Can Dogs Travel on Amtrak?

You’ve decided to take that long-awaited three-week holiday to your summer home in New Hampshire. There are several tasks you must complete before you head north: packing, making sure your neighbor waters your plants and making transportation arrangements.

But if you have a pet, for example a lovable Yorkie, you may be wondering what to do for those three weeks. You could hire a pet sitter, or if you’re lucky ask nearby family or friends to babysit your dog. However, pet-owners have increasingly been choosing to bring their pet along with them.

If you decide to bring your dog, one option that’s available is train travel. That’s right, dogs can travel on Amtrak. There are some caveats though, so let’s delve into the specifics on Amtrak’s pet policy.

Eligibility

Amtrak does allow dogs to travel on its trains. However, there are several requirements your dog must meet. Let’s take a look at these simple requirements now.

• Size and Weight: Your dog must weigh 20 pounds or less, and this includes the carrier. Why? Because your dog should be kept in the carrier at all times and by your feet. This means if you have a larger dog, it won’t be possible to travel on Amtrak.
• Age: Dogs must be at least eight weeks old and no younger.
• Health: Dogs must be in good health, which means check-ups are necessary to determine this. Your dog should also not be a loud and disruptive dog.

Reservations and Fees

It is important that you reserve your place beforehand. These reservations for your pet must be made in advance because there is a limited number of pets that are allowed per train. These vary with each train, but typically the number is about five pets per train.

Luckily, the cost is pretty low for pets traveling on trains, unlike planes or other avenues of travel. The non-refundable pet fee for having your dog on Amtrak is $25.

Travel Restrictions

There are also several travel restrictions that Amtrak specifies for pet travel. For example, some routes may not allow pets (or some sections of the train). You should always check prior to booking. The travel duration of all train rides with your pet cannot exceed seven hours and this includes transfer time.

Speaking of certain sections of each train — pets must stay in carriers at all times, which includes stations and onboard the train. They are also not allowed to be in the food service car or other non-designated pet areas.

Pet Carrier Requirements

Let’s talk about the carrier. Carriers must be a certain size and should be placed in designed places. They cost about $50 for soft-sided carriers, which are the kind you are supposed to travel with when on trains (or inside the cabin on a flight). Hard-sided carriers are too bulky and may not fit in the designated pet places.

• Size: The carrier must be leak-proof and well-ventilated. It should not exceed 19” long x 14” wide x 10.5” high.
• Handling: The dog must be able to sit and lie down comfortably in the carrier without touching the sides. This is also the humane way of handling your dog in a carrier.
• Placement: The carrier must be placed under the seat in front of the owner.

Owner Responsibilities

As the pet owner, you have certain responsibilities when you are out in public with your dog. When you are on a train, there’s a certain etiquette that you must follow with your dog. you should always supervise your dog at all times and keep them in their carrier throughout the entire train ride and in the station, as well.

Your dog should not be aggressive or disruptive. It’s important that you know your dog and how they act around other people and other pets. If you know they may be too disruptive, you shouldn’t be on a train in the first place. If your pet is unruly for any type of reason, you may be asked by Amtrak employees to remove yourselves from the train.

Lastly, this is simple etiquette, but you are expected to be responsible for cleaning up after your dogs. Whether they are eating or doing their business, please always clean up.

Additional Notes

Lastly, there are a few additional notes that must be given at this time. Make sure that you have all the necessary paperwork, like vaccination records and other health documents. You may need to present them to Amtrak employees at the time of boarding or at your destination.

If you have a service animal, there are different rules that apply and you should check on the Amtrak website for specifics on this.

Other Ways to Travel With A Dog

In addition to train travel, there are other ways to travel with a dog. Let’s take a look at each of them briefly.

You can:

• Fly with them. You will also need to have an airline-compliant carrier and have health documents ready at the time of travel.
• Drive with them. If you want a DIY method, this is it. You’ll have to plan the logistics yourself, though.
• Hire a Ground Transport Company. There are many companies that offer pet delivery services through ground transport. Several factors determine the cost like distance, location, pet breeds and size, and more.
• Two-Way Marketplace. Opt for a two-way marketplace like CitizenShipper where you can plug in your dog’s info and you can get quotes in a jiffy. Choose the driver you like best and book your transport afterwards.

Bottom Line

And there you have it, dogs can travel on Amtrak. There are certain restrictions on the size of the dog and the age of the dog. There are also several requirements that you must adhere when having the dog at the station or on board. With this article, you’ll be able to have a comfortable and smooth journey for you and your dog on any Amtrak train in the United States. Of course, a smart thing to always do is make sure to check the Amtrak website for the latest policies that they may have before you plan your trip.