Pet Relocation by Land: Exploring Road Trip And Train Options

Shifting is something nearly everyone will experience during their lifetime. Whether it’s a house, across states, or crossing continents, the globalized nature of trade means crossing borders or shifting residences is a commonplace occurrence nowadays. If you’re a pet parent, chances are that your pet is among the first things you will think about when planning a move.

Before planning for a pet relocation on land, you must consider the nature of it. For instance, if you’re moving with your pet within the city, a simple drive will suffice. However, for a journey from the north to the east or south to the north of the country, driving is hardly the most practical option. For domestic transport, you have three modes available: road, rail, and air. Land transport is usually more cost-efficient but involves longer travel times, while air travel is comparatively expensive but quicker.

Remember, your choice of mode should be the one where your pet will be the most comfortable throughout the journey. Some modes might be better in terms of logistics but may pose a problem in terms of comfort, while others will be ideal but costly. It’s all about striking a balance between your need to move and your pet’s comfort; fortunately, it is easy, given that you know the details and preparations required by each mode and your pet’s exact requirements. Here’s a few things to consider before embarking on a pet relocation by land.

Requirements for Pet Relocation Within India

The good thing about domestic pet travel is the fact that it is far easier to plan and prepare for than an international journey. The journey being within your own country’s borders helps, as it significantly reduces the requirements for travel. Remember to check the local rules and regulations to see if you have an exotic/rare/banned breed of pet to ensure you comply with the rules.

Here’s what you’ll need for domestic pet travel:

• Fit to Fly/Fit to Travel Certificate: This is a document which is filled and signed by a vet after a checkup. Such a document certifies that your pet has passed a vet’s examination and is fit to travel. While you will not require it on a road journey, you definitely will on a train & plane journey. 
  

• Vaccination Record: Your pet’s vaccination record (sometimes also called their pet passport) is the other important document for domestic pet travel. Once again, while you may not need it on road travel, you may for train travel, and you definitely will for air travel. 
  

• ID Proof: While not mentioned as an exact travel requirement, it goes without saying that you should have proof of identity on hand to produce it when asked for. This goes for both you and your pet; for yourself, documents like a driver’s license or an Aadhar card should suffice, while for your pet, dog tags or their name on the collar should work in tandem with their microchip. We recommend you get your pet microchipped if you travel a lot, as it is the only permanent proof of ID your pet has and is a standard requirement for international pet travel.
  

Pet Relocation by Land: Options

Pet Travel via Road: Options

The first option you have for land travel is pet travel via roadways. A road trip can give you some quality time to spend with your pet and is a comfortable method of travelling. Having your pet right next to you for the duration of the journey will help alleviate a ton of travel-related anxiety, which can be rather overwhelming as a first-time traveller and is especially helpful for an elderly pet or a pet that has a disability.

One thing road travel doesn't have is a pre-determined price quote since it depends on a plethora of factors. To get an estimate, you can take various aspects of your journey into consideration and calculate a rough figure based on known factors. The first thing to measure is the distance between your origin and destination; once you have the distance, you can calculate how long your journey will take based on the number of kilometres covered per day. For example, if it is 1,500 KM and you travel 500 KM per day, it will take three days to get to your destination.

Similarly, other aspects of your journey can be planned once you have an estimated distance of travel. If you’re spending three nights on a road trip, you’ll need three nights’ accommodation, three days’ worth of food, and fuel charges for the distance. The requirements for road travel are minimal provided you plan the journey properly and factor in fuel, rest, and refreshment stops. Besides, doesn’t going on a road trip with your pet sound like a dream?

Pet Travel via Train: Options

An alternative option for pet transport on land is pet travel via train. If you cannot drive and require a transportation service through more remote corners of the country, a train trip should suffice.

For pet travel via train, you’ll need to book a first-class coach and buy tickets for a cabin or a coupe for the two of you. Once more, the charge for tickets depends on your origin and destination locations, so make sure to make a booking beforehand.

Once you’ve booked a coupe/cabin, you can relax with your pet for the duration of the journey. Alternatively, you can send your pet in the cargo compartment; the charges are lower than in-cabin travel, but your pet will have to travel in a cage in the cargo compartment which is neither very clean nor very comfortable and most definitely anxiety-inducing. It is recommended you opt for in-cabin travel for the most comfortable journey possible.

To conclude, road and rail travel are the two options for on-land pet transportation. Each has its respective pros and cons, but both offer a comfortable way of travelling with your pet over longer distances. In the end, the choice you make depends on you, your pet, and whichever mode better caters to your needs. Happy travels!