Can I Bring My Dog on Amtrak? (2026 Pet Policy)
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Dogs on trains · Intercity rail
Can I bring my dog on Amtrak?
Amtrak is the train most families mean when they ask if the dog can come. The rule is generous for small dogs and firm for everyone else: 20 pounds, carrier included, 7 hours, and a reserved spot.
Checked against Amtrak's own published rules on .
The short answer Small dogs, with a weight limit
Yes, if your dog and carrier together weigh 20 pounds or less and the trip is 7 hours or shorter. Bigger dogs can't ride unless they are trained service animals.
- VerdictSmall dogs, with a weight limit
- Pet feeSet by route and shown at booking, charged per segment. Amtrak's own regional partners publish $29 one-way on the Pacific Surfliner, Capitol Corridor and Downeaster.
- Weight limit20 lb with carrier
- Not allowedAuto Train, Gold Runner, Amtrak Connection buses, and trips into Canada on the Adirondack, Maple Leaf and Amtrak Cascades. Not with multi-ride tickets or unaccompanied minors. Pets are also not allowed in station lounges.
- BookingAdd the pet when you book. Unreserved trains still require a pet reservation, and the pet reservation is only good for the date on your ticket.
For every train in the country in one place, start at our can my dog ride the train guide. Nearby, families also ask about dogs on Pacific Surfliner, dogs on Amtrak Cascades, dogs on Amtrak Downeaster.
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.
Amtrak pet rules, line by line
- Dogs and cats only, one pet per customer, and every pet needs its own reservation.
- Pet plus carrier must weigh 20 pounds or less. The carrier can be hard or soft sided, leak proof and ventilated, no bigger than 19" long x 14" wide x 10.5" high, and your pet has to be able to sit and lie down without touching the sides.
- Trips are capped at 7 hours of total travel time, including transfers between trains.
- Pets ride in Coach and in Acela Business Class only. Not in Acela First Class, sleeper rooms, non-Acela Business Class or the cafe and dining cars. On Keystone and Pennsylvanian trains, not in the Quiet Car.
- The carrier goes under your own seat, not the seat in front of you (Amtrak Cascades is the exception: the floor in front of the seat next to you).
- Your pet stays fully inside a closed carrier in stations and on board, and can't be left alone.
- Pets must be at least 8 weeks old, odorless, harmless, not disruptive, and up to date on vaccinations.
- Sign the Pet Release and Indemnification Agreement for every travel segment, then check in at the ticket office 45 minutes before departure at staffed stations (the conductor checks it at unstaffed stations).
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. |
| Poodle (Miniature) | 10 to 15 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the 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 about 16 lb or less. 20 lb limit including the 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. |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 16 to 32 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog weighs about 16 lb or less. 20 lb limit including the carrier. |
| Chihuahua | 2 to 6 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier. |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier. |
| Shih Tzu | 9 to 16 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier. |
| Pomeranian | 3 to 7 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier. |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 13 to 18 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog weighs about 16 lb or less. 20 lb limit including the 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 about 16 lb or less. 20 lb limit including the 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 about 16 lb or less. 20 lb limit including the 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. |
| Havanese | 7 to 13 lb | Yes | 20 lb limit including the carrier. |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 11 to 20 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog weighs about 16 lb or less. 20 lb limit including the 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). |
Service dogs on Amtrak
- Trained service animals are welcome on all Amtrak services, in every area passengers can go, with no carrier.
- Staff may ask what task the animal performs. The animal must be housebroken and under control, normally on a leash, harness or tether.
- It must sit under your seat or at your feet, not in the aisle or on seats or beds.
- If the schedule allows, you can walk your service animal at station stops. Tell the conductor when you board. Litter boxes and pee pads are not allowed on board.
Emotional support dogs: Emotional support animals are not service animals under DOT rules on Amtrak. They follow the regular pet rules, so the 20 pound limit applies. Our service dog guide explains the difference.
Tips for riding Amtrak with kids and a dog
- Weigh your dog inside the carrier on a bathroom scale before you book. The 20 pounds includes the carrier, and a sturdy carrier alone can weigh 3 to 5 pounds.
- Book early on busy routes. Partner routes cap pet reservations per train (five on the Pacific Surfliner, six on the Capitol Corridor).
- Some routes put every pet in one designated coach car: Amtrak Cascades, Carl Sandburg, Illinois Zephyr, Illini, Lincoln Service, Saluki, Pere Marquette, Wolverine, Blue Water, Hiawatha and Missouri River Runner.
- Pick a seat near the car end so the carrier isn't in the aisle when kids need to get up.
A page from Rally's ride
Rally spends most of his ride with his nose to the glass, saying hello to a seagull. Whatever your dog's spot on Amtrak turns out to be, a few minutes at the window before the trip, looking at the pictures together, helps kids know what's coming. Our free coloring and activity pack starts with that window page.
Questions about dogs on Amtrak
Can I bring my dog on Amtrak?
Yes, if your dog and carrier together weigh 20 pounds or less and the trip is 7 hours or shorter. Bigger dogs can't ride unless they are trained service animals.
Does my dog need a carrier on Amtrak?
Yes. Amtrak only takes pets in a carrier, with a 20 pound limit that includes the carrier.
Can I bring an emotional support dog on Amtrak?
Emotional support animals are not service animals under DOT rules on Amtrak. They follow the regular pet rules, so the 20 pound limit applies.
Are service dogs allowed on Amtrak?
Trained service animals are welcome on all Amtrak services, in every area passengers can go, with no carrier. Staff may ask what task the animal performs. The animal must be housebroken and under control, normally on a leash, harness or tether.
How much does it cost to bring a dog on Amtrak?
Amtrak sets the pet fee by route and shows it at booking, charged for each travel segment. On the Pacific Surfliner, Capitol Corridor and Downeaster the published pet fare is $29 one-way.
Can I bring a poodle on Amtrak?
Yes for Toy Poodles (4 to 6 lb). 20 lb limit including the carrier. Yes for Miniature Poodles (10 to 15 lb). 20 lb limit including the 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 about 16 lb or less. 20 lb limit including the 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
- Pets on Amtrak(opens in a new tab)
- Traveling with Service Animals(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. $13.99 on Amazon.