Can I Bring My Dog on Muni? (2026 Pet Policy)
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Can I bring my dog on Muni?
Muni is one of the few systems where a dog can ride outside a carrier, but it comes with three conditions: off-peak, leashed and muzzled, and a fare for the dog.
Checked against Muni Metro's own published rules on .
The short answer Small dogs in a lap carrier
Yes, outside weekday rush hours. Dogs must be leashed and muzzled and ride on your lap or under the seat, and you pay a fare for the dog equal to your own.
- VerdictSmall dogs in a lap carrier
- Pet feeA fare equal to your own, per pet.
- HoursNot weekdays 5 to 9 a.m. or 3 to 7 p.m.
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 Muni Metro?
Pick a breed or enter your dog's weight. We check it against Muni Metro's rule above.
Muni Metro pet rules, line by line
- No pets during weekday peak hours: 5 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m.
- Off-peak, only one pet per Muni vehicle.
- Dogs must be leashed and muzzled and ride on your lap or under the seat.
- Other pets ride in a small closed container on your lap or under the seat.
- You pay a fare for each pet equal to the fare you pay.
Popular dog breeds on Muni Metro
How the most popular breeds in the U.S. do against Muni Metro'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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| Poodle (Miniature) | 10 to 15 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| Dachshund (Miniature) | 8 to 11 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| Chihuahua | 2 to 6 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| Shih Tzu | 9 to 16 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| Pomeranian | 3 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 13 to 18 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| Maltese | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| Havanese | 7 to 13 lb | Yes | Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
| 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. |
Service dogs on Muni Metro
- Service animals (ADA definition, with or without a local license) ride free on every Muni vehicle. Tell the operator when you board.
- Service dogs must be leashed but don't need a muzzle, and stay on your lap, under the seat or out of the aisle, never on a seat.
- On cable cars, ride inside if possible; on the outside, the service animal must be on your lap.
Emotional support dogs: SFMTA's page doesn't name emotional support animals; animals that aren't ADA service animals fall under the pet rules. Our service dog guide explains the difference.
Tips for riding Muni Metro with kids and a dog
- Practice the muzzle at home before the first ride. A basket muzzle lets your dog pant and take treats.
- Only one pet per vehicle, so if another dog is aboard, wait for the next train.
- Weekends have no peak-hour ban, which makes Saturday the easy day for a dog outing.
A page from Rally's ride
Rally meets the conductor in a blue uniform and hopes the ride never ends. Train crews on Muni Metro 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 Muni Metro
Can I bring my dog on Muni?
Yes, outside weekday rush hours. Dogs must be leashed and muzzled and ride on your lap or under the seat, and you pay a fare for the dog equal to your own.
Does my dog need a carrier on Muni Metro?
Yes. On Muni Metro 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 Muni Metro?
SFMTA's page doesn't name emotional support animals; animals that aren't ADA service animals fall under the pet rules.
Are service dogs allowed on Muni Metro?
Service animals (ADA definition, with or without a local license) ride free on every Muni vehicle. Tell the operator when you board. Service dogs must be leashed but don't need a muzzle, and stay on your lap, under the seat or out of the aisle, never on a seat.
Do dogs pay a fare on Muni?
Yes. SFMTA requires you to pay a fare for each pet equal to the fare you pay. Service animals ride free.
Can I bring a poodle on Muni?
Yes for Toy Poodles (4 to 6 lb). Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. Yes for Miniature Poodles (10 to 15 lb). Carrier must fit on your lap or under the seat. Off-peak only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. 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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a French Bulldog on Muni?
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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a golden retriever on Muni?
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 only, leashed and muzzled, with a fare for the dog. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Where these rules come from
- SFMTA: Service Animals and Pets on Muni(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 San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA).
- 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.