Escalators are the final boss of dog commuting. Many dogs panic on moving stairs—they see a silver monster eating their paws. TfL says you must carry small dogs on escalators. Yes, carry them. So if you have a 50-pound golden retriever, you’d better start doing squats now. Alternatively, find the lift. It’s slower, but your dog won’t end up in a viral video titled “Tube Dog Goes Full Flipper.”
Fun fact: The most Tube-friendly dog breeds are French bulldogs and pugs, because they’re small and too lazy to cause trouble. The worst? Huskies. They will try to pull you toward every sausage-scented draft. And collies? They’ll herd passengers into neat little rows. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
Surprising Perks (And One Weird Law)
Did you know that you don’t need a ticket for your dog? They travel free. That’s right—your dog is a better commuter than you. They pay nothing, get all the belly rubs they want, and never complain about delays. Also, TfL has a “dog-friendly” map that shows which stations have stairs versus lifts. It’s real. I’m not joking.
Can Dogs Ride The Tube? London Travel Tips For Pet Owners | QuartzMountain
But here’s the weirdest rule of all: You cannot bring a dog on the Tube if it is “likely to cause a nuisance.” That means no barking, no jumping, no staring at the man eating a pasty. If your dog is a menace, you can be fined £1,000. I looked it up. That’s more than my rent. So keep Fido calm, or buy him a sedative—preferably one that smells like bacon.
