Explainer · Updated October 2026
Travelling with a dog in India: train rules, IRCTC dog booking charges, airline pet policies and import rules (2026)
In India a dog can ride with you on a train only in a 1A or First Class coupe or cabin booked on one PNR. Otherwise it travels in the brake-van dog box. Railway luggage charges for a dog are small, about Rs 296 for 1,000 km with you and Rs 185 in the dog box on the published Scale-L table. In the air, Air India charges Rs 7,500 per sector for a cabin pet and Rs 16,000 as checked baggage. Akasa Air charges Rs 7,500 in the cabin and Rs 15,000 in the hold, taxes included; IndiGo carries no pets.
Key findings
- Indian Railways lets a dog travel with its owner only in 1A or First Class, and only when the whole coupe or cabin is on one PNR.
- Railway parcel rules charge a dog with its owner as 60 kg of luggage and a dog in the brake van as 30 kg. The minimum is Rs 30 per dog.
- On the published Scale-L table, a 1,000 km trip costs about Rs 296 for a dog in a 1A coupe and Rs 185 in the dog box.
- IRCTC's online dog and cat booking opens only after the first reservation chart is prepared, and the freight is not refunded even if the train is cancelled.
- Air India charges Rs 7,500 per domestic sector for a pet in the cabin (up to 10 kg with carrier) and Rs 16,000 as checked baggage (10 to 32 kg). Akasa Air charges Rs 7,500 in the cabin and Rs 15,000 in the hold up to 32 kg, inclusive of taxes.
- Akasa Air had flown over 10,000 pets by February 2026; 93% travelled in the cabin and 60% were dogs.
- IndiGo's booking page states that it does not carry pets or animals; guide dogs for blind customers are the only exception.
- Of our 58 breeds, 12 weigh 10 kg or less as adults, 25 fall in the 10 to 32 kg band and 21 can exceed 32 kg.
- Bringing a dog into India needs an advance No Objection Certificate from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service, applied for at least 7 days before departure.
- A dog that fails the arrival check at an Indian airport is quarantined for 15 days at the AQCS station, with tests at the owner's cost. Since a February 2025 order, a healthy dog's final NOC is issued round the clock at the airport.
Can dogs travel in Indian Railways trains?
Yes, but only in two ways. Your dog can ride with you in AC First Class (1A) or First Class (FC) if the whole 2-berth coupe or 4-berth cabin is booked on one PNR. Otherwise it travels in the dog box of the luggage-cum-brake van, under the guard.
Southern Railway's November 2022 'Know your Railway' notice spells this out. Dogs are not allowed in AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, AC Chair Car, Sleeper or Second Class. Puppies that fit in a basket are the exception and may travel in any class after paying the usual charge.
Booking a coupe does not lock in the dog's seat. If fellow passengers object, railway staff can move the dog to the guard's van, and no refund is given. The owner must also feed and water the dog throughout the journey.
| Option | Where the dog travels | Who can use it | Charged as | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| With owner (ICP) | Inside a 1A or FC coupe or cabin | Passengers holding the whole coupe or cabin on one PNR | 60 kg of luggage | One dog per PNR (Southern Railway notice) |
| Dog box | Brake van (conventional ICF coaches) | A passenger of any class with a confirmed ticket | 30 kg at Scale-L plus 25% | One dog per dog box |
| Puppy in basket | With owner in any class | Any passenger | Usual luggage charge | Must fit in a basket |
| Guide dog (seeing-eye) | With owner as ICP | Visually impaired passenger | 30 kg of luggage | Per NWR parcel rules |
| Unbooked dog found on board | Moved to brake van | Not allowed | Six times the luggage rate; minimum Rs 50 (NWR) or Rs 30 (Southern Railway) | Penalty |
The North Western Railway parcel rules note that a guide dog for a blind passenger is charged as 30 kg, half the normal weight for a dog with its owner. The same rules ask for a collar and chain rather than a mouth cover. The Southern Railway notice, by contrast, asks for a chain and a mouth guard in the brake van. Carry both.
