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Dogs on trains · Rapid transit
Can I bring my dog on SkyTrain?
TransLink only takes pets that disappear completely into a small, hand-held carrier on your lap. Leashed dogs can't ride SkyTrain.
Last checked against TransLink (South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority)'s own published rules on . Last updated .
The short answer Small dogs in a lap carrier
Only small dogs in a carrier. TransLink allows pets on SkyTrain, buses and other transit only in a small, hand-held, fully enclosed carrier that fits on your lap, with no part of the animal showing. Leashed dogs cannot ride, but guide and service dogs are welcome.
- VerdictSmall dogs in a lap carrier
- Pet feeNo pet fare listed
For every train in one place, start at our can my dog ride the train guide. Nearby, families also ask about dogs on Amtrak Cascades, dogs on VIA Rail, dogs on Sound Transit.
Quick check
Will my dog fit on SkyTrain (Vancouver)?
Pick a breed or enter your dog's weight. We check it against SkyTrain (Vancouver)'s rule above.
SkyTrain (Vancouver) pet rules, line by line
- Pets must be in a small, hand-held, fully enclosed carrier that fits in your lap, with no part of the animal exposed.
- Carriers must be clean, odour-free and have no sharp edges.
- Carriers may go on the floor if they do not block other passengers, but not near the doors.
- Only one pet per passenger.
- Pet strollers are not permitted on transit.
- Drivers may refuse pets at their discretion.
- Pets are not allowed on HandyDART; assistance animals are accepted.
- SeaBus: pets go into a kennel provided in the embarkation waiting area before entering the waiting room, stay secured until arrival, up to two pets per passenger, and only two kennels per sailing; dog strollers are not allowed.
“Pets must be kept in small, hand-held, fully enclosed carriers that fit in your lap, with no part of the animal exposed.”
From TransLink (South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority)'s published rules.
Popular dog breeds on SkyTrain (Vancouver)
How the most popular breeds in the U.S. do against SkyTrain (Vancouver)'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 | Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Poodle (Miniature) | 10 to 15 lb | Yes | Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Poodle (Standard) | 40 to 70 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| French Bulldog | 16 to 28 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Labrador Retriever | 55 to 80 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Golden Retriever | 55 to 75 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| German Shepherd Dog | 50 to 90 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Dachshund (Miniature) | 8 to 11 lb | Yes | Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Dachshund (Standard) | 16 to 32 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Chihuahua | 2 to 6 lb | Yes | Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Shih Tzu | 9 to 16 lb | Yes | Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Pomeranian | 3 to 7 lb | Yes | Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 13 to 18 lb | Yes | Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Beagle | 20 to 30 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Goldendoodle (Miniature) | 15 to 35 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Goldendoodle (Standard) | 50 to 90 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Siberian Husky | 35 to 60 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Boston Terrier | 12 to 25 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Australian Shepherd | 40 to 65 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Miniature American Shepherd | 20 to 40 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Maltese | 4 to 7 lb | Yes | Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Havanese | 7 to 13 lb | Yes | Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Miniature Schnauzer | 11 to 20 lb | Maybe | Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Pit Bull (American Pit Bull Terrier) | 30 to 60 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| American Staffordshire Terrier | 40 to 70 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Great Dane | 110 to 175 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Bulldog (English) | 40 to 50 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 24 to 30 lb | No | Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. |
Service dogs on SkyTrain (Vancouver)
- TransLink says certified guide and service dogs are welcome at all times of service, and since 2020 it has welcomed guide and service dogs in training whose trainers have confirmed they behave well on transit.
- British Columbia certifies guide and service dog teams under the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act, with a provincial ID card.
- In October 2024 the BC Human Rights Commissioner wrote to TransLink that certification is not required to access services and that repeatedly demanding it violates the BC Human Rights Code, and asked TransLink to say so on its website and train staff.
- Assistance animals are accepted on HandyDART even though pets are not.
Emotional support dogs: TransLink does not mention emotional support animals; they are treated as pets and must be in a small lap carrier. Our service dog guide explains the difference.
