Which Pet Carrier for Plane, Train and Car? Soft, Expandable, Structured and Foldable Compared
Friday on the train to the coast, a flight to Amsterdam in March, and a long drive to see family at Christmas. Same cat, three very different trips, and the carrier sits at your feet for all of them.
Pet carriers come in four broad types: soft, expandable, structured and foldable. Each one suits a different kind of trip. Here's how I match the carrier to the journey, with the sizes that apply on planes, UK trains and in the car.
The short version
- Plane: a soft carrier that fits under the seat. Most European airlines allow 55 × 40 × 23 cm, KLM from the UK allows 46 × 28 × 24 cm, and almost all count 8 kg for pet and bag together.
- Train: on UK trains, cats travel in a fully enclosed carrier of up to 85 × 60 × 60 cm, and up to two animals ride free.
- Car: a structured carrier that keeps its shape on the seat or in the footwell.
- One carrier for everything: pick for the strictest trip, which is usually the plane.
The four types at a glance
| Type | Plane | Train | Car | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soft, compressible top | best fit under the seat | good | fine for short drives | P8114, 43 × 28 × 22 cm |
| Expandable | yes, closed for the flight | good, opened out at your feet | good | P8110, 55 × 28 × 24 cm |
| Structured | check the height limit | very good | very good | P8116, 45 × 30 × 28 cm |
| Foldable | check the height limit | good | good, folds flat on arrival | P8115, folds to 6 cm |
On the plane
The carrier goes under the seat in front of you, so height is usually the tightest measurement. Lufthansa and Eurowings allow 23 cm, Norwegian 20 cm, Air France and KLM 24 cm. A soft carrier with a compressible top gives you a centimetre or two of room once it's under the seat. Pets can't fly into Great Britain in the cabin, so plan the way home first. Our guide to flying with a pet from the UK lists the airlines that take pets in the cabin, and KLM from the UK covers the most common route.
Our P8114 measures 43 × 28 × 22 cm, presses down to 20 cm under the seat and weighs 1.45 kg. The P8110 is a soft backpack carrier at 55 × 28 × 24 cm that opens out at the gate for extra room while you wait.
On the train
Under the National Rail Conditions of Travel, dogs travel on a lead and other animals in a fully enclosed carrier of up to 85 × 60 × 60 cm. That's far more room than any airline gives you. On a train the carrier sits on a moving floor for hours, so a frame that holds its shape helps your cat feel settled. Full details are in taking a dog or cat on UK trains.
In the car
In the car a structured carrier stays upright on the seat or in the footwell, and it's easy to carry into a service station or a hotel. Our P8116 measures 45 × 30 × 28 cm, weighs 0.9 kg and holds cats and small dogs up to 10 kg. Its roll-up shade lets you darken the window when your cat wants quiet. If boot space is tight, the P8115 folds down to 6 cm once you arrive. Driving to the continent? Read taking your dog or cat from the UK to Europe.
If you only want one carrier
Choose for the strictest trip. If a flight is on the cards, a soft carrier that fits under the seat works on the train and in the car as well. If you mainly travel by train and car, a structured carrier gives your pet more room and a steadier home.
What I've learned travelling with a dog and a cat
Keep it the same carrier. Luna, my sphynx, settles fastest in the carrier she already knows from home, whatever the trip.
Practise in the car first. Mochi, my toy poodle, rode in her bag on our longer drives, about two hours at a time, before her first flight. After a few trips she lay down and slept.
Bring a blanket. On a busy train or at the gate, a blanket over the carrier means your pet doesn't see everyone walking past.
Common questions
Can I use the same pet carrier on a plane and a train?
Yes, if it fits the airline's limits. A soft under-seat carrier, around 43 × 28 × 22 cm, works on both.
How big can a cat carrier be on UK trains?
Up to 85 × 60 × 60 cm, fully enclosed, under the National Rail Conditions of Travel.
Is a structured carrier allowed in the plane cabin?
It has to fit the airline's size limit. Many airlines allow only 20 to 24 cm in height, and Lufthansa and Eurowings ask for a soft carrier.
What's the best carrier for a long car journey?
A structured carrier that keeps its shape on the seat, with enough room for your pet to stand, turn and lie down.
Carriers for every kind of trip
P8114 for flights, P8116 for trains and the car.
A short note: entry and exit rules and transport companies' requirements change, and the official information always applies.
