Traveling with a dog by train is a big challenge, especially for those who set out on it for the first time. How to make the dog feel comfortable on the train and at the same time the journey will be in accordance with the regulations? Get to know our way for comfortable and stress-free traveling with your dog!
Traveling with a dog on a train can be stressful not only for the quadruped himself, but also for his guardian. It is best to start preparing for the trip well in advance to take care of everything necessary. This applies to e.g. get acquainted with the conditions of transporting a dog specified by a specific carrier.
It should be noted that currently all transport companies allow traveling with a dog (e.g. PKP Intercity, regional railways, SKM, etc.). However, they are guided by individual regulations regarding the transport of pets on trains. Therefore, when planning a joint trip with your pet, you should first check the train timetable and find the name of the carrier that will carry out the transport at various stages of the journey. In the EU countries, there are similar rules for transporting dogs by rail.
Basically, the conditions for transporting a dog on a train are very similar for all railway carriers. These regulations say, among other things: that each person can transport only one dog, for which in some cases a fee must be paid. In order for the dog's journey on the train to be safe and not to pose a threat to other traveling passengers, each four-legged pet must be absolutely vaccinated against rabies.
Small dogs can travel by rail in special transporters, e.g. baskets, containers, cages, etc. They can also travel freely kept on a leash by their owner. Representatives of large breeds of dogs and dogs that behave aggressively should wear a muzzle and a fastened leash while traveling by train. In other cases, it is enough to bring a muzzle with you in case a fellow passenger or conductor asks you to put it on.
Another regulation is related to traveling in compartment cars of PKP Intercity trains. In such a case, all passengers of this compartment must agree to transport a dog (this requirement does not apply to carriages without compartments). In the event that any person objects to taking a four-legged friend into the compartment, the conductor should find a seat in another part of the train. If this is also not possible, you and your dog must leave the train (in this case, the cost of the journey will be reimbursed). Such a situation is extremely rare, as passengers generally love pets and show them a lot of empathy. So don't worry in advance, there is usually a solution.
The next restriction concerns the behavior of the dog while traveling. It happens that dogs try to jump on the seats in the train during the train ride, but this is not allowed and they should not be allowed to do so. It's best to keep your pet entertained with a favorite toy or treat. When traveling with a dog by train, you should make sure that it is the least disruptive to other travelers and, if possible, only takes up space next to the owner's legs.
Dogs are also not allowed in the catering cars. In a situation where we want to travel more comfortably with our pet in a sleeping car or with places to lie down, we must buy all places in the compartment.
The obligation to clean up after your pet before leaving the train is obvious, just like we do at home or on a walk.
Currently, all railway carriers allow you to travel with your dog by train. Small dogs can be transported by rail free of charge, provided that they travel in carriers, baskets, cages, etc. However, if we want our four-legged companions to be transported freely, we must purchase a ticket for them. For dogs kept on a leash on a train, a flat fee is usually paid, regardless of the length of the journey: the highest fee at PKP Intercity (approx. PLN 15), and between PLN 2 and PLN 5 on regional and SKM railways.
If a guide dog accompanies a blind or visually impaired person on a train journey, the statutory transport tariff provides a 95% discount when purchasing a ticket for it. It should be noted, however, that many railway carriers do not charge this fee for such working dogs.
It is best to buy a dog train ticket together with the purchase of your ticket, as it is assigned to the guardian's ticket. If you already have a ticket and later decide to take your dog with you by train, it will only be possible to buy a ticket for your pet at the ticket office of the station or from the conductor (electronic purchase is not possible). It should be remembered that the purchase of a dog ticket from the conductor is often associated with an additional fee.
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