How to transport dogs in long-distance carriages

Rules for transporting dogs on trains

So, what restrictions and rules does the Russian Railways management establish for dog owners who decide to take their pet with them on a trip? There is a regulatory document that clearly regulates everything that is “possible” and everything that is “prohibited.”

We carefully study the regulatory document and draw the appropriate conclusions:

• For decorative dogs there is no need to purchase a separate ticket. The only exceptions are long-distance trains. In them, the carrier may demand additional payment for transporting a pet or offer to buy the entire compartment. We are talking about a luxury coupe.
• The owner undertakes to comply with all sanitary standards during the entire period of transportation of the pet.
• Select wagons in which transportation is permitted. When purchasing tickets through the website, such carriages are marked with a special sign. If tickets are purchased at the box office, then it is better to clarify this nuance with the cashier. The conductor has the right to refuse a passenger with an animal who tries to enter a regular carriage that is not intended for traveling with pets.
• For large dogs, a leash and muzzle are a must. At the same time, you should not count on purchasing a reserved seat ticket. The management of Russian Railways offers owners the only option for transportation - a complete purchase of a coupe (not a luxury one).
• The number of people and dogs in a compartment cannot be greater than the number of seats in it. That is, if you want to travel with a Labrador, you must purchase all the tickets for this compartment. Even if you plan to travel together with your dog.

A pleasant surprise for owners will be that there is no need to prepare a veterinary passport in advance.

This is important: a simple test will help determine the size of the dog (large or small) for transporting it on trains. If a pet is placed in a carrier whose total size in three dimensions does not exceed 180 cm, then the dog is classified as “small”. All other four-legged pets automatically fall into the “large” category.

Rules for transporting pets

The delivery of pets by train is regulated by the Ministry of Transport of the Russian Federation in accordance with the Rules for the Transportation of Passengers and Baggage No. 473 (as amended in 2020) and the Charter of Russian Railways. The old edition was in effect from 2013 to 2021.

The main snag at this time was the need to have a complete package of accompanying documents:

• passport;
• veterinary certificates;
• information about the animal's vaccinations.

The rules for transporting dogs on trains in Russia in 2021 have significantly simplified the delivery procedure - you just need to have a travel pass for the animal and take into account some subtleties.

The latest edition of Law No. 18-FZ “Charter of Railway Transport of the Russian Federation” dated January 10, 2003 is available here

Long distance routes

For Russian Railways trains, general transportation rules apply depending on the size of the pet and the type of carriage. Animals are divided into small and large.

The first include those who are placed in a container not exceeding 180 cm in terms of the sum of length, width and height. Large breeds include all others. Each passenger can take one container for transportation. The cage or carrier is transported in accordance with the rules applicable to hand luggage in the appropriate places.

The possibility of delivery itself depends on the type of car.

Watch the video: “Carrying a dog on a train to an exhibition.” This point should be paid attention to in advance, because if its class does not provide for the transportation of animals, it will not be possible to transport them even for money:

• Transportation is prohibited - class 1D (SV), 2D (compartment), 3E, 3T, 3L, 3P, 1R, 2R, 3R, 1C, 2C, 2E, 2M, 3C (sedentary), 3B (general);
• allowed, free of charge - 1A, 1I, 1M (luxury), 1E, 1B (SV), 1B;
• allows, but for a fee - 2K, 2U, 2L (coupe), 3D, 3U (reserved seat), 2B, 2ZH, 3ZH, 3O;
• when purchasing all seats - 1F, 1U, 1L (SV), 2F, 2B.

Please note: regardless of the type of carriage, transportation by law does not require accompanying documentation in the form of certificates from a veterinary clinic.

High speed trains

The following rules apply for high-speed trains of Russian Railways:

1. "Martin".
   Paid transportation on a general basis, i.e. one small animal for each passenger, up to two - when paying for an additional seat. Large breeds of dogs are not allowed for transportation. In trains classified according to the categories of JSC FPC, transportation of animals is carried out in cars 2B, according to the system of the Directorate of High-Speed ​​Transport - in 5 and 10. Note: in SV, traveling from Moscow to Nizhny Novgorod, it is allowed to transport one large dog, if the compartment bought out completely. To do this, you need to take places in class 1E.
2. "Swift". Delivery takes into account the current rules for the import of animals in force in European countries. In all carriages, transportation is allowed if the seats in the compartment are fully purchased. There is no additional fee for shipping animals.
3. "Peregrine Falcon".
   Paid seats in all classes. In economy, the rules are standard - transportation of pets is allowed. In other categories, there are additional restrictions on the size of the carrier - the sum of the measurements is 120 cm, and the weight together with the animal should not exceed 10 kilograms. In first and business class, pets will not be next to the owner, but near the conductor’s seat, in special areas under his supervision. In the “compartment-negotiation” type of carriage, transportation is permitted only with 100% redemption. The restrictions for portable containers are similar. Please note: the service becomes unavailable 48 hours before departure. You should immediately exclude the option if the trip is urgent.
4. "Allegro". Finnish veterinary regulations must be taken into account. You are allowed to take up to two dogs of any breed with you, subject to transportation standards. For passengers with a guide dog, travel in second class carriages is provided. No additional payment required. For all other animals, you need to pay 15 euros to the ticket office - the amount is included in the final cost of the passenger ticket.

