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The Ultimate Guide to Traveling with Pets on Trains within the U.S.

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

823 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

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Table of Contents

Things to consider pre-travel, checklist for what to take on board, amtrak pet policy, train systems that allow pets, pet carriers, what about large pets, final thoughts.

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When planning your next trip within the U.S., you may not want to leave your 4-legged friend at home. Thankfully, with many train services now allowing small pets to be carried on board, there are alternative options to flying or driving.

Train travel can be much less stressful than flying for both pet and owner, with shorter check-in times and the comfort of having your pet on your lap for the entire journey, rather than under your seat or in the hold compartment.

There’s also the cost to consider, with the likes of Delta Air Lines and United charging from $125 to transport your pet as carry-on, versus Amtrak, where pets can be carried for just $26.

This helpful guide will help you plan for your trip and rounds-up the pet policies for each train operator listed by individual state.

This information relates to pets-only, not officially trained service dogs that are governed under the Americans with Disabilities Act and are permitted to go “where the public is normally allowed to go”.

To ensure the well-being of your faithful friend, and that you’re adhering to certain rules, there are some things to consider when planning to take your pet on board a train.

Motion Sickness

Like humans, some animals can get motion sickness, so it’s advisable to test out some short journeys before embarking on a 7-hour train ride. Be sure to have plenty of water with you to avoid your pet becoming dehydrated as this will only make the motion sickness worse.

As many train operators only permit small pets to be transported within a pet carrier, you’ll need to test out how your pet responds to being inside a cage for long periods.

Many train operators such as Amtrak state that the pet must not be disruptive, so train travel may not be suitable if you have a dog that barks continuously when in their pet carrier.

Heath and Documentation Requirements

On local train services, documentation is not likely to be requested by train personnel; however, when using Amtrak services , passengers must sign to certify that their pet is up-to-date with their vaccinations.

To transport a pet between states, most states require that the pet have a recent Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), which indicates that the pet is clear of rabies and other infectious diseases. Each state has different rules as to when the certificate should be obtained before entering a state, but the most common time period is within 30 days before entry.

Pet Identification

Although not mandatory in the U.S., you may want to consider getting your pet micro-chipped for their safety. If your pet became lost in an unknown destination, the likelihood of tracking them down would be far greater with a microchip. You should also make sure that they have a collar with your contact number.

Nearest Vet

Even if you’re only taking a short trip, it’s still wise to familiarize yourself with your nearest vet just in case they require urgent care while traveling.

Relief Breaks

If you’re traveling on a long train ride, then you’ll need to ensure there are sufficient relief breaks along your route. Check with the train operator to see if they have any scheduled stops that are more than just a couple of minutes so that you have time to relieve your pet in a suitable location.

• Vet contact details.
• Well-ventilated pet carrier.
• Collar and leash.
• Blankets/jacket if the journey is cold.
• Chew toys for inside their carrier.
• Snacks, food, and plenty of water.
• Food and drink bowls.
• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI).

Hot Tip: Keep all of your pet’s important items organized with a great dog travel bag .

Amtrak permits passengers to bring dogs or cats (up to 20 pounds) onboard many of its train journeys that are 7 hours or less. Pets are not permitted on specific mainline routes or Thruway connecting services (green routes on the above map and detailed by state in the table below).

Mainline Routes Where Pets are NOT Permitted

• Auto Train : Lorton, VA (Washington, DC) – Sanford, FL (Orlando)
• Capital Corridor : Auburn – Sacramento – Emeryville (San Francisco) – Oakland – San Jose
• Keystone Service : NYC – Philadelphia – Paoli – Downingtown – Lancaster – Harrisburg
• Pacific Surfliner : San Luis Obispo – Santa Barbara – Los Angeles – Anaheim – San Diego
• Pennsylvanian : New York – Philadelphia –  Lancaster – Harrisburg – Altoona – Pittsburgh
• San Joaquins : San Francisco Bay Area / Sacramento – Bakersfield / Southern California

Amtrak provides the following guidelines and rules for bringing your pet on board:

• Pets must be booked on a reservation with a maximum of 5 pets permitted on each train service, available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Only 1 pet is permitted per passenger, and they may only ride in coach class, rather than business class or any sleeper services.
• Pets must be transported in a pet carrier measuring no more than 19 x 14 x 10.5 inches and must be well ventilated and leak proof. The total weight of the pet inside the carrier cannot exceed 20 pounds.
• Pet carriers count towards a passenger’s carry-on allowance and must be placed under the passenger’s seat. Pets are not permitted outside of the carrier for the duration of the journey or in stations.

Hot Tip:  The following routes designate pet-specific coaches; whereas, for other pet-friendly routes, pets are permitted in any coach cars: Amtrak Cascades, Blue Water, Carl Sandburg, Hiawatha, Illini, Illinois Zephyr, Lincoln Service, Missouri River Runner, Pere Marquette, Saluki, and Wolverine.

Paperwork and Health Requirements

• Passengers must sign a Pet Release and Indemnification Agreement for each segment of the journey.
• Passengers must check-in at the ticket desk no later than 30 minutes before the train departs, to allow time to complete the pet release paperwork.
• Pets must be 8 weeks or older to travel on Amtrak services and be odorless and non-disruptive to other passengers.
• Passengers will certify that their pet is up-to-date with all required vaccinations before travel.

Booking Procedure

Pets can be booked onto a reservation at Amtrak.com or by calling 800-USA-RAIL. Bookings can also be made in person at an Amtrak ticket desk.

Hot Tip:  Pets can travel on board Amtrak services for $26 .

Hot Tip:  Need ideas on the best trips to take with your furry friend? Check out our piece on the 15 Most and Least Pet-Friendly Vacation Spots in the U.S. .

When looking for the perfect pet carrier, there a few things you should consider.

Weight of the Carrier and Your Pet

Amtrak and some other train operators have weight restrictions that are usually the weight of your pet and the carrier combined. If your pet is on the heavier side, you’ll need to find a lightweight, soft carrier that is also robust enough to accommodate the weight of your pet.

Choosing the correct size of carrier for your pet is an important decision. Too big and your pet could move around, making it difficult to balance and carry. Too small and it would be uncomfortable for your pet, restricting space to stand up or stretch. As a rule of thumb, your pet carrier should be around 1.5 times the size of your pet.

Ventilation

Traveling on a train can be hot at times, so it’s advisable to choose a pet carrier that has mesh sides to allow airflow to keep your faithful friend cool.

