Updated April 2026
From 22 April 2026, EU pet passports are no longer valid for GB residents. You must travel with an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued within 10 days of your trip. The AHC is valid for up to 6 months for onward EU travel and return to GB.
Thinking about taking your pet through the Eurotunnel but not sure how it works? This step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process – from booking to arrival – so you know exactly what to expect when travelling with your dog, cat, or ferret.
What is the Eurotunnel?
The Eurotunnel (officially called Le Shuttle) is a rail shuttle service that transports vehicles through the Channel Tunnel between Folkestone (UK) and Calais (France). Key facts:
- Journey time: 35 minutes
- Frequency: Up to 4 departures per hour
- Your pet: Stays with you in your vehicle throughout
- Distance: 50 km (31 miles) through the tunnel
Prefer not to drive? PetVoyageUK offers professional pet transport via Eurotunnel – we handle everything while your pet travels in comfort.
Step-by-Step: The Complete Process
Step 1: Book Your Crossing
- Book online at eurotunnel.com
- Choose your preferred departure time
- You can turn up to 2 hours before or after your booking
- Print or save your booking confirmation
Booking Tips
- Book early for better prices
- Weekday departures are usually cheaper
- Allow flexibility in case of delays
- You can modify bookings online if needed
Step 2: Arrive at Folkestone Terminal
- Address: Eurotunnel Le Shuttle, Ashford Road, Folkestone CT18 8XX
- Arrive: At least 45 minutes before departure (60+ mins with pets recommended)
- Follow signs to the terminal
- You'll see clear signage for "Check-In"
Step 3: Check-In
- Drive to the check-in booths
- Show your booking confirmation (printed or on phone)
- Declare your pet – this is essential!
- You'll receive a hanger for your mirror showing your departure time
- You'll be directed to French border control
Need to know about documentation? Read our guide on Eurotunnel pet travel rules and requirements.
Step 4: French Border Control (UK Side)
- Show passports for all human passengers
- French officials may ask about your pet's documentation
- Have your AHC or Pet Passport ready (usually not checked here)
- Quick process – usually 2-5 minutes
Step 5: UK Border Control (If Returning)
- On outbound journeys, you'll pass through UK exit checks
- On return journeys, this is where you stop for Pet Reception
Step 6: Allocation Area
- After border controls, you enter the allocation area
- Large lanes where vehicles wait for their train
- Overhead signs show which platform/train to board
- Wait time: typically 10-30 minutes
- Don't let your pet out here!
Step 7: Boarding the Train
- When called, drive onto the train (Le Shuttle)
- Follow staff directions to your position
- Turn off engine, leave car in gear/park
- Apply handbrake
- Stay in or near your vehicle
- Your pet stays with you throughout
During the Crossing (35 Minutes)
- You can get out of your car and stretch
- There are toilets on the train
- Your pet should stay in their carrier or in the car
- Keep pets on lead if outside vehicle
- No feeding pets during crossing
- The train is climate-controlled
Step 8: Arrival in Calais (Outbound)
- Doors open, follow vehicles off the train
- Drive straight out of the terminal
- No pet checks when entering France
- Follow signs to A16 motorway or your destination
- You're in France! 🇫🇷
Returning to the UK: Pet Reception
The return journey has one extra step – Pet Reception at Folkestone:
Pet Reception Process
- After exiting the train in Folkestone, follow "Pet Reception" signs
- Drive to the dedicated pet checking area
- An official will come to your vehicle
- They will:
- Scan your pet's microchip
- Check your AHC or Pet Passport
- Verify tapeworm treatment (dogs only)
- Check vaccination records
- If everything is correct, you're free to go!
- Process takes 5-15 minutes
⚠️ Important for Dogs
Tapeworm treatment must be recorded in your documents showing it was given 24-120 hours before arrival at Folkestone. If outside this window, your dog may be refused entry or quarantined!
Tips for a Smooth Eurotunnel Journey
- Arrive early – pet journeys can take longer
- Keep documents accessible, not in the boot
- Exercise your pet before arrival
- Bring water and a bowl
- Use a secure carrier or harness
- Don't feed within 2-3 hours of travel
- Stay calm – pets pick up on your stress
Why Choose Eurotunnel Over Ferry?
| Eurotunnel | Ferry |
|---|
| 35 minutes | 90-120 minutes |
| Pet stays with you | Pet in car on deck or kennel |
| Climate controlled | Temperature varies |
| Quick boarding | Longer loading times |
| Frequent departures | Fixed schedules |
PetVoyageUK Eurotunnel Service
We use the Eurotunnel for all our pet transport because it's the safest, quickest, and most comfortable option. Let us handle everything:
- ✓ Door-to-door service
- ✓ All Eurotunnel procedures handled
- ✓ Experienced drivers
- ✓ Regular updates throughout
Get your quote or call +44 7892 807912
The Engineering Behind a Calm Crossing
The Eurotunnel Le Shuttle is engineered specifically for vehicle transport with passengers and pets staying inside their vehicles throughout the crossing. The train itself is a self-contained traffic loop: vehicles drive on at one terminal, the carriage doors close, and the train accelerates to 140 km/h underwater. There is no ramp, no roll, no separate passenger area for pets. From the animal's perspective the entire experience is "the car is parked, then the car is moved, then the car is in France".
The Pet Reception Desk in Detail
Pet Reception is a separate building inside the Folkestone Eurotunnel complex. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and processes thousands of pets per month. The standard procedure: arriving vehicles are flagged at the main check-in for "pet on board" status, the driver is directed to the Pet Reception lane, the pet's microchip is scanned, the Animal Health Certificate is verified, and the tapeworm treatment is checked (for dogs returning to GB only). Approved pets receive a sticker for their AHC and the vehicle proceeds to the boarding queue.
What Owners See During the Crossing
Once on the train, vehicles park nose-to-tail along the carriage. The driver switches off the engine and remains in the vehicle. Carriage lighting is dim. The train accelerates smoothly with minimal vibration. Mobile signal disappears at the deepest part of the tunnel. Most owners pass the 35 minutes reading or quietly speaking to the pet. There is no tannoy, no piped music, no announcements other than safety information at the start and end of the crossing.
Disembarkation and Onward Travel
At the Coquelles terminal in France, the carriage doors open and vehicles drive off in sequence. There is no separate French pet check on entry — the AHC has already been verified at Folkestone. The vehicle drives directly onto the A16 motorway. Many drivers stop at the immediate Coquelles aire-de-services for a comfort break before the longer drive south.
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