Getting around
Can dogs travel on the Eurostar?
No. Eurostar does not permit dogs or any pets in the passenger cabin, other than trained assistance dogs for passengers with disabilities, who travel with advance notice and appropriate documentation. No exceptions are made for any other dogs, regardless of size or carrier. Eurotunnel Le Shuttle or a ferry crossing are the alternatives.
Why Eurostar does not take dogs
Eurostar operates under UK and French rail regulations and has applied a no-pets policy since it began. The journey passes through the Channel Tunnel, and the tunnel operating authority has strict biosecurity rules. Unlike a passenger aircraft where the cabin and hold are separate, a Eurostar train does not have a separate hold compartment for animals. The policy is firm and has not changed despite repeated lobbying. Assistance dogs registered to disabled passengers are the only exception and require advance booking and documentation.
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle
Eurotunnel Le Shuttle is the main alternative for taking a dog to France by rail. You drive your car onto the train at Folkestone and drive off at Calais 35 minutes later. Dogs stay in the car throughout the crossing. Dogs do not need to be crated. You can sit in your car with your dog during the journey. Eurotunnel charges a pet supplement in addition to the vehicle fare. You will need an Animal Health Certificate for your dog to enter France regardless of which route you use.
Ferry crossings
The ferry crossing is the other main option. P&O Ferries and DFDS both operate Dover to Calais and other cross-Channel routes and accept dogs. Dogs are kept in the car on the vehicle deck during the sailing on most services. Some operators offer kennels on longer sailings. Cabin access for dogs varies by route and operator. The journey time is longer than Eurotunnel but the cost per vehicle is sometimes lower, and some owners prefer it because the dog has more space in the car.
Documentation for France
Whichever crossing you use, your dog needs an Animal Health Certificate to enter France from the UK. The AHC must be issued by an Official Veterinarian within ten days of departure, and your dog must have a microchip and a valid rabies vaccination. The AHC is checked at the French border. Eurotunnel and the ferry operators are both familiar with the process and can advise on what documentation to present at the border.