Planning a holiday with your dog? Explore practical advice for travel, accommodation, routines and preparation to make the experience easier for everyone.
Taking your dog on holiday can turn a good trip into an unforgettable one. New walks, unfamiliar places, beaches, countryside, long days outdoors and simply having your dog there with you can make travelling together incredibly rewarding.
But successful travel with a dog is rarely as simple as putting them in the car and setting off. Dogs experience travel very differently. Some immediately curl up and sleep, while others struggle with motion sickness, excitement, unfamiliar environments, separation, noise or changes to their normal routine.
Whether you’re planning a weekend away in the UK, a long road trip with your dog, a dog-friendly cottage holiday, a ferry crossing or travelling abroad, preparation makes an enormous difference. This guide covers everything from car safety and travel anxiety to accommodation, pet travel documents, feeding, exercise and helping your dog settle once you arrive.
Before planning the destination, think about the dog travelling with you.
A dog who is comfortable in the car, relaxed around unfamiliar people and able to settle away from home will usually find travel much easier than a dog who already struggles with anxiety, reactivity or major changes in routine.
That does not mean nervous or reactive dogs cannot enjoy holidays. It simply means the trip may need more careful planning.
Consider how your dog normally copes with:
For some dogs, a quiet countryside cottage may be perfect while a busy city break would be overwhelming. Matching the holiday to your dog’s temperament is one of the most important parts of planning a genuinely dog-friendly holiday.
If your dog rarely travels, do not make their first meaningful journey a seven-hour motorway trip.
Start with short journeys and gradually increase the distance. Drive somewhere enjoyable, take a short walk and return home. This helps prevent the car becoming associated only with stressful destinations such as the veterinary surgery.
Puppies in particular benefit from learning early that travelling is simply another normal part of life.
You can gradually introduce:
These are small skills, but together they can make travelling much safer and less stressful.
Dog-friendly does not always mean genuinely suitable for dogs.
A hotel may advertise itself as pet friendly but only allow dogs in certain rooms. A holiday cottage may accept dogs but have an unfenced garden. A beach may welcome dogs during winter but operate seasonal restrictions during summer.
Before booking, investigate the whole destination rather than simply looking for somewhere that accepts pets.
Look for:
If your dog is reactive, also consider whether you can avoid busy communal areas, narrow hotel corridors, crowded lifts or heavily used walking routes.
Before confirming a hotel, cottage, lodge, caravan or holiday rental, read the pet policy carefully.
Important questions include:
Never assume that the phrase pet-friendly accommodation means your dog can go everywhere with you.
If you’re travelling a long distance, taking an older dog away, travelling internationally or have any concerns about your dog’s health, speak to your vet before travelling.
Discuss any existing medication, ongoing health conditions, travel sickness, anxiety or destination-specific risks.
If your dog requires regular medication, take more than you expect to need in case the journey is delayed.
It is also worth keeping a digital or printed copy of important veterinary information, including medication names and relevant medical history.
International pet travel requires additional planning and should never be left until the week before departure.
If travelling from Great Britain to an EU country, your dog will normally need appropriate identification, a valid rabies vaccination and the required pet travel documentation. Great Britain residents travelling into the EU generally need an Animal Health Certificate issued by an Official Veterinarian.
Animal Health Certificates must normally be issued shortly before entering the EU, and dogs receiving their first rabies vaccination must complete the required waiting period before travel.
There can also be additional requirements for specific destinations and for returning to Great Britain, including recorded tapeworm treatment for dogs travelling from many countries.
Pet travel rules can change, so always check the latest official guidance for both your destination and your return journey before booking. UK travellers can check the current requirements on the GOV.UK pet travel guidance.
Make sure the microchip can be read and that the contact details registered against it are current.
This is important even when you’re travelling within the UK. Dogs can escape from unfamiliar properties, campsites or vehicles much more easily than owners expect.
Your dog’s collar tag should contain current contact information. If you’re travelling internationally, consider adding a temporary tag containing the mobile number you will actually be using while away.
A dedicated dog travel checklist can prevent a surprising amount of stress once you’re away from home.
Useful items include:
Taking familiar items from home can also help your dog settle. Their normal bed, blanket or sleeping mat carries familiar smells into what is otherwise a completely new environment.
For many owners, travelling by car is the easiest way to holiday with a dog because you control the route, temperature, stops and environment.
However, dogs should never simply be allowed to move freely around the vehicle.
In the UK, the Highway Code states that animals should be suitably restrained so they cannot distract the driver or injure themselves or passengers if the vehicle stops suddenly.
Suitable options can include:
The best option will depend on your dog’s size, temperament and vehicle.
A crate can provide a secure and familiar travelling space, particularly for dogs that are already comfortable being crated.
The crate should be appropriately sized so your dog can stand, turn and settle comfortably. It should also be properly secured so it cannot slide or move significantly during braking.
If your dog has never used a crate before, introduce it positively well before the journey rather than expecting them to spend hours inside one for the first time on departure day. Our crate training guide explains how to build a positive association with the crate.
