Can a Dog Travel on a Train?
This depends on the country you are in as well as the specific railroad service you are boarding. But the majority of railroad services across Europe will allow you to bring your pets on board their train to a certain extent.
For example, in the UK, you can bring a maximum of 2 pets free of any charge. In France, small dogs have to be inside an appropriately sized carrier, while larger dogs have to travel with a lead attached. Germany also has similar pet policies to France and requires you to buy a ticket at half price for larger dogs.
Some railroad companies will allow you to bring your pet dog to first-class cabins. But many others will only allow you to bring them on second class and non-sleeping coaches. Almost every train service in Europe will require you to leash your dog or put a muzzle on them at all times.
The one notable exception to all these rules in every country is service dogs. Service dogs can travel with their designated owner free of all costs. And they can accompany their owner to any class of coach. They can also travel without a carrier or lead, provided the dog does not cause too much nuisance to other passengers.
Of course, the railroad staff do hold the authority to remove a person with their pet, if that person is found guilty of disrupting the environment of the train too much. Moreover, the specific stipulations involved in bringing pets can vary greatly among different companies, even in the same country. So, it is always best to read up on the policies before you buy your tickets.
Since October of 2015, Amtrak has allowed pet animals, including dogs, on their trains to varying degrees. So, you can bring your dog on their train if your pet dog abides by their pet policies. So, there are limitations to the kind of dogs you can bring on board.
The first big limitation is the maximum weight for pets you can bring. You can travel with your pet dog if the combined weight of the dog and its carrier is equal to or less than 20 lbs. Anything more than this and you sadly have to leave your pet behind.
Additionally, you can bring dogs only on trips that are no more than 7 hours in duration. And on such trips, your dogs cannot enter sleeping cars, non-Acela business class coaches, and food cars. Service dogs are naturally exempt from such restrictions.
Moreover, if you plan to travel with your pet, you need to make reservations pretty early on. Because Amtrak only allows a total of 5 dogs on one of their trains at a time. And you cannot bring more than one pet per trip.
The fee you need to pay to bring your pet will differ based on the travel segment. Your dog cannot sit on any seat as those are reserved only for their human companion. You also cannot set your dog free from its cage at any time during the trip.
They took the time to expand the pilot program to include the popular Northeast Regional and Downeaster routes (from Norfolk, Va. to Brunswick, Me.), which was a success. Animal lovers were thrilled and the $25 pet fee made Amtrak nearly $500,000 in extra revenue. During the October to March pilot period, 4,600 passengers traveled with pets. In that time, Amtrak didnt receive a single piece of negative feedback from customers who shared cars with a furry passenger. Instead passengers wanted Amtrak to include other pets (currently only cats and dogs are allowed) and to increase the current 20-pound limit.
In 2015, The White House and House of Representatives passed a bill to continue government funding for Amtrak. It also required the train line become pet friendly. While both political sides didnt fully agree, it was thought that the pet-related part of the bill won over many representatives for the bi-partisan vote. The provision was included in the bill by California Representative Jeff Denham who had been advocating for pet friendly trains since he realized several years ago that he couldnt ride Amtrak with his French Bulldog, Lily.
Then Amtrak announced that the Northeast Regional and Downeaster routes would become permanent pet routes and expanded the program to include longer trips up to seven hours in length (that means the Auto Train from Virginia to Florida wouldnt be included). They also announced a new pilot program on the Acela Express that will run into June.
Its always great to have another pet friendly travel option. I hope that Amtrak not only expands the program to other regions and routes, but also finds a way to include larger dogs as well. Pups that dont fit under a passenger seat (by train or by air) are forced to travel essentially as plane cargo. Hpoefully Amtrak can one day provide an alternative.Tags:
As Amtrak is phasing in the pet program, theyre still working through challenges. For instance, in some regions, passengers may be transported between train stations on buses that arent pet friendly. Also Amtrak will sometimes arrange lodging for delayed passengers, and finding a pet friendly hotel adds an extra complication. However, Amtrak is committed to expanding the program.
Ticket Price? Is There a Pet Fee on Amtrak Trains?
If a passenger is interested in traveling with Amtrak, then they need to be aware of the pet fees and regulations. According to the Amtrak pet policy, any passenger traveling with a pet will be charged $26 or 800 Amtrak Guest Rewards points.
Finally, the policy states that emotional support animals must also abide by the Amtrak pet policy guidelines. This means that all emotional support dogs or cats must meet the weight requirements and will be charged $26.
