Retrievist / Reviews / Dog Crates / Travel-Approved Dog Crates for Out-of-Town Trips | Best Travel Dog Crates

Travel-Approved Dog Crates for Out-of-Town Trips | Best Travel Dog Crates
Portable dog crates are great for dogs that frequently travel with their humans. These crates are lightweight, foldable, and well ventilated, making them perfect for travel. The main attributes to look for when purchasing a portable dog crate are durability, weight, and ease of assembly.
To help you purchase the right crate for your dog, we researched hundreds of reviews and spoke to more than one dozen dog owners. Here are the portable crates we recommend.
- Big enough
- Comfortable
- Well made
- Lightweight
Appropriate for outdoor and indoor use, this soft dog crate is lightweight and durable, made with tough, waterproof fabric. The travel crate makes a great home for your dog while you're on the road. The mesh roof and sides help with ventilation and are mosquito proof. It has rollup window covers and is easy to set up.
With sizes small to xx-la...
With sizes small to xx-large, there is a size that will work for most dogs. The pet owners who purchased this crate gave an average rating of 4.1-out-of-5 stars.
Any dog on the go will love being confined in this comfortable crate.
What Humans Love:Made out of waterproof material, this crate is perfect for both camping and training.
Appropriate for outdoor and indoor use, this soft dog crate is lightweight and durable, made with tough, waterproof fabr...
With sizes small to xx-large, there is a size that will work for most dogs. The pet owners who purchased this crate gave an average rating of 4.1-out-of-5 stars.
- Comfortable
- Soft sides
- Great for travel
- Affordable
If you're in search of a great portable dog crate, but don't want to break your budget, check out our pick for the best budget portable dog crate. This soft-sided crate is lightweight, pops open, and folds down flat, so it’s great for traveling. Along with being affordable, it has a removable and washable pad, is waterproof, and includes seatbelt straps.
With more than 460 reviews, this product has a 4.2-star average rating on Amazon. However, the crate comes in one size, which is only suitable for small dogs.
This soft-sided crate is a cozy place for privacy.
What Humans Love:The kennel has a removable and washable pad and is waterproof.
If you're in search of a great portable dog crate, but don't want to break your budget, check out our pick for the best ...
With more than 460 reviews, this product has a 4.2-star average rating on Amazon. However, the crate comes in one size, which is only suitable for small dogs.
- Comfortable
- Top opening
- Well made
- Durable
- Looks nice
If you're in the market for a portable dog bed that will last, consider purchasing this one — Petsfit Portable Pop Up Pet Cage. While this crate is easy to carry and set up, it's also durable and secure. It is perfect for travel because a seatbelt goes through the back strap to fasten into a car. Made with mesh windows and a removable mat, this crate is we...
This crate is made for small dogs only -- up to 28 pounds. Given the velcro-closed top, the manufacturer warns: “If your dog is active, it is easy for him/her to escape.” More than 540 reviewers gave it an average of 4.5 stars on Amazon.
A rooftop opening and mesh windows means dogs have more visibility.
What Humans Love:This sleek-looking crate with three different color options will fit right in with any decor.
If you're in the market for a portable dog bed that will last, consider purchasing this one — Petsfit Portable Pop Up ...
This crate is made for small dogs only -- up to 28 pounds. Given the velcro-closed top, the manufacturer warns: “If your dog is active, it is easy for him/her to escape.” More than 540 reviewers gave it an average of 4.5 stars on Amazon.
- Well made
- Plenty of room
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight
Another crate to consider that is great for travel is this foldable and lightweight, soft JESPET dog crate. Made with durable, washable fabric and mesh sides, this portable crate is usable inside and outdoors. The collapsible bars make it easy to assemble, and the crate comes with a fleece bed that provides comfort for your dog. It’s also well ventilated a...
The crate comes in three sizes, with the largest being 36-by-24-by-27 inches. The more than 300 individuals who left reviews on Amazon gave an average rating of 4.3 stars.
- Easy to assemble
- Lightweight
- Well made
- Plenty of room
Another crate to consider that is great for travel is this foldable and lightweight, soft JESPET dog crate. Made with du...
The crate comes in three sizes, with the largest being 36-by-24-by-27 inches. The more than 300 individuals who left reviews on Amazon gave an average rating of 4.3 stars.
- Plenty of room
- Well ventilated
- Well made
- Easy to carry
- Good value
If you have a small-to-medium-size dog, you may want to consider this foldable travel carrier. While it comes in medium and large, it's important to note it can only hold up to 20 pounds. Made with mesh sides, padded shoulder straps, and self-locking zippers, this portable crate has great ventilation and is easy to clean. It is airline-approved (but always c...
More than 800 reviewers gave this crate a high 4.7-star rating on Amazon.
- Well made
- Easy to carry
- Good value
- Plenty of room
- Well ventilated
If you have a small-to-medium-size dog, you may want to consider this foldable travel carrier. While it comes in medium ...
More than 800 reviewers gave this crate a high 4.7-star rating on Amazon.
- Great ventilation
- Comfortable
- Great for travel
- Foldable
Another great option is the X-Zone Pet 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate. The soft crate is portable and is usable indoors and outside. It comes with self-locking zippers, can be assembled in seconds with no additional tools, and can be attached to a car seatbelt.
