As a dog mom and travel writer who belongs to a codependent french bulldog, I’ve learned the hard way that dog travel goes smoothly only when you’re prepared. Over the last six years, Helga the frenchie has traveled with us by car and plane across the U.S. and through 14 European countries—from road trips to the Arctic Ocean in Alaska to island hopping in Italy, Hawaii, and the Canary Islands. If frequent flier miles applied to dogs, she’d be elite status by now.
Through plenty of trial and error (and a few mildly chaotic moments), I’ve narrowed things down to the dog travel essentials I actually use and pack every single time. These are the products and tools that have made flying and road tripping with a dog calmer, safer, and dramatically less stressful for both of us. Plus a couple tips you may not have thought of!
If you’re traveling with your dog and want to avoid rookie mistakes, unnecessary anxiety, or buying things you don’t actually need, this list will help you prepare smarter. Below are the 11 dog travel essentials and tips I actually used that made pet travel noticeably easier last year, plus exactly how and why I use each one. Every recommendation comes from real-world use, tested over years of traveling with my dog across the U.S. and Europe.
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✨ Best Tips for Seamless Dog Travel
1. Start Early if You Can
We started traveling with Helga when she was about four months old, taking a winter flight from Alaska to sunny California. Puppies, like kids, are pretty flexible and can adapt and learn new routines more easily when they are young.
Helga has learned that at the other end of getting in her carrier is always some kind of great adventure involving new smells, new cities, beaches, mountains, and places to explore. She also feels included in our plans and is happy to go wherever we do.
🚨 It is best to wait for traveling until your pup has gotten all their shots. And most airlines have age restrictions stating that your dog must be at least 8-12 weeks old to fly.
*The Adventure Lion contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of these Amazon links, we will receive a small amount of compensation at no extra cost to you.
2. Get a Good Carrier (This Is the One I Actually Use)
If you buy one thing for dog travel, make it a high quality carrier. This is the item that can make or break your entire trip.
After flying with Helga dozens of times on domestic and international flights, this Sherpa soft-sided carrier is the only one we use.
When you’re flying with a dog in-cabin, the carrier has to do a lot at once:
✅ Fit under the seat (without forcing it)
✅ Be comfortable enough for long flights
✅ Meet airline requirements
✅ Feel secure enough that your dog actually wants to be inside
This Sherpa carrier checks all of those boxes.
Most airlines require soft-sided carriers because they can flex slightly under the seat, and this one does exactly that without collapsing or losing structure. It’s well-ventilated, sturdy, waterproof and comfortable. The Sherpa’s base is also structured enough that it doesn’t sag or shift.
We love this carrier so much, we actually have it in two sizes:
- The medium for smaller planes with tighter under-seat space
- The large for long-haul international flights, where extra stretch room really matters
What really sold me, though, is how Helga feels about it. Because we use this same carrier consistently, she recognizes it immediately. When it comes out, she knows an adventure is coming and she hops right in! No fighting, no stress, no forcing her inside.
Is it more expensive than some other options? Slightly, but knowing it’s going to meet all the airline requirements, and make her feel happy and secure is absolutely worth it.
After six years of dog travel across 15 countries and dozens of flights, this is one of those rare purchases where buying a trusted quality brand meant not having to replace it, or worry about it ever again.
3. Make the Carrier a Fun Place
Well before you travel, get your dog used to the carrier. Set it in the living room or near wherever they like to hang out. Put a favorite blanket that has their scent inside. Toss treats into the carrier so they can find them.
After a while you may find that the carrier becomes their little safety cave and that they actually enjoy the secure feeling of being inside.
When Helga sees the carrier and the suitcases come out, she gets excited and hops inside right away to make sure we don’t forget her!
3. Get a Pet Trolley (I’ll Never Fly Without This Again)
This is the dog travel essential I didn’t realize I desperately needed until I finally bought it.
