Last updated: August 4th 2024. The guidance below does not apply to Guide, Hearing and Autism Assistance animals, which usually have more lenient requirements.
Travelling with your cat or dog from the UK to France by ferry is straightforward. Multiple companies, such as P&O Ferries, Irish Ferries, DFDS Seaways, Brittany Ferries, and Condor Ferries, offer various pet-friendly options. Routes range from short crossings like Dover to Calais to longer overnight trips.
Before booking, make sure to check our Travel Requirements page for all the health documents and vaccines your pet will need. In general, dogs and cats require an EU pet passport or EU animal health certificate, a microchip, and a valid rabies vaccination. When returning to the UK, a worming treatment needs to be administered by a vet between 24 hours and five days before arrival.
Foot Passengers
Most ferries do not allow foot passengers to bring pets, except DFDS Seaways from Newhaven to Dieppe. This is the only ferry between the UK and France that allows foot passengers to transport pets.
Motor Vehicle Passengers
There are five companies that provide ferry services between the UK and France:
- P&O Ferries
- Irish Ferries
- DFDS Seaways
- Brittany Ferries
- Condor Ferries
These routes connect the southern coast of England to northern France, spanning regions from Normandy to Brittany.
There are 15 different possible routes you could take, and we have summarised them below:
P&O Ferries
- Dover to Calais
Frequency: Up to 15 times per day
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: £15 each way (in addition to ferry cost).
Facilities: Pet Lounge—This is only available for dogs and people travelling in motor vehicles. It is £12 each way and includes free WiFi, charging points and plugs, a vending machine, an exercise area, a deck and complimentary hot and cold beverages.
Extra Information: All pets must stay in the vehicle during the trip unless travelling in the Pet Lounge (for dogs only). Both P&O Dover and Calais Ferry Terminals have dedicated pet areas.
Irish Ferries
- Dover to Calais
Frequency: Up to 15 times per day
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: -
Facilities: None
Extra Information: All pets must stay inside the vehicle during the entire trip.
DFDS Seaways
- Dover to Calais
Frequency: Up to 15 times per day
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: £15 each way
Facilities: None
Extra Information: All pets must stay inside the vehicle during the entire trip - Dover to Dunkirk
Frequency: Up to 12 times per day
Duration: 2 hours
Cost: £15 each way
Facilities: None
Extra Information: All pets must stay inside the vehicle during the entire trip. - Newhaven to Dieppe
Frequency: 2-3 times per day
Duration: 4 – 5 hours
Cost: £20 each way (for kennel)
Facilities: Kennels for vehicle and footPassengers.
Extra Information: Bedding is not included with the kennel. Kennel Dimensions: 75cm (H) x 85cm (W) x 114cm (D). If you are travelling in a vehicle, you can book a kennel online; however, if you are on foot, you must contact their customer service team directly. Note that there are only three kennels, so early booking is advised.
Brittany Ferries
- Portsmouth to Le Havre
Frequency: 5 times per week
Duration: 5.5 – 8 hours
Cost: £35-50 each way
Facilities: Cabins, Kennels or must stay in the vehicle depending on ship and route. Check their website for more information when booking.
Extra Information: See notes below - Portsmouth to Caen
Frequency: 2-3 times per day
Duration: 5.75 – 7 hours
Cost: £35-50 each way
Facilities: Cabins, Kennels or must stay in the vehicle depending on ship and route. Check their website for more information when booking.
Extra Information: See notes below - Portsmouth to Cherbourg (Regular crossings)
Frequency: 2 times per week
Duration: 8 hours
Cost: £35-50 each way
Facilities: Cabins, Kennels or must stay in the vehicle depending on ship and route. Check their website for more information when booking.
Extra Information: See notes below - Portsmouth to Cherbourg (High-speed crossings)
Frequency: 3 times per week
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: £35-50 each way
Facilities: Cabins, Kennels or must stay in the vehicle depending on ship and route. Check their website for more information when booking.
Extra Information: See notes below - Portsmouth to St Malo
Frequency: Daily
Duration: 9 – 11 hours
Cost: £35-50 each way
Facilities: Cabins, Kennels or must stay in the vehicle depending on ship and route. Check their website for more information when booking.
