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Many people fear that when they get a dog, they will no longer be able to travel. The idea is that you are either tethered to your house or, if you do decide to travel, it will be far more expensive to do so with an animal. However, this is absolutely not true. Traveling on a budget with a dog is not only feasible, but it’s also tons of fun. You just have to be smart about it and adjust your traveling style to fit the needs of your four-legged companion.
Travel by Road
Yes, you can bring a dog on most planes, but this is usually restricted to smaller dogs. What’s more, it can also be quite expensive, costing an average of $125 per pet. For some budget travelers, that’s like paying for a whole additional plane ticket.
Skip the flights — they can be stressful and uncomfortable for your dog anyways. Road tripping is perfectly suited to dog owners since you are in control of the pace and breaks in the journey. You might have to train your dog to be comfortable in a car; in fact, Wag has some great practical tips on how to do this, including several step-by-step training methods.
Look for Dog-Friendly Destinations
As explained above, destinations you can reach by car are preferable. Aside from this, you should look for places your dog will enjoy. This doesn’t mean your trips should consist only of national parks and remote beaches; this list by Expedia of the most dog-friendly US destinations includes plenty of great cities. What unites them is a dog-friendly attitude with plenty of open spaces and activities for pups to enjoy.
If you find yourself wanting to do things that aren’t dog-friendly, like going to a show or a museum, you can easily book a pet sitter online in San Francisco. To save money, plan the activities you want to do without your dog for the same day and select a sitter close to them.
Know Where to Look for Hotels
Everyone has their preferred way of finding a hotel, whether it's your favorite hotel booking website, recommendations from friends, or sticking to the suggestions from the guide book. However, most of these go out the window when you’re traveling with a dog. Many hotels allow dogs, but it’s not always easy to find them.
So, instead of using your usual methods, use a dog-friendly hotel directory to find your ideal hotel. Once you have found something that looks perfect for your trip, you can usually get a better deal by booking directly with the hotel instead of a hotel booking website. This is because hotels are willing to give you discounts (or extras like free breakfast) for bookings when they don’t have to pay a booking fee to an external website.
Get the Right Gear
Depending on where you plan to go, you may need some brand new accessories for your trip. This is especially true if you are planning to hike and camp, as you need things that are waterproof, durable, and don’t take up much space in your backpack. For instance, good purchases include a collapsible water bowl you can easily slip into your pack, as well as a roll-up waterproof chill pad that is suited for outdoor camping.
While products like these are best bought from a specialist retailer, more generic travel accessories such as leashes, carriers, and crates can easily be found on Amazon. Search online for Amazon promo codes to save money on your shopping basket.
Traveling with your dog doesn’t have to be expensive or even particularly complicated. It’s just a matter of planning dog-friendly trips As a dog owner, you are used to adjusting your lifestyle and schedule to the needs of your dog, and why should travel be any different? You will love sharing the memories you make with your pooch, and they will enjoy spending this time with you.