For years, we carried Helga’s carrier like a shoulder bag through airports. And while that works in theory, in practice it meant shoulder pain, awkward weight distribution, and rest breaks, especially during long travel days with connections.
After one too many flights where I felt like a pack mule, we finally bought a pet trolley for her carrier, and I honestly can’t believe we waited so long!
We got the Mr. Peanut pet trolley, and it completely changed how manageable airport travel feels with a dog. *angels sing* We first used it flying from Frankfurt to Atlanta, then onward to Alaska. Navigating the massive Atlanta airport alone would have justified the purchase! It worked like a charm on escalators, jetways, the ‘plane train,’ and even getting down the aisle of the aircraft.
The trolley is designed so the handle moves, but the platform stays stable and flat, even when going over uneven surfaces. The handle adjusts easily, and the whole thing pivots smoothly, which makes tight turns and crowded terminals much less stressful.
When you get to your seat, it folds quickly and easily, and fits right into the overhead bin with no gate checking, no awkwardness, and no fuss from flight attendants.
What surprised me most was how much calmer Helga was. Instead of thumping against my body or being constantly repositioned, she stayed level and comfortable the entire time. And having my hands free made everything else easier: showing documents, grabbing snacks, handling boarding passes, and just moving like a normal human again.
Now, I consider this trolley a non-negotiable for air travel. If you’re flying solo with your dog, traveling through large airports, or dealing with long international routes, this one item removes an enormous amount of physical and mental stress.
Yes, it’s an extra purchase—but it’s one of those things you only have to use once to wonder how you ever traveled without it.
4. Book a Window Seat
Usually (but not always) window seats will have more space under the seat in front of you. And it’s the spot with the least foot traffic and external stimulation for your dog. I booked an aisle once and it was a nightmare. Helga would bark every time the cart came by, and a couple people inadvertently kicked her carrier. I never made that mistake again.
🚨 Always confirm your dog’s reservation on the phone with an actual human who will verify that the seat you choose can accommodate a pet.
5. Bring ‘In-Flight Entertainment’
Especially on a long flight, dogs can get bored and antsy just like people. We pack either a pre-filled Kong toy, or a textured silicone licky mat with peanut butter. Licking actually calms your dog’s nerves, almost like a meditation, and also gives them something to do.
We also bring a little bag of her favorite treats since we don’t feed her a big meal before flying. She gets a little disgruntled if the food cart comes and she doesn’t get a snack too!
6. Always Have a Collapsible Water Bowl/Bottle
To prevent accidents, it’s best not to let your dog drink their fill right before getting on a long flight. But in case of delays, or warmer cabin temperatures you should always have some way of giving them water.
You can buy a bottle of water once you’re through security and keep it on hand during the flight. We have this collapsible water bowl. Remember to give water in small amounts so you don’t end up having to navigate to the restroom during turbulence to dispose of a full bowl of water. (Ask me how I know!)
7. Pack an Emergency Kit
More and more airports are providing “pet relief areas” for traveling dogs, which is great. These can range from a simple piece of astroturf with a fake fire hydrant, to a fancier room which provides poop bags, sinks, and even a shower area if you need it.
Even dogs who use the relief areas before flying can have accidents, so if it happens on the plane you want to be prepared.
We have an ‘Emergency Kit’ Zip-loc bag with the following items: Rubber gloves, a few doggie wipes or paper towels, Lysol wipes, a tiny air freshener in a pump bottle, extra thick poop bags, a large trash bag, and a fast-absorbing pee pad if we need to replace the one we put at the bottom of the carrier.
8. Bring a Blanket
Especially if you have an anxious dog, one who gets overstimulated, or who is reactive to people or other dogs – bring a blanket. We have a little fleece blanket that we can put over the top of the carrier when we’re in the airport.
This way, Helga is spared from the stimulation of seeing people and animals walking past, and can just chill out in her Zen cave, oblivious.
