Rail Tails Traveling with your furry friend

Rail Tales: All Aboard, Fluffy! (Train Travel with Pets Done Right)

If you’ve got a pet—dog, cat, parrot, emotional support llama—you’ve probably asked yourself at some point: Can I take this adorable furball with me? And if you haven’t asked that, then your pet probably has. With their eyes. You know the look.

I’ve had my fair share of pets over the years. Mostly dogs. A few fish. (Rest in peace, Bubbles #1 through #4.) And while flying with pets always feels like prepping for a NASA launch—complete with stress, paperwork, and a tiny astronaut suit if you're that person—train travel is a whole different (and way better) vibe.

For the past couple years, I’ve been lucky enough to travel with Kiki, my girlfriend Kate’s dog, as I bounce between Truckee, Lake Tahoe, and the Bay Area. Kiki lives with Kate full-time, but she moonlights as my furry travel buddy and emotional support burrito when we ride the rails. And let me tell you—this pup was born for the train life.

Kiki the Train Queen

Kiki is a dream travel companion. She’s polite, clean, quiet, chill—basically the opposite of me before my morning coffee. She curls up in her carrier like she’s settling into first-class, and naps like it’s her full-time job.

Now, before you pack up your pet and try to board the next Amtrak like it’s Pet Friendly Express, let me walk you through the essentials.

The (Literal) Ins and Outs

First off, animals aren’t allowed in the general coach areas, which means if you’re bringing a pet, you’ll need a roomette or sleeper car—what I call the "rolling hotel room for you and your beastie." This comes with an extra fee, a reservation, and the unspoken promise that your dog won’t turn into a howling banshee halfway through Nevada.

I carry Kiki in a soft, open-air dog carrier that’s roomy enough for her, a toy or two, and a water bottle I can squeeze into her travel bowl during breaks. It’s like a designer purse, but with more fur and less lipstick.

Getting on the train can be a bit of a juggle—luggage in one hand, Kiki in the other, my dignity nowhere to be found—but once we’re in our compartment, it’s smooth sailing. Or, well, smooth railing.

Important Stuff to Know Before You Unleash the Pup

Space is limited. This ain’t a luxury cruise. Hallways are tight, rooms are cozy (read: small), and you’re sharing this moving metal tube with a lot of other humans. If your dog is the vocal type—think barking, whining, or interpretive howling—you might want to reconsider. Your fellow passengers paid for a scenic journey, not a live canine opera.

Pit stops are not guaranteed. Train routes often have long stretches without station stops. And when the train does stop, you might only have a couple of minutes before the conductor gives the all aboard. So unless your dog has a bladder made of steel or you’re carrying an emergency potty pad like a champion, you’ll want to plan accordingly.

Life on the Tracks with Kiki

Thankfully, Kiki is a model passenger. She naps, cuddles, stares out the window like she’s contemplating the meaning of life, and never makes a peep. She’s basically a Zen monk in dog form. We stretch our legs during station breaks when possible, and sometimes she even gets a little love from strangers—because she’s adorable and she knows it.

At the end of the ride, she’s always greeted with hugs—either from Kate waiting at the station or from one of my kids, depending on where we’re headed. It’s a sweet little reunion moment that makes the trip even better.

Final Thoughts from the Rails

Train travel with a pet can be a little tricky, sure. But if you’re prepared, flexible, and your animal companion is as calm and cool as Kiki, it can be one of the most enjoyable, relaxing, and honestly adorable ways to travel.

Thanks for tuning in to this episode of Rail Tales! If you’ve got questions, stories, or a dog who thinks he’s too big for a carrier, drop me a line. I’d love to hear about your own pet travel adventures.

Until next time—may your trains be on time, your pets be quiet, and your treats be plentiful.

Happy travels,
Eric T. Brandt