Owners have the choice between hard and soft shell pet carriers, and the decision will depend entirely on your circumstances and preference. Hardshell carriers are more robust, provide more protection, and are easier to keep clean; whereas, soft carriers can offer more comfort, are lighter, and easier to store.

Hot Tip: Make sure you’re earning points for your pet purchases. Check out our guide to the best credit cards to use for pet expenses.

As you can see from the table above, most train operators stipulate that only “small pets” may be carried on board, so train travel is unfortunately not yet widely accessible to larger animals.

However, some passengers do try to bend the rules of certain operators such as the New York Subway that states “No person may bring any animal on or into any conveyance or facility unless enclosed in a container and carried in a manner which would not annoy other passengers.”

Over the years, there’s been controversy over the number of pet-related deaths during transit in both the cabin and cargo hold of an airplane; in fact, we did a whole study on the best airlines for pets for that exact reason. Traveling on a train with your pet can be a more relaxed and safer mode of transport for your pet.

Some pets can struggle with the pressure from an airplane’s increased altitude, causing issues with breathing. In fact, this has caused some airlines to prohibit the hold transportation of snub-nosed breeds, such as pugs and bulldogs.

If you’ve got a small pet that you would like to travel with you, train travel is the ideal mode of transport, being relatively cheap and safe. Looking for more information on traveling with your 4-legged friend? Explore our ultimate guide on traveling with your pet .

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Travel with Pets by Train

Pet travel by train can be much safer and less stressful than taking your pet on an airplane. Air travel can put your pet at risk due to changes in air quality, air circulation, temperature, cabin pressure, and other environmental issues that could be harmful to your pet’s health. In fact, select short-nosed breeds are not allowed to travel on certain airlines because of respiratory issues that may make it especially difficult for them to breathe properly under the stress and environment of flying. On Amtrak there’s no restrictions on traveling with short-nosed breeds.

Traveling with your pet by train can also be a much cheaper alternative than flying or even driving. In addition, you won’t have to worry about having to produce proof of vaccinations, a health certificate, or any other type of paperwork. In fact, most trains only require that your pet be able to travel in a pet carrier that can fit on your lap, or underneath your seat.

Train Travel in the United States

Amtrak is a passenger railroad service that provides medium- and long-distance intercity service in the contiguous United States and to nine Canadian cities. Amtrak welcomes dogs and cats up to 20 pounds (combined weight of pet and carrier) for trips up to seven hours on most routes. Only dogs and cats are allowed to travel as pets. Pets are permitted in Coach Class and Acela Business Class (pets are not allowed in Acela First Class seating, First Class private rooms, non-Acela Business Class, food service cars or other accommodations). Reservations with pets are limited to seven hours total travel time, including transfer time between trains on multiple-segment trips.

Not all Amtrak trains allow pets, and some trains don’t accept pets on all services. For example, if travelling between New York and Washington, the Northeast Regional trains accept pets on all services. However, the Acela Express only accepts pets on weekend and holiday services, while some other trains don’t allow pets anytime. Some routes designate a specific Coach car for pets: Amtrak Cascades, Carl Sandburg, Illinois Zephyr, Illini, Lincoln Service, Saluki, Pere Marquette, Wolverine, Blue Water, Hiawatha and Missouri River Runner. On other pet friendly routes, you and your pet may ride in any Coach car. Find info on which Amtrak trains allow pets .

Pet travel by train in Canada is not available on Adirondack, Maple Leaf and Amtrak Cascades; not available on Auto Train, Keystone Service, Pennsylvanian, San Joaquins, Capitol Corridor Pacific Surfliner or Thruway Connecting Services. Amtrak does not ship pets or allow them to travel as checked baggage — a pet must travel with a human. Read more about Amtrak’s pet policy .

How to Travel on Amtrak Trains With a Dog in 2024 Find out everything you need to know about how to travel on Amtrak with a dog, from the rules for travelling with a pet on Amtrak to how much it costs and how to make a booking.

Train Travel in Canada

VIA Rail Canada operates 475 trains per week in eight Canadian provinces (exceptions are Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island). VIA Rail Canada allows pets – only small dogs and cats – to travel in cars with their owners as long as the animals are small enough to fit comfortably in a carrier that meets VIA Rail carrier standards. The total weight of the carrier and animal must not exceed 10 kilograms (22 lb.). This pet travel by train policy applies only on Corridor trains (Québec City to Windsor). Pets are prohibited from traveling with passengers on The Maple Leaf (Toronto – New York) Amtrak train. Read more here .

Pets may travel as a checked item in the baggage car as long as the pet is on the same train as their owner and is claimed immediately upon arrival. Dogs, cats and small rodents (hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, etc.) are the only animals allowed in baggage cars. Birds cannot be checked. From June 1 to September 30, baggage cars cannot transport animals due to lack of proper ventilation. Usually, pets may be transported year-round on the Ocean (Montréal – Halifax), as all cars are air-conditioned. Certain provinces and regions refuse pitbulls, therefore, VIA Rail does not accept this breed of dog system wide. Read more here .

Train Travel in Europe

In general, pets are allowed to travel with you on most European trains for free if they are in a carrier. Larger pets need to be muzzled and kept on a leash and usually travel for a reduced rate. However, the rules for traveling with a pet on a train vary from train company to company, country to country. For instance, some countries do not allow large dogs to travel on trains, only small dogs in a container. Always check the details for the specific train company before planning your trip. Please note: Guide and assistance dogs are the only animals allowed on Eurostar.

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 veterinarian.

More Information

All Aboard: Tips for Traveling With Your Pet on a Train Here’s what you need to know before and after you board.

Pups Onboard: Why Trains Are a Great Way to Travel With Your Dog(s) The pugs Rufus and Hamilton have tried every mode of transportation but nothing beats a ride on the rails.

Can I Take Fido? Top Tips for Riding European Trains With Dogs Trains are by far the best option for traveling with your dog in Europe and are relatively inexpensive.

Are Dogs Allowed on Trains in Europe? Find out which trains in Europe allow dogs and what are the rules for dogs on trains.

Top 10 Pet-Friendly Trains in Europe & North America Tips for taking your pet on trains in Europe and North America, including Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.

Traveling in Italy with Pets Find out the essentials of navigating Italy’s rail system with pets.

Dogs on Public Transport in Australia Melbourne public transport is dog-friendly and Sydney allows small pets on light rail, buses and ferries inside a carrier. Brisbane allows dogs on board CityCats and ferries, but are banned on trains and buses.

Find a Pet Friendly Train

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All Aboard: Tips for Traveling With Your Pet on a Train

Here’s what you need to know before and after you board.

Hilary Nangle,

We love our pets, and we love traveling with them . And taking the train can be an affordable and easy way to travel around the country.