9. Pay Attention to Road Trip Security
If you are traveling to another country with your dog, check the rules of how they need to be secured in a car. Many European countries do not allow dogs to be free to roam in the car, or have access to the front seat. We have a secure carrier for Helga in our car, but when we’re in a rental car we use this cool little gizmo. It attaches to the seat’s head rest and clips to her harness.
You can also use this device that clips right in to the seat belt. This is usually sufficient to fulfill safety requirements and is very small and easy to pack.
10. Be Prepared for Extra Fees & Know Travel Requirements
Prices for in-cabin dogs have gone up in recent years. Expect to pay between $100 for domestic flights to $200+ each way for overseas travel.
Most pet-friendly hotels will also charge a nightly rate for your dog which can run between $15 and $30 per night. If you want to know the exact charge, you’ll usually need to contact the hotel.
If you’re traveling internationally, always double-check entry requirements for pets through official government sources like the USDA.
🚨 11. Check the Hotel Floor for Pills
Over the years, we’ve had 3 separate instances where a previous guest at the hotel dropped a pill or capsule on the floor and it wasn’t picked up by housekeeping. Helga, like most dogs, loves to snuffle and inspect every inch of a new space, and eats things she shouldn’t.
Twice we got a pill from her right away, but once we had a real scare and had several tense hours watching for signs or side effects of an unknown capsule that broke in her mouth.
So now, the first thing we do when we check in is turn on our phone flashlights, get down on the ground and give a close look under the bed and in every corner.
✈️ If You’re New to Traveling With Your Dog, Start With These 3 Essentials
If you don’t want to overbuy or overthink things, these are the three dog travel essentials that make the biggest difference right away—especially for flights.
1. A Reliable In-Cabin Carrier (Sherpa Soft-Sided Carrier)
This is the single most important purchase. It determines whether flying with your dog is smooth or stressful. After years of domestic and international flights, this is the only carrier we consistently use and trust.
2. A Pet Trolley for the Carrier (Mr. Peanut Trolley)
If you’re navigating large airports, long terminals, or traveling solo, this saves your shoulders, frees up your hands, and makes airport days dramatically easier. Once you use one, it’s hard to go back.
3. A Collapsible Water Bowl + Small Emergency Kit
Delays happen. Cabins get warm. Accidents happen. These two small items take up almost no space but solve some of the most common (and stressful) dog travel problems.
Happy Travels With Your Dog!
Traveling with your dog doesn’t have to feel overwhelming or stressful, but it does require the right setup. Over the years, I’ve learned that most dog travel problems aren’t caused by the dog at all; they come from being underprepared, under-equipped, or trying to “make do” with gear that just isn’t designed for travel.
The dog travel essentials in this list are the ones we’ve reached for on quick road trips, long international flights, and everything in between. They’ve made traveling with Helga safer, easier, and genuinely more enjoyable for all of us.
If you’re planning to travel with your dog by plane or car, investing in the right essentials upfront can save you money, stress, and second-guessing later, especially when it comes to big-ticket items like a reliable carrier or a trolley that makes airport days manageable.
Every dog and every trip is a little different, but with the right dog travel essentials and a bit of preparation, bringing your dog along doesn’t have to feel like a gamble. It can just be part of the adventure.
And if you’re anything like us, once your dog becomes a confident travel companion… you’ll never want to leave them behind again.
Here are some more articles about dog travel that will help you hit the road (and the skies) with your best friend this year! Also check out the ASPCA website for great safety recommendations for traveling with your dog!
- How to Fly With Your Dog In Cabin – Top Tips
- Staying With Your Dog in a Hotel – Top Tips!
- Can You Buy Your Dog a Seat on a Plane? These 10 Airlines Say Yes!
- Airlines That Allow Large Dogs in Cabin: Options for Big Dog Owners
- European Airlines That Allow Dogs in Cabin: Your Ultimate Guide
- US Airlines That Allow Dogs in Cabin: Best Guide
- Can French Bulldogs Fly? Your Ultimate Guide to Safe Frenchie Travel
