"Can my dog come on the train?" and "what happens to the buggy at the airport?" are two of the most common questions from dog buggy owners who want to travel. The short answer: it's almost always possible, but the conditions vary a lot by carrier and by country. This article summarises the essentials for train, plane, and outdoor cafés in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Spain.
Important upfront: transport conditions change regularly and differ by operator, station, or municipality. The information below is a general guideline based on the most recent official sources. If in doubt, always check the current terms of the specific train, airline, or venue before you travel.
1. Taking the dog buggy on the train
At most railway operators, the rule isn't tied to the buggy itself but to the size of your dog: a dog that's "cat-sized or smaller" and stays inside a closed carrier, bag, or crate usually travels for free. A larger dog on a leash almost always needs a separate ticket or supplement.
| Country / operator | Small, in a closed carrier | Large dog on a leash |
|---|---|---|
| NL: NS | free, cat-sized or smaller | Dog Day Ticket, around €3.70 |
| BE: NMBS/SNCB | free up to 30 × 55 × 30 cm | pet supplement, around €3 per ride |
| DE: Deutsche Bahn | free, cat-sized or smaller | child ticket + muzzle required |
| FR: SNCF (TER/TGV/OUIGO) | free on TER up to 6 kg in a closed bag; around €7–10 on TGV/OUIGO | separate ticket + muzzle required |
| ES: Renfe | free in Preferente/Larga Distancia up to 10 kg in a carrier max. 60×35×35 cm; otherwise 25% of the fare | "mascota grande" ticket on selected AVE lines up to 40 kg, muzzle required on the platform |
The buggy itself can usually just be folded up and taken as hand luggage, like a pushchair. If in doubt, ask at the counter or the conductor whether there's a separate spot for larger luggage. For an AirBuggy this is easy: the frame folds down in one motion to just 30 cm thick.
2. Taking the dog buggy to the airport
Important to realise: the dog buggy and the carrier your dog actually travels in during the flight are two different things. During the flight, your dog needs to be in an IATA-compliant, ventilated carrier or crate that fits under the seat in front of you (for small pets) or is transported as checked baggage/cargo (for larger dogs); the buggy itself doesn't go into the cabin with your dog inside it.
Most airlines treat the buggy as an object the same way they treat a pushchair: check it in folded as hold baggage, or bring it to the gate and hand it over there ("gate-check"), after which it's waiting for you again at the aircraft steps or the baggage belt on arrival. This varies a lot by airline: some count the buggy toward your baggage weight, others treat it as a free extra item just like pushchairs. Always contact the airline in advance about this.
For the exact size charts for travel carriers by airline (for your dog itself, not the buggy), see our article flying with your pet: carrier size guide by airline.
3. Taking your dog(gy buggy) to an outdoor café
None of the five countries has a general law banning dogs from outdoor terraces. Terraces are outdoor space, so the strict hygiene rules that apply inside hospitality venues (which keep dogs out of food preparation and storage areas) don't apply here. In practice, the owner decides whether dogs are welcome, both on the terrace and indoors. Most terraces are dog-friendly, as long as your dog stays on a leash or in the buggy and doesn't wander loose between the tables.
One exception applies everywhere: recognised assistance dogs (guide dogs, service dogs) can never be refused, not even indoors, and that's true in all five countries.
4. Practical tips for on the go
- Buy the pet supplement or ticket in advance: buying on board is almost always more expensive than a ticket bought online or at the counter beforehand.
- Bring vaccination and identification papers for cross-border train journeys, even though they're rarely asked for.
- Only fold the buggy right before boarding: that way your dog keeps their familiar spot for as long as possible.
- Call the airline directly about the buggy as a piece of luggage: this is rarely stated clearly on the website and varies by airline and even by flight type.
With a bit of preparation, travelling with a dog buggy is rarely a problem in practice. Most carriers and hospitality venues are more dog-friendly than you'd expect. Still looking for the right buggy for your travels? Check out our dog buggy buying guide.
