European Pet Travel by Train

Pet Friendly Trains in Europe

Your pet can travel with you on most trains in Europe including Rail Europe (except trains in Spain, Ireland, Great Britain, Finland and Norway) and RailJet. Only service dogs traveling with visually impared passengers are permitted on Eurostar trains.

Dogs, cats and ferrets traveling by train across country borders must have a minimum of one current rabies vaccination administered after a microchip is implanted and no sooner than 21 days prior to travel. If your pet has had more than one rabies vaccination given after the chip was implanted and all were kept current, you do not need to wait for 21 days after the booster. Dogs, cats and ferrets must travel with an EU Pet Passport issued by your veteriarian.

Guide dogs traveling with visually impared or disabled passengers can travel for free on European trains.

Here are the pet policies of trains that will carry your pet running in Europe:

• Virgin Trains welcomes two dogs, cats or other small domestic animals with every customer on the east and west coast routes between London and Scotland at no extra cost.
• TGY Lyria - Pets weighing less than 6kg can travel in carriers or baskets measuring less than 45x 30 x 25cm without charge. Maximum of 2 pets per passenger. Pets weighing more than 6kg must pay a pet fare and wear a muzzle. Pets must remain on the ground by their passengers.
• Thello - Pets weighing less than 5kg travel for free with no reservation required. One pet per passenger and pet must travel in a carrier, basket or cage. Pets may be moved by conductor if other passengers object. Pets over 5kg must travel with a passenger in a cabin occupied by the passenger and/or their family. Pets must remain in the cabin and not left alone. Owners are responsible for any and all damage done by their pet.
• Thalys - small dogs and domestic animals may travel free in a carrier measuring less than 55 x 30 x 30cm. Pets must not disturb other passengers and may be asked to move if that is the case. Larger dogs must be leashed and muzzled and will pay a dog fare ticket. note that no pets are permitted on the Neige and Soleil trains. Service animals only on routes serving London.
• Deutche Bahn - pets are welcome on this train. If they cannot fit in a carrier, they will pay half fare to travel. Dogs small enough to travel in carriers can do so without charge unless they are crossing borders. In this case, all pets are subject to a half-fare ticket. Pets not in carriers must be leashed and muzzled at all times.
• Renfe - dogs, cats, ferrets and birds (not chickens) are welcome on Renfe trains. One pet per passenger not weighing over 10 kg are permitted as long as they travel in a container smaller than 60 x 35 x 35cm. For overnight travel, passenger must book a department or family cabin. Pet owners are resonsible for any and all damage caused by their pet.
  
  Renfe has extended a special program allowing pets up to 40 kg on their trains that run between Madrid and Barcelona and has now extended it to Malaga. Larger dogs must travel no closer than 2 seats apart and only 2 large dogs are permitted in a single car. Pet owners should plan to check in at least 40 minutes in advance of departure. One pet is permitted per person. More details here.
• SNCF (National society of French railways) - Book your pet's reservation when you book your own. Tickets subject to cancellation fee. Dogs, cats, pet rabbits and rodents, birds, reptiles and amphibians under 6kg must travel in a carrier measuring less than 45 x30 x 25cm. The fare for small pets is 7€ on TGV, intercity and TER trains. If your pet weighs more than 6kg, it must be muzzled all times. The fare will be 50% of the full 2nd class fare on TGV, intercity and TER trains. Pets are not permitted on trains to or from the UK.
• OBB - well behaved pets are welcome. Smaller pets can travel free, but must travel in a secure carrier or container. Larger pets will incur a fare and must be leashed and muzzled.
• In Italy, Trenitalia trains permit dogs in first and second class cars, both small and large. Pets are not allowed in the restaurant or bar cars, except for servoce dpgs, who travel for free on all trains.

England: Pets are accepted on trains operated by National Rail. Dogs and cats with owners can travel by train in the UK with no seating restrictions and usually free of charge. Two pets are permitted per person without charge as long as they are leashed. Dogs and cats can also travel on buses, subject to a fare being paid, but with no seating restrictions. For other lines in the United Kingdom, 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.

Non-dangerous and non-offensive pets are allowed on Transport for London (TfL) bus and underground services free of charge. Pets must be leashed or contained in a carrier and are not allowed on passenger seats. Owners must keep their pets under their control at all times. They must be carried when on escalators (unless trained to ride on escalators), when an elevator is not available.

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.

Oftentimes, 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 accompanied disabled passengers 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. Pets are allowed to travel in automobiles across the Chunnel on Le Shuttle from Calais, France to England. Limit of 5 pets per vehicle. You should always double check all rules locally.

Dogs of all sizes (muzzled and leashed) are accepted on Trenatilia operating in Italy. Small dogs can ride for free in first and second class. Avoid traveling between 7:00AM and 9:00AM on weekdays on regional trains. More details riding a train in Italy with a pet.

In Rome, dogs can ride the Metro in the first and last carriage cars. Dogs must be in a carrier or muzzled and leashed. A ticket must be purchased for your pet. More details on riding the Metro in Rome with a pet.

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

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

National Railway Train Pet Travel - United Kingdom
Passengers may take dogs, cats and other small animals (maximum two per passenger) with them, free of charge and subject to conditions below, provided they do not endanger or inconvenience passengers or staff.

Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times unless contained in a carrier. Dogs without leads, cats, birds and small animals must be carried in an enclosed basket, cage or pet carrier measuring not more than 85 x 60 x 60 cm. 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.

Guide dogs assisting blind or deaf persons 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 traveling together, otherwise a Solo supplement is payable for exclusive use of a twin-berth cabin. Booking for all dogs traveling 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.

More information at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/passenger_services/luggage_animals.html

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