But boarding with your furry friend requires a good amount of planning and preparation. Here’s what you need to know about traveling with your pet on a train. Note: These rules do not apply to service animals.

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Before you book your train trip

First, not all trains allow pets. While some local, regional or scenic trains do, the fees and rules vary. For example, some trains limit pets to specific animals, have weight limits or require that pets travel in a carrier.  So, it’s important to do your homework. 

Amtrak offers the most routes across the United States, and pets are welcome on many of the trains. You can travel with one dog or cat (sorry birds, bunnies, gerbils and ferrets) weighing a maximum of 20 pounds, including the carrier. Your pet will also have to stay in that carrier under your seat (more on that later).  

You can travel up to seven hours with your pet, but that includes transfer time if changing trains. If it’s just you and your pet, you may want to pack some snacks for both of you because pets can’t go in a café or dining car and you can’t leave your pet alone under your seat.

Pets also are not allowed in first class, sleeper cars and non-Acela business class.

You will have to fill out an online pet release and indemnification agreement before traveling. Among the requirements: Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and up to date on vaccinations, as well as odorless, harmless and nondisruptive during travel.   

If these requirements sound too strict for your furry companion, keep in mind that Amtrak has the right to refuse or remove your pet from the train if any policies are violated.

Prepare your pet for the train ride

If your pet checks all the boxes, the next step is to make sure you have everything you need to board the train.

Amtrak requires that your pet can sit and lie down without touching the sides of a leak-proof and well-ventilated carrier that doesn’t exceed 19 inches long by 14 inches wide by 10.5 inches high. 

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Pets traveling on the Alaska Railroad must be in an airline-approved kennel and have to ride in the baggage car.

Before your trip, make sure your pet is acclimated to the carrier. And if possible, take your pet to a train station so your pet can become more familiar with the sounds and sights. Even better, consider taking a short train ride with your pet to help them become more comfortable with the train’s noises and movements.

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Request your pet’s vaccination and other records from the veterinarian in case of an emergency. If your pet is anxious or tends to bark at unknown sounds, ask the vet about ways to keep your pet calm and quiet during the ride. Ask also about motion sickness preventives and getting a microchip implanted into your pet in case it runs off in an unknown destination.

When packing, your pet’s carrier counts as one carry-on so plan strategically for the other. A backpack or shoulder bag allows you to keep your hands free for handling your pet. Pack a collapsible water bowl, water, treats and a favorite (nonsqueaky) toy to keep your pet comfortable during the trip. It’s a good idea to line the carrier with an absorbent pad and bring bags and an extra towel to clean up any accidents that may happen while on the train.

Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before boarding at any staffed Amtrak station. Once you’re there, check in with the ticket office where agents will validate your pet’s eligibility and paperwork. At unstaffed stations, the train conductor will do this. Note: Your pet must always remain in the closed carrier while in the station and on the train. Pets are not allowed inside Amtrak station lounges or first-class waiting areas.

Tips for traveling on the train

The route you are traveling will determine where you sit. Some trains have a pet-friendly coach car; others allow you to sit in any coach car. If the train has a pet-friendly quiet car, consider sitting there as there will be less noise and fewer distractions. If possible, avoid peak travel times and rush hours for the best experience.

To help avoid motion sickness, feed your pet a light meal three hours before departure .

A tired pet is a happy pet, so exercise your pet before boarding.

And lastly, keep an eye on the schedule so you’ll have all the time you need to disembark.

Hilary Nangle has written for many publications, including  Snow, Ski, Westways and Yankee. She’s also the author of four guidebooks to her home state in the Moon series:  Maine, Coastal Maine, Acadia National Park and the forthcoming Best of Acadia.

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How to travel into Europe

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Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, how to take your dog by train.

This gets asked surprisingly often, as it's difficult and expensive to send dogs, cats or other pets by air, and pets find it very stressful alone in the hold of a plane.  So why not take your dog by train or ferry, the civilised and comfortable option?  Unfortunately Eurostar doesn't allow dogs on trains to/from London, except guide dogs.  But there are alternatives - this page explains the options for civilised & enjoyable train & ferry travel between the UK and European destinations with your dog, cat or other pet.

Microchip, vaccinations, health certificate

Before you start, you'll need to make sure your dog or pet is fitted with a microchip and has an up-to-date rabies vaccination.  Call your vet, they can advise you.

To take a pet from the UK to the EU , see your vet no more than 10 days before you travel for a simple health check and to get a health certificate.  Expect this to cost £180 (yet another a Brexit cost as the UK is no longer a member of the Pet Passport scheme).  The certificate is a 10-page document with more stamps than a 1970s Soviet transit visa which allows you to take your pet into the EU for up to 4 months and to re-enter the UK within 4 months.  You can have more than one pet on the same health certificate.  For certain countries you'll also need a tapeworm treatment, including Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway, Finland & Malta.

A day or two before you return to the UK , make a vet's appointment.  The vet gives your dog a tapeworm tablet and fills in/stamps the relevant section on the form.  This must be done no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before you enter Great Britain.  Expect this to cost around €40.  This allows you to return to the UK.

For full details on how to take a pet abroad, see www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit .

For full details on how to bring a pet into the UK, see www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel .

Tip:   As you can't take meat or dairy products into the EU, only take enough regular pet food for the Channel crossing.  Take kibble for the onward journey, or stock up with wet food once on the Continent.

Step 1, taking a pet on British trains

This bit is easy.  You can take dogs, cats and other small animals free of charge on all British trains, up to a maximum of two per passenger, as long as they don't endanger or inconvenience passengers or staff.  Dogs must be kept on a lead unless inside a carrier.  Dogs without leads, cats, birds and small animals must be carried in an enclosed cage or pet carrier which 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 or a charge may be made.  If you want to use a Caledonian Sleeper to or from Scotland, you'll need to pay a fee, see here .  For full details of dog & pet regulations on British trains see www.nationalrail.co.uk/on-the-train/train-travel-with-pets .  So far, so good.

Step 2, getting across the Channel

Option 1 , london to holland with stena line.

I highly recommend this option for both comfort and simplicity for travel with your dog between the UK and the Continent. It's an ideal route for the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Poland, Czechia, Scandinavia and so on.  It's a round-about route to France, Spain, Switzerland & Italy, but because it's so dog-friendly & inexpensive with really easy integrated train-to-ferry and ferry-to-train connections on either side of the Channel, it's a surprisingly good option even for that.  It may also avoid the need for an overnight stay in Paris because after an overnight sailing to Hoek in a cosy pet-friendly cabin you can catch a morning high-speed train to Paris in time for an afternoon TGV to Barcelona, Switzerland or Milan.

