jan47ete

Taking my dog with me while we live in Europe. Are pets allowed, particularly on french trains? Searched SCNF but could not find an answer and "Lea" could not help me. Thanks.

elberko

I know they are on German ICE trains, because we were bumped from seats by a dog and his owner. I suspect it's OK on French trains, too.

Christina

I have never seen a large one, I have only seen very small dogs, kept in carriers, on trains in France. LIke a plane. They need tickets, they aren't free. Small dogs are 7 euro. Large dogs must be muzzled the entire trip (more than 6 kg in weight) and their tickets is about half the cost of a second class ticket.

Here are the specifics http://www.sncf.com/fr/services/animaux

elberko

Info from the man in seat 61:
http://www.seat61.com/dogs-by-train.htm#.VipsIdLntpg

jan47ete

thanks, exactly what I needed to know. Rascal needs to loose a pound to squeak by the 6kg rule but vet says hes overweight anyway. Thanks.

hetismij2

You can buy a special dog ticket in the Netherlands. Many bus companies in the Netherlands also allow dogs onboard, provided they are kept on a short leash, and do not interfere with other passengers.

They are not allowed on the seats, of course.

kerouac

The French pet fares are variable depending on the type of train and the distance.

On a train to Avignon once, I saw the ticket checker collect 40 euros for a dog. It was supposed to be a family of 4 traveling together but the father had missed the train, and the dog was connected to his ticket -- so the dog had to paid for a second time.

fuzzbucket

I've never taken my 6 kg. dog on the TGV system, but she was fine in her rolling carrier on other trains in France. Nobody weighed her or even paid much attention to her. You do have to buy a ticket for your dog, and it cannot occupy a seat or be taken out of its carrier during the trip.
If it's a small dog, the carrier can fit between your seat and the one in front of you, or underneath the table, if there is one - it just is not permitted in the aisle. If you can get a solo seat, or travel in First Class, there's enough room in the aisle where a small carrier won't inconvenience anyone. I strongly recommend taking direct routes, or allowing at least half an hour between changing trains, so you can avoid making a mad dash for your connection.

Christina

The fact that one may get away with it doesn't make it okay. They can't be weighing every animal, it's like the airlines, they do have standards for carryon size, and some people get away with a bigger one, but that's luck. But there is still a rule.

pariswat

Pets are not appreciated in France.

Dogs and cats are...

https://translate.google.be/?hl=fr&tab=wT#en/fr/pets
(then reverse the languages).

fuzzbucket

Christina, if you're referring to me, I didn't get away with anything. I followed the rules and had a ticket. The animal just has to stay in its carrier and fit in a space that is out of the way.

Might be a good idea to pay attention to people who have actually travelled with their pets in France...

flanneruk

Except for service animals, pets aren't allowed on UK-bound trains under any circumstances - even on intra-Schengen legs.

hetismij2

Flanner - I assume that is because of the checks pets undergo before being allowed into Britain?

We have taken our dog, considerably more than 6kg - more like 36kg, on Dutch trains occasionally. It was part of his socialisation when he was young and we still go occasionally just to see how he is. He lies down at our feet and sleeps. We tend to choose a row with only two seats, i.e without a table and facing seats. Tighter on our feet, but less chance of upsetting fellow passengers.

My son used to take his Samoyed on the train to Germany with no problems.

A small dog in a carrier would be no problem.

pariswat

UK imposes a quarantine on all animals.

Last year I traveled on a TGV next to a cat, that was free to move. It stayed obedently on the seat next to its mistress.

pariswat

There was no pet fart for it.

bvlenci

In Italy, small pets in a carrier travel free on trains. Larger dogs have to be on a leash and have a muzzle (although it doesn't say they have to be wearing it). They pay half the cost of a 2nd class/Standard ticket. On regional trains, larger dogs have to stay in the vestibule of the car, and can't travel during rush hour.

hetismij2

pariswat the UK doesn't impose quarantine on all animals. You have to go through certain procedures, which have become steadily less onerous over the years, and the you can take your dog cat or ferret into the UK. Our dog has gone there a couple of times, and Flannerpooch used to travel to France a lot.

pariswat

Thanks hetismij,
Good to know - I thought it was forbidden.

jan47ete

Thanks everyone!