I’ve traveled multiple times, both in winter and summer, with my two cats and a dog, and VR and its staff has always been excellent. Animal companions are welcome on all VR trains and night trains offer designated pet cabins equipped with a bowl and water, while daytime travel includes specific wagons where pets are also allowed.

The only drawback, in my opinion, is that the restaurant car remains off-limits for pets but I only see it as an opportunity for the future 😉

Traveling across Europe by train with animals is relatively easy, I experienced it myself during Covid, The Netherlands, Belgium and France were quite ok
but Nordic countries stand out as the most pet friendly.

SJ AB in Sweden has pet policies similar to Finland, while SJ Norge in Norway and DSB in Denmark have some restrictions but do not require dogs to be muzzled.

Interestingly, I always assumed Italy as the most pet friendly country, but not in rail transportation apparently. Trenitalia mandates that dogs wear a muzzle. Similarly, ÖBB in Austria requires muzzles during boarding, and Groupe SNCF in France well, it depends, only allows pets on its TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS, and TER trains and with certain restrictions as well.

Rail transportation compared to aviation has its advantages, but one thing is for sure, our animals aren’t treated as luggages.

How about starting with that?

➡️ Have you ever traveled by train with your beloved animal?
➡️ Where would you travel if it was easier?