Tips for riding SkyTrain (Vancouver) with kids and a dog
- Practise with the carrier before the trip; it must close fully with no head or paws sticking out, so backpack carriers with a head opening do not qualify.
- Avoid the busy weekday rush on the Expo and Canada Lines, since a carrier on the floor must not block other riders or the doors.
- If you cross to North Vancouver on the SeaBus, staff kennels are used instead of your own carrier and only two are available per sailing, so arrive early.
A page from Rally's ride
Before Rally's trip, he packs his own bag: a turtle toy, a green bone and a yellow ball. Let your kids pack a small bag for your dog too, with water, a bowl, treats and a towel. The packing page is in our free coloring and activity pack.
Questions about dogs on SkyTrain (Vancouver)
Can I bring my dog on the SkyTrain?
Only if it fits in a small carrier on your lap. TransLink allows pets on transit only in small, hand-held, fully enclosed carriers that fit in your lap with no part of the animal exposed. Leashed dogs are not allowed. Only one pet per passenger may ride, and staff may refuse a pet at their discretion.
Does my dog need to be in a carrier on TransLink?
Yes. Every pet must be in a clean, odour-free, fully enclosed hand-held carrier with no sharp edges. You can set it on the floor if it does not block other passengers, but not near the doors. Pet strollers are not permitted.
Can big dogs ride SkyTrain or TransLink buses?
No, unless they are guide or service dogs. Because the carrier must be small, hand-held and fit on your lap, large dogs cannot ride as pets. There is no leashed-dog option on SkyTrain, buses or West Coast Express. Certified guide and service dogs can ride at all times.
Are emotional support dogs allowed on SkyTrain?
Only in a lap carrier like any pet. TransLink's rules do not mention emotional support animals, so they are treated as pets. Only guide and service dogs ride outside a carrier.
What are TransLink's rules for service dogs?
Guide and service dogs are welcome at all times of service, and since 2020 TransLink has also welcomed guide and service dogs in training. BC issues certification under the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act, but the BC Human Rights Commissioner told TransLink in 2024 that certification is not required to use services. Assistance animals are accepted on HandyDART.
Do pets pay a fare on TransLink?
No pet fare is listed. TransLink's pet rules cover the carrier, one pet per passenger, and staff discretion but list no fare for animals. Only the people in your group need fares.
Can I take my dog on the SeaBus?
Yes, in a SeaBus kennel. Kennels are provided in the embarkation waiting area, and your pet must go into one before you enter the waiting room and stay secured until arrival. Up to two pets per passenger are allowed, but only two kennels are available per sailing. Dog strollers are not permitted.
Can I bring my dog on the Canada Line to YVR airport?
Yes, if it is in a small, fully enclosed lap carrier. The Canada Line follows the same TransLink pet rules as the rest of SkyTrain. Keep the carrier clear of the doors and other riders' luggage.
Can I bring a poodle on SkyTrain?
Yes for Toy Poodles (4 to 6 lb). Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. Yes for Miniature Poodles (10 to 15 lb). Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. No for Standard Poodles (40 to 70 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a French Bulldog on SkyTrain?
Maybe for a typical adult French Bulldog (16 to 28 lb). Only if your dog fits a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Can I bring a golden retriever on SkyTrain?
No for a typical adult Golden Retriever (55 to 75 lb). Too big for a carrier that meets the rule. Only small pets fully enclosed in a hand-held carrier that fits on your lap may ride; leashed dogs are not allowed. Trained service dogs of any breed can ride.
Where these rules come from
- TransLink Etiquette on Transit (pets and SeaBus rules)(opens in a new tab)
- TransLink welcomes aboard Guide and Service Dogs-in-Training (The Buzzer)(opens in a new tab)
- BC Human Rights Commissioner letter to TransLink on guide and service dogs (Oct 2024)(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 TransLink (South Coast British Columbia 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. $16.99 on Amazon.