What is Stena Line Rail & Sail?

Stena Line Rail & Sail is an integrated train & ferry service between London & the Netherlands run jointly by Greater Anglia & Stena Line.  One ticket bought at www.stenaline.co.uk covers the whole journey from London or any East Anglia rail station to Hoek van Holland.  It works in both directions, of course, but I'll describe the outward journey from the UK here.

You take the 19:36 train from London Liverpool Street station to Harwich and your dog travels with you on the train.  At Harwich, the train arrives alongside the ferry terminal around 20:59.  It's totally painless:  You walk straight off the train into the ferry terminal, through passport control (where your dog or cat's pet passport will be checked too) and onto the luxurious Stena Line superferry to Hoek van Holland.

You enter the ship via the passenger gangway onto Deck 7.

If you've booked a pet-friendly cabin , take your dog or cat by lift or stairs up to deck 10, where all the pet-friendly cabins are.  All cabins have a shower, toilet, free WiFi and satellite TV.  Your pet stays with you in the cabin, they are not allowed on the rest of the ship.  If your pet needs a pee or poo, go down the Red Stairs to Deck 7 and press the white button to open a door to a small outside deck area where they can get some air, have a little exercise and do their business.  Inevitably, we refer to this as the poop deck.

If you've booked a kennel , you take your dog up two decks by lift or stairs to the Guest Services desk on Deck 9, which is the main passenger deck with all the bars, lounges & restaurants.  The Guest Services staff will give you a kennel number in either Kennel A or Kennel B, and give you the 4-digit code to access the kennels.  You then go down one deck on Red Stairs to the kennels on Deck 8.  The kennels have a sink with running water, and they provide blankets for dogs to sleep on, but you should take your own pet's water bowl, food bowl and perhaps their favourite toy.  If your pet needs a pee or poo, go down one deck on the same Red Stairs to Deck 7 and press the white button to open a door to a small outside deck area where they can get some air, have a little exercise and do their business.

After settling your pet into their kennel you can settle in to your own private en suite cabin on Deck 10 or 11 and perhaps have a late dinner in the ship's restaurant or a nightcap in the bar on Deck 9.  All cabins have a shower, toilet, free WiFi and satellite TV.  Channel 6 on the TV shows CCTV pictures of the kennels, with close-ups of individual cages.  You can visit your dog at any time during the crossing, although pets are not allowed in the public areas, other than to reach the Customer Services desk on embarkation, or to reach a pet-friendly cabin.

The ferry sails at 23:00 every day and arrives at Hoek van Holland at 08:00 next morning, Dutch time.

You now collect your dog from the kennels, if they need a pee you can take them to that small outside deck area on Deck 7.  You then walk off the ferry into the terminal and out onto the adjacent railway station for the frequent metro train to Schiedam & Rotterdam.  Dogs travel for free on the RET metro trains.  You can use any contactless bank card to travel, just touch in and out at the start and end of the metro journey.

Get off the metro in Schiedam Centrum for a frequent NS (Dutch Railways) InterCity train to Amsterdam, arriving Amsterdam Centraal around 10:25.  In the reverse direction, you'd leave Amsterdam Centraal around 18:46, the ferry sails from Hoek around 22:00 arriving Harwich at 06:30, you reach central London around 08:50.

Or continue to Eendrachtsplein station in Rotterdam city centre, from where it's then an 800m 10-minute walk to Rotterdam Centraal .  Or continue to Rotterdam Alexander for NS trains to Utrecht, Groningen and so on.

You'll find full details, photos & a video guide on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page .

Onward trains to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Eastern Europe etc...

Direct daytime trains link Amsterdam with Germany and Switzerland - in many cases these go via Utrecht, and changing at Utrecht saves going all the way into Amsterdam.  Regular daytime trains link Rotterdam with Brussels and Paris.  All of these trains take dogs, sometimes free, sometimes for a fee, sometimes with a child rate ticket.

Or take the Nightjet sleeper from Amsterdam to Basel, Zurich (change for Italy), Munich, Innsbruck or Vienna (change for Bratislava, Budapest, Zagreb).  Dogs are carried on Nightjets for €29 paid on board the train, as long as you and your party occupy a whole compartment.

You'll find specific timetables for journeys between London and each of the following countries here:  Belgium , Italy , Switzerland , Germany , Austria , Denmark , Hungary , Czech Republic & Poland .

Onward trains to Paris (for France, Switzerland, Spain, Italy)

Take the metro from Hoek van Holland to Eendrachtsplein station in Rotterdam city centre, dogs go free of charge on the metro.  It's then an 800m 10-minute walk to Rotterdam Centraal .

Then take a Eurostar (formerly Thalys) high-speed train from Rotterdam Centraal to Paris Gare du Nord , you'll usually find a 10:58 arriving 13:38.  Dogs can travel in any class on Eurostar (formerly Thalys) trains for €30, you pay the dog fee on board to the conductor.  Book your own ticket from Rotterdam to Paris from €35 online in advance at www.sncf-connect.com (don't bother trying to add a dog to the booking, this doesn't work with Eurostar (formerly Thalys) .

How much does it cost?

You'll find specific fare & booking information for journeys between London and each of the following countries by clicking the relevant link:  Netherlands , Belgium , Italy , Switzerland , Germany , Austria , Denmark , Hungary , Czech Republic & Poland .

...and to take a dog or cat?  

On the train from London to Harwich your dog travels free.  On the ferry, you must reserve a kennel (£23) or pet-friendly cabin during the online booking process.  On the Dutch domestic trains between Hoek van Holland, Rotterdam & Amsterdam or Utrecht, small dogs or cats in containers on your lap travel free of charge, but if you have a larger dog you'll need to buy a dog day-ticket (Dagkaart Hond) for €3.30, you may be able to buy this at the Guest Services desk on deck 9 on board the Stena Line ferry, otherwise buy it at Schiedam station.  On the international daytime trains from Amsterdam or Utrecht to Germany and Switzerland, cats and small dogs (up to cat sized) in containers go free, larger dogs on leads require a child rate ticket which you can buy online exactly as you would for a child, although unlike kids they don't qualify for the free kid with an adult deal.

How to buy tickets for you & your dog, step 1 :

Book your Rail & Sail ticket from London to Amsterdam online at www.stenaline.co.uk .  You simply need to choose a pet-friendly (animal) cabin at the cabin stage plus the 'pet in cabin' option at the extras stage, or just add a pet in kennel at the extras stage.

