The United Kingdom is a wonderful place for travelling with a dog. While it might not be as dog-friendly as parts of continental Europe, the UK still has plenty of dog-friendly pubs and cafes, walks, parks and even dog-friendly beaches. Given the recent hassles of travelling to and from Europe with a dog, consider travelling with your dog in the UK instead.
I’ve visited the United Kingdom multiple times with and without my dog, uncovering plenty of delightful places and things to do with your dog. Check out my tips for everything from transport to dining out and of course sightseeing guides.
Travelling Between UK Countries with a Dog
It’s quite simple to travel between most of the individual countries of the United Kingdom with a dog, including England, Wales, Scotland, the Channel Islands and Isle of Man. There’s no need for a pet passport or rabies vaccine. It’s easy to visit multiple countries in your UK itinerary.
However, following the end of the Brexit transition, the requirements to travel with a pet to Northern Ireland from Great Britain changed. Initially, the requirements were the same as for any EU country, although this was not enforced.
In June 2025, the Northern Ireland pet travel scheme was introduced. You can now apply for a free Northern Ireland pet travel document that lasts for the lifetime of your pet. For more details, see my guide on travelling to Northern Ireland with a dog.
The situation to travel in reverse from Northern Ireland to Great Britain is still the same, with no documentation or worming treatment required, although pets should be microchipped.
Long-Distance Transport in the UK with a Dog
When travelling with my dog in the United Kingdom, I’ve mainly travelled in a car. This is often the easiest option, especially when you want to explore the countryside and visit remote beaches. However, there are some alternatives for travelling with your dog.
Taking Long-Distance Trains in the UK with a Dog
The easiest way to travel long distances in the United Kingdom with a dog is by taking a train. The trains in the United Kingdom are very dog-friendly, with dogs allowed onboard all trains and usually travelling for free.
This applies to both small dogs (in a container) and larger dogs (that need to be on a leash). Up to two dogs can travel per passenger for free. Whether or not more pets are permitted and the relevant charges for additional pets depends on the individual train company.
If travelling in a sleeper cabin, such as on the train from London to Edinburgh, a fee does however apply. Additionally, if an animal is causing or likely to cause inconvenience due to its size or behaviour, it can be removed.
For a full list of the regulations, check the National Rail website. The same rules are legislated to apply to all train companies in the UK, although additional fees charged can vary. Of course, it’s best to book as far in advance as possible to get the best prices.
Flying in the UK with a Dog
Luckily it’s so easy to travel by train with your dog in the UK, as flying with dogs is generally not an option. For starters, most UK airlines don’t allow pets to fly in the cabin, or even as check-in baggage, due to government regulations.
The only animals that are permitted to fly in the cabin of planes in the UK are registered assistance dogs. There may also be a handful of tiny airlines that can fly less than 20 passengers, such as the Skybus to the Isles of Scilly in Cornwall, that are permitted to allow pets in the cabin.
The only larger airline that I’m aware of that allow pets to fly as checked baggage is Loganair, a Scottish regional airline. Loganair allows pets as checked baggage on most domestic flights, although there are some exclusions.
For more details on flying with a pet in the United Kingdom, including the pet policies of all UK airlines and which ones can fly pets as cargo, read my guide.
Similar rules apply when flying to the United Kingdom. Pets are strictly not allowed to fly in the cabin or as checked baggage on flights into the UK, only as cargo.
However, the rules are relaxed on flights departing the United Kingdom. Although many airlines still don’t allow pets in the cabin or as checked baggage on flights out of the UK, I’ve put together this growing list of airlines that allow pets on flights out of the UK.
Taking Ferries in the UK with a Dog
The other option for travelling with your dog in the United Kingdom is to take a ferry across the Irish Sea to Northern Ireland. While your dog would need to fly in the hold to Northern Ireland, there are multiple dog-friendly ferry options, including ones that allow foot passengers to bring dogs.
Depending on the ferry, on-board kennels and even pet-friendly cabins are increasingly available, as well as the option to leave your dog in your vehicle.
