How to carry animals on the train according to all the rules

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

About muzzles, cages, veterinary certificates and other things that pet owners should know while traveling.

How to travel with animals in Russia

Fundamental rules

You can take any domestic animals with you on the train - from a cat to a parrot. Provided that they are not dangerous to the life and health of other passengers and conductors.

According to the rules on the rules of passenger transportation in the domestic traffic of Russian Railways, animals are divided into small and large. The first includes pets that fit in a carrier up to 180 cm in size (by the sum of three dimensions). One container can hold no more than two small animals or birds.

The second refers to dogs of large breeds. A large dog should be muzzled, on a leash and under constant supervision of the owner. Including a guide dog. But you can ride with a guide in any carriage and in any place. The main thing is that the dog should be at the feet of the passenger he is accompanying.

Farm and wild animals are transported in baggage wagons.

When traveling by train, you must feed your pet, keep it hygienic and make sure it does not interfere with other passengers.

Buying a ticket

The conditions for transporting pets depend on the type of carriage and the class of service (service level).

Most of the Russian trains are formed by the Federal Passenger Company (FPK). This is the "daughter" of Russian Railways, which dominates passenger transportation by long-distance trains.

The conditions of the FPK are as follows.

The tariff for transporting animals depends on the distance.

The documents

If the transportation of an animal is not included in the price of a passenger ticket (that is, it is not free), a baggage check must be issued for the pet. It can be done:

• At the ticket office before the departure of the train.
• When buying an e-ticket.
• In your personal account on the Russian Railways website, if an electronic or regular ticket has already been purchased.

No vaccination certificate is required. The transportation of animals on them was canceled in 2017. Upon boarding, you will be required to present your passport, your ticket and the check coupon of your baggage check.

Features of travel on different trains

High speed trains

General rules:

• Only small animals can be transported.
• The pet container must be securely locked.
• The carrier must not be placed in the vestibule or aisle between the seats.

1. "Sapsan"

You can take your pet with you in the economy class carriage and the meeting room compartment. In the first case, the transportation of an animal is included in the ticket price - you do not need to pay extra. In the second, you will have to redeem the entire compartment.

If you have a ticket for a business class carriage, you can order the service of transporting an animal at specially designated places (opposite the places for conductors). In this case, the dimensions of the carrying should not exceed 120 cm in the sum of three dimensions, and the weight of the animal should not exceed 10 kg.

2. "Swallow"

On FPC electric trains, small animals can be transported in class 2B wagons. In this case, you need to draw up and pay for a separate receipt. In "Swallow-Premium" animals can only be transported in second-class cars - economy.

On trains, which are formed by the Directorate of High-Speed Transport (DOSS), animals can be transported only at seats No. 29 and 30 in carriage No. 5. Tickets for them are more expensive, but you do not need to pay extra for a cage with a pet.

3. "Swift"

These high-speed trains "fly" to Nizhny Novgorod and Berlin. Animals are transported in wagons of category 2B. The rules are standard: one container for one passenger seat, inside the carrier - no more than two animals.

Transportation is paid. The luggage receipt is issued at the station ticket office.

Commuter trains

If the length of the route does not exceed 200 km, the train is considered a commuter train. Small animals can be transported on such trains without a container. True, dogs still have to muzzle, even if you have a toy terrier.

Large dogs must ride in the vestibule. Of course, in a muzzle, with a leash and under the supervision of the owner.

Transportation of animals on suburban trains is paid.

How to travel with pets abroad

The carriage of animals by rail in international directions is regulated by the Agreement on International Passenger Traffic (SMPS) on international passenger traffic, in force in 23 states, and by the carrier's internal rules. Check them on websites and hotlines if you are traveling not only by Russian trains.

The general rule for all countries: the animal must be vaccinated. This is confirmed by a veterinary passport (certificates).

Small animals can be transported to the territory of Belarus, Ukraine, Azerbaijan and most other post-Soviet countries in any carriage, except for SV and carriages with food. In this case, you need to pay for them as for 20 kg of luggage. Large dogs can only ride in a compartment and only with full redemption.

In the high-speed "Allegro", which runs between Helsinki and St. Petersburg, animals can only be transported at seats No. 65–68 in carriage No. 6. Tickets for them are 15 euros more expensive, even if you are traveling without a pet. And in the branded train "Lev Tolstoy" with the same route for transporting animals, you will have to take the entire compartment.

In China, Mongolia, North Korea and Vietnam, you can take no more than two animals in one compartment. In this case, a ticket for a four-legged friend will cost half the cost of a human.

More information about the rules for traveling with pets to a specific country can be found in the Russian Railways information service by calling 8 800 775-00-00 (free calls within Russia).