Public Transportation for Pets

Traveling with your pet by train

For information on traveling by train in the United States, see our article on Riding on Amtrak Trains. For information on traveling by train with your pet in Europe, see our article on Pet Friendly Train Travel in Europe.

Pets are allowed on many trains in Germany, France, Italy, Scotland, and England including Le Shuttle. They should be in a carrier or leashed and muzzled.

Alaska Railroad allows pets on its route between Fairbanks in the north and Seward in the south, with scheduled stops at Denali, Talkeetna, Wasilla, Girdwood, Whittier, Portage, Spencer and Grandview. Pets ride in airline compliant kennels in the baggage car which is not air conditioned or heated, so you want to consider that when you are booking. You can take your pets outside during stops, but they are brief. Fee is $20. More details at alaskarailroad.com.

Canada

Rail Canada only allows small dogs and cats onboard. One pet per carrier is permitted. Carrier dimensions: 27 cm (10.5 in)H x 40 cm (15.5 in)W x 55 cm (21.5 in) L. Your pet's carrier must fit under the seat in front of you. Pets must be a minimum of 12 weeks of age and accompanied by a passenger 13 years or older. Maximum weight is 22 pounds. When out of the carrier in the stations, pets must be leashed and muzzled.

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India

Pet dogs and cats are welcome on trains running in India. Puppies in a carrier can travel in all classes of the train. Dogs and cats can travel in AC-first class or first class in 2-berth coupe or 4-berth cabins. One pet per passenger. Current health certificate is required clearly designating breed, weight, color, etc. Check in is 3 hours before departure. Pets can also travel in crates in the luggage car. Luggage rates will apply in either case.

Traveling with your pet by bus or subway

California

Sacramento - Small dogs in carriers are allowed on the buses and light rail. The carrier must fit on the pet owner's lap.

San Diego - Small dogs in enclosed carriers are allowed on the buses and light rail. You must be able to transport your dog and the carrier by yourself, and you need to hold the carrier on your lap. Noise or odor may give cause for refusal to transport the animal.

San Francisco (Blue & Gold Fleet Ferry, 415-773-1188, http://www.blueandgoldfleet.com): Both small and medium to large dogs are allowed on the ferry. Pets must be leashed.

San Francisco - Municipal Railway Both small and large dogs are allowed on cable cars, historic streetcars and trolley buses. People must pay the same fare for their dog that they do for themselves. Dogs are allowed to ride on Muni vehicles from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. on weekdays, and all day on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays. Only one of dog may ride per vehicle. Dogs must be muzzled and on a short leash or in a small closed container.

Colorado

Denver - Small dogs in hard-sided carriers are allowed on the buses and light rail.

Florida

Orlando - Small dogs in carriers that fit on your lap are allowed on the buses.

Georgia

Atlanta - Small dogs carried in a closed pet carrier that fits on your lap are allowed on the buses and trains.

Illinois

Chicago - Small dogs in carriers that fit on your lap are allowed on buses and trains.

Massachusetts

Boston - All dogs that can fit in a carrier or bag are allowed on the Boston T (subway). Small dogs may be transported in a carrier. Larger dogs may be taken on the T during off-peak hours and must be leashed and controlled at all times. At no time should a pet compromise safety, get in a passenger's way or occupy a seat.

Nantucket - Both small and large dogs are allowed on the shuttle buses. Pets must be leashed or caged, well-behaved, clean and dry, and pets cannot sit on the seats.

New York

New York City - Small dogs in carriers are allowed on the Long Island Railroad, Long Island Bus and New York City Transit buses and subways. Small dogs in carriers or on a secure leash are allowed on the Metro-North Railroad. The pet carrier should be able to fit on your lap and should not occupy a seat. Dogs should not bother other passengers.

Hampton Jitney allows pets to travel for a $10 fee. The bus goes from New York City to both forks of Long Island. The pet must be in a carrier that can fit on your lap. See www.hamptonjitney.com for more information.

Small dogs in secure carrying cases are allowed on the trains.

New Jersey

Hoboken - Small dogs in carriers are allowed on the light rail. NJ Transit allows small dogs in carriers to travel on the rail and buses. Contact their customer service for more details: NJtransit.com.

Texas

Dallas - Small dogs in carriers are allowed on the light rail and buses.

Virginia

Richmond, VA (GRTC, 804-358-GRTC, http://www.ridegrtc.com): Small dogs in carriers are allowed on the buses.

