Have you ever considered taking your pet on public transport in Queensland, either to avoid the difficulty of finding a parking spot or because you don’t currently have a car? Find out more about the rules for pets on public transport in Brisbane, including the transport option that allows pet dogs.
Are Pets Allowed on Ferries in Brisbane?
Currently, pet dogs are allowed on one form of public transport in Brisbane and the rest of Queensland, operated by Translink: the Brisbane River ferries and CityCats. However, there are some rules to keep in mind.
Firstly, pet dogs are only permitted onboard outside of peak hours. Skip catching the ferry with your dog between 6am and 8:30am and then 3:30pm to 7pm on weekdays.
Either stick to the middle of the day between 8:30am and 3:30pm, the evening after 7pm or anytime on the weekend. Plus if a service is full, you might be asked to wait for the next one.
Secondly, dogs need to be either in a secure enclosed carrier or wearing a leash and muzzle. There are signs at many ferry stops and onboard ferries showing photographs of suitable and unsuitable carriers and muzzles.
While most dogs in Australia are not used to wearing muzzles, the advantage of this policy is that dogs too large for a carrier can also ride on ferries, as long as they have a muzzle. (In contrast, in Sydney currently only small dogs in a carrier are allowed on government ferries.) It’s best to introduce a muzzle to a dog slowly.
Dogs should also ride on the outside deck of the ferry, and there is a limit of two dogs per passenger. Naturally, you should also clean up after your dog. Hopefully if people follow the rules pet dogs continue to be welcomed onboard!
Unfortunately, these rules only extend to pet dogs – I don’t believe that pet cats, even in an enclosed carrier, are allowed onboard. See the full rules.
Introducing the City Dogs
On my most recent visit to Brisbane, I encountered two new ferries on the Brisbane River. In addition to the regular CityCat ferries, there are also now two CityDog ferries!
In conjunction with the opening of Bluey’s World, there is both a Bluey and Bingo CityDog ferry! I was lucky enough to ride one of them when I caught the ferry to Northshore Hamilton (also home to Bluey’s World).
While there isn’t a special timetable published for these ferries, keep an eye out for them when you’re catching a ferry on the Brisbane River with your dog. They make for an extra cute photo with your own dog!
Are Pets Allowed on Trains in Brisbane?
Unfortunately, unlike with ferries, pets are not allowed to ride with your on trains in Brisbane and the rest of Queensland. I noticed when catching trains on my most recent visit to Brisbane that that is clearly signed inside the train carriages, along with rules prohibited alcohol, smoking and food.
Note though that this prohibition only applies to pet animals. Approved assistance animals are permitted onboard trains and other forms of public transport, riding for free, as long as they have a Translink Assistance Animal Pass or an interstate assistance animal accreditation.
Are Pets Allowed on Buses in Brisbane?
Just like on trains in Brisbane, pets are also not allowed aboard buses in Brisbane, also operated by Translink. However, there are no signs on buses stating this, unlike on trains.
You May Also Like
- Dog-Friendly Brisbane: Visiting Brisbane with a Dog
- Are Pets Allowed on Public Transport in Australia?
- Are Dogs Allowed on Sydney Ferries?
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.