Can I bring a pet on Greyhound?

No, Greyhound does not allow pets except verified service animals (ADA-defined).

  • Small pets: not allowed even in carriers
  • Emotional support animals: no longer accepted (as of 2021)
  • Service animals: allowed with proper documentation
  • Alternative: FlixBus allows small pets in carriers ($5-10 fee)
  • Amtrak: small pets allowed on most routes ($26-29 fee, under 20 lbs)

Official resource: Greyhound Baggage Policy

Traveling soon? See our Travel Essentials page.

Want a deeper dive? ↓

Detailed Answer

How It Works

Greyhound has a strict no pets policy. It applies to all animals regardless of size, breed, or carrier type. This includes cats, dogs, birds, and any other household pet. The policy has been in place for years and shows no sign of changing.

The only exception is ADA-defined service animals. These are dogs trained to perform a specific task directly related to a person's disability. They travel free of charge and do not need to be crated. Staff may ask what task the animal is trained to perform but cannot ask for documentation or proof of disability.

Emotional support animals lost their protected status on most US transportation in 2021 following a rule change by the Department of Transportation. Greyhound updated its policy accordingly. An emotional support animal is now treated the same as a pet and will be denied boarding.

What You Need to Know

  • Greyhound: no pets of any size or type, no exceptions outside ADA service animals
  • Emotional support animals: not accepted on Greyhound as of 2021
  • Service animals: must be a trained dog performing a disability-related task
  • Staff can ask what task the service animal performs but cannot request documentation
  • FlixBus: small pets allowed in an approved carrier, $5 to $10 fee depending on route
  • Amtrak: pets under 20 lbs allowed in carriers on trips up to 7 hours, $26 to $29 fee
  • Megabus: no pets allowed, same policy as Greyhound
  • Peter Pan Bus Lines: no pets, service animals only

Best Alternatives if You Need to Travel with a Pet

  • FlixBus: most flexible bus option for small pets, book online and select pet option at checkout
  • Amtrak: best overall option for pet owners, more space and a formal pet program
  • Driving: most flexible for pets of any size, no restrictions or fees
  • Pet transport services: companies like CitizenShipper specialize in transporting pets if you cannot travel together
  • Flying: most major airlines allow small pets in cabin for $95 to $125 each way

Real Traveler Experiences

"Tried to board Greyhound with my cat in a carrier. Driver turned me away immediately. No exceptions, no negotiation. Ended up booking Amtrak instead."  Reddit r/travel

"Traveled with my service dog on Greyhound twice. No issues at all. Driver asked what task she performs, I explained, and we boarded without any problem."  Travel forum

"FlixBus was great with my small dog. Paid $8 at booking, carrier went under the seat, nobody batted an eye the whole trip."  TripAdvisor review

Pro Tips

  • If traveling with a service animal on Greyhound, arrive early and inform staff before boarding to avoid any delays at the door
  • For Amtrak pet travel, book early as the number of pets per train is limited and spots sell out on popular routes
  • FlixBus pet spots are also limited per bus, select the pet option at checkout before paying or you may not be allowed to board
  • Never try to sneak a pet onto Greyhound in a bag, drivers and station staff check and you risk being removed from the bus entirely
  • For longer trips, consider whether bus travel is the right choice for your pet even if it is allowed, journeys over 4 hours can be stressful for animals
  • Always bring proof of vaccinations when traveling with a pet on any carrier, some routes crossing state lines may require them

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