Dogs can overheat quickly, particularly when travelling in the rear of a large vehicle where air conditioning may not circulate as effectively.
Keep airflow and temperature comfortable throughout the journey and regularly check your dog rather than assuming the front of the car reflects conditions in the boot.
Never leave a dog unattended in a warm vehicle. Opening a window slightly is not enough to make a parked car safe in hot weather.
It might look entertaining, but allowing a dog to travel with their head outside a moving vehicle exposes their eyes and face to dust, debris, insects and other hazards.
It also increases the risk of them attempting to climb or jump from the vehicle.
Long journeys are easier when they are broken into manageable stages.
Plan regular rest stops so your dog can drink, stretch, toilet and decompress. Young puppies, senior dogs and dogs with medical conditions may need more frequent breaks than healthy adult dogs.
When stopping at motorway services or unfamiliar locations, put your dog’s lead on before opening the car door or boot.
A normally reliable dog can behave unpredictably after waking somewhere unfamiliar beside traffic, people and other dogs.
Avoid giving a large meal immediately before a journey if your dog is prone to travel sickness.
However, there is no single fasting period appropriate for every dog. Puppies, very small dogs and dogs with certain health conditions may have different feeding requirements.
For longer journeys or dogs with a history of motion sickness, ask your vet how to time meals appropriately rather than simply withholding food for many hours.
Always make fresh water available during appropriate breaks.
Travel sickness is fairly common, especially in young dogs.
Possible signs include:
Repeated nausea can eventually create a learned fear of the car. A dog may then become anxious before the vehicle even begins moving.
If travel sickness happens regularly, speak to your vet. Do not give human motion-sickness medication without veterinary advice.
Travel anxiety and motion sickness can look similar, but they are not always the same problem.
An anxious dog may pant, pace, vocalise, tremble, refuse to enter the vehicle or remain constantly alert throughout the journey.
Rather than forcing repeated long journeys, break the process down.
A dog that is genuinely panicking is unlikely to simply “get used to it” through repeated overwhelming experiences. Confidence is normally built gradually.
Reactive dogs can still travel successfully, but environmental management becomes much more important.
Plan ahead for places where dogs and people are likely to gather, including service stations, hotel receptions, ferry terminals, campsite entrances and popular walking areas.
Whenever possible:
The objective is not to make your dog interact with everything they encounter. A successful holiday may simply mean they can experience a new environment while remaining comfortable and under control.
Ferry travel can be a convenient option for reaching Europe with a dog, but rules differ considerably between operators and routes.
Depending on the ferry, dogs may travel in:
Check the exact rules before booking rather than assuming all crossings operate in the same way.
If your dog has never stayed in a kennel or becomes distressed when separated from you, an operator offering pet-friendly cabins may be considerably easier.
Arrive with enough time to complete pet check-in procedures without rushing. Keep travel documents easily accessible rather than packed underneath luggage.
Train journeys can work very well for dogs accustomed to public environments, but they involve different challenges from travelling by car.
Your dog may encounter crowded platforms, announcements, luggage, children, other dogs and limited personal space.
Before a long railway journey, try shorter local trips where possible.
Check the train operator’s current pet policy before travelling, particularly if you have multiple dogs or are travelling internationally.
Flying requires considerably more preparation than most road journeys.
Airlines have their own rules covering whether dogs can travel, permitted routes, carrier dimensions, crate specifications, check-in procedures and whether animals travel in the cabin or another designated area.
Do not book your own ticket first and assume your dog can simply be added later.
Confirm the airline’s pet policy, destination requirements and available space for animals before committing to the journey.
For dogs that are extremely anxious, elderly, medically vulnerable or completely unfamiliar with confinement, discuss the suitability of air travel with your vet before booking.
Arrival is often one of the most exciting parts of a holiday for the owner and one of the most overwhelming for the dog.
Instead of immediately allowing your dog to race through every room, give them time to investigate calmly.
Take them outside to toilet, offer water and then introduce the accommodation gradually.
Set up their sleeping area early using their own bed, blanket or crate so they immediately have somewhere familiar to settle.
Even if the property is advertised as secure, inspect it yourself.
Look for:
A dog that would never normally escape from home may behave differently in unfamiliar surroundings.
A holiday naturally changes your normal schedule, but dogs often settle more quickly when certain familiar parts of their day remain predictable.
Where practical, keep feeding, toilet breaks, walks and sleeping arrangements reasonably consistent.
You do not need to recreate home perfectly. The aim is simply to give your dog some predictable reference points while everything else is new.
One of the easiest mistakes to make on a dog-friendly holiday is trying to include your dog in absolutely everything.
A long beach walk, busy café, new town, pub meal and evening event might sound like a fantastic day to us. For a dog processing unfamiliar smells, people, sounds and environments, it can be mentally exhausting.
Build downtime into the holiday.
Dogs need sleep and recovery even when you’re away. An overtired dog can become more excitable, irritable, reactive or difficult to settle.
Hot-weather travel needs additional planning.
Road surfaces, beaches and exposed walking routes can become uncomfortable or dangerous during the hottest part of the day.
