The latest news that Virgin Airlines will be allowing pets on flights still has me reeling. Australia is one of the countries that has a high amount of households with pets, USA takes the top spot, followed by China, and it’s no surprise because evidence of the domestication of animals was found 15,000 years ago.

Looking at the 2022 statistics of pets in Australia:

• 69% of households have a pet – this grew during and the pandemic
• 61% have dogs – 5.7 million dogs nationwide 
• 40% have cats – that 4 million cats nationwide
• 18% fish
• 15% birds

With the high amount of households with pets, we’ll look at pet-friendly public transport options in Sydney and the rest of the nation to see what mode of transport you can, and can’t take pets on. 

• Trains

Sydney: metro or regional trains don’t allow pets on the trains or the platform. The same goes for QLD, SA, WA, and the NT

Victoria: they are allowed on metro trains. Small pets must be in a carrier, while bigger pets need to be on a lead or have a muzzle on. Avoid travelling at peak times with them (7-9am and 4-6pm). V/line trains (longdistance trains) only allow smaller pets in a carrier, and only 1 per customer. They must be comfortable and have easy access to food or water. They are allowed in the luggage or bike storage area if there’s space and the crew allows. No dangerous animals allowed – no dangerous snakes on a train.

• Light rail

Sydney: they are allowed if the staff approves. They must be in a carrier.

Victoria: pets are allowed on Melbourne trams. Small pets must be in a carrier, while bigger pets need to be on a lead or have a muzzle on. Avoid travelling at peak times with them (7-9am and 4-6pm).

ACT: pets are allowed on board light rail services. They must be in a carrier.

QLD and SA don’t allow pets on their light rail services.

• Bus

Sydney: only if the driver allows and they must be restrained in a carrier. 

Victoria: pets are allowed. Smaller pets must be in a carrier. Larger pets on a lead or muzzled, and avoid peak hour travel as well.

ACT: only if the driver allows and they must be restrained in a carrier. 

QLD, SA, WA and the NT don’t allow pets on their buses

• Ferries

Sydney: it’s up to the crew to allow pets on services. They can ask you and you pet to take the next service if it’s full. Pets must be restrained in a carrier and are only allowed in the outdoor deck area – unless the ferry doesn’t have an outdoor area. 

Victoria: pets are allowed on Searoad ferries. They must be on a lead and in the outdoor areas only.

QLD: they only allow dogs on the Brisbane ferries and on their City Cats. This is only all weekend and week days between 8:30am – 3:30pm and 7pm – 6am. They must be either in a carrier or on a lead at all times.

SA: the sealink to Kangaroo Island allow pets. They must be in the outdoor area only and on a lead.

WA: don’t allow pets on ferries. 

Nationwide, certified assistance animals are always allowed on all public transport.