What It Really Costs to Move a Pet in 2025: Air Travel vs. Ground Transport

Unless you’re a professional breeder or perhaps in the military, chances are you’ll only transport a pet once or twice in your life. Those that are inexperienced in the process of moving a pet from one location to another — often very long distances — you’ll probably have a lot of questions.

One of the most frequently asked questions about pet transportation is, “how much will it cost to transport my pet?” Unfortunately there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question, but there are many factors that come together to determine the cost. We’ll help you estimate what it really costs to move a pet in 2026.

Understanding Pet Relocation Costs in 2025

As with everything these days, the costs for pet relocation have increased over the last decade. Gas, the cost of vehicles and their maintenance, and cost of living have increased in price, which has a direct impact on pet relocation costs in 2025.

Factors That Influence Total Cost Regardless of Transport Method

As mentioned above, there are several factors that influence the overall cost of pet transport. Most of these factors depend on the method of transportation, but there are some that are the same regardless of how you move your pet.

• Carrier/crate: While there are higher carrier standards for air travel, you should invest in a quality carrier if you’re using ground transportation. 
• Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI): The USDA requires every pet that’s being transported pass an inspection that confirms the animal is healthy enough for travel. The CVI is typically valid for 30 days after the inspection.
• Time of year: Whether you choose ground or air transportation, seasonality has an effect on the cost. Busy times like the summer and the holidays increase demand, which in turn affects the cost of pet transportation.
• Weather: Similar to seasonality, the weather has an impact on the cost of transportation. Inclement weather can limit availability, driving up costs. Additionally there are restrictions on air travel for pets when it’s too hot or too cold.

How Much Does a Pet Carrier or Crate Cost?

The amount of money you spend on a pet travel carrier varies on what you need. Generally, the range you can expect to pay is between about $50 and $200. However, there are some less-expensive soft-sided carriers that are just fine for transporting a pet in the cabin of a plane.

However, if you’re transporting a pet long distances in a car or in the cargo area of a plane, you should consider paying more for the carrier. In these cases, your pet will likely be in the carrier for hours at a time — and in the case of air cargo transport, alone — so you’ll want to be sure the carrier is as comfortable and secure as possible.

• Hard-sided carriers that are appropriate for cargo transportation typically cost about $200. 
• If you want to spring for additional features and sturdier materials, you may pay as much as $800 for a carrier. 
• Keep in mind that carriers that cost over $200 are typically professional-grade; you likely won’t need to spend that much on your pet’s carrier.

Why Professional Pet Transport Is Worth the Investment

Without analyzing the breakdown of cost, you may feel that transporting your pet by yourself is the most affordable approach. However, there are more hidden costs than you would expect, and oftentimes professional pet transport is worth the investment. Here are a few reasons why:

• Do you work full time? If you’re transporting a pet long distance, chances are you’re going to have to take time off from work for the trip. This point is obviously moot if you were planning on driving across the country anyways.
• Do you own professional pet transportation equipment? Or even a USDA-approved crate? Even if you’re transporting your own pet, technically you need to follow USDA guidelines, which requires an approved carrier. Most pet transporters provide this equipment.
• Is it a multi-day trip? You’re going to have to consider pet-friendly hotels or at least pet-friendly campgrounds. Experienced pet transporters know exactly where to stay on overnight trips.
• Don’t mind letting your pet share a ride? Known as “stacking,” pet transporters often have a few different pets in the car at once. This economy of scale allows them to charge a much lower rate than you would end up paying by taking the DIY approach.
• Are you a professional transporter? Driving across the country isn’t exactly easy, and if the weather is even a touch inclement, you could be looking at delays or even danger. Pet transportation professionals know the best routes and have experience driving in all sorts of conditions.

Cost Breakdown for Ground Pet Transport

Ground pet transportation involves hiring a transporter to drive with your pet from the pickup point to the destination. Occasionally, transportation companies will require you to drop off and pick up your pet at terminals — this is less convenient for you, but can save you money. Either way you approach ground pet transportation, here is the typical cost breakdown:

How Distance, Route, and Pet Size Affect Cost

Generally speaking, transporters charge a per-mile rate for trips. There are a few different factors that can affect the rate, like seasonality, pet size and the route. 

• Seasonality: The busier the time of year (Christmas, summer), the higher the rate of transport.
• Weather: Again, this usually pertains to the winter and summer months, when weather is either extremely hot or cold, or there is a great deal of precipitation. This can lead to higher rates.
• Pet size: As we mentioned above, “stacking” pet shipments allows transporters to charge less. It’s harder to stack shipments when the animal is quite large, so the smaller the pet — usually — the less you’ll pay per mile.
• Route: This ties into trip stacking as well. If your pickup and dropoff location is located along a major interstate or big city, chances are it’s easier for a transporter to find similar routes to stack trips. If you’re in a remote location, this becomes much more difficult and can add hours to the trip. That means you’ll pay a premium for pet transport.
• Distance: This isn’t always the case with every transporter, but usually the longer the distance, the lower the per-mile rate. So a 1,700-mile shared/stacked trip (i.e. New York City to Denver) will cost on the lower end, perhaps as low as $.30 a mile while a shorter, private trip (i.e. New York to Boston) could cost as much as $2-$3 a mile.