Electric trains

The main difference between transporting animals on trains is that it is not necessary to have a special container. Small dogs can be carried by hand if they have a leash and muzzle. Large breeds travel in the vestibule under the supervision of their owners, and no more than two such dogs are allowed per carriage.

Transporting small dogs

Traveling with decorative and miniature dogs has a number of its own characteristics. So, the owner will have to:

• Keep your pet in a carrier throughout the entire journey to your destination;
• The carrier must be placed on a shelf intended for hand luggage.
• Think about where and how the dog will go to the toilet. Difficulties may arise for owners whose decorative dogs are accustomed to going to the litter box. After all, others are unlikely to like the specific smell and the presence of a tray under their feet. It is worth preparing in advance for the fact that your pet will have to be walked at bus stops.
• A plastic box or other type of carrier cannot contain more than 2 animals. The owner will have to care for the dog himself. Feeding, walking and cleaning the carrier is not the responsibility of the handler.
• If for any reason payment for transporting a pet is necessary, it is made directly on the day of train departure at the station.

This is important: special conditions exist only for a guide dog. Her travel will be free in any type of carriage. Such a dog should not be in a carrying cage, but directly at the feet of a person with disabilities, whose guide he is. The animal must be wearing a leash and muzzle.

Transportation of small dogs is carried out both free and for a fee. This directly depends on the class of the car:

• 1 (A, I, B, M, E) - no payment;
• 2 (B, E), 1 (U, E) - no payment if the owner has paid for the compartment in full;
• 2 (U, K, L) - on a paid basis, but without paying for the entire compartment;
• 1B - free of charge;
• 3 (U, D, O) - for a fee, but without purchasing all the seats in the carriage;
• 3G, 2B - you will need to pay an additional amount for transporting the animal.

For small dogs, a plastic box or carrying bag is required.

Be sure to read our article: Dog carrier. Which one to choose?

General principles for all directions and animals

• Animals can only be transported in places designated for this purpose. Below is a table with detailed conditions. You and your animals will not be allowed into other carriages or other seats.
• You can pay for the transportation of an animal on the train at the station before the train departs. From January 10, 2021, a veterinary certificate is no longer required to transport animals.
• Only pets can be carried in passenger carriages. Wild animals, bees, etc. transported in the baggage car of the same train in which the accompanying person is traveling.
• You must feed the animals yourself. Make sure that they do not spoil the sanitary and hygienic conditions in the carriage, too.
• The carry-on baggage allowance per passenger does not include animals. The rules apply both on trains owned by Russian Railways and on others.
• When traveling abroad by rail, be sure to check the conditions for importing animals into a specific country. Vaccinations, documents, the need for microchipping, types of pets allowed for import, etc. vary greatly.
• Blind passengers carry guide dogs with them free of charge in carriages of all categories; no registration is required. The dog must be at the feet of the passenger it is accompanying. When traveling abroad, it is better to check the conditions separately.

Transporting large dogs

Transporting large dogs requires much greater moral and financial costs from the owner. But even in this case, you can choose the most suitable version of the car:

• 1B - no payment is required if 1 dog is carried;
• 2 (B, E) - payment for the entire compartment for 1 dog is required;
• 1 (L, U, V) - no additional payment required. But the compartment will have to be paid in full. 1 large pet is allowed.
• 2 (U, K, L) - when paying the full cost of the compartment, the Russian Railways management allows the carriage of several pets.

This is important: throughout the entire period of travel to the destination, the animal must be wearing a collar and muzzle.

Transporting cats unaccompanied

Currently, on 226 long-distance trains you can transport a cat across Russia in the luggage compartment without the owner. To receive a ticket for your cat, the owner must write an application at the box office.

List of requirements for such transportation:

1. It is mandatory to have a cage or container in which the cat will stay the entire way.
2. The carrier is accompanied by the necessary accompanying documents, water, food and a bowl, one toy and a means to maintain cleanliness.

The cost of the new service will depend on how far the train travels to its destination. The animal will not be left unattended, as Russian Railways employees will monitor it.

Watch the video: “How to transport a cat on a train.”

Upon arrival, the pet will be handed over to someone designated by the owner. You can receive the “parcel” upon presentation of an identity document or upon confirmation of authority.

One person can send no more than 3 carry-on size “parcels”.

What documents are needed to transport dogs on the train?

Despite the fact that there is no need to prepare a veterinary passport for a pet, the owner still should not relax. You will have to take care to obtain a veterinary certificate. It will reflect information about the dog’s health condition, on the basis of which the conductor will allow the animal and an accompanying person to enter the carriage.

This is important: Not all carriages on the train are designed for transporting pets.

