A trip on Amtrak will give you a truly American experience, from the rugged coast to the snow-capped mountains. You won’t pay a boarding fee now. Recently, Amtrak revised its pet policy in order to allow passengers to take their animals on board the train.
If you need to use public transport occasionally while you are traveling with a pet, it can prove to be a challenge. It might be difficult to find accommodations for you and your pet, and sometimes you may have to pay a fee to travel with your friend. If you are planning to use a transport service to take your pet on a trip, you should ask about what is considered to be a “pet” by that company.
Related cat and pet articles:
Amtrak Pet Policy, How to Bring Your Pet
The majority of Amtrak carriages permit you to bring a dog or a cat along. Amtrak’s full pet policy is available here for passengers. Amtrak is only able to accept as pets cats and dogs, so you will have to take that into account when you make your reservation.
Amtrak does not provide onboard accommodations for animals other than cats and dogs. Amtrak does not provide any rights to any emotional support animals that are not dogs or cats, and ESAs that are not dogs or cats cannot travel on the train.
Dogs that are trained to assist people with disabilities are another story altogether. On all Amtrak trains, Service Dogs, who are considered companions by their handlers, are free of charge. In the event a service dog takes up a seat, a fee may be charged to its handlers.
The service dog and its handler, on the other hand, are obliged to lie beside each other and the conductor is obligated to assure the comfort of the dog and its handler.
In order for your dog or cat to travel with you on Amtrak, there are a few rules and restrictions you have to follow.
Details of Amtrak’s pet policy
In spite of the fact that it might seem like a simple thing to put your dog inside a carrier that is approved, and board the train with your dog, there are still a few rules that you need to follow. Whether it is determining how long you should travel and how many reservations you should make, obtaining the right paperwork, or how your dog will react to the trip should all be considered.
What are the pet restrictions on Amtrak?
It is strictly forbidden to have pets larger than 20 pounds, which can only be small pets. It is also illegal to have pets of more than this weight when in a pet carrier. Therefore, you need to make sure your pet doesn’t weigh more than 20 pounds.
Here is a list of what you are permitted to do with Fido or Fifi on Amtrak if you decide this is the best option for you.
- It is suggested that the travel time on the train is no more than seven hours in total. If you have booked multiple segments of trains on the same day, you will need to allow for the same day’s transfer time.
- The number of pets per person is limited to one.
- The only class where pets are allowed is the Coach Class. For the Business Class fares, pets are only permitted on weekends.
- Pets are no longer allowed to travel on the Adirondack, Maple Leaf, and Cascade trains into Canada that run from the west coast.
- It is not permitted that pets are transported in Amtrak Sleeper cars, non-Acela Business Class cars, other Business Class or First Class cars, or in food service cars.
- There is a restriction on booking a pet on tickets that include multiple rides such as rail passes, Thruway Connection services or with a minor that has not been accompanied.
- You cannot bring your pets with you on the Auto Train, the Keystone Service, the Pennsylvanian, California’s San Joaquin, the Capitol Corridor, or the Pacific Surfliner.
The requirements for pet carriers on Amtrak
- Whether the carrier is hard or soft, it must be leakproof and well-ventilated, and it must be provided by pet owners.
- Pets with carriers cannot weigh more than 20 pounds.
- Maximum pet carrier dimensions are 19″ long by 14″ wide by 10.5″ high.
- Keeping your pet inside without touching the sides of the carrier is extremely important for their comfort and safety.
- As far as carry-on luggage is concerned, your pet carrier counts as one piece.
- On Amtrak Cascades trains, you can put your pet carrier on the floor in front of the seat next to you rather than under the seat in front of you, where it is supposed to be put under your seat, but not under the seat in front of you.
Health and age of the pet.
- There must be a minimum age of 8 weeks of age, and your pet must be odorless, harmless, and not disruptive during travel. It must also not require any attention during travel.
- Amtrak maintains the right not to accept pets exhibiting these issues and may remove those pets from its stations or trains if they do.
- By signing the pet release document at the time of check-in, you certify that your pet has had all vaccines up-to-date and that you accept responsibility for your pet. It is the responsibility of the owner of the pet to ensure that the pet is properly immunized and cared for onboard.
Pet paperwork for Amtrak
Every time you take a dog or a cat on Amtrak, you will need to fill out a form. Before departure, customers must complete the pet release form at a station staffed with staff. The conductor will give you the document to sign if you bring your pet to an unstaffed station in a carrier and confirm the pet’s eligibility.
For your pet to be considered eligible to travel on Amtrak, it must be at least eight weeks old. In order to avoid disrupting your comfort and that of your fellow guests, the pet must be well-behaved, emit no foul odors, and remain calm at all times.
You need to keep in mind that you will not be able to bring animals on board that does not possess up-to-date vaccinations. The responsibility for the health and well-being of pets will not be accepted by Amtrak. Your pet’s comfort and health are very important, and you should pay close attention to them.
How to book a reservation on Amtrak for you and your pet
There is a limited number of pets allowed per train, not including service animals, so you should book early. Reservations can be made at staffed stations or by phone (800-USA-RAIL). Amtrak’s next beta version of its site will no longer offer pet bookings.
If you have Amtrak points, you won’t even need to pay more than $8 for the pet fee, which is only $26.
Why Amtrak is the right choice if you have a pet
- Safe travels! You will have your pet with you throughout your journey, so you don’t have to worry about ESA paperwork. You will never have to worry about whether or not your best friend is shivering and anxious down below.
- The ride experience is very pleasant, with a high level of enjoyment. Take your time, enjoy your drink and snack with your pet, sit back, social distance, and know Fido is at your side.
- A pet’s air travel costs about $150 for a one-way flight. There is a $26 charge for Amtrak pets. It ranges from $26 to $36. Veggie burgers and beer cost about the same in Chicago. Travel almost anywhere with your furry family member for less than the cost of a bean patty and a PBR. Not bad!
- Breaks for the bathroom! It may not always be necessary for small dogs to roam for miles, but a small bladder is still a small bladder. In addition, who doesn’t enjoy chatting with their car attendant or walking their dog at the train station?
