Can I Bring My Shih Tzu on the Train? Every Train Checked (2026)
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Can I bring my Shih Tzu on the train?
Shih Tzus usually fit carrier rules, but their short faces mean heat and stuffy carriers matter more than weight. Here's where they can ride.
Checked against each railroad's own rules on .
The short answer
Yes, Amtrak takes a typical adult Shih Tzu (9 to 16 lb) fits the 20 pound limit with the carrier. Across the 72 trains we checked, a typical Shih Tzu is a yes on 53, a maybe on 0 and a no on 19.
Breed checker
Check your Shih Tzu
We start with a typical Shih Tzu. Switch to exact weight for your own dog's answer on every train.
Every train, checked for Shih Tzus
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.
Shih Tzu (9 to 16 lb): yes on 53, maybe on 0, no on 19
| Train | Region | Can it ride? | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amtrak | Nationwide | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier. |
| Pacific Surfliner | West Coast | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier. |
| Capitol Corridor | West Coast | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier. |
| Amtrak Cascades | West Coast | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier. |
| COASTER | West Coast | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| SPRINTER | West Coast | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Metrolink | West Coast | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| San Diego Trolley | West Coast | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| LA Metro Rail | West Coast | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| BART | West Coast | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Muni Metro | West Coast | Yes | 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 | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| VTA Light Rail | West Coast | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| SacRT Light Rail | West Coast | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Sound Transit (Link and Sounder) | West Coast | Yes | Posted rule: small containers. Leashed dogs were approved but aren't in the posted rules yet. |
| TriMet MAX | West Coast | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| 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. |
| RTD Denver Rail | Mountain West & Southwest | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| UTA TRAX and FrontRunner | Mountain West & Southwest | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Valley Metro Rail | Mountain West & Southwest | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| New Mexico Rail Runner Express | Mountain West & Southwest | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| DART Light Rail | Texas & South Central | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| TEXRail (Trinity Metro) | Texas & South Central | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Houston METRORail | Texas & South Central | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Metra | Midwest | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| CTA 'L' Trains | Midwest | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| South Shore Line | Midwest | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| METRO Blue and Green Lines and Northstar | Midwest | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Cleveland RTA Rapid | Midwest | Yes | 25 lb limit for the pet, in a carrier. |
| NYC Subway | Northeast | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Long Island Rail Road | Northeast | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Metro-North Railroad | Northeast | Yes | In a kennel or similar container, or securely controlled on a leash for the whole trip. |
| NJ TRANSIT Rail | Northeast | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| PATH | Northeast | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| MBTA (the T) | Northeast | Yes | Small pets in carriers any time; larger dogs on a leash only outside weekday peak hours. |
| CTrail Hartford Line | Northeast | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier. |
| Amtrak Downeaster | Northeast | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier. |
| Conway Scenic Railroad | Northeast | Yes | 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 | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| PATCO Speedline | Mid-Atlantic | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| WMATA Metrorail | Mid-Atlantic | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| MARC Train | Mid-Atlantic | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pittsburgh Regional Transit (the T) | Mid-Atlantic | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Brightline | Southeast | Yes | 25 lb limit for the pet, in a carrier. |
| Tri-Rail | Southeast | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| SunRail | Southeast | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| Miami-Dade Metrorail and Metromover | Southeast | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| MARTA | Southeast | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| WeGo Star | Southeast | Yes | Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. |
| New Orleans Streetcars | Southeast | Yes | 20 lb limit for the pet, in a carrier. |
| VIA Rail Canada | Canada & Alaska | Yes | 22 lb limit including the carrier. |
| Alaska Railroad | Canada & Alaska | Yes | Any size, in a kennel in the baggage car. |
| Gold Runner | West Coast | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| Caltrain | West Coast | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| ACE (Altamont Corridor Express) | West Coast | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| CapMetro Rail | Texas & South Central | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| St. Louis MetroLink | Midwest | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad | Midwest | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| Strasburg Rail Road | Mid-Atlantic | No | Pets can't ride. Trained service animals only. |
| 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. |
| 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 Shih Tzu
- Weigh your dog in its carrier before you book. Small breeds are where a 2 pound difference in carrier weight decides Amtrak.
- Practice short carrier sessions at home so your dog settles quickly under the seat.
- Flat-faced breeds overheat easily. Choose a well-ventilated carrier, avoid hot platforms at midday, and bring water.
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 Shih Tzu 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.
Shih Tzu train questions
Can I bring a Shih Tzu on Amtrak?
Yes for a typical adult Shih Tzu (9 to 16 lb). 20 lb limit including the carrier. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a Shih Tzu on the NYC subway?
Yes for a typical adult Shih Tzu (9 to 16 lb). Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a Shih Tzu on Metro-North?
Yes for a typical adult Shih Tzu (9 to 16 lb). In a kennel or similar container, or securely controlled on a leash for the whole trip.
Can I bring a Shih Tzu on Brightline?
Yes for a typical adult Shih Tzu (9 to 16 lb). 25 lb limit for the pet, in a carrier. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a Shih Tzu on BART?
Yes for a typical adult Shih Tzu (9 to 16 lb). Must ride in an enclosed carrier you can carry. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Does my Shih Tzu 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 Shih Tzu 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
- German Shepherds50 to 90 lb
- Dachshunds8 to 32 lb
- Chihuahuas2 to 6 lb
- Yorkies4 to 7 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.