Mit Haustieren im Zug: Regeln & Tipps

Travelling with a pet by train is entirely feasible across much of Europe, and for shorter journeys in particular, it is often far less stressful for both animal and owner than a long car journey or the ordeal of air travel with pets. The rules differ substantially by country and operator, so verifying the policy before buying your ticket is essential — arriving at a station to discover your dog needs a ticket, a muzzle, a carrier, or simply is not permitted on that service is an avoidable problem that ruins the start of a trip.

Germany: The Most Pet-Friendly System

Deutsche Bahn has one of the most generous and straightforward pet policies in Europe. Small dogs and cats travelling in a closed carrier travel free on all DB services including ICE, IC, and regional trains. The carrier must fit under the seat or in the overhead rack — it counts as carry-on luggage. No ticket, no reservation, no muzzle required.

Large dogs — those too large to travel in a carrier — may travel on regional trains and long-distance IC services at half the price of a standard child's ticket. They must remain on a lead and wear a muzzle at all times while inside the train. On ICE services, large dogs are also permitted under the same conditions.

Germany's permissive approach reflects the country's broadly dog-friendly culture. You will frequently encounter dogs in train carriages, at station cafes, and in many city restaurants without any drama. Fellow passengers are generally accepting. The main practical consideration is choosing a seating area — end-of-carriage sections near the doors have more floor space for a large dog than standard row seating.

France: Weight-Based Rules

SNCF applies a weight-based rule that is clear but more restrictive than Germany's. Pets weighing under 6 kg in a closed carrier or bag can travel on TGV and Intercités trains for a flat supplementary fee of around €7. The carrier must be fully closed and the pet must remain inside it at all times. The bag counts as one of your pieces of luggage, so a pet carrier plus a large suitcase takes up your full allowance.

Dogs weighing over 6 kg are not permitted on TGV services at all. On regional TER trains, larger dogs are permitted: they must wear a muzzle, travel on a lead, and a ticket at approximately half the price of a second-class adult fare applies. Guide dogs and fully certified assistance dogs are exempt from all restrictions and fees on all services.

The practical consequence for owners of larger dogs is that cross-country travel in France must use regional TER trains rather than high-speed TGV. Journey times are significantly longer but the regional network is comprehensive enough that most destinations are reachable.

United Kingdom: Generous and Free

UK train operators have an unusually welcoming pet policy: most operators allow up to two small pets per passenger, completely free, with no advance reservation required. Dogs must be on a lead; cats and other small animals must be in a carrier. There is no universal muzzle requirement, though an operator can require one or refuse travel if an animal is causing disturbance to other passengers.

Assistance dogs are always permitted without restriction, fee, or advance notice on all UK services.

The main practical limitation in the UK is crowding rather than policy. Very busy commuter services during peak hours — particularly around London, Manchester, and Edinburgh — may be too crowded to comfortably accommodate a large dog. Standard good judgement applies: avoid peak-hour services with a large dog if an alternative time works for your journey.

Italy: Free for Small, Supplementary for Large

Trenitalia allows small pets (cats, dogs, and similar animals) in a fully closed carrier to travel free on all services including Frecciarossa high-speed trains. The carrier must be secured and the animal must remain inside. Typical accepted carrier dimensions are around 70 x 30 x 50 cm maximum.

Larger dogs on Trenitalia regional and Intercity trains require a ticket at a reduced fare, must be muzzled, and must be kept on a lead. Dogs are not accepted on Frecciarossa services outside of carriers, which means that large dogs are effectively restricted to regional and intercity trains.

Italo, Italy's private high-speed operator, follows similar rules for small pets in carriers. Large dogs on Italo services require a dedicated ticket and muzzle, and are only accommodated in specific carriages — contact Italo customer service when booking to confirm whether your specific service accepts them.

Switzerland: Excellent System, Small Ticket Fee

SBB requires a dog ticket for all dogs regardless of size, charged at half the standard human fare for the journey. Dogs must remain on a lead and wear a muzzle in trains and at stations — the exception being compartments where the passenger is the sole occupant, though this is rare on SBB services.

Even small dogs in carriers are subject to a ticket fee in Switzerland, unlike in Germany where carriers travel free. However, the SBB app makes purchasing a dog ticket simple and it can be done at the same time as booking your own ticket. Switzerland is generally an extremely pet-friendly country once you factor in the small additional cost, with dogs welcomed in most accommodation, restaurants with outdoor seating, and many indoor venues.

A Note on Emotional Support Animals

The category of emotional support animal (ESA) with legally protected travel rights exists in the United States regulatory framework but is not recognised by European train operators. In Europe, only formally trained and certified assistance dogs — guide dogs for blind passengers, hearing dogs, mobility assistance dogs — carry enforceable legal rights to travel free and without restriction. A pet travelling with its owner for emotional comfort, without official certification from a recognised training organisation, is classified and handled as a standard pet under all European rail policies.

Carrier Requirements Across Operators

Whatever country you are in, compliant carriers share common characteristics:

• Secure closure — a proper zip or latch closure, not just tucked-in fabric. The animal must not be able to escape unassisted.
• Adequate size — large enough for the animal to stand, turn around, and lie down in a natural position. A cramped carrier is not only uncomfortable but may count as inadequate under animal welfare rules in some jurisdictions.
• Leak-proof or lined with absorbent material — accidents on long journeys are possible. Waterproof liners and absorbent pads prevent mess spreading to the carriage.
• Ventilation — mesh panels on at least one side allow airflow. Fully opaque fabric carriers without ventilation are not safe for extended travel.

Standard airline-approved pet carriers, widely available, meet all these requirements and have the additional advantage of working on short-haul air segments if your trip involves mixed transport.

Tips for Long-Distance Pet Travel

• Exercise thoroughly before boarding — a well-exercised dog is a calm dog. A walk immediately before reaching the station, including a full toilet opportunity, significantly reduces anxiety and the chance of needing to manage a restless animal on a moving train.
• Fast lightly before long journeys — avoiding food for three to four hours before departure reduces motion sickness risk and lessens the urgency of toilet needs during the journey. Water should remain available.
• Bring familiar comfort items — a small blanket, a worn T-shirt carrying the owner's scent, or a familiar toy placed in the carrier substantially reduces anxiety in unfamiliar, noisy environments.
• Travel off-peak for a calmer environment — quieter trains with fewer passengers, less noise, and fewer people walking past are significantly less stressful for animals. Midweek mid-morning departures are ideal.
• Choose seating near carriage ends — the vestibule end of a carriage is typically slightly less crowded and offers more floor space for a large dog. It also gives you quicker access to the exit for toilet stops at longer station stops.

For the luggage rules that govern what else you can carry alongside your pet, see our European train luggage guide.