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Can you take dogs on trains?

Your pet must be at least eight weeks old and be odorless, harmless, not disruptive and require no attention during travel. Amtrak maintains the right to refuse acceptance, and may remove any pet exhibiting these issues from stations or trains.



Yes, you can take dogs on trains in most parts of the world, but the rules vary significantly by region and size of the dog. In the UK and Europe, trains are exceptionally dog-friendly; most operators allow up to two dogs for free if they are on a lead or in a carrier. Large dogs usually require a muzzle and a half-fare ticket in countries like France or Italy. In the United States, Amtrak's pet policy is more restricted: only small dogs and cats (up to 20 lbs including the carrier) are permitted on most routes for a fee (usually $29–$39), and they must remain in their carrier at all times under the seat. Service animals, however, are always permitted free of charge across all rail systems globally. In 2026, many European "high-speed" lines have dedicated "pet zones" to ensure the comfort of both pet owners and allergic passengers. Always check your specific carrier's website before travel, as some "long-haul" or "sleeper" services may have stricter bans on larger non-service animals.

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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.

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If you're considering flying with a dog If you want more space, some airlines let you buy an extra seat that you might be able to use to place your pet's carrier on during the flight. However, your pet generally needs to stay in its carrier the whole trip.

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Generally, airlines charge a pet fee of $100 to $200 each way, but prices will vary depending on where you're traveling and your airline. Check the airline's pet policy before purchasing a ticket to make sure your pet meets the airline's breed and size requirements.

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There are a number of considerations and implications for transporting pets and in the interests of the comfort and safety of our customers, crews and animals we don't accept any pets on our services. Eurostar is not registered as a carrier of pets and therefore, we're unfortunately unable to make any exceptions.

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Top 10 Pet-Friendly Trains in Europe & North America
  • #1 Cercanías (Spain) ...
  • #2 Trenitalia (Italy) ...
  • #3 SNCB (Belgium) ...
  • #4 Nederlandse Spoorwegen (Netherlands) ...
  • #5 ÖBB (Austria) ...
  • #6 SNCF (France) ...
  • #7 National Rail (Great Britain) ...
  • #8 Hrvatske željeznice (Croatia)


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Animals are recognised as sentient beings, capable of feeling emotions and pain. Starting from September, a free responsible pet ownership course will be required to meet your pet's needs. All pets must be registered to ensure they receive proper care and prevent abandonment.

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Taking Your Dog on Eurotunnel Travelling with your pet on Eurotunnel is easier than ever. We even have a pet playground where they can stretch their legs and go to the loo before the 35-minute journey to Calais. Your pet will need their passport to travel with us, just like you!

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Looking for a ship for your pets? The only commercial ship that travels to Europe from the continental United States is the Queen Mary 2. As this type of travel is in much demand, reservations are normally made over a year in advance.

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Step 1: Make sure your pet is microchipped with an ISO compliant microchip. Step 2: Your pet will need a rabies vaccination after the microchip is implanted. This will need to be given more than 21 days before entry to Spain but not after the vaccination has expired so make sure you know when this is!

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Which UK Airlines Allow Pets In Cabin? The main 3 airlines that allow pets in the cabin are: KLM, Lufthansa and TUI. This only applies for very small pets that weigh less than 8kg and would have to be booked direct through the airline, without the assistance of a pet export company like Fetchapet.

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In general, if your pet carrier (with your pet inside) can fit under the seat in front of you, your dog can ride in the cabin on flights that permit it. Typically, this would be a dog weighing up to about 20 pounds.

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We only allow service dogs flying with their owners, or service dogs in training who are flying with their trainers, on our flights for free. All other cats and dogs fly as pets.

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You probably have a plan for your own passport, but your animal companion needs one too. All pets traveling to and from the United States need a passport. Keep in mind, a “pet passport” in the U.S. refers to the extra documents you need to travel to other countries with your pet.

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