Cabin beats car deck
On longer sailings, a pet-friendly cabin is usually the humane choice for dogs. Vehicle-only crossings work best when they are short and cool.
Dog route reality
For many dogs, surface travel is not the fallback. It is the better plan.
Large dogs, snub-nosed breeds, elderly dogs, anxious dogs and breeds restricted from aircraft holds often do better by road, rail tunnel, ferry or ship. The key is not just whether pets are accepted, but where your dog will actually spend the crossing.
13operator guides35mfastest UK-France crossing7-8nQM2 transatlantic option
Lead and muzzle rules
Many ferries require dogs to be leashed, and some require muzzles outside cabins or vehicles. Pack one even if your dog rarely wears it.
Tapeworm timing
Dogs entering the UK, Finland, Norway, Malta or Ireland may need Echinococcus treatment in a narrow pre-arrival window. Time this before the ferry, tunnel or ship.
Full sea directory
Dog-friendly ferry, tunnel and cruise guides
Each guide covers the practical details dog owners actually need: size, cabins, kennels, muzzles, exercise areas, heat risk, tapeworm treatment and booking limits.
Cruise LineKennel only
Cunard — Queen Mary 2
Transatlantic: New York (USA) ↔ Southampton (UK), occasional Hamburg (Germany)
Cunard's Queen Mary 2 is the only major cruise ship in the world that accepts dogs on scheduled transatlantic crossings. Operating between New York and Southampton over 7-8 nights, QM2 has 24 climate-controlled kennels…
$1,300 per upper kennel / $1,500 per lower kennel from Jan 2026Details
FerryPet cabin
Brittany Ferries
UK ↔ France (Portsmouth, Poole, Plymouth to Caen, St Malo, Cherbourg, Roscoff, Le Havre) · UK ↔ Spain (Portsmouth/Plymouth to Santander/Bilbao) · Ireland ↔ France/Spain
Brittany Ferries is one of Europe's strongest surface-travel options for dogs. It is an approved PETS scheme carrier for dogs, cats and ferrets. Depending on route and vessel, your dog can travel in the vehicle, in an o…
From £35 one-way to France / £50 one-way to SpainDetails
FerryPet cabin
Stena Line
UK ↔ Ireland (Belfast-Cairnryan, Liverpool-Belfast, Holyhead-Dublin Port) · UK ↔ Netherlands (Harwich-Hook of Holland) · Scandinavia & Baltic routes
Stena Line is one of the world's largest ferry operators and one of the most pet-progressive. It offers pet-friendly cabins on many routes, with some Irish Sea ships carrying large numbers of dedicated pet cabins. Depen…
Free on some vehicle routes / around £30 for kennels / pet cabins varyDetails
FerryPet cabin
DFDS Seaways
UK ↔ France (Dover-Calais, Dover-Dunkirk, Newhaven-Dieppe, Portsmouth-Le Havre) · UK ↔ Netherlands (Newcastle-Amsterdam) · Scandinavia & Baltic routes
DFDS is one of northern Europe's largest ferry companies with multiple passenger routes. Pet-friendly cabins are available on the Newcastle-Amsterdam route, including sea-view cabins for people travelling with pets. On…
£15-30 per pet each way depending on routeDetails
FerryPet cabin
Irish Ferries
Ireland ↔ UK (Dublin-Holyhead, Rosslare-Pembroke) · Ireland ↔ France (Dublin-Cherbourg) · UK ↔ France (Dover-Calais)
Irish Ferries welcomes pets across routes with options including vehicles, free kennels, Pet Den lounges and pet-friendly cabins. Pet Den lounges are dedicated indoor areas with seating for owners and access to an outdo…
Pets declared at booking; kennels free on some Irish Sea routesDetails
FerryVehicle only
P&O Ferries
UK ↔ France (Dover-Calais)
P&O Ferries operates the popular Dover-Calais short crossing and accepts dogs in vehicles. This is a simple, frequent Channel option: your dog stays in the car for the crossing. It suits dogs that are comfortable waitin…
About £15 per pet each wayDetails
Rail TunnelVehicle only
Eurotunnel (LeShuttle)
UK ↔ France (Folkestone-Calais, 35 minutes)
Eurotunnel LeShuttle is the fastest way to cross the English Channel with a dog: about 35 minutes platform to platform. You and your dog stay together in your vehicle the entire time. No kennels, no cargo handling, no s…
£22 per pet each way (2026)Details
FerryPet cabin
Condor Ferries
UK ↔ Channel Islands ↔ France (Poole/Portsmouth to Jersey, Guernsey, St Malo)
Condor Ferries serves the Channel Islands and connects the UK with France via Jersey and Guernsey. Condor Islander offers a small number of pet-friendly cabins: en-suite rooms for people travelling with a pet, with prac…
Varies by route and vesselDetails
FerryPet cabin
Tallink Silja Line
Baltic & Scandinavia: Helsinki-Stockholm · Helsinki-Tallinn · Turku-Stockholm · Stockholm-Tallinn · Stockholm-Riga
Tallink Silja Line operates cruise ferries across the Baltic Sea and is a strong pet option between Scandinavian and Baltic capitals. Pet-friendly cabins are available in several cabin classes on most ships, with practi…
About €16 per pet each way; cabin prices varyDetails
FerryPet cabin
Grimaldi Lines
Mediterranean: Italy-Spain · Italy-Sardinia · Italy-Sicily · Italy-Tunisia · Italy-Morocco · Italy-Greece · Spain-Morocco
Grimaldi Lines is a major Mediterranean ferry operator that welcomes pets on board. It offers kennels and pet-friendly cabins on many routes, making it useful for dog owners travelling between Italy, Spain, North Africa…
Usually varies by route and cabin class; often €15-40 pet supplementDetails
FerryPet cabin
Viking Line
Baltic & Scandinavia: Helsinki-Stockholm · Turku-Stockholm · Helsinki-Tallinn · Helsinki-Mariehamn (Åland)
Viking Line operates cruise ferries across the Baltic Sea between Finland, Sweden, Estonia and the Åland Islands. Pet-friendly cabins are available on most ships, and kennels provide an alternative when cabins are full…
Pet supplement varies by routeDetails
FerryPet cabin
Color Line
Norway ↔ Germany (Oslo-Kiel) · Norway ↔ Denmark (Kristiansand-Hirtshals, Larvik-Hirtshals, Sandefjord-Strömstad)
Color Line operates ferry and cruise services between Norway, Germany, Denmark and Sweden. Pet-friendly cabins and kennels are available on most routes. The Oslo-Kiel overnight cruise of around 20 hours is a popular way…
Pet supplement varies by routeDetails
FerryPet cabin
Moby Lines
Italy ↔ Sardinia (Livorno/Genoa-Olbia) · Italy ↔ Corsica (Livorno-Bastia) · Italy ↔ Elba
Moby Lines serves Italy's island connections and is pet-friendly, offering dedicated pet-friendly cabins that can accommodate several four-legged companions. Cabins have practical flooring and disinfecting mats, and out…
Pet supplement varies; pet cabin at moderate premiumDetails