How much does a dog ticket cost in Indian Railways?
Very little compared with the coupe fare. Railways charge a dog as notional luggage: 60 kg if it travels with you and 30 kg in the brake van, at the luggage rate called Scale-L. For 1,000 km that works out to about Rs 296 with you and Rs 185 in the dog box.
We computed these figures from the Scale-L luggage table published by North Western Railway. Animals in brake vans pay Scale-L plus 25%, and there is no free allowance for animals. The minimum charge is Rs 30 per dog.
The table is the latest full Scale-L table we could find on a railway website, uploaded in 2020. Central Railway's 2025-26 parcel notice, effective 1 June 2025, changed which trains fall under which parcel scale, not the luggage rates. Treat our figures as a guide and confirm at the parcel office.
Computed by dogeats.in from the North Western Railway Scale-L luggage table. 1A coupe: 60 kg at Scale-L. Dog box: 30 kg at Scale-L plus 25%. Minimum Rs 30. Rounded to the rupee.
Show the numbers
| Label | Rs |
|---|---|
| 100 km | Rs 60 |
| 200 km | Rs 91 |
| 300 km | Rs 117 |
| 500 km | Rs 163 |
| 750 km | Rs 229 |
| 1,000 km | Rs 296 |
| 1,250 km | Rs 359 |
| 1,500 km | Rs 419 |
| 2,000 km | Rs 508 |
| 2,500 km | Rs 595 |
| 3,000 km | Rs 664 |
Embed this chart
| Distance | Scale-L rate for 30 kg (Rs) | Dog box, 30 kg plus 25% (Rs) | With owner in 1A, 60 kg (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 km | 30.17 | 38 | 60 |
| 200 km | 45.35 | 57 | 91 |
| 300 km | 58.33 | 73 | 117 |
| 500 km | 81.64 | 102 | 163 |
| 750 km | 114.44 | 143 | 229 |
| 1,000 km | 148.19 | 185 | 296 |
| 1,250 km | 179.51 | 224 | 359 |
| 1,500 km | 209.46 | 262 | 419 |
| 2,000 km | 254.08 | 318 | 508 |
| 2,500 km | 297.64 | 372 | 595 |
| 3,000 km | 332.13 | 415 | 664 |
For a 2,000 km journey, the dog's own charge is about Rs 508 in a 1A coupe and Rs 318 in the dog box. The real cost is the coupe: you pay 1A fares for every berth in it, even if only one person travels.
How do you book a dog ticket on IRCTC?
You can book online, but only late. IRCTC's terms say dog and cat bookings open after the first reservation chart is prepared and close when the final chart is prepared. You first need a confirmed 1A or FC ticket with the full coupe or cabin on your PNR.
On the IRCTC website the option sits under the TRAINS menu as Dogs/Cats Booking. It sends you to the Indian Railways parcel site. There you log in with a mobile OTP, enter the PNR, pick the number of pets and pay through the SBI gateway. The luggage ticket arrives by email and the booking shows on the TTE's handheld device.
The sources differ on numbers. Southern Railway's notice allows one dog per PNR, while the IRCTC screen asks how many pets you are carrying. If you have two dogs, confirm with the parcel office before you book.
- Book 1A or FC and ask the divisional or zonal office for a coupe or cabin against your PNR.
- Get a vet fitness certificate 24 to 48 hours before the journey, and carry the vaccination card.
- After the first chart, book the dog on IRCTC (TRAINS, then Dogs/Cats Booking) or at the parcel office.
- Reach the luggage or parcel office at least 3 hours before departure, even with an online booking.
