Solo Travel with a Dog: Women’s Guide

Updated for 2026 — Accurate as of February 2026.

My 45-pound rescue mutt, Luna, has been my travel companion for four years. Together, we have road-tripped across 22 US states, flown to three countries, and hiked over 500 miles of trails. Traveling solo with a dog as a woman is a fundamentally different experience from traveling alone — you have a built-in companion who deters unwanted attention, forces you to explore outdoors, and gives you the best reason in the world to strike up conversations with strangers. But it also requires meticulous planning, the right gear, and a willingness to prioritize your dog’s needs alongside your own.

According to the American Pet Products Association, 37% of pet owners traveled with their dogs in 2025, up from 19% in 2019. The pet travel industry is now worth $20 billion annually, and infrastructure for traveling with dogs has improved dramatically. This guide covers everything you need to know to make it work.

Is Your Dog Ready to Travel?

Temperament Assessment

Not every dog is a good travel companion, and this is an honest conversation you need to have with yourself before booking anything. Travel-ready dogs typically:

• Are comfortable in new environments without excessive anxiety
• Can handle car rides without severe motion sickness
• Are socialized with strangers, other dogs, and new stimuli
• Have reliable recall and basic obedience (sit, stay, come, leave it)
• Can settle in unfamiliar sleeping arrangements
• Are not excessively reactive to noise, crowds, or wildlife

If your dog has severe separation anxiety, extreme fear of new environments, or aggression issues, travel will be stressful for both of you. Work with a certified dog behaviorist before attempting travel, or consider whether a trusted pet sitter at home might be the kinder option.

Health Preparation

Before any trip, schedule a vet visit to address:

Health Item	Details	Timeline
Vaccinations	Rabies (legally required for most travel), DAPP, Bordetella, Leptospirosis	2-4 weeks before travel
Health certificate	Required for flights and some state/country crossings	Within 10 days of travel
Microchip	Required for international travel; recommended for domestic	Any time before travel
Flea/tick/heartworm prevention	Continuous treatment, adjusted for destination climate	Monthly
Motion sickness medication	Cerenia or alternative from your vet	Prescription before travel
Anxiety medication	If needed — Trazodone, Gabapentin, or similar	Prescription + trial run before travel

I always carry a copy of Luna’s vet records, vaccination certificates, and health certificate in both paper and digital formats. For international travel, I also have her EU pet passport (if traveling in Europe) or the relevant USDA-endorsed health certificate.

Road Tripping with Your Dog

Vehicle Setup

Road trips are the easiest and most flexible way to travel solo with a dog. My Subaru Outback has become a mobile dog palace with these essentials:

Safety first: A crash-tested dog harness or secured crate is non-negotiable. In a collision at 30 mph, an unrestrained 50-pound dog becomes a 1,500-pound projectile. I use the Sleepypod Clickit Sport harness, which is Center for Pet Safety certified. For smaller dogs, a crash-tested crate secured with the seatbelt is equally effective.

Comfort setup:

• Waterproof seat cover (Kurgo makes excellent ones)
• Portable water bowl that clips to a crate or seat
• Cooling mat for summer travel
• Window shade on the dog’s side
• Familiar blanket from home (this reduces anxiety significantly)

Rest Stop Strategy

When road-tripping alone with a dog, rest stops require additional planning:

• Stop every 2-3 hours for your dog to stretch, relieve themselves, and drink water. This is good for you too — solo drivers should rest frequently.
• Always leash your dog before opening the car door. This is when escapes happen most frequently, especially at unfamiliar highway rest stops with traffic.
• Scout rest stops in advance using the BringFido app or iExit app. Some rest stops have designated pet areas; others are just a strip of gravel next to a highway.
• Never leave your dog in the car unattended, even for a few minutes. Cars heat up to dangerous temperatures in 10 minutes, even on mild days. If you need to use a bathroom at a gas station, go through the drive-through instead, or take your dog with you.

Pet-Friendly Accommodations on the Road

The pet-friendly accommodation landscape has transformed in recent years:

Accommodation Type	Pet Policies	Average Pet Fee	Best Booking Platform
La Quinta (US)	All pets welcome, no fee	Free	Direct booking
Kimpton Hotels	All pets welcome, no fee, no size limit	Free	Direct booking
Best Western	Varies by location, most allow dogs	$10-20/night	BringFido
Airbnb	Host-dependent	Varies ($0-50)	Filter for “pets allowed”
KOA Campgrounds	Dogs welcome at most locations	Usually free	KOA.com
Hipcamp	Most sites dog-friendly	Usually free	Hipcamp app

I always call ahead to confirm pet policies, even when a hotel says “pet-friendly” online. I have arrived at hotels that technically allow pets but only under 25 pounds, or only in specific rooms that are fully booked.

