dog travel

Whether or not dogs are welcome in restaurants depends on the location. You're talking about four or five different countries and who knows how many different cities...and different restaurants. We are all volunteers here on the Helpline, not Rick Steves staff, so we can't send anything. You might want to contact the Europe Through the Back Door office (Contact Us, at the bottom of the page) to see what they can do for you. I'm sure someone will chime in with details about what is needed to travel with a dog, or you can click on the link about Searching Rick's Archives to find other posts on the same topic, some of them quite recent. Airline restrictions are specific to the airline, so you would need to check with them about rules, documentation required, and additional costs. Once you get some basic information and narrow down the focus of your question, we can help with specific suggestions or information.

I have traveled extensively in Europe with my dachshund. For entry into countries within the EU you will need a Certficate of Health in the language of the first country of entry (landing n Frankfurt=German, for example) which your vet can help you with, which states that your dog is current with vaccinations and has a ID micro-chip. This needs to be done within ten days of departure. A 20 pound terrier might be too big to fit comfortably in an under-the-seat carrier, and may have to go in the hold. My dachshund is about 14 pounds and he squeaks in just under the limit. You will pay extra for him, approximately $200. each way, and not be allowed any other carry-on luggage. Some trains in Germany charge extra for dogs, it's about the same as paying for a bicycle, and you will be asked to have him sit on a blanket on the seat or keep him on the floor. I love traveling with my dog!! We've been all over Europe together. YOu can find dog friendly accommodations on line through local tourism info sites, and they may charge about 5 euro per day extra, but not always. If you have other or more specific questions, feel free to pm me!

In Germany, there are rules published for dogs on the trains, but I have found they are not enforced, particularly if you have a cute, friendly dog. Officially, if the dog is too large for a traveling case that fits on the overhead storage rack, the dog will need a children's ticket, and the seat can not be reserved. For regional trains, they will usually let the dog ride for free, but for the highspeed ICE trains, they will expect a ticket. There's also something about all dogs not in a traveling case need a muzzle, but this has never been enforced with my Toller. Whether or not your dog will be welcome in a restaurant depends on the individual establishment. In Germany, my dog has never been asked to leave any mid-level restaurants... I've never taken her to a fancy place. Not all hotels allow dogs, some levy a surcharge and some accept them for free. Most hotel websites will let you know their policy.

I would consider France, they really seem to love dogs. There are probably more things for your dog to do there as well, peeing on the Eiffel Tower or drinking from The Seine for example. Who knows, maybe he'll meet a Poodle and really have some great memories!

PS- Two more quick points. 1. See the thread on some of the unrealistic expectations some travellers have about interacting with the "locals". I have found, however, that nothing breaks the ice quite like having a friendly dog make the introductions. Hell, I think more of my neighbors know my dog's name than mine. 2. As your post is viewable on public forum, you might want to edit your initial querry and remove your personal information.

Please be aware that dogs cannot be brought into the UK without a lengthy stay in quarantine if they come from a country with a high incidence of rabies. Google "pet travel" for details.

Dogs entering the UK from the USA or Europe must be rabies vaccinated (with a blood test to ensure the vaccination worked), microchipped, and wormed before travel. Full details of UK regulations are at http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/pet-owners/

For those of you who have posted that pets entering the UK will need to be quarantined: Please research the current regulations re: bringing your pet in as they changed on Jan 1. 2012. Quarantine is no longer required if you meet the requirements for entry. They are very SPECIFIC, so read them carefully, get your pet passport and health certificate, and make sure the animal is treated by a vet for tape worm 5 days before arriving in the UK.

It's really really easy to travel with a dog. Contact me if you want more specific information - but basically if you follow the defra advice (see above posts) and take a ferry into the UK it's easy. And even easier to get around continental Europe.