The true cost of traveling with your dog
Traveling with your dog costs on average 15 to 30% more than a trip without an animal. But it's much cheaper than having it looked after! Here's the breakdown of each expense category.
| Expense category | Cost per day | Weekend (2 nights) | Week (7 nights) | How to save |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (supplement) | 5-20 € | 10-40 € | 35-140 € | Free cottages, camping |
| Dog food | 2-5 € | 4-10 € | 14-35 € | Bring your own kibble |
| Transportation | — | 7-50 € | 7-50 € | Car = gas package |
| Veterinarian (emergency) | 0 € | 0-150 € | 0-150 € | Dog insurance |
| Activities (admissions) | 0-5 € | 0-10 € | 0-35 € | Free nature activities |
| TOTAL | 7-30 € | 21-260 € | 56-410 € |
Transportation: detailed costs
Accommodation: the cheapest options
10 tips to reduce the budget
Buying food on site costs more. Bring the complete ration + 2 days margin in an airtight bag.
Hikes, forest walks, beaches: the best activities with a dog are free.
15-30 €/month covers emergency veterinary costs. A single incident can cost 500-2000 € without insurance.
May, June, September: cheaper, less crowded, more pleasant temperatures for your dog. The best value for money.
Find the best accommodations for your budget. Compare the costs of train and car. For a minimal budget, camping is unbeatable.
Frequently asked questions
Does having your dog looked after cost less than taking it with you?
Rarely. A kennel costs 15-30 €/day, a pet-sitter 20-40 €/day. For a week, that's 105-280 € — often more than the extra cost of taking it with you. And your dog prefers to be with you!
Are there any aids or discounts for traveling with your dog?
No official aids, but some tips: SNCF discount cards (the dog ticket also decreases), dog-friendly labels (some hosts have no supplement), and municipal camping (often the cheapest and most dog-friendly).
Our week of camping vacation with the dog costs us 50 € more than a stay without it. The kennel would cost 200 €. The choice is quickly made.
— Couple with a Labrador, tight budget
