How to Cross from France to UK with Your Pet: Le Pet Express Review

How to cross from France to the UK with your pet can feel stressful the first time. I had doubts too. The paperwork matters, but with Le Pet Express the journey is smoother than you’d expect. Still, there were surprises I wish I’d known earlier — and that’s what I share here.

Starting the Journey: How I Crossed from France to UK with My Pet 🚗

How to cross from France to the UK with your pet might seem stressful the first time. I’ve felt it too. In every forum, I see the same questions. People worry if the paperwork will be checked. They ask if border staff are strict. Many wonder if, even after doing everything right, problems will appear.

Honestly, I worried just like you. I stressed about tapeworm appointments, certificates, and what could go wrong at the border. But after trying car, ferry, and now Le Pet Express, I learned something important. If your documents are up to date, the process is usually smooth. These days, I’m much more relaxed when I travel with Cookie.

That’s why I booked Le Pet Express for our return from Europe. It’s a fresh option for crossing the Channel, even without a car. If you’re still feeling anxious, keep reading. I’ll share every detail from my real journey. That way, you can travel with confidence too.

Le Pet Express Explained: A Pet-Friendly Way to Cross the Channel 🚐

Many pet parents ask how to cross from France to UK with your pet as a foot passenger. Le Pet Express could be the answer. This service fills a big gap. Now, the journey is easier and safer. Best of all, you do not need a car.

Crossing the Channel Without a Car 🌍

Le Pet Express is a pet-friendly shuttle service for foot passengers. It helps pet owners cross from France to the UK without a car. In the past, such a journey felt almost impossible. For solo travellers or couples, the struggle was even greater. Families or groups found options even more limited.

📦 Personal Story

The Route and How It Works 🚆

Now, things have changed. Le Pet Express operates between Calais Fréthun station in France and Ashford International station in the UK. Importantly, you don’t need to drive. Both you and your pet travel together in a modern minibus. This vehicle includes secure, climate-controlled crates for each pet. Both dogs and cats are welcome.

How to Cross from France to UK with Your Pet—DEFRA Rules and Safety 📝

Additionally, Le Pet Express holds a UK DEFRA Type II licence for pet transport. Therefore, all journeys follow strict animal-welfare standards. As a result, you and your pet are in safe hands.

We, owners, sit right next to our pet’s crate. This way, we can see our furry friends at all times. However, we cannot open the cages during the journey, because this is a DEFRA rule for safety.

Can You Cross from France to UK with Your Pet—or Without One? 👣

Surprisingly, you do not even need a pet to book a seat. Le Pet Express also allows foot passengers to travel without an animal, as long as space is available. This option is useful if you are joining friends or family. It also helps if you simply need a unique way to cross from France to the UK.

Who Is Le Pet Express For? 👥

Since space is limited, Le Pet Express is best for solo travellers or couples. It is not ideal for large families or groups. Even so, crossing from France to the UK with your pet is now possible. Best of all, it is much less stressful.

Required Documents and Pet Travel Checklist 📑

Traveling from France to the UK with your pet means being prepared. The right documents are essential. Here’s what you’ll need:

How to Cross from France to UK with Your Pet: Essential Checklist 📋

• 🛂 EU Pet Passport: Must be valid and up to date.

• 📄 Health Certificate (if no pet passport): For pets from outside the EU/UK.

• 🐾 Microchip: Your pet needs a working, ISO-compliant microchip.

• 💉 Rabies Vaccination: Make sure the vaccine is up to date.

• 🦠 Tapeworm Treatment: Required for dogs entering the UK.

• ✔ Ready? Some border staff may refuse entry if any details are missing.

Step-by-Step Timeline 🗂️

• 📑 Bring all documents to check-in.

• 💉 Check microchip registration before any vaccine.

• 📅 Book a rabies vaccination (at least 21 days before travel if new).

• 📄 Update or obtain your pet passport or AHC.

• 🦠 Book a tapeworm treatment for dogs (1–5 days before travel).

✅ Want the full breakdown? I’ve put together a detailed guide covering every pet travel requirement and the lessons I learned along the way.

Download or Save This Checklist 📥

🔗 Download Pet Travel Checklist: France to UK with Your Pet

If Something Goes Wrong ⚠️

• If your paperwork doesn’t meet UK rules, the consequences can be serious

• Quarantine can last up to 4 months, and you’d be fully responsible for costs.

