The biggest thing to understand about travelling with your dog is this: it does not work the same way as human only travel.
You cannot always take the most direct route. You cannot always book the easiest flight. And you cannot leave decisions to the last minute.
Dog friendly travel is possible, but it asks more of you. Patience, flexibility, and a willingness to plan around your dog rather than squeezing them in afterwards.
Once you accept that, everything becomes easier.
Your options narrow quickly and that’s normal
Only a small number of airlines allow dogs to travel on board. That single fact shapes everything else.
When you travel with your dog, your choice of airline often comes first. Destinations, dates and routes come second. Unless you are prepared to drive long distances across Europe or take indirect routes, this is something you need to accept before you start planning.
That is not a downside. It is simply the reality of dog friendly travel.
We have done this more than once
We are not sharing theory. We are sharing lived experience.
One year, we flew from Ireland to Europe with our dog using KLM. The route was Dublin to Amsterdam, then a connecting flight to Nice. It was not the most direct way to travel, but it was calm, well organised, and allowed our dog to stay with us. (Read how we did it here)
The following year, we travelled a completely different way. We flew from Dublin to Porto with TAP Air Portugal and then drove around four hours south to reach the Algarve. Again, not the fastest route, but the one that worked with a dog.
Both trips were successful for the same reason. We planned around the rules instead of trying to fight them.
Patience matters more than speed
Travelling with a dog takes longer. There is more admin. More checking. More waiting.
Airlines have strict requirements around carrier size, weight limits, booking procedures and documentation. These are not suggestions. Missing one detail can mean your dog does not travel.
This is where patience matters. Rushing decisions or hoping for flexibility at check in is where most problems happen.
The people who have smooth dog travel experiences are not lucky. They are prepared.
The Non-Negotiables: Your “Must-Check” List
Before you book a single flight or hotel, ensure you have these four pillars in place. These are the details that cannot be “fixed” at the airport:
- The Airline “In-Cabin” Approval: Never assume space is available. Most airlines have a strict limit on the number of pets allowed per flight (often as few as 2 to 4). You must receive explicit confirmation from the airline that your dog is added to your booking.
- The “Turn and Stand” Rule: Your dog’s carrier is not just luggage; it’s their sanctuary. Airlines strictly require that your dog can stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably. If the carrier looks too small, you may be denied boarding on the spot.
- The Paperwork Chain: Whether it is an EU Pet Passport or an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), the documentation must be current and valid for your specific destination. Double-check rabies vaccination dates—timing is everything.
- The Weight Limit: This is a hard line. Most airlines have a combined weight limit (dog + carrier) of 8kg. Even being 500g over can result in your dog being moved to the hold or refused travel. Always weigh them at home using a digital scale before you leave.
Flexibility makes everything calmer
Flexibility is what makes dog friendly travel workable.
Travelling with a dog often means adjusting your route, your airport, or how you get there altogether. A connection through another city, a longer drive once you land, or choosing a ferry over a flight are all common trade offs.
If you are flying, the airport itself matters more than people expect. Some airports are simply better set up for travelling with dogs, with clearer processes and less stress on the day. We have a separate guide to dog friendly airports that is worth reading before you commit to flights.
If flying does not feel like the right option, ferries can offer a slower but often more flexible way to travel. They allow more space, fewer restrictions, and a different pace altogether. We have also shared a practical guide to travelling with your dog on Stena Line Irish Sea ferries, including what to expect and how the process works in real terms.
Once you stop aiming for the most direct route and start choosing the most workable one, planning becomes far less stressful. Flexibility does not mean compromise in a negative sense. It means choosing options that keep your dog calm and your trip realistic.
Your dog does not care how efficient the journey is. They care that they are with you.
The payoff is worth it
Travelling with your dog is not spontaneous. But it is deeply rewarding.
Seeing your dog settle into a new place, explore new environments, and be part of the family holiday changes the way you travel. It becomes less about ticking destinations off a list and more about experiencing the world at your dog’s pace, where the simple joy of being together matters more than the arrival.