To find out more about the ferries available for travelling to Northern Ireland with your dog, check out my guide on taking your dog to Northern Ireland.
In particular, I recommend this ferry as the most dog-friendly ferry of any of the options to the whole of Ireland, at least for small dogs.
Local Transport in the UK with a Dog
Dogs are generally allowed on public transport in the United Kingdom, although the regulations depend on the local authorities.
In London, dogs are allowed to travel on the underground and buses for free. Dogs are required to be on a leash, or alternatively in a container for smaller pets.
The one caveat is that dogs may not be allowed “if there is a good reason to refuse it”. This sometimes comes up as an issue for people taking larger dogs on buses. However, smaller dogs or dogs on the underground are unlikely to be refused. View the full Transport for London regulations.
In Manchester, dogs are allowed on buses operating as part of the Bee Network free of charge. And after a successful trial in 2022, dogs can now ride with you for free on the Metrolink tram network, with some simple rules.
Outside of London and Manchester, the rules for taking dogs on buses and other local transport differ between companies. Most companies allow dogs, generally for free, while some companies don’t allow pet dogs. Check the individual company regulations, or be prepared for a possible refusal.
Dining Out in the United Kingdom with a Dog
While it’s not as common for restaurants and cafes in the UK to allow dogs inside as in Germany and Italy, there are a small and increasing number of dog-friendly establishments. To discover some excellent options, search for online listings, ask your accommodation or just look out for signs at the door.
One of the most likely dog-friendly options are the many pubs. As well as being a bastion of Sunday lunches, most pubs allow dogs in at least part of them, whether it’s in the city or the countryside. You’ll likely need to sit in the bar area rather than the formal dining room.
Given the weather in the UK isn’t that reliable, it’s certainly a relief to find somewhere to hang out on a cold, wet evening, indoors with your dog at your side. Just always ask first, as there are some pubs that don’t allow dogs.
Dog-Friendly Accommodation in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom offers a diverse range of dog-friendly accommodation. There’s everything from upmarket hotels, complete with special pet services, to homely country pubs and cottages.
Many Airbnbs in the UK will also allow dogs, although I often found that they pointedly request that dogs are not left in the properties by themselves. Follow my tips for finding and staying in a pet-friendly Airbnb.
Compared to elsewhere in Europe though, the number of dog-friendly properties is fairly low percentage-wise. When I investigated the number of dog-friendly hotels in Europe, London came out close to the bottom, based on percentage of properties. While the sheer number of hotels in London helps make up for this, be sure to book your accommodation well in advance.
Affordable chain hotels in the UK that allow dogs include most Ibis and Travelodge hotels, as well as many Best Westerns and Holiday Inns.
There are multiple companies set up in the UK to specially organise accommodation for dog-owners travelling with their dog. For example, check out:
- Pets Pyjamas: With options ranging from fancy hotels to country cottages, dogs stay for free and a free pet travel kit is included with each booking
- Canine Cottages: Specialising in dog-friendly cottages, often with two dogs allowed
Another alternative is hiring a campervan. There’s a wide range of dog-friendly campervans available for hire in the UK, although sometimes an additional fee applies for pets. Check out the wide range of pet-friendly motorhome hire options from Goboony.
Dog-Friendly Sightseeing in the United Kingdom
Many attractions throughout the UK allow well-behaved dogs to accompany you, in particular those located outdoors, from outdoor museums to beautiful gardens and plenty of dog-friendly beaches.
On my most recent visit to the UK, I was even surprised to discover that there are an increasing number of cathedrals that allow leashed dogs to join you. It always pays to check the rules! Luckily, most attractions in the UK have clear details about whether they allow dogs and the relevant rules.
The most dog-friendly regions of the UK are located out in the countryside. When I visited the Lake District it seemed that every second visitor was accompanied by their dog! Other excellent dog-friendly regions in the UK include the Peak District, Cornwall, Snowdonia and the highlands of Scotland.
Most hiking trails allow dogs, although dogs need to be kept on a leash near livestock, especially particularly during lambing season and when ground-nesting birds lay their eggs. Responsible dog owners are encouraged to visit the 15 national parks in the UK, as long as they follow the rules.
