If your plus one has four paws and you’re taking them on a trip by car or train, you need to brush up on the rules and regulations. And, if you need some tips on making the journey safe and comfortable for your pet, we’ve got that covered, too.
4th August 2025
Whether you’ve booked a pet-friendly staycation or are off to visit friends or family with your four-legged friend in tow, there are some essential things to know about travelling with pets to ensure you don’t fall foul of the law.
According to recent pet travel statistics, 37% of families now travel with their furry friends – a 19% increase over the last decade. Over half of the UK’s pet owners are planning to travel with their animal companions in 2025. A third expect to do so six or more times throughout the year.
And, whether you’re planning to travel by car (read on for top tips on making the journey safe and comfortable for your pet) or by public transport, there are regulations you need to abide by.
Travelling with pets has more rules than you think
Travelling with pets comes with strict rules and potential hefty penalties, from fines of up to £5,000 and points on your licence for letting your dog hang their head out the window on a hot day, to £1,000 fines for breaking Transport for London rules on public transport.
With this in mind, the experts at the new driver insurance company Zego investigated the legal requirements and potential penalties of travelling with pets by both car and rail.
Travelling by car
Under Rule 57 of the Highway Code, drivers must ensure that dogs are suitably restrained in vehicles to prevent distractions and injuries. Here are some examples of how pets can be secured in the car:
- Pet seatbelts
- Harnesses
- Crates and carriers
- Boot or luggage guards
Failing to restrain a pet properly can lead to fines up to £5,000, points on your driving licence, and potential insurance issues. This comes under careless and inconsiderate driving in the Highway Code.
Common examples of failing to properly restrain a pet include:
- Letting your pet sit in the front seat
- Letting your pet travel in a car seat unrestrained
- Letting your dog hang their head out of the car window
- Carrying your pet on your lap in the car
Leaving pets in the car
In the UK, there isn't a specific law that outright states it's illegal to leave your pet in the car. However, the Animal Welfare Act 2006 makes it illegal to mistreat or neglect animals. Leaving a pet in a car in conditions that could cause suffering or harm, such as extreme summer heat, falls under neglect and can be prosecuted.
The maximum penalty for an offence under section 9 (failure to ensure welfare of animals) is imprisonment for a term not exceeding 51 weeks or a fine up to level 5 on the standard scale (currently £5,000), or both.
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Travelling by public transport
New research from the Department for Transport shows that passengers are more likely to take the train for leisure travel. Between April 2023 to March 2024, there were 1,612 million passenger rail journeys.
National Rail
You can bring up to two pets free of charge on train travel throughout the UK.These are the conditions:
- No more than two pets per person
- Pets cannot be taken into the buffet or restaurant cars
- Pets are not allowed on the seats
- Animals other than dogs must be conveyed in a fully enclosed basket or carrier with enough space to allow the animal to stand and lie down in comfort
- Dogs must be kept on a lead
- Pets should be carried on escalators
Transport for London
Transport for London (TfL) allows travel with dogs on their buses, Tube, trams, DLR, London Overground and Elizabeth services, as long as you follow these rules:
- Your pet is not dangerous or uncontrollable
- Your pet is kept on a lead or in a suitable container
- You do not allow your pet on a seat
- You use the wide gates
- You use a staircase or a lift
Breaking any of these rules could result in a level 3 fine of £1000.
Some exceptions apply to guide dogs. It’s recommended to consult TfL’s website directly.
9 top tips for happy canine car trips
“Car travel is an important part of life for many dogs as it enables them to explore new and exciting places. But if you don’t follow good advice, it can lead to stress, anxiety and even a visit to the vet – not so exciting,” advises Dogs Trust. “It’s important to make sure dogs are always safe and feel confident when travelling in the car, regardless of where they might be going.”
- Start by training reluctant travellers With dogs that are car travel novices, or those that become anxious at the jangle of car keys, start by getting them accustomed to your car. Under supervision and in a safe area where they can’t make a fast exit, let them explore inside your parked vehicle in their own time. Next, spend a few minutes each day in the stationary car with your dog, offering them part of their daily dog food allowance or a tasty treat or two, so they begin to associate positive experiences with it. Once your dog connects your car with good things, they should happily hop in. Build on this by taking your canine companion on short trips to exciting places such as the park or woods. As their confidence grows, you can then gradually increase the duration of trips.
