When you’ve racked up a few dog vacation ideas, looked up some of the best dog parks to visit on vacation, and have your luxury travel carrier, you’re ready to go on an adventure with your pup. But what is the best way to travel with a dog?
Dogs love sticking their heads out the car window, but you can get to more exotic destinations on a plane. Boats are a novel way to travel, and trains are affordable. There are plenty of options when it comes to dog travel, so let’s explore each one. There are pros and cons for each choice, and we’ll cover every aspect.
Types of Pet Travel
Assuming you have a travel friendly dog breed, you have 4 main options for travel. You can fly, drive, sail, or hop on a train. Each dog has its own preferences and personality, so a lot of the decision comes down to Fido. But when you factor in your destination, cost, and travel time, you can see some clear winners.
By Plane
Planes are one of the most popular options for travel for both humans and dogs. There’s been an explosion in pet friendly airlines, and ticket prices keep dropping. You can get almost anywhere in America on a flight, letting you and your hound see the entire country.
Airlines are the best option if you want to maximize your time at your travel destination. They get you there in a couple of hours, and can often be the most comfortable choice. The only real drawback is that it can be a little tougher to feed your dog while you travel, since you can’t carry as much. But it’s still one of the best ways to travel with a dog.
Some people ask if it’s safe to fly your dog in cargo. There’s a lot of myths about flying your pet, but overall, it’s incredibly safe. Especially if you take steps to minimize any risk in flying your hound.
By Car
Car travel is the other big choice for vacationing with your hound. You have tons of freedom on the road, and can carry as much dog food as you need. Plu, hounds love riding in cars and sticking their head out the window.
This is for when you want to experience the open road with you four-legged friend. You can easily stop for walks and letting your hound play, and the drive itself can be a fun part of the trip.
The biggest drawback here is travel time and cost. While airlines seem more expensive up front, gas can cost you much more on a 1000 mile trip. Of course, if you fly to a location, you spend the entire trip there. But half of a road trip is the driving, so be wary of that.
By Boat
It’s actually really tough to travel with your dog by boat. A few cruise lines will let you do it if it’s an ocean crossing. But don’t expect to be sailing the seven seas with your K9 companion. Unless you have a service dog, your pooch won’t be able to travel with you by boat. It’s definitely not one of the best ways to travel with a dog.
By Train
Until recently, pet vacations by train were impossible. Now Amtrak allows dogs on a couple of routes, but not many. If you’re really trying to travel on a budget, then you can consider a train route. But otherwise, you’re best of sticking with driving or flying.
Driving Vs Flying
Now that we’ve eliminated trains and boats, we can look at the 2 best ways to travel with a dog. Between flying and driving, you have a lot of choices. There’s a lot of similarities, like how you can prepare your pup for a vacation. But there’s a lot of differences, like the types of trips you can take your dog on.
You can reach plenty of dog friendly cities with each choice, but cars let you travel around more at your destination. Plane let you get much farther away, and can often be much more affordable once you factor in gas and parking.
If you’re trying to travel with your pup, consider what the dog likes. Flying is your best bet for a real vacation, but road trips will feel like ore of an adventure.
The Final Verdict: What is the Best Way to Travel With a Dog?
It’s close, but flying is one of the best ways to travel with your dog. It’s fast, affordable, and opens up the entire world to you. Your pup deserves to see the world, and nearly any destination is just a flight away.
At Woofjet, we have all of the information you need to have a successful vacation with your pet. From airline info to step-by-step instructions to travel supplies, we’ve got you covered.