Jul 23, 2026
No one wants to leave a pet behind when the suitcases come out. When your dog or cat is part of the family, pet-friendly travel is less of a luxury and more of a plan you build before you leave the house.
The good news is that traveling with pets has never been more manageable. More hotels, airlines, and ground transportation providers welcome animals than ever, and a little preparation turns a stressful trip into a calm one for both of you.
This guide walks through the pet travel tips that matter most, from documents and packing to flying, airport security, and pet-friendly airport transportation. Whether you are planning dog-friendly vacations by the coast or a quiet city weekend, the steps below help you and your pet arrive ready.
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In This Guide
Knowing how to travel with a pet starts with one honest question. Is your pet a good candidate for this trip, or would it be happier at home with a trusted sitter? Older animals, anxious animals, and pets recovering from illness sometimes travel better by staying put.
Once you decide your pet is coming along, build a timeline. Domestic trips need less lead time, while international travel can require months of planning for vaccinations, tests, and paperwork.
Start by reviewing the pet travel requirements that apply to your destination. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service maintains entry rules for more than 130 countries, and most international trips call for a health certificate completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.
A visit to your veterinarian is the foundation of pet travel health and safety. Confirm that vaccinations are current, ask for a copy of your pet's records, and talk through whether your pet is healthy enough for the trip you have planned.
Identification matters just as much. A microchip with up-to-date contact information helps you reunite quickly if you are separated during travel, so log in to your registry and check that your details are current.
For preparing your animal, the CDC's guidance on pet travel health and safety covers road trips, air travel, and what belongs in a pet first aid kit. If you are flying, the CDC suggests a health certificate dated within 10 days of departure and a direct flight whenever possible.
Knowing what to pack when traveling with a dog or cat keeps travel day calm. Build a pet travel checklist a few days early so nothing gets left behind in the rush.
At minimum, pack these essentials:
Things you may also want to consider:
Keep medications and documents with you rather than in checked luggage. A small pet first aid kit and your veterinarian's phone number can also be worth the space.
Flying with pets takes more planning than any other part of the trip. Airlines set their own rules, so the first step is always to call your carrier and confirm the policy for your specific flight.
The U.S. Department of Transportation outlines the basics in its guide to airline pet restrictions. Most airlines that allow in-cabin pets require the animal to stay in an approved carrier that fits under the seat, and many will not carry short-nosed breeds in cargo because of breathing risks.
A few tips for flying with a dog or cat make the day smoother. Book early because airlines cap the number of animals per cabin, choose a direct flight when you can, and reserve your pet's spot at the same time you book your own seat.
Airport security is simpler than most travelers expect. The process of taking a pet through airport security follows the same steps at every checkpoint.
Bring your pet to the checkpoint in a hand-held carrier. Just before screening, remove your pet, place the empty carrier on the belt to be X-rayed, and carry your pet or walk it on a leash through the metal detector. Pets are never sent through the X-ray machine.
If your pet gets skittish, ask a TSA officer for a private screening room. Once screening is done, return your pet to the carrier at the re-composure area away from the checkpoint.
Understanding how to make travel less stressful for pets comes down to familiarity and routine. Introduce your pet to its carrier at home in the days before the trip so it feels like a safe space rather than a surprise.
Keep feeding and exercise routines as close to normal as you can, pack a blanket or toy that smells like home, and build in time for bathroom and exercise breaks. The American Veterinary Medical Association offers practical advice on traveling safely with a dog or cat, including why the back seat with a secured carrier or harness is the safest spot in a vehicle.
Ask your veterinarian before giving any sedative or anti-anxiety medication, especially before air travel, where sedation can be risky at altitude.
International trips add a layer of documentation. If you are flying home with a dog, plan around the CDC requirements for dogs entering the United States, which apply to every dog regardless of how long the trip lasts.
Since August 2024, all dogs entering or returning to the United States must appear healthy, be at least six months old, be microchipped, and arrive with a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Dogs that have been in a country the CDC considers high risk for dog rabies need additional documentation.
There is no fee for the form, and the receipt can be shown on your phone or printed. Start early, because international paperwork for traveling with a dog can take weeks or months to complete.
The trip starts the moment you leave your driveway, which is why pet-friendly airport transportation is worth arranging in advance. A calm, pre-booked ride keeps your pet settled before the airport even comes into view.
LUXY is a technology platform that connects passengers with a nationwide network of licensed, insured professional chauffeurs. When you need pet-friendly transportation to the airport, you can book through the LUXY Ride App and select the Pet Travel option so the right vehicle is assigned to your trip.
Booking a pet-friendly car service is straightforward. Here is how to book a car service when traveling with a pet. Reserve as early as your plans allow, choose the Pet Travel add-on, and share your pet's size, the number of animals, and any carrier details so your assigned chauffeur arrives ready.
Vehicle size is the other piece to plan for. The best vehicle for traveling with a large dog is an SUV or larger, and LUXY's current ride guide requires an SUV or larger vehicle for pets over 25 pounds. Up to two animals are allowed with the Pet Travel add-on, and more than one animal calls for an SUV XL.
Smaller pets have more flexibility. Pets weighing 25 pounds or less may travel in a lap carrier, while non-service animals should otherwise be kenneled for everyone's comfort and safety.
Where you stay shapes the whole trip. The best pet-friendly travel accommodations do more than tolerate animals. They plan for them with beds, bowls, and staff who treat your pet like a guest.
Knowing how to find pet-friendly hotels takes a little homework. Read the full pet policy rather than trusting a search filter, and confirm species, size and weight limits, breed rules, fees, and how many pets are allowed. A quick call to the property confirms the online policy is current.