• Your pet could be refused entry at the border.

In worst cases, pets may be held for quarantine—or deported.

Need Help Crossing from France to UK with Your Pet? 🆘

If you’re unsure about your documents or need urgent clarification:

• Call HMRC’s National Clearance Hub:
  +44 300 322 7900 (open 24/7 for general travel/import help)

• Live animal entry queries:
  +44 300 588 452 (Mon–Fri, 08:00–18:00 UK time)

• Email for technical guidance:
  NCHTechnical@hmrc.gov.uk

Costs, Refunds, and Alternatives to Le Pet Express 💷

💸 Le Pet Express: Cost Breakdown

One-way ticket: £185 / €211.64 (July 2025 price)

Return ticket: same rate applies

What’s included:

• Spot for you and your pet (in a safe crate)
• Luggage allowance (usually one suitcase—confirm on booking)
• Staff support for documents at check-in
• Climate-controlled travel for comfort

What’s not included:

• Meals or snacks
• Extra pets or extra passengers (add-on fee)
• Transport to and from pickup/drop-off points

🔁 Refund Policy

🔄 Value vs. Alternatives: What Are Your Options?

🐾 Comparison Table: Le Pet Express vs. Other Ways to Cross

Option	Price (one way)	Pros	Cons
Le Pet Express	£185 / €211.64	No car needed, help with documents, climate-controlled	Limited space, fixed schedule
Pet Taxi	£300–£500+	Experienced with pets, staff support, can share rides	Expensive, needs advance booking
Private Shuttle (Taxi/Minibus)	£400+	Totally private, flexible route and timing	Very expensive, must arrange in advance
Car Ferry	£100–£200	Bring your own car, flexible luggage	Car required, less support, more steps
Eurotunnel by Car	£120–£250	Fast, pet stays in your car	Car required, can be stressful

🚖 How to Cross from France to the UK with Your Pet: Find a Reputable Pet Taxi or Private Hire

When you need more flexibility or a custom route, consider booking with an experienced pet taxi or private shuttle company. Here are some trusted options for crossing between France and the UK:

• Folkestone Taxis (Pet Travel Taxi) – Popular for UK–France crossings, fully licensed, and pet-friendly.

• Pet Moves – Specializes in pet and owner transfers, experienced with all paperwork.

• Pet Travel Solutions – Covers UK, France, and beyond, multiple vehicle types.

Tips for Booking:

• 👉 Ask for their DEFRA or local authority license—reputable companies are happy to provide proof.

• 👉 Book as early as possible—pet taxis can fill up months ahead, especially in summer.

• 👉 Check online reviews or Facebook groups for first-hand experiences.

• 👉 Always confirm what’s included in the price (luggage, pets, waiting time, etc).

• 👉 For a private shuttle or regular taxi, ask if the driver is pet-friendly and check the route rules in advance.

Note: Private shuttles and pet taxis are much more expensive than Le Pet Express.
However, they can be essential if you need a custom pickup point or extra flexibility.

📝 In Summary

Le Pet Express offers good value for foot passengers. The price is higher than a standard ferry ticket, but you get extra support and no need for a car. Compared to pet taxis and private shuttles, it’s a much more affordable option. For car owners, ferries and Eurotunnel may be cheaper, but you manage everything yourself.

If you’d like to explore more ways of travelling with your pet across Europe, then these guides will be a great starting point.
They not only share my real experiences, but also highlight the pros and cons of each route.
In addition, you’ll find useful tips, cost breakdowns, and lessons learned along the way.
With these insights, you can more confidently choose the option that best fits your next journey.

What to Expect on Travel Day with Your Pet 🐶

Nervous about travel day? Here’s what really happens—step by step, from check-in to arrival!

🕐 Arriving at the Station: What Happens First When You Cross Borders with Your Pet

Arrive early—about 30 to 40 minutes before departure.
The Le Pet Express van is right outside the station at both Calais Fréthun and Ashford International. It’s easy to spot, so there’s no stress about finding it.

While you wait, take the chance to let your dog stretch their legs or have a quick toilet break. Both stations have safe outdoor areas for this.
This helps your pet relax before the trip.

