Summer travel with your pet
Looking to take a trip this summer with your pet? Be sure to pick a pet-friendly destination! Summertime is perfect for bringing your pet on vacation, as there are so many fun outdoor activities that pets love. Once you’ve picked a destination, you have to plan how you’ll get there, by plane, car, train, or bus. Learn more about summer travel with your pet.
Pet-Friendly Destinations
Some places are more pet-friendly than others, depending on the city and county laws. It’s important to pick a vacation spot with plenty to do for you and your pet together, so they don’t have to be cooped up in a hotel room or Airbnb during the day. Need help picking a spot? Check out these 51 dog-friendly vacation destinations.
What to Look for in a Summer Getaway
Depending on where you go, summer can be a hot time of the year, and it feels great to cool off in the water. Beaches, lakes, and rivers are hot-spots for summer fun that often allow pets. Some beaches do not allow pets or only allow pets on leashes, so check beforehand to find a pet-friendly beach in the area. Other outdoor activities like hiking, spending time in the park, or window-shopping at boutiques downtown are fun to do with your pet.
Choose Pet-Friendly Lodging
Even if your pet is an emotional support animal, hotels and other short-term lodging do not have to allow your pet. Many pet-friendly hotels are more than happy for you to bring your furry friend along. Some hotels have additional fees and special rules for pets like not leaving your pet unattended in the hotel room. These hotels chains are known for their pet-friendly policies like Best Western, Choice Hotels (Comfort Inn and Quality Inn), Four Seasons, Hampton Inn, Marriot, and Motel 6. Always check beforehand and let the hotel or Airbnb known you’re bringing your pet in advance.
How to Travel
You can bring small pets as carryon on most domestic flights with a pet fee. There are restrictions as to what types of pets are allowed. Many only permit dogs and cats on board the air cabin. Larger pets can travel in the cargo hold during certain times of the year with participating airlines. Emotional support animals can sit on their owner’s lap during the flights and the airlines can’t charge a pet fee but do have paperwork requirements and pet type restrictions. If you’re going a shorter distance bring your pet on a road trip!
Plan a summer getaway with your pet! There are many pet-friendly vacation spots across that country for you and your pet to enjoy. Beaches, hikes, parks, and window shopping are outdoor favorites for pets, make sure they have plenty of water, and their paws don’t get too hot during the warm summer months. Instead of leaving your pet at home while you go on vacation, pick a pet-friendly spot and bring them along. You can fly, road trip or take a train or bus with your pet to get to your getaway.
