Planning on riding Amtrak with your dog? WOOF, my pawfectly undocked tail is wagging as I collaborate with my pretty crab-legged sidekick Penny Gurl on this suPAW special post! Perk up your ears to hear our barks!
First bark first, what is Amtrak?
Operating in 46 of 48 contiguous U.S. states AND 3 Canadian provinces, Amtrak is the national passenger railroad company of the U.S. Despite its widely-known business name “Amtrak,” it is officially called the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (very fitting, right?). Established in 1971, Amtrak is managed as a for-profit organization despite receiving subsidies from the state and federal government. Amtrak’s coverage is MASSIVE – arf-ter all, it only covers a whoppin’ 500 stations along 21,400 miles of track, 623 miles of which it owns and an additional 132 miles of which it operates. Although riding the train is not nearly as PAWpular in the U.S. as in Europe, Amtrak is a good option for those without cars or who prefer not to drive (or fly).
REAL BARKS: Penny Gurl and I have ridden on Amtrak more times than we can count with all of our claws – both on the East Coast and West Coast, with our most frequented route going from San Francisco to Sacramento (and vice versa) – roughly a 2.5-hour ride compared to 1.5 hours (or slightly under with no traffic) by car. Unlike trains in Europe which are often high-speed and way faster than traveling by car (bypassing all the traffic), Amtrak is a much slower, more expensive option. Grr.
For instance, a roundtrip ticket from San Francisco to Sacramento (approximately 90-mile journey) will cost you $35, and ARF course, NOT including the rides to/from the Amtrak station/bus stop. With that barked, there are many benefits in hopping on Amtrak versus traveling by car. For instance, you can simply relax and not worry about getting stuck in traffic. And, if you’re heading into the city and don’t want to deal with parking, Amtrak makes one solid option.
Is Amtrak pet-friendly? Or shall I bark, dog-friendly?
Yes and No.
You can bring a small dog or cat onboard for a “small” fee. WOOF-HOO! BUT here’s the catch – the combined weight cap for the animal and carrier is 20 pounds, which means dogs (and cats) weighing more than 17 or 18 pounds are prohibited (assuming that the carrier weighs about 2 to 3 pounds. AWWOOO, here’s another catch – dogs (and cats) are only welcome on trips up to seven hours on MOST routes, NOT including routes in Canada such as the Adirondack, Maple Leaf, and Amtrak Cascades. “Pet” travel is also NOT available on Auto Train, San Joaquins or Thruway Connecting Services. In simple barks, Amtrak is “dog-tolerant,” but I wouldn’t bark “dog-friendly.”
Sniff out the official Amtrak Pet Policy.
And, how much exactly is this “small” fee? How much does it cost to take a dog on Amtrak?
Effective August 29, 2022, the cost to travel with a dog on Amtrak is anywhere between $29 to $39 based on the segment. Depending on your budget, this can be quite expensive or affordable. Arf course, that is in addition to the ticket you must purchase for yourself. If you are traveling with your dog across segments with different prices, the higher price applies. The tail-waggin’ news is that you CAN use Amtrak points to cover your dog’s fare.
As usual, service dogs trained to assist with a disability are exempt from fees.
I know $29 or $39 doesn’t sound too bad, considering that dog travel fees at major U.S.-based airlines start at $95 one-way. However, if you’re going on a short, under 2-hour trip such as our frequented route from San Francisco to Sacramento, $29 is A LOT, considering the total fare for that one-way trip (which includes the bus fare from SF to the Emeryville station) is $35. A roundtrip fare for your dog for that trip will cost you $58, NOT including your roundtrip fare.
Hence, the total Amtrak fee for you and your dog to travel on a simple 2-hour train ride is a whoppin’ $128! Compared to pet or dog fares for trains in Europe, such prices are astronomical since many European countries allow small dogs to ride for free as long as they’re inside the carrier OR fit on your lap. If not for free, it’s usually an uber small fee like 10 euros (or less). ARF ARF, that’s why I think Europe is the best place on Earth for dogs!
Dog Amtrak Reservation Rules
*Reservations can be made up to 11 months in advance of travel, but I don’t recommend it because the fares (depending on what you purchase) aren’t always fully refundable. Sniff out the Refund & Cancellation Policy HERE.
*One dog (pet) per customer allowed
*The “pet” fee is assessed for each travel segment, meaning the fees can pile up if you’re taking your dog on multiple segments on one trip
*BARK OF CAUTION: Your dog’s reservation is ONLY valid for the date specified on your ticket, which is less flexible than standard unreserved tickets
*Prepare yourself for some dog discrimination: Dogs ARE allowed in Coach and Acela Business Class, but NOT in Acela First Class seating, First Class private rooms, non-Acela Business Class, food service cars or other accommodations. They are also NOT allowed in the Quiet Car on Keystone and Pennsylvanian trains or in any Amtrak station lounge or First Class waiting area. GRR.
*Dog reservations are limited to SEVEN hours of total travel time, including transfer time between trains on multiple-segment trips (which is PAWbably a good thing because long train rides are no fun)
What type of carrier is approved for dog travel on Amtrak?
*Amtrak allows for both hard and soft-sided carriers as long as they are leak-proof and well-ventilated.
*Only one dog (or pet) is allowed per carrier (unlike some airlines that allow two very small dogs to fly in a single carrier). Nonetheless, their one-dog-per-carrier policy is better for your dog’s comfort and safety.
*The maximum size for the carrier is 19” long X 14” wide X 10.5” high.
*Your dog must be able to sit, lie down, and remain entirely inside without touching the sides of the carrier.
