Train travel with pets

Pets in German trains

Small dogs:

• Small dogs (e.g. the size of a domestic cat and smaller) are permitted on board.
• No extra charge.
• A carrier must be used for transportation (one pet per passenger).

Large dogs:

• Large dogs must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash when onboard trains. If your dog is not wearing a muzzle or is not on a leash, or if a muzzle and leash are not deployed when requested by a train attendant, the attendant is entitled to remove the dog from the train. This does not apply to dogs being transported in carriers.
• Large dogs need to buy a half-price ticket, so it can travel by train.
• Half-price tickets for long-distance journeys are available for standard and saver fares alike. If you are travelling with a regional Länder-Ticket or nationwide Schönes-Wochenende-Ticket, your dog counts as a person/adult.
• Dogs cannot be included on Online-Tickets, i.e. they are not entitled to free travel as children are. If bringing your dog on a cross-border journey, you need to buy a child's second-class ticket for it.

As a general rule, seats cannot be reserved for dogs. Similarly, it is not possible to print out online tickets booked for dogs: instead, these online tickets are sent by post.

Pets in OBB trains

• Small and harmless animals can be taken along free of charge in suitable transport containers.
• If you take an animal along which cannot be transported as hand luggage in a transport container, you will have to pay a fare for your pet.
• Assistance dogs registered in a certificate of disability can travel along on the train for free.

DOGS WITH A MUZZLE AND ON A LEASH

In order to ensure the safety of our passengers, dogs must be secured with a muzzle and a leash. Exception: assistance dogs do not require a muzzle. The dog may only sit on the floor, supervised by the dog owner.

Pets in Renfe trains

Pets are permitted on high-speed AVE trains in Spain, provided they do not disturb other passengers and obtain a ticket. Certified guide dogs may travel on any train for free without a ticket.

• Small domestic pets, defined as dogs, cats, ferrets & birds (not poultry) no heavier than 10 kg can be carried in a suitable carrier not exceeding 60cm x 35cm x 35 cm.
• Larger dogs are not permitted on any Spanish trains.
• In sleeping accommodation, the transport of animals is only permitted if you book sole occupancy of couchettes/sleepers compartment.
• Only one pet will be allowed per passenger
• Guide dogs for the blind are permitted to travel free of charge.
• Passengers with Preferente, Club, Gran Clase and Great Comfort tickets may transport pets for free, provided that they take the pet to the ticket office prior to boarding. For all other classes set a price of 25% Economy Class seat is applied.

How to book: Tickets for pets cannot be booked online with Rail Europe. It is advised to purchase pet tickets locally from the departure station which would be subject to availability. 

Pets on IRYO

Smaller Pets: 

• One pet or domestic animal (dog, cat, or ferret) weighing little more than 10 kilograms is permitted in a carrier with maximum dimensions of 60x35x35cm.
• They will need to be identified with their accompanying chip and documented. (Individual Animal Identification System, SIIA) and an updated health card.
• The pet must be vaccinated and dewormed in accordance with the travel standards for both the origin and destination.
• The pet's travel will incur additional costs and must be contracted prior to the trip.

Note: Guide/ assistance dogs can be carried for free without any restrictions

Bigger Pets: Summer 2024:

Responsible declaration of the traveller.

This summer, take your dog weighing more than 10 kg without a carrier. Book or manage your reservation at 910 150 000. ¡Important! It is important to read the following documents:

Responsible declaration

•  Obligations to travel with large dogs. 

Obligations to travel

To consider:

Pets on trains in UK

• Maximum of two pets per passenger
• 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). The animal should be able to stand and lie down in comfort.
• Animals and containers must not occupy seats, otherwise, a charge will be made.
• Animals are not permitted in the 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.
• Bylaw 16 allows the train company to refuse carriage or entry to any animal. If your dog or other animal causes a nuisance or inconvenience to other passengers you may be asked to remove it from the train or railway premises by the Train Company or Rail Service Company staff.

