airplane, train & car

Traveling with a dog: What really applies — and what most people misunderstand.

Plane, train, car — every mode of transport has its own rules, pitfalls, and misunderstandings. Not what's in the FAQ, but what really matters in practice.

By Pia von Ramin · Reading time approx. 8 minutes.

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More and more people are taking their dogs with them when they travel – by plane, train, or car. At the same time, airlines, railway companies, and many product manufacturers are lagging behind this trend. The rules are inconsistent, the official FAQs are often outdated, and what is actually checked at the gate or on the train frequently differs from what is stated on the websites.

From thousands of customer conversations and our own travels, we know that most problems don't arise from malice—but from persistent misunderstandings. This article clears them up.

Chapter 1 — Airplane

Flying with a dog

Flying with a dog is possible — but the rules are more complex than the airline's FAQ suggests. Two misunderstandings arise particularly frequently: the one about the 23 cm rule and the one about ventilation.

What is IATA — and what does “IATA-compliant” mean?

The IATA (International Air Transport Association) is the umbrella organization for airlines. In its Live Animals Regulations, it describes the requirements for a carrier for the cabin – dimensions, closure, base, ventilation. However, it does not certify any individual carrier. The text only becomes legally binding through the Your airline's terms and conditions of carriage, and they vary: Some refer literally to the IATA rules, others simply require a breathable, closable bag.

A label on packaging that says "IATA compliant" is therefore not a ticket. The decision is made by the staff at the gate — and they interpret the conditions of their airline on that day.

The 23 cm — the misunderstood measurement

The IATA guideline for cabin bags is: 55 × 40 × 23 cm. Many dog ​​owners assume that the bag must be exactly 23 cm high — and rightly wonder what creature other than a hamster could possibly fit in there.

The explanation is simpler than you think: The space under the front seat is 23 cm. — the seat spacing into which the bag theoretically needs to be inserted. Soft transport bags compress when inserted. A bag that measures 28 or 30 cm when standing still will fit under most seats without any problems because it gives way.

Ventilation: what really matters

The IATA rules regarding ventilation are strict, while the conditions of carriage of many airlines are considerably less detailed.Your airline's own information will tell you where they stand—and that's what counts at the gate. In practice, what matters is whether the dog can visibly breathe and whether the staff can see that at a glance. large openings at the top and front, a net that is not folded up, a dog lying calmly in it.

Airline rules at a glance

Not every airline plays by the same rules — and the official FAQs are often incomplete or outdated. What is actually checked at the gate often differs. Our assessment is based on practical experience.

Airline	Max. dimensions	Weight	control
Lufthansa	55 × 40 × 23 cm	8 kg including animal	Regularly
Eurowings	55 × 40 × 23 cm	8 kg including animal	Very often
Ryanair	Cabin not possible	—	—
Swiss/Austrian/Brussels	55 × 40 × 23 cm	8–10 kg per route	Less frequently

All information provided to the best of our knowledge, without guarantee. Please confirm directly with the airline before each trip.

Eurowings tends to check more thoroughly – no need to worry as long as the bag is well-ventilated and the weight limit is met. Registering your dog in advance and arriving at the gate relaxed is sufficient in most cases.

The 6 most common mistakes when flying with a dog

Mistake 1: Only reading the airline's FAQ. The official information is often outdated or contradictory. Better: call directly, have the booking confirmed by email — and take this email with you on the day of travel.

Mistake 2: Trusting a seal of approval. The label "IATA compliant" on a package is not a guarantee from the airline, and certainly not from the gate. There is no authority that approves carry-on bags. What matters are your airline's terms and conditions of carriage—printed inside the bag.

Mistake 3: Taking the 23 cm literally. Anyone looking for a bag that is exactly 23 cm high will not find one that a dog will fit in. The 23 cm refers to the seat height, not the permitted bag height. Soft bags compress.

Mistake 4: Not registering the dog in advance. Most airlines have a limit on the number of animals allowed per flight. Register your dog immediately after booking your own ticket – not just before the trip.

Mistake 5: Failure to calculate weight. The limit applies to the dog and bag together. A dog weighing 6.5 kg and a bag weighing 2 kg add up to 8.5 kg—often too much. Weigh both together before traveling.

Mistake 6: Trying out the bag only on the day of travel. Many dogs need several training sessions. Start at least two weeks in advance — leave the bag open in the apartment, gradually get them used to it.

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Chapter 2 — Railway

Traveling by train

For many, the train is the more relaxed alternative—more space, no weight limits, no ventilation requirements. But here, too, there are rules that play a bigger role in practice than expected. The crucial point is different than with airplanes.

Small dogs: free — but a leash is mandatory

Small dogs (no bigger than a house cat) are allowed on Deutsche Bahn trains. for free be taken along — in a safe and lockable transport box or bag. This sounds obvious, but train conductors occasionally check whether bags are "lockable." An open carrier bag without a functioning closure will be rejected if there is any doubt.

