{"id":45999,"date":"2025-07-10T09:44:35","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T15:44:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/?p=45999"},"modified":"2026-02-28T18:54:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T00:54:10","slug":"what-is-the-cheapest-way-to-ship-a-cat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citizenshipper.com\/blog\/what-is-the-cheapest-way-to-ship-a-cat\/","title":{"rendered":"What is the Cheapest Way to Ship a Cat?"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are many reasons why you\u2019ll need to ship a cat. Maybe you have to move across the country because you got the job that you\u2019ve always wanted. Or perhaps you were tired of the cold winters in Wisconsin and decided to move to Florida. Maybe you just want to take an extended vacation in sunny California. Whatever the reason, you\u2019re looking into cat transport services. And you\u2019re not alone, the <\/span>Bureau of Transportation<\/span><\/a> reported that 256,114 animals were transported by airlines.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So what do you do? Research? That\u2019s a start, that\u2019s for sure. But you may find yourself stressing over what travel method to choose. Do you want to drive, hire a ground transport company, fly, or take the train? Don\u2019t fret or stress. We\u2019ll cover what the cheapest way to ship a cat is and what you can expect to pay.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

What Are My Options for Cat Relocation?<\/b><\/h2>\n

In order to let you know how much cat transport costs, it\u2019s important to let you know the various options you have for cat relocation. After all, not every option will cost the same. There will be a variety of options with a variety of prices.<\/span><\/p>\n

Air Travel<\/b><\/h3>\n

Air travel is the fastest way to transport a pet. They do have several requirements that may limit you in various ways. Only cats that are small enough to fly in a carrier placed under the seat in front of you are allowed to be in the cabin. If you have a bigger cat, it will have to fly in the cargo hold in a larger carrier that can accommodate a litter box. Airline policy only allows one or two pets per flight, so it\u2019s important to call beforehand to reserve that coveted pet spot.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

You can also hire an airy nanny to transport your cat. An air nanny is someone you hire to take care of your cat on a flight. They can either be in the cabin with the nanny or in the cargo hold. You will have to buy a roundtrip ticket for the nanny apart from the pet fees airlines usually charge.<\/span><\/p>\n

Train Travel<\/b><\/h3>\n

Amtrak allows pet transportation<\/span><\/a>, and just like airlines, only small cats (and small dogs) are allowed. Having a cat on board the train only costs $25, but they have to fit in a carrier underneath the seat in front of you.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ground Transport<\/b><\/h3>\n

The ground transport option is the most popular, as many are out there. You can easily find them online, all you need to do is Google. Some only provide certain services, and it\u2019s important to research which ones provide what. <\/span>All pet transport services must adhere to the USDA\u2019s rules and regulations in pet handling. You can also go to IPATA for informative articles about recommended pet transporters, fake scamming companies and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

Driving Yourself<\/b><\/h3>\n

The fourth option you can choose is the do-it-yourself approach. You can simply grab your car and drive your cat to your final destination. It\u2019s an easy option, because there won\u2019t be any regulations or outside requirements besides the documentation you need. This option has several variables that may rack up during the journey, including accommodation, food expenses, car wear and tear, and gas costs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Using a Marketplace<\/b><\/h3>\n

Another fantastic option is going through a two-way marketplace (like CitizenShipper). It\u2019s a way to save money, and there are trusted, reputable drivers on the platform who compete for your business. You will get free quotes after posting your cat\u2019s transport information on the website. It\u2019s a fairly easy process.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How Much Does Cat Transport Cost?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Cat transport depends on the method of cat transport you will use. For example, train travel will cost you $25 one way on Amtrak, but there are significant restrictions attached to that method. Like stated above, driving yourself may also be attractive, but it eats away at your schedule and costs can incur drastically.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s take a look at the various factors that affect the price of transporting your beloved kitty to its destination when it comes to ground transport versus air transport.<\/span><\/p>\n

Distance<\/b><\/h3>\n

Distance plays a major role in cat transport. The reason for that is that it all depends on how you will be shipping your cherished cat. For ground transport, A short journey will be less expensive and a long journey more expensive, since usually companies charge per mile.<\/span><\/p>\n

But let\u2019s look at air travel. The price usually doesn\u2019t vary too much and sits between $90 to $125 for a one way trip. Of course, only small cats and dogs are accepted in the main cabin. They must be inside a carrier and under the seat in front of you at all times.You can check your animal into the cargo hold, but you run the risk of stressing your cat too much or having them pee on themselves or not be able to eat.<\/span><\/p>\n

Pet Size\/Breed\/Type<\/b><\/h3>\n

There are usually restrictions when it comes to pet size. Most airlines don\u2019t accept pets other than cats and dogs. They also don\u2019t accept snub-nosed breeds in the cargo area.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to ground transport, size affects cost. The bigger the pet, the bigger the cost. It\u2019s as simple as that. You should look into securing a package deal because it could save you money if you transport multiple pets \u2014 cats and dogs mixed may be allowed, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Health Documentation<\/b><\/h3>\n

This is probably the most important thing you have to do. Before the cat’s travel can begin, you have to go to a USDA-registered veterinarian and get a health certificate. You\u2019ll also need to ensure all your pet\u2019s immunizations are up-to-date.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The health certificate costs vary, but usually they run at around a $100-$300 fee. You should check to see what health documentation is required at your destination, as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Equipment<\/b><\/h3>\n

Lastly, you need equipment. Why? Safety is important in all journeys \u2014 whether it\u2019s by air or ground. You should buy a durable crate to make sure your pet is safe during the entire trek. Crates for small pets range from $50-$100, but larger crates can cost up upwards of $200. You should also consider buying other products like a first aid kit, your cat\u2019s favorite toys or blankets, calming sprays for your cat, and other items.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"A<\/h2>\n

Is Cat Travel More Expensive by Air or Ground?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Air transport is probably cheaper since most cats can fly in the cargo area. Just make sure in this section you explain that ground transportation is much more comfortable than air travel.<\/span><\/p>\n

For ground transport, the consensus is that the estimate ranges from under\u00a0 $1,000 to as high as $5,000. Why the big range? That usually depends on the company and any added benefits (like VIP service or door-to-door delivery) you may want to purchase to make the cat travel experience easier and safer for you and your beloved kitty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to air travel, the estimates can run at a low of $350 to a high of $800, but there are a lot of restrictions that airlines put on pet travel. If you want to <\/span>hire an air nanny<\/span><\/a>, you\u2019ll have to buy her a round-trip airline ticket, so that total can run up to $1,000 more. So the bottom line is that ground transport is more expensive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But\u2026 Ground Transport is More Reliable<\/b><\/h3>\n

Look, we know air transport is cheaper, so you may be leaning toward air travel. But sometimes ground transport can be safer and more reliable. Let\u2019s take a look at why.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. When it comes to flying, most airlines prohibit large dogs and cats, which means if you have a large cat, they will have to go in the cargo hold.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Flying can stress your cat because they are in a confined space for a long period of time. They may not be able to pee or eat for extended periods, which can be a huge problem.<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. With flight cancellations over the holidays, flying can be unreliable because of weather and other factors.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Lastly, ground travel logistics are easier and can offer door-to-door delivery, which can definitely ease your stress.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Good Qualities To Look For<\/b><\/h2>\n

    When you\u2019re researching cat transportation services, they should have qualities that you can look back at and say unequivocally that you made a good choice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Good qualities include:<\/span><\/p>\n