Travelling with your dog can be enormous fun with plenty of opportunities to explore new places and make memories together.
We’ve teamed up with The Kennel Club to bring you this guide to taking your pooch on holiday, so you can make sure your dog will feel comfortable, safe and happy while away.
Where to go?
Before booking consider:
- What type of destination your dog will be happiest in.
- The time of year and the climate of where you are going, is it likely to be very hot or very cold?
- What pet-friendly facilities are available in the destination?
Check out our guide to dog-friendly ferry destinations here.
Before you go
- Check if your pet insurance will cover the trip.
- Update any details on your dog’s identification tag and microchip record, just in case you pooch gets lost.
- If travelling from Great Britain (GB) to the EU including the Republic of Ireland you will need to visit your vet at least 1 month prior to travel to ensure your dog has the correct vaccines and you have the right documentation. Find out more about documentation needed to travel to the EU.
- If travelling from GB to Northern Ireland (NI) from 4 June 2025 you will need to apply for the Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document. The document enables you to travel from Great Britain to Northern Ireland with a simple lifelong pet travel authorisation. You will just need to make sure your pet or assistance dog is microchipped before you travel and apply online, which is free of charge. If you’re travelling from NI to GB you dont need any additional documentation, but your pet must be microchipped. Northern Ireland Pet Travel Document
The essential ‘doggy bag’
What should you pack for a happy holiday?
The Kennel Club suggests:
- Dog bed
- Blanket
- Towels
- Bowls for food and water
- Poo bags
- Dog lead and/or harness
- Favourite toys
- Rain coat
- Pet-friendly cleaning wipes
- Treats and/ or your dog’s preferred brand of pet food*
- Dog carrier or crate, if required
- Details for a local vet near where you are staying
- A muzzle^
*Please be aware that since October 2021 you can no longer take pet food from Great Britain into any EU country.
^Some ferry operators require a muzzle to be worn in public areas of the ship
For more information from The Kennel Club on travelling with your dog visit their website here.