- Carry food, water, a collar, a chain and a muzzle; the owner feeds the dog, not railway staff.
| Item | Rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| When booking opens | After the first reservation chart, until the final chart | IRCTC terms |
| Payment | SBI payment gateway; freight goes to the source zonal railway | IRCTC terms |
| Refund | None on PNR cancellation, train cancellation or late running | IRCTC terms |
| Vet certificate | Fitness certificate obtained 24 to 48 hours before the journey | Southern Railway notice |
| Reporting time | Luggage or parcel office at least 3 hours before departure | Southern Railway notice |
| Dogs per PNR | One dog per PNR in a coupe or cabin | Southern Railway notice |
| Minimum charge | Rs 30 per dog | NWR parcel rules |
Which Indian airlines allow dogs: Air India, IndiGo or Akasa?
Air India and Akasa Air carry pet dogs and cats on domestic flights. IndiGo does not. Its booking page says it does not permit pets or animals on its aircraft, and guide dogs for blind customers must be booked through the call centre.
Air India's 'Paws on Board' allows a pet in the economy cabin if pet and carrier together weigh 10 kg or less. Pets from 10 to 32 kg go as checked baggage or cargo, and heavier pets as cargo only. A maximum of two pets travel in the economy cabin per flight, seated in the last row aisle seats.
Akasa Air's 'Pets on Akasa' page allows up to three pets per flight: two in the cabin and one in cargo. Each passenger may take one pet in the cabin and one in cargo. The cabin limit is 10 kg with the container, raised from 7 kg in May 2024.
Akasa accepts up to 32 kg at airport check-in and up to 100 kg through its cargo terminal. Its fees are Rs 7,500 for the cabin and Rs 15,000 for the hold up to 32 kg, inclusive of all taxes. Pets fly only on non-stop Akasa flights, and only in regular economy seats.
| Airline | Pets in cabin | Cabin weight limit (with carrier) | Hold or cargo | Booking lead time | Domestic fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air India | Yes, economy, max 2 per flight | 10 kg | 10 to 32 kg checked; over 32 kg cargo | 48 hours | Rs 7,500 cabin; Rs 16,000 checked (taxes extra) |
| Akasa Air | Yes, max 2 per flight (1 per passenger) | 10 kg | Up to 32 kg check-in; up to 100 kg cargo terminal | 24 hours | Rs 7,500 cabin; Rs 15,000 hold up to 32 kg (taxes included) |
| IndiGo | No (guide dogs only) | Not applicable | No pets | Call centre for guide dogs | Not applicable |
Air India fees are per sector, from its pet travel page (taxes extra). Akasa fees are from its pet page FAQ (taxes included). Train charges are dogeats.in calculations for 1,000 km from the Scale-L table and exclude the coupe fare.
Show the numbers
| Label | Rs |
|---|---|
| Air India, checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | Rs 16,000 |
| Akasa Air, hold (up to 32 kg) | Rs 15,000 |
| Air India, in cabin (up to 10 kg) | Rs 7,500 |
| Akasa Air, in cabin (up to 10 kg) | Rs 7,500 |
| Train, dog with owner in 1A, 1,000 km | Rs 296 |
| Train, dog box, 1,000 km | Rs 185 |
Embed this chart
Both airlines refuse flat-faced (brachycephalic) dogs in the cargo hold, because of breathing and heat risks. Air India advises owners of these breeds to see a vet before cabin travel. Air India also refuses pets that are sedated or pregnant, and allows one pet per passenger.
SpiceJet and Air India Express did not have a pet policy page we could open in October 2026. In January 2023 the DGCA asked airlines to publish their pet carriage policy prominently on their websites. Ask these airlines directly before you book.
How much does Air India charge for pets on international flights?
Air India charges USD 140 per sector for a cabin pet to most of the Gulf, SAARC, South-East Asia, East Asia, Kenya, Mauritius and Europe outside the UK. Israel costs USD 160 and the UAE and Singapore USD 225. Checked-baggage pets cost USD 350 on international routes.
There are big exceptions. Air India does not carry pets in the cabin to the USA, Canada, Australia or the UK. It does not carry pets in the cabin or as checked baggage to or from the USA, Canada and Australia. Pets cannot fly in the cabin from India to the UAE, though they can from the UAE.
