Enclosed, not walked
Dogs benefit from a walk at every halt. A cat let out at a station is a cat that bolts, so the carrier stays closed and covered for the whole journey.
Carrier travel in AC2 and AC3, not only 1st AC
Cats do not travel like dogs, so we do not plan them like dogs. Enclosed, covered and undisturbed, with a handler who understands that a startled cat is a cat that bolts.
Most companies only offer first AC for cats. We also run carrier travel in AC2 and AC3 with a handler, which costs considerably less.
Short answer first
Answer
Four ways. A carrier at your berth in AC2 or AC3 is how most of our cat moves run and is the most economical. A first AC coupe is quieter and suits nervous cats or long routes. Road works well under about 1,000 km. Air suits long cross country moves, though flat faced breeds are restricted from the cargo hold.
The railway dog box is not available for cats. A cat always travels with a person, either with you or with one of our handlers.
Cat relocation costs roughly ₹6,000 to ₹60,000 depending on the route and mode. Cats usually cost less than large dogs, because weight drives both crate size and air cargo pricing.
Travel options
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| Option | How it works | Suits | Cost, one cat | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrier in AC2 or AC3 | Secure basket or crate at your berth, handler alongside | Most cats, most routes | ₹9,000 to ₹18,000 | The cost effective option. Many companies only offer 1st AC, we run this too. |
| First AC coupe or cabin | Private booked coupe, carrier can be opened safely | Nervous cats, long routes, multiple cats | ₹15,000 to ₹32,000 | Quietest option. Worth it when your cat is easily startled. |
| Road, by pet taxi | Dedicated vehicle, carrier stays covered and secured | Routes under about 1,000 km | From ₹6,000 | Door to door with no station crowd at either end. |
| Air | Cabin on airlines that allow it, or the hold in an IATA crate | Long cross country moves | ₹17,000 to ₹60,000 | Flat faced breeds are restricted from the hold, same as snub nosed dogs. |
Full detail on each mode: train travel, road and pet taxi, and air travel.
Cats versus dogs
Applying a dog travel plan to a cat is the most common mistake we see, and it is the one most likely to end badly.
Dogs benefit from a walk at every halt. A cat let out at a station is a cat that bolts, so the carrier stays closed and covered for the whole journey.
A covered carrier in a calm corner settles a cat faster than a larger open space. We prioritise reducing noise and sightlines over giving room to move.
Litter breaks are planned in a closed, secure space only, never on an open platform. On long journeys a lined carrier handles this between stops.
The railway brake van dog box is built for dogs. A cat always travels with a person, either with you or with our handler.
Moving a dog as well? See our dog transport services, where the guidance is built around size and breed instead.
By breed
Weights are adult breed standards. Temperament matters more than weight for cats, so these notes are about handling rather than mode.
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| Breed | Typical weight | What we do differently |
|---|---|---|
| Indie and domestic shorthair | 3 to 5 kg | Adventurous and prone to escape. Collar, leash and harness matter more here than with any other cat. |
| Persian and Himalayan | 3 to 5.5 kg | Flat faced, so the same heat and airflow caution as snub nosed dogs. Calm travellers otherwise. |
| British Shorthair | 4 to 8 kg | Generally calm and settles quickly. Heavier build, so allow a roomier carrier. |
| Exotic Shorthair | 3 to 6 kg | Flat faced. Keep the carrier well ventilated and out of direct airflow. |
| Siamese and Bengal | 3 to 6 kg | Vocal and alert. A covered carrier reduces stress far more than a roomier one. |
| Maine Coon | 5 to 8 kg | Large frame needs a bigger carrier than the weight alone suggests. |
Mixed breed or not listed? Tell us the weight and how your cat behaves around strangers, which tells us more than the breed does.
The route, your cat's breed and how they handle a carrier is enough for us to recommend an option and give you a clear price on the same call.
Questions people ask
Yes, and this is how most of our cat moves actually run. Your cat travels in a secure, well ventilated basket or crate kept at your berth for the whole journey, with the pet booking made at the station parcel office alongside your ticket.
Many relocation companies only offer first AC for cats. We run AC2 and AC3 carrier travel with a handler as well, which brings the cost down significantly without changing the level of care.
Roughly ₹6,000 to ₹60,000 depending on distance and mode. Carrier travel in AC2 or AC3 runs about ₹9,000 to ₹18,000, a first AC coupe ₹15,000 to ₹32,000, and short road moves start near ₹6,000.
Cats usually cost less than large dogs on the same route, because weight drives both crate size and air cargo pricing. See the route wise cost guide for your journey.
No. The brake van dog box is built for dogs only. A cat always travels with a person, either with you at your berth or with one of our handlers on the same train.
The whole plan inverts. A dog wants walks, water stops and company at every halt. A cat wants to be left enclosed, covered and undisturbed, because a stressed cat that gets loose in a station or airport is very hard to recover.
We use a covered carrier, plan litter breaks only in closed secure spaces, and keep the carrier away from noise and direct airflow.
A secure ventilated carrier, familiar bedding or a worn t shirt, their usual food, and a collar with leash and harness. The harness matters most for Indie cats, which are the most likely to try to escape at a handover.
Vaccination records and a vet fitness certificate are needed too, with two photocopies of each to keep the parcel counter moving.
Yes, if they are bonded and already share space comfortably at home. Two bonded cats often settle better sharing one roomy carrier than they do separated, and it costs far less than two bookings.
Cats that do not get on travel in separate carriers. Tell us honestly how they behave together and we will plan around it.
Persians, Himalayans and Exotic Shorthairs are flat faced, so airlines restrict them from the cargo hold for the same breathing reasons that apply to Pugs and Bulldogs. Cabin travel may still be possible on airlines that carry pets, since most cats are within cabin weight limits.
For a longer route where the cabin is not available, a first AC coupe is usually the better answer than trying to fly.
Yes. Kittens travel in a smaller, well lined carrier with more frequent feeding. Road or train travel suits them better than air, since airlines apply minimum age rules and a cargo hold is a harsh first journey for a young cat.
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