Piggies and train travel

[Ben and Jerry]

I am going to Yorkshire from Birmingham later this month and I'm taking Ben and Jerry with me in a travel cage (cat basket/box ) the trip will take around 2 -3 hours in total. Has anyone travelled this way with their piggies before? Do I need a special ticket or anything? Can I just climb aboard and keep them with me on my lap? Do I need to inform the rail franchise when booking my ticket?

Any advise would be gratefully received, Jo

 

[Wiebke]

I have just gone and picked up my latest two girls from Milhaven rescue in Yorkshire on the August bank holiday. It was not my first over 3 hour train journey with piggies, though.

You just take them with you on the train; no extra ticket necessary.

I recommend to feed the piggies well with a good portion of fresh, juicy grass and veg shortly before you set off, so they are well hydrated, full and sleepy. In my experience most first time travel piggies won't eat or drink much during the journey and stuffing them in advance avoids the problem nicely. Later they get more chilled out about it all. Put some hay for nibbling and calming down (not too much or they overheat) in their carrier. If necessary, take a towel with you to cover the opening and give them more of a feel of safety. So far, I've never had any problems with the piggies on my lap or on the next free seat.

Give them a day or so to settle into their new home.

 

[MerryPip]

My boys, past and present have done 6-7 hours from Wolves to Scotland. I have found they never eat/drink much while travelling but usually supply them with cucumber anyway to keep them happy and hydrated. My guys tend to prefer the box being on the floor of the carriage as the vibration is calming and the other passengers were a bit amused by the annoyed wheeking while they were sat on the seat but otherwise no problems!

 

[lauraboara]

Hi agree with advice above but should point out that most train companies can technically charge for an additional seat IF the pet carrier takes up a whole seat. Look on the train companies website if you want to check out the particular rules for that company (not that I am admitting to work in the rail industry or anything rolleyes). Example terms from a website are "Your pet can usually travel with you free of charge, provided it does not occupy a seat."

i have taken piggies on the train before - in fact like Weibke have gone to Milhaven to meet adoption pigs via train and it has been fine. In fact I like it as I can check on them as often as I like as they are right next to me and I am not driving! I usually take a carrier which fits on my knee and sit in a 'non table' seat but if that is uncomfortable, on the floor away from the aisle. As per above, I ensure they have a breakfast of particularly juicy veg to make sure they are hydrated and then take bits of cucumber / herbs for snack time if they want anything. Hope journey goes well.

 

[MerryPip]

Hi agree with advice above but should point out that most train companies can technically charge for an additional seat IF the pet carrier takes up a whole seat. Look on the train companies website if you want to check out the particular rules for that company (not that I am admitting to work in the rail industry or anything rolleyes). Example terms from a website are "Your pet can usually travel with you free of charge, provided it does not occupy a seat."

The easy way around this is not to assume you can put them on the seat! I use a seat if there is one free but they have also travelled on the floor by my feet, on the table and on my lap for journeys of 4 hours plus. Not always most comfortable but practically speaking it does the job.

 

[helen105281]

We have travelled with lots of our pigs - Mrs Fuzzy from York to Letchworth, Tim, Buzz and Woody from the other side of London and Alison just took Charlie (was Cache Cache from London to the West Midlands). They are fine as long as they have lots of fresh veg and food and water. We tend to have them on our laps or by our feet unless there is a spare seat that noone needs.