Cost Breakdown for Air Pet Transport

There are three options for air pet transport. The first option is reserved for smaller pets, who can fly in the cabin area on commercial flights. The second option is for other pets, who can fly in a reserved area below the cabin (it’s referred to as the cargo area, but it’s climate and pressure controlled). The third option is the most expensive and exclusive — using a private pet flight transportation service that flies you and your pet directly to the destination. Here is a breakdown of air pet transportation costs:

Average Pricing for Domestic vs. International Flights

The amount you’ll pay for transporting a pet by air varies greatly on the arrival and departure destinations. In general, international flights are more expensive, though it depends on what country you’re flying into. Some factors that make international flights more expensive include:

• Taxes and fees for entering certain countries.
• Increased demand during popular months.
• Higher operational costs (fuel, staffing).
• Lower competition due to airline consolidation.

When it comes to shipping a pet internationally by air, there is also the cost of quarantines and fees. Expect to pay between $500 and $1,000 to clear customs, on top of your plane ticket and the cost to transport the pet on the plane.

It’s less expensive to transport a pet in the cabin of the plane — between $50 and $200 each way. To transport a pet in the cargo area can cost upwards of $1,000, with factors that raise the cost being the size of the pet and the airline policy. The vast majority of airlines don’t allow pets in the cargo area of the plane. Smaller pets are usually less expensive than large ones; you can expect to pay between $250 and $350 for small and medium-sized pets in the cargo area.

When it comes to domestic flights, you won’t have to worry about quarantine rates and customs fees, so the trip will be significantly less expensive. However, you’ll still need to pay for the pet and your (or an air nanny’s) ticket. While human tickets vary significantly depending on the destination and arrival, time of year, etc., pet tickets are usually consistently priced — between $300-$1,000 in the cargo area and between $50-$200 for cabin travel.

A High-End Option: Pet Charter Flights

If money is no object, then transporting your pet on a charter flight is easily the most comfortable solution. Why?

• No crates or carriers are required for dogs (sorry cats, you have to stay in the carrier).
• Your pet flies in the cabin with you and if small enough, can sit on your lap.
• There are no size or breed restrictions.
• Because it’s a private flight, you don’t have to wait through security or other long lines.

The main downside is quite obvious: it’s much more expensive than traditional pet air travel. We’re talking over $10k per person (in the example we researched, a ticket entitles you to a seat and a seat for either a large pet or two smaller pets). From Los Angeles to London, the cost per ticket is $13,850.

Price isn’t the only downside. These companies only operate out of major cities with large airports (think: London, Los Angeles, Paris, New York, Dubai). That means if you don’t live near one of these hubs, you either have to travel long distances just to get to the airport, or the service isn’t available to you.

Another issue with pet charter flights is that the plane won’t arrange for departure until it reaches 75% occupancy. So even if you have the money and live in a major city, you still won’t be able to complete your trip until several like-minded pet owners buy tickets.

Comparing Air vs. Ground: Which Is More Budget Friendly?

So which approach to pet transportation will be the friendliest on your wallet? As we mentioned above, there are many factors that affect the price you’ll pay to move your pet long distance, so it’s not as easy as saying one or the other is more budget friendly.

When Ground Transport Is the More Affordable Choice

Sometimes ground transportation is the more economical option. What are the situations in which ground transportation is the more affordable choice?

• If you’re transporting a large pet that must fly in the cargo area of the plane.
• When the trip is only a few hundred miles — short distance ground transportation is less expensive and more efficient than flying.
• If you can be flexible about the timing of the trip.
• When you’re willing to allow your pet to travel with other animals — stacking transports is one way in which transporters are able to significantly cut costs and pass along the savings.

When Flying Becomes Necessary — Even if It Costs More

Unfortunately, even if ground transportation is more affordable, there are times when it’s simply not possible. In these cases, flying is necessary, even if it costs more or is the less humane approach.

• You’re transporting a pet internationally.
• You have a very short turnaround schedule — sometimes ground transportation can take significantly longer than air travel.
• You’re already flying and have a small pet that can ride in the cabin with you.

With the right preparation, you can make your pet’s international travel as smooth as possible. That’s why partnering with an experienced international pet transportation like Starwood Pet Travel. What’s great about Starwood is that they’ll coordinate every aspect of the transport, from making sure all of your paperwork is in order to booking the flight.

Cost Efficiency for Multiple Pets

If you’re transporting multiple pets, ground travel is by far the most cost-effective approach. When it comes to air travel, you’ll have to buy a ticket for each animal; if you have large pets, that means you could be paying $1,000 each, one-way.

Meanwhile, many pet transporters will give you a discount on the second or third pet, since they’re already making the trip. Space is much less limited for ground transporters, allowing them to provide multi-pet discounts that the airlines simply cannot afford to offer.

Tips to Keep Pet Relocation Costs Manageable

Unfortunately, transporting a pet long distances can be fairly costly. Your pet is a family member, so paying more for their comfort and security is well worth the expense. However, there are a few ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality.

What’s Worth Paying For

• It’s always worth it to pay extra for an experienced transporter.
• When you use CitizenShipper to search for a transporter you can chat with them — pick a transporter you feel at ease with, don’t cut corners and hire a less expensive transporter that gives off bad vibes.
• Health requirements are always worth it. First of all, it’s the law. Secondly, they help ensure your pet is healthy enough for transportation.

Final Thoughts: Making the Most Cost-Effective Choice for Your Pet

Cost is a major consideration for pet transportation. However, when it comes to the health, safety and comfort of your pet, you shouldn’t cut corners. It’s good to know what to expect in terms of cost before you start the process of hiring a transporter. That way you avoid two things: One, you won’t overpay for unnecessary services and, two, you won’t significantly underpay for a subpar transporter.