Travelling With Your Cat in New Zealand: The Complete Guide

Most cats hate travel. Let's get that out of the way first.

Unlike dogs, who often love car rides, cats are territorial creatures. Being removed from their familiar environment, confined to a carrier, and subjected to strange sounds, smells, and motion goes against every instinct they have.

That said, 90% of cat owners have travelled with their cats by car in the past year. Sometimes you need to move house. Sometimes your cat needs specialist vet care in another city. Sometimes you're relocating and leaving them behind isn't an option.

This guide covers how to travel with cats across New Zealand—by plane, ferry, or car—with the least stress possible for everyone involved.

The Quick Version

Flying: Air New Zealand is your only domestic option. Cats travel as checked baggage ($120), not in cabin. No sedation allowed. Carrier must meet IATA standards.

Ferry: Both Interislander and Bluebridge allow cats. They can stay in your car (free) or go in a kennel ($15 on Bluebridge). Must be in a secure, ventilated cage.

Car: Safest option for most cats. Use a secured carrier, never let them roam free, stop every 2-3 hours, never leave them in a hot car. Consider anxiety medication for long trips.

Flying With Your Cat in NZ

Your Only Option: Air New Zealand

Jetstar doesn't carry pets on their NZ domestic routes. If you need to fly with your cat, Air New Zealand is it.

Cats travel as checked baggage, not in the cabin—only accredited service dogs get that privilege. You'll pay a flat fee of $120 at check-in, and the combined weight of your cat and carrier needs to stay under 60kg. Good news: you don't need vaccination records for domestic flights. The only age restriction is that kittens must be at least 8 weeks old.

Carrier Requirements

Your carrier needs to meet IATA standards, and this isn't negotiable—they'll reject non-compliant carriers at check-in, leaving you stranded.

The carrier must be hard-sided (fibreglass, metal, rigid plastic, or wood) with the top and bottom sections bolted together using metal screws. Plastic clips alone won't cut it. You need ventilation on three sides, but only in the upper portion. The floor must be solid and leak-proof with absorbent material inside, and there needs to be a water container that staff can fill from outside. Cable ties on all four door corners add extra security.

Soft-sided carriers, pop-up hatches, and entirely welded mesh construction are all no-gos.

How to Book

Book your flight first, then complete Air NZ's pet travel form with your booking reference, your cat's name and age, combined weight, and carrier dimensions. On travel day, arrive at the airport 60 minutes before departure. At major airports like Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson, or Queenstown, your cat needs to be in the carrier before you even enter the terminal.

The Sedation Question

Here's something that surprises many owners: sedation is not allowed for air travel in New Zealand.

MPI prohibits it. Sedatives affect breathing and heart rate at altitude, and a sedated animal can't brace themselves during turbulence. If your cat has severe travel anxiety, talk to your vet about non-sedative options like gabapentin or calming pheromone sprays—these work differently than heavy sedation and are generally allowed.

Coming Changes

From 11 November 2025, Air New Zealand's smaller turboprop aircraft (ATR and Q300) won't carry pets over 60kg combined weight, or carriers larger than 85cm × 66cm × 115cm. Larger pets will need to travel on jet aircraft routes via approved pet transport companies. Worth knowing if you've got a particularly big cat or you're travelling with multiple cats in one carrier.

Taking the Ferry

Crossing Cook Strait? Both ferry operators welcome cats, and honestly, ferries are often easier than flying.

Interislander

Interislander gives you a few options. The simplest is leaving your cat in your car during the crossing—it's free, and many cats actually prefer the familiar environment of the car they just spent hours in rather than being moved again.

Tell staff at check-in that you've got an animal aboard. They'll give you a hanger for your rear-view mirror so crew know to check on the vehicle deck. Your cat needs to be in a secure cage with their own water supply, and there needs to be adequate ventilation—either windows down or a crate with at least 20% of the surface area open.

If your cat's in a cage that meets standard bag sizes, you can check them in with the luggage team. They also have kennels available on the vehicle deck if you'd rather not leave your cat in the car.

