Each time my husband and I plan a trip where there’s a possibility to bring our 75-pound, 6-year-old golden retriever, such as a regional road trip or nearby hotel stay, we crunch numbers and scenarios.
First, of course, we have to ensure he’s not too “overweight” at properties that carry weight limits, although in his defense, he’s within the healthy range for his breed.
We also think about whether it’s more affordable to take him with us and pay pet fees vs. leave him at home with a pricey sitter. Another point we always consider is the unavoidable fact that bringing him along means we’ll be more limited in our activities and lodging.
But he’s a good travel companion, and we do take him on vacation once a year. Here’s what we’ve learned about the cost (literal and figurative) to travel with a large dog.
Airline Travel
Unlike small animals, large dogs can’t be put in a tote or carrier and tucked under the seat in front of you.
Unless a large dog is a certified service animal, it will be required to fly underneath the plane with cargo. Fees range from $295 to $750 and require a proper-sized crash-tested kennel, which can tack on an extra $550 to start.
Dogs need to be at least eight weeks old for domestic flights, 15 weeks to enter the European Union, and six months old for international flights.
American Airlines and Delta Air Lines only accept dogs owned by active military personnel or U.S. State Department Foreign Service Officers traveling for duty. A unique workaround can be to travel to a destination serviced by BARKAir, but you’ll pay between $6,000 and $12,000 for a one-way flight where dogs sit with their owners.
For all of these reasons, when a flight is on the itinerary, we leave our boy behind.
Rental Cars
A dog happily peering out a car window with its tongue flapping is a joyous sight, and a hallmark of our road trips.
But traveling with a dog by car requires substantial pre-planning, and some costs that might strike travelers as unexpected.
For example, your dog needs a bag just like you do to store its treats, food, bowls, medicine, and anything else it will need while away from home. You might also need to bring a crate.
In my experience, a dog’s bag or container of food can take up just as much room as a suitcase in the rental car, which means you may have to pay more than you planned for an upgraded, larger model. And that difference is not insignificant.
The daily cost between a compact car typically ranges from $12 to $86, while an SUV (what you’d want when traveling with a large dog) shoots up to between $21 and $137 per day. That will add up quickly.
If you don’t have any budget to go beyond a compact car, I highly recommend only packing with soft luggage like backpacks or duffel bags, so you’re more likely to be able to squeeze everything in.
Hotels and House Rentals
Two things astound me about “pet-friendly” house rentals and hotels.
With the former, homeowners will allow dogs, but ban them from furniture. If found in violation (by a camera, I assume?) they’ll then tack on extra fees, making me wonder why they allowed dogs in the first place.
Similarly, pet-friendly hotels often charge a non-refundable pet fee, not a pet deposit. Dogs should be rewarded, not penalized, for good behavior and receive the deposit back, in my opinion.
That’s why I prioritize stays with Kimpton Hotels & Resorts, which accept dogs of all sizes without any fee.
Oh, and I have a third gripe, too. That’s when a hotel caps a dog’s weight at 60 pounds. What’s the difference, I wonder? Large dogs are typically calmer and bark less than smaller dogs, too.
Regardless, if you do have to pay a pet fee, the cost will range dramatically by property. Some places charge a flat fee, others bill you by the day. Expect to pay anywhere from $25 to $150 per dog, so be sure to read the fine print before hitting book with a furry friend in tow.
Additional Fees
Outside of flights, lodging, and rental cars, what you spend while traveling with a large dog is really up to you.
If you want to pamper your pooch, at some hotels, the sky’s the limit for what you can do.
At Four Seasons Hotel Austin in Austin, Texas, for example, there’s a $26 filet mignon on a room-service menu for dogs. You could also hire a member of the staff or a local service to walk your dog for you, with average rates ranging from $29 to $34 for a 30-minute walk.
This can be a helpful, and worth-it perk if you want to go out to tour museums or enjoy a pet-free dinner. If you schedule three a day, that’s close to $100.
These costs can be avoided if you have a budget to stick to, however, for those with extra dollars to spare, there can be real value in these add-ons, so you can spend more time exploring places where your dog can’t accompany you.
The Shortcut
Flying isn't a realistic option for most large dogs (or regular-sized budgets). American and Delta limit cargo pets to active military and U.S. State Department personnel on duty. If you qualify, the required crash-tested kennel alone can run $550, on top of $295 to $750 in airline fees.
Renting a large car may also be pricey. Expect $21 to $137 a day for an SUV versus $12 to $86 for a compact.
Most hotels charge nonrefundable pet fees, not a deposit, and rates run $25 to $150 per stay. If you're traveling to a destination with a Kimpton property, it is probably your best bet: no fees, no matter the dog's size.
Consider planning your itinerary around dog-friendly activities and eateries. A dog walker runs $29 to $34 for 30 minutes, so three walks per day can add close to $100 to your daily budget.