High-speed trains also have their limitations:

• "Sapsan" - for a fee in economy, first and business class carriages in special seats. A negotiation compartment requires 1 dog per seat, but no more than 4 dogs per compartment.
• "Allegro" - subject to the paid cost of the places reserved for the transportation of animals.
• "Swallow" - paid travel in special seats.
• "Strizh" - only in carriages of category 2B.

Experts recommend that you clarify in advance what documents are required to transport your pet, as well as in which carriages and under what conditions your dog can be accommodated. This will avoid unpleasant moments if changes to the regulations on passenger transportation are adopted by the management of Russian Railways.

In which carriages can large pets (dogs) be transported?

Large dogs cannot be traveled on all Russian Railways JSC FPC trains, but only in the following categories:

• In the “SV” class, the car is 1B, as well as 1E, 1U, 1L - subject to the purchase of the entire compartment.
• In a compartment car of class 2E, 2B, 2K, 2U, 2L - when purchasing the entire compartment.

It is prohibited to transport large dogs in the following carriages of JSC FPC:

• "Lux" class carriage 1A, 1I, 1M;
• car "SV" class 1E "Strizh", 1D;
• 2D class compartment car;
• reserved seat;
• carriages with seats;
• general carriages.

Features of transporting dogs in other countries

In most countries, transportation rules are very similar. But there are also minor differences that should be taken into account when planning your trip:

• In Ukraine, a guide may require you to present a veterinary passport even when traveling with an animal within the country. Therefore, you should make sure in advance that you have all the necessary vaccinations and seals. Also, it will not be possible to transport a large pet either in a reserved seat carriage or in a carriage of the SV category.
• In Belarus, the total size of a carrier in three dimensions for free transportation of a dog is not 180, but 200 cm. When transported free of charge in a plastic box, the weight of the pet is included in the weight of hand luggage.
• To travel to England you will need not only to obtain an international veterinary passport. But also fill out a veterinary certificate in form No. 1. It should also be understood that the animal must be microchipped, fully vaccinated and at least 4 months old.
• If during your trip you plan to visit the territory of Germany, then you should take care in advance of obtaining a certificate for the EU. To do this, you need to visit a state veterinary clinic, get a certificate and go with it to Rosselkhoznadzor. The certificate issued there is valid for only 5 days. Therefore, getting it in advance is not the smartest idea.
• Before planning a trip, experts recommend clarifying in advance what documents are required to cross the borders of other states, and also inquire what rules for transporting dogs by train apply on their territory.

Pay attention to our articles:

Microchipping of dogs. We answer questions

Vaccination of dogs according to all rules

Rules for transporting pets for CIS countries

Attention: the import of animals into countries such as the UK and Norway is prohibited. The rest of the EU countries have rules that are similar to those in Russia. It is also allowed to transport small animals exclusively in small-sized carriers, and large breed dogs must travel with muzzles and collars to ensure the safety of other passengers. In some Asian countries, you can transport animals if you purchase a separate compartment. Be sure to read all the travel conditions in detail before purchasing an electronic ticket from a foreign carrier.

If you properly prepare for the trip by studying the regulations in detail, such an adventure will definitely not cause you any trouble, but will bring extremely positive emotions to both you and your beloved pet.

Read further: “Electronic ticket registration”

Tips for transporting dogs on trains

To make the trip comfortable for your four-legged friend, you should adhere to certain rules:

• Accustom him to dry food (if up to this point the dog was on a natural type of feeding). We have already described how to do this correctly in one of the previous articles. Teach your dog to drink from a travel water bottle. This skill will be useful to him during his journey.
• It is better to train a decorative pet to go outside and tolerate it for a certain time. This way you will have the opportunity to keep the carriage clean and not burden others with specific aromas.
• Large dogs must be muzzled and on a leash. Choose a muzzle model that does not cause inconvenience, is lightweight and is securely fixed on the animal’s head.
• For nervous dogs with an excitable nervous system, it would be a good idea to purchase sedatives. A consultation with a veterinarian will allow you to choose the optimal sedative that has a mild effect.
• Don’t be lazy to take your pet out at stopping points. The dog has a hard time enduring forced confinement in a cramped room. Therefore, the opportunity to walk around and unwind will be a real relief for him. But you shouldn't let him off the leash. The risk of getting lost in an unfamiliar place is too great.

Accustom your dog to walks in crowded places, travel with him on public transport more often. And then the train ride will not be too stressful for the animal.

You may also find this article useful: Transporting dogs on an airplane. Rules and tips

Carriage of small animals

As a rule, pets do not pose a danger to other passengers. But for their convenience, it is better to transport small animals in special containers (basket, travel cage, carrier). The container must fit into the hand luggage compartment and be spacious. It can accommodate a maximum of two pets.

On commuter trains, it is permitted to transport small dogs without containers, muzzled and on a leash, and cats - under the supervision of their owners or accompanying persons.

Transportation of small pets, dogs and birds on long-distance trains is carried out without presentation of veterinary documents.