Air India 'Travelling with pets' page, read October 2026. Taxes extra. Cabin: pet plus carrier up to 10 kg. Checked: 10 to 32 kg.
Show the numbers
| Label | USD |
|---|---|
| Checked baggage, international | USD 350 |
| Cabin, UAE and Singapore | USD 225 |
| Cabin, Israel | USD 160 |
| Cabin, Gulf, SAARC, Asia, Europe (ex UK) | USD 140 |
Embed this chart
| Route group | Cabin (up to 10 kg) | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) |
|---|---|---|
| Within India | Rs 7,500 | Rs 16,000 |
| Oman, Turkey, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait | USD 140 | USD 350 |
| Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka | USD 140 | USD 350 |
| Mauritius, Kenya, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Korea | USD 140 | USD 350 |
| Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia | USD 140 | USD 350 |
| Europe (excluding UK) | USD 140 | USD 350 |
| Israel | USD 160 | USD 350 |
| UAE (only from UAE in cabin) and Singapore | USD 225 | Not from India to UAE |
| USA, Canada, Australia | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| UK (Heathrow, Gatwick) | Not allowed | Cargo only |
How many pets fly on Indian airlines?
Akasa Air is the only Indian airline we found publishing counts. It flew over 10,000 pets between its November 2022 launch and February 2026, by its own figures. That is up from 3,200 in May 2024 and 5,000 in December 2024.
Its February 2026 release says 60% of pets were dogs and 40% cats, and 93% travelled in the cabin. October to December accounted for nearly 35% of the year's pet journeys. Bengaluru to Delhi and back was the top route, at 13.66% of all pet travel.
Akasa Air press releases (May 2024, December 2024, February 2026) and TravelMole (30 September 2025). Figures are the airline's own and given as 'over' or '+'.
Show the numbers
| Label | pets |
|---|---|
| May 2024 | 3,200+ |
| Dec 2024 | 5,000 |
| Sep 2025 | 8,500 |
| Feb 2026 | 10,000+ |
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Akasa Air releases of 18 December 2024 (first 5,000 pets) and 20 February 2026 (10,000+ pets).
Show the numbers
| Label | Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|---|
| First 5,000 pets (Dec 2024) | 66 | 34 |
| 10,000+ pets (Feb 2026) | 60 | 40 |
Embed this chart
Akasa's August 2026 release counted more than 2,187 dogs flown since April 2025, with 1,399 in calendar 2026 alone. Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Goa accounted for nearly three-fourths of dog journeys. Shih Tzus, Poodles, Maltese and Beagles made up over 60% of canine flyers.
Those breeds are small, which fits the 10 kg cabin limit. A Shih Tzu weighs 4 to 7.5 kg in our guide, a Maltese 2 to 3.2 kg. A Beagle at 9 to 14 kg often needs checked baggage once the carrier is weighed.
Which dog breeds can fly in the cabin in India?
Only small breeds. Of the 58 breeds in our guides, 12 have an adult weight range that tops out at 10 kg or less. 25 fall in the 10 to 32 kg band that Air India books as checked baggage, and 21 can exceed 32 kg and need cargo.
The 10 kg limit includes the carrier, so a dog near the top of its range may still be refused. A soft carrier usually adds a kilo or two. Weigh the dog in its carrier at home before you book.
dogeats.in breed guides, upper end of each breed's adult weight range, dog only. Bands follow Air India's pet categories. The carrier adds weight.