Amtrak Pet Policy – Can you take your dog or cat? What are the rules?
If you’re just travelling a short distance in the United States, it can often be quicker and cheaper to travel by train instead of flying, especially if you are travelling between city centres. Luckily then, for a number of years Amtrak has allowed small pets to travel on many of its train services, similar to flying in the cabin of a plane with your pet.
Find out everything you need to know about how to travel on Amtrak with a dog, from the rules for travelling with a pet on Amtrak to how much it costs and how to make a booking. Plus, I cover in detail our experience of travelling with our dog on Amtrak from New York City to Philadelphia and then to Washington, D.C.
Both small pet dogs and cats are allowed on Amtrak trains, although naturally there are some restrictions. For starters, not all trains allow pets on board. (If you’re travelling with a service animal, they are welcome on all Amtrak services and these rules don’t apply.)
Pets are not allowed to travel on the Auto Train, Keystone Service, Pennsylvanian, San Joaquins and Capitol Corridor Pacific Surfliner. Pets are also not allowed on Thruway Connecting Services. This is clearly listed at the top of the Amtrak pet policy, click here to view it, including to see if this list has recently changed. As of 2021, pets are now allowed on weekday as well as weekend Acela services.
Other key rules to keep in mind are that the maximum weight of both dogs and cats, including their carrier, is limited to 20 pounds (9kg). There is also a limit of one pet per customer (as the pet must be stowed underneath your seat), plus your pet must be at least eight weeks old and be vaccinated.
Pets are only allowed on trips up to seven hours in duration, including transfer time for multi-segment trips. Pets are also only allowed in coach class, not in first class, business class or sleeping cars, except for Acela business class.
Also refer to the Amtrak pet policy for details of the carrier your pet needs to travel in. The maximum size is 19″ long x 14″ wide x 10.5″ high. It can be hard or soft, but must be leak-proof, well-ventilated and large enough for your pet to sit and lie down inside without touching the sides.
Note that your pet in its carrier counts as a piece of carry-on baggage (out of your normal limit of two carry-on pieces and two personal items). Your pet must remain inside its carrier both at the train station and while on the train, and you are not allowed to leave your pet alone.
There is a limit to the number of pets allowed on each Amtrak train service, usually five pets but eight pets on Acela services, so try and book your train trip in advance.
Unfortunately, it’s not quite as easy as it used to book an Amtrak train trip with your pet. Whereas previously the number of remaining pet spots on each train service was displayed when the list of train services to select from was displayed (plus made clear which train services were pet-friendly), this is no longer provided.
You’ll now need to select a train service and enter your personal details before you can attempt to add a pet to your booking. Perhaps the full number of pet spots are rarely used?
To double-check that the train service you’d like to book is pet-friendly, once you’ve started your search, I recommend clicking on Details and then Services under the train service. Underneath Add-On, “Pet” should be displayed.
You’ll then need to select your preferred train service, seat type and option (from Saver to Flexible), then enter all travellers details, before you can add a pet to your booking, on the Add-Ons page. The number of pets you can add depends on the number of passengers in the booking. It’s similar to adding a bicycle or golf clubs to your booking.
Then it’s time to finalise your booking and pay for your tickets. It’s also possible to make a booking including a pet through the customer call centre or at staffed Amtrak stations.
The fee for traveling with a pet is currently $26 USD (or 800 Amtrak Guest Reward points) per segment. This is higher than I’ve experienced in Europe (where in nearly all countries, a small pet in a carrier bag rides for free), but it is far cheaper than if you were flying with your pet.
We travelled with our dog on two Amtrak train trips in 2018: firstly from New York City to Philadelphia, then from Philadelphia on to Washington, D.C. We made sure to arrive in plenty of time for both trips.
Amtrak requests that people traveling with a pet from staffed stations (like we were), to check-in at the ticket office no later than 30 minutes before departure. I don’t believe this is a hard cut-off like when checking in for a flight. Although we did go close to finding out in New York!
The down-side is then it’s a long wait after checking in until the platform number is announced for trains.
At the ticket office, the staff member looked up our booking, had a quick glance at our pet carrier bag with our dog inside (although didn’t weigh or measure it), and then handed us a Pet Release and Indemnification Agreement to sign.
It’s best to review this ahead of time, so you are familiar with the contents, but you don’t need to print it and bring it to the station. If you are traveling from an unstaffed station, speak to the conductor who will confirm your pet’s eligibility and provide you with this document.