Long Distance Cat Transport: 2026 Cost, Options & Tips

Ground beats air for most cats

The cat-specific case for ground is strong. Cargo holds are pressurized but cold and loud. Cats are more prone to stress-induced gastrointestinal upset than dogs, and a vomiting or defecating cat in a cargo crate for 4+ hours is a real welfare problem. Ground transport keeps the cat at human ambient temperature, allows litter access, and lets the driver assess the cat every few hours.

A 2,000-mile cross-country move:

Option | Cost | Trip time | Cat welfare
Pet nanny ground (1 cat) | $1,200 to $1,800 | 3 to 4 days | High - regular stops, monitoring
Door-to-door ground operator | $1,400 to $2,200 | 3 to 5 days | High - similar protocol
Cargo flight (1 cat) | $400 to $900 | 5 to 12 hours | Medium - short but stressful
Owner drives own cat | $400 to $700 fuel + hotels | 3 to 5 days | Highest - cat with familiar human
In-cabin commercial flight | $125 to $200 each way | 5 to 10 hours | High - cat under seat with you

In-cabin is by far the cheapest option if your cat fits the airline's under-seat dimensions in a soft carrier (most cats do; almost all carriers will fit a 12-lb cat). Most airlines allow 1 to 2 in-cabin pets per flight, so book early.

Driving a dog instead? Our how to transport a dog in a car guide ranks restraint options by crash-test data, covers motion sickness, and lists the states that ticket unrestrained pets.

Moving somewhere specific? See our guide to Pet Transport to the Philippines for that route's import requirements.

Moving somewhere specific? See our guide to Pet Transport to South Korea for that route's import requirements.

For a deeper look, see our guide to Can You Bring a Dog on a Cruise? The Honest Answer.

The sedation question: almost always no

This is where bad advice circulates. The AVMA position is clear: tranquilizers should not be given to pets traveling by air because sedation increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory complications at altitude, and a sedated cat cannot reposition itself if it falls in the carrier.

For ground transport, sedation is also usually wrong. A mildly stressed cat can be calmed with:

A Feliway-impregnated cloth in the carrier

A familiar blanket or worn t-shirt

Gabapentin (vet-prescribed, situational) for high-anxiety cats only - not a default

Gabapentin is the one exception many vets endorse for travel anxiety in cats. It is not sedation in the cargo-risk sense; it reduces anxiety without the cardiovascular suppression of acepromazine. Discuss with your vet 2+ weeks ahead so you can test the dose at home first.

Carrier selection: soft for cabin, hard for ground

For in-cabin flights, a Sherpa Original Deluxe or Sleepypod Air style soft carrier is the gold standard. They flex to fit under-seat dimensions (most airlines: 18" x 11" x 11" or similar) while giving the cat enough headroom. Cost $60 to $130.

For ground transport and cargo, a hard-sided IATA-compliant kennel (size 100 or 200 for most cats) is required. Look for:

All-metal door latch (plastic clips fail in transit)

Bolted seams (not snap-together)

Ventilation on all four sides

Floor with a non-absorbent liner

Cost $35 to $90 for a basic kennel, $120 to $200 for premium options like the Petmate Sky Kennel. Our deeper carrier guide lives in pet transport crate selection.

Multi-cat households: one carrier or two?

The default answer is two carriers, one cat each. Even bonded cats stress each other under travel pressure, and a single shared carrier creates fight risk and bathroom contamination.

Exception: kittens under 4 months from the same litter often do better shared, with extra ventilation and a bigger carrier (size 200). For adult cats, separate carriers every time.

Logistics with two cats:

Two carriers fit in most pet nanny vehicles

In-cabin most airlines allow 1 pet per passenger; two cats = two passengers or two in-cabin slots booked

Cargo: each cat gets its own crate, each priced separately (no multi-pet discount typically)

Litter logistics that no one explains

A cat that holds its bladder for 12+ hours is at real risk for urinary issues. For ground transport over 4 hours, you need a plan.

The proven setup:

A foldable disposable litter box (Hartz, IRIS, etc., $5 to $12 for a 3-pack) at every rest stop

Puppy training pads as a contingency floor liner inside the carrier

A small bag of your cat's regular litter (a cup at each stop is enough)

Wet wipes and a backup blanket

Stops every 4 to 6 hours for offered bathroom time and water. Some cats will use the disposable box; others will simply hold it until home. Both are normal. The point is to offer the option.

For air cargo: a pad on the floor of the crate is allowed by IATA; a full litter box is not. Plan for the cat to potentially soil the crate and budget a thorough cleaning on arrival.

Cargo airline policies for cats

Cargo policies for cats are mostly identical to dogs but with lower weight thresholds and snub-breed considerations.

Airline | Cat cargo status | In-cabin
American Airlines | Limited cargo (military/employee) | Yes, under-seat
United (PetSafe) | Yes, cargo and in-cabin | Yes
Delta | Embargoed (since 2016) | Yes, in-cabin only
Alaska | Cargo and in-cabin | Yes
Southwest | No cargo, in-cabin only | Yes
Lufthansa | Yes, premium cargo program | Yes
KLM | Yes | Yes

Persian, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, and Burmese cats are brachycephalic and many airlines embargo them in cargo, just as with snub-nosed dogs. In-cabin or ground is the only safe option for these breeds.

