Vande Bharat News: Want to Travel With Your Dog by Train? Here's the Complete Process for Carrying Pets on Vande Bharat Trains
Vande Bharat: Indian Railways has introduced a 'Pet Box Service' on Vande Bharat sleeper trains, allowing passengers to transport their pets safely. Get all the details here.
Vande Bharat Pet Box Service Rules: In today's times, most people enjoy keeping pets. When they travel, they often wish to take their pets along—treating them just like family members. If you happen to own a pet and wish to take it with you on a train journey, there is good news for you. Indian Railways has now launched a 'Pet Box Service' specifically for Vande Bharat sleeper trains. This facility enables passengers to transport their pets securely; however, certain essential rules have been established for this service, and strict adherence to them is mandatory.
What is the Pet Box Service?
Regarding the Pet Box Service, the Railways provides a special metal box for transporting pets on Vande Bharat sleeper trains. This box is designed exclusively for the transportation of animals. These pet boxes are installed at both ends of the train—near the locomotives—and are kept separate from the passenger coaches.
This clearly implies that pets are not permitted inside passenger cabins or near passenger seats. However, please note that this facility is currently available on only a select few Vande Bharat sleeper routes. Therefore, it is essential to confirm the availability of this service at your departure station before embarking on your journey.
How to Book?
Bookings for the Pet Box Service cannot be made online.
To avail of this service, you must visit the Parcel or Luggage Office at the station to complete the offline booking process.
The Railways advises passengers to arrive at the station at least 3 hours prior to the train's scheduled departure.
This ensures that all necessary formalities can be completed in a timely manner.
Key Points to Keep in Mind:
You must possess a confirmed train ticket.
This facility is not available for passengers holding RAC (Reservation Against Cancellation) or Waiting List tickets. Generally, only one pet is permitted per PNR.
If you wish to transport more than one pet, it is essential to plan in advance.
What documents are required?
For the Pet Box Service, you must carry certain essential documents with you:
And a valid vaccination record for the pet.
What are the applicable charges?
According to current railway regulations, the charges for the Pet Box Service are calculated based on the weight of the pet.
A fee of approximately ₹30 per kilogram is levied.
Upon payment, passengers are issued a luggage ticket, which serves as proof of booking.