Can you take a cat on a train in France? SNCF rules and harness tips

Can you take a cat on a train? In France, yes. If you want to take your cat on the train with SNCF, France's national rail operator, the rules set out on SNCF Connect (in French) require a pet ticket from €10 per journey and a closed bag or basket of 45×30×25 cm maximum, kept on your lap or at your feet for the whole trip. A harness, meanwhile, keeps your cat safe at the station, whenever they're out of the bag.

What are SNCF's rules for taking a cat on the train?

To travel by train with a cat in France, SNCF keeps the rules simple: your cat travels in a closed bag or basket of 45×30×25 cm maximum and stays in it for the entire journey. According to SNCF Connect, the bag must never go on the luggage rack, and you can't take more than two animals per passenger.

Here are the rules at a glance.

First, one thing to be clear about: on the train, your cat stays in their bag; it's before and after, on the platform and in the station, that safety really matters. For those moments, a well-fitted escape-proof vest harness and its lead stop a startled cat from darting off between your legs.

How much does a cat's train ticket cost with SNCF?

A ticket for a cat costs from €10 per journey, per animal on TGV INOUI (high-speed) and INTERCITÉS trains, with a flat fee of €10 on OUIGO, SNCF's low-cost high-speed service, according to SNCF Connect. You book it at the same time as your own ticket, up to a limit of two animals per passenger.

Watch out for outdated fares: the “€7” rate quoted by some third-party sites is an old price (early 2025). Go by the amount shown on SNCF Connect when you book.

Which carrier should you choose to take your cat on the train?

The bag or basket must stay within the 45×30×25 cm limit and close completely. Soft or rigid, it should be well ventilated, stable once set down and big enough for your cat to lie down in it without being squashed.

Line the bottom with an absorbent pad and a blanket that carries the smell of home, and get your cat used to the bag at home well before you leave (see below).

The bag for the journey, the harness for the station.

On the train, your cat stays in their bag; on a crowded platform, at a ticket check or when getting off, the Pelux escape-proof harness — a wraparound airmesh vest, barely 100 g, with its matching lead — keeps them connected to you. Discover the harness →

Do you need a harness to take your cat on the train?

No: SNCF doesn't require a harness on board, since your cat stays in their closed bag. On the other hand, a harness and lead are essential for every moment outside the bag, when a startled cat could escape.

The format matters as much as the dimensions: a foldable carrier that shrinks down to 12 cm when empty fits under the seat or in your luggage on the way back, which no rigid model can do.

The risky moments are easy to spot:

• the platform and the station — crowded, noisy and full of strangers;
• getting on and off the train, with the doors open;
• a ticket check or a connection that means handling the bag;
• any time the bag is opened — a break at a station, changing the pad, reassuring your cat.

An indoor cat who isn't used to the outside world, panicked by the crowd, can leap out of a half-open bag: the vest harness, with its wraparound panel, adjustable chest and neck clips and metal D-ring on the back, keeps them attached to their lead. Even so, no equipment is foolproof — safety comes from the fit as much as from the gear. To get the right kit, see our guide to choosing a harness, how to pick the right size from measurements (chest and neck girth, never age), our method to prevent escapes and what to do if a cat escapes on an outing.

How do you prepare your cat for a train journey?

Preparing for a train journey starts well before the big day, and first of all with the bag. According to the veterinary group Sevetys (in French), you should get your cat used to their carrier by leaving it open at home for several days before you travel, lined with a familiar blanket, so they come to see it as a reassuring place.

The same group advises putting calming pheromones in the carrier and avoiding a heavy meal just before you set off. At the same time, get your cat used to the harness in short sessions — the full method is in our guide to getting a cat used to a harness, and lead training helps when moving around the station.

If your trip strings together the metro, platforms and connections, carrying on your back leaves your hands free: a satchel-style backpack can be carried over long distances without throwing you off balance.

If you're unsure which way to travel, compare with going by car and read our tips for taking your cat on holiday.

How can you keep your cat's stress down during the train journey?

To keep stress down during the journey, keep the bag somewhere quiet, against you or at your feet, away from the busy aisles. A blanket partly covering it creates a reassuring dimness; a calm voice does more good than taking your cat out to stroke them.

According to Sevetys, calming pheromones placed in the carrier reduce travel anxiety. Above all, resist the urge to open the bag in the middle of the carriage: that's exactly where your cat is most likely to escape. Save any opening for stops, with your cat secured by their harness and lead.

Frequently asked questions

Can you take your cat out of their bag during the train journey?

No. According to SNCF Connect, your cat must stay in their closed bag or basket for the whole journey. If an exceptional situation forces you to take them out, never let go of them in the carriage: keep them on the lead attached to their harness while you close the bag and put it back in place.

How do you handle your cat's toilet needs on a long train journey?

There's no litter tray on board a train. On a long journey, line the bottom of the bag with an absorbent pad, offer the litter tray just before you leave and limit water before setting off. A calm cat can hold on for a few hours; avoid opening the bag while the train is moving to “help” them.

Are the rules for travelling with a cat the same on TER and OUIGO trains as on the TGV?

The rule of a closed bag kept with you is the same everywhere. The fare, however, varies: the flat rate from €10 applies on TGV INOUI, INTERCITÉS and OUIGO, but on TER regional trains the price is set by each region — it can even be free, as in the Pays de la Loire region, according to SNCF Connect. So check the pet fare on the TER website for the region you're travelling in before you go.

Should you book your cat's ticket in advance on SNCF Connect?

Yes, it's recommended. The pet ticket is booked at the same time as your passenger ticket, on SNCF Connect. Booking ahead guarantees a place for your cat.

Key takeaways

• To take a cat on the train in France, SNCF requires a pet ticket from €10 per journey and a closed bag of 45×30×25 cm maximum, kept with you for the whole trip.
• On the train, your cat stays in their bag; the harness and lead are for the risky transitions — crowded platform, getting on, getting off, ticket checks and opening the bag.
• Prepare for the trip by getting your cat used to their bag several days beforehand (familiar blanket, pheromones), and to the harness at the same time.
• On TER regional trains, the pet fare isn't the national flat rate but a regional price, to be checked on the TER website for the region concerned.