Yes, you can take your dog on the train in France, as long as you buy a pet ticket and follow two simple rules: a small dog travels in a closed bag or carrier, while a larger dog travels on a lead and muzzled, at your feet. Prices and details vary by train (TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS, OUIGO, TER and international services). Here is what the official SNCF Connect and OUIGO pages said when we checked them on 1 November 2026, and how to prepare your dog so the journey goes smoothly.
Taking your dog on the train: the basic rules
Whatever the train, the logic is the same: the rule depends on how your dog travels (in a carrier or on a lead), not on its breed. There are two cases.
- Small dog in a carrier. On TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS trains, SNCF Connect asks for a closed bag or basket of no more than 45 × 30 × 25 cm, kept on your lap or at your feet. On OUIGO, the carrier can measure up to 55 × 35 × 25 cm.
- Dog on a lead. It must wear a muzzle for the whole journey and stay at your feet. OUIGO specifies that the muzzle is compulsory “from the moment you enter the station”.
In both cases the animal has no allocated seat: it cannot occupy a seat. It also remains your responsibility throughout the journey, as SNCF Connect points out. Guide dogs and assistance dogs travel free of charge, without a ticket, on SNCF trains and on OUIGO.
How much does your dog’s ticket cost?
The pet ticket is a flat fare, whatever the dog’s weight. The table below summarises the amounts shown on 1 November 2026. They change regularly, so check them when you book.
| Train | Pet ticket | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| TGV INOUI, daytime INTERCITÉS | From €10 per train | Maximum of 2 animals per passenger |
| Night INTERCITÉS | €19 | Seats only; animals not allowed in couchettes, except guide dogs; free in a private compartment |
| OUIGO (high-speed and classic trains) | €10 per animal per journey | 1 animal per adult ticket; €25 if added with the train manager |
| TER (regional trains) | Depends on the region | In Pays de la Loire, a small animal in a carrier travels free, without a reservation |
For TER regional trains, each region sets its own rules, so check your region’s page before you set off. Watch out for engineering works too: SNCF Connect states that animals are not allowed on replacement coaches, except guide dogs.
How to book the pet ticket
On SNCF Connect, you cannot buy a pet ticket on its own: it is added to your own ticket. Once you have chosen your journey, open your passenger profile, click on the option to add an animal and choose “Small animal in a carrier” or “Dog on a lead and muzzled”.
Forgot? On TGV INOUI, TGV Lyria and INTERCITÉS trains (excluding night couchettes), you can still add it after purchase, at the ticket office, by calling 3635 or in the “Tickets” section of the app. On board, the train manager charges €20 if you come forward before the ticket check, and €35 otherwise. On OUIGO, the option is booked with the adult ticket, or later in “My trips” up to 30 minutes before departure; after that, adding it on board costs €25.
Restricted dog categories and travelling abroad
French law strictly regulates so-called dangerous dogs. According to service-public.fr, category 1 dogs are banned from public transport. Category 2 dogs may travel, but on a lead and muzzled. OUIGO also states that category 1 dogs are not allowed on board. For the other rules on keeping and walking dogs, see our article on compulsory leads and what French law says.
If you cross a border, the rules depend on the destination:
- United Kingdom by Eurostar: pets are not accepted; only guide dogs are.
- Spain by TGV INOUI: only animals under 10 kg, in a carrier, with a supplement.
- Germany (Deutsche Bahn) and Switzerland (SBB CFF): small animals in a basket travel free; large dogs travel on a lead, muzzled, with a ticket.
For a trip to another European Union country, service-public.fr states that you generally need microchip identification, a European pet passport issued by a vet and a valid rabies vaccination. This vaccine can be given from 12 weeks of age and only takes effect at least 21 days after the injection, so plan ahead. OUIGO also advises carrying your dog’s identification document and up-to-date health record, even for a journey within France.
Getting your dog used to a muzzle before you travel
The muzzle is the rule that causes the most difficulty. Putting a muzzle on a dog that has never worn one on the day of departure is likely to frighten it, warn the vets at the PDSA, the UK veterinary charity. So allow a few weeks of training.
Which muzzle should you choose?
Both the PDSA and Battersea, the well-known London rescue centre, recommend a basket muzzle: the dog can open its mouth, pant, drink and take treats through it. The PDSA advises leaving about 1 cm between the nose and the end of the muzzle and being able to slip a finger under the straps. Muzzles that hold the mouth closed should not be worn for more than a few minutes, as they can cause distress and heatstroke. For flat-faced breeds (pugs, French bulldogs and so on), ask your vet for advice before using a muzzle.
The training steps
- Getting acquainted: place the muzzle on the floor with treats in and around it, or hold it in your hand and let your dog eat from inside it.
- Nose in: reward your dog when it puts its nose in of its own accord, placing the treats further and further inside.
- The straps: hold the straps behind the ears without fastening them, reward, then remove.
- Fastening for a few seconds: fasten, reward immediately, remove calmly. Gradually increase the time.
- Real situations: go on short walks with the muzzle on, in different places, including a station if possible.
If your dog panics or tries to remove the muzzle, you have gone too fast: go back to the previous step. Never use the muzzle as a punishment and never leave a muzzled dog alone.
On the day: our practical tips
- Walk your dog before you leave. A proper outing before the train lets it go to the toilet and burn off energy. To judge how much, see how long to walk your dog each day.
- Use a short lead. In a train carriage, your dog must stay at your feet, so a short fixed lead is easier than a long one. Avoid retractable leads, which are hard to control in a crowd or a narrow aisle (see our explanation).
- Clip the lead to a well-fitted harness. A harness spreads pressure across the chest rather than the neck, which helps on a crowded platform or when boarding. MyDogGrip harnesses have a grab handle that helps keep your dog close; it is for guiding, never for lifting.
- Bring water and a collapsible bowl, especially for a long journey, and a small blanket so your dog can settle at your feet.
- Choose your seat: a seat at the end of the carriage or next to a free space gives your dog more room and keeps it out of the aisle.
Frequently asked questions
Does my small dog need a muzzle in its bag?
No. The muzzle applies to dogs travelling outside a carrier. OUIGO specifies that it becomes compulsory as soon as the animal leaves its carrier.
Can my dog sit on a seat?
No. According to SNCF Connect, no seat is allocated to the animal: it travels on your lap (in a carrier) or at your feet.
How many dogs can I take?
A maximum of two animals per passenger on SNCF trains (TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS), and only one per adult ticket on OUIGO.
Sources
- SNCF Connect (accessed 2026). Voyager en train avec son animal (chat, chien…). SNCF Connect.
- OUIGO (accessed 2026). Voyager avec un animal. OUIGO, SNCF Voyageurs.
- Direction de l’information légale et administrative (2025). Avoir un chien de catégorie : quelles sont les règles ?. Service-public.fr.
- Direction de l’information légale et administrative (2026). Voyager à l’étranger avec son animal de compagnie. Service-public.fr.
- PDSA. How to muzzle train your dog. People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals.
- Battersea. Muzzle training your dog. Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.