First Checks and Staff Guidance 📝

When the staff arrive, they introduce themselves and explain what’s about to happen.
They’ll go over every step of the journey, including:

• 🛂 How you and your pet will be checked at the border (pet control for pets, passport control for humans)
• 🕒 Expected queue times and places to rest with your dog before boarding
• 🚆 What happens as you leave the train and continue your journey

The team also explains how the van works.
They showed me the cameras inside and how the cages are set up.
I learned exactly how Cookie would be safely loaded for the journey.
This helped me feel more comfortable and reassured.

Next, they’ll collect all pet paperwork and your own travel documents for a careful check.
If you are traveling with a visa, they’ll let you know exactly where your stamp must go.

Because of this, you start the day feeling informed and supported—even before the journey begins.

📦 Mr Barry — The Dog Whisperer

Pet Control Support When Crossing from France to the UK with Your Pet 🐶

One of the best parts of traveling with Le Pet Express is the hands-on help at pet control. Your driver personally walks with you to the pet border control station, guiding you through every step.

For example, during my trip, Mr. Barry stayed right by my side while I presented Cookie’s documents. He spoke directly with the control staff, ensured the paperwork was correct, and kept things light with his friendly humour. This extra support is priceless—especially if it’s your first crossing.

Here’s Cookie just after we cleared pet border control. Paperwork done. Tails wagging. Ready for the next leg of our journey.

Human Border Control—What to Expect 👫

After pet control, you’ll move on to human border checks. When it’s time for human border control, the driver can’t accompany you. However, before you leave, they take the time to explain every step in detail. As a result, you know exactly what to expect and can walk in feeling calm and prepared.

In my case, I’m an EU citizen with UK settled status, so the process was straightforward. But other passengers, including those with short-term visas, were nervous. The driver reassured everyone, checking documents beforehand to avoid surprises. This made the entire experience far less stressful for everyone.

Final Prep Before Boarding 🔒

Once everyone has passed human border control, it’s time for the final step before boarding the train. At this stage, the driver ensures that each pet is comfortably settled in a secure crate. The crates are then sealed with an official tag. This seal must remain intact for the entire journey. Owners are not allowed to open the crates until arrival in the UK.

📦 Personal Story — Keeping Friends Together

With the crates selected and pets comfortable, passengers return to the van for boarding. The process is quick, organised, and designed to minimise stress for both humans and animals.

Inside the Le Pet Express Van: Comfort, Safety, and Access for Your Pet 🚐

Once your paperwork is approved, it’s time for boarding. The Le Pet Express van is built for both pet safety and comfort.

• 🐕 Spacious crates – Crates are spacious and climate-controlled. Before departure, each one is sealed. Mr Barry emphasised this rule often, as it’s essential for keeping their licence.
• 🐾 Travel together – Two pets can often share a crate if it’s safe and approved by staff.
• 🌡️ Climate control – The van stays temperature-regulated in all seasons. Pets remain comfortable no matter the weather.
• 🎥 Cameras inside – Staff monitor pets throughout the journey. This helps ensure their safety and gives owners peace of mind.
• 🚪 Access before departure – Before leaving, you can check your pet, give them water, and make sure they’re settled. Once you join the queue for border control, the crates are sealed. They must stay closed until the journey is complete.

Sometimes, not every part of the journey is smooth. This moment with Cookie reminded me that even the best plans can be hard on our pets.

📦 Personal Story – Stressful Crate Moment During France–UK Pet Crossing

Stops, Pet Toilet Breaks, and Food/Water 🚏

For pets, toilet and water breaks happen before boarding — during pet control and human border control stops. 🐕💧
Once the pets are inside their crates and the crates are sealed, there are no more breaks until arrival.
The journey lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, so well-trained pets usually manage fine without discomfort.

During one of these short breaks, Cookie took a moment to enjoy the fresh air and observe everything around her. These pauses may be brief. Still, they make a big difference in helping pets relax before the final stage of the trip.

For humans, the human border control area has cafés, shops, and toilets. 🚻☕
You can also buy food or drinks before boarding. Pets can enter the shops only if they are on your lap or in a carrier. They are not allowed on the floor.

Inside the van during travel, you can eat or drink without restrictions. 🥪🚐
Once the van is loaded onto the train, the doors open, and you can walk around the large compartment.
The train has toilets and a small coffee shop. Some passengers visit these, but on our trip, most stayed close to the van and chatted with the driver.

The train carriage looks like a long enclosed container. 🚆
For some, this can feel a little claustrophobic because there are no windows.
If you think about the tunnel being underwater, you might feel “stuck.” However, the trip is short. And with a driver like Mr Barry, the atmosphere stays light and fun.