Bluebridge

Bluebridge is similar. Your cat can stay in your vehicle for free, or you can book a vehicle deck kennel for $15 one way. Let them know you're travelling with a pet when you book so they can help keep your animal safe.

Making the Crossing Easy

The crossing takes about 3.5 hours, which is short enough that most cats cope fine. Feed and exercise your cat before boarding—a tired, recently-fed cat is more likely to sleep through the journey. Make sure they have water accessible. The one thing to remember: you can't visit the vehicle deck during sailing, so set everything up properly before you head upstairs to the passenger areas.

Road Trips With Your Cat

For many cats, driving is actually less stressful than flying. No strangers handling them, no cargo holds, and you're there the whole time. You've got control over temperature, noise, and when to stop.

Safety First

A loose cat in a moving car is dangerous—for them and for you. Sudden braking, a sharp turn, or a loud noise can send an unsecured cat under the pedals or through a window. VCA Hospitals recommends securing the carrier with a seatbelt or placing it on the floor behind the front seats where it can't slide around.

And it shouldn't need saying, but: never leave your cat in a hot car. Even with windows cracked, car temperatures can reach dangerous levels within minutes. If you need to stop somewhere pets aren't allowed, take turns or find a different spot.

Getting Ready

Start carrier training early—ideally a month before your trip. Leave the carrier out with the door open. Put treats inside. Feed meals in there. The goal is for your cat to see the carrier as a normal, non-threatening part of life rather than a scary box that only appears when something bad is about to happen.

Animal Humane Society suggests doing practice runs too. Short drives around the block, then slightly longer trips. Let your cat learn that car rides don't always mean the vet.

On travel day, withhold breakfast. Travelling on an empty stomach reduces the chances of nausea and vomiting. Feed a small meal when you arrive at your destination.

During the Journey

On long trips, stop every 2-3 hours. Offer water—bring some from home, because familiar-tasting water is more likely to be accepted. Give your cat a chance to use a portable litter tray if needed, though most will hold it until you arrive.

Keep the car cool and reasonably quiet. Cats have sensitive ears, so loud music isn't doing them any favours. Low background music is fine and might even help mask some of the unsettling traffic sounds.

If your cat seems distressed, don't open the carrier while you're moving. Pull over somewhere safe first. The last thing you need is a panicked cat loose in a moving vehicle.

Recognising Stress

Some stress is normal—meowing during the first few minutes of a drive is pretty standard. But watch for signs of more serious distress: excessive or continuous vocalisation, panting or drooling, attempting to escape, vomiting, refusing water at stops, or body language like dilated pupils and ears flat against the head.

Extreme or prolonged distress means you need to take more frequent breaks, try some calming techniques, or in some cases reconsider whether your cat should be making this journey at all.

Managing Travel Anxiety

Some cats are fine travellers. Most aren't. Here's what actually helps.

Without Medication

Feliway spray contains synthetic pheromones that can calm stressed cats. Spray it inside the carrier 15-30 minutes before travel—don't spray it directly on your cat. The effect is subtle but can take the edge off for moderately anxious cats.

Familiar scents help too. A blanket or towel that smells like home makes the carrier feel less alien. Some owners swear by putting an unwashed t-shirt that smells like them in with their cat.

For cats who feel more secure when they can't see everything rushing past, a light blanket draped over the carrier (leaving ventilation clear) can help. It reduces visual stimulation and creates a bit of a den-like feeling.

Thundershirts—those snug garments that apply gentle, constant pressure—work for some cats. Worth trying if your cat tolerates wearing things, though many cats find clothing itself stressful.

With Medication

If your cat's anxiety is severe, talk to your vet. The main options are gabapentin, which is commonly prescribed for mild to moderate anxiety and usually given 2-3 hours before travel; trazodone, which works for more significant stress and promotes calm without heavy sedation; and Bonqat (pregabalin), which is FDA-approved specifically for cat travel anxiety and given about 90 minutes before travel.

