Taking dogs on the train - is it that easy?
Traveling by train is a tricky thing. Some people like to travel by train, others hate it at all. But almost everyone agrees that Deutsche Bahn is in a terrible state. You don't really want to ask yourself what it's like to travel by train with a dog. But we did it anyway and unravel the mystery of Deutsche Bahn and how they treat our favorite four-legged friends on their trains.
Content: Taking dogs on the train - is it that easy?
- Are dogs allowed on the train?
- Deutsche Bahn - long-distance transport
- Deutsche Bahn - Local transport
- International train travel
- Conclusion
Are dogs allowed on the train?
Even though it is generally permitted in Germany and most European countries, it is not a given. For example, on the Eurostar Express, which connects the British Isles with the mainland, only assistance and guide dogs are allowed. However, when it is possible, the rules are usually confusing and anything but uniform.
Deutsche Bahn - long-distance transport
Here you are generally allowed to take your faithful four-legged friend with you. That's good, but it's still Deutsche Bahn and so there are some rules that might be strange or even annoying for some people.
The rules for small dogs:
- Dogs that are smaller or the same size as a cat travel free of charge, provided they are transported in a carrier .
- The transport box must fit under the seat or on the shelf and must be placed there. Seats are not permitted.
- The transport box must be safe and must not harm people or property.
The rules for large dogs:
- Dogs larger than a domestic cat need their own ticket.
- The fare corresponds to that of a child’s ticket.
Important: In order to purchase a ticket for your dog, it is essential that you order the ticket by post or buy it directly at the DB travel center or at the ticket machine. Furthermore, according to Deutsche Bahn, when booking online, the ticket should be booked for an unaccompanied child between 6 and 14 years of age. Pure online and mobile phone tickets are not valid for dogs. Allow 3 to 5 working days for your tickets to reach you.
One might think that Deutsche Bahn already has enough problems, so why it makes things so difficult for itself remains a question to which we cannot find an answer.
By the way, anyone who thinks that their dog can sit on a seat if they have paid for a ticket will certainly have problems with the conductor. Dogs should always be on the floor, ideally under their own seat or in the footwell. In any case, it is important that no one is disturbed by the dog.
A dog leash and a muzzle are also important. Yes, it has to be official, even if we have never actually seen one on any train journeys. However, to be on the safe side, a muzzle should be in your luggage (and ready to hand).
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Deutsche Bahn - Local transport
To make things easier, different rules apply to local transport. Each federal state does its own thing and of course this also applies to train tickets.
Important: Even the railway itself cannot list all the rules and therefore only provides vague information. It is therefore advisable, and the railway itself does this, to do further research with the relevant regional association for every trip that takes you into the unknown.
Basically:
- Dogs that are the same size or larger than a domestic cat need a train ticket.
- However, unlike long-distance transport, dogs here pay the price of an adult ticket.
- If the ticket must be labeled with a name, “Dog” should be written instead.
- Here, too, dogs must be kept on a leash and muzzled.
- Dogs must remain in the footwell or under their own seat.
Exceptions Assistance dogs
People who have a severely disabled person’s ID card with the entry “B” and who have been assigned a companion are allowed by law to take a person or a guide dog with them free of charge (SGB IX, Part 3, Chapter 13).
And this applies not only to local transport, but also to long-distance transport and shipping on Lake Constance, Lake Überlingen and the North Sea islands. This rule also applies without a token. Assistance dogs are also exempt from the muzzle requirement.
International train travel
Anyone who wants to travel by train within Germany should prepare well. However, anyone who wants to travel by train across the border to other countries is definitely taking things to the next level.
- Dogs in a transport box travel free of charge
- Dogs without a transport box travel at an additional cost
- Dogs that do not travel in a transport box must be on a leash and need a muzzle
If the tickets are booked through Deutsche Bahn:
- Tickets for dogs internationally usually cost “50% of the flex price/saver price for adults”
Important: In order to purchase a ticket for your dog, it is essential that you order the ticket by post or buy it directly at the DB travel center or at the ticket machine. Furthermore, according to Deutsche Bahn, when booking online, the ticket should be booked for an unaccompanied child between 6 and 14 years of age. Pure online and mobile phone tickets are not valid for dogs. Allow 3 to 5 working days for your tickets to reach you.
Similar rules apply to the countries around the Alps, such as Italy, Austria and Switzerland. However, there are maximum dimensions for a dog transport box: 70x50x30 cm. All dogs that do not fit in this must pay. Service and assistance dogs are also exempt here.
However, when travelling to and from Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Ireland and Norway, ONLY assistance and guide dogs are permitted. The rules for local transport in the destination country are a completely different matter.
Tips for traveling by train with a dog
- If you are planning a longer trip, you should look for sleeping cars and you can book a compartment. It is quieter here and your dog will not disturb anyone. Of course, there are still rules here.
- If you can, book your own compartment. This also means less stress for the dog.
- As a general rule, avoid rush hour as much as possible.
- On longer trips, take dog food or, better yet, chews that don't make a lot of mess.
- Also remember to bring water for the dog and an appropriate drinking bowl .
- However, do not let your dog drink too much, because the train does not stop for a pee in between.
- Every dog is happy about a comfortable blanket, especially on long train journeys.
Especially with young dogs or puppies, there should be some way to clean up any messes. So it's a good idea to take a roll of toilet paper or a waterproof bag with you - just in case.
However, it is best to stay outside for as long as possible before a train journey so that your beloved four-legged friend can relieve himself before you set off.
Important: As a dog owner and traveler, it is important - not only when traveling by train - to find out about the animal health regulations in the respective country and to ensure that you have the appropriate vaccinations and proof of these. The same applies to listed dogs, some of which are subject to very strict regulations and can even be put down.
Conclusion
It may only be a small part of Deutsche Bahn's mountain of problems, but the lack of transparency in ticket design poses significant hurdles. How much easier is it to just put your dog in the car and drive off without having to worry that the conductor will complain about the missing muzzle and you and your dog might even be thrown off the train. Add to that a lot of different rules and a complicated booking system where spontaneity is an absolute foreign word. It's no wonder that Deutsche Bahn is so unpopular.
Since Deutsche Bahn's rules and ticket system are constantly changing, we make no claim to completeness. All information is provided without guarantee.
