If you have ever been curious about traveling to France with your dog from the United Kingdom, then you’re in the right spot!
There are many different ways to get across the English channel and then once you get there you can enjoy croissants and all the best food and culture that France has to offer, all alongside your furry friend.
You might already know how dog-friendly France can be. Many parks, castles, shops, cafes and restaurants allow dogs. The French truly love their canine companions and there’s so much to explore within this beautiful country.
Of course, before I talk about the various ways of traveling to France, just know that you need to meet certain requirements before traveling to the European Union with your dog.
In short, your dog will need to be microchipped, which they very likely already are, they will also need a rabies vaccination, then wait at least 21 days after the vaccine is given to them (your vet will be able to tell you a more accurate waiting period).
After that, then you will need to obtain a travel document – in most cases this will be the Animal Health Certificate, however you may already have an EU-issued pet passport, which will also work if you happen to be an EU resident, and as long as the rabies vaccination is still valid from when it was filled in by an EU vet. Earlier this month, a loophole that previously saw Great Britain residents use EU pet passports to travel to the EU with their pets has now closed.
Once you have all of these done, double check with your vet that your dog is ready for travel to the European Union.
Obviously, you will need to plan your travel in advance, but let’s talk about the different ways of getting there.
By car
If you have a car, this is probably the simplest and most common method as you have access to a wide variety of routes and transport.
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Ferry via car transport
If you have done all the documentation needed to take your dog to France, then check to make sure your car is ready and able to drive in the EU. Once you have done this, you can then a book a ferry that will take your car (along with you and your dog, of course) from the UK to France.
Several ferry companies provide transport from the UK to France. You should book in advance due to the documents and checks needed for pet travel.
Avoid taking ferries during the hot summer days, or travel during the early morning or cool evenings if you must.
On many of these ferries, you might need to bring a muzzle, similar to certain public transport requirements across France. In fact, bring one anyway, even if you don’t think you need one, no matter which ferry you might take. There’s tons of options out there, including the slip-on ones that are made from fabric, nylon or mesh.
Always make sure you have your dog on a lead if you are boarding the ferry.
Okay, now let’s break it down by ferry companies that travel from UK to France.
Brittany Ferries
The UK to France routes include:
- Portsmouth to Caen
- Portsmouth to Cherbourg
- Portsmouth to Le Havre
- Portsmouth to St Malo
- Poole to Cherbourg
- Plymouth to Roscoff
Certain routes allow for the option of your pet either staying in the car, in a kennel or even in a pet friendly cabin. However, do check ahead of time to see if that particular ferry you plan to book allows access to these options.
DFDS Ferries
- Dover to Dunkirk
- Dover to Calais
- Newhaven to Dieppe
The Newhaven to Dieppe ferry features pet-friendly cabins and kennels, which should be booked in advance. On all routes you can leave your dog in the car. I usually do so with a stable bowl of water nearby and make sure they are as comfortable in the car as possible.
P&O Ferries
- Dover to Calais
The Dover to Calais ferry features a pet friendly lounge. When you are booking the ferry, make sure to add the pet lounge entry option. Make sure to have your dog’s lead with them.
Irish Ferries
- Dover to Calais
Irish Ferries now features a dedicated ‘pet den’ onboard certain vessels. You must keep them on a lead or a carrier. There are other rules within the ferry, such as cleaning up after your dog and keeping barking to a minimum. Check with the website for more.
More details
In general, when taking a ferry, make sure to include as much information in the booking about your dog, including their certificate or passport information, etc. Always make sure to have a lead when bringing them onboard the ferry.
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Car via the LeShuttle
The LeShuttle is by far the quickest way to get to France from the UK by vehicle as you can get from Folkestone, UK to Calais in about 35 minutes. You and your dog can stay in your vehicle as it crosses through the English channel. Prior to boarding, there are even exercise areas at the terminal for your dog. You will need to check in your dog at the pet reception centre when checking in.
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Ride sharing
Technically, with this method, you will also use on of the two ways we mentioned above. Sites such as BlaBlaCar give you options similar to a carpool. If you find someone who is driving via ferry or the tunnel, you can pay for a seat in their car, however you must notify them of their dog and it’s your responsibility to make sure you carry all of the documents and do the check-in procedures correctly for either the ferry or the LeShuttle.
By foot
Did you know you can travel to France as a foot passenger and with a dog? This means you don’t have to have a car with you, however, there are still options.
As you know, there is no bridge connecting us from England to France, but there are a couple of different ways to get there without a car.
- Ferry as a foot passenger via Newhaven to Dieppe via DFDS. Your dog will stay in a kennel or a pet friendly cabin, which must be booked in advance.
This is the only ferry now that allows pets as a foot passenger as sadly, most Dover to Calais routes will not accept foot passengers with dogs.
- LeShuttle via a pet taxi service. To get the best rates, make sure you plan this in advance. Also, make sure all of your dog’s paperwork is ready and official and you must do the check-in procedures properly and you will have to stay in the taxi for the duration of the roughly 35-minute journey. There are a few taxi services out there, but be sure to do your research on which ones are the most trusted, well-reviewed and well-regarded taxi services.
These pet taxi services can operate via a car or even a shuttle service. Here you can travel alongside your dog from the UK all the way to France.
Guide dogs
One of the easiest ways that humans can travel from the UK to France is via the Eurostar train. Unfortunately, at the moment, pet dogs are not allowed.
The Eurostar only allows for guide and assistance dogs to travel so unless your dog is one of these, then the Eurostar will not be an option for you.
The official website states that in order to travel with a guide or assistance animal on a train to and from London, it requests that customers contact the company at least 24 hours before departure and then book a space for your beloved companions. It adds that there is no charge for the guide and assistance animal’s ticket.
“It is important that customers contact us at least 24 hours before they travel and declare the intention to travel with a guide or assistance dog or assistance cat and to make the dog or cat’s booking,” the Eurostar website states.
Additionally, guide dogs have all the same options I mentioned in this list available to them. They may also have access to certain areas that pet dogs may not, however it’s important to let the ferry operator know that you are bringing a guide or assistance dog with you.
You might also have other options such as flying, but do check with the airline and make sure you inform them that you have a guide dog so they can check all the necessary paperwork and make accommodations for your guide dog.
Other methods
There are a few other less common ways to travel to France from the UK.
Airplane
Traveling by plane is possible, but complicated, however I thought I would mention it as some airlines might allow your dog to fly. The airlines might have their own limitations on size and weight and there could be additional rules for dogs flying in cabins or as cargo.
To travel to France, most would prefer the Ferry as it’s less complicated. I would also recommend ferry or the LeShuttle.
As I mentioned, if you have a guide dog, you will have the option to fly with your dog, but do check with the airline and make sure you inform the airline with plenty of time ahead of your flight.
Another option is a chartered flight, or a private plane, so you can travel with your dog in the cabin. These will of course, be expensive, so be sure to check which companies charter pet-friendly flights and you might even have the option to share a chartered flight, thereby sharing the costs of a private plane. You will, of course, still have to have all of your dog’s current documentation.
Private boat
Did you know that France technically allows you to travel in their country from the UK by private boat? Just make sure you have all of your dog’s proper and up-to-date documentation which could be a pet passport or Animal Health Certificate.
According to the French government, authorities do not impose any particular routes for the entry of pets into France. Private transport (boats or other) is permitted. Just make sure you have all of the correct documentation when traveling to a port of entry.
Once you get to France, you will discover how pet friendly how pet friendly the culture is, and if it’s your first time visiting with your dog, Bienvenue ! Enjoy the country and hope you manage to build many wonderful memories alongside your dog.
