Dogs travelling on trains is, of course, more widely available than on planes, in fact, they can even nab a seat in a first class carriage if they’re lucky! For pet travel in 2022, many countries make it easy to take your cat or dog aboard a pet friendly train. For instance, if a purchased ticket is required, you can normally make the booking online for yourself and your pet. The United Kingdom (Scotland, England, Wales & Northern Ireland) together with many EU destinations such as Ireland, Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, Holland and Italy, allow dogs to travel on trains. In fact, some pet friendly train services even permit rabbits, rodents, birds and fish!
General Rules for Pets Travelling on Trains
Across the board, no matter which country you are travelling in, your dog will at the very least, have to be on a lead while onboard a pet friendly train. Cats always have to be within a travel carrier, but some train services may require this for dogs too, instead of a lead.
In the UK, for example, trains accept dogs, cats and other small animals free of charge, with a maximum of 2 pets per passenger. However, there is a cost for pets travelling on Caledonian Sleeper Train services.
On all UK pet friendly trains, dogs must be kept on a lead, or otherwise travel in a pet kennel. All other animals must make the train journey in a suitable travel carrier, and pets cannot take up a passenger seat without paying.
You can check out information on pet travel for the following train services, along with the reviews and opinions of other pet travellers. Be aware that some trains only allow Assistance & Service Dogs to travel, as is the case on Eurostar London routes to all EU destinations.
