Traveling with your pet

BARCELONA SUBURBAN TRAI

Small pets can be transported on all Rodalies de Catalunya [suburban commuter trains] services, for free in the case of the suburban trains, and with advance payment of 25% of the base fare if traveling on regional services.

• Pets must travel under the owner's custody on all journey legs and provided that the other passengers do not object or are inconvenienced. The traveler shall be responsible for any damage that may be caused by such animals, provided that the occupancy of the train does not require this right to be modified.
• Dogs must wear a muzzle and collar and be held on a leash from the moment that they enter the railway premises.
• Small animals must travel in baskets or cages and may under no circumstances occupy a seat.
• Dogs considered potentially dangerous under the legislation in force may not be in the charge of children under the age of 16.
• The person in charge of the dog must carry the relevant license and certificate recording its entry in the municipal register, and the leash must be no longer than two metres and non-extendable.
• In any case, only one animal per passenger shall be permitted.
• Guide and service dogs will be allowed to travel with their duly identified owners for free.

CAR

What does the regulation say?

There are no specific regulations that indicate how dogs - or other animals - should travel in a car or what devices or accessories to use. However, the latest reform of the Traffic Act does specify the driver's responsibility to "take special care to maintain proper position and also the rest of the passengers, and proper placement of objects or animals transported to avoid interference between the driver and any of them".

According to this general precept, traveling with loose animals can result in a fine of 100 euros because of the risk that they may interfere with the driver's freedom of movement or field of vision. If deemed negligent driving, the penalty could reach 200 euros.

What restraint systems are safest for traveling with our dog?

Discarding the option for the animal to travel loose or - what is the same - in the arms of its owner, there are several options on the market for the safe transport of dogs. The choice of the most suitable system will primarily depend on the size of the animal and the characteristics of the vehicle.

As detailed in the magazine Tráfico-published by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT)-in the article Mascotas sobre ruedas [Pets on wheels], the main restraint systems are:

RENFE (Long distance and AVE high-speed train

Travel on AVE, Larga Distancia (Long Distance), Avant, Media Distancia Convencional (Conventional Mid-Distance), Cercanías (Commuter) and Feve trains is limited to small pets, such as, dogs, cats, ferrets and birds (not farmyard animals). They will be allowed on trains, always under the owner's custody on all journey legs and provided that the other passengers do not object or are inconvenienced. The following indications apply:

• The animal must travel with the documentation and comply with health and safety conditions established in current legislation.
• Guide and service dogs will be allowed to travel with their duly identified owners for free.
• Trainers and socialization agents have the same access rights as guide/service dog owners when they are accompanied by them during training. They must also be duly identified.
• Only one animal per passenger will be allowed.
• It should be kept in a discreet spot during the journey by the owner's feet so that it interacts as little as possible with other passengers, and should be kept under control by its owner at all times.
• The maximum weight of the animals must not exceed 10 kg.
• They must always travel in a cage, carrier or other type of closed container that measures 60x35x35 cm and has a waste storage and removal system.
• Animals will travel with a ticket without seat occupancy.

Prices:

• In AVE and Larga Distancia (Long Distance) trains, pet transport is free in First Class, First Class sleeper or Grand Class and Grand Comfort seat. For other classes, they will pay 25% of a Standard and Standard+ fare.

• On Avant and Media Distancia Convencional (Conventional Mid-Distance) trains, they will pay 25% of the Standard fare

FLYING WITH ANIMALS

Pets can travel as baggage if the corresponding fare is paid, which will depend on each airline, regardless of the passenger fare.

As a general rule, animals should be checked in and stowed in the hold of the aircraft, where they will be placed in a travel box or container that can be obtained from some airlines.

In the correct conditions, they can sometimes travel with their owners in the passenger cabin, but the maximum dimensions of the carrier and the maximum permissible animal weight applied by each airline must be respected.

We recommend that you consult with the airline when you make a reservation or buy a ticket; they will inform you about the specific conditions of transport (identification documentation, vaccination, microchip, sizes and weight of the transport container...)

Guide and service dogs can board with passengers at no additional cost, provided they have a muzzle, collar and lead. If the dog is traveling in the cabin, it will be placed next to the passenger in a place indicated by the crew. We recommend you notify the airline a minimum of 48 hours in advance.

(Text extracted from: Government of Catalonia)