How to take a Dog on The Eurotunnel [Guide, FAQ & Prices]

Taking your dog on the Eurotunnel is very straightforward.

The Channel Tunnel is an easy way to travel between the the U.K. and France. The Eurotunnel shuttle runs between Folkestone and Calais 24/7, 365 days a year and takes around 35 minutes.

So, if you are planning on taking your dog to France or to Europe, taking the Eurotunnel is an easy and convenient way to travel.

In this article, we will talk you through how to take your dog on the Eurotunnel and answer the following questions:

• What documents do you need to take your dog on the Eurotunnel?
• How much does it cost to take your dog on the Eurotunnel?
• How do I book my dog onto the Eurotunnel?
• Are dogs allowed in the Eurostar terminal buildings?
• Where will your dog travel while in the Eurotunnel?
• Can I take more than one dog on the Eurotunnel?
• What happens on the day of travel?

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What documents do you need to take your dog on the Eurotunnel?

You will need to bring the following documents with you:

1. Booking confirmation;
2. A microchip;
3. A Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate; and
4. Proof of rabies vaccination
5. Proof of tapeworm treatment administered 1-5 days before travel (Calais to Folkestone)

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Microchip / Tattoo

Your dog will need to be fitted with a microchip, before or on the same day as their first rabies vaccination is administered. 

The microchip number of your dog, must match the microchip number on their documentation.

If your dog was tattooed before 3 July 2011, then that will be accepted as identification. 

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EU Pet Passport or Animal Health Certificate

Your dog must have an EU Pet Passport, or an Animal Health Certificate to travel on the Eurotunnel.

If you are traveling from an EU country, you should get your dog an EU Pet Passport. 

If you are traveling from Great Britain, and have an EU Pet Passport issued after 1 January 2021, you will need to obtain an Animal Health Certificate. As of 1 January 2021, the UK is listed as a Part 2 listed third country under the EU Pet Travel Scheme. Therefore EU Pet Passports issued in Great Britain, are no longer valid for travel to the EU. 

If your dog has an EU Pet Passport issued in Great Britain before 1 January 2021, they will be accepted for entry into the UK. 

If you are traveling from a non EU Listed or Unlisted Third Country, you will need to obtain an Official Third Country Veterinary Health Certificate. 

How to obtain an Animal Health Certificate:

You will need to take your dog to the vet, no more than 10 days before your planned trip. 

The certificate will need to be signed by an official veterinarian. 

Your dog’s Animal Health Certificate will be valid after the date of issue for:

• 10 days for entry into the EU, or Northern Island
• 4 months for onward travel within the EU
• 4 months for re-entry to Great Britain

Your dog will require a new Animal Health Certificate for each trip to an EU country, or Northern Ireland from Great Britain. 

For further information, you can check Defra’s website. 

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Rabies Vaccination

Your dog must be at least 12 weeks old and vaccinated against rabies. 

The following information must be recorded by a registered vet in your dog’s Animal Health Certificate or EU Pet Passport:

• Vaccine name
• Vaccine manufacturer
• Vaccination date
• Vaccine valid from date
• Vaccine expiry date

Your vet’s signature or stamp are mandatory. 

If you are traveling from EU and listed non-EU countries to the UK you must wait 21 days after the initial vaccination date. The vaccination date counts as day 0.

A waiting period is not required for subsequent visits to the UK, as long as your dog’s rabies vaccinations are kept up to date and recorded in your dog’s vet documentation. 

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Tapeworm Treatment (travelling to the U.K.)

All dogs travelling to the U.K. require a tapeworm treatment.

This treatment must be administered by a vet between 1-5 days / 24–120 hours before travel. The date and time of your dog’s treatment must be recorded on the pet passport or official third country veterinary certificate, by an official vet.

Additionally, the tapeworm treatment must contain Praziquantel to be effective against Echinococcus tapeworm.

The following treatments are not permitted:

Stronghold, Advocate, Frontline or Frontline Combo, Nexgard or Nexgard Spectra

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How much does it cost to take your dog on the Eurotunnel?

To book your dog on the Eurotunnel, it will cost £22 each way.

