Animals & Pets on National Rail

​​​​​​​

 

Transporting Domestic Animals by Train

Customers may take with them, free of charge (and subject to conditions below) dogs, cats and other small animals (maximum two per passenger for free) provided they do not endanger or inconvenience customers or staff.

• Dogs conveyed by train outside of the free allowance may be subject to payment of a fee of no more than 50% of the Adult fare for the journey made. Each train company is responsible for setting the charges that apply to animals conveyed in these circumstances.

• Dogs, unless contained in a basket, must be kept on a lead or in a harness throughout the journey, including at stations

• Dogs without leads or harnesses, domestic cats, birds and small animals must be carried in an enclosed basket, cage or pet carrier. It must be rigid and not open (to prevent escape) and the animal able to stand and lie down in comfort

• Animals and containers must not occupy seats, otherwise a charge will be made

• On sleeper services, animals are not allowed in restaurant cars except for assistance dogs, which are allowed into the restaurant car provided a suitable table and seat is available. However, if a table is not available, every effort will be made to serve meals at a customer’s seat or berth.

• Caledonian Sleeper allows dogs to accompany customers subject to a charge for a heavy duty clean This charge is not applicable to passengers travelling with assistance animals. Customers are asked to notify Caledonian Sleeper in advance to ensure that suitable accommodation is provided for the customer. See www.sleeper.scot for details.

• Booking for all dogs travelling in sleepers should be made in advance.

Please note: Railway Byelaw 16 allows the train company to refuse carriage or entry to any animal, except assistance animals. If your dog or other animal causes a nuisance or inconvenience to other customers, you may be asked to remove it from the train or railway premises by the Train Company or Rail Service Company staff

Back to top

Assistance Animals on National Rail

• Assistance dogs are allowed on sleeper services provided both the customer and dog are booked into single-occupant accommodation.
• Assistance dogs are conveyed free and no cleaning charge will be applied.
• the National Rail Conditions of Travel (Condition 24.6) prohibits livestock from being carried, any assistance animal that is not a dog is not allowed to be taken onboard without observing the rules noted above.

Back to top

Additional Animals and Luggage Charges

There may be an additional charge for some items that you take with you when you travel.

• Each cat, dog or small animal exceeding the free allowance (see 'Transporting domestic animals by train' below for details).

If you are unsure if any of the applies to your journey, speak to the train company you are intending to travel with.

Back to top

Animals Not Permitted on National Rail

• Livestock (for example, pigs, sheep and goats).
• Any animal or article which, in the opinion of the train company staff, is causing, or is likely to cause, inconvenience to passengers due to its size or behaviour. On train staff are authorised to have animals and items such as these removed from the train.

Back to top