How can I travel with two cats on a TGV in France?

Reader question: When travelling by TGV with two cats, should I purchase an extra seat for the second cat? I understand that I can buy one passenger ticket and pay two pet fees, but if I have one cat in a carrier under my seat, where should I put the second carrier?

SNCF allows passengers to travel with up to two pets on TGV INOUI and Intercités trains in France.

When travelling with small pets, such as cats, each one must travel in a closed bag or carrier measuring no more than 45cm x 30cm x 25cm. The carrier must be kept on your lap or at your feet.

Additionally, every pet needs its own ticket, which costs €10 per train. You can also purchase it directly from the train manager for €20.

So, if you are travelling with two cats, you can buy one passenger ticket and two pet tickets. However, SNCF's guidance does not assign a seat to either animal, and it does not specifically explain where two carriers should be placed when travelling alone.

One option is to have one carrier on your lap and the other at your feet. This is allowed under the general guidance, although it may not be the most comfortable arrangement, particularly on a long journey.

Another possibility is to book an additional passenger seat. The SNCF rules say that a pet does not have an assigned seat, but they do not appear to say that a passenger cannot buy an extra seat for themselves and use the additional space for a carrier. The animal would still need its own pet ticket and would remain in its carrier.

If the train's personnel reprimand you for having the pet carrier on the seat, you can place the second carrier on the floor next to the other one, since the additional seat is yours.

This is because SNCF's rules say that “no seat booking (seat or bunk) is allowed for the transport of animals (they must not occupy seats intended for passengers).” 

However, in practice, if you have purchased the additional seat and explained this to the train staff, there may be no issue with having the carrier on the seat.

Another option is to choose a more spacious seating option, if available, rather than buying two passenger seats.

For example, you could go for a first-class or premium seat, which may cost less than purchasing two passenger tickets.

This may give you more room around your feet for both carriers and could be worth comparing when booking.

The simplest option will depend on the train and the space available. You may also get lucky and find that the seat next to you is empty, giving you extra room for your second carrier at no additional cost…but this is a risk you will have to take.