Pet-Friendly Travel: Cars, Trains And Holidays

We don't sell pet kit, insurance or veterinary advice - we make cards, pin badges and prints in the UK. This is a plain guide, plus the card that goes with the occasion.

Travel with a pet goes wrong in small ways: a dog loose on the back seat, a cat carrier that tips, a booking that turned out to be pet-friendly only in the garden.

Sort the restraint, the paperwork and the stay before you go, and the journey itself is usually the easy part.

In the car

• The Highway Code requires animals to be suitably restrained - a crate, a boot guard or a proper crash-tested harness, not a lap.
• Feed a light meal a few hours before rather than just before leaving, and take water for every stop.
• Break every two hours for dogs; keep cats in the carrier throughout, covered with a light blanket.
• Never leave a pet in a parked car, even briefly, even with the windows cracked.

Trains, buses and ferries

• Dogs, cats and small animals travel free on UK trains, generally up to two per passenger, and dogs must be on a lead or in a carrier.
• Bus and coach rules vary by operator, so check before you turn up - many coaches only take assistance dogs.
• Ferries usually require a booked pet space, a kennel or a pet-friendly cabin, booked well ahead in summer.
• Carry a towel, a spare lead and poo bags where you can reach them, not in the case in the hold.

Going abroad

• From Great Britain to the EU your pet needs a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an animal health certificate from an official vet, issued within ten days of travel.
• Certificates are single-trip, so a summer and a Christmas trip need two of them - book the vet early.
• Dogs need tapeworm treatment before returning to Great Britain from most countries, given by a vet in a set time window.
• Check the airline's live-animal policy early; many restrict flat-faced breeds and summer cargo travel entirely.

Where you stay

• Ask what pet-friendly actually means: rooms, sizes, extra charges, and whether the pet can be left alone in the room.
• Pack the familiar things - bed, blanket, usual food and bowls - so the new place smells like home.
• Bring the vet's details, the insurance policy and the microchip number, and add a holiday tag with your mobile on it.
• If travel stresses your animal, a trusted sitter or a good cattery at home is the kinder gift you can give them.

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How to write it so it lands

• Restraint first, everything else second.
• Book the animal health certificate weeks ahead, not days.
• Familiar bed, familiar food, holiday tag with your mobile on it.

Where to shop next

• Pet first aid basics
• How to choose a pet
• New pet gift ideas
• Safe treats to give as a pet gift
• Pet gifts to avoid
• Pet gift ideas
• Pet guides
• All guides
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges

Frequently asked questions

Do I legally have to restrain my dog in the car?

The Highway Code says animals must be suitably restrained. An unrestrained pet can invalidate insurance and land you a careless driving charge.

Can dogs travel on UK trains for free?

Yes, in most cases up to two animals per passenger, on a lead or in a carrier. They cannot take a seat, so pack a blanket for the floor.

What do I need to take a pet to Europe?

A microchip, an in-date rabies vaccination and an animal health certificate issued by an official vet within ten days of travel, plus tapeworm treatment for dogs before returning.

Is it better to travel with a cat or leave them at home?

Most cats prefer home. A sitter who comes in daily, or a good cattery, is usually less stressful than a long journey.