Can dogs go on the tube in London UK? Dog Tube Guide
What are TfL’s rules for can dogs go on the tube?
Dogs can travel on the London Underground and Overground for free if they’re on a leash or in a crate. If your dog is misbehaving, staff may refuse your dog entry on the tube.
This blog will give you a complete guide to taking dogs on the tube and answer “can dogs go on the tube in London UK?”
We came up with this title after Henry took his 11-year-old black labrador, Midge (below), on a trip to Robyn in London - it wasn’t a stressful experience, in fact, we really enjoyed it, so we thought we’d write a guide on how you can make your trip as stress-free as possible.
What to Know Before Taking Your Dog On The London Underground
You need to know a few things before taking your dog onto the tube or underground. There is no law against travelling with a dog on the tube, but there are some rules you should follow, such as:
Your dog must be on a lead or in a crate at all times.
Your dog must be well behaved - don’t get taking your dog on the tube if it isn’t comfortable being around people or isn’t toilet trained…
No muzzle is needed, but staff can refuse access for safety reasons.
You must carry your dog through automatic ticket barriers - if there is no wide opening gate, you must ask a staff member to make the barrier stay open so your dog doesn’t get caught!
You can’t take a pet up or down a moving escalator because it’s dangerous. Providing there’s no access to stairs or lift, you must carry your dog up escalators.
Midge is a very well behaved dog, and we don’t tend to put her on a lead when we go out (as she used to be a working dog & she’s very calm), but you may have to follow other steps if your dog isn’t suited to being on a tube.
How do I plan ahead when taking my dog on the tube?
By planning ahead, your journey should run more smoothly. You can plan your trip from A to B on TfL’s official website, which has a station map, or by following our best practices below. If you have any questions about how we managed our trip, feel free to get in touch!
If, after planning your journey ahead of time, you still find yourself at a station that can only be accessed by an escalator, you can carry your dog up and down the escalator. But outside of rush hours, you can also request that a staff member stops the escalator for you. That being said, congestion is not always the same depending on where you are in London - some stations may be more crowded than others.
Best practice for picking your dog up before an escalator
When picking up your dog, be sure to slowly and quietly approach them. This will help avoid startling them and make for a happier journey on the underground.
One of the best ways to make it as comfortable as possible is to begin by crouching in front of them and slowly getting yourself in the position to pick them up, potentially by letting them sniff your hands first and getting reassured they’re going to be safe.
As for the picking up motion, if you are comfortable you can handle your dog’s weight, place one arm behind their back legs and one arm in front of their front legs to slowly lift them out of the air. While you may think this is awkward for the dog, it is by far the best position for them to be picked up.
We have trained Midge to be picked up by saying “up” before we pick her up - this allows her to get ready and prepare herself for what’s to come. While some people may say you need to do this training from an early age, sometimes you can’t do this - particularly if you move to London when you’re older. You’d be surprised what your dog can pick up with proper training.
If you cannot pick up your dog, you will need to look at alternative routes that have platforms accessible by steps or wheelchairs.
Best ways to make the journey easier for your dog
The tube can be a confusing and overwhelming experience for humans, so imagine what it must feel like for dogs. You might want to think about how you’re preparing them for this new environment; keep them close to you, get a muzzle if necessary, and maybe even bring toys or treats for distraction!
Below we have added some of the top items you can buy and things you can do to make the journey even easier for your dog.
Collapsible Dog Bowl
After finding out the answer to “can dogs go on the tube?” the next thing you’re probably wondering is how can I make the journey as easy as possible for my dog.
If you’re taking your dog on the London underground in summer, your dog will likely get as dehydrated the same as you will! Therefore, you need to be prepared and bring a collapsible dog bowl for your dog to drink from.
We prefer these to some of the dog water bottles you may have seen, because you can simply take a water bottle for yourself, which you can drink from and fill up the bowl when needed. Dog water bottles are useless if you want to drink - you then have to take two bottles out with you, rather than one and a collapsible bowl that takes up very little space.
Dogs like these because they are very familiar - your dog is used to drinking out of a water bowl, making it easier to keep them hydrated on what is already a stressful journey.
Collapsible dog bowls make a strange journey a bit more familiar during the important act of staying hydrated.
Practise Picking Up your dog
Going down escalators, you will have to pick up your dog. If your dog isn’t used to being picked up for extended periods, this could be really stressful for them and you.
Initially, I thought Midge would just be able to stand next to me on the escalator, but obviously, in London, you need to keep the left-hand side of escalators clear for those in a rush, so the only real option is picking your dog up!
Particularly during busy periods, the movement of picking your dog up in one swift motion while walking onto an escalator isn’t easy, so have practice before starting your journey.
As you can see above, Midge wasn’t best pleased to begin with. But, after a while, she got used to the busyness!
Invest in proper dog training methodology
The best thing you can do to prepare your dog for the tube or, in fact, any stressful situation is to apply proper dog training principles before you get to them!
