Can I bring my dog on the train?

Usually, if your dog is small. Amtrak and most U.S. transit systems let small dogs ride in a carrier: Amtrak's limit is 20 pounds including the carrier, on trips up to 7 hours. A few trains take bigger dogs on a leash, including Metro-North and the MBTA outside rush hour. Trained service dogs of any size can ride every train in this guide.

20 pounds for the pet and carrier combined. The carrier can be no bigger than 19 by 14 by 10.5 inches, your dog has to fit inside without touching the sides, and the trip can't be longer than 7 hours. Dogs and cats only, one per passenger, with a reservation and a pet fee set by route.

In the U.S., Metro-North lets dogs ride on a leash, the MBTA allows larger leashed dogs outside weekday peak hours, and scenic railroads like the Skunk Train and Roaring Camp welcome dogs. VIA Rail in Canada and the Alaska Railroad carry dogs of any size in a kennel in the baggage car (VIA only October through April).

It depends on the size. Toy poodles (4 to 6 lb) and most miniature poodles (10 to 15 lb) fit Amtrak's 20 pound limit with a light carrier, and they can ride most city transit systems in a carrier. Standard poodles (40 to 70 lb) are too big for carriers, so they're limited to leash-friendly trains like Metro-North and the MBTA off-peak, or the baggage car on VIA Rail and the Alaska Railroad.

Sometimes. French Bulldogs usually weigh 16 to 28 pounds, so a small Frenchie can squeeze under Amtrak's 20 pound limit (carrier included) but most can't. They're a maybe on most lap-carrier transit rules, and a yes on Metro-North, the MBTA off-peak and dog-friendly scenic trains. Flat-faced breeds overheat easily, so keep the carrier ventilated.

Only on the few trains that allow leashed dogs or kennels. At 55 to 80 pounds, they're over every carrier limit. Metro-North, the MBTA outside weekday rush hours, the Skunk Train, Roaring Camp, the Alaska Railroad baggage car, and VIA Rail's baggage car (October to April) are the options.

Usually not. Pembroke Welsh Corgis typically weigh 24 to 30 pounds and Cardigans 25 to 38, and Amtrak's limit is 20 pounds including the carrier. A small or young corgi under about 16 pounds might fit. Corgis can ride Metro-North on a leash, the MBTA off-peak, and the Skunk Train.

Not as service animals. Amtrak and most transit systems treat emotional support animals as pets, so they follow the carrier and weight rules. A few go further: CapMetro in Austin and the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway don't allow them at all, while the New Mexico Rail Runner allows them in a carrier even though pets are banned.

No. Trained service animals ride without a carrier on every train in this guide, and systems like the MTA and Rio Metro say no ID or certification is needed. Staff can usually ask whether it's a service animal and what task it's trained to perform. The dog must be under control and stay on the floor, out of the aisle.

On most transit systems, yes. Amtrak charges a pet fee by route ($29 one-way on the Pacific Surfliner, Capitol Corridor and Downeaster), Brightline charges $10 or $45, VIA Rail charges $50 per direction, and San Francisco's Muni charges a fare equal to yours. Service animals ride free everywhere.

For a small dog on a long trip, Amtrak is the most widely available option, and Brightline in Florida has pet relief areas and a $10 local pet fare. For a big dog, Metro-North and the MBTA (off-peak) are the most practical regular trains, and the Skunk Train is the most dog-friendly scenic ride we found.