Pets on Trains in Europe
May 23rd, 2006, 07:35 AM
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Pets on Trains in Europe
Hello Fodorites!
Are pets allowed on trains in Europe? I am a small dog, about 5 lbs, who will be travelling with me.
Specifically, I am travelling to France, Benelux, Germany, maybe Switzerland.
Thanks in advance!
Are pets allowed on trains in Europe? I am a small dog, about 5 lbs, who will be travelling with me.
Specifically, I am travelling to France, Benelux, Germany, maybe Switzerland.
Thanks in advance!
May 23rd, 2006, 08:01 AM
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Most definitely yes - i've ridden trains in Europe for years and often see pets on board but rules vary from country to country and train to train perhaps. I've seen folks hide small dogs away in bags to avoid paying the pet fee i guess (you may have to buy a ticket for your pet)
Some countries allow pets to travel in special areas of the train (along with the owner)
And lots of times i've seen pets laying on the floor by the passenger's seat.
I'm not sure it's always official but conductors don't seem to mind and in Europe you see dogs in places that are Verboten to them in the U.S. - like in cafes, airports, train stations, etc.
I had one acquaintance who traveled Europe trains several times with her large dog - the only problem came in Gare de l'Est in Paris when she was distracted by the dog and someone stole her bag.
so yes dogs can go but always ask at stations ahead of time what the protocol is to take them aboard and whether you need a ticket.
Your itinerary could well warrant a Eurail Select Pass but info that comes with the pass clearly states that all arrangements for pets have to be made locally - thus they guarantee nothing.
For passes i always recommend contacting BETS (800-441-2387; www.budgeteuropetravel.com) for their expertise in my many years of buying from them and they don't charge some of RailEurope's fees even though they are a RE agent (on the web site ask for their free and excellent European Planning & Rail Guide which could have info on pets on trains). There is also good info on passes at www.ricksteves.com and at www.euraide.com. Check www.railsaver.com to see if a pass may be warranted for your itinerary.
I personally question taking a dog on trains but i guess it depends on the canine's temperment - for some it could be dog abuse for others a treat i guess as they'd be with their owner and not suffer separation anxiety.
Some countries allow pets to travel in special areas of the train (along with the owner)
And lots of times i've seen pets laying on the floor by the passenger's seat.
I'm not sure it's always official but conductors don't seem to mind and in Europe you see dogs in places that are Verboten to them in the U.S. - like in cafes, airports, train stations, etc.
I had one acquaintance who traveled Europe trains several times with her large dog - the only problem came in Gare de l'Est in Paris when she was distracted by the dog and someone stole her bag.
so yes dogs can go but always ask at stations ahead of time what the protocol is to take them aboard and whether you need a ticket.
Your itinerary could well warrant a Eurail Select Pass but info that comes with the pass clearly states that all arrangements for pets have to be made locally - thus they guarantee nothing.
For passes i always recommend contacting BETS (800-441-2387; www.budgeteuropetravel.com) for their expertise in my many years of buying from them and they don't charge some of RailEurope's fees even though they are a RE agent (on the web site ask for their free and excellent European Planning & Rail Guide which could have info on pets on trains). There is also good info on passes at www.ricksteves.com and at www.euraide.com. Check www.railsaver.com to see if a pass may be warranted for your itinerary.
I personally question taking a dog on trains but i guess it depends on the canine's temperment - for some it could be dog abuse for others a treat i guess as they'd be with their owner and not suffer separation anxiety.
May 23rd, 2006, 08:32 AM
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Several years ago, we almost missed our train in the Lucerne station and had to jump on the wrong car.
As we (dog lovers, of course)walked through the cars to our seats, we stepped over several dogs in the aisles who looked at us, smiled and wagged, but didn't get up.
And recently on Italian trains we saw small pups happily riding in laps.
European dogs live well, don't they?
Byrd
As we (dog lovers, of course)walked through the cars to our seats, we stepped over several dogs in the aisles who looked at us, smiled and wagged, but didn't get up.
And recently on Italian trains we saw small pups happily riding in laps.
European dogs live well, don't they?
Byrd
May 23rd, 2006, 09:35 AM
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I don't know about Germany and Switz. but they are allowed on trains in France, and I sat next to a woman who had one once. This was a very little dog, so I think about 5 lbs is about right. It should be in a small carrier, and kept in that. I have never seen a larger dog than that on a train in France, nor a dog just free in the aisle.
