For pet owners in the UAE, travel plans often come with one extra question before anything else gets booked: what happens to the pet? Etihad Rail has now made things a little easier by allowing certain pets to travel with passengers on board. Yes, that includes dogs. And perhaps more surprisingly, falcons too.
Etihad Rail Will Let You Travel With Pets, But There Are A Few Rules
But before anyone starts planning a weekend train trip with their furry companion, there are some conditions attached. The biggest rule is fairly straightforward. Pets must travel inside an approved carrier for the entire journey.
Your Pet Needs Its Own Approved Carrier
The carrier cannot be bigger than 55cm x 40cm x 23cm, which means larger pets may not fit within the requirements. Also, pets aren’t allowed to roam around the carriage or sit beside their owners during the trip. They need to stay inside the carrier from departure until arrival.
Also Read: Etihad Rail Tickets Are Now Live, Here’s All About The Booking Process, Tickets, Fares & More
Don’t Expect To Bring Extra Cabin Bags
There is another thing passengers should know before arriving at the station. The allowance of hand luggage includes the pet carrier. So if you’re travelling with your cat, dog or falcon, you won’t be able to bring an additional carry-on bag with you. For many travellers, that probably means packing a little lighter than usual.
One Passenger, One Pet Carrier
The railway operator is also limiting the number of animals travelling with each customer. Passengers can only bring one pet carrier each. That means one traveller cannot check in with multiple carriers or several pets at once. The idea appears to be keeping the journey comfortable for everyone on board while still giving animal owners more flexibility.
Also Read: Etihad Rail To Begin Passenger Operations Between Abu Dhabi & Fujairah From This Date In June
Assistance Dogs Have Slightly Different Rules
Passengers travelling with assistance dogs are still welcome on board, but there is an extra step involved.
Bookings for assistance dogs need to be arranged in advance through the customer contact centre before travelling. That gives staff time to prepare and make the necessary arrangements ahead of the journey.
For many pet owners across the UAE, this could make train travel a far more practical option in the future. Especially for shorter trips where leaving pets behind simply isn’t ideal.
And honestly, seeing a falcon and a dog waiting for the same train might become one of the more unique UAE travel experiences around.
Cover Image Courtesy: Etihad Rail/X
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