The choice of transport for a trip with a pet is often a matter of habit: if you usually fly, you book a flight. But if your pet is large, doesn’t cope well with confined spaces, or the journey isn’t very long, another option may turn out to be more convenient and calmer.
Veterinary requirements for crossing the border usually don’t depend on the type of transport: they’re set by the destination country. Transport rules, logistics and your pet’s comfort, however, differ considerably. What follows is general information.
Plane
Flying is the fastest way to cover a long distance, but also the most regulated. Each airline has its own rules: weight limits for the cabin, carrier requirements, breed restrictions and seasonal bans on travel in the hold during hot weather.
- Pros: short travel time, especially over long distances.
- Cons: limited places for animals, airport stress, separation if your pet travels in the hold.
- Best for: small animals in the cabin and healthy dogs used to a crate.
Train
Train travel is often calmer for a pet: the owner is close by, the motion is smooth and there are no pressure changes. However, rules vary a lot between rail companies: some only allow animals in certain carriages or compartments, others require you to buy a separate seat.
On international trains, border control usually takes place right in the carriage. Keep your pet’s documents to hand — you may be asked for them along with your own.
The downsides of trains are the limited reach of international routes and connections that aren’t always convenient. Before buying tickets, check the rules of every carrier on your itinerary: where the rail networks of different countries meet, the conditions for travelling with animals may change.
Car
Your own car gives you the most freedom: you can stop whenever you need, take more luggage and not depend on a carrier’s rules. It’s a popular choice when moving with a large dog or several pets.
Crossing the border by car
At road border crossings, veterinary checks can be organised in different ways. In a number of countries, animals may only be brought in through certain crossings that have a veterinary service. This is worth checking when you plan your trip.
- Transport your pet in a secured carrier or in a harness clipped to a car seat belt.
- Never leave your pet in the car in the sun, even briefly.
- Plan stops every few hours.
- Find pet-friendly hotels along the way.
Ferry
Ferry crossings handle pets in different ways: the animal stays in the car on the vehicle deck, travels in special kennels on board, or is allowed in cabins set aside for passengers with pets. There are usually only a few such cabins, so check availability with the carrier when booking.
On long crossings, check whether you can go down to the vehicle deck during the voyage to see your pet. Some carriers close access for the entire crossing.
If your pet stays in the car, leave the windows slightly open for ventilation, fix a water bowl in place and don’t feed a big meal before boarding. Rough seas are easier on an empty stomach. On arrival at the port, veterinary checks usually take place together with border control, so keep your pet’s documents in the car with you, not in the boot.
Travel time and your pet’s wellbeing
When comparing options, it helps to count not only the hours on the road but how your pet spends them. A flight may take three hours, but with the trip to the airport, check-in and baggage reclaim, your pet will spend much longer in the carrier. A train journey is longer, but the owner is close by the whole time.
Dogs that need a lot of exercise find long periods in a crate hard, and cats struggle with constantly changing surroundings, stops and new smells. Older pets and those with chronic conditions are usually best suited to an option that lets you keep an eye on them and take a break if needed.
- Count the total time in the carrier, not just the time on the move.
- Consider the weather: summer heat and winter cold affect every type of transport.
- Think about where you’ll be able to give your pet water and walk your dog.
- Consider whether you’ll be able to see your pet on the way and help if needed.
Sometimes it makes sense to split a long journey over two days with an overnight stay at a pet-friendly hotel. This makes the trip longer but noticeably reduces the strain on your pet.
How to decide
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but a few questions help narrow down the options.
- How much does your pet weigh, and will it fit in the aircraft cabin together with its carrier?
- How does your pet cope with long journeys and confined spaces?
- How many pets are travelling, and how many people are going with them?
- Are there direct flights or convenient trains for your journey?
- How important is speed compared with your pet’s comfort?
Sometimes the best option is a combination — for example, a train to a major city, then a direct flight from there. The key is to check the rules for every leg of the journey before buying tickets.
Requirements depend on the destination country, the type of animal and the travel date. Please check transport conditions with your airline or transport company.