Most major European ferry operators allow pets, most commonly dogs, but exactly how your animal travels varies considerably by line: some offer dedicated pet-friendly cabins where your dog stays with you, others require pets to remain in the car on the vehicle deck (with scheduled welfare visits), and some use on-board kennels. There is no single Europe-wide standard, so the practical rules for any specific crossing depend entirely on which operator and route you book — always confirm directly with the ferry line before travelling.
The three common ways pets travel
Pet-friendly cabins
A growing number of operators, including some Brittany Ferries and DFDS routes, offer a limited number of cabins specifically designated as pet-friendly, where your dog can stay with you for the crossing rather than being left in the car or a kennel. These cabins are usually limited in number and need to be booked well in advance, particularly in peak season, since they sell out faster than standard cabins.
Remaining in the vehicle
On many routes, pets travel in the passenger's car on the vehicle deck for the duration of the crossing. Since passengers cannot stay on the vehicle deck once the ship is underway, this means the animal is left alone in the vehicle, which understandably concerns many pet owners. Operators that use this system commonly schedule brief, supervised access windows during longer crossings specifically so owners can check on, walk or comfort a pet in the car — these are announced on board and are not available on demand at any time. If your route only offers this option and your pet doesn't travel well alone for extended periods, it's worth weighing that carefully or looking at an operator offering a pet cabin instead.
On-board kennels
Some ferries, particularly larger vessels on longer routes, have a small number of on-deck or dedicated kennel spaces for dogs, separate from both the passenger cabins and the vehicle deck. Access rules vary — some allow scheduled visits during the crossing, similar to vehicle-deck pets, while a few permit more regular checking depending on the ship's layout and weather conditions on open decks.
Documentation and entry requirements
Taking a pet across an international border by ferry involves the same documentation as any other mode of cross-border pet travel: within the EU, this generally means an EU pet passport or animal health certificate, proof of a valid rabies vaccination, and microchipping, with the exact requirements depending on the countries at each end of the journey and whether you're travelling within the EU, into the EU from outside, or between the UK and the EU post-Brexit (which now typically requires an animal health certificate rather than the pet passport UK pets previously used). Some countries and routes have additional requirements, such as tapeworm treatment for dogs entering certain rabies-free destinations. Requirements change periodically, so check current rules with the relevant government sources and your vet well before travel — see the crossing borders with a pet guide for how this works in more detail.
Booking a pet's ferry crossing
Pets typically need to be booked as part of your reservation rather than added at check-in, since space in pet-friendly cabins or kennels is limited and operators need to know a pet is travelling for both welfare planning and vehicle-deck logistics. There is usually an additional fee for a pet, and larger operators may cap the number of pets per crossing, so booking early matters more for pet travel than for a standard passenger ticket, particularly in the busy summer season. See how to book ferries for general guidance on the booking process itself.
Practical tips for a smoother crossing
- Exercise and toilet your pet thoroughly before boarding — especially important if the crossing doesn't offer scheduled access to check on them mid-journey.
- Bring water, a familiar blanket or bed, and any regular medication in an accessible bag, since you may not be able to retrieve anything from checked luggage once boarding is complete.
- Consider your pet's temperament honestly. A dog that struggles with being left alone or with unfamiliar noise and motion may find a long vehicle-deck crossing genuinely stressful; a pet-friendly cabin, where available, avoids this entirely.
- Check the crossing length against what your pet can reasonably tolerate — a short hop is a very different proposition from an overnight crossing; see the overnight ferries guide for how long the major routes actually take.
- Ask about ventilation and temperature control on the vehicle deck if your pet must stay in the car, particularly in warm weather, since this varies by ship and operator.
Routes and operators known for pet-friendly options
Some of the longer UK–France and UK–Spain routes with Brittany Ferries have a reputation among pet owners for reasonably well-organised pet cabins and clear on-board procedures, given how many pet owners use these crossings to bring animals into continental Europe. Scandinavian and Baltic operators such as DFDS also commonly accommodate pets on their longer overnight routes — see the Denmark to Norway ferries guide for one example. Shorter crossings — the English Channel, most Greek island hops — tend to have simpler, less developed pet facilities, partly because the crossing is short enough that leaving a pet in the car briefly is less of a welfare concern. As always, confirm current policy directly with the specific operator and route before booking, since offerings do change.
Frequently asked questions
Can my dog stay with me in my cabin on a ferry?
On some operators and routes, yes, if you book one of a limited number of pet-friendly cabins in advance. On others, pets must remain in the vehicle or a kennel area rather than a passenger cabin. This varies significantly by operator, so check before booking.
Is it safe to leave my pet in the car during a ferry crossing?
Operators that require this generally build in ventilation considerations and scheduled welfare-check windows for longer crossings, but it does mean your pet is alone for at least part of the journey. If your pet doesn't cope well alone, or the crossing is long, look for an operator offering a pet-friendly cabin instead.
What documents does my pet need to travel by ferry to another European country?
Generally a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and either an EU pet passport or an animal health certificate, depending on your starting and ending countries. Requirements differ between EU-to-EU travel, UK-to-EU travel, and travel from outside the EU, so check current rules with official government sources and your vet well ahead of the trip.
Do I need to book my pet's place on the ferry in advance?
Yes, in almost all cases. Pet-friendly cabins and kennel spaces are limited and need to be reserved as part of your booking, not added at check-in, and there is usually an additional fee.
Sources and further reading:
- Pet travel policies by operator: Brittany Ferries, DFDS and other individual operators.
- EU pet travel documentation requirements: European Commission, European Union.
- UK pet travel rules post-Brexit: gov.uk pet travel guidance.