Traveling from the UK to Italy with a dog (no flights)
Nov 30th, 2014, 08:21 AM
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Traveling from the UK to Italy with a dog (no flights)
Hello everyone,
I hope you can help me resolve a travel planning problem. We are relocating to Italy and are looking for a way to transport our 10 lb dog from Southhamton, UK to Florence, Italy. We adopted our dog from a shelter and he has always had some hyperactivity and fear of confined spaces issues that we haven't been able to resolve. For that reason flying is not an option for us, as he would need to be able to sit quietly in a cage at our feet-we have tried, it just won't work. We are looking for options via cruise/ferry/car rental/train.
The quickest trans-channel option, the Eurostar train from London to Paris does not accept dogs (unless they are certified companion dogs). That would have been the best way since Paris has great train connections to Italy.
Has anyone used an alternative train route from th UK to France, Belgium or Germany with a dog?
Has anyone rented a car one way from London to mainland Europe (Germany, Belgium, France, etc.) - is that an option at all?
Renting a car one way would be great because when you cross the channel by ferry in your own car, the dog is allowed to stay with you. If you are an on foot passenger, it seems that only the London to Amsterdam ferry accommodates dogs (puts them in kennels for the duration of the crossing though). This would be our last resort option, but we are looking for other ones.
We are really stuck with our planning, so we are very much looking forward to your advice
Thank you!
I hope you can help me resolve a travel planning problem. We are relocating to Italy and are looking for a way to transport our 10 lb dog from Southhamton, UK to Florence, Italy. We adopted our dog from a shelter and he has always had some hyperactivity and fear of confined spaces issues that we haven't been able to resolve. For that reason flying is not an option for us, as he would need to be able to sit quietly in a cage at our feet-we have tried, it just won't work. We are looking for options via cruise/ferry/car rental/train.
The quickest trans-channel option, the Eurostar train from London to Paris does not accept dogs (unless they are certified companion dogs). That would have been the best way since Paris has great train connections to Italy.
Has anyone used an alternative train route from th UK to France, Belgium or Germany with a dog?
Has anyone rented a car one way from London to mainland Europe (Germany, Belgium, France, etc.) - is that an option at all?
Renting a car one way would be great because when you cross the channel by ferry in your own car, the dog is allowed to stay with you. If you are an on foot passenger, it seems that only the London to Amsterdam ferry accommodates dogs (puts them in kennels for the duration of the crossing though). This would be our last resort option, but we are looking for other ones.
We are really stuck with our planning, so we are very much looking forward to your advice
Thank you!
Nov 30th, 2014, 08:37 AM
#2
polly, we haven't done it ourselves but a number of our german guests have brought their dogs with them; the ferry from Calais to Dover seems to be the favourite route. You'll need all the necessary docs of course - i think that you need to have a number of vaccinations [the dog, not you] and a vet's cert so many hours prior to the ferry journey.
as for using a hire car for this purpose, I can't see why not though there might be a problem with the insurance. You'd need to buy a crate for the dog for the car [a small one by the sound of it] but that would be a minimal amount and presumably you could use it in whatever vehicle you purchase in Italy.
how lovely to be relocating to Florence - would you consider starting a thread about your great adventure?
buona fortuna, anyway.
as for using a hire car for this purpose, I can't see why not though there might be a problem with the insurance. You'd need to buy a crate for the dog for the car [a small one by the sound of it] but that would be a minimal amount and presumably you could use it in whatever vehicle you purchase in Italy.
how lovely to be relocating to Florence - would you consider starting a thread about your great adventure?
buona fortuna, anyway.
Nov 30th, 2014, 08:41 AM
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Well there are steep drop-off charges often for renting in the UK a right-hand drive vehicle and dropping it off in Italy.
You could take the pooch on the ferries to France and then go by rail but it would take more than one day - there is an overnight train Paris to Milan/Venice but not sure about dogs on trains like that.
I think a car is the only choice and have someone maybe drive it back to the UK and then fly to Italy if drop-off charges are so great as usual for picking up in UK and returning in Italy.
for train info I always spotlight these IMo superb sites for planning - not sure if they cover dogs on trains - I've seen them often on French trains but not sure they are technically allowed - any for general info on trains and overnight trains: www.seat61.com - written by an English bloke so he may have some canine info); www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. Book French tickets at www.voyages-sncf.com or www.capitainetrain.com - book well in advance and get some nifty discounts but check conditions - often no changes nor refunds allowed and as those tickets are sold in limited numbers to guarantee should be booked weeks ahead of time.
Calais-Ville to Paris and then Paris to Italy - would be ideal if you could stay over one night in Paris - lots of hotels near the Gare du (de) Lyon - station from where trains to Italy depart.
You could take the pooch on the ferries to France and then go by rail but it would take more than one day - there is an overnight train Paris to Milan/Venice but not sure about dogs on trains like that.
