Who can be transported?

Who can be transported?

On long-distance trains, in addition to the established hand luggage, you can transport: small domestic animals, as well as dogs, cats, and birds, but no more than two per ticket. To be transported as hand luggage, the animal must fit into a carrier whose sum of three dimensions is no more than 180 cm. 

Animal transportation is only possible in carriages marked with the “animal transportation allowed” icon. If this icon is not present, animal transportation is prohibited.

List of animals allowed for transportation as hand luggage:

1. Large breed dogs (with muzzles and leashes).

2. Primates (in cages, containers):

  • lemurs;

  • lorises;

  • small monkeys.

3. Small domestic (pet) animals (in cages, containers):

  • cats;

  • fennec foxes;

  • domesticated foxes (Belyaev's);

  • Cameroon dwarf goats;

  • Ouessant dwarf sheep (Ouessant – Breton dwarf);

  • dwarf pigs (decorative);

  • small breed dogs.

4. Small rodents (in cages, containers):

  • squirrels;

  • decorative rabbits;

  • decorative grey rats;

  • house mice;

  • nutrias;

  • gerbils;

  • guinea pigs;

  • hamsters;

  • chinchillas.

5. Insectivores (in cages, containers):

  • hedgehogs.

6. Predators (in cages, containers):

  • raccoons;

  • minks;

  • ferrets.

7. Birds (in cages).

8. Small non-venomous amphibians (in cages, terrariums):

  • axolotls;

  • tree frogs;

  • African clawed frogs;

  • newts.

9. Small non-venomous reptiles (in cages, terrariums):

  • iguanas;

  • chameleons;

  • turtles;

  • lizards.

10. Fish (in aquariums):

  • aquarium fish.

11. Mollusks (in aquariums):

  • decorative aquarium mollusks;

  • leeches.

12. Arthropods (in containers, terrariums):

crustaceans;

butterflies;

zophobas;

non-venomous spiders;

Which animals cannot be transported:

Animals and birds whose transportation may threaten the life and health of passengers, carrier employees, including those listed as permitted, if they are:

  • not domestic

  • not tamed

  • look sickly

  • experimental

  • dirty

  • have an unpleasant smell

  • not accustomed to a cage (container), or transportation on long-distance trains

  • displaying threatening or restless behavior

How much does animal transportation cost?


For the transportation of small domestic animals, dogs, cats, and birds on long-distance trains, a fee is charged, which is calculated based on the travel distance: RZD tariffs.

For example, for a trip of 90-100 km, the fee will be 413 rubles, and for 250-300 km, it will be 475.5 rubles.

When paying for all seats in a compartment, a separate fee for the transportation of small domestic animals, dogs, cats, and birds is not charged.

Conditions for animal transportation.

Transportation of small domestic animals, dogs, and birds on long-distance trains is carried out without presenting veterinary documents.

RZD does not impose requirements for animal transportation but refers to Rosselkhoznadzor's recommendations. According to these recommendations, the animal must have a veterinary passport with a valid rabies vaccination mark.

Conditions for animal transportation depend on the carriage type and service class; you can find them on the RZD website.

Small domestic animals, cats, dogs (except large, service dogs, and guide dogs), and birds are transported in boxes, baskets, cages, containers and placed in hand luggage areas, in such a way as to exclude the possibility of harm to passengers, employees, and the carrier's property. 

During the trip, the carrier must be closed, and the animal is prohibited from being released from the carrier until the end of the journey.

When transporting small domestic animals, dogs, and birds, their owners or accompanying persons must ensure compliance with sanitary and hygienic regulations in the carriage.

What the carrier should be like:

  • the sum of three dimensions should not exceed 180 cm;

  • have ventilation holes and a waterproof bottom;

  • be lockable so that the animal cannot escape on its own;

  • allow the animal to lie in a natural position, stand up, move around, and turn 360 degrees.

Transportation of large breed dogs and guide dogs. 

Transportation of large and service dogs is carried out in a separate compartment under the supervision of their owners/accompanying persons, with payment for the full cost of all unoccupied seats at the adult passenger fare, without additional payment for their transportation. The dog must have a collar and a muzzle.

The number of dogs traveling in a compartment depends on the service class of the carriage in which they are transported.

Guide dogs are transported by disabled persons in all types of carriages with a document confirming the dog's special training.

For the transportation of guide dogs, no fee is charged, and transportation documents are not issued. 

A guide dog must have a collar and a muzzle and remain at the feet of the passenger it accompanies.

International animal transportation.

Crossing the border of the Russian Federation with small domestic animals, dogs, and birds is only possible with the appropriate veterinary documents. It is best to check the current list on the Rosselkhoznadzor website to avoid missing updates:

Transportation of animals with a change of ownership or for exhibition.

If an animal is transported with a change of ownership and/or for participation in exhibition events, a veterinary certificate is required. 

The veterinary certificate is valid for 5 days before the start of the trip, throughout the entire trip, and until its completion and/or sale of the animal.

A veterinary certificate can be obtained at the Animal Disease Control Station (SBBZh). To obtain it, you must have:

  • a veterinary passport with a rabies vaccination mark. In this case, the veterinary certificate is issued no earlier than 20 days after vaccination.

  • results of laboratory tests for helminth eggs (worms), conducted in an accredited laboratory no earlier than 5 days before the trip.