Show the numbers
| Label | breeds |
|---|---|
| Up to 10 kg (cabin possible) | 12 |
| 10 to 32 kg (checked) | 25 |
| Over 32 kg (cargo) | 21 |
Embed this chart
| Breed | Adult weight (kg) | Upper weight (kg) | Likely Air India category | Flat-faced (no cargo hold) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chihuahua | 1.5 to 2.7 | 2.7 | Cabin possible (10 kg with carrier) | No |
| Pomeranian | 1.4 to 3.2 | 3.2 | Cabin possible (10 kg with carrier) | No |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 2 to 3.2 | 3.2 | Cabin possible (10 kg with carrier) | No |
| Maltese | 2 to 3.2 | 3.2 | Cabin possible (10 kg with carrier) | No |
| Miniature Pinscher | 3.5 to 5 | 5 | Cabin possible (10 kg with carrier) | No |
| Pekingese | 3 to 6.4 | 6.4 | Cabin possible (10 kg with carrier) | Yes |
| Jack Russell Terrier | 4 to 7 | 7 | Cabin possible (10 kg with carrier) | No |
| Shih Tzu | 4 to 7.5 | 7.5 | Cabin possible (10 kg with carrier) | Yes |
| Pug | 6 to 8 | 8 | Cabin possible (10 kg with carrier) | Yes |
| Lhasa Apso | 5.5 to 8 | 8 | Cabin possible (10 kg with carrier) | No |
| Bichon Frise | 5 to 8 | 8 | Cabin possible (10 kg with carrier) | No |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 5.9 to 8.2 | 8.2 | Cabin possible (10 kg with carrier) | No |
| Shiba Inu | 7 to 11 | 11 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| German Spitz | 5 to 11 | 11 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Japanese Spitz | 5 to 11 | 11 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| French Bulldog | 8 to 13 | 13 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | Yes |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 9 to 13.6 | 13.6 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Beagle | 9 to 14 | 14 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Dachshund | 5 to 15 | 15 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Cocker Spaniel | 12 to 15 | 15 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| American Eskimo Dog | 2.7 to 16 | 16 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Indian Spitz | 5 to 20 | 20 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Kanni | 16 to 22 | 22 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Chippiparai | 15 to 22 | 22 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| English Bulldog | 18 to 23 | 23 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | Yes |
| Border Collie | 14 to 25 | 25 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Pit Bull | 14 to 27 | 27 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Siberian Husky | 16 to 27 | 27 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Australian Shepherd | 18 to 29 | 29 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Samoyed | 16 to 29 | 29 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Indian Pariah Dog | 15 to 30 | 30 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Mudhol Hound | 20 to 30 | 30 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Rampur Greyhound | 23 to 32 | 32 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Bull Terrier | 23 to 32 | 32 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Dalmatian | 20 to 32 | 32 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Poodle | 18 to 32 | 32 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Chow Chow | 20 to 32 | 32 | Checked baggage (10 to 32 kg) | No |
| Golden Retriever | 25 to 34 | 34 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Kombai | 23 to 35 | 35 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Labrador Retriever | 25 to 36 | 36 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Boxer | 22 to 36 | 36 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Belgian Malinois | 18 to 36 | 36 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Rajapalayam | 20 to 40 | 40 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| German Shepherd | 23 to 41 | 41 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | 29 to 41 | 41 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Alaskan Malamute | 32 to 43 | 43 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Dogo Argentino | 40 to 45 | 45 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Doberman | 27 to 45 | 45 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Cane Corso | 40 to 50 | 50 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | 32 to 52 | 52 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Bullmastiff | 41 to 59 | 59 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Kangal | 40 to 60 | 60 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Rottweiler | 36 to 61 | 61 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Tibetan Mastiff | 32 to 68 | 68 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Great Dane | 50 to 79 | 79 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Saint Bernard | 54 to 82 | 82 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| Bully Kutta | 60 to 90 | 90 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
| English Mastiff | 54 to 104 | 104 | Cargo (over 32 kg) | No |
Five breeds in our guides are flat-faced: the Pug, Shih Tzu, French Bulldog, English Bulldog and Pekingese. Both airlines bar such dogs from the cargo hold. An English Bulldog at 18 to 23 kg is too heavy for the cabin, so flying it within India is hard. The train coupe is often the practical answer.
Can I take my dog to India? Pet import rules
Yes, with an advance No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (AQCS). The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying's March 2021 procedure says to apply at least 7 days before departure. AQCS issues the advance NOC within 1 working day.
