Your furry friends are welcome to join you on train trips through Italy, so long as they—and you—meet certain requirements.
Required Documentation
All dogs on Trenitalia trains except for guide dogs for the blind must be accompanied by a registration certificate and a health card. Both of these requirements are met by a "pet passport" for non-Italian travelers. These documents must be presented when buying the necessary ticket for the dog, and again during the train trip if requested. Failure to have either document could result in a fine and being forced to get off the train at the next stop.
Small Cats and Dogs
Pets that are small enough to fit inside a carrier no bigger than 25.5" x 12" x 15.5" (70 cm x 30 cm x 50 cm) are permitted to travel with you for no additional fee in both first and second class as well as all levels of service on Frecce trains. Each passenger is only allowed to bring one animal carrier.
Larger Dogs
When dogs are big enough that they won't fit in the approved carrier size, the rules for bringing them on trains change. Each passenger is allowed to bring one dog on board, and the dog must be kept on a leash and muzzled at all times.
Dogs traveling this way are permitted at no extra charge on high-speed Frecce trains in both first and second class and in Business and Standard levels of service. They're also allowed on Express trains, IC, and ICN trains in both first and second class, and on Regional trains (except from 7-9 a.m. Monday-Friday). On Regional trains, dogs have to sit in the aisles or in the vestibule of the last train car.
In some situations, dog owners must purchase an additional ticket to travel with their pet. On Frecce trains in Executive and Premium levels of service, on Regional trains during rush hour from 7-9 a.mm Monday-Friday, and in any sleeping compartment passengers must buy a special ticket for their dog. It's a second-class ticket charged at half of the regular price for that train ticket, and can be purchased at any ticket office (except for online ticket sellers).
Restrictions on Animals
Pets traveling with their owners must be well-behaved and not disturb other passengers on the train. Animals must not take seats which could be used by other passengers, and no pets are allowed in restaurant, cafe, or bar cars except guide dogs for the blind.
If at any point an animal disturbs other passengers, staff on board the train may require that the pet owner and the pet move to another part of the train if one is available. If nothing else is available, the pet owner and pet may be required to get off the train at the next stop.
Guide Dogs for the Blind
Guide dogs for the sight-impaired can travel on all trains free of charge and are the only animals allowed in the Restaurant/Bar Wagons.