- Let your dog burn off excess energy It’s a good idea to take your dog on a long walk before your trip. This ensures that their energy levels are depleted, and they are happy to lie down and snooze once you’re on the road.
- Reduce the risk of car sickness Dogs can get car sick just the same as humans, so don’t feed a large meal right before setting off. A light snack, a couple of hours before departure, is ideal. To help with motion sickness, some dogs may benefit from travelling on a pet beanbag. These create a safe spot to nestle in, without rolling about too much with the motion of the vehicle. A few favourite toys and familiar bedding can also help your dog feel more settled.
- Keep it cool for your canine chum As canines sport fur coats, it’s an absolute must to keep the on-board temperature cool. Turn on the air con or keep windows open an inch or two. If it’s very hot and sunny, sun blinds on the windows may also help. However, never be tempted to let your dog hang their head out of the window. Debris from the road could damage their nose, mouth and eyes, which were not designed to travel at 70mph. And it just doesn’t bear thinking about what could happen if you had to brake quickly or were involved in a collision…
- Stash some doggy supplies Take plenty of provisions – pack a rucksack with a bowl, bottles of water, some food and treats, poop scoop bags, a towel, an extra lead and a blanket to lie on.
- Remember that dogs love careful drivers Keep your driving steady and avoid braking sharply or accelerating quickly, as this can frighten your dog.
- Plan some pit stops Break up long journeys with frequent stops – at least every two hours – so your dog can stretch their legs. Take a lead walk somewhere with interesting smells, and provide the opportunity to toilet and have a drink. A useful resource is Driving with Dogs, which has details of walks along main UK driving routes.
- Tag your dog In addition to ensuring your dog is microchipped, make sure they are wearing a collar with an identification tag that includes your mobile phone number, just in case they run off in a strange place.
- Never forget the golden rule Remember that dogs die in hot cars and, even on a cool day, the inside of a car can become like an oven within minutes. Never take the risk – never, ever leave your dog alone in your car under any circumstances.
Top tips for travelling on the train with pets
“We often need to get to places with our pets on public transport. Luckily, this is made a little bit easier for us due to train services allowing dogs, cats and small animals,” says animal welfare charity Blue Cross. “However, there are certain things that you can do to make your pet’s journey on the train more enjoyable for the both of you, and other passengers.”
The charity has these top training tips to help make your pet’s journey as stress-free as possible:
- Start with short trips Introduce your dog to the train in short bursts – and start training your dog as young as possible. Pairing new experiences with something nice is always a great way to reinforce calm behaviour.
- Ease them into the environment Start by taking them into the ticket hall and letting them get used to the crowds by positively rewarding them when they sit or look at ease. For some dogs, you may need to get them to concentrate on you so that they learn to pay attention to you in a busy environment. Once they’re happy in the ticket hall, start to introduce them to the ticket barriers by walking through using treats or strokes to make them feel more relaxed.
- Try a one-stop journey If you feel that he/she is now confident in the hustle and bustle of the ticket hall, you can take your first journey. Try to get a seat with space so that your dog can sit/lie on the floor beside you. Start by taking the train to the next station, closely monitoring how your dog reacts and build up the time on trains from there. Some dogs will be more anxious than others, so, if you think that your dog is stressed on the train, try to limit your time spent on them.
The charity also shares these safety guidelines:
- Use the accessibility and mobility access gate when entering the station with your pet – this gives you more time and space to get through the ticket barriers.
- Stay behind the yellow line on the platform.
- Do not trespass on the tracks or any other part of the railway that is not available to passengers.
- If you have an elderly dog, use lifts instead of stairs (where provided) at the station to lessen the strain on your dog and to avoid causing any obstruction on the stairways.
- You must always ensure that you carry water for your dog on long train journeys.
- Even if your dog enjoys being around other dogs, it may be best to keep them separate if you see another dog on transportation. Stress and anxiety can cause your dog to react differently in certain situations.
- Ask people not to stroke your dog unless you know they are comfortable with this.
- If your dog does have a fear of unfamiliar people, then you should avoid the train.
- Avoid travelling during rush hour.
- If the train is too full, wait for the next one. Don’t try to squeeze on with your pet. If in a pet carrier, they may feel overwhelmed, and, if on a lead, they may get their paws stepped on!
Good dog! How to make dog training a success >>
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