Pets on trains in Italy

Frecciarossa, Frecciaargento and Frecciabiana

• Small pets are admitted in First and Second Class for no extra charge if carried in the appropriate container no larger than 70x30x50. Each traveller can bring only one container.
• Large dogs get a 50% discount on the full Second Class fare. They are not permitted in Executive and Premium Class, Silence Area or Sitting Rooms.
• All pets must have a certificate of registration and health card (or, for dogs of foreign citizens, the "passport of the dog") for the duration of the trip.
  

Express trains, IC and ICN

• Each traveller is allowed to transport a dog of any size, kept on a leash and muzzled in both first and second class.
• Dogs are only permitted on night trains if you book sole occupancy of the compartment.

Regional trains

• One dog of any size on a short lead and wearing a muzzle.
• Dogs must be kept in the vestibule of the last wagon.
• Dogs are not allowed during peak travel times (7am - 9am Monday to Friday).

How to book: Pet tickets are available from any ticket office or authorised travel agency (excluding web agencies).

Pets on trains in Eurostar Red

Pets are welcome on Eurostar Red, the routes are between Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. However, they have some rules to follow, which you can find below.

• Please check that the passengers seated around you are happy with the presence of your pet. If anyone is a little nervous, the Train Manager will happily find you an alternative seat.
• On Eurostar Red trains between Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, small domestic animals weighing less than 6kg travel free of charge – provided they travel in a carrier (max. 45 x 30 x 25 cm).
• Larger dogs that don’t fit in a carrier will need a ticket with the specific “dog” fare (single price of €30). Please speak to the Train Manager to purchase a ticket for your four-legged friend. Your dog must sit on your lap or on the floor of the coach and be leashed and muzzled.
• Guide dogs and assistance dogs and cats always travel free of charge on Eurostar.
• As much as we love animals, we can’t welcome all of them on board. Dangerous dogs, wild animals and birds (parrots, canaries etc.) are not allowed on our trains.

Pets on Italo trains

• If your dog is medium or large -sized or if you do not want it to travel in a pet carrier, pet ticket can be booked directly with the carrier.
• Once you have purchased the pet tickets, you may keep your dog close to you during your journey in a dedicated, comfy area..
• On board the train, you will also receive a comfy mat for your dog, allowing it to relax and ride with you in complete comfort.
• This service is accessible in Smart class, Prima Business class, and with all Italo fares.
• The service can be purchased with Italo, on the Italo train App, in the station at the Italo ticket offices or by calling Pronto Italo 060708.
• You are allowed to take your dog on the train with you, if it is leashed and wears a muzzle when getting on and off the train.

    Small dogs, cats, and other pets are welcome on our trains!

• With Italo, it’s free to bring your small pets along with you in a pet carrier and keep them  by you  for the duration of your journey.
• All animals must be kept inside the pet carrier for the duration of the journey. Only one pet carrier per passenger is permitted.

Pets on Ouigo trains

• You can take up to two pets weighing a maximum of 10 kg per journey. For the comfort of all passengers your pet must travel in a rigid, waterproof pet carrier or other enclosed element that does not exceed 60 cm x 35 cm x 35 cm. It must be placed under your seat or on your lap.
• Only dogs, cats, ferrets and birds other than poultry are allowed on board. In addition, the pet must be over 12 weeks of age, have a microchip identification, be duly documented (Individual Animal Identity System -SIIA-, updated Health Card), dewormed externally and internally and vaccinated according to the regulations of origin and destination of the transport.
• Females that are pregnant or only one week after giving birth will not be admitted, and the pet must not have any wounds.
• You must make sure that your little friend is integrated as a passenger during the journey and remember that the Service Crew, both at boarding and on board the train, may ask for your pet's identification papers.
• You can add a pet to your booking up to 30 minutes before departure for €10. If you do not do so, the Service Crew will take care of registering your pet at boarding time for a cost of 25€ in the same way you made your purchase/reservation.
• Assistance or support dogs, with the appropriate certificate, travel free of charge.