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Dogs on trains · Amtrak
How much is the Amtrak pet fee?
Amtrak doesn't post one national price anymore. The fee depends on the route, it's charged for every train you ride, and it follows your fare's refund rules.
Last checked against Amtrak's own published rules on . Last updated .
The short answer $29 to $39 per segment
Amtrak's own page says pet fees vary by route and show up in the price summary when you book. On state-supported corridors like the Pacific Surfliner, Capitol Corridor and Amtrak Cascades it's $29 per pet per segment, and North Carolina lists $39 for trips that leave the state. You pay it again for every train you ride.
- Typical fee$29 on most state corridors, $39 on longer trips
- ChargedPer pet, per travel segment
- Points1,000 Guest Rewards points on the Pacific Surfliner
- RefundsSame rules as your fare
For every train in one place, start at our can my dog ride the train guide. Nearby, families also ask about dogs on Amtrak, the Amtrak pet carrier size rule, dogs on the Pacific Surfliner.
Quick check
Will my dog fit on Amtrak?
Pick a breed or enter your dog's weight. We check it against Amtrak's rule above.
What the Amtrak pet fee costs on each route
Amtrak's pet page now says only that "pet fees vary by route and will be shown in the price summary at time of reservation." These are the amounts Amtrak's state partners publish:
| Route | Pet fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pacific Surfliner | $29 or 1,000 Guest Rewards points | Per pet reservation; five pet spots per train |
| Capitol Corridor | $29 each way | Up to six pets per train |
| Amtrak Cascades | $29 per reservation ($58 round trip) | Pets ride in Coach car 4 only |
| Trips within North Carolina (Piedmont, Carolinian) | $29 | Per NC By Train |
| Trips from North Carolina to other states | $39 | Per NC By Train |
| Other routes | Shown at booking | Amtrak no longer posts a national price |
Why you might pay the pet fee more than once
Amtrak says the pet fee "is assessed for each travel segment." A segment is one train. So a round trip is two fees, and a trip with a connection is a fee for each train. On Amtrak Cascades that means $58 for a simple round trip. Pet trips are also capped at 7 hours of total travel time, including the wait between trains.
Can I pay the pet fee with Guest Rewards points?
On the Pacific Surfliner, yes: a pet reservation costs $29 or 1,000 Amtrak Guest Rewards points. Amtrak's Guest Rewards FAQ also says its discount coupons can be used on add-ons, and it lists pets as one of them. Amtrak's main pet page doesn't mention points, so check the price summary when you book other routes.
Is the Amtrak pet fee refundable?
It follows your ticket. Amtrak's refund policy says add-ons such as bikes and pets "adopt the cancellation policy associated with the fare purchased." A pet added to a flexible fare can be refunded like that fare, and a pet on a Saver fare follows Saver rules. The Pacific Surfliner says its pet reservations are fully refundable before departure.
How to add a pet to your Amtrak reservation
- Check the route first. Pets can't ride the Auto Train, Gold Runner or Amtrak Connection services, or cross into Canada on the Adirondack, Maple Leaf or Amtrak Cascades.
- Book your own Coach or Acela Business Class seat, then add the pet during checkout online or in the Amtrak app, or call 1-800-USA-RAIL. It's one pet per customer, and pet spots are first come, first served.
- Sign the Pet Release and Indemnification Agreement online for each segment. It's offered at the end of booking and in My Trip or the Amtrak app.
- At a staffed station, check in at the ticket office 45 minutes before departure so agents can confirm your pet's paperwork. At unstaffed stations the conductor does it on board.
- Bring a carrier that meets Amtrak's carrier size rule: 19 x 14 x 10.5 inches and 20 pounds total with your dog inside.
A page from Rally's ride
Before Rally's trip, he packs his own bag: a turtle toy, a green bone and a yellow ball. Let your kids pack a small bag for your dog too, with water, a bowl, treats and a puppy pad for the station. The packing page is in our free coloring and activity pack.
Questions about dogs on Amtrak
How much does Amtrak charge for a dog?
It depends on the route. Amtrak shows the fee at booking instead of posting one price. On state corridors like the Pacific Surfliner, Capitol Corridor and Amtrak Cascades it's $29, and North Carolina lists $39 for trips to other states. The fee is per pet and per segment.
Is the Amtrak pet fee per trip or per ticket?
Per segment. Amtrak charges the pet fee for each train you ride, so a round trip costs two fees and a trip with a connection costs one fee for each train. On Amtrak Cascades a round trip is $58.
Can I use Amtrak points for a pet?
On the Pacific Surfliner you can pay 1,000 Amtrak Guest Rewards points instead of $29. Amtrak's Guest Rewards discount coupons can also be applied to pets. Elsewhere, check the price summary when you book.
Is the Amtrak pet fee refundable?
It follows the fare you bought. Amtrak's refund policy says pets and other add-ons use the cancellation rules of your ticket, so a flexible fare is refundable and a Saver fare is not. Pacific Surfliner pet reservations are refundable before departure.
Do service dogs pay the Amtrak pet fee?
No. Amtrak says service animals are not pets and ride on all Amtrak services at no charge. You can note the service animal in the booking questionnaire. Emotional support dogs are treated as pets and do pay the fee.
Can I book an Amtrak pet reservation online?
Yes. Add the pet during checkout on Amtrak.com or in the Amtrak app, or call 1-800-USA-RAIL. Afterward, sign the Pet Release form online for each segment through the confirmation, My Trip or the app.
How many pets can ride an Amtrak train?
Amtrak limits it to one pet per customer and no longer posts a per-train number. Partner routes do: five pets per train on the Pacific Surfliner and Amtrak Cascades, and six on the Capitol Corridor. Book early, because spots go first come, first served.
Where these rules come from
- Amtrak: Pets(opens in a new tab)
- Amtrak: Refund and Cancellation Policy(opens in a new tab)
- Amtrak Guest Rewards FAQs(opens in a new tab)
- Pacific Surfliner: Pets(opens in a new tab)
- Capitol Corridor: Carry-On Pet Policy(opens in a new tab)
- Amtrak Cascades: Pets(opens in a new tab)
- NC By Train: Pets(opens in a new tab)
Rules can change without notice, and crews have the final say on board. Check the operator's page before you ride. Rally Takes the Train isn't affiliated with Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corporation).
- Checked at the sourceEvery rule on this page comes from the railroad's own website, not a pet blog.
- Re-checked oftenPet rules change. We note the date we last checked each one at the top of the page.
- A real corgiRally is the family's actual dog, which is why we care whether he'd fit under the seat.
Bring Rally on every ride
A five-minute, hand-painted picture book about a corgi's first train trip. $16.99 on Amazon.