How to buy tickets, step 2 :

You now need to book the onward trains to your European destination.  Booking usually opens 90 days ahead, you cannot book before reservations open.  Trains from Amsterdam to Cologne, Frankfurt and Switzerland pass through Utrecht so it's quicker to pick them up there rather than going all the way into Amsterdam, unless you really want to.  For daytime travel from Amsterdam or Utrecht to Germany or Switzerland, book your own ticket at int.bahn.de .  Small (cat-size) dogs & cats in containers go free, if you have a larger larger dog it travels at the child rate (either full-fare Flexpreis or discounted Sparpreis , it doesn't matter) so simply use int.bahn.de again to buy a child ticket, I recommend buying this as a separate booking to avoid the system automatically offering the 'Child under 15 accompanied by an adult goes free' offer which doesn't apply to dogs!  There are Nightjet sleeper train from Cologne to Innsbruck (for Italy) & Vienna (for all points east) and you can easily book these online at int.bahn.de .  Onward connections from Innsbruck to Italy or Vienna to Budapest can be booked at www.oebb.at .

Inward one-way tickets :  Note that www.stenaline.co.uk can only book one-way or return tickets starting in the UK.  One-way or return tickets starting in the Netherlands must be booked at the Dutch version of the Stena Line website, see the advice here .

Option 2, London to Paris via the Newhaven-Dieppe ferry

See the London/Brighton-Newhaven-Dieppe-Paris timetable on the London-Paris by train & ferry page .  This is the cheapest option if you're heading for France or Spain.

Step 1, take a train to Newhaven Town , see www.nationalrail.co.uk for train times.

Up to 2 dogs of any size go free of charge on British trains, just buy a ticket for yourself.

Step 2, take a DFDS ferry from Newhaven to Dieppe , check ferry times at www.dfds.com .

DFDS allows you to take a cat or dog with you as a foot passenger on these routes.

Only small and medium size dogs are carried, according to DFDS customer services.  That means I'd expect them to have no problem with springer spaniels, but they won't carry great Danes or St Bernards.  You'll have to call them to check whether your labrador will fit their kennels.

If the animal is small and in a carrier, the pet & carrier are handed to staff at check-in and returned to you after the crossing.  Larger dogs have to be booked in one of the ship's 3 kennels, although you can visit the pet in the middle of the crossing by taking an appointment at the reception desk.

To book as a foot passenger with a pet you must call DFDS on 033 058 787 87 if you're in the UK or 0809 541 890 if you're in France or +44 33 058 787 87 from outside either country.  You cannot book online if you're taking a pet!

Step 3, take a French train from Dieppe to Paris St Lazare , book this at www.thetrainline.com . 

Dogs can be taken on all French trains.  Small dogs (under 6Kg) placed in containers not exceeding 45cm x 30cm x 25cm pay no more than €5.10 per journey.  Larger dogs muzzled and on leads pay half the 2nd class full fare (even travelling in 1st class).

You can buy a ticket in English at the official French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com (for English scroll to the bottom and change France to Europe (other countries).   You add a dog to the booking by clicking the Add button (English version) or Ajouter (French version) before running the enquiry.

Once in Paris, you can take onward trains to Spain, Portugal or the South of France, as shown in step 3 below.

Option 3, London to Paris by train + taxi with Pet Travel Abroad .

For France, Spain or Portugal you really need to go via Paris.  As Eurostar won't take pets and most Channel Ferries won't let foot passengers take pets either, here is a solution which works well, although it's not cheap:

Step 1, travel from London to Folkestone by train.

You can use any normal British domestic train, dogs go free.  There are hourly or half hourly trains from London Charing Cross, Waterloo East or St Pancras to Folkestone Central, check train times & fares at www.nationalrail.co.uk .

Step 2, book a taxi from Folkestone to Calais via the Eurotunnel shuttle with Pet Travel Abroad .

Book your trip by calling Pet Travel Abroad (part of Folkestone Taxis) on 01303 246 925 (+00 44 1303 246925 from outside the UK), see their pet transport page at pettravelabroad.co.uk .

They can take you and your dog and up to 3 other passengers from Folkestone Central station to Calais Ville or Calais Fréthun stations for around £190 plus the cost of the Eurotunnel ticket, typically £164, but this can vary.

You and your dog remain together in the taxi throughout the journey via the Channel Tunnel car shuttle train.  Pet Travel Abroad (part of Folkestone Taxis) has been highly recommended by several travellers, further feedback is always appreciated.

Of course, a cheaper solution is to get a friend to drive you to Calais and drop you at the station, using a cheap day return ferry ticket - try www.dfds.com or www.poferries.com .  The dog remains inside the car on the ferry car deck.

Step 3, take a French domestic train from Calais Ville or Calais Fréthun to Paris .

To check train times use www.raileurope.com (in £ or €) or www.thetrainline.com (in €).  On French trains, small dogs under 6 Kg placed in containers not exceeding 45cm x 30cm x 25cm pay no more than €5.10 per journey.  Larger dogs muzzled and on leads pay half the 2nd class full fare, even travelling in 1st class.  For onward train travel with your dog to Spain, Italy, Portugal and so on, see the following section.

How to plan your trip.

The French trains from Calais to Paris are irregular and less frequent than the British ones, so start by picking a suitable afternoon train from Calais to Paris and work backwards.  Ask Folkestone Taxis what time you need to leave Folkestone Central in their taxi to make this train.  Then work out a train from London (or your local station) to Folkestone Central with plenty of time in hand.

This blog may inspire you: Argo, the dog who took the train to Italy .

Option 4, Hull-Rotterdam or Newcastle-Amsterdam by ferry

You can take a dog as a foot passenger on P&O Ferries Hull-Rotterdam route, with pet-friendly cabins & kennels.  Book online and add a pet plus pet-friendly cabin or kennel at www.poferries.com .  More about the Hull-Rotterdam ferry route .

You can also take a dog as a foot passenger with pet-friendly cabins on DFDS overnight Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry.  However, you can't book online as a foot passenger with a pet, you need to book by phone, so check sailing times at www.dfds.com then call DFDS on 0871 522 9955.  More about the Newcastle to Amsterdam ferry route .

Back to top

Step 3, taking pets on trains in mainland Europe

Once safely across the Channel, you can take a dog or cat with you on most trains across Europe, sometimes free, sometimes for a small charge, sometimes with a normal child-rate ticket.  In sleeping-cars and couchettes on overnight trains, you can generally only take a dog if your party occupies all the berths in a compartment.

