One of the first things people ask when they find out we fly with Sami is “how much does that cost?” The answer is: less than you probably think, but more than zero.
Flying with your dog in the cabin isn’t free. There’s always a pet fee, and depending on where you’re going, there might be document costs, vet visits, and gear to buy. Here’s a realistic breakdown of what to expect, based on 20+ flights with Sami across Europe and to the United States.
The Airline Pet Fee
This is the main cost. Every airline charges a fee to bring your dog in the cabin. You pay it per flight, per direction — so a round trip means paying twice.
Within Europe: Expect around €25-75 per flight. When we fly with Aegean Airlines from Portugal to Greece, we pay about €60 each way for Sami. Budget airlines that do allow pets tend to be on the lower end. Flag carriers are typically in the middle range.
US domestic: Most American carriers charge $95-125 per flight for cabin pets. This is standard across Delta, United, American Airlines, JetBlue, and others.
Transatlantic (Europe to/from the US): This is where it gets more expensive. When we flew with Delta from Lisbon to New York, the pet fee was $200 each way. So $400 round trip just for Sami. That’s on top of our own tickets.
The pet fee is almost always paid at the check-in counter on the day of travel. Most airlines don’t let you pay it online. A few are starting to change this, but for now, expect to pay in person.
For help choosing the right airline, see our guides on European airlines and pet-friendly airlines worldwide.
Documents and Vet Visits
Your dog needs documents to fly, and getting those documents costs money.
EU pet passport: About €15-25, one-time cost. I got Sami’s passport at our vet in Portugal for around €15. It was quick and it’s valid for life (or until it runs out of pages from vaccine updates). See our EU pet passport guide for details.
Rabies vaccine: Varies by country and vet, but typically €20-50 per shot. Sami’s vaccine is valid for 3 years, so this isn’t an annual expense. Budget for it when the booster is due. More details in our rabies vaccine guide.
Health certificate (for some routes): If you’re flying to the US from abroad, you may need an EU animal health certificate or USDA-endorsed health certificate. These can cost €50-150 depending on the vet and the amount of paperwork involved. For specifics, see our CDC requirements guide.
CDC Dog Import Form: Free. You fill it out online yourself. This is one of the few parts of US entry that doesn’t cost anything.
Pre-flight vet check: Some airlines require a recent health certificate stating your dog is fit to fly. This usually costs the price of a regular vet visit — €30-60 in Europe.
Gear
If you’re a first-time flyer with your dog, you’ll need some gear. The good news is that most of it is a one-time purchase.
Carrier bag: A decent airline-approved carrier costs €40-80 on Amazon. You can spend more for premium brands, but you don’t need to. Ours has lasted years and dozens of flights. Choose a soft-sided carrier — they’re lighter and fit better under airplane seats.
Travel water bottle: €10-20. Get one with a built-in bowl that saves water your dog doesn’t drink. We use the same one on every trip.
Harness and short leash: If you don’t already have these, €15-30. You want a harness with quick-release buckles for easy removal at security.
Comfort items: Blankets, toys, training pads — if you don’t already have these, budget €10-20. Check our packing checklist for the full list.
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What a Typical Trip Actually Costs
Let me put some real numbers on this.
A weekend trip within Europe (return flight): Pet fee €120 (€60 x 2). No extra documents needed if you have an EU pet passport. Total extra cost for having the dog: about €120.
A two-week trip from Europe to the US (return flight): Pet fee $400 ($200 x 2). Health certificate/vet visit: around €100. CDC form: free. Total extra cost for having the dog: roughly €450-500.
First-time flyer setup (one-time): Carrier bag €60, EU pet passport €15, rabies vaccine €40, water bottle €15, harness/leash €25. Total one-time cost: around €155.
After the initial setup, the recurring cost per trip is basically just the airline pet fee. Documents you already have. Gear you already own. The vaccine needs updating every 1-3 years. It’s the pet fee that you pay every single time.
How to Save Money
A few ways to keep costs down.
Compare airlines on pet fees. The difference between a €30 and a €75 pet fee adds up over multiple trips. Budget airlines that allow pets (like Vueling or Transavia) often have lower pet fees than flag carriers.
Keep the rabies vaccine current. A 3-year vaccine saves you money and vet visits compared to a 1-year vaccine. Ask your vet for the longest-duration option available.
Buy a good carrier once. A quality carrier lasts for years. Buying cheap and replacing every few trips ends up costing more. Invest in one that’s durable, lightweight, and properly sized.
Avoid connecting flights. Direct flights mean paying the pet fee once per direction instead of potentially dealing with partner airline complications (and extra fees). Plus, connecting flights with a dog are stressful — direct is always better.
Don’t over-buy gear. Your dog needs a carrier, water, blanket, treats, and documents. They don’t need a designer travel bed, specialty calming treats, or a matching luggage set. Keep it simple.
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Our free 8-day email course covers everything you need — airlines, costs, documents, carrier training, and more. Based on 20+ flights with Sami.
Flying with your dog costs money, but it’s not extravagant. A European trip adds about €120 to your travel budget. A transatlantic trip adds €400-500. And everything after the first trip is cheaper because you already have the gear and documents. The real cost of not bringing your dog is missing out on the experience together — and for us, that’s never been worth saving.