It is recommended that you book your pet on the Eurotunnel in advance, which can done here.

However, there are additional costs that you should take into consideration.

These include the cost to obtain a pet passport or animal health certificate, microchip, rabies vaccination, tapeworm treatment, a dog travel carrier and supplies such as food and puppy training pads to soak up any accidents.

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How do I book my dog onto the Eurotunnel?

You will be given the option to add pets when booking your ticket for the Eurotunnel.

1. Go to fare finder and enter all of your details – date and time of travel, vehicle details and country of residence.
2. Select the specific time you would like to travel.
3. Select whether you would like to upgrade to Flexiplus or add insurance to your trip.
4. On the same page you will see the section below. Just select how many dogs you will like to take with you, and the cost will automatically be added to your basket.

Your dog’s ticket will be added to your basket, so you can enter all of your details and continue to checkout.

If you have already booked your ticket, you can still add your dog to the booking. You can make amendments to your travel booking up to midnight on the day of travel.

With most bookings you can do this online using the password in your booking confirmation. However, if you paid for all or part of your booking using Tesco travel vouchers, you will need to contact Eurotunnel by phone.

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Are dogs allowed in the Eurostar terminal buildings?

Dogs are not allowed into the terminal building where the restaurants and duty free shops are located.

However, there are dedicated pet areas for your dog to stretch its legs and have a toilet break. You will find these marked in yellow throughout the terminals. You can also find an exercise area behind the fuel garage after arriving in the U.K..

All Eurotunnel pet exercise areas have complimentary dog waste bags.

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Where will your dog travel while in the Eurotunnel shuttle?

Your dog must stay in the car with you for the 35 minutes you are in the Eurotunnel shuttle. Unless you are taking them to designated pet areas. 

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Can I take more than one dog on the Eurotunnel?

Yes. You are permitted to bring up to 5 dogs with you.

For those travelling for a competition, show, sporting or other event, you are permitted to bring up to 20 dogs with you if traveling from Calais to Folkestone. Commercial travel is not permitted from Folkestone to Calais, due to the agreement with the French Authorities. 

If you wish to travel with up to 20 dogs from Calais to Folkestone, you must:

• Sign up to Eurotunnel Pet Transporter. It can take up to 14 days for your account to become active. 
• Provide a copy of an approved Type 2 license. 
• Provide a copy of a Vehicle Approval Certificate, issued by the relevant delegated bodies in Great Britain or Northern Ireland.
• Be registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) FOR IPAFFS in Great Britain to enable notification to the UK authorities of all movement of live animals.
• Provide a copy of your Goods Movement document, confirming your 12 digit Goods Movement Reference (GMR), required by HMRC when travelling Calais to Folkestone.

For more information check here.

In order to complete the required pre-checks, please send all documentation together with a Eurotunnel disclaimer via the Eurotunnel contact us page.

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What happens on the day of travel?

#1 Check-in

Check your dog in at least 1 hour, and no more than 2 hours before your booked departure.

If travelling from Folkestone there are automated drive through check-in gates with instructions to follow on screen. There are no pet checks, you will just need to confirm you have the dogs with you in your vehicle.

If travelling from Calais, follow the paw print signs to the Pet Reception building. They will check your dog’s documents and give you a sticker to display on your car.

#2 Boarding the shuttle

Drive your car to the Departures Area and wait for your train to be called before driving onto the shuttle.

#3 On the shuttle

As mentioned above, your dog will need to stay in your vehicle while in the Eurotunnel shuttle.

#4 After the shuttle

You’re free to go!

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Conclusion

Travelling on the Eurotunnel with a dog is very straightforward.

Just be sure to get your dog microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, at least 21 days before travel. If you are traveling from the EU you can get your dog an EU Pet Passport, and if you are traveling from Great Britain, you can obtain an Animal Health Certificate within 10 days of travel. 

If travelling to the U.K. your dog will also require a tapeworm treatment.

Booking your dog onto the Eurotunnel is straight forward. There is an option to add pet’s onto your trip when using the online booking tool. It will cost £22 each way, per pet. 

Hopefully you have found this helpful.

Happy travels!