Pets Can Now “Ride” High-Speed Trains Alone

Building on the previous successful trial of the pet transport service for high-speed railway, railway authorities have recently introduced the “Beloved Pet Travel” service, effective April 8, 2026. The program provides two pet transport options—accompanied travel and unaccompanied transport. The number of high-speed railway stations offering the pet transport service has increased to 121, and the number of trains to 228. They aim to better accommodate the diverse needs of travelers.

The “Beloved Pet Travel” service is primarily introduced for domesticated cats and dogs in good health, each with a maximum weight of no more than 15 kilograms, a shoulder height not exceeding 40 centimeters, and a body length not exceeding 52 centimeters.

Accompanied Option

For Ticket-Holding Passengers

Passengers can use the 宠物托运 (“Pet Transport”)  feature on the Railway 12306 app to check the availability of tickets and pet transport slots. Trains offering the pet transport service are marked with a 宠 (“pet”) character. Passengers can purchase train tickets online and make reservations for pet transport on the same train. They can reserve slots for the following day at the earliest before 12:00 each day and slots for the day after the following day at the earliest after 12:00 (inclusive). Each passenger may transport up to two eligible pets on the same train.

Unaccompanied Option

For Owners Other Than Ticket-Holding Passengers

Owners can make a reservation and submit their pet’s information and photos two to five days prior to the transport date via the 中铁快运 (“China Railway Express”) WeChat Mini Program. Each owner may transport a maximum of one eligible pet per train trip. Once the reservation is confirmed, passengers or owners are required to arrive at the China Railway Express business office in the departure station at the appointed time with their pet, a valid ID, and a valid Animal Quarantine Certificate to complete the transport procedures. Upon arrival at the destination station, owners can pick up their pet by following an SMS notification from China Railway Express.

Service Enhancement

The “Beloved Pet Travel” service will continue to strictly follow the principle of “isolated transport with pets separated from passengers”.

To further enhance service quality, China Railway Express has comprehensively upgraded its pet transport containers. In addition to built-in features such as air circulation, the monitoring of oxygen level, temperature, and humidity, noise reduction, and odor control, containers are now equipped with sensor-based smart water refilling, night-vision video monitoring, remote-controlled electric ventilation, and other capabilities with extended battery life and enhanced signal transmission ability.

Pets are kept in transport containers placed in high-speed railway express cabinets throughout the trip. The separation from passenger compartments effectively prevents pet hair, odor, and noise from affecting the onboard environment. Staff keep containers closed during the trip to ensure a clean environment and the safety of the pets.

Staff monitor the pets’ condition via the containers’ monitoring system. Owners are not permitted to visit their pets during transport. After each transport, staff promptly clean and disinfect the pet transport containers and, upon arrival at the final destination, clean and disinfect the high-speed railway express cabinets.

Service Stations

The “Beloved Pet Travel” service is available at existing high-speed railway stations offering the pet transport service and has been expanded to cover 11 stations—Tangshan, Handandong, Hengshuibei, Tai’an, Qufudong, Yan’an, Baojinan, Fuyangxi, Luohexi, Enshi, and Xinyangdong Railway Stations—and 50 EMU trains such as G41 and G688. A total of 121 high-speed railway stations and 228 EMU trains now offer the “Beloved Pet Travel” service.

Pricing

The “Beloved Pet Travel” service continues to adopt a tiered pricing system based on transport distance. The accompanied option offers discounted rates that vary seasonally, while owners choosing the unaccompanied option are charged at standard rates. All owners are entitled to a complimentary basic insurance policy worth RMB 2,000.

For more information on the “Beloved Pet Travel” service, please call the 12306 or 95572 customer service hotlines, or check the information on the Railway 12306 app.

Since railway authorities launched the trial of the pet transport service for high-speed railway on April 8, 2025, the program has run smoothly and has been well received by the market. Over the past year, the service ensured the safe transport of over 15,000 pets, significantly facilitating travel for owners bringing their pets.

Source: HomeinChengdu