Taking your dog on French transport
A flat fare on the railways, free travel on the Paris network, and one rule that decides everything: the size of the dog.
SNCF: a flat pet fare from €10 per train, whatever the distance. Small dogs travel in a closed bag of 45 × 30 × 25 cm maximum, on your lap or at your feet; larger dogs on a leash and muzzle, at your feet. Two animals per passenger, maximum.
RATP (Paris): free. Small dogs in a closed carrier, anywhere on the network. Large dogs on a leash and muzzle, in the metro and RER only — not buses, not trams.
On trains
The SNCF pet fare applies on TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS and OUIGO, from €10 per animal per train regardless of distance. Book it with your ticket; it can usually be added afterwards on SNCF Connect.
The format depends on size: under roughly 6 kg, the dog travels in a closed bag or basket of 45 × 30 × 25 cm maximum. Above that, on a leash and muzzle, lying at your feet — never on a seat. Regional TER services sometimes apply looser rules, occasionally free travel for small animals.
International services differ: Eurostar carries small containers free and charges for larger dogs; in Switzerland and Germany, small animals in carriers often travel without a supplement.
Metro, RER, bus and tram
On the RATP network no ticket is required for an animal. Small dogs, cats and rodents travel free in a closed carrier suited to their size, everywhere.
Large dogs travel free too, but only in the metro and the RER, on a leash and muzzled. They are not allowed on buses or trams. Dogs classified in categories 1 and 2 are not admitted at all.
Guide and assistance dogs
- SNCF: free, no pet ticket, and no muzzle if the dog is not used to one.
- RATP: admitted everywhere, unmuzzled, on a leash with its identification harness.
- Carry the disability card or handler certificate — it may be asked for.
And once you arrive?
The journey is the easy part: those rules are written down. It gets harder on the ground — the café across the street, the museum, dinner. None of them publish their dog policy on Google Maps.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a train ticket for a dog cost in France?
- The SNCF pet fare starts at €10 per animal per train on TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS and OUIGO, whatever the distance. Regional TER services may charge differently, sometimes nothing for small animals.
- Does my dog need a muzzle on the train?
- Yes if it travels on a leash rather than in a carrier. A small dog in a closed bag does not. Guide and assistance dogs are exempt if they are not used to a muzzle.
- Are large dogs allowed on the Paris metro?
- Yes, free of charge, on a leash and muzzled, in the metro and the RER. They are not allowed on buses or trams.
- How many animals can I take on a train?
- Two per passenger at most, each with its own pet fare.
The guides
- Dogs in French restaurants: what the law says
- Dogs in shops: one simple rule
- Dogs in hotels: what to know
- Dogs on the beach: the rule comes from the town hall
- Flying with your dog
Places, city by city
The verdict shows on the Google Maps listing, before you cross town.