Coming in one size of 28 inches, this crate is ideal for small and medium-sized dogs...
Coming in one size of 28 inches, this crate is ideal for small and medium-sized dogs no bigger than 40 pounds and already crate trained. With more than 150 reviews on Amazon, the crate has a 4.3-out-of-5-star rating.
- Great for travel
- Foldable
- Great ventilation
- Comfortable
Another great option is the X-Zone Pet 3-Door Folding Soft Dog Crate. The soft crate is portable and is usable indoors a...
Coming in one size of 28 inches, this crate is ideal for small and medium-sized dogs no bigger than 40 pounds and already crate trained. With more than 150 reviews on Amazon, the crate has a 4.3-out-of-5-star rating.
- Room to move around
- Soft crate
- Well made
- Lightweight
- Easy to assemble
If you're searching for a crate that's usable both indoors and outside, you should check out the Petsfit Travel Pet Home. This crate's two doors may be rolled up for comfort. Along with being lightweight and sturdy, the soft inside pad is removable and washable.
Coming in three sizes, this crate is made for small and medium-sized dogs. One re...
Coming in three sizes, this crate is made for small and medium-sized dogs. One reviewer said it is best used if your dog is crate trained or you are supervising, because a strong dog might be able to break through. More than 540 individuals reviewers on Amazon gave an average of 4.3 stars.
- Well made
- Lightweight
- Easy to assemble
- Room to move around
- Soft crate
If you're searching for a crate that's usable both indoors and outside, you should check out the Petsfit Travel Pet Home...
Coming in three sizes, this crate is made for small and medium-sized dogs. One reviewer said it is best used if your dog is crate trained or you are supervising, because a strong dog might be able to break through. More than 540 individuals reviewers on Amazon gave an average of 4.3 stars.
- Great ventilation
- Plenty of room
- Well made
- Easy to assemble and to fold
This crate is portable, great for both indoor and outdoor use for short outings, and perfect for traveling. Made with tightly woven mesh fabric and a strong steel frame, it is lightweight and secure. The crate can be assembled in seconds and doesn't require additional tools.
This travel crate comes in four sizes — 24-to-36 inches, with the l...
This travel crate comes in four sizes — 24-to-36 inches, with the largest fitting dogs up to 70 pounds that are crate trained and supervised. With almost 6,000 reviews and a 4-out-of-5-star rating, you can rest assured knowing this crate is dog tested and comes highly recommended.
- Well made
- Easy to assemble and to fold
- Great ventilation
- Plenty of room
This crate is portable, great for both indoor and outdoor use for short outings, and perfect for traveling. Made with ti...
This travel crate comes in four sizes — 24-to-36 inches, with the largest fitting dogs up to 70 pounds that are crate trained and supervised. With almost 6,000 reviews and a 4-out-of-5-star rating, you can rest assured knowing this crate is dog tested and comes highly recommended.
- Plenty of room
- Good ventilation
- Comfortable
- Great for travel
- Well made
- Sturdy
This lightweight travel carrier has built-in straps to help safely connect to seatbelts. Along with easy setup, the crate can fold flat, which makes it great for storage and travel. It comes with a removable and washable pad. You may use this portable crate in several formations, including connecting two divided compartments, using as one big space, or by de...
The more than 140 individuals who left reviews on Amazon gave an average rating of 4.7 stars.
- Great for travel
- Well made
- Sturdy
- Plenty of room
- Good ventilation
- Comfortable
This lightweight travel carrier has built-in straps to help safely connect to seatbelts. Along with easy setup, the crat...
The more than 140 individuals who left reviews on Amazon gave an average rating of 4.7 stars.
- Super soft poly-foam lining
- Feeling secure
- Well made
- Easy to clean
- Quick assembly
This is technically not a crate, but the Portable Indoor Pet House is easy to take along and make a comfortable place for your dog to settle down indoors when you travel. This pet house is simple to assemble, super soft and cushioned for your dog, and machine washable. It includes a pillow that's great for dogs who love to burrow and cuddle.
T...
The pet house is offered in three colors, however it only comes in one size: 16-by-16-by-14 inches for small dogs. The more than 800 individuals who left reviews on Amazon gave an average of 4.1 stars.
- Well made
- Easy to clean
- Quick assembly
- Super soft poly-foam lining
- Feeling secure
This is technically not a crate, but the Portable Indoor Pet House is easy to take along and make a comfortable place fo...
The pet house is offered in three colors, however it only comes in one size: 16-by-16-by-14 inches for small dogs. The more than 800 individuals who left reviews on Amazon gave an average of 4.1 stars.
What Is Special About Travel Dog Crates?
Travel dog crates are designed so you can easily travel with your dog and make them comfortable when you do. Most travel dog crates are easy to clean, well ventilated, and secure. These lightweight crates are also easy to assemble. Many travel crates are made with mesh and can be used indoors and outdoors.
While you have many crates to choose from, you'll want to consider what type of traveling you plan to do. If you plan to take your dog on a plane, make sure to purchase one that's airline approved. If you’re traveling by car, look for one that secures to a seatbelt.
Yes, many travel dog crates are soft. Many have mesh openings for good air circulation and inside pads to add comfort.
Yes. Many dog crates are foldable, including travel dog crates and wire crates.