Summary
- Dog tickets are incredible cheap (max. 50CZK or 2€)
- Wearing a muzzle is important
- Get the app MujVlak
- Some regional trains are not barrier-free for dogs
Conditions
Czech republic does it like most 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.
You pay a flat fee of either 30CZK (1,20€) or 50CZK (2€), depending on the distance you travel. This price applies 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. For example:
- From Decin to Ostrava (almost 5h fast train with the EC, approx. 440km) – only 50CZK/2€ for the dog ticket!
- From Decin to Brno (almost 5h fast train with the EC, approx. 320km) – only 50CZK/2€ for the dog ticket!
Attention: You have to be careful when traveling internationally. If the train crosses a border, the price for the dog suddenly becomes more expensive: Half the international 2nd class fare is paid for a dog (but it’s not always exactly half, sometimes it’s cheaper)
Example:
- Dog ticket Prague-Bad Schandau on the EC costs 205 CZK (about 8,20€)
- Whereas it would only be 30 CZK (about 1,20€) to the border to Germany.
How do I book a train ticket for my dog in Czech republic?
You can buy tickets via an app or at ticket counters in train stations. I recommend the app.
Via the Muj Vlak 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
The Czech railways categorize their trains the following ways:
- Highest quality train: SC, jailjet and ICE
- Quality train: EC, IC, Ex
- Interregional train: R
- Regional train: Os, Sp
R trains are not 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
- Loudness: The trains squeak extremely loudly when they arrive at the station. If it already hurts my ears, how must my dog feel?
- 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.
I’ve travelled on the R train a few times, but it’s a very stressful experience every time.