National Rail Enquiries - Luggage & Animals

Luggage & animals

Our advice and regulations on what you can and cannot take on our trains.

Luggage

Customers may take up to three items of personal luggage free of charge, this includes two large items (such as suitcases or rucksacks) and one item of smaller hand luggage (such as a briefcase). Full details of the free allowances are available at stations.

Excess luggage and certain more bulky items (such as skis) may be carried, subject to available space, at an extra charge.

On Gatwick Express services bulky items such as skis are conveyed free in the luggage van. There is plenty of space on board for other luggage.

Accompanied animals and articles for which charges are payable

Each additional item of personal luggage above the free allowance.
Each seat occupied by luggage, container or other articles when the seat is needed for passenger use.
Each cat, dog or small animal exceeding the free allowance.
Each article exceeding one metre in any dimension that can be carried by one person.

Articles and Animals not carried

Articles exceeding one metre in any dimension that cannot be carried by the passenger concerned. This includes canoes, hang-gliders, sail/surf
boards, large furniture and any large musical instrument that cannot be carried without assistance.
Motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters and motorised cycles.
Livestock (for example, pigs. sheep and goats).
Any animal or article which, in the opinion of the train company staff, is causing or is likely to cause inconvenience to passengers due to its size or behaviour. On train staff are authorised to have items such as these removed from the train.

Transporting animals by train

Passengers may take with them, free of charge and subject to conditions below, dogs, cats and other small animals (maximum two per passenger) provided they do not endanger or inconvenience passengers or staff.

Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times unless contained in a basket.

Dogs without leads, cats, birds and small animals must be carried in an enclosed basket, cage or pet carrier. It must be rigid and not open (to prevent escape) and the animal able to stand and lie down in comfort.

Animals and containers must not occupy seats, otherwise a charge will be made.

Animals are not allowed in restaurant cars except for blind persons' guide dogs or deaf persons' assistance dogs, which may be allowed into the restaurant car at the Steward's discretion. However, every effort is made to serve meals at blind or deaf persons' seats within the normal seated accommodation.

Blind persons' guide dogs or deaf persons' assistance dogs are allowed on Sleeper services provided the blind or deaf person and dog are booked into single-cabin accommodation. The guide or assistance dog is conveyed free and no cleaning charge applied.

ScotRail allows dogs to accompany able-bodied passengers in Sleeper services subject to a charge for a heavy duty clean. The booking must be Standard Class with two people travelling together, otherwise a Solo supplement is payable for exclusive use of a twin-berth cabin.

Booking for all dogs travelling in Sleepers should be made at least 48 hours in advance.

Byelaw 16 allows the train company to refuse carriage or entry to any animal. If a customer objects to the presence of an animal, the owner must move it to another part of the train or put it in a suitable container in the guard's van/luggage van where available.

When dogs are carried in the guard's van/luggage van (other than those in a container) they must be secured with collar and chain and properly muzzled.