From the UK to France

Eurostar doesn't take dogs and nor do most ferry companies unless you are a motorist.  P&O used to allow foot passengers to take dogs, but have stopped doing in 2012.  However, DFDS will take caged pets if you're a foot passenger on their Newhaven-Dieppe route.

So either travel from London to Newhaven by train, take a DFDS ferry to Dieppe as a foot passenger with your pet in a cage as explained above in option 2 , take a taxi to Dieppe station and a train to Paris, or travel from London to Folkestone by train, pay Folkestone Taxis to shuttle you through the Tunnel from Folkestone Central station to Calais Ville station, then take a train to Paris as explained above in option 3 .

Or you can travel from the UK to Paris via Hoek van Holland using option 1 , it's a round-about route, but so easy, dog-friendly, inexpensive and avoids the need for an overnight stop in Paris as you can sail overnight from Harwich to Hoek van Holland in a cosy pet-friendly cabin, catch the metro to Rotterdam and a morning high-speed train to Paris, then take an afternoon train to almost anywhere in France, even Nice & the south coast.

Pets on trains within France

Dogs can be taken on all French trains.  Small dogs (under 6 Kg) placed in containers not exceeding 45cm x 30cm x 25cm pay €7 per journey.  Larger dogs muzzled and on a lead pay €7.

You can buy a ticket in English at the official French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com , you add a dog to your booking by clicking the Add travellers, pets & bicycles button before running the enquiry.

To the Netherlands

From the UK to the Netherlands

I recommend travelling via the Harwich-Hoek van Holland superferry as shown in option 1 above .  Once at Hoek van Holland your Dutch Flyer ticket is valid to any Dutch station, not just Amsterdam.  You can book from London to Amsterdam or any Dutch station online at www.stenaline.co.uk , adding a kennel during the booking process.

Alternatively, you can also take a dog as a foot passenger with pet-friendly cabins on DFDS overnight Newcastle-Amsterdam ferry, but you must book by phone, check sailing times at www.dfds.com then call 0871 522 9955.  P&O take dogs with foot passengers on their overnight Hull-Rotterdam ferry, see www.poferries.com .

Pets on trains within the Netherlands

On Dutch trains, small dogs or cats in containers placed on your lap travel free of charge, if you have a larger dog on a lead you will need to buy a Dagkaart Hond   (dog day-ticket) for just over €3.  You can check details for this at the Dutch Railways site www.ns.nl .

To Switzerland

From the UK to Switzerland

You should use the train & ferry service from London to Amsterdam via the Harwich-Hoek van Holland ferry, as explained in option 1 above .  For details of the London to Switzerland journey via this route see the Switzerland page , which has timetables & fares.  You can book the London-Amsterdam part of the journey online at www.stenaline.co.uk , adding a reserved kennel during the booking process.  You'll then find daytime trains from Utrecht to Basel & Zurich, which you can book online at int.bahn.de . 

Pets on trains within Switzerland

Dogs of any size can travel for half the 2nd class fare on any Swiss train (for longer journeys there's a Dog Day card), small dogs up to 30cm high at the shoulder can travel free if they are in a carrier, you'll find information on the Swiss railways website www.sbb.ch and you can easily buy Swiss tickets at the station when you get there.

From the UK to Italy, via Hoek van Holland

Travel overnight from London to Hoek van Holland using the Harwich-Hoek van Holland ferry as explained in option 1 above .

I'd then suggest travelling from Amsterdam to Munich by daytime trains, then overnight again from Munich to Venice on the excellent Nightjet sleeper train.  You'll find full details of these trains and how to book them in the via Harwich section of the London to Italy page .

Dogs travel on the German-run trains between Amsterdam, Cologne & Munich under the same arrangements as for trains within Germany explained in the To Germany section below .

Dogs are carried on the Nightjet sleeper from Cologne to Innsbruck or Vienna for €29, as long as you and your party occupy a whole compartment.  You don't need to book the dog, you just pay the extra €29 to the staff on board the train.

First book the London-Amsterdam part of the journey online at www.stenaline.co.uk , adding a reserved kennel during the booking process.

Then book Amsterdam-Munich followed by Munich-Venice using www.thetrainline.com .  Then buy a separate 2nd class child ticket for your dog from Amsterdam to Munich as explained in the To Germany section below .

Then travel onwards from Venice to other Italian cities.  See the Pets on trains within Italy section below.

Alternatively, you can take daytime trains from Utrecht to Basel or Zurich, book these online at int.bahn.de .  Stay overnight in Basel or Zurich.  Then take a Zurich to Milan EuroCity train, which you can book online at www.sbb.ch .  Dogs under 30cm high at the shoulder in a carrier travel free on this EuroCity train and on onward trains within Italy.  Dogs over 30cm high and not in a carrier must have a ticket, usually charged at half the 2nd class fare, which you can buy at the station in Zurich for about £35.

From the UK to Italy, via Paris

Step 1, Eurostar doesn't take dogs, so travel from London to Paris via Folkestone/Newhaven & Paris using option 2 or option 3 above, both involving ferry or EuroTunnel to France then domestic French train to Paris.  You may need to stay in Paris overnight.  Or use option 1 via Hoek van Holland, it's a round-about route, but so easy, dog-friendly, inexpensive and avoids the need for an overnight stop in Paris.

Step 2, you can then take one of the three daily Paris-Turin-Milan TGV trains in 1st or 2nd class with any size of dog muzzled and on a lead for €20, or a small dog/cat in a pet carrier not exceeding 45cm x 30cm x 25cm for €7.  You can book yourself and your dog from Paris to Milan at www.sncf-connect.com , look for the Add Travellers, animals, bicycles button and add a dog on a lead or in a carrier before running the enquiry.

Step 3, take an onward train from Milan or Turin to anywhere in Italy, see the Pets on trains within Italy section below.

Dogs are also carried on Trenitalia's competing Paris-Milan Frecciarossa , dogs under 5 Kg go free, dogs 5-50 Kg €30, all dogs must travel in Standard or Business class Allegro cars.  See the London to Italy page for details of times, prices and how to buy tickets.  The £10 fee for taking a dog on the Paris-Milan TGV must be paid by phone, it cannot be booked online.

Pets on trains within Italy

Dogs and pets are carried on most Trenitalia trains, free in a carrier (maximum size 70cm x 30cm x 50cm) or at half the 2nd class fare if on a lead and muzzled, for full details to www.trenitalia.com and look under Services for Transport of pets . 

You'll need to carry the dog's pet passport or health certificate, and yes, you will need to use a muzzle if your dog isn't inside a carrier.  You aren't allowed to take dogs on regional trains between 07:00 & 09:00 weekdays.  You aren't allowed to take a dog in Premium or Executive classes on Frecciarossa high-speed trains .  You can only take a dog in sleepers or couchettes if your party occupies the whole compartment.

