Pet Travel by Train: Amtrak offers new program to transport small dogs and cats

Amtrak also service animals to travel with their disadvantaged owners on all routes. Additionally and with great success, Amtrak has been permanently expanding the number of routes that will accept pets under the following conditions:

• One pet per passenger for travel in a compliant pet carrier* - Coach Class only.
• Trip must be 7 hours or less.
• Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old.
• Your pet must be stowed under your seat in a compliant pet carrier.
• Combined weight of your pet and its carrier must not exceed 20 pounds.

*Carrier must be leakproof and waterproof with adequate ventilation and should not exceed 19" long x 14" wide x 10.5" high.

The costs of passage for your pet will be $25.00. Find more details about Amtrack pet friendly routes here.

The Amtrak Auto Train, which runs from Lorton, Virginia, to Sanford, Florida does not accept pets. Small pets will only be permitted to ride the Acela train on weekends and holidays only.

Pet Friendly Trains in the United States

Medically certifiied service animals can ride on any train traveling within the continental United States.

Many trains that operate in cities like in New Jersey and Boston will allow small pets to ride the trains and subways as long as they are leashed or in carriers.

Pets can ride on most public transportation in New York if they fit in a pet carrier.

Pets can travel on Metrorail or Metrobus in Washington DC provided they are confined in a secure carrier. Service animals are also permitted.

Pet Friendly Trains and Buses in Other Countries

France

The French National Railway Company(SNCF), is France's national state-owned railway company. The following pets are permitted to ride on all routes except the Eurostar: dogs, cats, pet rabbits and rodents, birds, reptiles and amphibians. All pets other than cats, dogs and birds can accompany their owners unless there is an objection from other passengers.

Pets under 6 kg must ride in carriers measuring no more than 45 cm x 30 cm x 25 cm on owners laps or at their feet. The cost will be €7.5. Pets larger than 6 kg must be muzzled and travel at their owner's feet. The cost is half of the passenger fare for second class. Guide dogs travel at no charge. Tickets can be purchased online at sncf-connect.com, the SNCF phone app, ticket desk or some ticket-dispensing locations.

Owners must remain with their pets at all times. Identification of both the pet and owner as well as final destination must be attached or marked on the carrier.

The cost to bring a pet onto the train is now €7 for a TGV or a regional service, and €10 for a Ouigo train for each leg of a trip. If you change trains during the trip, you will need to pay another fare to board another train. Some regional trains charge a flat fare and others charge according to mileage.

Spain

In Spain, Renfe's Cercanías local trains will allow pets in a carrier if small enough, but it is not required. Dogs must travel with a muzzle and an extendable lead no longer than 60 inches (1.5 meters). Ave, Avant and Iryo trains* will allow dogs and cats under 22 lbs (10 kg) in a carrier no larger than 24x18x18" (60x35x35cm). The cost is 25 percent of the passenger ticket price. Ouigo will allow up to 2 pets weighing no more than 22 lbs (10 kg) with a hard carrier with a "device to contain and remove waste". Cost will also be 25 percent of passenger ticket cost.

Low cost, high-speed Avlo trains only accept guide and assistance dogs.

Regulations to travel by bus in Spain vary by carrier. The maximum weight is 22 lbs (10 kg) on average. Dogs and cats cannot travel in the passenger cabin; they must travel with the luggage in a rigid carrier with a locked door and waterproof bottom. The cost can be upwards of half of the passenger's ticket price depending on the carrier.

India

Indian Railways allows you to take your small or large dogs in First Class; however, your pet must remain in train compartment and only with the consent of other passengers riding in that compartment. If this permission cannot be obtained, the pet owner must purchase the entire compartment. Two berth or a four berth compartments are available exclusively for pet owner's use.

Dogs can also travel in the Luggage/Brake Van in special crates available on the train. Dogs are not permitted in ACC Sleeper Coaches, ACC Chair Car Coaches, Sleeper Class, and Second Class Coaches.

Once pet owners have purchased their tickets, they should complete an application with the station's reservation officer. All pets must have proof of current rabies vaccinations and a health certificate issued by a veterinarian within 48 hours of departure. Arrive at the station at least 4 hours prior to departure for cabin assignments.

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates over 8,000 buses in India and they are all pet friendly. Dogs will pay the same fare as their owners. Rabbits, puppies, cats, birds and caged birds can travel under child's fares. Pet owners are responsible for any damages to the bus or to others luggage. Pets must be confined or leashed.

China

Pets are allowed to ride Beijing Railway in China in the baggage compartment in a strong, wire cage. They will need a animal quarantine certification and a pet cage disinfectant certification.

Mexico

In Mexico, all domestic animals on buses must travel in the luggage compartment. Only guide, official or rescue dogs are accepted on board the vehicle. There is no additional charge if the weight of the animal is less than 55 pounds (25 kilos). The trip should not last more than eight hours. Animals are not accepted when the temperature exceeds 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) at any point of the trip. Preferably, the pet must be sedated.

New Zealand

In Auckland, New Zealand, Auckland Transport Trains will now accept pets of all sizes on their trains. Pets are accepted at off-peak times (9am-3pm and 6.30pm–end of service on weekdays and all-day on the weekends and public holidays. All dogs can travel in a compliant pet carrier that is small enough to be stored securely under the seat or held on the passenger's lap, else they must be wearing an approved muzzle and lead.

Passengers traveling with domestic pets are responsible for their pet and must keep them caged and under control at stations, getting on or off the train, and while onboard trains. Pet owners must clean up after their pets while in stations or before they disembark their train.

Passengers may be refused entry to board the train if the train is crowded. Passengers may be asked to leave the train if their pet is causing or likely to cause a safety risk or nuisance to other customers.

There is no charge for domestic pets to ride Auckland Transport Trains.

Connect Urban Service buses which run in New Zealand has started a trial service accepting small cats and dogs. Pets must fit in a carrier that sits on the pet owner's laps or in the luggage area of the bus. The service is free for paying passengers.

Qatar

In Qatar, only trained service dogs assisting blind, deaf or physically disabled passengers are permitted on the Doha Metro and Lusail Tram networks.

Turkey

Small pets are allowed to ride at no charge on Marmaray Rail Line. Pets smaller than 5 kg can ride in their owner's arms if they are leashed. Larger pets must ride in a portable container not exceeding 55x35x30 cm. They must ride at their owner's feet, and be muzzled and collared. Other animals can also ride on Marmaray in carriers or containers not exceeding 55x35x30 cm. One pet per passenger is permitted.

No dangerous dogs are permitted. Dogs should be social and not a danger or inconvenience to staff or other passengers.

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