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Dogs on trains · Commuter rail and bus
Can I bring my dog on GO Transit?
GO Transit is one of the friendliest commuter railroads in North America for dogs: up to two leashed dogs ride free outside rush hour.
Last checked against Metrolinx's own published rules on . Last updated .
The short answer Leashed dogs off-peak
Yes. GO Transit lets you bring up to two leashed dogs on trains and buses for free on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., after 6:30 p.m., and all day on weekends and holidays. During rush hour your dog can still ride, but only in a pet carrier that fits on your lap or under your seat.
- VerdictLeashed dogs off-peak
- Pet feeFree for dogs
For every train in one place, start at our can my dog ride the train guide. Nearby, families also ask about dogs on the TTC, dogs on VIA Rail, dogs on Amtrak.
Quick check
Will my dog fit on GO Transit?
Pick a breed or enter your dog's weight. We check it against GO Transit's rule above.
GO Transit pet rules, line by line
- Leashed dogs ride free on weekdays between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and from 6:30 p.m. until end of service, and all day on weekends and holidays.
- Outside those hours and during rush hour, dogs must be in a pet carrier that fits on your lap or under your seat.
- Maximum of two leashed dogs per rider during the permitted hours.
- Use a leash capable of keeping control of your dog; no leash length is specified.
- You and your dog must use the lower level of trains and buses.
- Keep the dog out of the way and off the seats, and keep it with you at all times.
- Please avoid the accessibility coach, which is usually reserved for customers with service animals.
- Pick up after your dog but do not throw its waste away on trains or buses.
- Your dog must not disrupt other passengers' enjoyment.
- All other pets must stay in a carrier at all times while on board.
Popular dog breeds on GO Transit
How the most popular breeds in the U.S. do against GO Transit'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 | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Poodle (Miniature) | 10 to 15 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Poodle (Standard) | 40 to 70 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| French Bulldog | 16 to 28 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Labrador Retriever | 55 to 80 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Golden Retriever | 55 to 75 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| German Shepherd Dog | 50 to 90 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Dachshund (Miniature) | 8 to 11 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 16 to 32 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Chihuahua | 2 to 6 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Shih Tzu | 9 to 16 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pomeranian | 3 to 7 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 13 to 18 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Beagle | 20 to 30 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Goldendoodle (Miniature) | 15 to 35 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Goldendoodle (Standard) | 50 to 90 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Siberian Husky | 35 to 60 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Boston Terrier | 12 to 25 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Australian Shepherd | 40 to 65 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Miniature American Shepherd | 20 to 40 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Maltese | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Havanese | 7 to 13 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 11 to 20 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terrier) | 30 to 60 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | 40 to 70 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Great Dane | 110 to 175 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Bulldog (English) | 40 to 50 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 24 to 30 lb | Yes | Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. |
Service dogs on GO Transit
- Service animals are welcome on board with their owners all day, every day.
- You do not have to register your need or your animal's function with Metrolinx in advance.
- If it is not obvious that the animal is a service animal, staff may ask for documentation, such as registration with a disability service organization or a letter from one of the health professionals listed under Ontario's AODA rules; for guide dogs, an Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General identification card is also accepted.
- GO suggests carrying documentation in case it is requested.
- The Metrolinx service animal policy covers GO Transit, UP Express and other Metrolinx services; animals that are not service animals fall under the Metrolinx pet policy.
Emotional support dogs: Metrolinx does not mention emotional support animals; they are not listed as service animals, so they follow the regular dog rules (leashed off-peak, carrier at rush hour). Our service dog guide explains the difference.
Tips for riding GO Transit with kids and a dog
- Board through a lower-level door and stay on the lower deck, since dogs are not allowed upstairs on bilevel coaches.
- If you transfer to the TTC at Union Station, the TTC bans all pets from 6:30 to 10 a.m. and 3:30 to 7 p.m. on weekdays, which is stricter than GO, so time the city leg carefully.
- Weekend and holiday trips are the easiest with kids and a dog because leashed dogs are allowed all day.
A page from Rally's ride
Rally rides the whole way to his grand-paw-rents with Mom and Dad, and the best part is who's waiting at the end. If your family is visiting someone special, read the last page together before you go. The platform reunion page is in our free coloring and activity pack.
Questions about dogs on GO Transit
Can I bring my dog on the GO train?
Yes. GO Transit lets you bring a leashed dog on trains and buses for free outside rush hour: weekdays 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., after 6:30 p.m., and all day on weekends and holidays. You can bring up to two leashed dogs. You must ride on the lower level and keep your dog off the seats.
Does my dog need a carrier on GO Transit?
Only during rush hour. Outside the off-peak windows, including weekday rush hours, dogs must be in a pet carrier that fits on your lap or under your seat. During off-peak times a leash is enough. Pets other than dogs must be in a carrier at all times.
Are large dogs allowed on GO trains?
Yes, GO sets no size or breed limit for leashed dogs during off-peak hours. Your dog must be on a leash that keeps it under control, stay with you, stay out of the way and off the seats, and not disrupt other riders. At rush hour only dogs in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat may ride, which rules out large dogs then.
Can I bring an emotional support dog on GO Transit?
Yes, but under the regular dog rules. Metrolinx's service animal policy does not cover emotional support animals, so an emotional support dog rides leashed during off-peak hours or in a lap-sized carrier at rush hour, like any pet dog.
What are GO Transit's rules for service dogs?
Service animals ride all day, every day, including rush hour. You do not need to register with Metrolinx. If it is not obvious the animal is a service animal, staff may ask for documentation, such as a letter from a regulated health professional or, for guide dogs, an Ontario identification card. GO suggests carrying documentation just in case.
How much does it cost to bring a dog on GO Transit?
Nothing. GO Transit says leashed dogs ride its trains and buses for free outside rush hour. Only the people in your group need fares.
Can I bring my dog on the UP Express to Pearson Airport?
We could not confirm this from UP Express's own pages. The UP Express FAQ lists the question but the page we read shows no answer, and the GO dog page does not mention UP Express. Service animals are welcome on all Metrolinx services. Check with UP Express customer support before you travel with a pet.
Which coach should I use with my dog on a GO train?
Use any lower level except the accessibility coach. GO requires dogs and their owners to stay on the lower level of trains and buses and asks riders to avoid the accessibility coach, which is usually reserved for customers with service animals.
Can I bring a poodle on GO Transit?
Yes for Toy Poodles (4 to 6 lb). Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. Yes for Miniature Poodles (10 to 15 lb). Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. Yes for Standard Poodles (40 to 70 lb). Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a French Bulldog on GO Transit?
Yes for a typical adult French Bulldog (16 to 28 lb). Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a golden retriever on GO Transit?
Yes for a typical adult Golden Retriever (55 to 75 lb). Up to two leashed dogs ride free outside weekday rush hour; at rush hour dogs must be in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Where these rules come from
- Dogs on GO(opens in a new tab)
- Metrolinx Service Animal Policy(opens in a new tab)
- Metrolinx makes dogs on GO a permanent feature(opens in a new tab)
- Connect with GO(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 Metrolinx.
- 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.
