Traveling with your dog or cat: the complete guide
How to prepare your pet for travel by car, ferry or plane: documents, carrier training, motion sickness, and the complete packing list.
Gatsou Team
· 7 min read
Traveling with your pet can be a joy — or an ordeal — and the difference almost always comes down to preparation. Here's what you need before you leave, what applies to each mode of transport, and what absolutely must go in your pet's "suitcase".
Before the trip
1
Check-up and up-to-date vaccines
The health book must be complete — the rabies vaccine is essential for any trip, and you may be asked for it on a ferry or at a border.
2
Carrier training
Start weeks ahead — leave the carrier open at home with a blanket and treats inside, so your pet sees it as a "den" rather than a trap.
3
A light meal 3-4 hours before
Traveling on a full stomach means motion sickness and accidents. Water yes; food light and early.
4
Toilet break before departure
A good walk for the dog, fresh litter for the cat — it reduces stress and stops along the way.
By car
Your pet always travels secured: a harness seat belt for dogs or a firmly placed carrier — never loose in the cabin and never at the driver's feet. Stop roughly every 2 hours for water and a toilet break, and NEVER leave your pet alone in a parked car — in summer it's lethal within minutes. If your dog gets carsick (drooling, yawning, vomiting), ask your vet about anti-nausea medication before the next trip.
By ferry
On Greek ferries, small pets travel in a carrier, while large dogs stay on the open decks on a leash or in the ship's kennels — and where pet cabins exist, your pet stays with you for the whole crossing. Essentials: microchip, up-to-date health book, and registry registration. For all the rules in detail — beaches, Blue Flags, your rights on board — see our article on pets on ferries and beaches.
By plane
Small pets (usually up to 8 kg including the carrier) travel in the cabin; larger ones in the climate-controlled hold. Pet spots per flight are limited — declare your pet at booking, not at check-in. Note: many airlines refuse brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like bulldogs and pugs in the hold due to breathing risk — check before buying tickets.
Traveling abroad
For travel within the EU you need a European pet passport, issued by your vet, with a rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before departure. Each country may have extra requirements — check your destination's rules early, ideally 1-2 months ahead.
Your pet's suitcase
•
Food for every day plus a reserve, and bottled water for the journey
•
Travel bowls (collapsible) and any medication
•
Health book or passport, and a spare leash
•
Waste bags / portable litter and tray for cats
•
Their favorite blanket or toy — it smells like 'home' and calms them
•
A small travel first-aid kit: gauze, antiseptic, tick tweezers
Do 2-3 short "rehearsal" trips with the carrier before the big journey. A pet who's learned that trips always end well travels incomparably more calmly.
Frequently asked
Does my dog need a ticket on the ferry?
On most ferry lines pets travel free, but they must be declared at booking — essential if you want a pet cabin or kennel spot, which sell out early in summer.
How do I get my cat used to the carrier?
Gradually and positively: leave it open at home with a blanket and treats, feed her inside it a few times, and start with short trips. Don't bring it out only for vet visits — that's how it becomes a "bad omen".
What can I do about my dog's car sickness?
A light meal 3-4 hours before, a cool cabin, stops every 2 hours and gradual acclimation with short trips. If it persists, your vet can prescribe anti-nausea medication for travel.
What documents does my pet need to travel abroad?
Within the EU: a European pet passport, microchip and a rabies vaccine given at least 21 days before travel. Outside the EU requirements vary by country — check your destination's rules 1-2 months ahead.
Can my dog travel in the airplane cabin?
Only small pets, usually up to 8 kg including the carrier — the limit varies by airline. Larger dogs travel in the climate-controlled hold, with a spot booked in advance.
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