I imagine it might be similar to the rules for pets on the metro in Paris -- very small pets are allowed as long as they are kept in a small basket carrier or some enclosed carrier. You have to buy them a ticket, also, although I think it is at 50 pct.
Here are the official rules for the French rail system:
<<Pour un chien de petite taille ou un autre animal domestique (poids inférieur à 6 kg) transporté dans un sac ou un panier dont les dimensions n'excèdent pas 45cm x 30cm x 25cm, vous payez au maximum 5,1 € (1).
Avant de vous installer, assurez-vous que les autres voyageurs acceptent la présence de votre animal familier : vous ne pouvez pas le leur imposer contre leur gré.
Votre chien doit être muselé. Pour voyager en voiture-lits avec lui, vous devez disposer d'un compartiment exclusif.>>
In other words, you don't have a right to this, if people around you object, they have the rights. But if you have a pet of less than 6 kg (which you do), and it is in a basket or sack of no more than 45x35x25 cm, you only have to pay 5.1 euro for his ticket. It does say it has to be muzzled, also, but I think that is if they are not in an enclosed basket or sac.
I imagine it might be similar to the rules for pets on the metro in Paris -- very small pets are allowed as long as they are kept in a small basket carrier or some enclosed carrier. You have to buy them a ticket, also, although I think it is at 50 pct.
Here are the official rules for the French rail system:
<<Pour un chien de petite taille ou un autre animal domestique (poids inférieur à 6 kg) transporté dans un sac ou un panier dont les dimensions n'excèdent pas 45cm x 30cm x 25cm, vous payez au maximum 5,1 € (1).
Avant de vous installer, assurez-vous que les autres voyageurs acceptent la présence de votre animal familier : vous ne pouvez pas le leur imposer contre leur gré.
Votre chien doit être muselé. Pour voyager en voiture-lits avec lui, vous devez disposer d'un compartiment exclusif.>>
In other words, you don't have a right to this, if people around you object, they have the rights. But if you have a pet of less than 6 kg (which you do), and it is in a basket or sack of no more than 45x35x25 cm, you only have to pay 5.1 euro for his ticket. It does say it has to be muzzled, also, but I think that is if they are not in an enclosed basket or sac.
May 23rd, 2006, 09:50 AM
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You can definitely take your pets (I've seen birds in cages) on the trains in France and Belgium. I travel with one of my dogs on the TGV quite often - his ticket costs 10 € for first class.
I've seen all size dogs on the trains, from Golden Retrievers to teacup poodles.
I've only had a problem once when I got a cranky conductor, who obviously didn't like dogs - he told me my dog absolutely MUST be in a carrier and he was sure that he weighed more than 7 kilos. All this while the woman sitting two seats ahead of me had a cocker spaniel sitting on the seat next to her. He yelled at her too, but punched the dogs tickets and wandered off muttering to himself. I filed a complaint at the Avignon TGV station about him....as did the owner of the cocker spaniel.
I've seen all size dogs on the trains, from Golden Retrievers to teacup poodles.
I've only had a problem once when I got a cranky conductor, who obviously didn't like dogs - he told me my dog absolutely MUST be in a carrier and he was sure that he weighed more than 7 kilos. All this while the woman sitting two seats ahead of me had a cocker spaniel sitting on the seat next to her. He yelled at her too, but punched the dogs tickets and wandered off muttering to himself. I filed a complaint at the Avignon TGV station about him....as did the owner of the cocker spaniel.
May 23rd, 2006, 11:38 AM
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They are definitely allowed in Switzerland, but you need a ticket for the dog. The B-O Resional Pass, for example, lists the price for a pass for a dog---it is the same as for a child. No price distinction with regard to the size of the dog.
I have seen happy dogs there not only on the trains, but on the gondolas and cable cars, and even on the (scariest) chair lift I've ever ridden in my life---it dropped over a cliff and was way too far off the ground for my comfort level. The dog, however, seemed fine with it.
I have seen happy dogs there not only on the trains, but on the gondolas and cable cars, and even on the (scariest) chair lift I've ever ridden in my life---it dropped over a cliff and was way too far off the ground for my comfort level. The dog, however, seemed fine with it.
