Traveling with our pet: on train
Traveling with our pet by train is convenient if you drive a 4-legged small, while with pets of medium and large size due to the limitations imposed becomes difficult depending on the companies.
The first thing to do is to make sure you have all the necessary documentation and be informed about the rules of each country and company you travel with:
- If you want to travel around Europe with your pet, make sure you have all the documents in order. Apply for an EU Passport from your veterinarian and take it with you during your trip.
- Make sure your pet is equipped with a microchip and has also done all the vaccinations required by the European community – especially rabies.
- Each nation has its own rules so always check first so as not to run into unpleasant situations. Later we will tell you the general rules valid in almost all countries!
- Depending on the size of your pet, remember the different accessories you will need to travel! For example, pet carriers, cages, leashes, muzzles, toys and anything else that can help your pet. The Ministry of Health suggests to bring on the road everything that could be useful to relieve the stress of our animal: food, games, first aid kits, cleaning devices.
General rules for travelling by train with pet:
- Usually small pets, enclosed in a crate, can travel free on trains in Europe.
- Big pets, big responsibilities! Larger pets pay a discounted ticket or “pet supplement” and must always be kept on a leash and have a muzzle.
- Pets may not occupy a seat or have access to the bar/restaurant carriages – except guide dogs.
- If your pet bothers or bothers other passengers, you will be asked to change seats and in some cases even to change trains!
- If you are traveling on a night-time basis, it is advisable to book a private compartment to travel with your pet.
- Usually there is a maximum number of animals per passenger – 1 or 2 depending on the companies.
- Movements, people and noises can frighten or stress our pets, so you have to make sure that the place where you will spend the duration of the trip is well ventilated and reward them with pleasant activities such as games or snacks during the trip.
If you travel with Trenitalia, small pets travel free of charge inside a pet carrier.
If you want to transport a pet of medium to large size or a pet of small size outside the carrier, the traveller will have to buy a second class ticket or standard level reduced by 50%. This is even if you travel in first class, in Business or inside bunks, sleepers or Excelsior.
If you travel with Italo, the rules change.
All animals up to 5 kilograms travel free of charge in the appropriate carrier. Only in the case of pets over 5 kg you must buy a ticket whose cost depends on the route. The latter can be purchased online, by selecting the “dog” item among the tickets. Alternatively, just call Pronto Italo.
In sleepers and bunks, the passenger can travel, buying the entire compartment, with a maximum of two pets of any size.
It remains, however, the rule that each traveller should bring one and only one pet.
This means that a single passenger will not be able to carry more than one pet on board, even when buying a sleeping car.
The same obligations remain on Italo, but some rules are more specific.
In view of the summer, the company has implemented the service to travel with your pet doubling the seats available for passengers traveling with medium/ large pet. In fact, they will have their place next to the master for all the route traveled.
Have a nice trip with your pet!
