Bringing pets on board the train

Small pets, such as dogs, can travel for free on Eurocity Direct and EuroCity if they are transported in a suitable carrier, bag, or basket. If your dog is too large for a carrier, it must be on a leash and wear a muzzle. You also need to purchase a train ticket for your dog at an NS ticket machine. Currently, this ticket is only available for EuroCity. Tickets for Eurocity Direct will be available in 2025. A one-way ticket costs €6 between the Netherlands and Belgium and is valid in both first and second class.

As the UK is no longer part of the European Union, stricter customs rules apply and there is no free movement of animals to and from London.

Only registered guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed. So other animals are not. Not even in a cage.

Guide and assistance animals always travel free of charge on Eurostar. On arrival in or departure from the UK, you must show your documentation, so make sure you have it with you. A free ticket for a guide or assistance dog can be requested up to 24 hours before departure.

Register a guide or assistance dog for train travel (Dutch)

In Eurostar to Belgium and France, you may bring a pet, but certain rules and guidelines apply:

Small pets: Pets under 6 kg travel for free in a pet carrier no larger than 45 x 30 x 25 cm (think dog, cat, rabbit or hamster).
Large dogs: Dogs not in a basket or cage are allowed on board only with a ticket at "dog fare". They are allowed on the train only if they are held on the lap or if they are on a leash and muzzled on the floor. You can purchase the ticket on the train from the Train Manager.
Guide and assistance animals: Guide and assistance dogs for the blind are allowed and travel free of charge. You only need to inform the train manager that your guide or assistance animal is on board. Notify the train manager when they walk through the train.
Not allowed animals: Dangerous dogs, wild animals and certain birds (parrots, canaries, etc.).
Passenger comfort: If a traveler objects to the presence of a pet, the Train Manager can move the owner and the animal to another part of the train.

Eurostar Snow to the Alps

Only registered guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed. Other animals are not. Not even in a cage. Guide and assistance animals always travel free of charge with Eurostar.

Eurostar Sun to the South of France

Only registered guide dogs and assistance dogs are allowed. Other animals are not. Not even in a cage. Guide and assistance animals always travel free of charge with Eurostar.

Smaller pets (cats, rabbits, hamsters etc, that do not smell or make too much noise to be of hindrance to other passengers) must be transported in a box or basket no larger than 55x30x30 cm. A ticket with the fixed fee of € 6.90 must be purchased by the French Railways (is not sold in the Netherlands).

Large pets

Larger dogs that do not fit in a box or basket must wear a muzzle and be kept on a leash. For these dogs a 50% reduced ticket is needed (rate: ‘dog’) to travel on the TGV route. Guide dogs travel for free and do not need to wear a muzzle.

Dogs are permitted on board ICE International, but are not allowed to enter the bistro carriage. Small dogs/pets that are transported in a basket or cage and guide dogs may travel for free. A guide rate ticket is needed for a guide dog. This is available for free at the counter in the Ticket & Service shops in the stations.

Large pets

Larger dogs must be kept on a leash and wear a muzzle. For these dogs a dog ticket (rate: ‘dog’) and separate 50% reduced ICE International ticket is needed. In the Netherlands the ICE International ticket can only be purchased for direct ICE International services. Tickets for dogs cannot be purchased online but must be purchased at one of the staffed sales outlets: NS International Customer Service, and a NS International counter in one of the Tickets & Service offices at the larger train stations. For other routes, the ticket must be purchased on the spot.

Traveling with dogs is only permitted if you book an entire compartment and if they don't bother other passengers. Also the dogs are on a leash and wearing a muzzle when getting on and off the train. Guide dogs may travel for free. Tickets for large dogs can be purchased from the Train Manager on board.