Travelling with pets

Pet transportation in baggage cars is available only on long distance and regional routes. Please make sure to confirm that this service is offered on your train. Only dogs and cats are eligible for this service.

Rest assured that our employees will take good care of your pet. However, they require special handling during check-in, and minimum safety requirements must be followed when handling them.

Please be aware that baggage cars are heated, but that most are not air-conditioned. Your pet may therefore be exposed to high temperatures. From May 1st to September 30th, 2025 and subsequent years, (VIA reserves the right, at its discretion to modify these dates according to weather conditions, for your pet's comfort) baggage cars cannot transport animals due to lack of proper ventilation.

Travel restrictions

• 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 (for persons who are deaf or hard-of-hearing).
• Dogs and cats are the only animals allowed in baggage cars.
• Certain provinces and regions refuse pitbulls, therefore, VIA does not accept this breed of dog system wide. Mix or cross breed pit bulls are not accepted.
• Please ensure that your pet has received all necessary care and vaccinations and has undergone an annual health check.
• Pets must be checked on the same train as their owner and be claimed immediately upon arrival.
• Passengers must check their pets one hour before departure (but not much more, for the pet's comfort).
• Dogs must be muzzled when outside of their cage. Furthermore, we ask that you provide a lock to help prevent your pet escaping from its cage during the trip.
• VIA reserves the right to refuse checking pets if unsafe.
• Only one pet is permitted per carrier.

Pet Carrier Regulations

• Soft cages are prohibited. Only rigid cages (metal or hard plastic) are accepted.
• Your pet must be able to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably.
• Pet owners must provide their own cage. Cages can be purchased at larger pet shops.
• 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 travelers.
• 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.

Fares for transportation in the baggage car

• Maximum height of accepted carriers: (maximum of 33" / 83 cm high)
• Price: $50 plus taxes per direction

Passenger's responsibility

On long haul trains operated outside the Corridor (like the Toronto-Vancouver or Montreal-Halifax), customers are responsible for feeding, watering and exercising their pets. Customers must coordinate visit with the Service Manager on board, and the owner must be accompanied by an on-train services employee in charge when visiting the baggage car.

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

Passengers traveling in Business class with their pet will be allowed in the VIA Business Lounges if the pet remains imperatively in a closed pet carrier and never left unattended.

Maintaining control: You understand that you are solely responsible for managing your pet during your travel and keeping it under control at all times.

You understand that VIA Rail personnel may require you to remove your animal from the train or from the station premises if:

1. Your pet is out of control, and you do not take immediate action to control your pet (for example, your dog is barking repeatedly and uncontrollably or is not housebroken);
2. Your pet poses a threat to the health or safety of other people or animals.

You agree that if you are asked to remove your pet but need to remain in the train station or on the train, you will make arrangements for another person or local animal control to assume custody of your pet, at your cost. You understand that you may have to take a train at a later time on a later date, at your cost.

Behaviour: You certify that your pet has not harmed or shown aggressive or threatening behaviour toward any person or animal.

Abide by VIA Rail’s conditions and instructions:  You confirm that you have reviewed and fully accept the terms of VIA Rail’s Pet Transportation conditions and instructions and those of its employees concerning your travel with your pet.

Compensation of VIA Rail: You will fully reimburse VIA Rail for all damage, harm or loss to VIA Rail or any other person caused by your pet. This includes fully reimbursing VIA Rail for the cost of any repair, cleaning, decontamination and/or other maintenance cost when your pet travels.

Assumption of liability: By signing this Agreement, you assume all risk of loss and harm to you, your pet, and your property, from whatever source or sources, which may in any way relate to your pet travel, regardless of any fault, whether it be on the part of VIA Rail, its employees, agents, servants, contractors, subcontractors and/or representatives, yourself or any other person or entity.

Release of liability: You fully release, indemnify, defend, and hold harmless VIA Rail of and from any and all claims, actions, damages, and losses, including, but not limited to, any and all claims for injury and/or death, loss of or damage to property, and all other losses suffered by VIA Rail, yourself, and/or any third party such as another passenger which may in any way relate directly or indirectly to your pet, irrespective of any negligence or other fault of VIA Rail.