Does the bag need to be completely closed?

Officially, yes: Deutsche Bahn (DB) states that a fully enclosed container is required – only then is a muzzle not mandatory. A dog that looks out of the front of the bag is, strictly speaking, considered "not traveling in a box" and would theoretically have to wear a muzzle.

In practice, train staff are considerably less strict than at the airport. A leashed, calm dog peeking out of a high-quality carrier is usually tolerated without complaint. Nevertheless, the following applies: Have a muzzle with you — if the staff objects, you are immediately on the safe side and avoid discussions.

Medium-sized dogs: XXL and XXL Long

Unlike airplanes, trains have no strict size requirements for soft-sided carriers. This is the decisive advantage: dogs up to approximately 12–15 kg, for whom a flight carrier would simply be too small, travel comfortably on the train in a soft-sided carrier. Carrier XXL or XXL Long.

The difference: The XXL Long offers more length — ideal for dogs with long backs like Dachshunds or Corgis, or long legs like Italian Greyhounds or Whippets, who can't stretch out in a regular XXL. Both models have a secure closure — exactly what the railway requires.

Larger dogs: ticket and muzzle

Dogs larger than a house cat that are traveling without a carrier require their own ticket — to half adult price, Regardless of the chosen fare. This also applies to holders of a Germany Ticket: a separate dog ticket is mandatory. Larger dogs without a carrier must be leashed and muzzled.

Local public transport often has different rules than long-distance DB trains. Some transport associations allow all dogs to travel free of charge – regardless of size or whether they are in a carrier. It's worth checking the website of your local transport association.

Practical tips for train travel

Test the closure beforehand. Some carrier bags have purely decorative closures that can be easily opened. Test the closure under light pressure: Does it hold when the dog leans against it?

Check the dimensions beforehand. The bag must fit under the seat or on the overhead luggage rack. Modern ICE seats often have less ground clearance. If in doubt, use the luggage rack above the seat.

Choose an aisle seat. Using a transport bag makes an aisle seat more comfortable — more legroom, easier access, less cramped conditions for the dog.

Prefer quiet cars. Traveling with a dog is generally more comfortable in the middle carriages, away from the children's area and restaurant car. It's best to avoid the quiet zone compartment.

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Chapter 3 — Car

Driving with a dog

The car is the most common mode of transport — and also the one where safety is most underestimated. No gate staff, no security checks. And that's precisely why most mistakes happen here.

What the law says

The German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) stipulate that The load must be secured in such a way that it does not slip during normal driving and also during braking maneuvers.. Legally, dogs are considered cargo — and must be secured accordingly.

An unrestrained dog in the back seat is effectively a projectile in a rear-end collision at 50 km/h, with a force 35–50 times its own weight. For a 25 kg dog, this equates to an impact force of approximately 875 kg—dangerous for both the driver and the dog.

The trunk is not a safety solution

The boot of an estate car with a partition net is a solid option for larger dogs — if the partition net firmly anchored in the vehicle A loosely clamped net will not withstand an impact. Partition nets must be screwed or securely attached, not just clamped.

For small to medium-sized dogs, a car seat or a secured transport box The significantly safer alternative: the dog sits elevated, can look out and is secured at the same time.

What really helps in a crash

There is no independent crash test for dog car seats, like the ones for child car seats – no testing institute offers a procedure for this, and no standard defines one. Therefore, what appears on packaging as "crash-tested" usually comes from the manufacturer themselves. So something has been tested – but what exactly, against what, and with what weight, is not immediately clear.

What testing institutes offer is a test of Load securing: A body the size of the dog is strapped into the seat and suddenly subjected to a force approximately 24 times its weight—around 240 kilograms for a dog weighing ten kilograms. The test checks whether the dog remains in the passenger compartment. This is intended to protect the occupants, not the dog.

4legs car seats are available for dogs up to 35 kg — each model has its own weight range, which is listed with the product. We are currently having the load-bearing parts of our car seats tested and will report on the results as soon as they are available.

Driving breaks and heat

For car journeys longer than two hours, regular breaks should be planned every 90 minutes. In summer, a car can heat up to over 40°C within 10 minutes at an outside temperature of 25°C. For dogs, a body temperature of 39°C or higher becomes dangerous.

Never leave them alone — not even for a short time. Not for shopping. Not for a coffee. Not with the window open. The heat is rising faster than most people expect.

Traveling with a dog isn't a luxury—it's a matter of preparation. Knowing the rules, understanding common misconceptions, and having the right equipment makes for a more relaxed journey. And so does your dog.

Our guides can help you choose the right bag or car seat — we explain step by step what suits which dog.

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Pia von Ramin is founder of 4legs.de She lives in Hamburg with her Italian Greyhounds Karlchen and Monty. She travels regularly with her dogs and knows the pitfalls of every transport route from her own experience.