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Travelling by train with a dog or cat: what to sort out before buying a ticket

You should plan your journey with a pet before choosing your destination. The conditions depend on the type and size of the animal, the class of carriage and the route. The consent of a fellow passenger does not override the carrier’s rules.

Travelling by train with a dog or cat: what to sort out before buying a ticket
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    You should plan your journey with a pet before choosing your destination. Conditions depend on the type and size of the animal, the carriage class and the route. The consent of a fellow passenger does not override the carrier’s rules.

    Prepare a detailed enquiry

    Inform the carrier of the animal’s species, its dimensions, the type of carrier and the required journey. Check the necessary documents, any fees and the requirements for seats or compartments. For international journeys, also check the veterinary and border requirements of the countries along the route. Do not book non-refundable connections until you are certain that the animal can be transported on every leg of the journey.

    Пасажирський поїзд на залізниці

    Arrange a safe place

    Prepare a suitable carrier or other equipment as stipulated by the regulations, along with water and cleaning supplies. Do not place the carrier in such a way that it blocks the aisle or could fall over. Be considerate of fellow passengers and keep your pet under control whilst boarding. Do not choose sedatives based on random advice — this is a matter for your vet.

    See also: Bicycles on trains: packing, storage and changing trains; Missed your train: what to check before making any hasty decisions.

    Official sources

    Ukrzaliznytsia: terms and conditions of carriage. Check current services, fares and conditions for your travel date; the photographs illustrate rail travel and do not confirm the configuration of a specific service.

    Image details
    • DPKr3-003.jpg — Boris Astalaev; CC0. The image has been resized and converted to WebP. Licence terms can be found on the original page.
    • DPKr3-004.jpg — Boris Astalaev; CC0. The image has been resized and converted to WebP. Licence terms can be found on the original page.

    Questions and answers

    Is there a single fare for all animals?

    No. Please check the conditions for the specific animal and wagon.

    Are domestic documents sufficient when travelling abroad?

    Not necessarily: international veterinary regulations are checked separately.

    What should I tell customer support?

    The flight, date, type and size of the animal, the carrier and the selected category.

    Can I rely on my neighbour’s consent?

    No. You must comply with the official conditions of carriage.