Can I Bring My Dog on Metra? (2026 Pet Policy)
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Can I bring my dog on Metra?
Metra lets small dogs ride free, with one catch most riders miss: the clock. Pets are off-limits on rush-hour trains in and out of downtown Chicago.
Checked against Metra's own published rules on .
The short answer Small dogs in a lap carrier
Yes, small pets in enclosed carriers, but only on off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains. There's no extra charge.
- VerdictSmall dogs in a lap carrier
- Pet feeNo additional charge.
- HoursWeekdays: not on trains arriving downtown 6:31 to 9:30 a.m. or leaving downtown 3 to 7 p.m.
- Not allowedPeak weekday trains.
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 CTA 'L' Trains, dogs on South Shore Line, dogs on METRO Blue and Green Lines and Northstar.
Quick check
Will my dog fit on Metra?
Pick a breed or enter your dog's weight. We check it against Metra's rule above.
Metra pet rules, line by line
- Small pets in enclosed protective carriers only.
- Weekdays, pets ride only on trains arriving in Chicago before 6:31 a.m. or after 9:30 a.m., and trains departing Chicago before 3 p.m. or after 7 p.m. All weekend trains are fine.
- Carriers can't take up seats or block pathways, must be small enough for one person to carry, and stay on your lap or under the seat.
- Crews can refuse pets when trains are crowded, and busy weekends like St. Patrick's Day or Lollapalooza make that more likely.
- Crews won't help board pets, and noisy or disruptive pets can be removed. You're responsible for behavior and cleanup.
- In an emergency evacuation you may be required to leave your pet on the train.
Popular dog breeds on Metra
How the most popular breeds in the U.S. do against Metra'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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| Poodle (Miniature) | 10 to 15 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| Dachshund (Miniature) | 8 to 11 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| Chihuahua | 2 to 6 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| Shih Tzu | 9 to 16 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| Pomeranian | 3 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 13 to 18 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| Maltese | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| Havanese | 7 to 13 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
| 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. |
Service dogs on Metra
- Service animals are allowed on all Metra trains at all times.
Emotional support dogs: Metra's exemption is for service animals; other animals follow the small-pet carrier rule and the peak-hour windows. Our service dog guide explains the difference.
Tips for riding Metra with kids and a dog
- Check your train's arrival time, not departure time, for inbound trips. It has to reach Chicago before 6:31 a.m. or after 9:30 a.m.
- Weekend trips have no time limits, which makes Saturday the easy day for a dog outing.
- If your trip ends early because of your pet, Metra reimburses based on the fare product you used.
A page from Rally's ride
Rally meets the conductor in a blue uniform and hopes the ride never ends. Train crews on Metra enforce the pet rules, and they remember the families who follow them. If your kids want to practice a polite hello, the conductor page is in our free coloring and activity pack.
Questions about dogs on Metra
Can I bring my dog on Metra?
Yes, small pets in enclosed carriers, but only on off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains. There's no extra charge.
Does my dog need a carrier on Metra?
Yes. On Metra 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 Metra?
Metra's exemption is for service animals; other animals follow the small-pet carrier rule and the peak-hour windows.
Are service dogs allowed on Metra?
Service animals are allowed on all Metra trains at all times.
What are Metra's pet hours?
On weekdays, pets can ride trains that arrive in Chicago before 6:31 a.m. or after 9:30 a.m., and trains that leave Chicago before 3 p.m. or after 7 p.m. Every weekend train allows pets in carriers.
Can I bring a poodle on Metra?
Yes for Toy Poodles (4 to 6 lb). Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. Yes for Miniature Poodles (10 to 15 lb). Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. 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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a French Bulldog on Metra?
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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a golden retriever on Metra?
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. Off-peak weekday trains and all weekend trains only. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Where these rules come from
- Metra: What to Expect Onboard(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 Metra (Northeast Illinois Regional Commuter Railroad).
- 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.