I think a car is the only choice and have someone maybe drive it back to the UK and then fly to Italy if drop-off charges are so great as usual for picking up in UK and returning in Italy.
for train info I always spotlight these IMo superb sites for planning - not sure if they cover dogs on trains - I've seen them often on French trains but not sure they are technically allowed - any for general info on trains and overnight trains: www.seat61.com - written by an English bloke so he may have some canine info); www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com. Book French tickets at www.voyages-sncf.com or www.capitainetrain.com - book well in advance and get some nifty discounts but check conditions - often no changes nor refunds allowed and as those tickets are sold in limited numbers to guarantee should be booked weeks ahead of time.
Calais-Ville to Paris and then Paris to Italy - would be ideal if you could stay over one night in Paris - lots of hotels near the Gare du (de) Lyon - station from where trains to Italy depart.
Nov 30th, 2014, 08:42 AM
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If you can figure out a way to Paris you can then connect with the Thello train to Italy - https://www.thello.com/?iLangID=3
As you see they accept dogs and have cabins so you can be alone with your pet.
As you see they accept dogs and have cabins so you can be alone with your pet.
Nov 30th, 2014, 08:50 AM
#5
Dogs are well accepted in most French hotels and even restaurants. Well behaved dogs, of course, but I'm sure that you wouldn't have any other kind.
On French trains, you have to pay for a pet ticket.
On French trains, you have to pay for a pet ticket.
Nov 30th, 2014, 08:54 AM
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Short crossing ferries only allow dogs in cars. They aren't allowed on passenger decks. The longer crossing allow dogs and have kennels for them. Again they are not allowed on passenger decks or in cabins.
Nov 30th, 2014, 09:02 AM
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"when you cross the channel by ferry in your own car, the dog is allowed to stay with you."
...is incorrect.
The ONLY way of keeping the dog with you across the Channel is on the Eurotunnel car shuttle. ALL ferries require the dog to stay either in the car on the subterranean car deck while you're in the upstairs decks, or in a couple of cases (I think via Caen and certainly via NW Spain) in dedicated dog areas you may visit, but separately from passengers.
Note that some airlines (including I think KLM) allow dogs about the size of yours to travel (in crates) in the passenger cabin.
The mechanics of the Tunnel are painless, and there's a terrific dog play area at the Folkestone terminal. One-way rentals are relatively easy, though pricey: it'll be cheaper if you haven't got your own car to drive to Florence, dump the dog, drive back to London (JUST doable in one day, though the Soton-Florence drive takes two) then fly back to Pisa
Virtually all hotels and restaurants (except on motorway service areas) in France and Italy are happy to entertain dogs. So are restaurants on Swiss MSAs.
...is incorrect.
The ONLY way of keeping the dog with you across the Channel is on the Eurotunnel car shuttle. ALL ferries require the dog to stay either in the car on the subterranean car deck while you're in the upstairs decks, or in a couple of cases (I think via Caen and certainly via NW Spain) in dedicated dog areas you may visit, but separately from passengers.
Note that some airlines (including I think KLM) allow dogs about the size of yours to travel (in crates) in the passenger cabin.
The mechanics of the Tunnel are painless, and there's a terrific dog play area at the Folkestone terminal. One-way rentals are relatively easy, though pricey: it'll be cheaper if you haven't got your own car to drive to Florence, dump the dog, drive back to London (JUST doable in one day, though the Soton-Florence drive takes two) then fly back to Pisa
Virtually all hotels and restaurants (except on motorway service areas) in France and Italy are happy to entertain dogs. So are restaurants on Swiss MSAs.
Nov 30th, 2014, 09:23 AM
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Not sure about in the UK but in the US car rental agencies typically don;t allow you to carry animals - since the next renter may have allergies. The one we use has a sign about a $250 charge if there are any animal hairs found in the car since they have to have it specially cleaned professionally to eliminate animal dander.
Perhaps you could check with local rental agencies, let them know in advance and just include their fee in the cost of the rental.
If it is your own car, of course you can do whatever you want.
Perhaps you could check with local rental agencies, let them know in advance and just include their fee in the cost of the rental.
If it is your own car, of course you can do whatever you want.
Nov 30th, 2014, 10:15 AM
#10
another option would be to buy a very cheap car [which is good enough to do the journey, obviously] then dump it when you get to Florence. [and when i say dump, i mean scrap in the legal sense].
Nov 30th, 2014, 10:15 AM
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serriously - can't you tranquilize the pooch and take a plane> Doggie valium like they prescribe here for separation anxiety for dogs when they owners go away and they tear up the house. All other ways seem so so cumbersome unless you can buy a left-hand drive car suitable for Italy in London - supposed that is possible?
Nov 30th, 2014, 10:35 AM
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" unless you can buy a left-hand drive car suitable for Italy in London"
Is the poster really too wimpish to do what virtually all Britons do on the Continent, and all Continental truck drivers do in Britain, and drive a wrong-handed car?
