I am planning a trip to Cumbria to pick up my Border Collie pup. Most of the travel advice is about bringing a dog into Britain. I'm actually getting my new dog there and heading back to Heathrow and finally SFO. Can I travel by rail with a dog in a carry case? What about taxi or Underground? And...B&Bs or hotels? Any advice, or pointers to advice I can read, is greatly and sincerely appreciated.
Posted by
London, United Kingdom
4684 posts
British railways will carry up to two dogs per passenger at no charge. Dogs must be either in carry cases or on leads. Dogs are allowed on London Underground trains but must be carried up and down escalators and through ticket gates for safety reasons. Taxis and hotels depend on the driver's or hotel owner's choice. You should ask hotels and B&Bs individually whether they allow or charge for dogs.
Posted by
Bristol, UK
619 posts
It is important that dogs are carried on the tube, and the following clip shows how the rule is enforced. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqXTzZVTs5o
Posted by
OP
Orangevale, CA
3 posts
Hilarious! I like that guy's hairdo. Plus, now I am really, truly, not worried about what I wear while there. Thanks!
Posted by
OP
Orangevale, CA
3 posts
Thanks Philip! I really appreciate the advice and help! This will be a bit of an adventure for me. What a crazy idea to travel halfway around the planet to get a puppy. :P
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
My sister has lived abroad and brought her dogs with her. From her, I've learned the following: Check and double-check with your airline about their fees and policies for dogs. These change all the time. One particular potential issue is that each plane has a limit on how many pets they will carry, so you want to get your "reservation" in early. Depending on the size of the dog, it may be allowed in the cabin under the seat, or it may have to be carried as "checked baggage." The other alternative is "cargo"; one of many problems with this is that cargo often arrives and departs from a whole different area of the airport (so there's much more time your dog is not with you vs when it's carried as "checked baggage" and unloaded first). You also have to check that you have the kind of carrier the airline requires. Finally, your dog will probably have to have a microchip; make sure it's the right kind or kinds. Europe uses one kind, and the US another; she had to have her dogs chipped twice, despite specifying which one she needed the first time <g>.