How to Travel by Train with Your Dog in the UK

From Scotland to Cornwall, the United Kingdom offers many excellent dog-friendly train journeys, and it is easy to travel with pets as long as you follow the rules. To help plan your next trip, check out pet policies for some of the UK’s most prominent train operators, as well as information about traveling with your dog from the UK to Europe and details about getting a dog health certificate in the UK.

how to train with you dog on a train

How can I travel by train with my dog in the UK?

Avanti West Coast

Each customer is allowed up to two domestic pets for no extra charge
Each additional pet thereafter is £5 more
All dogs on trains must be kept on a lead at all times unless they’re in a carrier
Dogs without leads should also be kept in a pet carrier no larger than 85 x 60 x 60 cm

Caledonian Sleeper

Each customer is allowed up to two domestic pets for no extra charge; however, there is a charge of £30 per room for the cleaning fee for any single journey and for either one or two pets
Pets cannot travel in the Seated Carriage
They ask for pets to not sleep on the beds and that they stay on the floor of the room
Pets are not allowed in the Club Car, and they cannot be walked along other carriages

Chiltern Railways

Each customer is allowed up to two domestic pets for no extra charge
Dogs must be kept on a lead throughout the journey, including at the station
Dogs must not use the seats on the train

CrossCountry

Each customer is allowed up to two domestic pets for no extra charge
Dogs must not endanger or inconvenience passengers or staff
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times unless contained in a basket

Grand Central Railway

Small animals, such as dogs and cats, travel for free with their companion
Small animals are to be kept on a lead or in a secure pet carrier
Dogs must not use the seats on the train
They suggest off-peak timetables for travelers with pets when the carriages are quieter and less congested

Great Northern

Each customer is allowed up to two domestic pets for no extra charge
All dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times unless contained within an enclosed pet carrying basket
Any pet without a lead must be carried in a basket no bigger than 85 x 60 x 60 cm
When traveling on the trains, all pets must be stored on the floor allowing empty seats to be used by paying customers
When boarding the train, where possible, dogs should be carried to avoid falling between the platform and the train
Should you, your pet or their lead become trapped in the doors, immediately use the passenger emergency alarm to contact the driver and get help
Pets are allowed on rail replacement buses at the discretion of the drivers

Great Western Railway

Each customer is allowed up to two domestic pets for no extra charge
Extra pets cost half the adult fare for the type of ticket you’ve got, up to £5 for a single and £10 for a return
Dogs must be on a lead or in a pet carrier
Only assistance dogs are allowed in the Pullman dining car
First class ticket holders can bring dogs on a lead into the lounges

Greater Anglia

Each customer is allowed up to two domestic pets for no extra charge
Dogs cannot occupy a seat
For each additional dog, cat or other small animal there will be a charge: half the adult fare for the type of ticket held for the journey, subject to a maximum of £5 single £10 return

London North Eastern Railway

Each customer is allowed up to two domestic pets for no extra charge
Pets need to stay safely out of the aisles and off of seats
Dogs must be on a lead or in a pet carrier
For each additional pet, customers may have to pay up to a maximum of £5 for each journey
First class ticket holders with well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome in the first class lounges

Northern Railway

Each customer is allowed up to two domestic pets for no extra charge
Dogs must not endanger or inconvenience passengers or staff
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times unless contained in a basket

ScotRail

Each customer is allowed up to two domestic pets for no extra charge
Dogs must not endanger or inconvenience passengers or staff
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times unless contained in a basket

South Western Railway

Each customer is allowed up to two domestic pets for no extra charge
Dogs must not endanger or inconvenience passengers or staff
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times unless contained in a basket

Southeastern

Each customer is allowed up to two domestic pets for no extra charge
For each additional animal, a fee of half the adult fare of your ticket will be charged – up to a maximum of £5 for a single and £10 for a return
If your pet causes a nuisance, inconvenience or a safety hazard to other passengers, you may be politely asked to remove your pet from the train or station
Dogs should be kept on a lead at all times

Southern Railway

Each customer is allowed up to two domestic pets for no extra charge
All dogs must be kept on a short lead at all times unless contained within an enclosed pet carrying basket
Any pet without a lead must be carried in a basket no bigger than 85 x 60 x 60 cm
When traveling on the trains, all pets must be stored on the floor allowing empty seats to be used by paying customers
When boarding the train, where possible, dogs should be carried to avoid falling between the platform and the train
Should you, your pet or their lead become trapped in the doors, immediately use the passenger emergency alarm to contact the driver and get help
Pets are allowed on rail replacement buses at the discretion of the drivers

Transport for Wales

Each customer is allowed up to two domestic pets for no extra charge
Dogs must not endanger or inconvenience passengers or staff
Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times unless contained in a basket
Dogs must not use the seats on the train

Can I bring my dog to Europe from the UK?

When traveling to an EU country or Northern Ireland, your dog needs:

a microchip
a valid rabies vaccination
an animal health certificate (unless you have a pet passport issued in an EU country or Northern Ireland)
tapeworm treatment for dogs (if you’re traveling directly to Finland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Norway or Malta)
Click here to learn more

How do I get a dog health certificate in the UK?

An official veterinarian can provide you with an animal health certificate. This needs to be done no more than 10 days before you travel. When you visit your vet, you’ll need to take proof of your pet’s microchipping date and vaccination history.