Can I Bring My Dog on The San Diego Trolley? (2026 Pet Policy)
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Can I bring my dog on the San Diego Trolley?
The Trolley runs right past the Santa Fe Depot where Rally's train trip begins. Small dogs can ride it in a carrier you can hold on your lap.
Checked against San Diego Trolley's own published rules on .
The short answer Small dogs in a lap carrier
Yes, if your dog is fully inside an enclosed carrier you can hold on your lap and carry by yourself.
- 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 San Diego Trolley?
Pick a breed or enter your dog's weight. We check it against San Diego Trolley's rule above.
San Diego Trolley pet rules, line by line
- Non-service animals must be fully contained in an enclosed carrier you can hold on your lap and transport yourself.
- Keep your pet under direct control at all times.
- Operators can refuse an animal because of noise or other substantial disruption.
Popular dog breeds on San Diego Trolley
How the most popular breeds in the U.S. do against San Diego Trolley'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 San Diego Trolley
- Service animals are always welcome on MTS buses and the Trolley.
- Staff may ask if the animal is a service animal and what task it's trained to perform.
Emotional support dogs: Only service animals ride outside a carrier, so emotional support dogs follow the lap-carrier rule. Our service dog guide explains the difference.
Tips for riding San Diego Trolley with kids and a dog
- The Green Line stops at Santa Fe Depot, handy if you're connecting to the Pacific Surfliner.
- If the carrier is too heavy to lift onto your lap, it doesn't meet the rule. Test it at home first.
A page from Rally's ride
The first page of Rally's trip is all packing: a suitcase, a sleepy corgi, and a pile of favorite toys. Before a ride on San Diego Trolley, letting kids pack a small bag for the dog (water, treats, a towel for the floor) turns the rules into part of the fun. Rally's suitcase is in the free coloring and activity pack.
Questions about dogs on San Diego Trolley
Can I bring my dog on the San Diego Trolley?
Yes, if your dog is fully inside an enclosed carrier you can hold on your lap and carry by yourself.
Does my dog need a carrier on San Diego Trolley?
Yes. On San Diego Trolley 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 San Diego Trolley?
Only service animals ride outside a carrier, so emotional support dogs follow the lap-carrier rule.
Are service dogs allowed on San Diego Trolley?
Service animals are always welcome on MTS buses and the Trolley. Staff may ask if the animal is a service animal and what task it's trained to perform.
Can I bring a poodle on the San Diego Trolley?
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 the San Diego Trolley?
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 the San Diego Trolley?
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
- MTS Rules for Riding(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 Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS).
- 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.