Ruff-Riders: London’s Underground Is The Most Dog-Friendly Subway
There’s something for dog owners to wag about, as London’s Underground has been named the most pooch-friendly subway.
“We can take our dogs everywhere and all the [Transport for London] staff we have encountered have been very friendly and welcoming on their services,” shares dog owner Kieran Beckles.
The news comes from the London rental company, Essential Living, which examined 10 subway systems around the world, critiquing public transport on a range of criteria, including accessibility, convenience, and pet-friendliness.
TFL came out on top, with marks across the board as the best transport for pets. Dogs travel for free, as long as they are on a lead or in a carrier, and unlike other cities, are not required to wear a muzzle.
A TFL staff member says the Tube is “definitely” dog-friendly. Small dogs must be carried on the escalator, but if they are too large they can use the lift or stairs to prevent damage to their paws. If a station only has an escalator, Christina, who owns a large Malamute, will sometimes ask staff to turn off the escalator so she can get her dog up safely.
Julie Tasdur, who looks after her boss’ dog, Sabrina, brings the pooch on the Tube when Uber refuses to let her ride with her. She says it’s difficult to travel on the tube with large dogs like hers and needs to plan her route in advance and be prepared.
To help eliminate any inconvenience, Blue Cross created a dog-friendly tube map to minimize the confusion for owners. Although bringing a dog on public transport can be a hassle, dog-owner Tasdur says, “It does make me happy that Sabrina makes other people happy on the Tube.”
When it comes to using buses or trains, Christina says there are different regulations. “Buses are dog-friendly but it’s the driver’s discretion if they let you on or not.” This depends on safety, but she said it’s typically “size discrimination.” She said trains are better for dogs than the Tube, but owners can only bring two dogs aboard.
Pooches in London are allowed a lot more freedom than other cities. Shanghai, Beijing, and Mexico City’s subways are pet-free. Meanwhile, New York banned dogs on the subway unless they fit into bags. Other cities require dogs to be muzzled, are only allowed in certain carriages, or ban large dogs.
Even when owners pre-plan trips, Beckles says people need to also think about other obstacles, such as foot traffic and weather when bringing her two dogs on the Tube. “We try to avoid rush hour because our dogs are so small, the amount of footfall can overwhelm them, as is common with toy-sized dogs.” During the summer heatwave, Beckles opts for the Overground or District line so that her pups don’t overheat.
Being afraid of dogs or allergic is common, with nine percent of the population reporting they are scared of the four-legged animals. Despite this, owners report there is typically a warm-reception to their pets. Sandia Scott, the owner of a Miniature Dachshund, says that people don’t seem to mind having her dog on their commute and that many like to take her dog’s photo or pet her, and only had one incident where someone was disapproving of her pet. “A passenger clearly did not like dogs and respectfully moved away without making a fuss,” Scott recalls.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that TFL is one of the best subways for dogs, with the city boasting plenty of options for people’s four-legged companions. From dog-friendly pubs and restaurants to 3,000 public open spaces, including parks, for furry friends to explore, London is one of the most dog-friendly cities in the U.K. Tasdur’s pooch spends time going in ponds and chasing balls around London Fields, and Scott’s pup takes likes to roam Greenwich Park.
Whether you have a small, big, or medium-sized dog, London’s friendly and easy transport options make it a great way to explore the city with your four-legged friend.