Pet-friendly accommodations range from boutique city hotels to coastal resorts, and dog-friendly vacations span the map from the California coast to Miami and New England.
Here are a few pet-friendly hotels that have built a reputation for welcoming animals across the country:
Now part of Hyatt, Dream Hollywood sits in the heart of Los Angeles and welcomes dogs with beds, bowls, and treats on arrival. The hotel currently hosts one dog up to 25 pounds per room, so confirm the latest policy when you reserve. Arrange your Los Angeles airport transfer ahead of time so the pampering starts before check-in.
The Muse is a boutique hotel steps from Times Square with a longstanding reputation for welcoming pets. Its pet welcome package includes a cozy bed or cat tree, bowls, and treats, and the front desk can point you toward nearby pet-friendly parks and restaurants. Book New York airport transportation so your pet skips the taxi line entirely.
The Inn by the Sea has offered pet-friendly stays for more than 20 years, which makes it a classic New England escape for you and your dog. Guests often find signature blankets, personalized water bowls, homemade treats, and a dog-friendly menu. It is an easy drive from Boston Logan airport transportation when you are heading to the Maine coast.
Tucked into Colorado's Beaver Creek Mountain, the Ritz-Carlton Bachelor Gulch pairs mountain scenery with pet perks like a day camp for dogs and grooming options. Room-service menus have featured dog-friendly dishes so both of you can relax after a day outside. It is a memorable stop for luxury travel with pets who love the outdoors.
What should I pack when traveling with a pet?
Pack your pet's regular food, bottled water, medications, vaccination records, identification information, a leash, a harness, and waste bags. You should also bring a familiar blanket or toy, portable food and water bowls, cleaning supplies, and an airline or transportation approved carrier when one is required. Keep important medication and documentation with you instead of placing it in checked luggage.
How do I find genuinely pet-friendly accommodations?
Read the hotel's complete pet policy instead of relying only on a pet-friendly search filter. Confirm permitted species, weight limits, breed restrictions, pet fees, the number of pets allowed, and whether pets may remain unattended in the room. Calling the property directly is the best way to confirm that the online policy is current.
Can I bring my pet in an airport car service?
Many providers of pet-friendly car service allow animals when arrangements are made during booking. Travelers should disclose the pet's species, size, number of animals, and carrier requirements in advance so the provider can assign an appropriate vehicle. LUXY asks passengers to select the Pet Travel option when reserving a ride, and its current ride guide states that pets over 25 pounds require an SUV or larger vehicle.
Do pets need to travel in a carrier?
Carrier requirements depend on the airline, hotel, and transportation provider. Most airlines require an in-cabin pet to remain in an approved carrier that fits beneath the seat, although exact dimensions and weight limits vary. At airport security, TSA generally requires passengers to remove the pet while the empty carrier is screened. For LUXY rides, current guidance says non-service animals should be kenneled, and pets weighing 25 pounds or less may travel in a lap carrier.
How far in advance should I book pet-friendly transportation?
Book as soon as your travel plans are confirmed. Airlines may limit the number of animals permitted in the cabin, and ground transportation providers may need time to assign an appropriate pet-friendly vehicle. International travelers should begin even earlier, because vaccinations, laboratory tests, microchips, and endorsed health certificates can take weeks or months to complete. USDA recommends contacting an accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel internationally.
Are there size or weight restrictions when traveling with a pet?
Restrictions vary by airline, hotel, and transportation provider. Many airlines require an in-cabin pet and carrier to fit beneath the seat, while larger animals may be subject to different transportation rules. LUXY's current ride guide states that pets over 25 pounds require an SUV or larger vehicle.
What documents do I need when flying with a pet?
Requirements depend on the airline and destination. You may need vaccination records, a veterinary health certificate, microchip information, import permits, or additional laboratory testing. International travelers should check both the destination country's requirements and the airline's policies. Dogs entering or returning to the United States must meet current CDC entry requirements, including submission of a CDC Dog Import Form. Additional documentation may be required for dogs that have recently been in a country considered high risk for dog rabies.
How can I keep my dog or cat calm while traveling?
Help your pet become comfortable with its carrier before the trip by introducing it gradually at home. Maintain normal feeding and exercise routines when possible, bring a familiar blanket or toy, and allow adequate time for bathroom and exercise breaks. Ask your veterinarian before giving a pet sedatives or anti-anxiety medication, particularly before air travel.
What type of vehicle should I book when traveling with a large dog?
An SUV or larger vehicle generally provides more space for a secure carrier, passengers, and luggage. Give the transportation provider your dog's approximate weight and carrier dimensions before booking so the correct vehicle can be assigned. LUXY requires an SUV or larger vehicle for pets weighing more than 25 pounds.
Can I travel with more than one pet?
Many providers allow more than one pet, but the number permitted and the required vehicle size can vary. Confirm the policy before completing the reservation and disclose every animal traveling with you. LUXY's current ride guide allows up to two animals with the Pet Travel add-on and requires an SUV XL when more than one animal is traveling.
Are service animals subject to the same rules as pets?
No. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a trained service animal is not treated as a pet. Hotels generally cannot restrict guests with service animals to designated pet rooms or charge a standard pet fee, although the handler remains responsible for controlling the animal and for any damage it causes. You can review the full service animal requirements through the ADA. Airlines are required to recognize trained service dogs, but they may request applicable U.S. Department of Transportation forms and require the animal to remain harnessed, leashed, or tethered.
How can I prepare a hotel room for my pet?
Inspect the room for exposed cords, cleaning products, open balconies, and small objects your pet could swallow. Establish designated areas for food, water, sleeping, and the carrier, and identify the nearest approved pet-relief area. Keep your pet from damaging furniture, clean up promptly, and confirm whether the hotel allows pets to remain unattended in the room.
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