From the UK to Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Valencia, Alicante...

Step 2, you can then take one of the twice-daily Paris-Barcelona TGV trains with any size of dog muzzled and on a lead on for €20, or a small dog/cat in a pet carrier not exceeding 45cm x 30cm x 25cm for €7.  More about the Paris-Barcelona TGV journey .

You can buy a ticket for yourself and your dog from Paris to Barcelona at www.sncf-connect.com , look for the Add Travellers, animals, bicycles button and add a dog on a lead or in a carrier before running the enquiry.

Step 3 if your dog is under 10 Kg, you can then travel from Barcelona direct to Madrid, Malaga, Valencia or Alicante, see the Pets on trains within Spain section below.

Step 3 if your dog is 10-40 Kg, you can travel from Barcelona to Madrid on certain AVE trains, then from Madrid to Malaga, Valencia or Alicante also on certain trains only, see the Pets on trains within Spain section below.

From the UK to San Sebastian

Step 1, Eurostar doesn't take dogs, so travel from London to Paris via Folkestone/Newhaven & Paris using option 2 or option 3 above, both involving ferry or EuroTunnel to France then domestic French train to Paris.  Or use option 1 via Hoek van Holland, it's a round-about route, but so easy, dog-friendly, inexpensive and avoids the need for an overnight stop in Paris.

Step 2, you can then take one of the regular TGVs from Paris Montparnasse to Hendaye on the Spanish border, a stone's throw from San Sebastian.  These also take dogs of any size muzzled and on a lead for €20, or a small dog/cat in a pet carrier for €7. 

You can buy a ticket for yourself and your dog from Paris to Hendaye at www.sncf-connect.com , look for the Add Travellers, animals, bicycles button and add a dog on a lead or in a carrier before running the enquiry.

Step 3, the half-hourly trains from Hendaye to San Sebastian run by Euskotren take dogs of any size, muzzled and on a lead, or in a pet carrier, buy that ticket when you get to Hendaye.  More about the Paris-San Sebastian journey .

Pets on trains within Spain

Dogs under 10 Kg in pet carriers (maximum size 60cm x 35cm x 35cm) can be taken on most Renfe long distance trains either free or for a small fee, see www.renfe.com/es/en/viajar/informacion-util/mascotas (please let me know if that link stops working).

In general, larger dogs are not allowed at all on Spanish medium & long-distance trains .  I gather this is a cultural thing, as large dogs are generally regarded as working animals (for example, guard dogs) not pets in Spain.  Disappointingly, that not only goes for national operator Renfe, but for open-access competitors Ouigo and Iryo , too.

However, as from June 2023, dogs up to 40 Kg are allowed on certain Barcelona-Madrid, Madrid-Malaga, Madrid-Alicante & Madrid-Valencia AVE trains, for a fee, muzzled, with a 40-minute check-in and some forms to complete.  See www.renfe.com/es/en/viajar/informacion-util/mascotas (please let me know if that link stops working).  Dogs up to 40 Kg are only allowed 2 or 3 designated trains per day on each of those routes, there's a list of trains linked from that page.  Feedback would be appreciated!

More about train travel in Spain .  Buy Spanish train tickets with dog added at www.renfe.com .

To Portugal

From the UK to Portugal

Eurostar doesn't carry dogs, so first travel from London to Paris using either option 2 or option 3 above.  You'll then need to stay overnight in Paris. Then travel from Paris to Lisbon as shown on the London to Portugal page .

They key issue is that dogs over 10 Kg aren't carried on trains beyond Madrid.

From the UK to Germany

Step 1, first travel from London to Amsterdam via the overnight Harwich-Hoek van Holland ferry, see option 1 above .

Step 2, check train times & buy tickets from Amsterdam Centraal to anywhere in Germany at int.bahn.de .  On the German-run international IC & ICE trains between Amsterdam and Cologne, Frankfurt, Hannover & Berlin, the same arrangements apply as for German domestic travel explained below.

Alternatively, the overnight European Sleeper between Rotterdam/Amsterdam & Berlin takes dogs for free if you and your party occupy a whole couchette or sleeper compartment, see the European Sleeper page for more information .

Pets on trains within Germany & on international trains between Amsterdam & Germany

Small dogs & cats in containers go free.  Larger dogs pay the child price.

You can buy tickets for you and your dog at int.bahn.de .  Click the From field to open the details panel, click on Passengers, bicycles , click on Add , click on More passenger types and add a dog to the booking.

Dogs not in carriers must be on a lead and (in theory at least) muzzled.  In practice you'll seldom see dogs muzzled).  Dogs classed as 'dangerous breeds' aren't carried on trains in Germany.

To Austria , central & eastern Europe

From the UK to Austria & central Europe

I recommend travelling from London to Amsterdam via the overnight Harwich-Hoek van Holland ferry, see option 1 above .  For details of a journey from London to various countries via this route, click the relevant destination link:  Austria , Hungary , Czech Republic , Poland .

For Austria

Step 1, book the London-Amsterdam part of the journey online at www.stenaline.co.uk , adding a reserved kennel during the booking process.

Step 2, book a late afternoon train from Amsterdam Centraal to Cologne Hbf at int.bahn.de .  On trains between Amsterdam and Cologne, small dogs and cats in containers go free, larger dogs pay the child rate, you can buy child tickets for your dog online at int.bahn.de , but do this as a separate booking from your own ticket to avoid the 'child under 15 accompanied by an adult goes free' offer which doesn't apply to dogs!  Note that dogs classed as 'dangerous' breeds aren't carried on trains in Germany. 

Step 3, then use www.oebb.at to book the Nightjet sleeper from Cologne Hbf to Munich Hbf , Innsbruck or Vienna Hbf .  Change in Munich for Salzburg.  Dogs are carried on the Nightjet sleeper from Cologne to Innsbruck or Vienna for €29 paid on board the train, as long as you and your party occupy a whole compartment.

Pets on trains within Austria

Small dogs (meaning cat-size) or cats in containers go free, larger dogs require a child ticket, which can be booked online at www.oebb.at .

For Hungary

Travel to Vienna as above.  On onward trains from Vienna to Budapest, small dogs (meaning cat-size) or cats in containers go free, larger dogs require a child ticket, which can be booked online at www.oebb.at .

Dogs aren't allowed in MAV (Hungarian Railways) sleeping-cars or couchette cars at all, which rules out the Munich-Budapest and Zurich-Budapest sleeper trains.

