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All Aboard: Tips for Traveling With Your Pet on a Train

Here’s what you need to know before and after you board

a small brown dog in a carrier
Do your homework before booking train travel with your pet: Some trains limit pets to specific animals, have weight limits and/or require that pets travel in a carrier.
Valiantsina Harbunova / Alamy Stock Photo
By

Hilary Nangle,

 
AARP
Published January 05, 2024

We love our pets, and we love traveling with them. And taking the train can be an affordable and easy way to travel around the country.

But boarding with your furry friend requires a good amount of planning and preparation. Here’s what you need to know about traveling with your pet on a train. Note: These rules do not apply to service animals.

Before you book your train trip

First, not all trains allow pets. While some local, regional or scenic trains do, the fees and rules vary. For example, some trains limit pets to specific animals, have weight limits or require that pets travel in a carrier.  So, it’s important to do your homework. 

Amtrak offers the most routes across the United States, and pets are welcome on many of the trains. You can travel with one dog or cat (sorry birds, bunnies, gerbils and ferrets) weighing a maximum of 20 pounds, including the carrier. Your pet will also have to stay in that carrier under your seat (more on that later).  

You can travel up to seven hours with your pet, but that includes transfer time if changing trains. If it’s just you and your pet, you may want to pack some snacks for both of you because pets can’t go in a café or dining car and you can’t leave your pet alone under your seat.

Pets also are not allowed in first class, sleeper cars and non-Acela business class.

You will have to fill out an online pet release and indemnification agreement before traveling. Among the requirements: Your pet must be at least 8 weeks old and up to date on vaccinations, as well as odorless, harmless and nondisruptive during travel.   

If these requirements sound too strict for your furry companion, keep in mind that Amtrak has the right to refuse or remove your pet from the train if any policies are violated.

Prepare your pet for the train ride

If your pet checks all the boxes, the next step is to make sure you have everything you need to board the train.

Amtrak requires that your pet can sit and lie down without touching the sides of a leak-proof and well-ventilated carrier that doesn’t exceed 19 inches long by 14 inches wide by 10.5 inches high. 

Pets traveling on the Alaska Railroad must be in an airline-approved kennel and have to ride in the baggage car.

Before your trip, make sure your pet is acclimated to the carrier. And if possible, take your pet to a train station so your pet can become more familiar with the sounds and sights. Even better, consider taking a short train ride with your pet to help them become more comfortable with the train’s noises and movements.

Request your pet’s vaccination and other records from the veterinarian in case of an emergency. If your pet is anxious or tends to bark at unknown sounds, ask the vet about ways to keep your pet calm and quiet during the ride. Ask also about motion sickness preventives and getting a microchip implanted into your pet in case it runs off in an unknown destination.

When packing, your pet’s carrier counts as one carry-on so plan strategically for the other. A backpack or shoulder bag allows you to keep your hands free for handling your pet. Pack a collapsible water bowl, water, treats and a favorite (nonsqueaky) toy to keep your pet comfortable during the trip. It’s a good idea to line the carrier with an absorbent pad and bring bags and an extra towel to clean up any accidents that may happen while on the train.

Plan to arrive at least 45 minutes before boarding at any staffed Amtrak station. Once you’re there, check in with the ticket office where agents will validate your pet’s eligibility and paperwork. At unstaffed stations, the train conductor will do this. Note: Your pet must always remain in the closed carrier while in the station and on the train. Pets are not allowed inside Amtrak station lounges or first-class waiting areas.

a cat inside a yellow carrier on the ground with a backpack to the right of it
Make sure your pet is comfortable in an approved carrier before you travel.
Lightspruch / Alamy Stock Photo

Tips for traveling on the train

The route you are traveling will determine where you sit. Some trains have a pet-friendly coach car; others allow you to sit in any coach car. If the train has a pet-friendly quiet car, consider sitting there as there will be less noise and fewer distractions. If possible, avoid peak travel times and rush hours for the best experience.

To help avoid motion sickness, feed your pet a light meal three hours before departure.

A tired pet is a happy pet, so exercise your pet before boarding.

And lastly, keep an eye on the schedule so you’ll have all the time you need to disembark.



Hilary Nangle has written for many publications, including Afar, National Geographic Traveler, Snow, Ski, Travel + Leisure, Westways and Yankee. She’s also the author of four guidebooks to her home state in the Moon series: Maine, Coastal Maine, Acadia National Park and Best of Acadia.

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