Travelling with Your Dog – Car vs. Airplane

Travelling with Your Dog: Legal Considerations 

If you’d like to travel with your dog, there are several legal aspects to keep in mind. If you’re planning to travel by plane, careful preparation is essential. The regulations depend on the airline and the destination country.

Airline Regulations

As a rule, you must register your dog (ideally at the time of booking). And of course, your dog doesn’t fly for free. Prices vary depending on the airline and the size of your dog. 

Some airlines do not allow dogs in the cabin, while others transport them in the hold once they exceed a certain weight. A few airlines do not carry animals at all.  

Whether in the cabin or in the hold, your dog must remain in a transport crate for the entire flight. Each airline also has its own rules regarding the size and design of the crate.

As a rule of thumb for the hold: the transport crate must be large enough for your dog to stand up comfortably and turn around.

Entry Requirements for Your Holiday Destination

Travelling by car is, of course, more straightforward in this respect. However, the following still applies: if you’re travelling abroad, you must comply with the entry regulations of your destination country. You can find information on the relevant embassy’s website.

Depending on the entry requirements, your dog may need a health certificate or specific vaccinations. Please remember to carry all documents with you during your journey and keep them easily accessible until you reach your destination! 

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Car vs Plane: Which is Safer for Your Dog? 

Air travel is considered the safest form of passenger transport. However, if your dog is travelling in the hold, you won’t be able to see them and cannot intervene in the event of any problems. In this respect, flying can feel less safe for both you and your dog.

Do Calming Remedies Help my Dog During a Flight?

By the way: calming medication is generally not recommended for air travel. For one thing, there is no one in the cargo area who can respond to any potential side effects your dog may experience.

Secondly, your dog will still be aware of the unfamiliar surroundings and noises, but due to the sedative may no longer be able to react in a coordinated way. This can actually increase their fear of flying rather than reduce it. 

For this reason, more and more airlines are choosing not to transport sedated animals – neither in the hold nor in the cabin.

Taking Your Dog in the Car: The Advantages

If you and your dog travel by car, you’re always within reach. You can respond to panic attacks or travel sickness and reassure your pet throughout the journey. Simply being close to their human helps many dogs feel more relaxed! Travelling by car is therefore much safer.

Even so, you should make sure you use a boot guard, dog seat belts or a sturdy travel crate approved for your vehicle. High-quality car accessories make the journey more comfortable and can save your dog’s life in the event of an accident! 

Travelling with Your Dog: Which is More Comfortable? 

Stopping whenever you like and going for a walk as your dog’s bladder demands: when travelling with your dog, car journeys are far more pleasant for both owner and four-legged friend. You can both stretch your legs along the way and aren’t confined to a plane for hours on end.

While your dog shouldn’t eat during a flight and will probably be reluctant to drink, this isn’t an issue in your own car. 

Of course, there are exceptions to every rule. Some dogs genuinely love flying! However, they are probably in the minority. 

How Far Are You Planning to Travel With Your Dog? 

So far, there are many arguments in favour of travelling by car. However, there is one important reason to fly with your dog – distance. Some holiday destinations are still easy to reach by car. But if your destination is on another continent, you’ll have no choice but to board a plane. 

Even so, air travel is in most cases uncomfortable and very stressful for your dog. If it’s simply a holiday trip, a good boarding kennel is preferable to flying with your dog.

If you’re planning a trip lasting several months or even moving abroad, there is often no alternative: your dog will have to come with you. In this case, prepare your four-legged friend carefully for the long journey and get them used to the travel crate. 

Whatever you decide, we wish you and your dog a pleasant journey!