AC2 or AC3, in a carrier
A secure, well ventilated carrier stays at your berth for the journey. This is how most of our cat and small dog moves run, and it is the most economical option.
1A coupe or dog box - both handled end to end
Pet Travel by Train in India
Three ways to travel, depending on your pet's size: beside you in a carrier in AC2 or AC3, in a fully booked first AC coupe, or in the brake van dog box. We handle the booking, the paperwork and a handler on board for all three.
Coupe berths are limited and sell out early. The earlier you book, the better your chance of getting one for your travel date.
7+booking coupes and dog boxes across India
4,000+pets moved safely across India
Handler on boardfor every train move, coupe or dog box
Parcel officebooking and paperwork handled for you
Short answer first
How do dogs and cats actually travel by train in India?
Answer
There are three ways, and the right one depends on your pet's size. Cats, small dogs and other small pets travel beside you in a secure carrier in AC2 or AC3. Larger dogs are more comfortable in a first AC (1A) coupe or cabin booked in full under one PNR. Dogs can also travel in the brake van dog box as registered luggage.
Every option needs the pet booked at the station parcel office and a vet fitness certificate. We handle the booking, the paperwork and a handler on board, so you are not working out the parcel counter process on travel day.
Comparison
Coupe, carrier or dog box: which to pick
Swipe the table sideways to see everything.
| Factor | 1A coupe or cabin | Carrier in AC2 or AC3 | Dog box |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where your pet travels | With you in the booked coupe or cabin | With you at your berth, inside a carrier | In the brake van, a separate ventilated compartment |
| Who it suits | Larger dogs, anxious pets, and anyone wanting private space | Cats, small dogs and other small pets | Dogs only, travelling without you |
| Booking | 2 tickets for a coupe, 4 for a cabin, same PNR | Your normal ticket, plus the pet booking at the parcel office | Your ticket plus a separate parcel booking |
| Carrier needed | Optional, your pet has the coupe to itself | Yes, a secure ventilated carrier throughout | Travels in the railway dog box |
| Supervision | Constant, your pet is beside you | Constant, the carrier stays at your berth | Guard, plus handler checks at halts |
| Typical cost, one pet | ₹15,000 to ₹32,000 depending on distance | ₹9,000 to ₹18,000 depending on distance | ₹9,000 to ₹20,000 depending on distance |
| Best for | Long routes and pets that need room | Cats and small pets on most routes | Calm, independent dogs on a tighter budget |
The railway prices the pet booking on a notional weight rather than your pet's actual weight, so a 4 kg cat and a 25 kg Labrador cost the same in a coupe. See the full cost guide for route wise figures.
Choosing a coach
Which coach should you book?
Book your own ticket around your pet, not the other way round. This is what we recommend by pet size, based on the moves we run every week.
First AC coupe or cabin
Private space with room to lie down and stretch. Needs the full coupe booked, so book early, since berths are limited and go quickly on popular routes.
Brake van dog box
Your dog travels as registered luggage in a ventilated enclosure. Our handler rides the same train and checks on them at every halt.
Not sure which suits your dog or cat? Tell us the breed, the weight and the route, and we will tell you which coach we would book and why.
How it works
How train travel is booked, step by step
- Step 1
Pick the option that suits your pet
A cat or small dog usually travels beside you in a carrier in AC2 or AC3. A larger dog is more comfortable in a booked 1A coupe, which needs 2 confirmed tickets under one PNR, or 4 for a cabin. Dogs can also travel in the brake van dog box.
- Step 2
Arrange the vet certificate
A fitness certificate from a registered vet, issued close to the travel date, along with an up to date vaccination record including rabies.
- Step 3
Visit the parcel or luggage office
On travel day, present the confirmed tickets and the vet certificate at the station parcel office. Your pet is weighed in its crate and the booking clerk issues the pet ticket against the notional weight slab.
- Step 4
Board and travel
In a coupe or at your berth in AC2 or AC3, your pet travels beside you. For the dog box, our handler travels on the same train in a passenger coach and checks on your dog at every halt.
- Step 5
Arrival and handover
Our handler collects your pet at the destination station and completes the doorstep delivery, the same as any other move.
Not sure which coach to book?
Tell us your route, your pet's breed and weight, and a rough date. We will tell you which coach we would book, check availability and give you a straight cost.
Questions people ask
Pet train travel FAQs
How do I travel with a dog on an Indian train?
Three ways, depending on size. Small dogs travel beside you in a secure carrier in AC2 or AC3. Larger dogs are more comfortable in a fully booked first AC (1A) coupe or cabin. Dogs can also travel in the brake van dog box as registered luggage, with or without you on the train.
Whichever option you pick, the pet is booked at the station parcel office and needs a vet fitness certificate. We handle both, and a handler travels with your dog if you are not going yourself.
Can I carry a cat in AC2 or AC3 in a carrier?
Yes. This is how most of our cat moves by train actually run. Your cat stays in a secure, well ventilated carrier at your berth for the whole journey, with the pet booked at the parcel office alongside your ticket.
A 1A coupe is the roomier option if you want private space, and it is what we suggest on very long routes. Cats cannot use the brake van dog box, which is built for dogs.
What is a dog box on Indian Railways?
The dog box is a small, ventilated enclosure inside the guard's brake van, built specifically for dogs travelling as registered luggage. On newer Vande Bharat sleeper trains it sits near the locomotive end instead of the guard's van.
Your dog travels alone in the dog box, without you in the same compartment, though our handler stays on the same train and checks on them at every halt.
How much does it cost to send a pet by train in India?
A 1A coupe move typically costs ₹15,000 to ₹32,000 for one pet depending on distance, and the dog box option typically costs ₹9,000 to ₹20,000. The railway prices on a notional weight, 60 kg for a coupe and 30 kg for the dog box, not your pet's actual weight.
See our full route wise cost guide for exact ranges on your specific journey.
Do I need to book two tickets for a coupe, or four for a cabin?
Yes. A coupe seats two and needs two confirmed tickets on the same PNR to be booked in full. A cabin seats four and needs all four booked. Booking fewer seats does not qualify for pet travel, since the whole space must be reserved for your exclusive use.
What documents does my pet need to travel by train?
An up to date vaccination record including rabies, and a fitness to travel certificate from a registered vet issued shortly before departure. We arrange the certificate through our local vet network if you do not already have one.
Can rabbits and other small pets travel by train?
Yes. Rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets travel in a secure carrier beside you, the same as cats, in AC2, AC3 or a booked 1A coupe. The dog box is built for dogs, so small pets always travel with a person.
Keep reading
Compare the other travel modes
Pet travel by airAirline policy, flight charges, and cabin versus cargo.Pet taxi and road travelDoor to door road transport with no crate limit.Full pet relocation cost guideRoute wise pricing for road, train and air.Dog transport servicesBreed specific guidance across all travel modes.Cat transport servicesWhy cats need a different plan from dogs.Cities and routes we serveLocal pickup detail and route wise cost.