How to transport a dog on a train

Planning to take your pet on a trip? We'll explain how to transport a large or small dog on a train according to Russian Railways regulations, whether you can cross the border with a small puppy, and how to prepare for a long trip.

Traveling around Russia

Back in 2016, the Russian Railways (RDZ) management relaxed requirements for pet owners, and now, in many cases, pets can travel without a veterinary passport. Everything depends on the distance traveled, the dog's size, and the purpose of transporting the animal.

A trip by train

The following rules apply to commuter trains:

• The transportation service is paid for, so when purchasing a ticket, be sure to indicate that you plan to travel with an animal;
• Dogs must be on a leash and accompanied by a person;
• You can transport your dog without a carrier (in your arms);
• A large dog will only be allowed to travel on a commuter train if it is muzzled and has a separate ticket for the pet;
• Large dogs will not be allowed into the general carriage, so owners with such animals will have to travel in the vestibule (no more than 2 animals are allowed in one vestibule);
• 1 person can transport no more than 2 pets.

Aggressive dogs and animals with illnesses that could pose a danger to others are prohibited from being transported on Russian Railways commuter trains.

Traveling on a long-distance train

When getting a pet, every owner should know how to transport a dog (taking into account its size) on a train, as a situation may arise when you urgently need to travel, but you simply don’t have everything necessary for such a trip.

To ensure you never have any problems with transporting your dog on a train, make sure you have the following:

• veterinary passport with all necessary vaccinations;
• convenient carrying (for small dogs), this can be a special bag, a plastic box, the dimensions of which should not exceed 180 cm in the sum of 3 sides (in high-speed trains this parameter is reduced to 120 cm);
• collar, leash and muzzle (for large dogs).

Please note that according to Russian Railways standards, a large dog is one that does not fit freely in a carrier with a bag with sides up to 180 cm.

At the same time, there are clearly defined requirements for the carrier itself, which must have:

1. reliable locking device;
2. waterproof bottom with absorbent coating;
3. ventilation holes.

Not all train cars allow dogs, so when purchasing tickets, be sure to check whether a dog (small or large) is allowed in the car. On some online booking platforms, cars that allow pets are marked with a special sign.

The following restrictions apply to small animals:

Large dogs are permitted in compartment and sleeping car seats (not all types) provided the entire compartment is purchased. Please note that the number of animals in a compartment must not exceed the number of seats. Large dogs are prohibited from traveling in reserved seats or in general carriages on long-distance trains!

The only exception is for guide dogs. These animals are allowed in any train car along with the person they accompany, provided the guide dog remains at the owner's feet throughout the journey.

Traveling on high-speed trains

The rules for transporting animals on high-speed trains "Strizh", "Lastochka", "Lastochka-Premium", "Allegro", "Sapsan", and "Grand Service Express" may differ slightly from the universal rules described earlier.

Prices for the service can vary between 400-900 rubles.

For more detailed information on the cost of transporting a small or large dog within Russia on a high-speed train, we recommend checking the carrier's official website. You can also get up-to-date information by calling the hotline.

Is a veterinary certificate required?

Certificate in form No. 1 is a mandatory document if:

• the pet is being taken to participate in an exhibition;
• the puppy is being transported to be handed over to the new owner;
• dogs are kept for commercial purposes (for sale).

In all other cases, a dog accompanied by its owner will be allowed on the train without a special veterinary certificate. Furthermore, you can transport a small puppy without any documents, provided you comply with the above requirements.

International travel

Are you traveling abroad and want to know if you can travel with your dog on a train? Before planning such a trip, we recommend checking the following:

• What rules for crossing the border with animals apply in the destination country;
• Are the vaccines you gave your dog approved in this country?
• Is it mandatory for an animal to have a chip?

Regulations vary, and it's not always possible to import a small puppy from Russia. Some countries require not only proof of vaccination (clinic stamp and vaccine sticker in the veterinary passport) but also a certificate of antibody testing (a separate test must be performed several weeks after the animal's vaccination).

For more than 23 countries worldwide (including Belarus, Kazakhstan, Poland, Georgia, the Czech Republic, the CIS countries, and the Baltic states), uniform rules have been established, which are spelled out in the SMPS agreement:

• transportation of small dogs is possible in hand luggage (in a carrier, without purchasing a compartment);
• You can only transport a large dog by purchasing the entire compartment, but in this case no more than 2 animals can be carried in 1 compartment and they must be on a leash and wearing a muzzle;
• Guide dogs can be transported with the person accompanied by the animal without purchasing the entire compartment.

It's also worth noting that only microchipped and fully vaccinated animals are allowed to be imported into Belarus. Moreover:

1. the passport must contain information about the chip implanted in the dog;
2. Deworming should be done 5 days before the trip;
3. vaccination against rabies and major infections must be administered no earlier than 30 days before travel;
4. 5 days before departure, you must obtain an accompanying veterinary certificate.

If you plan to travel with your pet to Europe, you should also include rabies antibody test results with your documents. The test must be performed only in an accredited laboratory.

How to travel with a dog on a train

So, we've determined whether it's possible to travel with a dog on a train and what's required. But beyond the basic pre-trip requirements, you'll also need to consider your pet's comfort during the journey.

You will need:

• a carrier in which the animal can turn freely;
• leash + harness or collar;
• drinking bowl and fresh water;
• dry or canned food (if the trip is long and the dog cannot go without food, since it is not possible to buy food at the station or on the train);
• absorbent diapers (they will need to be changed if the dog goes to the toilet);
• pet's favorite toys;
• a set of veterinary medications that may be useful during travel (it’s worth taking sedatives with you, as not all animals tolerate travel well);
• bags for excrement (if you plan to walk your dog at stations).

During the journey, small dogs are allowed to be carried, and during longer stops (check with the conductor), all pets can and should be walked. There are designated areas for this purpose at stations.

Breeders' Advice

Now you know how to take your dog on a train in Russia, as well as what documents to prepare when planning a trip abroad. We invite you to share your experiences traveling together and leave comments about how your pet handled the train journey.

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