One of the quickest and easiest ways to travel around the United Kingdom is by train, whether you’re heading out on a day trip or travelling from one end of Great Britain to the other. But what about if you have a pet dog? Find out more about taking dogs on trains in the UK.
Are Dogs Allowed on Trains in the UK?
Yes, pet dogs are allowed on trains in the UK. This applies both for large dogs and small dogs, plus for other types of small pets such as cats and birds. They just need to either be on a leash or in a carrier.
There’s no need to check whether individual train companies do or don’t allow pets onboard. The overall regulations listed on the National Rail website permitting two pets each are legislated to apply to all train companies in the UK.
Pets are even welcome to join on sleeper trains, although only assistance dogs are allowed in restaurant cars.
The one exception is the Eurostar train that connects London to the Continent. Unfortunately, pet dogs are not allowed on the Eurostar, although it would be great if this one day changed.
Also check if dreaded coach replacements are occurring on your train service – not all coaches allow pets onboard.
How Many Dogs Are Allowed on Trains?
It’s permitted to bring two dogs or other pets per passenger on trains across the UK. However, whether you are allowed additional pets per passenger varies depending on the individual train company.
For instance, on Great Western Railway trains, while two animals are permitted for free, there is an additional charge of half the adult fare for each extra pet, up to £5 for a single and £10 for a return ticket.
On the other hand, other train companies such as Southern only permits two domestic pets onboard their services.
How Much Does it Cost for Dogs on the Train?
If you have only one or two pets, then it is free for your pets to join you onboard a normal train trip in the UK. You’re welcome to bring up to two animals with you, at no extra charge, in either Standard Class or First Class.
If you have more than two animals, whether or not this is permitted and the charge that applies depends on the individual train company. It’s best to check their policy in advance if you have three or more pets.
For instance, Great Western Railway requires that if you have more than two pets, each additional pet requires a ticket that is half the adult fare, up to £5 for a single and £10 for a return ticket.
If you are taking a sleeper train, then pets do not travel for free. An additional charge for a heavy duty clean always applies, unless you are travelling with an assistance animal. Check with the individual train company for more details.
Taking Your Dog on the Train in the UK
When taking your dog onboard a train in the UK, note that your dog will need to either be on a leash or in a pet carrier – whatever is more comfortable for your dog. Other small animals such as cats and birds should be in a carrier.
National Rail specifies that pet carriers should be rigid and no open, so that your animal can’t escape. They need to be able to stand up and lie down comfortably inside. With Southern, they specifically state that carriers should be no larger than 85 x 60 x 60cm.
Pets are specifically forbidden from travelling on seats with any train company. Whether on a leash or in a carrier, pets should travel on the floor, rather than taking up a seat (although laps are a different matter…)
I recommend taking your dog to the toilet in advance of hopping onboard a train. For longer journeys, give your dog a treat or chew to amuse themself. Plus, I recommend avoiding crowded services with pets.
What About Local Public Transport?
What about when you get to your destination and need to use local public transport? Are pet dogs also allowed onboard.
On local public transport, the regulations depend on the local authorities, but generally pets are allowed onboard. The main difference is that some bus companies limit pets to only one per passenger. Plus due to allowing discretion by the driver, large dogs may be turned away by some buses.
In London, dogs are allowed to travel on the the underground and buses for free. The one caveat is that dogs may not be allowed “if there is a good reason to refuse it”. Dogs are required to be on a leash or in a container for smaller pets. View the full Transport for London regulations.
In great news, both Manchester and Birmingham have recently started to allow dogs onboard their tram services after successful trials. Double check the specific rules I have provided, but in both cases dogs travel for free.
Where To Visit With Your Dog by Train
There’s plenty of excellent destinations across the UK that you can visit with your dog by train. For starters, many of my ideas for dog-friendly days out around London are accessible by train, including destinations outside London such as Windsor, Brighton and Canterbury.
Additionally, most of the destinations that I’ve covered across England, Wales and Scotland are accessible by train. Consider taking a train to one of these cities for a weekend away or longer:
You May Also Like
- Travelling in the UK with a Dog
- Are Dogs Allowed on Trains in Europe?
- Are Dogs Allowed on the Eurostar Train?
About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.