6 affordable vacation ideas with pets

You want to take a trip with your pet, but your bank balance looks bleak. We’ve got it! And we have some ideas for affordable pet-friendly vacations.

These suggestions for affordable vacations with pets are intentionally ambiguous in terms of destination. They’re the kind of trips you can take anywhere in the country, with a little creativity and a little planning.

It’s important to remember that a pet-friendly vacation doesn’t have to be a chore. Simply going can be very rewarding! There may be something on this list that you haven’t tried before. Make this a journey where you and your pet experience something new together.

6 affordable vacations with pets

go camping

Car or tent camping is one of the most economical ways to vacation, and a great way to spend a few days with your furry travel companion!

If you’ve never camped with your dog before, you may want to practice in the living room or backyard before heading out into the woods. Set up the tent and sleep in!

Most campgrounds are pet-friendly, as long as you keep your cat or dog on a leash. Government camps tend to be less expensive than privately owned or state-run ones. But keep in mind that they may also have fewer amenities.

If you rely on electrical outlets and shower facilities, do some careful research before choosing your location. Some camps only provide drinking water and composting latrines – others don’t. These are the kinds of places we like because they are less crowded and offer first-come-first-served camping sites when other campgrounds can be booked months in advance.

Another great option is camping on BLM land. Depending on where you choose, these places are very cheap or free, making you spend affordable vacations with your pet! BLM locations are generally undeveloped, so there will be no amenities, and stays are usually limited to 14 days.

Take a bike ride

Consider taking a cycling vacation with your dog! The idea may seem daunting at first, but remember – you set the speed and decide how far you will go. Cycling is a lot of fun, and moving slowly allows you to see things you might be missing out on.

If you don’t have equipment like baskets or a trailer for your dog, ask around to see if you can borrow it from a friend or rent it at your local bike store.

Before you head out, spend some time acclimating your dog to riding a trailer, as if you were teaching her to use the kennel for the first time. Once you get used to the trailer indoors, switch to short rides around the block, gradually increasing the distance over a few weeks.

Start with a weekend tour from your doorstep. Many cities have bike paths that lead to well-known bike routes or quiet country roads outside the city. Check your local tour board website for ideas, or follow the routes that local bike races use. (Bonus: Race markers are often left along the route, so you don’t have to check your map as often!).

Another option is to check out Weekend , which includes thousands of bike routes around the world.

Plan a road trip

Flying is expensive and can be stressful, and larger dogs are not allowed on trains like Amtrak. This makes road trip a natural choice for affordable vacations with your pet!

If you pair it with a tent or camping car, you really have an economy vacation!

The beauty of taking a road trip with your pets is that you can explore destinations and attractions that you both will enjoy.

Like to walk? Apps like AllTrails can help you locate favorite local places. Prefer shopping? Want to lie on the beach? Or get a taste of what is brewed in cafes or breweries in a new city? Pet-friendly road trip planners can give you a great selection of options.

Rent an RV or Campervan

If you prefer to take your home with you wherever you go, try renting an RV or Campervan. There are many RV rental companies that allow pets , and some only charge pets if the RV requires additional cleaning. So, clean up yourself and you are good to go!

While the cost of renting an RV or truck may seem high at first, you will save on hotel and dining out fees. Find a BLM camping site and prepare your own meals in the kitchen on the plane, and this becomes a great affordable vacation alternative !

scheduling a stay

When planning affordable pet-friendly vacations, don’t overlook your own backyard! Visit your local tourist office and pick up some brochures about nearby attractions to check out.

You can also find a new trail, visit the local botanical garden, or try canoeing with your pup on a nearby lake.

Even if you’ve lived in the same place for years, it’s amazing to find things to do when you play a tourist in your town.

Find hotels without pets

With more and more people traveling with their pets, hotels are becoming more and more pet friendly. However, some take advantage of this and charge exorbitant fees for pets.

Private accommodations, like AirBnb and vacation rentals, sometimes do the same thing – so check your pet policy carefully before making reservations.

Fortunately, there are plenty of great hotel options that allow pets to stay free, such as Kimpton Hotels, Red Roof Inn, and some La Quinta locations. These chains are located all over the United States, so you will have no problem tracking down one at your ideal destination