Sweden-Denmark-Germany-Netherlands-Belgium-Luxemburg-Austria-Germany-Sweden
In June 2023 we went on a three-week trip (with our dog) from Sweden, via Germany to Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg, Austria, and back through Germany. Here’s the itinerary and some tips.
Train connections
28 May Helsingborg > Copenhagen (2h) Copenhagen > Kolding (2h) Overnight in Kolding.
29 May Kolding > Hamburg (3h 20 min) Overnight in Hamburg.
30 May Hamburg > Osnabrück (2h) Overnight in Osnabrück.
31 May Osnabrück > Utrecht (3h) 3 nights in Utrecht.
3 June Utrecht > Rotterdam (1h) Rotterdam > Brussels (2h) Brussels > Luxemburg (3h) Overnight in Luxemburg.
4 June Luxemburg > Koblenz (3h) Koblenz > Innsbruck (over night) Night train was cancelled, so we had to take a train in the morning during the day to Munich and then to Innsbruck. 1 week in Fulpmes, near Innsbruck, in the Alps.
11 June Innsbruck > Redl-Zipf (3h) Overnight stay in Zipf.
12 June Redl-Zipf > Munich (2h) Overnight in Munich.
13 June Munich > Berlin (4.5h) 3 nights in Berlin.
16 June Berlin > Lübeck (3h) Overnight in Lübeck.
17 June Lübeck > Travemünde (30 min) Travemünde > Malmö (overnight ferry)
Dog things
All European countries that we went through seem to have slightly different rules when it comes to dogs. The easiest are Luxemburg and Sweden - no tickets or muzzle needed. The priciest is Germany, where a dog ticket costs 50% of the adult ticket price, which can get very expensive.
Sweden
No muzzle or ticket needed. Dog-specific areas on most trains.
Denmark
Needs child’s ticket (12-15 years) on public transport and additionally seat reservation on intercity trains.
Germany
Needs child’s ticket (6-14 years) or dog ticket: usually half price of an adult ticket. No seat reservation needed. Must be on leash and wear muzzle.
Netherlands
Day dog tickets available for 3.30 EUR, valid on domestic trains. For Intercity train to Belgium (not Thalys!), dog ticket costs 6 EUR. Dog should be leashed and wear a muzzle.
Belgium
Day dog ticket for 3 EUR, valid for all public transport. No mandatory muzzle.
Luxemburg
Dogs of all sizes travel for free on trains and public transport. No mandatory muzzle.
Austria
Muzzle and leash mandatory. Dog tickets are 10% of normal ticket price.