Traveling With Your Dog in India: Train, Car and Flight

Travelling with a pet in India is very doable, but each mode has its own paperwork and its own failure points.

By train

Indian Railways allows dogs in first-class AC coupes or the brake van. Book ahead, carry the vaccination certificate, and expect to pay a luggage charge. Reserve the whole coupe where possible.

By car

Use a crate or a harness seatbelt — an unrestrained dog is dangerous in a sudden stop. Never leave a dog in a parked car; interior temperature rises fatally within minutes in Indian conditions.

By air

Domestic airlines vary; most require a health certificate issued close to travel and an IATA-compliant crate. Snub-nosed breeds are often refused because of breathing risk.

Reduce the stress

Practise short journeys first. Withhold food a few hours before travel to reduce sickness, but never water.