Travelling with a dog
Ferries to Ireland with a Dog
How your dog travels comfortably on the ferry to Ireland – routes, cabins and all the entry rules
- Every Ireland ferry accepts dogs – advance booking is compulsory
- Pet cabins available on the overnight ferries with Stena Line, DFDS and Irish Ferries
- Ireland requires tapeworm treatment 24 to 120 hours before arrival
Entry requirements
What Your Dog Needs for Ireland
Ireland requires a tapeworm treatment before entry. The time window has to be followed exactly!
EU Pet Passport
ISO microchip
Rabies vaccination
Tapeworm treatment
Taking Your Dog on the Ferry to Ireland
Taking Your Dog on the Ferry to Ireland
Your dog can travel on every Ireland ferry. What matters is registering your pet at the time of booking: places for animals are limited, and on the overnight ferries a pet cabin is compulsory. Register your dog when you book, not just on arrival at the port.
Which route works best with a dog?
For travelling with a dog, time spent on board matters most. On the short crossings via Wales, such as Fishguard - Rosslare, your dog is on the ferry for only a few hours, though you then have the drive across Britain to add on. On the direct overnight ferries from mainland Europe, such as Cherbourg - Rosslare or Roscoff - Cork, and Dunkirk - Rosslare, you travel overnight: you board in the evening and arrive in Ireland the next day. That saves the overland stages, but it does mean you need a pet cabin for the night.
Where your dog stays on board
On the long crossings, your pet is accommodated in a pet cabin or an on-board kennel. Stena Line, DFDS and Irish Ferries all keep a limited number of these places available; on the overnight routes, booking one is compulsory, since animals aren't allowed to stay in the vehicle. On the short Wales routes, some operators let the dog travel in the car or in a kennel. Either way, the car deck is closed off during the crossing, so you can't get to your car mid-journey. Bring food, water, a lead and waste bags up to the passenger deck with you.
Entry requirements for dogs travelling to Ireland
Ireland is in the EU, but it asks for a few extra steps for dogs compared with other countries:
- ISO microchip for identification, implanted before or at the same time as the rabies vaccination.
- Rabies vaccination, valid and given at least 21 days before entry, at the earliest from 12 weeks of age.
- EU pet passport with the chip and vaccination recorded in it.
- Tapeworm treatment with praziquantel, carried out by a vet 24 to 120 hours before arrival and documented in the passport. Without this entry, you can be refused entry.
If you're entering via Great Britain, you'll also need an Animal Health Certificate. Plan the vet visit for the tapeworm treatment carefully around your arrival time – the window is tight.
Tips for travelling with a dog
Book early, as pet cabins fill up fast. Keep your dog on a lead on board, plan a walk before departure, and have the pet passport ready at check-in. For getting around once you're in Ireland: both the Republic and Northern Ireland drive on the left – see the guide Ferry Ireland by car for details.
Frequently asked questions
FAQ – Ferries to Ireland with a Dog
The key questions about travelling to Ireland with a dog, answered briefly.
Which ferries to Ireland take dogs?+
All of them. Every Ireland ferry is a car ferry and takes dogs, from the short Wales crossings such as Fishguard - Rosslare to the overnight ferries from mainland Europe such as Cherbourg - Rosslare and Dunkirk - Rosslare. The key thing is to register your pet at the time of booking, as places for dogs are limited.
What are the entry requirements for dogs travelling to Ireland?+
Entering from the EU you need an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before entry, at the earliest from 12 weeks of age) and an EU pet passport. Ireland also requires a tapeworm treatment with praziquantel, documented 24 to 120 hours before arrival. If you're entering via Great Britain, an Animal Health Certificate is required as well.
Where does my dog stay during the crossing?+
On the long overnight ferries from mainland Europe, your dog travels in a pet cabin or an on-board kennel, depending on the operator – Stena Line, DFDS and Irish Ferries all offer this. These places are limited and get booked up early during holiday periods, so register your dog as soon as you book. On the short crossings via Wales, the animal stays in the car or in a kennel depending on the operator; the car deck itself is closed off for the duration of the crossing.