For plenty of dog-friendly sightseeing ideas throughout the United Kingdom, check out my guides:
- Best Dog-Friendly Beaches in the UK
- Dog-Friendly Things to do in England
- Best Dog-Friendly Gardens in England
- Dog-Friendly Cathedrals in England
- Dog-Friendly Things to do in Wales
- Dog-Friendly Things to do in Scotland
Dog-Friendly Guides to Cities and Regions
I’ve also written a large number of guides covering different cities, towns and regions scattered throughout the United Kingdom, in particular in England. Each guide contains plenty of dog-friendly sightseeing ideas, plus tips on dining out, accommodation and transport. Check out these guides…
Dog-Friendly London
Dog-Friendly Southern England
- Dog-Friendly Bath
- Dog-Friendly Walks in Bath
- Dog-Friendly Bournemouth
- Dog-Friendly Brighton
- Dog-Friendly Bristol
- Dog-Friendly Cambridge
- Dog-Friendly Dorset
- Dog-Friendly Oxford
- Dog-Friendly Penzance
Dog-Friendly Northern England & Midlands
- Dog-Friendly Birmingham
- Dog-Friendly Chester
- Dog-Friendly Liverpool
- Dog-Friendly Manchester
- Dog-Friendly Peak District
- Dog-Friendly York
Rest of the United Kingdom
What About Travelling To and From the UK with a Dog?
If you’re wanting to head to a different country from the UK with your dog, or if you’re located in a different country and wanting to travel to the UK with your dog, I’ve put together a number of guides:
- Travelling To and From the United Kingdom with a Dog
- How to Travel Between the UK and Europe with a Dog
- How to Travel from UK to France with a Dog
- How to Travel from UK to Spain with a Dog
- How to Travel from Great Britain to Ireland with a Dog
- How to Travel from UK to the USA with a Dog
- How to Travel to UK from Outside Europe with a Dog
About the Author
Shandos Cleaver is the founder of Travelnuity: Dog-Friendly Travel. She has travelled extensively with her Miniature Dachshund, Schnitzel, including to 33 countries across Europe, every state and territory of Australia except Tasmania, and 10 of the United States. She’s passionate about providing inspiration and information to others wanting to travel with their dogs, whether close to home or internationally.
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UK restaurants are not dog friendly at all. We are in London and 99% of the restaurants we went to told us our dog, a small 5kg yorkie/terrier, is not allowed. We will never visit UK again.
Martin – This is horrible to hear! Restaurants in the UK aren’t as dog-friendly in many other parts of Europe, and it is a bit of a lottery whether dogs are accepted. I will try and add more tips on finding dog-friendly restaurants soon, so others have a better experience in the future (and in case you return).
London is not the UK. And, like many big cities, it is more challenging to find dog-friendly places (excluding the tube!). But the UK as a whole (which includes England, Scotland, Wales and N Ireland) is very dog-friendly. Most pubs will allow your dog inside (in fact every pub I’ve been in has – but I’ve not bothered doing that in London).
Hi,
Enjoyed reading the information on your site.
We are traveling from the US to the UK on board the Queen Mary ll in May. Required paperwork and all that is already taken care of but I was wondering if you could recommend a good place to stay for 10 days in both The Cotswolds and Wales. Venues with nice countryside walks and several pubs/stores within walking distance is what we’re after. Thanks! Hank in Texas
Hank – I hope you received my reply to your email. Unfortunately, I don’t have recommendations for either of these destinations at the moment.
It’s a really us thank you. Having travelled extensively with 2 dogs this is really useful information, it can become a real pain if for example you break down like us and would prefer not to fly.
Since you mentioned campervan hire as an option for travelling in the UK, I wanted also to suggest canal boat hire of which we have many options at Roam And Roost Canal Boat Holidays. The majority of UK canal boats are pet friendly and offer a great, slower way to explore.
Thanks for the great suggestion, I’ve heard good things about canal boats!