Can I Bring My German Shepherd on the Train? Every Train Checked (2026)
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Can I bring my German Shepherd on the train?
German Shepherds ride plenty of trains as working service dogs. As family pets, they're limited to the few railroads that allow leashed or kenneled big dogs.
Checked against each railroad's own rules on .
The short answer
Not on Amtrak: a typical adult German Shepherd (50 to 90 lb) is over the 20 pound limit with the carrier. Across the 72 trains we checked, a typical German Shepherd is a yes on 5, a maybe on 1 and a no on 66.
Breed checker
Check your German Shepherd
We start with a typical German Shepherd Dog. Switch to exact weight for your own dog's answer on every train.
Every train, checked for German Shepherds
Sorted from yes to no. Results use typical adult weights for the breed and a 4 pound carrier; a lighter dog or carrier can turn a maybe into a yes.
German Shepherd Dog (50 to 90 lb): yes on 5, maybe on 1, no on 66
| Train | Region | Can it ride? | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skunk Train | West Coast | Yes | Yes. Dogs are welcome on most Skunk Train rides for a dog fare ($10.95 on the Pudding Creek Express). Bring a leash, food, water and a dish. |
| Roaring Camp Railroads | West Coast | Yes | Yes on the Redwood Forest Steam Train and the Santa Cruz Beach Train. Dogs ride on the floor of the car. |
| Metro-North Railroad | Northeast | Yes | In a kennel or similar container, or securely controlled on a leash for the whole trip. |
| MBTA (the T) | Northeast | Yes | Small pets in carriers any time; larger dogs on a leash only outside weekday peak hours. |
| Alaska Railroad | Canada & Alaska | Yes | Any size, in a kennel in the baggage car. |
| VIA Rail Canada | Canada & Alaska | Maybe | Too big for the cabin, but it can ride in a baggage car kennel on select routes, October to April. |
| Amtrak | Nationwide | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Pacific Surfliner | West Coast | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Capitol Corridor | West Coast | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Gold Runner | West Coast | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| Amtrak Cascades | West Coast | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| COASTER | West Coast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| SPRINTER | West Coast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Metrolink | West Coast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| San Diego Trolley | West Coast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| LA Metro Rail | West Coast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Caltrain | West Coast | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| BART | West Coast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Muni Metro | West Coast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| SMART | West Coast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| ACE (Altamont Corridor Express) | West Coast | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| VTA Light Rail | West Coast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| SacRT Light Rail | West Coast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Sound Transit (Link and Sounder) | West Coast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Posted rule: small containers. Leashed dogs were approved but aren't in the posted rules yet. |
| TriMet MAX | West Coast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Pacific Southwest Railway Museum | West Coast | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| Niles Canyon Railway | West Coast | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| Napa Valley Wine Train | West Coast | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| Mt. Hood Railroad | West Coast | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| RTD Denver Rail | Mountain West & Southwest | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| UTA TRAX and FrontRunner | Mountain West & Southwest | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Valley Metro Rail | Mountain West & Southwest | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| New Mexico Rail Runner Express | Mountain West & Southwest | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Las Vegas Monorail | Mountain West & Southwest | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| Grand Canyon Railway | Mountain West & Southwest | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad | Mountain West & Southwest | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| Royal Gorge Route Railroad | Mountain West & Southwest | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| DART Light Rail | Texas & South Central | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| TEXRail (Trinity Metro) | Texas & South Central | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Houston METRORail | Texas & South Central | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| CapMetro Rail | Texas & South Central | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| Metra | Midwest | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| CTA 'L' Trains | Midwest | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| South Shore Line | Midwest | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| METRO Blue and Green Lines and Northstar | Midwest | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| St. Louis MetroLink | Midwest | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| Cleveland RTA Rapid | Midwest | No | Over the 25 lb limit. |
| Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad | Midwest | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| NYC Subway | Northeast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Long Island Rail Road | Northeast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| NJ TRANSIT Rail | Northeast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| PATH | Northeast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| CTrail Hartford Line | Northeast | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Amtrak Downeaster | Northeast | No | Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). |
| Conway Scenic Railroad | Northeast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Yes, one small, well-behaved dog per party, in Coach seating only, on a leash at your feet. |
| SEPTA | Mid-Atlantic | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| PATCO Speedline | Mid-Atlantic | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| WMATA Metrorail | Mid-Atlantic | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| MARC Train | Mid-Atlantic | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pittsburgh Regional Transit (the T) | Mid-Atlantic | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Strasburg Rail Road | Mid-Atlantic | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| Brightline | Southeast | No | Over the 25 lb limit. |
| Tri-Rail | Southeast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| SunRail | Southeast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Miami-Dade Metrorail and Metromover | Southeast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| MARTA | Southeast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| LYNX Blue Line (CATS) | Southeast | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| The Tide (Hampton Roads Transit) | Southeast | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| WeGo Star | Southeast | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| New Orleans Streetcars | Southeast | No | Over the 20 lb limit. |
| Great Smoky Mountains Railroad | Southeast | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| Blue Ridge Scenic Railway | Southeast | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
Tips for riding the train with a German Shepherd
- Big dogs ride regular trains only where leashed dogs are allowed. Keep the leash short and your dog at your feet, away from the doors and aisle.
- For long-distance trips with a big dog, VIA Rail's baggage car (October to April) and the Alaska Railroad's kennel service are the options.
A page from Rally's ride
Rally's book starts with a suitcase and a corgi who refuses to be left behind. Whatever train your German Shepherd can ride, packing its own small bag (water, a towel for the floor, a chew) makes the trip feel like Rally's. His packing page is in our free coloring and activity pack.
German Shepherd train questions
Can I bring a German Shepherd on Amtrak?
No for a typical adult German Shepherd (50 to 90 lb). Over the 20 lb limit (carrier included). Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a German Shepherd on the NYC subway?
No for a typical adult German Shepherd (50 to 90 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a German Shepherd on Metro-North?
Yes for a typical adult German Shepherd (50 to 90 lb). In a kennel or similar container, or securely controlled on a leash for the whole trip.
Can I bring a German Shepherd on Brightline?
No for a typical adult German Shepherd (50 to 90 lb). Over the 25 lb limit. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a German Shepherd on BART?
No for a typical adult German Shepherd (50 to 90 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Does my German Shepherd need a carrier on the train?
On most trains, yes. Amtrak and nearly every city transit system require pets to stay in a closed carrier, and many add a weight limit or a lap-size rule. Only a few trains let dogs ride on a leash, including Metro-North and the MBTA outside weekday rush hours. Service dogs never need a carrier.
Can a German Shepherd be a service dog on the train?
Yes. Any breed can be a service dog if it's individually trained to perform a task for a person with a disability. Service dogs ride free and without a carrier on every train in this guide, and staff can usually ask what task the dog performs. Emotional support dogs don't count and follow the pet rules.
Other breeds
- Poodles4 to 70 lb
- French Bulldogs16 to 28 lb
- Labs55 to 80 lb
- Golden Retrievers55 to 75 lb
- Dachshunds8 to 32 lb
- Chihuahuas2 to 6 lb
- Yorkies4 to 7 lb
- Shih Tzus9 to 16 lb
Breed weights are typical adult ranges from breed standards. Rules come from each railroad's own site and can change; crews have the final say on board.
- 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. $13.99 on Amazon.