🎥 Want a peek at the onboard moment? Here’s how it looks when the Le Pet Express van drives onto the Eurotunnel shuttle.

What to Expect During the Pet-Friendly Channel Crossing 🧍‍♀️

Once the van is loaded into the train carriage, the crossing itself is short.
It takes about 35 minutes inside the tunnel, plus loading and unloading time.

You are free to move around during the journey. The train carriage has toilets, a small café, and even a shop.

However, on our trip, no one took advantage of these facilities. All of us preferred to stay near the van, keeping our pets company.

Staying close meant we could talk to the driver.
We shared stories with fellow travellers. And we also kept an eye on our dogs through the van’s windows.

That created a sense of community and made the journey feel faster.

If you do decide to wander, remember that you cannot open the crates or interact directly with your pet until arrival in the UK. Throughout the tunnel, the crates remained sealed, just as we’d been warned earlier. This kept all pets safe and ensured the journey ran smoothly.

📦 Personal Story – Tunnel Talk and Travel Chats

What Surprised Me — and What I Wish I’d Known 💡

Even after researching the Le Pet Express journey, there were things I didn’t expect.
Some were pleasant surprises, while others I wish I’d known beforehand.

One big surprise was how attentive the driver was.
He stayed by our side during pet control and made sure all pets were settled.
It felt personal and safe from the start.

I also didn’t realise how long pets spend in their crates once they’re sealed.
The crossing is short, but the total crate time is longer.
For dogs who dislike confinement, this can be stressful.
I wish I had done more crate training with Cookie before the trip.

Another surprise was how relaxed the other pets were.
Most dogs seemed at ease, even with the noise of the van and tunnel.
It showed me how differently each dog reacts.

Finally, I didn’t expect most humans to stay near the van instead of exploring shops or the café.
Looking back, it made perfect sense.
We all felt better staying close to our pets, watching them and sharing travel stories.

📦 Personal Story – The Dog Whisperer Moment

Sometimes, travel isn’t only about moving from one place to another. It’s also about the healing and reassurance our pets bring along the way. If this part of the story touched you, you might also enjoy these moments where Cookie’s presence turned journeys into something deeper:

Shuttle Delays – What Pet Owners Should Know ⚠️

After seeing how quickly Cookie calmed down thanks to Mr Barry’s reassuring presence, I realised something important. 🐾
You need to be ready for anything on this journey.
Our crossing went smoothly.
However, the Eurotunnel isn’t immune to delays.
Weather, paperwork issues, or train schedules can all cause hold-ups.
Knowing what to expect — and having a plan — can turn an unexpected wait into just another small part of the adventure.

While Le Pet Express runs smoothly most of the time, Shuttle delays can happen — especially due to:

• Technical issues or train availability
• Weather disruptions
• Traffic at the terminal
• Paperwork problems – If pet documents aren’t correct, boarding will be refused. Always check them twice before travel.

What it means for pets 📌

Once the crates are sealed, they cannot be opened until arrival in the UK. If a delay happens after sealing, your pet will need to wait inside the crate for longer than expected.

How to prepare 💡

Plan extra time between connections.
If you’ve booked onward travel — such as trains from Calais or Ashford International — leave a generous buffer. This will help you avoid stress if there are any unexpected delays.

Make sure your dog has had a toilet break and water before sealing.

Avoid giving a full meal just before boarding.

Bring a small towel or blanket that smells like home for comfort.

Ask the driver for updates — they are always informed about delay times.

Stay flexible.
If the delay is long, the driver will guide you. They’ll suggest the safest options for both you and your pet.

Hot day on the road? 🌞 A beach stop can be the perfect break — if you know how to keep your pup safe in the sand and surf.

Final Thoughts: How to Cross from France to the UK with Your Pet 💭

Le Pet Express is a wonderful service that I happily give not 5 but ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Would I repeat the experience? Yes, absolutely.

Now I also know that if Cookie starts to stress, Mr Barry will work his magic. His calm energy will soothe her, just like before. That peace of mind is priceless.

This is the best way, in my opinion, to cross from France to the UK with your pet. You can also go from the UK to France. Safe, stress-free, and full of genuine care for our furry companions. 🐶💖

FAQs About Eurotunnel Le Pet Express ❓

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