I’m transporting a dog or other animal

Guide dogs, assistance dogs and service dogs free of charge 

Guide dogs belonging to blind holders of a ZTP/P card, assistance dogs and service dogs belonging to members of security or similar bodies while on duty are transported on ČD trains free of charge; they are not required to be muzzled, they cannot be excluded from transport, and their transport cannot be refused. The guide dogs of blind passengers, assistance dogs and service dogs belonging to members of security or similar bodies while on duty can travel together with passengers in 1st class carriages, in restaurant and bistro carriages, in carriages (compartments) reserved for transporting passengers travelling with children under 10 years of age, in family compartments, and in marked quiet compartments.

Other live animals

The live animals that you can take with you aboard ČD trains are dogs and small domesticated and other small animals if they are completely closed in easily portable and completely closable containers with an impermeable bottom, provided the animal is completely enclosed in such a container for the duration of the transport. Small animals in closed containers are transported free of charge on ČD trains as passenger hand luggage.

If the container exceeds the dimensions of hand luggage (90 x 60 x 40 cm) or requires a special place on the train, it is necessary to pay for it as transport of oversized luggage.

Live animals cannot be transported on a train using the luggage storage during transport service (under the conductor’s supervision).

Price for transporting a dog on a leash and with a muzzle

• Praha – Plzeň, distance 107 km... CZK 30

Price for transporting an animal in an impermeable carrier

• Free
• Praha hl.n. – Ostrava hl.n. as oversized luggage (exceeding 90 x 60 x 40 cm) a distance of 355 km... CZK 60

Dogs and other animals by train to foreign destinations

Small dogs and small pets

Dogs and small pets up to the size of a domestic cat are transported free of charge, provided they are in a cage, crate, basket or other suitable container which prevents damage or soiling of the carriage or luggage. These containers must be placed on the passenger’s lap or in areas specified for hand luggage.

Larger dogs

Larger dogs and dogs not in the above-mentioned containers must be muzzled and on a leash. For such dogs, it is necessary to have a separate travel document (cannot be purchased in the e-shop). Half the international 2nd class fare is paid for a dog, regardless of the carriage class actually used. In the Czech Republic, it is possible to travel with a dog in 2nd class only, with the exception of guide dogs and assistance dogs, who may accompany a passenger in 1st class as well.

Dogs and other small pets (except for guide dogs) cannot be transported to and from Norway, Great Britain, Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland. For transport to Sweden (SJ) there are several restrictions (mandatory quarantine, vaccinations, etc.); in inland transport around Sweden it is necessary to have a reservation for a compartment in which the transport of animals is permitted. For more information visit Swedish Railways (SJ).

Dangerous or sick pets, including dogs, cannot be transported by train under any circumstances.

You can find information on transporting dogs and small pets in inland transport in foreign countries on the web pages of the individual carriers.

Travelling with animals in a sleeper or couchette carriage to a foreign destination

Dogs and cats can generally be taken into a sleeper or couchette carriage if their owner and any accompanying persons purchase tickets and sleeper or couchette cards for the entire compartment for exclusive use. In addition, the relevant carriage fee for a dog must be paid, except for guide dogs and assistance dogs. The owner must look after the animal in the sleeper or couchette carriage. He or she is responsible for any damage which the animal causes. Other animals may not be taken into sleeper or couchette carriages. Foreign carriers may stipulate different terms and conditions generally or in individual cases. The transport of animals other than cats and dogs is not permitted.

The transport of animals is completely forbidden in couchette carriages in inland transport in Italy (FS Trenitalia), as well as in sleeper and couchette carriages in inland and international transport in Sweden (SJ). There are also many restrictions in Finland, Great Britain, Ireland and Norway. Please check with the relevant carriers for more information.

For journeys between the Czech Republic and Slovakia, Hungary, Austria or Poland, it is not possible to transport animals in sleeper carriages (except for guide dogs and assistance dogs). Transport is not possible even in the form of hand luggage in a closable container.

On trains EN 476/477 (Budapest – Praha/Berlin route and return, including through carriages on the Wien – Berlin route and return), it is also not permitted to transport animals (even as hand luggage in a closable container) in couchette carriages operated by Hungarian Railways (MÁV). The transport of animals is possible only in ČD couchette carriages on the Prague – Budapest route and return.

Animals in restaurant and bistro carriages

The transport of animals in restaurant or bistro carriages is not permitted (except for guide dogs).

Transporting guide dogs belonging to blind passengers

A guide dog assisting a blind passenger can be transported in 1st or 2nd class free of charge under the following conditions:

• you can procure a free ticket for a dog as the guide of a blind passenger by presenting a ZTP/P (severe health disability requiring a guide) card issued in the Czech Republic for reasons of a visual disability (marked with a pictogram of a blind person); the blind passenger shall also demonstrate eligibility for the free transport of a guide dog in the event of a ticket inspection aboard the train
• these tickets are issued as one-way or return tickets
• free transport is not permitted if the blind passenger is using certain network tickets (e.g. Interrail) or on trains with global prices
• free transport of a guide dog is possible between the following railways: SNCB/NMBS (Belgium), BDZ (Bulgaria), ČD (Czech Republic), ŽCG (Montenegro), DSB (Denmark), SNCF (France), HZ (Croatia), TRENITALIA (Italy), CIE (Ireland), CFL (Luxembourg), MAV/GYSEV (Hungary), CFARYM (Macedonia), DB (Germany), NS (Netherlands), PKP (Poland), ÖBB (Austria), CFR (Romania), CH (Greece), NIR (Ireland), CP (Portugal), OSE (Greece), ZSSK (Slovakia), SŽ (Slovenia), ŽS (Serbia), RENFE (Spain), SBB/CFF (Switzerland)