*Like flying in-cabin with your dog, your dog + carrier counts as one piece of carry-on baggage. However, the good news is that you’re allotted 1 personal item – up to 25 pounds (14x11x7 in., 25 lb.) AND 2 carry-on items – up to 50 pounds each (28x22x14 in. 50 lb.) per passenger. This means you still get a carry-on in addition to your dog + carrier. WOOF-HOO!
PROS
Some tail-waggin’ news: Amtrak is waiving all change fees for reservations made with Saver fares through December 31, 2024, including reservations booked with points. However, cancellation fees still apply to fares that have cancellation fees.
Dog Onboard – Official Amtrak Rules
Your dog should remain entirely inside a closed carrier while at stations and onboard trains and with you at all times. Your dog should not be left unattended.
*While these are the rules, I’ve sniffed them to be lenient at times, especially at some stations and after the conductor checks your ticket. I wouldn’t recommend taking your dog out entirely, but you can unzip the carrier to give your dog some air (given that you can stop your dog from making his way out).
While onboard, the carrier should be placed under your seat and not under the seat in front of you (like on a plane). The only exception is on Amtrak Cascade trains where you can put your pet carrier on the floor in front of the seat next to you.
*Based on our experience, the trains are often under capacity (unless you’re traveling on a holiday or PAWpular weekend), which means the seats next to us are almost always empty. Amtrak is heavily subsidized by government funds, so the actual ridership is quite low, making it an often relaxing ride for your dog. Our human usually places the carrier on the seat next to her along with a jacket or sweater, which can easily disguise the carrier as baggage. Given that your dog can stay relatively quiet throughout the journey, this tactic is great so you can stay as close to your dog as PAWsible (and again, offer extra air by unzipping the carrier halfway, if PAWsible – gauge the environment before doing so).
Once again, dogs are welcome on Coach Class and Acela Business Class, but cannot travel in Acela First Class, non-Acela Business Class, First Class private rooms, or food service cars. They are also NOT allowed to travel in the Quiet Car on Keystone and Pennsylvanian trains.
Get your paws on Penny’s carrier!
Certain routes may designate a specific Coach car for dogs, such as Amtrak Cascades, Carl Sandburg, Illinois Zephyr, Illini, Lincoln Service, Saluki, Pere Marquette, Wolverine, Blue Water, Hiawatha and Missouri River Runner. Besides these routes, your dog should be able to ride in any Coach car.
Dogs are NOT allowed in any Amtrak station lounge or First Class waiting area.
Again, service dogs are exempt from these rules.
Per Amtrak rules, your dog must be at least 8 weeks old and be odorless, harmless, not disruptive or require no attention during travel.
*BARK TRANSLATION: Your dog must be suPAW quiet and not make a peep! Hold off on those barks and howls!
Amtrak also reserves the right to refuse dogs exhibiting the issues as barked above. Your dog must also be up to date on all vaccinations and you must accept liability for your dog by signing the check-in document. Although Penny and I have never been asked for vaccination records on Amtrak, we advise that you carry them on board just in case. And yet, we do that everywhere, in every country. With electronic records these days, it’s easy to maintain a readily accessible copy on your phone. As expected, Amtrak does NOT accept liability for the health and well-being of your dog (or any animals brought onboard).
How to Reserve a Spot for Your Dog
Adding a dog to your reservation can be done online, which makes things easy peasy. Again, dogs are only allowed on trips up to SEVEN hours on most routes although some restrictions apply. You can pay for your reservation along with your dog’s fee online all at once. Before your trip, you must read and sign the Pet Release and Indemnification Agreement for each travel segment before travel.
You can also access this form on “My Trip” on Amtrak.com or through the Amtrak app. Upon arrival at the Amtrak station, check in at the ticket office roughly 45 minutes before departure so the staff can check your dog’s eligibility and paperwork. If you’re at an unstaffed station, the conductor will check the paperwork onboard.
*Service dogs are exempt from pet travel fees and the Pet Release and Indemnification Agreement.
REAL BARKS: My human has found the Amtrak website to be not so user-friendly and slightly difficult to navigate, especially if you’re buying tickets for the first time. There were times when the website malfunctioned and she had to repeat the process several times before the purchase was successful. Therefore, be sure to buy tickets ahead of time instead of 30-40 minutes before (which we’ve also done) in case of any technical difficulties or navigation challenges. Hopefully, there will be changes for a better user experience later!
TOP DOG Tips for Riding Amtrak with Your Dog
#1 Plan Ahead: Sniff out Amtrak’s pet policy well before your trip (not the day of)! KNOW the eligibility requirements and fees, and make reservations in advance (a day or two prior, at least for your very first ride) to secure your dog’s spot on the train.
#2 Pack Essentials for Your Dog: Bring an adequate supply of food, a bottle of fresh water, medications, and favorite toys to ensure their comfort and well-being during the journey, and upon arrival (if you’re going away from home). Don’t forget poop bags and wipes for quick and easy clean up!
#3 Follow the Rules: As a traveler, you should respect other passengers and abide by the Amtrak policy and guidelines, including keeping your dog inside the carrier and cleaning up any messes. However, if your dog is struggling, give him some air and space! If questioned or chastised, kindly explain the situation to the train staff and passengers around you. Rules may be rules, but no ride is worth your dog’s life.
#4 Keep an eye on your dog: Even if your dog is happily snoozing inside the carrier with four paws in the air (like I usually do), it’s best to keep a close watch at all times. Traveling can be stressful, even if your dog has done it countless times. Be sure to praise him for keeping quiet and calm, which makes the journey more enjoyable for him.
WOOF, hope your dog takes on the Amtrak journey like a Top Dog! Whether you travel cross-country or across towns, you can take your dog along (again, with some limitations) and ensure a safe and comfortable journey.
Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube Channel: Wet Nose Escapades by Roger Wellington for fun dog videos!
Markin’ it up,
Roger Wellington a.k.a. The Doob
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