Taking Your Dog on a Train in Europe

We've been traveling around Europe with our Standard Poodle, James. Most of the trains in Europe are dog friendly. In fact, we haven't found a train that wasn't dog friendly yet.
I explain this in the video - but when you are researching train tickets online, you can't seem to buy them once you add a "dog" or "hund" to your search terms. We couldn't figure this out so we went and asked at the OBB train ticket office in Vienna. When you travel with your dog, you have to buy the tickets in person at the train station. I go into the office knowing exactly what date and time and train number I want and then I buy two tickets and one dog ticket.
So far, only one train has been sold out where there wasn't an option for a dog ticket. And that was a night train from Vienna to Venice. When traveling on a night train with your dog, you have to book a private sleeper cabin. But on most other trains you just buy your tickets that day or a few days in advance and pick an open seat. There is usually an option to reserve a seat for a little extra but you don't usually need that unless you are traveling on a busy date (holidays, some Fridays or Sundays).
And some trains do require you to reserve a seat - usually the high speed trains.
The local regional trains are even easier for traveling with your dog. Those tickets can be bought at a kiosk at the train station on the day you travel. Keep in mind most local and regional train tickets are open-ended (they aren't for a set time and sometimes not even a set date) so you MUST validate the ticket using the machines on the platform. Otherwise you could get in trouble when the conductor checks your tickets - if your ticket isn't validated, it is as if you don't have a ticket at all.
We also travel with a muzzle for James. Some conductors will ask you to put your muzzle on your dog. It depends on the country. Almost everywhere in Austria required a muzzle and one train in Italy asked for us to put J's muzzle on him.
You also need to have an EU pet passport for your dog. We haven't been asked for this yet on a train (we also haven't been asked for our passports on a train) but you do need to be prepared and have it if asked.
Music: Clover 3 by Vibe Mountain

[@gailhanks2065]

Such a sweet dog

[@jessiflessii]

Tnx for the info.

[@Eva.Kamiii]

Thank you, thank you 😊

[@danmatthews7254]

Good boy James 🐩

[@KristenyBridges]

I keep reading on all the interrail type websites that dogs have to muzzled if not in a cage... any experience with this??

[@SrPerro_]

" In fact, we haven't found a train that wasn't dog friendly yet." That would be Spain... unfortunately. Amazingly enough Ouigo, allows dogs of all sizes in France and only dogs up to 10kg in Spain 😞

[@ourbigadventure]

Good to know :(

[@logonzalez9183]

Hi sorry just wondering since you mentioned the pet passport, is that possible to get if you are not European or living in Europe? I am looking to travel in fall this year and I am taking my dog with me so just trying to find out if it os easier and cheaper than traveling by plane :)

[@marco5718]

It is normally issued in Europe by your local veterinarian who is familiar with your pet, and it verifies that he/she is in good health to travel. It records the rabies vaccine status, and has a space for certification of administration of Tapeworm tablet (which is a requirement for travel from some EU countries to others , for example it is required for entry to Republic of Ireland when travelling from mainland Europe) I think that your American equivalent travel document may be acceptable if it details a current valid rabies vaccination, and up to date vaccines in general. Also it must certify that your dog is in good health and fit to travel. For example the UK pet health certificate has replaced the EU pet passport as the required travel document for UK pets travelling in EU since Brexit. There may be specifics in relation to USA/EU travel that you need to research, but essentially in my opinion there shouldn't be an issue as such if all requirements are met. What I would suggest you consider however is, if your dog is too large to fly in cabin, do you really want to expose him/her to the stress of in cargo /hold travel? Hope this helps. Bon voyage!!

[@jameswang4706]

Thanks for the info. Any experience travelling across Spain with James? We have two dogs of 35kg+ and the Renfe website says max 10kg =( Thansk in advance!

[@ourbigadventure]

We haven’t been to Spain yet, so I can’t say. I would think that you could ask at the ticket counter, maybe the restriction is for a more general commuter. Otherwise you may have to rent a car. 😉

[@SrPerro_]

Yes, in Spain... unfortunately only dogs up to 10kg & crated. We have been trying to change the situation for years to no avail.

[@Miss3]

Thanks for the tipo, but I could barely hear you because of the noise. Also I wish you would have said the price you paid for your tickets..

[@ourbigadventure]

We rode a lot of trains. Depending on where you are and how far you are going it can range from €2 to €100 so it can range quite a bit.

[@liastor3350]

Hi, do you know the ICE from Frankfurt to Brussels midi can go with dogs?

[@ourbigadventure]

Ask at the train station and they can let you know if that train allows dogs.

[@wpm5599]

When you bought your ticket at the train station did they tell you James had to be in a crate? What papers did you need?

[@ourbigadventure]

James didn't need a crate for any of the trains we took in Italy, Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium or Denmark. James has an EU pet passport and I highly recommend getting one of these. We are rarely asked to show it but we always have it with us.