Summary
- Dog tickets are incredible cheap (max. 50CZK or 2€)
- Wearing a muzzle is important
- The app MujVlak is useful
- Some trains are not “barrier-free” for dogs
General rules
Czech republic has similar rules like other countries:
- Small dogs can be transported for free (if inside a container) but for larger dogs you have to buy a ticket
- Dogs have to be on a leash and wear a muzzle
- Dogs are not allowed in 1st class or in the restaurant carriage
The price of a dog ticket
The Czech Republic has extremely cheap prices for the transport of dogs in trains!
You pay a flat fee of either 30CZK (1,20€) or 50CZK (2€), depending on the travel distance. These prices apply to all types of trains: regional ones (OS) and fast ones (R, IC, EC)!
This means that you could cross the whole country of Czech Republic by express train and only pay 50 CZK (approx. 2€) for your dog. Incredible! For example:
From Decin to Ostrava (almost 5h fast train with the EC, approx. 440km) – only 50CZK/2€ for the dog ticket!
Attention: Be careful when traveling internationally. If the train crosses a border, the price for the dog suddenly becomes more expensive: Sometimes half the fare of a human passenger.
How do I book a train ticket for my dog in Czech republic?
You can buy tickets via the app MujVlak or at ticket counters in train stations. I recommend the app.
Muj Vlak is the official ticket app of the Czech public transport company Ceske Drahy.
You can download it from the App Store.
You book the ticket for yourself and just before checkout you select “Dog” under “Additional services”.
Can you only book a dog ticket without the human ticket? I don’t think so.
Train types in the Czech Republic
OS (“Osobní Vlak”) regional trains, come in all shapes and colours, and usually stop at all stations on the route
R (“Rychlik”) fast trains that can be found on all main lines in the Czech Republic, less comfort (rarely air conditioning, no electricity sockets, and not very dog-friendly as explained below)
IC (“InterCity”) express trains that run on the main lines from Prague to Brno and Breclav as well as to Ostrava and Opava. Similar to EuroCity and Expres, they only stop at the most important railway stations
EC (“EuroCity”) International express trains connecting the Czech Republic with the following countries: Germany, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Austria.
SC (Pendolino) EN NJ Private train operators such as Regiojet and Leo-Express
R trains are not exactly dog-friendly!
Despite their “R” name, R trains (“Rychlik”) are not actually regional trains but express trains. Nevertheless, they are as (un)comfortable as regional trains (no power sockets, no air conditioning).
And they are not barrier-friendly for dogs:
Steps: The R trains have lattice steps, which can pose a problem for dogs. The steps are also very steep
Doors: If you’re inside, the doors don’t open automatically. You have to open them with a manual “rudder”, which requires both hands. That’s a challenge when you’re already loaded down with your dog and luggage.
Loudness: Last but not least, the trains squeak extremely loudly when they arrive at the station. If it already hurts my ears, how must it be for dog ears?
I’ve travelled on the R train a few times, but it’s a very stressful experience every time.