Travelling to Spain with pets

Hello Caroline, I traveled over with my 2 cats at the end of March, came by car via tunnel, 2 nights in Hotels in France, I wouldn't ever advise flying, I did look into it myself but found too many 'horror stories' from other pet owners.

My cats travelled well, l bought a large dog cage with space for the 2 of them, their tray, food and water bowls, lots of stops to check on them, transfering them, (carefully) into cat carriers to enter Hotels, French Hotels charge for pets in the room but not a lot. Anything I can help you with, just ask. K

Many thanks for your reply.   We had originally planned to drive then I thought about flying him over however as I can't get him on a direct flight would mean stopovers which would be more stressful for him.  The dog cage is a great idea as he would have space to move around. Would you be able to let me know the name of the hotel you used in France.

Many thanks

Caroline

Hello again Caroline, the first Hotel was a Camponile, due to leaving Manchester at 2 pm, we crossed and stopped in Calais at midnight. 75€ for the room, en suite, kettle etc, small but adequate, night porter and bar, he found us some bread, cheese and ham, advise to carry food! Breakfast choices a bit limited.

The second one, another Campanile, I couldn't recommend​, it was just a room, not even a kettle, attached to a huge Bowling Alley, I had to buy tea there, the waitress was kind though, she carried my tray back to the room. It was close to the Spanish border near a famous bridge.

Probably better for you to have an overnight in the UK, avoiding late stops, if you can, bring a good months supply of cat food, all flea/wormers etc, regards, Kerris

Thanks Kerris, really helpful information. Was it quite straight forward at border crossings regarding paperwork for pets.  I have spoken to my vet and she is going to make sure I have all the correct documentation.  So many things to arrange with the move but hopefully will be worth it in the end!!! 

Regards

Caroline

Wouldn't recommend flying. Driving via eurotunnel far easier than ferries. For travel from UK you only need a pet passport and an entry from your vet that the animal is fit to travel. We have done 2  journies with a dog and when travelling from UK we haven't had to show any documents.

Most French hotels will allow pets in rooms at small charge. As to booking rooms suggest you plan your journey first and then use Booking.com to find hotels that accept pets then book via them. Would suggest you try to time your journey so that you don't need to stop near the tunnel as all of the rooms are more expensive. We have usually gone to the Rouen  area before stopping.

There is a more expensive option which is to use a specialist animal ground transporter who will collect from uk and deliver to Spain try searching on Google for pet transport using both your home and spanish locations. These all use specialist vehicles and use the tunnel. They will still need details of your pet's passport and microchip. They will take about 48 hours for the journey.

Tony & Sue

Thank you for your reply.  Will definitely look at planning the route and your advice is valuable.  The tunnel isn't an option I had thought about until it was mentioned on the Forum.  

Thank you again for your help.

Caroline 

Be very proactive re your pet passport, my vet laminated the wrong page and I had to go back to her to laminate the correct one as well, check for yourself on DEFRA website, having said that, we sailed through without the cats even being looked at, apparently the more stringent checking is going the other way. I will get my pet passports out tomorrow and check the pages for you. 

The Tunnel is less stressful than a ferry where you are parted from your pet, it also gives the driver a rest before tackling the opposite side of the road driving. Sunday is the best day to cross, quieter.

Carry English tea bags, lots of water and travel with excitement, anticipation and good music! Kerris

Thank you again Kerris for the useful information.  Will definitely make sure passport correct before we leave.  Good advise about the t-bags and water🙂.  It's good hearing from people who have already made the journey and the experience they had.  It's all very nerve wracking but exciting at the same time.  I know it's not until September but really need to start planning our journey.  Can I ask after your stop in France did you continue straight to Spain and if so how long the drive was.  Hope you don't mind all the questions!!

Regards

Caroline

Hi Caroline we too are travelling with our dog but in July.  Not ideal but it is determined on our sale.

We are hoping to stay near Dijon then girona as we worked out it's sbout 8 hours to get to each.

If you join expats in Spain (it has 54K members) and search   

moving to Almeria

A lady called Sylvia started a thread and it includes routes people took and recommendations of hotels.  People used booking.com and ticked the pet friendly tab.

I'm not looking forward to the journey but looking forward to our new life.  I think our pets will do a lot better than we credit them with.

Enjoy yr new life and hope all goes well 

Karen