Extra Information: See notes below - Poole to Cherbourg (Regular crossings)
Frequency: Daily
Duration: 4.5 – 10.5 hours
Cost: £35-50 each way
Facilities: Cabins, Kennels or must stay in the vehicle depending on ship and route. Check their website for more information when booking.
Extra Information: See notes below - Poole to Cherbourg(High-speed crossings)
Frequency: 3 times per week
Duration: 3 hours
Cost: £35-50 each way
Facilities: Cabins, Kennels or must stay in the vehicle depending on ship and route. Check their website for more information when booking.
Extra Information: See notes below - Plymouth to Roscoff
Frequency: 6 times per week
Duration: 5.5 – 11 hours
Cost: £35-50 each way
Facilities: Cabins, Kennels or must stay in the vehicle depending on ship and route. Check their website for more information when booking.
Extra Information: See notes below - Plymouth to St Malo
Cost: £35-50 each way
Facilities: Cabins, Kennels or must stay in the vehicle depending on ship and route. Check their website for more information when booking.
Extra Information:
Condor Ferries
- Poole to St Malo
Frequency: Multiple times per week
Duration: 6.25 hours
Cost: £20 each way
Facilities: None
Extra Information: Muzzles are mandatory for routes where dogs are allowed in the cabin. Even though your dog will stay in the car, it's advisable to bring a muzzle if needed at the terminal. - Poole to Cherbourg
Frequency: 1-2 times per week
Duration: 5.75 hours
Cost: £20 each way
Facilities: None
Extra Information: Muzzles are mandatory for routes where dogs are allowed in the cabin. Even though your dog will stay in the car, it's advisable to bring a muzzle if needed at the terminal.
Additional information
- Most check-ins close 60-90 minutes before departure, with many ferries requiring passengers with dogs to check in earlier.
- Most ferries require your pet to be declared at the time of booking.
- The guidance is only for routes between the UK and France. Some of the operators above have different rules when travelling between different countries.
- Brittany Ferries requires all dogs onboard to wear a muzzle when transferring your dog from your car to your cabin/kennels and when visiting the pet exercise areas.
- Brittany Ferries also requires pet owners to complete a pet travel pre-check 96 hours before departure (this provides confirmation on whether your documentation is correct).
- Brittany Ferries offers three different ways for pets to travel depending on the route: in the vehicle, kennel, or cabin (where you can stay with the dog). We have listed the routes above, but it is always worth checking the options online, as they can change. They also have an availability tool as they get booked up quickly.
Other Options
In addition to ferries, consider the Eurotunnel (LeShuttle). Pets have to stay in the vehicle; therefore, foot passengers cannot bring pets on the Eurotunnel or Eurostar trains. This service runs between Folkestone in the UK and Calais in France, taking about 35 minutes. Pets remain in the car during the journey. An additional fee of £22 per pet applies each way, with check-in required at the Pet Reception Centre at both ends. Pets are not allowed on the Eurostar trains to London.
For those without a vehicle, alternatives include ferries from the UK to the Netherlands that permit foot passengers to bring pets, such as the Stena Line ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland, which offers pet-friendly cabins and kennels. Other ferry options include the P&O ferry from Hull to Rotterdam and the DFDS Seaways ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam. Limited airlines, like Air France, allow dogs in the cabin when flying out of the UK, although pets must fly as cargo on return flights into the UK.
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Travelling to France with your dog can be a smooth experience with the right preparation and knowledge of ferry services. Always verify current policies with ferry companies and ensure all necessary documentation is ready for a hassle-free trip. Make sure you plan and book early, especially for pet-friendly cabins or kennels, as these options fill up quickly and are often sold out close to the departure date. And, of course, bring your pet’s bed, toys, blanket, water, and food to ensure maximum comfort during the journey!
See an error? Let us know at hello@usepawpass.com!
N.B. The information is provided as guidance only and is accurate at the time of publication. Always check government websites and transport provider materials before booking and travelling. The UK government website can be found here.
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