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Dogs on trains · Amtrak
Can big dogs ride Amtrak?
Short answer: not as pets. Amtrak's 20 pound limit includes the carrier, and there's no baggage-car option. But plenty of trains in North America do take big dogs.
Last checked against Amtrak's own published rules on . Last updated .
The short answer Not over 20 lb with the carrier
No. Amtrak's pet limit is 20 pounds for dog and carrier combined, which tops out around a 16 pound dog. Amtrak doesn't carry pets as checked baggage, and the Auto Train takes no pets at all. Only trained service dogs of any size can ride. Below are the trains that do take big dogs.
- Amtrak limit20 lb with the carrier
- Checked petsNot allowed
- Auto TrainNo pets
- Service dogsAny size
For every train in one place, start at our can my dog ride the train guide. Nearby, families also ask about dogs on Amtrak, Amtrak carrier size, dogs on Metro-North.
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.
11 trains that take big dogs
- Metro-North (New York, Connecticut): any size, securely controlled on a leash for the whole trip.
- MBTA (Boston): larger leashed dogs outside weekday 7 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m.
- Sound Transit (Seattle): leashed, well-behaved dogs on Link, Sounder and ST Express during the fall 2026 to spring 2027 pet pilot.
- Seattle Streetcar: leashed dogs ride with a paid fare.
- GO Transit (Toronto region): up to two leashed dogs free outside weekday rush hour.
- TTC (Toronto): leashed dogs outside weekday peak hours.
- Montreal métro: one leashed, muzzled dog per rider outside weekday rush hours.
- VIA Rail (Canada): any size in a locked crate in the baggage car on select routes, not May 1 to September 30, $50 per direction.
- Alaska Railroad: any size in your own kennel in the baggage car, $20 per kennel.
- Skunk Train (California): dogs welcome on most rides for a dog fare.
- Roaring Camp (California): dogs ride the Redwood Forest Steam Train and the Santa Cruz Beach Train.
Why Amtrak has no big-dog option
Amtrak's carry-on pet program was built around a carrier under your seat, so the limits are the carrier's: 19 x 14 x 10.5 inches and 20 pounds total. Amtrak says it does not ship pets or let them travel as checked baggage, and a pet must travel with a person. Sleeper rooms are off limits to pets, and the Auto Train, where your car rides along, doesn't take pets either.
Service dogs of any size ride Amtrak
A trained service dog isn't a pet, so none of the size rules apply. It rides free on every Amtrak service, sits at your feet or under your seat, and stays out of the aisle. If you need extra floor space for a large service dog, Amtrak asks you to call 1-800-USA-RAIL to request accessible seating. Emotional support dogs don't qualify; see emotional support dogs on Amtrak.
Popular dog breeds on Amtrak
How the most popular breeds in the U.S. do against Amtrak's rule, using typical adult weights and a 4 lb carrier. Your dog may be lighter or heavier, so check its real weight above.
| Breed | Typical adult weight | Can it ride? | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poodle (Toy) | 4 to 6 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Poodle (Miniature) | 10 to 15 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Poodle (Standard) | 40 to 70 lb | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| French Bulldog | 16 to 28 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog weighs 16 lb or less. 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Labrador Retriever | 55 to 80 lb | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Golden Retriever | 55 to 75 lb | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| German Shepherd Dog | 50 to 90 lb | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Dachshund (Miniature) | 8 to 11 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 16 to 32 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog weighs 16 lb or less. 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Chihuahua | 2 to 6 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Shih Tzu | 9 to 16 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Pomeranian | 3 to 7 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 13 to 18 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog weighs 16 lb or less. 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Beagle | 20 to 30 lb | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Goldendoodle (Miniature) | 15 to 35 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog weighs 16 lb or less. 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Goldendoodle (Standard) | 50 to 90 lb | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Siberian Husky | 35 to 60 lb | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Boston Terrier | 12 to 25 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog weighs 16 lb or less. 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Australian Shepherd | 40 to 65 lb | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Miniature American Shepherd | 20 to 40 lb | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Maltese | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Havanese | 7 to 13 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 11 to 20 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog weighs 16 lb or less. 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. |
| Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terrier) | 30 to 60 lb | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | 40 to 70 lb | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Great Dane | 110 to 175 lb | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Bulldog (English) | 40 to 50 lb | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 24 to 30 lb | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
A page from Rally's ride
Rally is a corgi, and at 24 to 30 pounds a grown Pembroke is already too big for Amtrak's carrier rule. In the book he rides along anyway; that's storybook license. For real trips with a bigger dog, the trains above are your best bet. Rally's train pages are in our free coloring and activity pack.
Questions about dogs on Amtrak
Can a 30 pound dog ride Amtrak?
No. Amtrak's limit is 20 pounds for the dog and carrier together, so a 30 pound dog is over even before the carrier. Only trained service dogs of any size can ride.
Can I put my big dog in a crate in Amtrak's baggage car?
No. Amtrak says it does not ship pets or allow them to travel as checked baggage. In North America, VIA Rail (outside summer) and the Alaska Railroad are the passenger railroads that carry big dogs in a baggage car.
Can my dog stay in my car on the Amtrak Auto Train?
No. Amtrak doesn't allow pets on the Auto Train, and that includes leaving them in your vehicle. Trained service animals can ride with you in the passenger cars.
Can I book a sleeper room for my big dog on Amtrak?
No. Pets aren't allowed in Amtrak's private rooms or any first class space. Pets can only ride in Coach and Acela Business Class, in a carrier, at 20 pounds or less.
Which trains allow big dogs in the U.S.?
Metro-North allows leashed dogs of any size, the MBTA allows larger leashed dogs off-peak, Sound Transit allows leashed dogs during its pet pilot, the Seattle Streetcar takes leashed dogs with a fare, and the Skunk Train and Roaring Camp welcome dogs. The Alaska Railroad carries any size in its baggage car.
Can a big service dog ride Amtrak?
Yes. Trained service animals of any size ride free on all Amtrak services. Call 1-800-USA-RAIL to request accessible seating space if your dog needs extra room.
Will Amtrak ever allow bigger dogs?
Amtrak hasn't announced any change. Its pet page still sets the 20 pound limit with the carrier and a seven hour trip limit. We recheck Amtrak's rules regularly and update this page when they change.
Can I bring a poodle on Amtrak?
Yes for Toy Poodles (4 to 6 lb). 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. Yes for Miniature Poodles (10 to 15 lb). 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. No for Standard Poodles (40 to 70 lb). Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a French Bulldog on Amtrak?
Maybe for a typical adult French Bulldog (16 to 28 lb). Only if your dog weighs 16 lb or less. 20 lb limit including the carrier, so about 16 lb of dog with a 4 lb carrier. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a golden retriever on Amtrak?
No for a typical adult Golden Retriever (55 to 75 lb). Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Where these rules come from
- Amtrak: Pets(opens in a new tab)
- Amtrak: Traveling with Service Animals(opens in a new tab)
- VIA Rail: Travelling with pets(opens in a new tab)
- Alaska Railroad: Baggage Policy(opens in a new tab)
- MTA: Pets guide(opens in a new tab)
- Sound Transit: Rules and etiquette(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.