I know there's a feeble-minded horror at the thought of such rational behaviour on this forum. But that's simply a comment on the prevailing lack of moral fibre round here. Polly_i, I'm sure, won't allow the negativity of too many posters to infect her
Is the poster really too wimpish to do what virtually all Britons do on the Continent, and all Continental truck drivers do in Britain, and drive a wrong-handed car?
I know there's a feeble-minded horror at the thought of such rational behaviour on this forum. But that's simply a comment on the prevailing lack of moral fibre round here. Polly_i, I'm sure, won't allow the negativity of too many posters to infect her
Nov 30th, 2014, 11:28 AM
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As you will be leaving from Southampton, do check Brittany Ferries out of Portsmouth as I have heard they now have a small number of dog-friendly cabins on most of their crossings. The trip is longer, about 5 hours, and you land further west in Caen, but this is somewhat off set by not having to get to Dover.
I've driven UK cars in France, Belgium and Germany. Taking your own car would be the most economical if you have a place to keep it in or near Florence.
I've driven UK cars in France, Belgium and Germany. Taking your own car would be the most economical if you have a place to keep it in or near Florence.
Nov 30th, 2014, 12:02 PM
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Yet again though Brittany Ferries do not acept dogs with foot passengers. The dogs either stay in teh car or in a kennel with owner access, just as the longer north sea/channel crossings have.
Polly_i will either have to find someone with a car who will take her and her dog, or take a car herself.
If you have the time maybe you can get your dog used to a travel kennel so it will be calm enough to fly. Your vet or a dog trainer could help you. The vet could certainly provide you with a safe tranquilliser for the dog.
Polly_i will either have to find someone with a car who will take her and her dog, or take a car herself.
If you have the time maybe you can get your dog used to a travel kennel so it will be calm enough to fly. Your vet or a dog trainer could help you. The vet could certainly provide you with a safe tranquilliser for the dog.
Nov 30th, 2014, 01:21 PM
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Annig,
This is the information on Brittany Ferries:
http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/fl...friendly-cabin
I don't plan to check further but think this would work unless foot passengers are barred from renting cabins.
This is the information on Brittany Ferries:
http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk/fl...friendly-cabin
I don't plan to check further but think this would work unless foot passengers are barred from renting cabins.
Nov 30th, 2014, 01:23 PM
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Pets should not be tranquilized. It really runs a terrific risk, in particular if they are flying. All airlines recommend against tranquilizing. It is not a great idea to do even if you are going by land the entire way.
In your situation, I would hire someone with a camper van/RV to drive you, plus pet, plus luggage to Florence. Pay for all the fuel, expenses and give them a fee for their time. I would imagine there are online resources for finding such people willing to do that work in the UK. You might start by looking on message boards for camper van enthusiasts.
In your situation, I would hire someone with a camper van/RV to drive you, plus pet, plus luggage to Florence. Pay for all the fuel, expenses and give them a fee for their time. I would imagine there are online resources for finding such people willing to do that work in the UK. You might start by looking on message boards for camper van enthusiasts.
Nov 30th, 2014, 01:26 PM
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When my husband and our cocker joined me in Switzerland, a pet van service picked him (and Raisin) up at the house in Berkshire, drove them to Eurotunnel, they took the train through the tunnel, and then the driver dropped the pair at the Calais station. From Calais, they took a TGV first to Paris, then to Nancy, where I met up with them. We had a lovely week-end in Nancy and then road the train down to Switzerland together.
To NYtraveler, we rented cars from Avis in Belgium, Germany and France and none of them cared in the least whether we had a dog or not. We usually had Raisin with us when we went into the Avis office in Brussels and reserved a car. We were never charged a centime extra for the dog.
To NYtraveler, we rented cars from Avis in Belgium, Germany and France and none of them cared in the least whether we had a dog or not. We usually had Raisin with us when we went into the Avis office in Brussels and reserved a car. We were never charged a centime extra for the dog.
Nov 30th, 2014, 01:28 PM
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Thank you all for the prompt, detailed and informative responses! You gave us many options and resources that we hadn't considered before. I will need some time to explore and think through them all, but I am defintely more hopeful now that we will find a solution.
annhig - thank you for the good wishes! I will be happy to start a thread about the adventures of relocating. It will be awhile until we are ready for the move, though - we are just trying to plan very early, so that we can take care of any dog-related and 'non-EU citizen husband' related paperwork
Thanks again!
annhig - thank you for the good wishes! I will be happy to start a thread about the adventures of relocating. It will be awhile until we are ready for the move, though - we are just trying to plan very early, so that we can take care of any dog-related and 'non-EU citizen husband' related paperwork
Thanks again!
Nov 30th, 2014, 01:32 PM
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Dec 1st, 2014, 07:41 AM
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" unless you can buy a left-hand drive car suitable for Italy in London">
By this I meant buy a car in London that is left-hand drive and that they would keep once in Italy - like they will buy when they get there. Maybe even a better deal in London? Just a thot.
By this I meant buy a car in London that is left-hand drive and that they would keep once in Italy - like they will buy when they get there. Maybe even a better deal in London? Just a thot.
