When you plan to travel to another location, you surely won’t want to leave your furry buddy alone at home. Traveling with dogs via flying or driving is more stressful than traveling by train. But you must know first that can dog go on trains?
Yes, you can take your dog with you on a train while ensuring he doesn’t disturb or endanger other passengers. Moreover, you can take two dogs with you while keeping them in the lead or a pet carrier.
In this post, you’ll find everything you need to know before taking your dogs on the train.
Are There Any Rules To Travel With Dogs On Trains?
Before you take your dog on trains, you must be aware of the rules set by the Train Operating Companies. Different companies may set their own rules too, but some rules are common to all traveling in Europe and the UK. These rules, decided by National Rail Conditions of Travel, are given below:
1. Each passenger can take two dogs for free on trains
2. You must keep your dog on a lead during your travel in a train (including stations too), or you should keep them in a pet carrier
3. Pet carriers bigger than 85 x 60 x 60 cm are not allowed on trains
4. Dogs can’t have seats in trains – they are for passengers only
5. If you’re not trained your dog to follow your instructions, and he misbehaves or makes someone uncomfortable on the train, you may be asked to leave the train with your dog
6. Dogs, except assistance dogs, are not allowed in the dining/restaurant carriages
Can All Dog Breeds Go On Trains?
No, all dog breeds can’t go on trains. Many train companies restrict giant breeds on trains as they can make things difficult for passengers. Small dog breeds lesser than 20 lbs are more suited to travel via train than others. These include:
• The Bichon Frise
• Chihuahua
• Fox Terrier
• Italian Greyhound
• Yorkshire Terrier
• Toy Poodle
• Papillion
• Pug
• Shih Tzu
• Boston Terrier
Are Dogs Allowed In First Class?
Yes, dogs are allowed in first class. But you must ensure that your dog is on a lead and behaves well. The Train Operating Companies can restrict your dog’s entry on the train if he isn’t well-behaved. It’s crucial for the convenience of other passengers, as untrained dogs can cause problems for everyone.
Are Dogs Allowed On The Eurostar?
Dogs are allowed on Eurostar, but not all dogs. You can only take registered guides and assistance dogs on trains. They must be trained by reputable institutes in your area. Assistance dogs can travel for free on Eurostar, but you’ll have to complete the necessary paperwork to take them across the international borders.
Are Dogs Allowed On The Sleeper Services Trains?
Dogs are allowed on the sleeper services, but there are certain restrictions. For example, the policies to take dogs on Night Riviera (to Cornwall) and Caledonian Sleeper (to Scotland) are different.
Night Riviera: Dogs are allowed on trains without any ticket fee, but they must be in a pet carrier. They can’t go in the sleeper cabins.
Caledonian Sleeper: You can take your dogs with you in the sleeper cabin. You don’t have to pay any cost to take them on the train with you. But you’ll pay cleaning charges for the room.
Can Dogs Travel On Trains For Free?
Yes, dogs travel on trains for free But, if you want to take more than two dogs with you, you’ll have to talk to the Train Operating Company beforehand. Because in that scenario, you’ll have to pay a fee to take your dog on the train with you.
The cost that you may pay if you take more than two dogs is up to 50% of a full adult fare.
Tips For Taking Dogs On Trains
Traveling by train can be a bit scary for your pup, because he’ll encounter new sounds, smells, and people at once. Here are some tips that you can follow to make things easier for him and yourself:
Arrive Early
By arriving early on the platform, you can give your dog an introduction to the station’s environment. Once he becomes comfortable with the ticket hall, you can take him to the ticket barriers and platform. If possible, you can also take him on some less crowded trains before making him used to train journey.
Reward Good Behavior
Whenever you see your dog behaving calmly on the platform, give positive reinforcement in the form of treats and rewards. When he listens to your commands, rewarding him for his good behavior can make him learn things fast.
Recognize When He Is Uncomfortable
You can easily recognize when your dog isn’t comfortable. The signs include excessive panting, lip licking, excessive pacing, chewing the lead, whining, and tucking his tail between his legs. Sometimes, your dog will show signs of anxiety when on the train. If you feel that your dog is getting anxious, don’t delay getting off the train. It’ll be best for you, your dog, and other passengers.
Summary
When you’re so attached to your dog that leaving him home for a train journey seems a nightmare to you, you must want to know can dogs go on trains?
The good thing is you can take your dog on a train with you until you follow the state rules. The government sets these rules, but different train companies can make some addition too to them.
Thus, it will be best to confirm everything before your journey for your and your dog’s comfort. You may or may not know that all dog breeds are not allowed on trains.
Those breeds that are allowed can even travel in first-class without any charges. When it comes to Eurostar and sleeper services, their rules are different for taking dogs on board.
Dogs can travel in trains absolutely free unless you take less than two dogs. If you’re taking more than two dogs, you’ll have to pay a cost for them.
Make sure you follow travel safety tips to make your journey easy for everyone on the train and your dog too.