Can I Bring My Dog on LA Metro Rail? (2026 Pet Policy)
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Can I bring my dog on LA Metro Rail?
From the A Line to the beach-bound E Line, LA Metro Rail lets small dogs ride as long as they're zipped into a real carrier.
Checked against LA Metro Rail's own published rules on .
The short answer Small dogs in a lap carrier
Only in a closed carrier. Metro allows service animals or animals in carriers, and pets and emotional support animals must be in enclosed carriers.
- VerdictSmall dogs in a lap carrier
- Pet feeNo pet fare is listed.
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 Capitol Corridor, dogs on Gold Runner.
Quick check
Will my dog fit on LA Metro Rail?
Pick a breed or enter your dog's weight. We check it against LA Metro Rail's rule above.
LA Metro Rail pet rules, line by line
- Only service animals or animals in carriers are allowed.
- Pets and emotional support animals must be in enclosed carriers.
- Metro's code review language describes a closed carrier that fits on your lap, with the door closed during the ride. Purses and backpacks don't count as carriers under the code.
Popular dog breeds on LA Metro Rail
How the most popular breeds in the U.S. do against LA Metro Rail'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 | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Poodle (Miniature) | 10 to 15 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Poodle (Standard) | 40 to 70 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| French Bulldog | 16 to 28 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Labrador Retriever | 55 to 80 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Golden Retriever | 55 to 75 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| German Shepherd Dog | 50 to 90 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Dachshund (Miniature) | 8 to 11 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 16 to 32 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Chihuahua | 2 to 6 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Shih Tzu | 9 to 16 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pomeranian | 3 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 13 to 18 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Beagle | 20 to 30 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Goldendoodle (Miniature) | 15 to 35 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Goldendoodle (Standard) | 50 to 90 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Siberian Husky | 35 to 60 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Boston Terrier | 12 to 25 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Australian Shepherd | 40 to 65 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Miniature American Shepherd | 20 to 40 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Maltese | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Havanese | 7 to 13 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 11 to 20 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terrier) | 30 to 60 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | 40 to 70 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Great Dane | 110 to 175 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Bulldog (English) | 40 to 50 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 24 to 30 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. |
Service dogs on LA Metro Rail
- Service animals are welcome on Metro buses and trains and need no certification.
- They must be under control at all times and perform a task related to a disability.
Emotional support dogs: Emotional support animals must ride in enclosed carriers, the same as pets. Our service dog guide explains the difference.
Tips for riding LA Metro Rail with kids and a dog
- Use a purpose-built pet carrier. Metro's code says ordinary purses and backpacks don't qualify.
- The E Line to Santa Monica is a fun dog-day trip: carrier on the train, leash on the beach path.
A page from Rally's ride
Rally's ride has a pretzel break, which every kid reading the book notices. A dog on LA Metro Rail does better with its own small snack from home and a quiet spot at your feet. Print the pretzel page from the free coloring and activity pack to keep little hands busy, too.
Questions about dogs on LA Metro Rail
Can I bring my dog on LA Metro Rail?
Only in a closed carrier. Metro allows service animals or animals in carriers, and pets and emotional support animals must be in enclosed carriers.
Does my dog need a carrier on LA Metro Rail?
Yes. On LA Metro Rail a pet has to ride in an enclosed carrier small enough for your lap or under the seat. No weight number is published, so the carrier size decides it.
Can I bring an emotional support dog on LA Metro Rail?
Emotional support animals must ride in enclosed carriers, the same as pets.
Are service dogs allowed on LA Metro Rail?
Service animals are welcome on Metro buses and trains and need no certification. They must be under control at all times and perform a task related to a disability.
Can I bring a poodle on LA Metro Rail?
Yes for Toy Poodles (4 to 6 lb). Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Yes for Miniature Poodles (10 to 15 lb). Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. No for Standard Poodles (40 to 70 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a French Bulldog on LA Metro Rail?
Maybe for a typical adult French Bulldog (16 to 28 lb). Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a golden retriever on LA Metro Rail?
No for a typical adult Golden Retriever (55 to 75 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Where these rules come from
- Metro Customer Code of Conduct(opens in a new tab)
- Metro Accessibility Guide(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 Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
- 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.