To Denmark , Sweden, Norway

From the UK to Scandinavia

I recommend travelling from London to Amsterdam via the overnight Harwich-Hoek van Holland ferry, see option 1 above .  For details of a journey from London to various countries via this route, click the relevant destination link:  Denmark , Sweden , Norway , Finland .

Step 1, you can book the London-Amsterdam part of the journey online at www.stenaline.co.uk , adding a reserved kennel during the booking process.

Step 2, check train times & buy tickets from Amsterdam Centraal to Copenhagen at int.bahn.de .  An overnight stop in Hamburg may be necessary.

On the German-run international trains between Amsterdam, Hamburg & Copenhagen, small dogs and cats in containers go free, larger dogs pay the child rate.  You can buy child tickets for a larger dog online at int.bahn.de , although do this as a separate booking from your own ticket to avoid the child under 15 accompanied by an adult goes free offer which doesn't apply to dogs.  Note that dogs classed as 'dangerous' breeds aren't carried on trains in Germany.

Step 3, dogs can go on the Copenhagen-Stockholm X2000 trains , but you can't take a pet in 1st class and you need to use the special pets allowed section of the train in 2nd class.  You can reserve seats in this section when booking at www.sj.se or call their telesales line.

From the UK to Greece

Step 1, travel from London to Venice via Harwich-Hoek and Munich exactly as shown in the To Italy section above .

For more information

For information on the transport of dogs and other pets in particular countries, search the website of the relevant national train operator.  There is a list of links to each operator's website on the useful links page .

Feedback requested!

Feedback from anyone who takes their dog or cat into Europe by train would be very welcome.

Traveller's reports

Dog owner Wendy Shillam reports :  "We've been taking our dog abroad since the rules changed 9 years ago.  Firstly I agree that its mad that Eurostar doesn't allow dogs, especially as it would be a good earner for them and they need the money!  I wrote to the COE but got no reply.  The most comfortable and quickest way for dogs to cross the channel (though not always the cheapest) is by car with Eurotunnel .  They just stay in the car with you and there is no bother.  Once, we then left our car at the Calais 'parkway' station, but on returning we saw that quite a few cars - not ours thank goodness - had been broken into.  It is a very desolate spot and no security as far as I can see.  But it is free parking.  Once across the channel be careful which train you get from Calais - some especially on Sundays are really slow.  We also have taken the motorail train from Düsseldorf, it's not too far and then you can get a car-carrying overnight train from Düsseldorf to Italy, the south of France or Austria .  Dogs are accepted on these German motorail trains in the sleeper cabins and we have never had a problem. Our dog Astrid, a nine year old Mini Schnauzer, has lasted 17 hours on a train with no ill effects - overnight she just settles down to sleep, generally taking up most of my bunk!  The steward will tell you if there are longer stops which allows you to give your dog a 'comfort' walk.  The irony is that if we could travel on Eurostar we would never dream of taking our car with us at all!  On Spanish trains dogs should be muzzled - the guard did let us get away with it, but if Astrid had been a bigger dog there might have been trouble.  Also beware if you plan to travel with your dog by bus in Spain.  They insist that the dog goes in a casket (which you have to bring) in the hold underneath the seats, which I suspect on a hot day is tantamount to animal cruelty!  Astrid has been most comfortable and spoilt in France, Italy, Belgium and Sweden.  Also remember that if you are going to the South dogs need to be protected against a nasty bug called lishmania which can cause a chronic disease with no cure - but drugs can control it.  So always check with a  vet who knows about foreign travel well before you go."

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August 29, 2018

VIA RAIL WELCOMES PETS ON BOARD TRAINS IN THE QUÉBEC CITY – WINDSOR CORRIDOR

MONTRÉAL, August 29, 2018 – As of August 29, 2018, pets are now welcome on board VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) trains in the Québec City – Windsor Corridor. In an effort to meet its customers’ ever-evolving needs, VIA Rail has updated its pet transportation policy to allow small cats and dogs to accompany their owners in passenger cars.

“For many travellers, pets play an important role in their lives, bringing them comfort and presence—just like family. We understand that being away from your pet can be difficult. For this reason, VIA Rail has reviewed its policy to allow passengers to travel with their pet,” said VIA Rail Canada President and Chief Executive Officer Yves Desjardins-Siciliano. “Starting today, we welcome small cats and dogs aboard our trains. These pets can be emotional support pets, or simply, a loyal friend. With that being said, we want to make sure that our changes reflect our passengers’ evolving needs and improve the overall on board experience. In the following months, we will monitor the situation to ensure peaceful cohabitation between all travellers and will make adjustments as needed.”

Pets must be transported in a hard or soft-sided, leak-proof and well ventilated carrier measuring a maximum of 55 x 40 x 27 cm (21.5 x 15.5 x 10.5 in.), which will be placed at the passenger’s feet. The pet must remain in the carrier and be attended to for the entirety of the trip. Additionally, pets must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably.

Reservations for pet travel is booked on a space-available basis, as the maximum pets per departure will be calculated by train. Travellers who wish to use this service must contact a customer service representative at 1 888 VIA‑RAIL (1 888 842‑7245) or 1 800 268‑9503 (TTY for persons who are hard of hearing), at least 48 hours before departure. The service costs $50 plus applicable taxes per direction. Passengers may purchase an additional seat at the applicable rate for extra space. Pets can still be transported in the baggage car .

Please note that certified guide and service dogs individually trained to perform tasks that provide assistance related to a passenger’s disability, continue to travel free of charge in passenger cars.

To ensure everyone’s comfort and well-being, accommodation measures will be taken on board the train in the event that another passenger with allergies is seated near a pet.

VIA Rail’s pet transportation policy is available at: viarail.ca/en/travel-info/travelling-with-pets-onbaord-in-passenger-car

About VIA Rail Canada

As Canada’s national rail passenger service, VIA Rail ( viarail.ca ) and all its employees are mandated to provide safe, efficient and economical passenger transportation service, in both official languages of our country. VIA Rail operates intercity, regional and transcontinental trains linking over 400 communities across Canada, and about 180 more communities through intermodal partnerships, and safely transports nearly 4.4 million passengers annually. The Corporation has been awarded five Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada since 2007. Visit the “About VIA Rail” section at: www.viarail.ca/en/about-via-rail .

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In many countries it's possible to bring your pet on the train.  You may need to register your pet or buy a special pet ticket before you can bring your furry friend on the train with you. For more information about bringing your pet with you on the train, please check the website(s) of the railway carrier(s) you're planning on travelling with. 

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