Flying with Your Dog

Cabin vs. Cargo

For dogs under 20 pounds (in-carrier), cabin travel is straightforward and safe. For larger dogs, the only option is cargo hold travel, and this is where things get complicated and, frankly, risky.

My honest recommendation: If your dog is too large for cabin travel, consider whether flying is truly necessary. I have chosen to drive 18 hours rather than put Luna in cargo, and I would make that choice every time. The stress, health risks, and complete loss of control during cargo transport are significant concerns that I do not take lightly.

If you must fly with a large dog in cargo:

• Choose direct flights only — layovers increase risk dramatically
• Avoid summer travel when cargo holds can overheat
• Use an airline with a strong safety record for pet transport (Alaska Airlines and United PetSafe have the best reputations)
• Invest in an IATA-approved crate that is the right size — large enough for your dog to stand, turn around, and lie down
• Freeze water in the crate’s attached bowl so it does not spill but is available as it melts

Airline Pet Policies (Cabin Travel)

Airline	In-Cabin Fee (one-way)	Carrier Size Limit	Weight Limit
Southwest	$95	18.5” x 8.5” x 13.5”	No stated limit (must fit under seat)
Delta	$95 domestic, $200 international	Must fit under seat	No stated limit
United	$125 domestic, $175 international	Must fit under seat	No stated limit
JetBlue	$125	17” x 12.5” x 8.5”	20 lbs
American	$150	Must fit under seat	No stated limit

Pro tip: Book a window seat. Your dog’s carrier will be partially blocked by your legs, giving them slightly more space and reducing the chance of being bumped by the aisle cart or passing passengers.

International Travel with Your Dog

Documentation Requirements

International dog travel requires serious paperwork, and requirements vary dramatically by country. Starting this process too late is the most common mistake I see.

For EU travel:

1. ISO microchip (must be implanted BEFORE rabies vaccination)
2. Rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel
3. EU pet passport or EU health certificate issued by USDA-accredited vet
4. USDA endorsement of health certificate (7-10 business days processing)
5. Some countries require tapeworm treatment 1-5 days before arrival

For UK travel:

• Same as EU requirements plus specific tapeworm (Echinococcus) treatment 1-5 days before entry
• Entry only through approved routes and carriers

Countries with strict quarantine requirements (avoid or plan extensively):

• Australia: 10-day minimum quarantine
• New Zealand: 10-day minimum quarantine
• Japan: Up to 180 days without advance preparation
• Singapore: 30-day quarantine for most origins
• Hawaii: 120-day quarantine or 5-day with “Direct Airport Release” pre-approval

Best Countries for Traveling with Dogs

Based on my experience and extensive research, these countries are the most dog-friendly for solo female travelers:

France: Dogs are welcome in most restaurants, many hotels, and on public transit. Paris is arguably the most dog-friendly major city in the world. I walked Luna through the Marais, sat at sidewalk cafes, and nobody batted an eye.

Germany: Excellent dog infrastructure. Dogs are allowed on trains (reduced fare ticket), in most restaurants, and in many shops. Berlin has enormous off-leash parks and a deeply dog-loving culture.

Netherlands: Flat, cyclable, and intensely dog-friendly. Dogs ride on trains for a day pass fee, are welcome in most outdoor dining areas, and the Dutch take their dogs everywhere.

Portugal: Increasingly dog-friendly, especially in the Algarve region. Beach culture means lots of outdoor time. Many Airbnbs welcome dogs.

Canada: Wide open spaces, excellent off-leash parks, and a generally welcoming attitude toward dogs in outdoor dining areas and many accommodations.

Safety Benefits of Traveling with a Dog

The Deterrent Effect

I want to be direct about something: traveling with Luna has meaningfully changed my safety profile as a solo female traveler. Her presence deters unwanted attention in ways I did not expect.

When I walked alone at night in unfamiliar cities, I was frequently approached by men. With Luna walking beside me, those approaches dropped by roughly 80%. It is not that Luna is intimidating — she is a medium-sized mutt who wants to be everyone’s friend — but the presence of any dog signals that you are not an easy target.

At campsites, Luna’s ears perk up at any approaching footsteps long before I would notice. She does not need to be a guard dog — she just needs to be alert, and she is.