On arrival an AQCS officer examines the dog at the airport. A healthy dog gets the final NOC there. A DAHD order of 20 February 2025 says this final NOC is issued round the clock at the port of entry. A dog showing signs of disease goes to the quarantine station for 15 days, and the owner pays for the tests.
Air India's pet page says pet import and export is allowed only at Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Hyderabad airports. CBIC Circular 07/2025-Customs (5 March 2025) also lists Kochi airport, making seven entry points. Your permit names the airport you must use. Airlines will not lift a dog as cargo until the advance NOC is issued.
| Route | Who qualifies | Extra document | Apply to AQCS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transfer of Residence | Owner moving back to India | Proof of two years overseas stay and visa cancellation or relocation proof | At least 7 working days before embarkation |
| Re-import | Dog that left India earlier | Copy of the export health certificate issued by AQCS India | At least 7 working days before embarkation |
| Short stay (DGFT) | Visitors and other cases | Valid DGFT import licence | At least 7 working days before embarkation |
- Microchip number on the application and health certificate.
- Vet health certificate from the country of origin stating no clinical sign of rabies, distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, infectious canine hepatitis, scabies or leishmaniasis.
- Rabies vaccination if the dog is over three months old, plus distemper, parvovirus and leptospirosis shots.
- Pet passport, pet book or health card.
- Advance NOC from AQCS before the airline accepts the dog.
In March 2026 the government made a one-time exception for Indians stranded in war-hit Middle East countries. A DAHD order of 12 March 2026 let their pet dogs and cats in without the usual pre-export papers. The owner had to declare the pet had lived with them for at least one month. A pet without papers, or with a vaccination delayed by 15 days, gets a rabies shot at the airport at the owner's cost.
Commercial import is a separate matter. A DGFT notification of April 2016 barred importing dogs for breeding or trade. The Madras High Court set it aside in June 2023, and the Centre appealed. We cover that fight in our report on breeding licences.
What should you check before travelling with a dog in India?
Start with the weight. Under 10 kg with the carrier, a flight on Air India or Akasa is the easy choice. A bigger dog flies as checked baggage on Air India or cargo, or rides with you in a 1A coupe.
Heat is the other risk. Brake vans and cargo holds are not built for comfort in an Indian May. See our heatwave and heatstroke data before planning summer travel, and ask your vet whether your dog is fit to travel.
| Dog | Best option | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Toy or small, under about 8 kg | Air India or Akasa cabin | Fits the 10 kg limit with a soft carrier |
| Medium, 10 to 32 kg with crate | 1A coupe, or Air India checked baggage | Coupe keeps the dog with you; checked costs Rs 16,000 |
| Large, over 32 kg with crate | 1A coupe, or cargo | Too heavy for Air India checked baggage |
| Flat-faced breed | Cabin if small, else 1A coupe | Both airlines refuse them in the cargo hold |
| Any dog, budget trip | Brake-van dog box | About Rs 185 for 1,000 km, but no company and no AC |
Keep vaccination records current. Our vet and vaccination cost report lists typical fees. If you live in a housing society, our dog laws report covers registration papers that some carriers and AQCS may ask to see.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take my dog in a train in India?
Yes. A dog can travel with you only in an AC First Class or First Class coupe or cabin booked on one PNR. Otherwise it goes in the brake-van dog box under the guard. Dogs are not allowed in AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, Chair Car or Sleeper.
What are the dog booking charges in Indian Railways?
A dog with you is charged as 60 kg of luggage at Scale-L; a dog in the brake van as 30 kg at Scale-L plus 25%. On the published table that is about Rs 296 and Rs 185 for 1,000 km. The minimum is Rs 30 per dog.
Can I book a dog ticket on IRCTC online?
Yes. Use TRAINS, then Dogs/Cats Booking on the IRCTC website, which opens the railway parcel site. Booking is possible only after the first chart is prepared. The freight is not refunded if the PNR or train is cancelled.
