Travelling with a pet: from Lille to Stockholm by train with a dog

Written by Sophie Renassia

Published on October 7, 2024, modified on November 14, 2024

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From Lille to Stockholm by train with Rafiki

Who says you can't go on long journeys with a four-legged friend? In this episode, Lisa welcomes Marion and Rafiki, a Shetland shepherd. An incredible adventure to the Swedish capital, punctuated by 9 trains across Europe.

Episod summary

• The ideal mode of transport for her and Rafiki: Marion discusses the advantages of the train, which is much more comfortable than the car or metro for her shy dog.
• Her dream itinerary: from Lille to Stockholm, via Brussels, Cologne, Hamburg and even an impromptu break in Malmö!
• Her tips for traveling with your pet: from advance information on the conditions of the train companies to breaks to allow your dog to relax.
• Her most memorable moments: from the charm of a night train from Hamburg to Stockholm to the crossing between Malmö and Copenhagen with the sea as far as the eye can see.
• Her unexpected stopover in Malmö and the discoveries that went with it.
• And other nuggets that we'll let you discover by clicking right here 👇

“Rafiki has never been so serene on a transport, he slept peacefully on the train.”

“We were lucky enough to have a six-seater berth just for the two of us, thank you Rafiki!”

“Traveling with a dog means anticipating a little more, but it makes the experience even more rewarding.”

Lille-Stochkolm by train : the itinerary in detail

In total, Marion and Rafiki took nine trains and crossed five countries: France, Belgium, Germany, Denmark and Sweden.

Their main route:

• Lille 🇫🇷 → Brussels 🇧🇪 → Cologne 🇩🇪 → Hamburg 🇩🇪 by day train,
• Hamburg 🇩🇪 → Stockholm 🇸🇪 by night train (a unique experience in a private sleeper thanks to Rafiki),

Return :

• Via Copenhagen 🇸🇪 and Malmö 🇸🇪 (an impromptu stopover in this Swedish city before returning to Lille 🇫🇷).

Marion's tips for traveling with a pet

• Check the conditions of the train companies: each company has its own rules concerning pets. For example, in Germany, a small dog can travel free of charge if it's the size of a cat. If in doubt, don't hesitate to ask the ticket inspector at each train to avoid unpleasant surprises.
• Choose wide connections: if you're traveling with a pet, make sure your connections are long enough for your companion to stretch his or her legs, especially on long journeys.
• Anticipate pet-friendly accommodation: when booking your accommodation, activate the “pets accepted” filters to avoid reducing your options at the last minute. Some cities are more pet-friendly than others, so it's best to book in advance to avoid being caught out.
• Prepare the necessary documentation: to travel abroad with a pet, vaccinations must be up to date. Some countries (such as Sweden) may also require specific papers for customs. These documents must be ready before departure, even if controls are sometimes non-existent!
• Choose suitable activities: some activities, such as hiking in the open air or visiting nature parks, are ideal for travel with pets. But it's also important to find a balance: think about planning times when your dog can rest while you visit places that are less accessible to animals (like certain museums or restaurants, for example).
  

With this trip, not only have Marion and Rafiki strengthened their bond, but they've also discovered a mode of transport that's both comfortable and flexible for experiencing new adventures together (much more so than the car or metro, which are usually stressful for Rafiki).

Proof that, with a little organization and forethought, it's perfectly possible to make the most of a trip while ensuring your pet's well-being!

And the adventure doesn't stop there, as Marion is planning to adopt a second dog soon (of the same breed as Rafiki, as she has fallen under the spell of this wise and loyal companion). And she intends to repeat the experience, this time with her two dogs!

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