Whether it be the tube, dealing with a dog off their leash in the park or around a busy road, you need to ensure your dog is safe. In our opinion (Henry has a firm view about this), a dog should be able to sit without worrying about them - otherwise, you spend your dog’s whole life stressing!
Below is a book by Sally Bradbbury that we would recommend for training your dog, which looks at methods based upon modern science, which are force and fear-free.
Investing in proper dog training early will allow you to take your dog in most situations, and be rest assured that they will cope.
What if someone is scared of my dog?
If it seems like someone near you is scared of your dog, you can help them feel more comfortable by acknowledging how they are feeling and making an effort to show that your dog is calm, well behaved and not going to go over them.
For example, when we noticed that someone wasn’t comfortable with Midge being near them, we made sure it was apparent she was calm and wasn’t interested in going toward them. We also put her lead on (as when she’s lying down, we often take her lead off, so she feels more comfortable! Midge was previously a gun dog and isn’t used to having a lead on).
If your dog is super excited and won’t stop trying to get to a nearby person, it’s helpful to stand in the way. This will make them feel more comfortable and show them you care about their boundaries.
Over-friendly passengers
Let’s be honest, most people love to see a dog, particularly in areas where we don’t usually see them, like on the tube.
This may lead to someone getting overexcited and approaching your dog in a way that might intimidate them or be overwhelming. This can include a child unexpectedly entering your dog’s personal space by putting their weight on them or grabbing them.
The best way to deal with this is to communicate and be honest - Midge isn’t a massive fan of small children as she once had one rugby tackle her! We will always share this with children and their parents so that they understand why Midge is uncomfortable and to let them know why they shouldn’t be overly friendly!
Understand that you are the one in control of the situation. Please don’t feel pressured to put your dog in a position where they can get uncomfortable just because someone wants to interact with them.
Signs you shouldn’t take your dog on the tube
If your dog shows any of the below, you should closely monitor them and decide whether it is worth taking them on the underground in the future:
Panting more than they usually world
Being restless and walking up and down an area
Tucking their tail between their legs for an extended period
Barking or crying
Licking their lips
Excessive yawning or panting
Folding their ears back to their head
Chewing something around them, such as their lead, can be a way dogs try and manage their stress
If you notice your dog is doing one of the above, it may be best to remove them from the tube by getting off at the next stop. Getting a taxi to your end destination may be expensive, but it may be the best option if something has caused your dog to be distressed!
Just because you can take your dog on the tube doesn’t mean you should if your dog isn’t suited to it!
Safety measures for taking your dog on the tube
Based upon having Henry’s dog in London for a couple of weeks, we have noted down some of the top things you can do to ensure your dog is safe while on the London underground.
Use the larger accessibility gates at the station when walking with your pets - this ensures you have more time to get through the barriers (so your dog doesn’t get stuck!) and gives you plenty of space through the ticket barriers
Be careful on the platform and stay behind the yellow line - it’s surprising how used to the noise we get on the tube; it’s deafening! When you’re with a dog on the platform, stay well back and keep them calm when the trains on the tube come past.
Keep them separate from other dogs - Yes, some dogs love to say hello to each other, but introducing another uncontrollable factor into your journey could add a lot of stress and anxiety to you and your dog. The most chilled dogs in the world could get really agitated and switch.
Avoid peak hours - Rush hours are hectic at the best of times. Having a small friend at your feet may be bad for you and them as they could be stood on easily. People aren’t that aware on their commute, so it’s best to avoid those times and travel at a time better suited to your dog.
Keep the focus on them until you’re comfortable - Remember, everything about the tube will be new to a dog, so don’t get complacent until you’re 100% satisfied your dog is safe.
When we got onto the tube, only after a couple of stops we were sure that Midge would be okay, and we didn’t have to worry.
Dog Tube Guide FAQs
Can you take big dogs on the tube?
According to TfL’s rules, you can take a big dog on the tube for free, as long as they’re kept on their lead. You don’t have to put a muzzle on them, but staff can refuse entry if your dog seems dangerous in any way - so be sure to keep them calm!
Is London dog friendly?
London is known to be one of the most pet-friendly cities in the world. This means that dogs are welcome pretty much anywhere, and you’ll always find somewhere nearby where you can take them for a walk and meet other furry friends. Many restaurants and cafes also allow dogs inside!
Are dogs allowed on trains?
You can bring your dog on the train for free with you, but it has to be well behaved, on a lead, and not affect other passengers or present any danger. You’re allowed a maximum of two dogs per passenger.
Can I take my dog on the tube UK?
Dogs are allowed on the London Underground and London Overground as long as they come on a lead or in a crate/carrier. Station staff can refuse entry to people and dogs who do not adhere to this rule.
Can dogs sit on train seats?
Any pet carrier must be rigid and not open to protect your pet from escaping and to allow them to stand up comfortably. Dogs cannot be on seats, even in a pet carrier – if you do this, you could get charged an additional fee as they are taking up a space someone would pay for.