Building a Social Safety Net

Paradoxically, traveling with a dog also makes you more social. Dog people approach dog people. In every place I have traveled with Luna, locals have stopped to pet her, asked about her, and offered recommendations for dog-friendly parks, trails, and restaurants.

This instant social connection creates a safety net: you make local contacts faster, you get local knowledge faster, and you become a recognized presence in a neighborhood faster than you would alone. In a small town in Portugal, I was “the woman with the dog” within 24 hours, and multiple people would have noticed if I went missing.

Gear Essentials

My Tested Gear List

After four years of trial and error, here is the gear I actually use on every trip:

Gear Item	Brand I Use	Why It Is Essential
Crash-tested harness	Sleepypod Clickit Sport	Car safety, legally required in some states
Collapsible crate	Diggs Revol	Hotel rooms, camping, creates familiar safe space
Portable water system	Ruffwear Trail Runner Bowl	Clips to pack, lightweight
First aid kit	Adventure Medical Kits (dog-specific)	Remote area preparedness
GPS tracker	Fi Series 3 collar	Real-time location if lost
LED collar light	Nite Ize SpotLit	Visibility during evening walks
Paw balm	Musher’s Secret	Hot pavement and rough terrain protection
Cooling vest	Ruffwear Swamp Cooler	Essential for warm-climate travel
Tick remover	Tick Key	Crucial in tick-endemic areas
Travel-size food container	Vittles Vault	Keeps food fresh, airtight, and pest-proof

What to Carry in Your Dog’s Day Pack

If your dog is healthy and over 25 pounds, they can carry their own day pack. I use the Ruffwear Approach Pack, and Luna carries:

• Her collapsible water bowl
• A small bag of treats
• Waste bags
• Her first-aid kit
• An emergency space blanket

This takes about 5 pounds off my back on hikes, and Luna seems to enjoy having a “job.”

Hiking with Your Dog

Trail Safety

Hiking with your dog as a solo woman is one of the most rewarding travel experiences you can have. Luna and I have hiked sections of the Appalachian Trail, the Colorado Trail, trails in the Scottish Highlands, and dozens of day hikes across Europe.

Essential hiking safety with a dog:

• Check trail regulations — not all trails allow dogs, and leash requirements vary
• Carry more water than you think you need (double what you would carry solo — dogs dehydrate faster)
• Watch for signs of overheating: excessive panting, drooling, stumbling, bright red tongue
• Check paws after every hike for cuts, thorns, or embedded objects
• Protect against ticks — check your dog thoroughly after every hike, especially ears, armpits, and between toes
• Carry your dog’s vet emergency number and the number of the nearest animal ER to your trail

Wildlife Encounters

Dogs and wildlife do not always mix safely. In bear country, a dog can actually increase danger by provoking a bear and then running back to you with an angry bear in pursuit. In areas with venomous snakes, a curious dog nose is particularly vulnerable.

Know what wildlife is present on your route, keep your dog leashed in wildlife areas, and consider a rattlesnake aversion training course if you hike in rattlesnake territory (available throughout the western US).

Emotional Realities

The Joy

Traveling with your dog transforms solo travel from a solitary experience into a partnership. I am never truly alone because Luna is there. She is excited about every new trail, every new beach, every new hotel room to investigate. Her joy is contagious and boundless, and it has pulled me out of solo travel loneliness more times than I can count.

She forces me outdoors. Even on days when I might stay in and scroll my phone in a hotel room, Luna needs to walk, and those forced walks have led to some of my best travel discoveries.

The Challenge

I will not sugarcoat it: traveling with a dog limits your options significantly. You cannot visit certain attractions. You cannot eat at every restaurant. You spend time researching pet policies that you could spend exploring. You worry about temperature, noise, stress, and health in ways you would not worry about yourself.

There have been moments when I sat outside a museum I desperately wanted to visit because dogs were not allowed, and I had no one to watch Luna. There have been flights I did not take, countries I did not visit, and spontaneous detours I could not make because of my dog.

But when Luna puts her head on my lap in the back of the car as we watch the sunset over a mountain we just hiked together, I know I would not trade her for every museum in the world.

The key is honest self-assessment: if you are the kind of traveler who wants maximum flexibility and spontaneity, traveling with your dog may frustrate you. If you are the kind of traveler who values companionship, outdoor adventures, and the unique bond of shared experiences with your best friend, it is incomparably wonderful.

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