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Dogs on trains · Elevated metro
Can I bring my dog on Skyline?
Honolulu's driverless Skyline takes small pets the same way TheBus does: in a carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat.
Last checked against City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS), built by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART)'s own published rules on . Last updated .
The short answer Small dogs in a lap-size carrier
Only if your dog is small enough to ride in a cage or carrier that fits on your lap or under the seat. Bigger dogs cannot ride Skyline unless they are trained service animals. The same rule applies on TheBus.
- VerdictSmall dogs in a lap-size carrier
- Pet feeNo pet fare listed
Quick check
Will my dog fit on Honolulu Skyline?
Pick a breed or enter your dog's weight. We check it against Honolulu Skyline's rule above.
Honolulu Skyline pet rules, line by line
- Small animals must be in a cage or carrier that can go under the seat or on your lap without inconveniencing other riders.
- The same animal rules apply on Skyline and TheBus.
- Service animals are always permitted.
- The Skyline How to Ride page lists unleashed pets as not allowed on trains, but the official rules and ride guide require pets to be in a cage or carrier.
- Luggage and bags must not block the aisle or take up extra seats; the same courtesy applies to a pet carrier.
“Small animals must be placed in a cage or carrier that can be put under the seat or on the passenger’s lap without inconvenience to other passengers.”
From City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS), built by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART)'s published rules.
Popular dog breeds on Honolulu Skyline
How the most popular breeds in the U.S. do against Honolulu Skyline'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 | Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Poodle (Miniature) | 10 to 15 lb | Yes | Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Poodle (Standard) | 40 to 70 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| French Bulldog | 16 to 28 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Labrador Retriever | 55 to 80 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Golden Retriever | 55 to 75 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| German Shepherd Dog | 50 to 90 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Dachshund (Miniature) | 8 to 11 lb | Yes | Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 16 to 32 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Chihuahua | 2 to 6 lb | Yes | Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Shih Tzu | 9 to 16 lb | Yes | Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Pomeranian | 3 to 7 lb | Yes | Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 13 to 18 lb | Yes | Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Beagle | 20 to 30 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Goldendoodle (Miniature) | 15 to 35 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Goldendoodle (Standard) | 50 to 90 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Siberian Husky | 35 to 60 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Boston Terrier | 12 to 25 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Australian Shepherd | 40 to 65 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Miniature American Shepherd | 20 to 40 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Maltese | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Havanese | 7 to 13 lb | Yes | Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 11 to 20 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terrier) | 30 to 60 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | 40 to 70 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Great Dane | 110 to 175 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Bulldog (English) | 40 to 50 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 24 to 30 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. |
Service dogs on Honolulu Skyline
- Service animals are always allowed on Skyline.
- DTS uses the U.S. DOT ADA definition: any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability.
- DTS notes that the DOT transportation definition is broader than the Justice Department definition, so an animal accepted on Skyline may not qualify as a service animal elsewhere.
- No ID card or documentation requirement is listed on the Skyline pages.
Emotional support dogs: Skyline's rules do not mention emotional support animals. They are not listed as service animals, so plan on the carrier rule applying. Our service dog guide explains the difference.
Tips for riding Honolulu Skyline with kids and a dog
- Every Skyline station has elevators to the platforms, which helps if you are carrying a pet carrier plus a stroller or bags.
- Wide fare gates are marked at stations and are easier to use with kids, carriers and luggage; keep children close as you pass through.
- Skyline and TheBus share the same pet rules, so a carrier-size dog can continue on a bus connection, but a larger dog cannot ride either one.
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 Honolulu Skyline
Can I bring my dog on Honolulu Skyline?
Yes, but only a small dog that rides in a cage or carrier. The carrier has to fit on your lap or under the seat without bothering other riders. Dogs on a leash alone are not allowed. Trained service animals are the exception and can ride without a carrier.
Does my dog need a carrier on the Skyline rail?
Yes. DTS rules say small animals must be in a cage or carrier that can go under the seat or on your lap. The ride guide says pets are allowed only if kept in a cage or carrier. A leash by itself does not meet the rule.
Can big dogs ride Skyline?
No, not unless the dog is a service animal. Because the carrier must fit on your lap or under a seat, medium and large dogs cannot meet the rule. Plan on a car, pet taxi or another option for a bigger dog.
Are emotional support dogs allowed on Skyline?
Not as service animals. Skyline's rules only describe service animals as animals individually trained to do work or tasks for a person with a disability, and they say nothing about emotional support animals. An emotional support dog would need to follow the carrier rule.
What are the rules for service dogs on Skyline?
Service animals are always allowed. DTS follows the U.S. DOT definition: a guide dog, signal dog or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. No ID card is required on the Skyline pages. Keep the animal close and out of the aisle.
Is there a fare for a dog on Skyline?
No pet fare is listed. The Skyline fare pages and rules do not mention any charge for a pet in a carrier or for a service animal. You still pay your own fare with a HOLO card or ticket. Call DTS customer service at 808-848-5555 if you are unsure about a specific carrier.
Can I take my dog on Skyline to the Honolulu airport station?
Only in a lap-size carrier. Skyline serves the airport, but the same carrier rule applies there as everywhere on the line. If your dog is flying in a larger airline crate, that crate is unlikely to meet the under-seat or lap rule on the train.
Is the pet rule the same on TheBus?
Yes. DTS publishes one set of rules for TheBus and Skyline, and small animals must be in a cage or carrier that fits under the seat or on your lap on both. Service animals are allowed on both. That makes it easy to combine a bus and train trip with a small dog in its carrier.
Can I bring a poodle on Skyline?
Yes for Toy Poodles (4 to 6 lb). Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. Yes for Miniature Poodles (10 to 15 lb). Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. No for Standard Poodles (40 to 70 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a French Bulldog on Skyline?
Maybe for a typical adult French Bulldog (16 to 28 lb). Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a golden retriever on Skyline?
No for a typical adult Golden Retriever (55 to 75 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Pets ride only inside a cage or carrier small enough to sit on your lap or under the seat; service animals are allowed. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Where these rules come from
- Skyline: Rules, Regulations, and Rider Tips (honolulu.gov/dts)(opens in a new tab)
- Skyline Segment II Ride Guide (PDF)(opens in a new tab)
- How to Skyline(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 City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS), built by the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART).
- 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.
