A quick guide to travelling with pets
Planning a getaway with your furry friend? Whether it’s a weekend road trip or a longer adventure, travelling with pets can take a bit of prep. Here’s some tips on how to help keep tails wagging (and stress levels low).
First up - is your pet a good traveller?
Not all pets are built for the nomadic lifestyle. Some adapt to travel like pros, others not so much. If your pet gets anxious in the car or has some health issues, taking them with you on holidays might not be the easiest option! That’s when a pet sitter and a comfy staycation at home could be the perfect alternative.
Not leaving home without them? Keep reading!
Pet travel checklist: the essentials
Before you hit the road (or runway), it’s helpful to check if your furry friend has the basics covered:
- Food, treats and plenty of water
- Bowls (collapsible ones can help make travelling easier)
- Lead, collar and ID tags
- Their favourite bedding or blanket
- Any medications they may need
- Some toys to keep them entertained
- Poo bags... always handy
- If you’re driving, a pet seatbelt or travel crate can help with safety
Pet-friendly accommodation
When you’re booking a stay, try looking for spots that really roll out the welcome mat for your furry friend. Some let pets hang inside, others might be “outside only” stays. Checking size limits, extra fees and house rules beforehand may save you from any last-minute headaches and help keep tails wagging.
Road tripping with your dog (or cat)? Safety first.
In Australia, your furry copilot needs to be safely buckled up - no dogs on laps or cats roaming free through the car cabin. A pet seatbelt harness, carrier, or crate can help keep paws and claws cozy, which might help make the trip a bit smoother for everyone.
Flying with your pet? Some tips to help get them ready for take-off
If you’re thinking about flying with pets, it’s worth knowing that not all airlines treat pets the same - and most four-legged travellers usually fly in the cargo hold. You might need an airline-approved crate, and there could be some paperwork involved too. A quick chat with the airline you’re travelling with or your vet before you head off could help you and your furry friend be more prepared for the trip.
Before you hit the road (or skies), it could be worth checking in with Live Vet Support~
Whether it’s a car trip or a short domestic flight, if you hold a Petinsurance.com.au, you get access to Live Vet Support~. With Live Vet Support, you can speak with an experienced vet via video call or online chat – you can ask for tips regarding motion sickness, necessary vaccinations, and guidance on any health paperwork you might need. You can also use GapOnly’s vet finder online tool(opens in a new tab) to locate a participating vet nearby while travelling within Australia**. And with Petinsurance.com.au, you could claim up to 80% back on eligible vet bills⁺ so you can focus on taking care of your furry mate when it matters most.
Getting your pet ready for take-off (or road trip naps)
Travelling with your pet can be a mix of fun, cuddles, and chaos. Whether it’s a case of dodgy holiday snacks, a surprise vet visit or a bit too much excitement at the beach, pet insurance may help cover unexpected costs while you’re away. That way, you can focus on the fun stuff - not the bill.
Thinking about pet insurance? Thanks to ahm, you can get 2 months free* pet insurance, just use the code AHM2MF when getting a quote before 7 May 2026. As a Petinsurance.com.au policy holder, you also get access to things like GapOnly®**, myPetPass^ and Live Vet Support~.
You can get a quick quote online here, or for more information head to ahm.com.au/pet-insurance.
Things you should know
Petinsurance.com.au(opens in a new tab) policies entered into for the first time prior to 7 November 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd ABN 78 090 584 473, AFSL 241436, arranged and administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, AFSL 420183 (PetSure) and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s Authorised Representative (AR) Pet Insurance Pty Ltd ABN 38 607 160 930, AR 1234944 (PIPL) and PIPL’s authorised distribution partners. Petinsurance.com.au policies entered into for the first time on or after 7 November 2023 and subsequent renewals of those policies are issued by PetSure and promoted and distributed by PetSure’s AR, PIPL and PIPL’s authorised distribution partners. Any advice provided is general only and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs. Please consider the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) to ensure this product meets your needs before purchasing or choosing to continue with the product. PDS and Target Market Determination available at petinsurance.com.au(opens in a new tab).
Live Vet Support is a service provided by PetSure that gives you 24/7 access to general veterinary telehealth advice for your insured pet(s) via online video or chat, via the Customer Portals owned and operated by PetSure. Access to Live Vet Support consultations subject to the Customer Portal terms of use available at petportal.petinsurance.com.au.(opens in a new tab)
GapOnly® is available at participating Vets with an eligible pet insurance policy. Meet our partners at gaponly.com.au(opens in a new tab). Any advice is general and may not be right for you.
Offer starts 12:01am AEDT, 7 May 2025 and ends 12:01am AEDT, 7 May 2026 (Offer Period). Offer provides new customers with two months free in their first policy year only when they purchase a Petinsurance.com.au Pet Insurance Policy during the Offer Period (Offer). Instalment payers will not be charged an instalment for the first two months and instalments will be charged from the third month of your policy period. Annual payers will have the two months free deducted from the annual premium at the time of purchase. Provide promo code AHM2MF at the time of purchase. Offer will cease if you change your level of cover. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer with the exception of the multi-pet discount. Offer subject to Petinsurance.com.au Pet Insurance Policy T&Cs available at: petinsurance.com.au(opens in a new tab). Eligibility criteria applies, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement. Petinsurance.com.au(opens in a new tab) reserves the right to withdraw, vary or extend this Offer at any time.
myPetPassTM is a rewards programme provided by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923 (PetSure). Available only to holders of active petinsurance.com.au policies. myPetPassTMperks are provided by PetSure and third-party suppliers and also subject to these third-party suppliers’ terms and conditions. myPetPassTMperks may be amended or withdrawn any time without notice. PetSure does not guarantee that any particular third-party providers will continue to participate in myPetPassTM through the offer or provision of perks, or that the myPetPassTM rewards programme or any myPetPassTMperks or features of myPetPassTM will continue to be available. Full Terms & Conditions available at mypetpass.com.au/terms(opens in a new tab).