Can I bring pets on board the train?

Animals that are permitted to be brought on board our trains are dogs, cats, rodents in cages, caged birds, and small turtles. Dogs must be on a leash on board the train. Vy’s staff may refuse carriage to passengers accompanied by animals if the animal will cause a nuisance or inconvenience to other passengers, or if it poses a safety risk to others. Special rules apply to guide dogs and assistance dogs.

You may also bring aquarium fish provided they are securely and responsibly carried in containers. Other types of animals are not welcome on board our trains; these include insects, spiders, reptiles and amphibians.

Dogs and other pets may not be brought into sleeping compartments, Plus carriages, our onboard Kafé, as well as family-friendly or animal-free zones. Guide and other service dogs are exempt from this rule and are permitted in sleeping and family-friendly carriages, in connection with pre-booked wheelchair spaces.

Please note: When there is a rail replacement bus for your departure, we cannot guarantee that you can bring along your pet. In these cases, there may be additional waiting time for alternative transport.

Space on board

On the Bergen Line there is a limited number of spaces available for pets on each train departure. Spaces for pets are located in designated, marked areas in separate marked areas, so keep in mind that there may be several pets in the same area at any given time.

When you buy a ticket, you can reserve a seat/buy a ticket for one pet per traveler. On local trains and regional trains in carriages without seat reservation, you can bring two small pets per traveler. It is the train staff who determine whether there is room for more pets on board. Look for the sign on the door for animal-friendly carriages.

Pets cannot sit in the seat, but must lie on the floor. This applies to both large and small pets and on trains with and without seat reservation. On longer journeys, we recommend that you bring a non-slip blanket for your animal to sit or lie on, as the floor on board can be slippery.

Tickets for pets

Pets with a shoulder height that exceeds 40 centimeters pay 50 per cent of the standard adult ticket. You can also buy a season ticket with a student discount for your pet. On the Bergen Line, you are allocated an extra seat so that the animal can be on the floor by the window, while you sit in the aisle seat.

Pets whose shoulder height is less than 40 cm accompany you free of charge. The pet must be on the floor by your feet and you will not be given an extra seat. If you travel with the Bergen Line and want an extra seat for more floor space, you can buy a pet ticket even if the animal has a shoulder height of less than 40 cm.

Guide dogs and service dogs

Guide dogs for the blind and visually impaired which have been registered with the authorities, travel free of charge when working. This presupposes that the dog is equipped with a harness and handle for the visually impaired individual. The service dog must be wearing its vest to ensure that the conductor is able to see that the dog is working.

If a guide dog is taken on trains that are subject to reservation, a (free) ticket must be booked for the dog in advance via our customer service team. In the case of trains that are not subject to reservation, there is no need to book a ticket for the dog in advance.

Dogs from Norske Redningshunder

Search and rescue dogs trained by Norske Redningshunder that are travelling to training sessions or are in service, travel free of charge provided they display their triangular badge. Additionally, dog handlers must present valid Norske Redningshunder identification to conductors.

Travelling with animals to/from Sweden

Please note that if you are travelling to or from Sweden with animals in your care, it is important that you thoroughly familiarize yourself with customs rules and regulations ahead of your journey so that your pet will not be quarantined.

Dogs must have a microchip implant with an unique ID-number, a valid passport and documentation showing that the dog has received preventative treatment against the cyclophyllid tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, mainly found in foxes. Such ‘fox tapeworm’ treatment must have been administered by a veterinarian, no later than 24 hours prior to crossing the border into Norway. The veterinarian must certify the treatment in the dog’s passport.

The above regulations pertain to all passengers bringing dogs — even those on day- or weekend-long trips between Norway and Sweden. For information on cross-border travels with animals other than dogs, visit the Norwegian Food Safety Authority website at mattilsynet.no⁠External link.