Dog on the Train in the Netherlands and Belgium: Tickets, Prices and Rules (2026)

Taking your dog on the train in the Netherlands or Belgium is easy, cheap and a great way to reach the beach or the woods without a car. But every company has its own rules: a ticket here, free there, a muzzle in one city and not in the next. We checked the official pages of NS, NMBS/SNCB, De Lijn, GVB, RET, HTM and STIB so you don't have to.

Can I take my dog on the train in the Netherlands?

Yes. NS allows dogs on its trains. The only question is whether your dog needs its own ticket.

• Free: small pets in a bag, a basket or on your lap, and assistance dogs that are recognisable as a guide or assistance dog.
• Dagkaart Hond: every other dog, so any dog that walks on a leash.

How the Dagkaart Hond works

• It costs €3.70 in 2026. Buy it as a paper ticket at a counter or machine and NS adds a €1.60 surcharge. As an e-ticket or loaded on an OV-chipkaart, there is no surcharge.
• It is valid all day, unlimited, on the date on the ticket, until 04:00 the next morning.
• It works on NS trains and on trains of other operators within the Netherlands, including Intercity Direct and the domestic parts of ICE, Eurocity Direct and EuroCity routes. You don't pay an Intercity Direct or ICE surcharge for the dog.
• You still need your own ticket. The Dagkaart Hond is only for the dog.
• It is not valid on international trains that require a reservation, such as Nightjet and Eurostar.

Since the ticket is valid all day, it is perfect for a station-to-station hike. Take Bo out at one station, walk through the dunes, and hop back on at the next one.

Taking your dog on the train in Belgium (NMBS/SNCB)

In Belgium the system is per trip, not per day. A leashed dog travels with a Huisdier Supplement (pet supplement) of €3 per single trip, valid on all domestic trains.

• Buy it before you board: on the website, in the app, at a ticket machine or at the counter.
• Free: a small pet in a basket, cage or box of at most 30 x 55 x 30 cm, and guide or assistance dogs. Assistance dogs need a personal accessibility card from a recognised training centre, revalidated every year.
• Muzzle: not mandatory, but recommended. Train staff can ask you to put one on.
• Seats: your dog may not sit on the benches or tables.
• The Local Multi card can no longer be used for a pet, and it disappears from the range on 1 April 2026.

A day at the sea with your dog therefore costs €6 extra for a return trip. The station of Blankenberge is about 600 metres from the promenade, and NMBS points to a stretch of beach towards Zeebrugge where leashed dogs are welcome all year. Ideas for the day itself are in our guide to dog-friendly beaches in the Netherlands and Belgium.

Crossing the border: Amsterdam to Brussels and beyond

International trains have their own rules. According to NS International:

• Eurocity Direct and EuroCity (for example Amsterdam – Brussels): small pets travel free in a carrier of at most 55 x 30 x 30 cm. Larger dogs need a ticket at a fixed price of €6 per single trip, whatever the destination or class, and must be on a leash and wear a muzzle. You buy that ticket at an NS machine, at a counter, or through NS International customer service.
• Eurostar to Belgium and France: dogs over 6 kg need a €30 ticket, bought from the train manager. They sit on the floor, leashed and muzzled, or on your lap. Maximum one larger dog per traveller.
• Eurostar to London: only registered guide and assistance dogs are allowed.

For trips abroad your dog generally also needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport. Your vet can tell you what applies for your route.

Bus, tram and metro: the city rules

Good news for city dogs: in the big Dutch and Belgian cities, dogs ride buses, trams and metros for free. The house rules differ a little per company.

Regional buses in the Netherlands are run by many different companies, each with its own conditions. Check the house rules of your carrier before a long trip. And with De Lijn, keep in mind that you are responsible for any damage or mess your dog causes.

How to make the ride relaxed for your dog

Rules are one thing. A calm dog in a full carriage is another. A few things help a lot:

1. Avoid rush hour. An empty off-peak train is much easier for a first ride, and on De Lijn the driver may refuse animals when it is very busy.
2. Walk first, ride second. A dog that has sniffed and done his business settles down faster.
3. Pick your spot. On the floor, near your feet, away from the doors and the aisle traffic. Not on the seats: almost every company forbids it.
4. Short leash, relaxed hand. Most companies ask for a short leash. Short is not tight: keep a little slack so your dog doesn't feel trapped.
5. Watch the signals. Yawning, lip licking or turning away often mean "this is a lot". Our article on dog body language explains what to look for.
6. Bring water on longer trips, and a bag for the walk at the other end.

From our shop

SCOBYDOG No-Pull Harness

Slips over the head in 3 seconds. The front D-ring guides your dog back to your side, with pressure on the chest, not the throat.

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Harness or collar for public transport?

Stations are busy: gates, stairs, crowds, doors that beep and close. In those moments, you want control without pulling on the neck. A harness with a front D-ring turns your dog back towards you when he lunges at the pigeon on the platform, and the pressure sits on the chest, not the throat.

The SCOBYDOG No-Pull Harness slips over the head in about 3 seconds with one click: no paw lifting on a crowded platform. Its reflective stitching helps on the walk home from the station on dark winter evenings. Want the full kit with a matching leash and name patch? Have a look at the SCOBYDOG Walk Set.

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