Traveling Europe by Train with your Pet

UNITED STATES
Amtrak does not allow animals onboard their trains with the exception of service animals.

EUROPE
Your pet can travel with you on most trains in Europe including France, Germany and Italy.

England: Pets are accepted trains operated by National Rail. For other lines in the UK check with the Railway as some do not allow pets. For information on the trains operated by NATIONAL RAIL scroll to the bottom of the page.

In most cases, small dogs travel free or at a minimal charge, and large dogs travel at half the 2nd class fare, even if traveling with passengers in 1st class; this charge is payable directly to the conductor.

Often, dogs are required to be kept in a traveling container or must wear a muzzle and a leash. Dogs in a carrier may travel at a minimal cost, depending on the country. A small domestic animal in a carrier can travel free of charge. Dogs for the blind, travel free of charge.

Dogs are allowed on trains as long as the other passengers sharing the car/compartment agree to it. A dog is allowed in a sleeper car only if it is fully occupied by the owner (i.e. two passengers with a dog in a double).

Dogs/other animals are not allowed on all trains in Great Britain, Ireland, or Norway but are allowed on many of the local trains. No pet or animal, except guide dogs, may be taken on the Eurostar. You should always double check all rules locally.

The operator of most of the trains in Spain is a company called Renfe. Their website is www.renfe.es. They do accept pets on their trains but the pet must be in a container such as a pet crate or Sherpa or SturdiBag.

In Finland as in most countries you will need to purchase a special ticket for your pet.
http://www.vr.fi/heo/eng/palvelut/palvelut.htm

To purchase your travel documents, or for further information you can visit the Rail Europe web site at www.raileurope.com.

NATIONAL RAILWAY - UK
Passengers may take with them, free of charge and subject to conditions below, dogs, cats and other small animals (maximum two per passenger) provided they do not endanger or inconvenience passengers or staff.

Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times unless contained in a basket. Dogs without leads, cats, birds and small animals must be carried in an enclosed basket, cage or pet carrier. It must be rigid and not open (to prevent escape) and the animal able to stand and lie down in comfort.

Animals and containers must not occupy seats, otherwise a charge will be made.

Animals are not allowed in restaurant cars except for blind persons' guide dogs or deaf persons' assistance dogs, which may be allowed into the restaurant car at the Steward's discretion. However, every effort is made to serve meals at blind or deaf persons' seats within the normal seated accommodation.

Blind persons' guide dogs or deaf persons' assistance dogs are allowed on Sleeper services provided the blind or deaf person and dog are booked into single-cabin accommodation. The guide or assistance dog is conveyed free and no cleaning charge applied.

ScotRail allows dogs to accompany able-bodied passengers in Sleeper services subject to a charge for a heavy duty clean, and the booking must be either Standard Class with two people travelling together, otherwise a Solo supplement is payable for exclusive use of a twin-berth cabin. Booking for all dogs travelling in Sleepers should be made at least 48 hours in advance.

By-law 16 allows the train company to refuse carriage or entry to any animal. If a customer objects to the presence of an animal, the owner must move it to another part of the train or put it in a suitable container in the guard's van/luggage van where available. When dogs are carried in the guard's van/luggage van (other than those in a container) they must be secured with collar and chain and properly muzzled.