District of Columbia

Small dogs in carriers are allowed on the buses and trains. Pets must remain in the carrier, with no possibility that the pet can escape.

Toronto

Both small and large dogs are allowed on the  subway, buses, and streetcars. Pets must be on a leash or in a carrier.

London

Well behaved pets are welcome on public transportation in London. They must be leashed, not bother other passengers, and must not take up a seat. You have to carry your pet on escalators or through automatic ticket gates, however. There is no charge for transport. Here are more details on pet transport in London.

New Zealand

Currently, a trial is in progress to transport smaller dogs and cats on Whanganui Connect buses in New Zealand. Pets must fit in a pet carrier and can sit on the floor between their owner's feet, on their lap or in the luggage compartment. The policy trial will run until the end of October 2023, and a survey will be conducted for community feedback. More information.

Traveling with your pet by ferry

Hyannis Port - Hy-Line Cruises Ferry Service, 508-778-2600, http://www.hy-linecruises.com: Both small and large dogs are allowed on the ferry. This ferry service runs from Cape Cod to Nantucket Island (1 hour on the high speed ferry) or Martha's Vineyard (1.5 hours). They also offer the only Inter-Island Ferry between Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard (2.25 hours). Pets are allowed on the ferries, but not in the first class lounge. Pets need to be leashed.

Hyannis Port - (Steamship Authority Ferry Service, 508-447-8600, http://www.steamshipauthority.com): Both small and large dogs are allowed on the ferry. This ferry services runs from Cape Cod to Nantucket Island (2.25 hours) or Martha's Vineyard (1.5 hours). Pets are allowed on all ferries except for the M/V Flying Cloud fast ferry. Pets must be leashed or in a crate at all times. Pets are not allowed on the seats, tables, or in the concession areas.

New York, NY (Seastreak Ferry, 800-BOAT-RIDE, http://www.seastreakusa.com): Dogs of all sizes must stay on the outside portion of the ferry and they need to be on a short leash. Dogs are not allowed on the inside area, regardless of the weather, unless your pet is a small dog and they are confined in a carrier.

Anacortes - (Washington State Ferries, 206-464-6400, http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/ferries): Both small and large dogs are allowed on the ferries. On the newer ferries that have outside stairwells, dogs are allowed on the car deck and on the outdoor decks above the car deck. If the ferry has indoor stairwells, dogs are only allowed on the deck where they boarded the ferry. For example, if your dog comes onto the ferry in your car, he or she has to remain on the car deck. If you walk onto the ferry with your dog, your pooch is allowed on the outside deck where you boarded but cannot go onto other decks. In cases where your pet has to remain on the car deck, you can venture to the above decks without your pet to get food at the snack bars. However, the ferry system recommends in general that you stay with your pooch in the car. For any of the ferries, dogs are not allowed inside the ferry terminals. Pets must be leashed.

Seattle - Both small and large dogs are allowed on the street cars and buses. Small dogs that fit in their owner's lap ride for free. Large dogs are charged the same fare as their owner and should not occupy a seat. Large dogs should ride on the floor of the bus, preferably under the seat. If you have a very large dog, it is up to the driver as to whether or not your dog will be allowed. One large dog per bus is allowed. Dogs must be leashed.

Vancouver - Both small and large dogs are allowed on the ferry. If you walk onto the ferry with no car, your pet must be leashed. If your dog comes onto the ferry in your vehicle, he or she needs to stay in the car. This ferry is run by the Fraser River Marine Transportation company and is a subsidiary of TransLink.

Vancouver - (AquaBus Ferries, 604-689-5858, http://www.aquabus.bc.ca): Well-behaved leashed dogs, both small and large, are welcome on the ferries.

Vancouver - (BC Ferries, 250-386-3431, https://bcferries.bc.ca): Both small and large dogs are allowed on the ferries. Dogs are only allowed on the open air car deck and must stay in your car or tied in a designated pet area. Owners must stay with their pets.

Vancouver - Small dogs in hard-sided carriers are allowed on the SeaBus (ferry), SkyTrain (train) and buses.

Port Angeles (1 888 993 3779) and Victoria (1 800 264 6475) - M.V. CoHo Ferry, https://www.cohoferry.com/): Both small and large dogs are allowed on the ferries. Pets must be leashed. The midship lounge and solarium are both pet friendly areas. Dog kennels are located in the Solarium on the outer deck.

Help other traveling pet owners by providing us with information your experiences traveling with your pet on public transportation. Please send the information to:info@pettravel.com

More information on pet friendly ferries.

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