Photo by Stephen Mease on Unsplash
Nothing beats a good, old-fashioned road trip, with the windows down, the fresh breeze slipping through our hair, and the tunes playing. One of the biggest perks of driving to our destination is we can bring our pets and stop whenever we want to get out, stretch our legs, and even explore if we’re not in a hurry.
However, we don’t always have the luxury of being able to drive, which means finding alternate, pet-friendly ways, including traveling by train, to get to our destination. If you have a dog or a cat and meet specific requirements, you can purchase pet-friendly Amtrak tickets for your next trip. But, before you book your trip, make sure you know what to expect by understanding Amtrak’s pet policy.
Can pets ride on Amtrak?
With nearly two dozen Amtrak stations in the state, traveling by train is a viable and affordable option for exploring, whether you’re staying in Pennsylvania or heading to another state. If you’re traveling with pets, though, it gets a bit trickier. As of 2026, Amtrak only allows small dogs and cats on select trains.
Only one pet is permitted per adult passenger, and your dog or cat must:
- Weigh no more than 20 pounds, which includes the weight of the pet carrier.
- Be at least eight weeks old.
- Be up-to-date on all required vaccinations.
- Be well-behaved and non-disruptive.
If your dog or cat meets those criteria, they can travel in Acela Business Class and Coach only. Unlike some airlines that ship pets or allow them to travel as baggage in cargo, Amtrak requires pets to travel on the train with their pet parent(s). However, the carrier in which your pet will travel is considered a piece of check-in luggage.
Before traveling with your pet, you must sign a waiver that releases Amtrak from responsibility for your dog or cat’s health and wellbeing.
Is there an Amtrak pet fee?
You must make a pet reservation to travel with your pet on Amtrak. Reservations come with a few restrictions, too. The date you’ve reserved is the only day you can use the ticket. What’s more, your travel time cannot exceed seven hours. If your trip includes multiple segments, the time it takes to change trains is included in that seven-hour timeframe.
The pet fee you’ll pay depends on to where you are traveling. After you’ve filled out all of the necessary information to make a reservation, you’ll see a summary that includes the pet fee.
Can I buy a seat for my dog on Amtrak?
While Amtrak permits pets on trains, it has specific requirements for how your dog or cat will travel. All pets must be in a soft or hard top carrier, in which they can easily turn around, stand up, and lie down. You can’t purchase a seat for your dog or cat; instead, you’ll securely place the carrier under your seat for the entirety of your trip. Amtrak requires all pets remain in their carriers both in stations and on trains.
Your pet’s carrier must be no larger than 19 inches long, 14 inches wide, and 10.5 inches high, and it must provide sufficient ventilation.
What to Expect on Travel Day
To ensure a smooth boarding experience, arrive at least 45 minutes prior to your departure time. After you’ve booked your trip online, you’ll be able to download a release form that you must fill out before traveling. You’ll need ample time for the Amtrak agent to check your paperwork to ensure your pet meets all requirements for traveling so you can board.
Traveling on Amtrak, which has some pet-friendly trains, can be an affordable and convenient option. However, before booking your trip, make sure your pet, including their carrier, meets all requirements, so you don’t have any surprises on travel day.
