you can tell it apart at a glance. Follow it as normal, and it will send you via lifts and ramps.

The step-free toggle only appears on maps whose owner has marked their stairs and added step-free paths. If you do not see it, that map does not offer a separate step-free route.

When a place cannot be reached step-free

Occasionally a destination really can only be reached by stairs. When that happens the map tells you so, and suggests turning the step-free option back off. If a place cannot be reached either way, the map simply says no route was found.

To start a step-free route from where you actually are, see Use your live location for directions.