Travelling with Pets

It depends on training and task performance:

Service Animal:

• Specifically trained to perform tasks for disabled handler
• Examples: interrupt panic attacks, provide pressure therapy during anxiety, guide during dissociation
• Protected by disability discrimination law
• No carrier required, no fees, always permitted

Emotional Support Animal (ESA):

• Provides comfort by presence but not trained for specific tasks
• Not protected as service animal under NSW law
• Treated as regular pet – requires carrier, approval, and $20 fee

Key Question: Does your animal perform a specific trained task related to your disability? If yes = service animal. If comfort only = ESA/pet.

No, pets must stay in carrier entire journey.

Reasons for this rule:

• Safety: Sudden stops could throw pet around vehicle, causing injury
• Driver Distraction: Loose pets can interfere with safe driving
• Allergies: Contained in carrier reduces allergen spread
• Vehicle Cleanliness: Prevents pet hair, scratches, accidents on seats
• Other Passengers: In shared shuttles, others may be afraid of animals

Exception: Service animals travel uncontained at handler's feet or lap as they're working animals.

Most journeys to/from airport are under 1 hour – pets can wait.

For longer journeys (1+ hours):

• Mention when booking that you may need bathroom stop
• Driver can pull over at safe location
• You must take pet out (on leash), driver doesn't handle
• Clean up after pet (bring bags!)
• Brief stop (5 minutes) usually no extra charge

Prevention tips:

• Have pet use bathroom immediately before pickup
• Limit water 1 hour before journey
• Line carrier with absorbent pad just in case

Accidents happen: If pet has accident in carrier, no penalty as long as carrier contained it. Cleanup fee applies if leaks into vehicle.

Generally no – pets only permitted on private shuttle bookings.

Why private only:

• Other passengers may have allergies
• Some passengers afraid of animals
• Pet sounds may disturb other travelers
• Fairness – not all passengers signed up for pet travel

Solution: Book private shuttle for you and your pet. Cost difference usually small (especially for couples/families), and you get exclusive vehicle!

Exception: Service animals can travel on shared shuttles as they're protected by law.

We understand pets can be anxious in new environments!

Normal pet sounds:

• Occasional whimpering, meowing
• Brief barking when entering/exiting vehicle
• Settling down noises at start of journey

Excessive noise:

• Continuous loud barking entire journey
• Aggressive growling or snarling
• Sounds causing driver distraction/safety concern

What happens: Driver may ask you to calm pet. If impossible and affecting safety, driver may end journey early (partial refund given).

Prevention tips:

• Familiarize pet with carrier before journey
• Bring favorite toy or blanket
• Consider calming treats (check with vet)
• Practice short car trips before long journey

No, you must bring anything your pet needs.

Recommended to bring:

• Water bottle: Collapsible bowl or water bottle with dispenser
• Treats: Small treats for comfort (nothing messy or smelly)
• Waste bags: In case of bathroom stop or cleanup needed
• Towel/pad: Absorbent liner in carrier bottom
• Favorite toy: Comfort item for anxious pets
• Leash: For loading/unloading and bathroom stops

Feeding: Generally not recommended during journey (can cause car sickness). Feed pet before departure or after arrival.

Yes! Empty pet carriers transported as regular luggage.

• Counts toward your luggage allowance (1 large + 1 carry-on per person)
• No pet fee since no pet is traveling
• Soft-sided carriers can fold for easier storage
• Declare large hard carriers when booking to ensure space

Common scenario: Traveling to pick up new pet, or bringing carrier for pet you're collecting at destination. No problem!

See our luggage guidelines for more details.