Plan longer walks for cooler periods, provide regular access to water and shade, and avoid assuming that a breeze means your dog cannot overheat.
Brachycephalic or flat-faced breeds, overweight dogs, puppies, older dogs and dogs with certain medical conditions can be particularly vulnerable to heat.
Never plan an activity that relies on leaving your dog inside a parked vehicle while you visit somewhere dogs cannot enter.
Winter holidays create different challenges.
Dogs exposed to snow, ice, wind and wet conditions may need more opportunities to warm and dry off, particularly small dogs, short-coated breeds, puppies, senior dogs and dogs unused to cold weather.
Check paws regularly after long winter walks and remove compacted snow, grit or debris when necessary.
One of the biggest advantages of travelling with your dog is discovering new places together.
However, unfamiliar countryside creates unfamiliar risks.
Before allowing your dog additional freedom, consider:
A dog with brilliant recall at the local park may behave very differently when they suddenly encounter deer, sheep or an unfamiliar beach stretching into the distance.
Hopefully you will never need an emergency vet while travelling, but finding one takes only a few minutes before your trip and can save valuable time later.
Save the details of a veterinary practice close to your accommodation and identify the nearest out-of-hours emergency service.
If travelling abroad, check your pet insurance and understand whether veterinary treatment outside the UK is covered.
It is also sensible to carry basic first-aid supplies for minor problems while walking or travelling, while recognising that significant injuries or illness require professional veterinary treatment.
Being in an unfamiliar area can make finding a missing dog more difficult, which makes prevention particularly important.
Keep microchip details up to date, use an identification tag and do not become careless simply because your dog normally stays close to you at home.
When arriving at unfamiliar accommodation, keep your dog on lead until you have properly checked gates, fencing and exits.
Puppy holidays can be fantastic socialisation experiences when handled properly.
However, puppies need more frequent toilet breaks, more sleep and careful management around exercise.
Do not mistake a holiday for an opportunity to expose your puppy to everything at once. Good socialisation is about creating manageable, positive experiences rather than overwhelming them with constant stimulation.
If you’re still working on toilet training, maintaining a clear routine while away will also help prevent unnecessary setbacks. Read our puppy toilet training guide for more advice.
Senior dogs may still love travelling, but their needs can change.
Long periods lying in one position may be uncomfortable and getting in or out of a high vehicle can become more difficult.
Consider more frequent breaks, a supportive travel bed and whether a ramp may make access easier.
Choose the holiday around what your dog enjoys now rather than what they comfortably managed several years ago.
This depends on both your dog and the accommodation rules.
Some hotels and holiday rentals specifically prohibit dogs being left unattended. Others allow it.
Even when permitted, remember that a dog who is perfectly relaxed alone at home may feel very differently when left in an unfamiliar room.
Dogs who are prone to separation anxiety may become distressed, bark or damage doors and furniture.
Do not use the holiday itself as an experiment to discover whether your dog can suddenly cope with being left somewhere new.
The return journey deserves the same planning as the outward trip.
If you’re returning to Great Britain from abroad, make sure any veterinary treatment or documentation required for re-entry has been completed within the correct timeframe.
Once home, allow your dog to rest. Several days of new environments, long walks and unfamiliar stimulation can be tiring even when your dog appeared to enjoy every minute.
Before leaving, run through this final checklist.
Introduce travelling gradually, use a familiar and secure area in the vehicle, take regular breaks and avoid suddenly expecting your dog to tolerate a very long journey. Familiar bedding and maintaining parts of their normal routine can also help.
Avoid a large meal immediately before travelling, particularly if your dog experiences motion sickness. Feeding requirements vary between dogs, however, so speak to your vet if your dog is very young, has a medical condition or regularly becomes sick while travelling.
Use an appropriate restraint such as a secured crate, carrier, dog guard or suitable car harness. Your dog should not be able to move around the vehicle in a way that distracts the driver or puts them at unnecessary risk during sudden braking.
Yes, but the destination and travel arrangements should suit the individual dog. Quiet accommodation, predictable routines, avoiding crowded environments and gradual preparation can make travelling much easier for nervous dogs.
Many can. The key is management. Choose quieter destinations, plan walking routes in advance, avoid unnecessarily busy communal spaces and give your dog enough distance from known triggers.
The requirements depend on where you live and where you are travelling. Dogs travelling from Great Britain into the EU generally need appropriate microchip identification, a valid rabies vaccination and the required pet travel documentation, which for many GB residents means an Animal Health Certificate. Always check current government guidance before travelling because the rules can change.
Travelling with your dog should not be stressful. With the right preparation, it can become one of the most enjoyable things you do together.
The secret is not simply finding somewhere that allows dogs. A genuinely successful dog-friendly holiday considers how your individual dog travels, where they will sleep, how they cope with new environments, what exercise they need and whether the destination actually suits their temperament.
Prepare the practical details before leaving, keep your dog safe during the journey and give them time to settle when you arrive. Do that, and travelling becomes much more than getting your dog from one place to another. It becomes another opportunity to explore, train, build confidence and enjoy life together.
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