Whatever medication you use, always do a trial run at home before travel day. You need to know how your cat responds before you're committed to a four-hour drive or a flight you can't easily bail on.

What to Bring

Pack your carrier well in advance—IATA-compliant for flights, secure and well-ventilated for any travel. Bring water from home plus a collapsible bowl, absorbent pads for the carrier floor (accidents happen), and a small portable litter tray with a bit of litter for longer journeys.

Don't forget cleaning supplies and poop bags in case of emergencies. Bring a familiar blanket or towel, Feliway spray if you're using it, and any medications your cat takes. Pack food for your destination but don't feed during travel. And keep a recent photo of your cat on your phone—if they somehow escape in an unfamiliar place, you'll need it.

On travel day: withhold breakfast, give your cat a final litter box visit before departure, apply Feliway to the carrier, give any medication at the right time (timing matters with these drugs), secure the carrier in your vehicle, and double-check temperature and ventilation.

When Not to Travel With Your Cat

Sometimes the kindest thing is to leave your cat at home.

Consider alternatives if your cat has severe, unmanageable travel anxiety that medication doesn't touch. The same goes if they're elderly or have health conditions that make travel genuinely risky. If the trip is short and optional, or you're going somewhere pets aren't welcome anyway, why put them through it?

A quality cattery or trusted pet sitter might be far less stressful than a journey your cat will hate. Check our guide to choosing the right cattery or read about cattery vs pet sitter options.

FAQ

Can cats fly in the cabin on Air New Zealand?

No. Only accredited service dogs fly in the cabin. Cats travel as checked baggage in the cargo hold.

How much does it cost to fly with a cat in NZ?

$120 flat fee on Air New Zealand, payable at check-in. This is in addition to any excess baggage charges if your carrier exceeds your allowance.

Do I need a pet passport for domestic travel?

No. Domestic flights and ferries don't require vaccination records or health certificates. International travel is a different story—check MPI requirements.

Can I sedate my cat for flying?

No. MPI prohibits sedation for air travel. Talk to your vet about non-sedative anxiety medications like gabapentin instead.

How long can a cat travel in a car?

Cats can handle several hours with regular breaks. Stop every 2-3 hours to offer water and litter. For trips over 6 hours, consider breaking the journey with an overnight stop.

My cat screams the entire car ride. What do I do?

Some vocalisation is normal. Constant screaming suggests severe anxiety. Talk to your vet about prescription anti-anxiety medication. In the meantime, keep the car cool, play soft music, and try not to respond to every meow—it can reinforce the behaviour.

The Bottom Line

Travelling with cats isn't as straightforward as with dogs, but it's definitely doable with the right preparation.

Start carrier training early—weeks or months ahead if you can. Know your options: Air NZ for flights, both ferries are cat-friendly, and car travel gives you the most control. Have a plan for managing anxiety, whether that's pheromone sprays, familiar items, or prescription medication.

Some cats will never love travel. But with preparation, you can at least make it tolerable. Sometimes that's the best you can hope for.

You May Also Like

• Cat Stress and Boarding: What the Science Says – Understanding feline stress responses and how to minimise them.

• Cattery vs Pet Sitter: Which Is Best? – Sometimes not travelling with your cat is the right call. Here's how to choose.

• How to Choose the Right Cattery – If you're leaving your cat behind, make sure they're in good hands.

• Cat Anxiety Solutions That Actually Work – Beyond travel—managing anxiety in everyday life.

Sources

• Air New Zealand – Travelling with Pets
• Jetstar – Pet Travel Policy
• Interislander – Travelling with Pets
• Bluebridge – FAQ
• VCA Hospitals – Road Trips and Car Travel With Your Cat
• Animal Humane Society – Traveling with Your Cat
• AVMA – New Drug Calms Cats During Transportation
• Dogster – Pet Travel Statistics
• Wisemove – Flying with Pets in NZ
• Petdirect – Pet Travel in NZ