This Pet Parent Couple Suggests Tips to Travel with a Dog on Public Transport

Travelling with a pet in a public mode of transport is one of the toughest things to do in India because of the stringent rules. But, this couple has travelled to 16 states and visited over 50 cities with their pet, covering every corner of the country.  As pet parents of Poppins, their beagle, Simran and Rajit travel with their pet across India and make content with him. Together, they run an Instagram page called Triplesundae, where they share their pet travel and parenting adventures. “We've been travelling across India and overseas since our college days, and ever since we adopted Poppins about seven years ago, he has been our constant companion, says Simran, the pet parent. As an ardent nature lover, Poppins has made all their adventures more exciting. In this blog, they share their experiences and tips on how to travel with your pet in different modes of transport across India.

Traveling with Your Pet by Train

Many people are unaware that Indian Railways has been providing pet travel services for decades. You can bring your pet along in the 1st AC compartment, but the process requires a bit of planning:

Booking Tickets: You need confirmed tickets for a whole coupe (2-seater) or a cabin (4-seater) in the 1st AC compartment for your dog.

Submitting an Application: An application must be submitted to the railway authorities informing them that a pet will be on board. This request is for the allocation of a coupe or cabin.

Last-minute Confirmation: The tricky part is that you only find out about the allocation four hours before departure when the chart is prepared. Only after receiving confirmation can you get a ticket for your pet from the parcel office at the railway station.

Cost: The ticket price for your pet is mainly based on the distance travelled. For instance, we paid around INR 900 for a 2,000 km journey from Delhi to Goa.

It’s important to note that only trains with 1st AC sleeper compartments allow pets since they need to travel in an enclosed area.

Flying with Your Pet

Currently, only Air India and Akasa allow pets on board in India, and they have specific rules:

Weight Limit: Pets under 10 kg can travel in the cabin, which is generally suitable for small breed dogs like Shih Tzus and French Bulldogs. Unfortunately, this means our beagle Poppins hasn't flown yet.

Paperwork: There's some paperwork involved, and only 1-2 pets are allowed per flight.

Travelling by Bus

In India, pets are not allowed to travel on public or private buses. This restriction can be challenging for pet parents who rely on public transport.

Challenges of Traveling with Pets in Public Transport

We've used autos and cabs extensively in cities like Delhi and Mumbai and faced a few challenges. The biggest issue is drivers refusing to take pets. There’s no option on private cab apps to filter for pet-friendly drivers, resulting in many cancellations. To mitigate this, we carry a small sheet to spread on the seat to help contain fur, which is the biggest concern for most drivers. We also encourage Poppins to focus on the view rather than interacting with the driver. This approach comforts drivers who are willing to take pets but may still feel uneasy around them in confined spaces.

While there are some challenges, there are some good experiences as well which we have shared with our pet. One of our most amazing experiences was an early morning Shikara ride to the vegetable market on Dal Lake in Srinagar. In February, our Shikara rider kindly offered Poppins a blanket to keep warm. When we reached the market, several vendors gifted him carrots, Nargis flowers, and even some kahwa, saying “janaab” must try their Kashmiri wares. Shopkeepers there tossed some Girda, their local breakfast bread, wrapped in newspaper for “Poppins janaab.” It was a truly heartwarming experience.

Tips for Pet Parents Travelling with Their Pets

Train Your Pet: It's essential to train your pet in basic commands for safety, maintaining distance from other commuters, and sticking with you, even if they’re lured by a cat.

Maintain Hygiene: Always carry a sheet for your pet to sit on, wipes or newspapers for emergencies, snacks, and a pet water bottle. Cleaning up after your pet is crucial for ensuring that people around don’t mind sharing space with them. 

Know Your Pet’s Limits: Understand your pet's boundaries when outdoors and ensure they don’t cause any problems for fellow commuters. 

Start Small: If you’re new to travelling with your pet, start with nearby destinations. The first few trips are a learning experience for both you and your pet. Once you get past it, you won’t face many problems. 

With the surge in the number of pets in India, it's more important than ever to train them well. Not everyone loves dogs, and as pet parents, it's our responsibility to foster an atmosphere of coexistence in public spaces. A well-trained pet and responsible pet parents can travel the world together, gathering smiles from everyone they meet. So, if you've been dreaming of a vacation with your furry friend, don't overthink it—just go for it.

This post is written by Simran, the pet parent of Poppins.