Quick answer: Can cats and dogs ride the MTR? No on heavy rail, yes on Light Rail with a $99 monthly pass. Bus and ferry rules explained, plus a pet bag size calculator and practical tips. Rules checked as of 2026-10-01.
Rules checked as of 2026-10-01 · Sources: MTR, KMB, Sun Ferry official pages (policies may change; please re-check before you travel)
Quick reference table
| Transport mode | Can you bring cats and dogs? | Key rules |
|---|---|---|
| MTR heavy rail (urban lines, East Rail, Kwun Tong Line, etc.) | ❌ Not allowed (except guide dogs) | See below |
| MTR Light Rail (Cat and Dog Pass scheme) | ✅ Allowed on holidays ($99 monthly pass) | See below |
| Franchised buses (KMB/Long Win; regular routes) | ⚠️ Not allowed on regular routes; Pet Bus Team allowed | See below |
| Sun Ferry (Central ⇄ Cheung Chau/Mui Wo, outlying island routes) | ✅ Must register, pay and restrain | See below |
| Tram (ding ding) | ⚠️ Small animals in bags, conductor's discretion | See below |
MTR heavy rail (urban lines, East Rail, Kwun Tong Line, etc.)
- allowed: Guide dogs / police dogs only. General pets (cats and dogs) are not allowed on MTR heavy rail stations or trains.
- fine: You may be refused travel or prosecuted.
- Note: Small animals must be in a cage or bag; small ornamental fish, frogs, turtles and insects (non-dangerous, non-venomous, non-nuisance) are generally allowed (subject to customer service announcements).
- Official source: https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/main/pet-carrying.html
MTR Light Rail (Cat and Dog Pass scheme)
- allowed: Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays; with a valid Cat and Dog Companion Pass you may bring one cat or one dog.
- carrier: Pets must be fully inside a pet bag or box, which must not be opened during the journey; dimensions: length + width + height ≤170cm, any single side ≤130cm.
- boarding: Single-car trains: last door; two-car trains: last door of the first or second car; you must stay at the rear of the car.
- price: Companion Pass HK$99/month (buy via MTR Mobile; non-refundable, non-renewable; fare paid separately, no discount).
- prohibited: Pet strollers or wheeled suitcases may not be used to carry pets; this scheme does not apply to other MTR networks.
- Note: From 2025-09-01, the 'Pilot Scheme for Carrying Cats and Dogs on Light Rail' became a regular arrangement.
- Official source: https://www.mtr.com.hk/en/customer/main/pet-carrying.html
Franchised buses (KMB/Long Win; regular routes)
- allowed: Regular routes only allow guide dogs; other animals must be in a container and are at the conductor's discretion.
- note: KMB has launched a regular 'Pet Bus Service / Pet Bus Team': bookable pet routes that have carried nearly 30,000 pet trips; in 2026 there will be a Sanrio Pompompurin themed bus and a parent-child pet run (November at Sai Sha GO PARK).
- Note: Source is KMB's official news archive page (accessible via curl); quotas and fares for individual routes are subject to KMB APP1933 announcements.
- Official source: https://e.kmb.hk/storage/news_detail_2026.html
Sun Ferry (Central ⇄ Cheung Chau/Mui Wo, outlying island routes)
- allowed: New guidelines from 2025-09-03: dogs, birds and other animals must be properly restrained or caged and approved by staff before boarding.
- register: Before boarding, pets (including birds) must be registered and the pet fare paid at the pier ticket office (except guide dogs).
- prohibited: No pets in ordinary ferry deluxe cabins (except guide dogs, applicable to Central ⇄ Cheung Chau); no live poultry (chickens, ducks, geese) or birds of prey.
- fine: Violation of section 17 of the Ferry Regulations (Cap. 104A) can incur a HK$2,000 fine; dogs not on a leash in public places violate the Rabies Ordinance (Cap. 421).
- Official source: https://www.sunferry.com.hk/en/notice/carriage-pets
Tram (ding ding)
- allowed: Small animals in a bag or cage may ride (subject to the conductor's judgment on the spot); large dogs are advised to avoid peak hours.
- Note: Trams are not under MTR jurisdiction; this is a community-compiled entry marked community, and must be verified against the tram company's official Passenger Notice before formal publication.
- Official source: https://www.mtr.com.hk/ch/customer/main/pet-carrying.html
Bag size calculator
Measure the longest, widest and highest sides of the pet bag and add them up:
- Total of three sides ≤170cm and any single side ≤130cm → meets the Light Rail Cat and Dog Companion Pass requirements.
- Example: 60(L)+40(W)+35(H) = 135cm ✅; 80+50+45 = 175cm ❌
Practical tips
- Buy the Light Rail Companion Pass on MTR Mobile; it is valid for the month and does not auto-renew.
- Let your pet relieve itself before boarding, and feed a smaller meal before long journeys.
- Put a familiar small blanket in the bag to reduce stress.
🎒 Travel gear (PetChill picks)
- TOUCHCAT cat-shaped pet bag 46x31x20cm (styles random) HK$399
- TOUCHCAT graffiti retro-style pet bag 46x31x20cm (colours random) HK$389
- Petio Add Mate portable front-carry pet bag black (91602256) HK$542
Product details and prices are subject to PetChill's online store.