Real 2026 cost scenarios

Scenario A: One 10-lb shorthair cat, LA to NYC, in-cabin commercial flight

Owner flies with the cat in a Sherpa carrier under the seat. $185 pet fee + owner's existing flight. Total cat-specific cost: $185 plus the carrier ($90 one-time). Trip time 6 hours.

Scenario B: Two cats, Chicago to Seattle, pet nanny ground

Pet nanny drives both cats in their own crates with stops every 4 hours over 3 days. Total: $1,650 (some operators discount second cat 25 to 30%).

Scenario C: One cat, Boston to Miami, cargo flight via PetSafe

United PetSafe cargo, hard kennel size 200, vet health certificate. Total: $720 cargo + $80 paperwork + $65 kennel = roughly $865. Trip time door-to-door about 12 hours.

Scenario D: One senior cat (14 yo) with kidney disease, San Diego to Portland

Pet nanny ground, with the operator administering subcutaneous fluids twice daily during the trip. Total: $1,800 to $2,400. Air is medically contraindicated.

For the senior-pet considerations, our pet transport for senior dogs guide covers most of the same logic for senior cats.

Three cat-friendly operators we recommend

Royal Paws Pet Transport

Boutique pet nanny model with strong cat experience. Two-pet pricing is reasonable, drivers carry cat-specific gear (Feliway, foldable boxes), and they will plan stops at quiet hotels. Quotes $1,400 to $2,100 for cross-country single cat. See our Royal Paws review for the full breakdown.

CitizenShipper-vetted ground transporters

CitizenShipper is a marketplace; the quality is in choosing the right transporter. Filter for those with 100+ completed trips and cat-specific reviews. Cost $400 to $1,200 ground, often half the price of door-to-door operators. The trade-off is that you are vetting the individual driver. Our deeper take is in the CitizenShipper Pet Transport review.

Happy Tails Travel

USDA-licensed cargo specialist with a strong cat track record. Useful when ground is impractical (e.g., relocating to Hawaii or international destinations). They book onto the right airlines (KLM, Lufthansa, Alaska) and handle paperwork. Cost $900 to $2,500 air.

What to pack for the trip

3 to 5 days of regular food in original packaging

Familiar bedding or worn shirt

Water from home in sealed containers (some cats refuse strange water)

Vet records and rabies certificate (paper copies)

Current medications in original prescription bottles

Microchip number and recent photo

Foldable disposable litter boxes plus a small bag of regular litter

Avoid: new toys, new food, anything that smells unfamiliar. The goal is to keep as much familiar context as possible during transit.

Frequently asked questions

How much does long distance cat transport cost?

$400 to $2,500 in 2026, depending on method. In-cabin commercial flight is cheapest at $125 to $200 each way. Cargo air runs $400 to $900 per cat. Ground pet nanny or door-to-door operator runs $1,200 to $2,200 for cross-country.

Should I sedate my cat for transport?

Almost always no for air travel. The AVMA advises against sedation for cargo flights because of cardiovascular and respiratory risk at altitude. For ground transport, gabapentin prescribed by a vet for situational anxiety can be appropriate, but standard sedatives like acepromazine are usually a poor choice.

Is ground or air transport better for cats?

Ground is usually better for cats. Cats tolerate driving stretches of 4 to 6 hours well, can be offered litter and water at every stop, and avoid the temperature, noise, and pressure stress of cargo holds. Air is faster and may be the only option for very long distances or overseas moves.

Can I take my cat in the cabin on a plane?

Yes, on most US airlines including American, United, Delta, Alaska, and Southwest. Soft-sided carriers like Sherpa or Sleepypod that fit under-seat dimensions (typically 18 x 11 x 11 inches) work for most cats. Pet fees range $95 to $200 each way.

Should I put two cats in the same carrier?

No for adult cats. Even bonded cats get stressed and may fight or contaminate the shared space. Two carriers, one cat each is the standard. Kittens from the same litter under 4 months are the exception.

How do cats handle long car trips?

Most cats handle 4 to 6 hour driving stretches well in a secure carrier with familiar bedding. Stops every 4 to 6 hours to offer water and a foldable litter box are recommended. Some cats refuse to use the box in transit and simply hold it until destination, which is normal.

What carrier should I use for a long distance cat trip?

Soft-sided Sherpa-style carrier for in-cabin flights. Hard-sided IATA-compliant kennel (size 100 or 200) for ground transport or cargo. Look for metal door latch, bolted seams, and ventilation on all four sides.

Do brachycephalic cats like Persians have special travel rules?

Yes. Persian, Himalayan, Exotic Shorthair, and Burmese cats have shortened airways and many airlines embargo them in cargo for safety reasons. In-cabin or ground transport are the only consistently safe options for these breeds.