Trying to plan a pet friendly vacation can be about as stressful as the thought of leaving your beloved pooch at home. For many people, pets are basically part of the family so it makes sense that when vacation time rolls around, they want to bring their furry friends along, too. But once you know you want Fido to come with you on your trip to the beach, a whole host of other questions might arise. Should you drive? Can you fly? Where should you stay? Will you have to camp? But don't worry too much; we've got your back. Read on to get our tips for planning the perfect pet friendly vacation:

Pet Friendly Hotels

Finding a pet friendly hotel isn't nearly as tough as you might think if you're willing to be a little bit flexible and pay a nominal fee. Most hotel websites make it pretty clear if pets are okay, but if you're unsure it can't hurt to call ahead and ask. Just remember that you'll likely have to pay anywhere from $15 per night to a flat $50 fee, depending on the hotel.

In fact, there are plenty of hotels on Groupon that are good for pets. Check out this list of some of our Best of Groupon 2017 properties that'll welcome Fido and Spot with open arms:

• The Gregory Hotel | Manhattan, NY
• Horse Creek Resort and Marina | Hill City, SD
• The Stanley Hotel | Estes Park, CO
• Town and Country | San Diego, CA
• Hotel RL Baltimore Inner Harbour | Baltimore
• Top Secret Hotel | New Orleans, LA

Getting There

After where you'll stay, how to get there (wherever "there" might be) is the biggest question for pet owners that want to bring their companions. If you're traveling with your pooch, you're probably driving for convenience's sake. But what should you know before strapping in and hitting the road? What if you want to fly with a dog? Do you keep them in the cabin or with the cargo? Here's a breakdown of both options:

Driving

• Keep pets in the back seat or storage area. Front seat airbags can be dangerous for animals.
• Use a road trip planner (like this one from Go Pet Friendly) to plot out stops in pet-friendly areas on the way.
• Get a harness or kennel for your animal during the trip to keep them safe on the ride.
• If your dog is plauged by motion sickness, it might really just be anxiety. Try taking them on short trips around town reguarly to get them used to it.

Flying

• Only the smallest pups can ride in the cabin with you, and they'll need to fit in a kennel under the seat in front of you.
• Make sure the crate is small enough to fit under the seat in front of you, while large enough to allow your pet to stand up and turn around.
• Airlines have varying limits on how many pets per plane can ride on the flight so book early and call ahead to play it safe.
• Larger dogs are restricted to flying in the cargo hold, which has its own risks. It can be dangerous if you have a brachycephalic breed (i.e. pugs, bulldogs, chow chows). Research the airline carefully before flying and consult with your vet!
• Expect to payaround $95–125 each way to fly with your pet.