Taking Your Dog on Amtrak: Weight Limit, Carrier Size, 7-Hour Rule and Routes Without Pets

Checked October 2026 · Source: Amtrak pet policy

Flying a small dog over Thanksgiving or the winter holidays means cabin limits, crowded airports and fees at every airline. For trips of a few hours, the train can be simpler. Amtrak allows small dogs and cats on most of its routes, with a few firm rules. Here they are, from Amtrak’s official pet page.

The basic rules

Rule	Amtrak policy
Animals	Dogs and cats only
Weight	20 lbs or less, pet and carrier combined
Carrier size	Up to 19″ long x 14″ wide x 10.5″ high; it counts as one carry-on item
Age	At least 8 weeks old
Trip length	Up to 7 hours total travel time on most routes, including transfers
Per passenger	One pet per customer, one pet per carrier
Vaccinations	Must be up to date; you certify this on a signed pet release at check-in
Fee	Charged per travel segment; the amount appears in the price summary when you book

Where your dog can and can’t ride

• Your dog stays in a closed carrier, with you, for the whole trip, in stations and on the train.
• The carrier goes under your own seat, not the seat in front of you. On Amtrak Cascades it can sit on the floor in front of your seat.
• Pets aren’t allowed in Acela First Class, First Class private rooms, non-Acela Business Class, food service cars, station lounges or First Class waiting areas.
• On Keystone and Pennsylvanian trains, pets aren’t allowed in the Quiet Car.

Routes without pets

• Auto Train
• Gold Runner
• Amtrak Connection (bus) services
• For travel in Canada: Adirondack, Maple Leaf and Amtrak Cascades

Booking and boarding

• Reserve your dog’s spot when you book. A pet reservation is required even on unreserved trains, and it’s good only for the date on the ticket.
• Arrive early. At staffed stations, check in at the ticket office 45 minutes before departure and sign the pet release. At unstaffed stations, the conductor checks the paperwork on board.
• Sign a release for each segment of a multi-train trip.
• Pets can’t be checked as baggage or shipped, can’t travel on multi-ride tickets, and can’t travel with unaccompanied minors.
• Service animals aren’t considered pets and follow separate rules.

Make the ride easier

• Practice with the carrier at home for a few weeks so it feels like a den, not a trap.
• Walk your dog and offer a small drink right before you board, since your dog has to stay in the carrier for the whole trip.
• Pack a puppy pad in the carrier, a chew, and a copy of your dog’s vaccine record.
• Pick a seat away from the doors if your dog is sound-sensitive.
• Weigh your dog in the carrier before booking. The 20-lb limit includes the carrier.

This article is general information for dog owners, not veterinary or legal advice. Amtrak can change its pet policy and fees. Confirm on Amtrak.com before booking. Follow the official source when it differs from this article.

Sources

• Amtrak: Pets on Trains