Travelling with pets

Only cats, dogs and small rodents are allowed aboard VIA trains. They must be carried in a rigid cage large enough for them to stand in and you must provide a padlock to keep it shut.

Please be aware that baggage cars are often heated, but not air-conditioned, and so your pet may be exposed to high temperatures.

There is no weight limit for your animal. However, for safety reasons, VIA personnel will not transport animals and cages whose combined weight exceeds 32 kg (70 lb.). If your pet exceeds this limit, you are solely responsible for carrying your animal when boarding or disembarking from the train. In this case, a VIA employee can carry the empty cage.

For security reasons, your dog must wear a muzzle when it is out of its cage and being carried to the baggage car. Furthermore, we ask that you provide a lock to help prevent your pet escaping from its cage during the voyage.

On numerous trains, you are permitted to visit your animal during the voyage when you are accompanied by a Service Manager.

Please note that VIA Rail reserves the right at check-in to refuse any animal that is judged to be a danger to the security of any or all travellers.

When you are planning on bringing your pet, please let us know 24 hours in advance. Be sure also to check your pet in at least one hour before departure. You must travel aboard the same train as your pet, and you are responsible for feeding and taking care of it.

For more details, see the section on “Your responsibility” below.

Service charges for transporting an animal range between $15-50 (per train), but will not exceed the cost of a ticket at the adult regular fare.

For example: If your ticket for one-way travel between Montréal-Shawinigan is purchased at the adult regular fare of $35 (before taxes), the cost for transporting your animal will not exceed $35.

Also, cages may be purchased at major VIA stations.

VIA Rail personnel may refuse traveller-supplied cages that appear to be unsafe or inadequate for train transport.

If you wish to travel with your pet, please let us know 24 hours in advance by calling 1 888 842-7245 or TTY 1 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired). Be sure also to check your pet in at least one hour before departure.

During the trip, it is your responsibility to feed, water, exercise and tend to your animal's needs. To do this, or simply to visit your pet, you must be accompanied by the Service Manager or another designated employee. Visiting times must be set in advance with the Service Manager when boarding.

There is only one exception: Train routes in the Québec City-Windsor corridor are shorter. You therefore do not have to take care of your pet and will not be allowed to visit it during your trip. Moreover, few Corridor trains have baggage cars. As such, if you plan on travelling on the Corridor, we suggest you find out if the services you need for your pet are available by calling 1 888 VIA-RAIL (1 888 842-7245) or TTY 1 800 268-9503 (hearing impaired).

Don't forget that you have to claim your pet as soon as you reach your destination!