Planning a vacation to England? We can see why. It’s the land of William and Kate, David Beckham, and The Great British Bake Off, after all!
With so many things to do, see, and experience, a vacation to England is a must-do for any traveler—but, if you’re a dog lover, you’re probably thinking about how much more amazing your vacation would be if you could take your pet with you.
I know I was. My partner and I traveled to England in 2017, and it was unforgettable. We explored the countryside in the Cotswolds, hit platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station in London, and ate just about every scone and tea sandwich the country had to offer. We even got engaged!
But as much fun as we had exploring England, we couldn’t help but wish our Lhasa Apso, Bennett, was there with us.
Which got me thinking—is that even possible? Can you take your dog to England? And, if so, what steps do you need to take so you and your pet can both enjoy an amazing British vacation?
Figure out how you’re going to get there
If you’re trying to get to England from the US, it’s not like you can get in your car and drive. If you want to cross the Atlantic, you only have two options to get there: by plane or by boat.
Let’s start with airplane travel. Flying to England with your dog can be tricky; unlike other areas in Europe, the UK does not allow animals to fly within the aircraft cabin on inbound flights. (The only exception to this rule? Service or emotional support animals.)
That means, if you want to fly your pet to England, they’ll need to travel in the cargo area—which can not only be stressful for your pet but can be extremely unsafe for certain breeds (including snub-nosed breeds, like pugs and bulldogs, who can experience respiratory distress).
So, in a nutshell, flying your dog directly into England isn’t the best option. But there are alternatives! You can book a flight into a nearby country (like France) that allows pets to fly in the cabin—and then, once you land, just hop on the Eurotunnel and take it into England. There are also a number of Pet Taxi companies that will escort you and your dog from your destination into the UK.
If you do decide to fly to another country (and then travel by land into the UK), you’ll want to explore all your flight options—and choose the flight that’s the best fit for your pet. If you’re traveling from the East Coast, look for a direct flight; the shorter the flight time, the more comfortable your pet will be.
If you’re traveling from another area of the country, the flight time may be too long for your pet to travel comfortably—so you’ll need to schedule a layover to give your pet an opportunity to stretch his legs and relieve himself. Just make sure you choose a pet-friendly layover spot!
“A good resource for pet relief areas in airports is Dog Jaunt. This site helps you figure out where they are located, so if you do have a layover and need to give your pet a potty break, you can factor in that extra time to your schedule,” says pet travel expert Julia Dimon.
Also, make sure you factor in the cost of your dog’s flight into your overall travel budget. “Don’t forget that your dog also needs a ‘ticket’ to fly. It can cost quite a bit of money to fly with your pet. Delta Airlines, for example, charges…$200 [per dog] each way for international flights. That can add up, so factor those costs into your budget,” says Dimon. “Delta, like most airlines, also limits the number of total pets per flight, so call in advance to get your pet on board.”
(Side note: if you’re traveling with a service dog, these travel fees don’t apply to you; with the proper documentation, service dogs fly with their owners free of charge.)
If flying seems like too much of a hassle, there is one other option—and that’s traveling to England by boat. “The Queen Mary 2 ship allows pets onboard and leaves from NY and goes to Southampton, England,” says certified dog trainer Nicole Ellis. “The Queen Mary 2 is the only ship in the world that permits pets to cruise with their owners between the two countries—they allow dogs, cats, and ferrets.”
Just keep in mind that there is limited space on board for pets (24 spaces, to be exact)—so planning ahead is crucial. It’s also important to understand that while you can bring your dog on the cruise ship, your pet won’t be able to roam free on deck. “The pets reside in the pet kennel, but also have use of a pet designated exercise area and there is a full time ‘pet master’ to care for your pet,” says Ellis. “And, of course, you can visit with your pet [at designated times.]”
If you do decide to go the cruise route, again, make sure to work the added costs into your budget; according to Cruise Critic, you can expect to pay between $500 and $1000 for your pet to cruise with you to England.
Visit your vet and gather any necessary documentation
Once you decide how your dog is getting to the UK, it’s time to start gathering the necessary paperwork to make the trip.
In order for you to be able to take your pet into the UK from the US, they’ll need:
- To have a microchip (for international travel, the microchip number must be at least 15 digits)
- A pet passport/veterinary health certificate that outlines key details for your pet, including identifiable markings, owner information, and relevant test/vaccine information
- Documentation of recent tapeworm treatment
- An up-to-date rabies vaccination
- Any relevant service dog or ESA paperwork
Without the proper documentation, the UK can put your pet into quarantine, so make sure to schedule a visit to your vet to gather everything you need before your trip.
Other details to keep in mind (a.k.a. read the fine print)
There are a few other things you need to know when traveling to the UK with your dog, including:
- Your dog has to arrive in the UK no more than five days before or after you (otherwise, a different set of rules apply to bring your dog into the country)
- A friend or loved one can travel with your pet—as long as you provide prior written authorization
- Upon arriving in the UK, you’ll need to fill out a declaration that confirms you’re not going to sell or transfer ownership of your pet
Where are you going to stay—and what are you going to do?
Just like any vacation, it’s important to confirm that both your accommodations and itinerary are dog-friendly before you bring your pet to England.
Before you book your stay, do some research to find the most pet-friendly accommodations in the area you’re visiting. If possible, look for hotels or vacation rentals that also have plenty of pet-friendly activities nearby, like dog parks and walking trails.
You should also review your itinerary before you decide whether to bring your dog with you on your vacation. Do you have a ton of activities planned (like museum tours or restaurant outings) that will require you to leave your pet behind? If so, it might be better to let him sit this vacation out—and enjoy some relaxation time at home.
Don’t want to bring your dog to England? Find a pet sitter on Rover
We missed our pup Bennett while we were on vacation in England—but if I could do it over, I still wouldn’t bring him with us.
Because, bottom line: is it possible to take your dog to England? Yes. But is it convenient—especially if you’re just going for a quick vacation? No. So why not save yourself (and your pet!) the hassle of dragging your dog across the ocean and book a qualified pet sitter through Rover?
Rover has thousands of pet sitters who will be more than happy to give your dog the love and attention they deserve at home while you’re out enjoying the sights, scenes, and eats (those scones aren’t going to eat themselves!) in England. It’s a win-win for you and your dog!
