How to book a ticket for your pet on Indian Railways: Rules, charges and step-by-step process explained
Aradhana Jha | TimesPets Bureau | Feb 16, 2026, 15:31 IST
How to book a ticket for your pet on Indian Railways: Rules, charges and step-by-step process explained
Traveling with pets in India is no longer as complex as it appeared to be. While there are size and breed restrictions for air travel, train travel in Indian Railways provides a convenient and cost-effective solution for pet owners, provided you follow the proper procedure. Here’s everything you need to know before embarking on a train journey with your pet.
Traveling with pets in India is no longer as complex as it appeared to be. While there are size and breed restrictions for air travel, train travel in Indian Railways provides a convenient and cost-effective solution for pet owners, provided you follow the proper procedure. Here’s everything you need to know before embarking on a train journey with your pet.
Understanding where pets are allowed on trains
Indian Railways allows the transportation of pets, mainly dogs and cats, but only on certain classes of travel. If you wish to travel with your pet in the same compartment, you need to book an AC First Class (1A) or First Class compartment. What’s important to note is that the entire compartment needs to be booked under the same PNR number to prevent complaints from fellow passengers.
Pets are not allowed in AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, Sleeper, Chair Car, or Second Sitting coaches. In these cases, the pet is transported in the separate dog box in the brake van, which pet owners tend to avoid as there is little supervision in these areas.
The first step in planning a comfortable journey for both you and your pet is to choose the right class of travel.
Booking your own ticket comes first
Before you proceed with booking your pet’s ticket, you need to book your own confirmed ticket from the IRCTC website or application. Waiting list tickets are not acceptable for pet tickets. As coupe and cabin seats are limited, it is always better to book in advance and opt for the coupe while making the booking.
After your ticket is confirmed and chart preparation is over, you can move on to booking your pet’s ticket.
The process of booking a ticket for your pet
Pets are considered to be luggage, as per railway norms. Earlier, pet owners had to visit the Parcel Office at the departure station a few hours prior to the train’s departure time to book the pet ticket manually. The railway authorities weigh the pet, and based on the weight, they calculate the charges and provide a luggage receipt.
In the latest updates, Indian Railways has made available an online pet booking service on the IRCTC website. Once your seat is confirmed and the charting process is completed, you can access the website and enter your pet’s details in the specific pet booking area using your PNR number.
Important documents required for pet travel
The Railways have certain documentation requirements to ensure that safety and hygiene standards are maintained. A valid vaccination certificate, especially the anti-rabies vaccination certificate, is an absolute necessity. In addition to that, a “Fit to Travel” certificate from a registered veterinarian, preferably within 24 to 48 hours of travel, is usually mandatory.
You must also have copies of your confirmed ticket, government-recognized ID, and all your pet details, including breed, age, color, and sex. These are sometimes mentioned in the booking receipt.
Since pets are also booked as "luggage," the cost is computed according to weight. If the pet accompanies you in AC First Class or First Class, the cost is normally higher than when transported in the dog box of the brake van. The cost is computed according to the guidelines of the railway luggage tariff.
If your pet is discovered traveling without proper booking, the fine can be several times the normal luggage charge. Hence, proper booking is necessary to avoid any trouble during the journey.
Although you may have booked a coupe seat, railway officials have the right to move your pet to the luggage van if other passengers object and the coupe is not exclusively booked under a single PNR.
Celebrate the bond with your pets, explore Health & Nutrition, discover Breeds, master Training Tips, Behavior Decoder, and set out on exciting Travel Tails with Times Pets!
Understanding where pets are allowed on trains
Indian Railways allows the transportation of pets, mainly dogs and cats, but only on certain classes of travel. If you wish to travel with your pet in the same compartment, you need to book an AC First Class (1A) or First Class compartment. What’s important to note is that the entire compartment needs to be booked under the same PNR number to prevent complaints from fellow passengers.
Pets are not allowed in AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, Sleeper, Chair Car, or Second Sitting coaches. In these cases, the pet is transported in the separate dog box in the brake van, which pet owners tend to avoid as there is little supervision in these areas.
The first step in planning a comfortable journey for both you and your pet is to choose the right class of travel.
Booking your own ticket comes first
Before you proceed with booking your pet’s ticket, you need to book your own confirmed ticket from the IRCTC website or application. Waiting list tickets are not acceptable for pet tickets. As coupe and cabin seats are limited, it is always better to book in advance and opt for the coupe while making the booking.
After your ticket is confirmed and chart preparation is over, you can move on to booking your pet’s ticket.
The process of booking a ticket for your pet
Pets are considered to be luggage, as per railway norms. Earlier, pet owners had to visit the Parcel Office at the departure station a few hours prior to the train’s departure time to book the pet ticket manually. The railway authorities weigh the pet, and based on the weight, they calculate the charges and provide a luggage receipt.
In the latest updates, Indian Railways has made available an online pet booking service on the IRCTC website. Once your seat is confirmed and the charting process is completed, you can access the website and enter your pet’s details in the specific pet booking area using your PNR number.
Important documents required for pet travel
The Railways have certain documentation requirements to ensure that safety and hygiene standards are maintained. A valid vaccination certificate, especially the anti-rabies vaccination certificate, is an absolute necessity. In addition to that, a “Fit to Travel” certificate from a registered veterinarian, preferably within 24 to 48 hours of travel, is usually mandatory.
You must also have copies of your confirmed ticket, government-recognized ID, and all your pet details, including breed, age, color, and sex. These are sometimes mentioned in the booking receipt.
Since pets are also booked as "luggage," the cost is computed according to weight. If the pet accompanies you in AC First Class or First Class, the cost is normally higher than when transported in the dog box of the brake van. The cost is computed according to the guidelines of the railway luggage tariff.
If your pet is discovered traveling without proper booking, the fine can be several times the normal luggage charge. Hence, proper booking is necessary to avoid any trouble during the journey.
Although you may have booked a coupe seat, railway officials have the right to move your pet to the luggage van if other passengers object and the coupe is not exclusively booked under a single PNR.
Celebrate the bond with your pets, explore Health & Nutrition, discover Breeds, master Training Tips, Behavior Decoder, and set out on exciting Travel Tails with Times Pets!