A guide to dog-friendly travel in Europe
Anna Storsul
Travelling across the UK and Europe with your dog is an almighty adventure for the two of you – and it’s not as complicated as it might first seem. Over the last four years, I’ve travelled throughout the UK and western Europe in pursuit of the best dog-friendly holidays for my guidebooks – Dog Days Out, Dog-Friendly Weekends and the upcoming Dog-Friendly Europe. During that time, with my Manchester Terrier Arty by my side, I’ve discovered a wider world beyond Britain where dogs are welcomed into hotels, museums, national parks and, of course, on trains.
Seeing the world through your dog’s eyes is a real joy – while you won’t always be able to go to the local art galleries or museums, you’ll find your experiences feel richer for having the dog by your side. Whether it’s watching your dog zoom on the beach for the first time, or a conversation with a local that wouldn’t have otherwise happened, there are myriad ways having a pet-friendly holiday can elevate your adventures. Here’s what you need to know about taking your pet on a dog-friendly holiday in Europe.
Marcin Jozwiak
FAQs about dog-friendly holidays in Europe
Does your dog need a passport to travel from the UK to Europe?
The UK is no longer able to issue EU passports for dogs travelling to the European continent or Ireland. This scheme has been replaced by the Animal Health Certificate (AHC) which must be completed by a veterinarian in the 10 days before you arrive in Europe. This can cost between £100 and £200 depending on your vet. Your dog also needs an up-to-date rabies vaccination (given at least 21 days before travelling to the EU), and when returning to the UK they will need a worming treatment given by a veterinarian no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours prior to arrival in the UK.
The cost of the worming treatment varies between 15 EUR and 100 EUR depending on the vet; a useful map of EU travel-friendly vets across Europe can be found here. If your dog already has an EU-issued passport, it’s perfectly valid for travel between the UK and Europe providing their rabies jabs are up to date. Dogs travelling on an EU passport are also still required to follow the worming treatment rules prior to arrival in the UK.
How do I travel across the Channel with my dog?
Going car-free into Europe with a dog limits your options somewhat, as Eurostar doesn’t allow pets on its trains. But there are some excellent services out there that can help you cross the Channel with your dog. The best and easiest way to get across the Channel is on LePet Express, a minibus service that makes use of the LeShuttle trains in the Channel Tunnel. You’ll be collected from Ashford International station by a minibus with dog crates on one side and single seats on the other so you can sit next to your pet, then driven onto the LeShuttle service before being dropped off in France at Calais Frethun station.
When going car-free, you can also take your dog on some of the ferries from the UK to Europe: Stenaline’s Harwich to the Hook of Holland service is a pleasant sleeper ferry with dog-friendly cabins, and you can also travel with DFDS from Newcastle to Amsterdam overnight in dog-friendly cabins, too.
There are also pet taxi firms that offer cab rides on the LeShuttle service. These are often expensive and booked up in advance.
Are dogs allowed on the train in Europe?
For the most part, dogs are generally accepted on trains throughout Europe, but there are some occasional exceptions and some rules that must be followed. Each European rail operator has different rules around dogs, whether they need to be in carries or wear a muzzle, and whether they need a ticket.
Dogs on trains in France
SNCF allows all dogs provided they’re in a carrier (maximum size: 45cm x 30cm x 25cm) if under 6kg or wearing a muzzle and on a lead if over 6kg.
Dogs on the train need their own ticket on all French trains and the cost tends to be around 50% of your own ticket.
Dogs on trains in the Netherlands:
Dogs can travel on all trains on a lead or in a carrier and there’s no requirement for a muzzle.
The dog ticket (or “dagkaart hond”) is approximately 3.30 EUR for the entire day’s travel.
Dogs on trains in Italy:
Italy has several different rail providers and each has different rules:
Trenitalia has rules around muzzles, carriers and leads, as well as ticket fees between 1 EUR and 5 EUR.
Italo allows dogs on the train for a fee without restrictions.
Trenord has time restrictions on when dogs can board trains.
john crozier
Is my dog allowed to sit on my lap or on seats on the train?
Generally, it’s always best (and polite) to have your dog on the floor by your feet when on your dog-friendly train holiday in Europe. Different train operators will have different rules (see above) for how dogs must travel in their carriages. Some smaller dogs may be permitted to sit on your lap where appropriate, but it’s always best to ask the person you’re sitting next to before assuming this is fine. Dogs should never be allowed to sit on the seats on trains in Europe for hygiene and allergen reasons.
5. Are dogs allowed on the ferry?
Yes, dogs are allowed on several ferries from the UK to Europe. Most operators have provisions for dogs on ferries, but for car-free passengers there are only two which allow dogs to travel with foot passengers. The best option is often the Harwich to Hook of Holland service by Stenaline, which has dog-friendly cabins – dog owners are often allowed off the ferry first on arrival, too, which means no queues at passport control. There is also a DFDS service running between Newcastle and Amsterdam with dog-friendly cabins. On both services, dogs are allowed to exercise and toilet while on a lead on the outdoor pet deck, but they’re not allowed in the public areas of the ship. Meals in the restaurant can be brought to your cabin so you don’t have to leave the dog alone for extended periods.
Top dog-friendly holidays in Europe
In my experience, Europe is a pretty dog-welcoming continent and there are some epic adventures to be had on your pet-friendly holiday. Here are three exciting dog-friendly holiday itineraries bookable with Byway:
Cities, cycling and beaches in the Netherlands
The Netherlands might be more famous for its feline residents, but there are plenty of dogs in this coastal country, too, and travelling by train here is easy and exciting. This trip begins with an overnight cruise across the sea to reach the Hook of Holland, where you can explore vast sandy beaches before heading into dynamic Rotterdam. Day trips to Gouda – for cheese and its quaint medieval centre – are a must, and hiring a bike is the best way to see the multicultural metropolis that is the Hague. A couple of nights in hip Haarlem offers a chance to spend a day in Amsterdam or explore Zuid-Kennemerland National Park, and a sedate cruise over the sea to finish is the perfect way to end your dog-friendly holiday before returning home. Enquire here.
Coast, castles and wine country in France
The French truly love their dogs – and they’ll love meeting yours, too. Take this trip for an adventure that spans the coastline of Pas de Calais before shooting down to the Touriane Loire region, where food tours of Tours are dog-friendly, plenty of the châteaux will welcome your pet inside and on their majestic grounds – including iconic Chenonceau – and there are vineyards galore to explore by bikes with a dog trailer in tow. Who needs Champagne when there’s Vouvray to sip? Enquire here.
Adventuring in Northern Italy
Whizzing across the continent via coastal Calais and regal Geneva, this trip takes you to the heart of Northern Italy in just a few days. When here, you’ll discover a country that is dog obsessed. Not only are they often allowed inside restaurants and shops, there are even supermarkets that allow dogs inside in Italy. Once you reach Milan, myriad adventures await, from city stomping around this chic urban sprawl to exciting trips further into Italy by car or train. Try a beach break in Venice to a road trip around the wineries of Valpolicella east of Lake Garda. Or head up into the mountains to explore the Dolomites around Bolzano, where ancient history and epic scenery meet, and the dog will enjoy hiking the miles of mountain trails. Enquire here.
So, should you take your dog on a train trip around Europe?
One of the greatest joys of slow travel lies in being able to take your dog along for the ride, too, so yes – everyone should try a dog-friendly holiday in Europe at least once. With a little extra paperwork and some clever planning, an adventure on the continent is the perfect way to strengthen the bond you have with your pet.