Flying with Your Dog from Harrisburg International Airport (MDT)
Harrisburg International Airport, located at 1 Terminal Drive in Middletown about 15 minutes southeast of downtown Harrisburg, serves as your main gateway for air travel with your furry companion. The airport has one terminal building with three concourses (A, B, and C) and 17 gates, with major airlines such as American Airlines, Delta, United, and Allegiant Air operating from MDT.
Major Airlines at MDT and Their Pet Policies
American Airlines is one of the primary carriers at MDT and accepts carry-on pets limited to cats and dogs that meet the size, age and destination requirements, with fully-trained service dogs able to fly in the cabin at no charge if they meet the requirements. All dogs (carry-on and checked) traveling to the U.S. must meet government regulations on vaccinations.
Delta Air Lines permits small dogs, cats and household birds to fly in the cabin in a small, ventilated pet carrier that fits under the seat in front of you. Delta recommends a soft-sided kennel with maximum dimensions of 18" x 11" x 11" (45.7 x 27.9 x 27.9cm), as this fits most aircraft.
If you're looking at budget airlines, Avelo Airlines may serve some destinations from MDT. Avelo welcomes small cats, dogs, rabbits or birds on board with hard-sided containers no larger than 17″L x 13″H x 9″W or soft containers that fit in the same space, subject to a $125 pet fare each way per pet carrier.
Getting to and from MDT with Your Dog
For ground transportation to the airport, service animals are allowed in Uber rides and drivers may not refuse a trip because of the presence of one, while for pets, it's recommended that you select the Uber Pet option when choosing your ride. The airport provides a cell-phone waiting area just a few minutes away from the terminal where drivers can park for free while waiting for passengers to arrive, and once passengers have retrieved their luggage the driver can proceed to the curbside area to pick them up.
Train Travel with Dogs: The Amtrak Challenge from Harrisburg
Here's where things get tricky for us locals. The Harrisburg Transportation Center on Aberdeen Street serves as our main train station, but there's a significant limitation for pet owners traveling with dogs.
The Keystone Service Restriction
Pets are not allowed on the Keystone Service (between New York City and Harrisburg, PA) or the Pennsylvanian (between New York City and Pittsburgh, PA). This is particularly frustrating since the Keystone Service is our primary connection to Philadelphia and New York. Dogs are prohibited on the Keystone Service between New York City and Harrisburg, PA.
General Amtrak Pet Policy
For other Amtrak routes (if you can access them from other stations), the maximum size for pet carriers is 19" long x 14" wide x 10.5" high, and for your pet's comfort and safety, it must be able to sit, lie down and remain entirely inside without touching the sides of the carrier. The combined weight of your dog and their carrier must not exceed 20 pounds.
Reservations with pets are limited to seven hours total travel time, including transfer time between trains on multiple-segment trips. There can only be a total of five animals per train, not five per car but five animals per train, meaning animal slots can fill up quickly.
Pet-Friendly Hotels in the Harrisburg Area
Whether you're staying overnight before a flight or just need accommodation while traveling, the Harrisburg area offers numerous pet-friendly options.
Airport Area Hotels
La Quinta by Wyndham Harrisburg Airport Hershey welcomes two pets of any size for an additional fee of $25 per night, plus a $100 refundable deposit, with both dogs and cats accepted, and well-behaved pets may be left in the room unattended. There is a grassy pet relief area with waste station on the property.
Unfortunately, Fairfield Inn & Suites Harrisburg International Airport does not allow dogs, so you'll need to choose a different pet friendly hotel in Middletown for your trip.
Harrisburg Area Pet-Friendly Options
Best Western Premier The Central Hotel & Conference Center is an excellent choice for guests traveling with pets, with a high review rating of 9.2, allowing pets in-room, making it easy for travelers to enjoy their stay without leaving their furry friends behind.
Baymont by Wyndham Harrisburg allows 2 pets up to 50 lbs for an additional fee of $20 per pet, per night, with both dogs and cats welcome, but pets may not be left unattended.
