What It Cost to Bring Our Dog to Europe

An honest breakdown of flying internationally with a small dog

Traveling internationally with a dog isn’t just emotional — it’s logistical, expensive, and very detail-heavy.

Before we flew to Europe with our dog Cali, we spent weeks researching requirements, vet timelines, airline rules, and actual costs. The actual costs part was the hardest to find and we surrendered to pay whatever came up so we can learn from it- so here it is!

Also, final thoughts on bringing Cali, at the end!

💉 Vaccines & Updates

≈ $100–$200

This depends heavily on what your dog already has.

For international travel, rabies is non-negotiable. Some dogs will need:

• A new rabies vaccine

• Updated boosters

• Documentation pulled from previous records

If your dog is already up to date, this cost can stay on the lower end.

📄 International Health Certificate (USDA)

≈ $700

This was the most stressful and expensive part.

This fee typically includes:

• Vet exam

• USDA-approved international health certificate

• USDA endorsement

• Coordination and paperwork handling (the expensive part)

⚠️ Timing matters:
Your vet must complete this within 10 days of your flight, which usually means:

• A special appointment

• Tight scheduling

• Zero flexibility if something goes wrong (like ZERO, like if your flight is cancelled, show up to the next flight and cross your fingers they are nice about it)

🛫 Airline In-Cabin Pet Fee

$200 (one way)

We flew Delta, which allows small dogs to fly in cabin as long as:

• They fit in an airline-approved carrier

• The carrier fits under the seat

Cali flew under the seat like a tiny VIP ✨ but we couldn’t predict this fee too much since each airline is different.

🎒 Airline-Approved Carrier

≈ $60–$120

This one surprised us.

We ended up buying multiple carriers before finding one that:

• Fit airline dimensions

• Was soft-sided and breathable

• Was comfortable for Cali

• Actually fit under the seat

That trial-and-error is why the range is higher than expected. Use Chewy, they are so good about returns! I would probably buy all the options your are considering and then returning the ones that don’t work so you can get freeshipping and get it done with.

💊 Medication (As Needed)

≈ $22/per bottle of 15

• Trazodone but there are other options if this doesn’t work for your dog

We used this lightly, but one downside:

• It’s often 2 pills per travel day

• For us doing months in Europe, we only used trazadone if NEEDED.

💸 Total Cost Breakdown ≈ $1,080–$1,240

Is it cheap? No.
Is it worth it?

For us — 100% yes 🤍

Cali was always what was missing from all the trips we had taken, and this confirmed it. We don’t feel the anxiety or total homesickness we would normally feel if she wasn’t with us, and seeing her in another country—changing and growing as a pup—has been amazing.

The South of France during the winter has been very dog-friendly for her. Everyone wants their dogs to meet, most—if not all—pups are very sweet, and I think this has shown Cali that she can trust again when going outside with us: engaging with other dogs and knowing everything is going to be okay. Her anxiety has improved so much, and her attitude toward other dogs and people has noticeably calmed down.

In return, our attitudes—the defensiveness we bring with us from the United States—have mellowed out. Being able to pet Cali, watch her thrive, and feel her at home with us has given us a true vacation feeling.

If traveling with your dog has ever crossed your mind, we hope this shows it can be done—slowly, intentionally, and together. Save this post for later, and feel free to reach out if you’re planning pet travel of your own.