Does IndiGo allow dogs?
No. IndiGo's booking page says it does not permit pets or animals on its aircraft. Guide dogs for blind customers are the only exception and must be booked through the IndiGo call centre.
How much does Air India charge to fly a dog within India?
Air India charges Rs 7,500 per sector for a pet in the cabin, where pet plus carrier must weigh 10 kg or less. A pet of 10 to 32 kg travels as checked baggage for Rs 16,000. Taxes are extra and the fee applies to every sector.
Does Akasa Air allow dogs in the cabin?
Yes. Akasa allows dogs and cats aged 3 months or older in the cabin up to 10 kg with the container, two per flight. The fee is Rs 7,500 in the cabin and Rs 15,000 in the hold up to 32 kg, taxes included. Book at least 24 hours ahead.
Can I bring my dog to India from abroad?
Yes. Apply to AQCS for an advance No Objection Certificate at least 7 days before departure. A healthy dog gets the final NOC at the airport, round the clock since February 2025; a dog showing signs of disease is quarantined for 15 days.
Which airports allow pet import into India?
Air India's pet page lists Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai and Hyderabad as the airports where pet import and export is allowed. CBIC Circular 07/2025-Customs also names Kochi airport. Your AQCS permit names the airport you must use.
Can flat-faced dogs like Pugs fly in India?
Only in the cabin. Air India and Akasa both refuse brachycephalic breeds in the cargo hold because of breathing and heat risks. A Pug of 6 to 8 kg can fit the 10 kg cabin limit with a light carrier; ask your vet first.
Methodology and limitations
We read the train rules in Southern Railway's 'Know your Railway' notice (November 2022) and IRCTC's dog and cat booking terms. Charges come from North Western Railway's parcel rules and Scale-L luggage table. Train charges are dogeats.in calculations: the Scale-L rate for 60 kg (dog with owner) or 30 kg plus 25% (brake van), with the Rs 30 minimum, rounded to the rupee.
Airline rules and fees come from the Air India, Akasa Air and IndiGo websites and Akasa press releases, all read on 11 October 2026. Import rules come from three DAHD orders: the procedure of 31 March 2021, the order of 20 February 2025 and the relaxation of 12 March 2026.
Breed weight bands use the upper end of each adult weight range in the 58 dogeats.in breed guides, compiled from breed standards and our own research. They describe the dog alone; the carrier adds weight.
Sources
- Air India: Travelling with pets (read 11 October 2026), Cabin and checked fees, weight limits, route bans, import airports
- Southern Railway: Know your Railway, rules for carrying pet dogs (2 November 2022), Classes allowed, dog box, documents, timing, penalty
- North Western Railway: parcel rules (booking of dog, CT 803), 60 kg and 30 kg chargeable weights, Rs 30 minimum, guide dogs
- Also consulted: North Western Railway: parcel and luggage rate table, Scale-L, IRCTC: online ticket booking of dogs and cats, terms and user guide, Central Railway: Advance Rate Notification 08 of 2025 (30 May 2025), Akasa Air: Pets on Akasa, rules and fee FAQ (read 11 October 2026), Akasa Air press release (20 February 2026), Akasa Air press release (18 December 2024), Akasa Air press release (8 May 2024), TravelMole (30 September 2025), Aviation and Defence Universe, Akasa release (26 August 2026), IndiGo: How to book, pets FAQ (read 11 October 2026), Outlook Business (17 January 2023), DAHD office memorandum and SOPs for import of live animals (31 March 2021), DAHD office memorandum on final quarantine clearance of pet dogs and cats (20 February 2025), CBIC Circular 11/2026-Customs (16 March 2026), text of DAHD OM of 12 March 2026, Summary of CBIC Circular 07/2025-Customs (5 March 2025), LiveLaw: Madras HC sets aside dog import ban (June 2023), Indian Railways Commercial Manual Vol I, Chapter X (booking of animals and birds), Lawbeat: Centre appeals Madras HC dog import ruling.
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