Red Roof Inn Harrisburg Hershey allows 1 pet up to 80 lbs for no additional fee, and 2 pets up to 80 lbs for $15 per night (not to exceed $105 per stay).
Essential Travel Preparation Tips
Health and Documentation
Before any travel, ensure your dog's vaccinations are current. To transport a pet between states, most states require that the pet have a recent Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), which indicates that the pet is clear of rabies and other infectious diseases, with each state having different rules as to when the certificate should be obtained before entering a state, but the most common time period is within 30 days before entry.
Although not mandatory in the U.S., you may want to consider getting your pet micro-chipped for their safety.
Carrier Requirements
Most airlines and Amtrak require similar carrier specifications. Pet owners must provide a pet carrier, which may be hard or soft sided but must be leak proof and well ventilated, with only one pet per carrier permitted. Practice getting your dog comfortable in the carrier well before travel day.
Airport Arrival Tips
Airlines recommend getting to the airport 3 hours early for international travel, and you can reserve a ride ahead of time to help minimize wait times. You can present completed service animal forms at the airport on the day of travel, but be sure to arrive early.
Local Resources and Pet-Friendly Spots
Pre-Travel Exercise Areas
Before heading to the airport, give your dog a good workout at one of our local spots. City Island offers beautiful walking paths along the Susquehanna River with an off-leash area. Wildwood Park on Industrial Road provides extensive trails perfect for tiring out an energetic dog before a flight.
The Capital Area Greenbelt offers miles of paved trails if you need a long walk to help your dog burn energy. Happy Tails Dog Park at Kohl Memorial Park on Fishing Creek Valley Road in Harrisburg is another excellent option for pre-travel exercise.
Emergency Veterinary Care
Keep contact information handy for emergency vet services. VCA Colonial Park Animal Hospital on Union Deposit Road and Rossmoyne Animal Emergency Trauma Center on Rossmoyne Road are both accessible from the airport area if you need last-minute health certificates or have concerns about your pet's fitness to travel.
Budget Considerations
Pet travel fees add up quickly. Airlines like Delta and United charge from $125 to transport your pet as carry-on, versus Amtrak, where pets can be carried for just $26. However, since the Keystone Service doesn't allow pets, this savings isn't available for most trips from Harrisburg.
Hotel pet fees in our area typically range from no charge (Red Roof Inn) to $50+ per night (some IHG properties), plus deposits. Factor these costs into your travel budget early.
Alternative Transportation Options
Driving as Your Best Option
Given the limitations of train travel from Harrisburg and the complexity of air travel with pets, driving often becomes the most practical option for Central PA dog owners. The PA Turnpike provides easy access to major East Coast cities, and you'll find pet-friendly rest stops throughout the system.
Private Ground Transportation
Some local pet transport services operate in the Harrisburg area, though they're primarily focused on medical transport to specialty veterinary facilities. If you need professional pet transport, search for "pet taxi" or "pet transport" services specifically serving Central PA.
If you're looking for daycare or boarding while you travel without your pet, we've had great experiences with Greenlin Pet Resorts in Camp Hill – they understand the local travel challenges dog owners face and offer flexible short-term boarding options.
Final Travel Day Tips
On travel day, arrive early regardless of your mode of transport. For flights from MDT, use the hourly parking garage if you need extra time to get your dog settled. The terminal is compact, so you won't have far to walk, but the terminal is quite large, so be sure to allow enough time to walk between gates, and the airport does offer shuttle service for passengers who require assistance getting around the terminal.
Keep your dog's routine as normal as possible – feed them at regular times, maintain their walking schedule, and bring familiar items like their favorite blanket or toy. Most importantly, stay calm yourself; dogs pick up on our stress levels and will be more relaxed if you are.
Remember that traveling with pets requires extra patience and planning, but thousands of Central PA dog owners successfully travel with their companions every year. With proper preparation and realistic expectations, you and your furry friend can have safe, successful trips from the Harrisburg area.