Pet transport from London to Paris is the single most-requested journey on the PetVoyage network. As capital-to-capital relocations go, it is also one of the most efficient: door-to-door in 6–8 hours via the Eurotunnel, with your pet remaining in a single climate-controlled vehicle from your London postcode to your Paris arrondissement.
The Two Capitals, Linked by One Tunnel
London and Paris sit roughly 280 driving miles apart. Without a Channel crossing, that's a six-hour run on UK and French motorways. The 35-minute Eurotunnel Le Shuttle crossing adds barely any time to the schedule, which means the entire London-to-Paris pet relocation can be completed inside a single working day — collection at 7 am in Camden, delivery at 4 pm in the 16th arrondissement.
Compare that to flying a pet from Heathrow to Charles de Gaulle: pre-flight kennelling at Heathrow's animal reception (2–3 hours), the flight itself, customs clearance and animal reception at CDG, then a separate transfer into Paris. Realistic door-to-door air time is 12–18 hours of separation with multiple handler transitions. Ground transport is faster and far less stressful for the pet.
The Route, in Detail
- London collection: Anywhere within the M25 — we routinely collect from W, NW, N, E, EC, WC, SE, SW, and outer London postcodes.
- M20 east to Folkestone: Approximately 75–90 minutes depending on traffic. We avoid M25 peak hours where possible.
- Eurotunnel Pet Reception & Le Shuttle: 60–75 minutes total including check-in, AHC scan, boarding, and the 35-minute crossing.
- Calais to Paris via A26 & A1: Approximately 3 hours through Lille, Arras, and the Picardy plain. One comfort break en route, typically at Aire de Assevillers or Aire de Tilloy.
- Paris delivery: All 20 arrondissements plus close suburbs — Neuilly-sur-Seine, Boulogne-Billancourt, Levallois-Perret, Saint-Mande, Vincennes, Saint-Denis, Versailles.
London Collection: Borough by Borough
We collect from every London borough. Most-frequented pickup areas:
- Central: Westminster, Camden, Islington, Kensington, Chelsea.
- North: Camden, Hampstead, Highgate, Barnet, Enfield, Finchley.
- East: Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Newham, Stratford, Walthamstow.
- South: Lambeth, Southwark, Greenwich, Lewisham, Croydon, Dulwich.
- West: Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing, Richmond, Hounslow, Twickenham.
Many of our London bookings come from foreign professionals relocating between corporate offices — finance, fashion, media, diplomacy. Whether you're moving from the City to La Defense, or from Notting Hill to Le Marais, we've done the run.
Paris Delivery: All 20 Arrondissements
Paris is divided into 20 arrondissements arranged in a clockwise spiral from the Louvre. We deliver to each:
- 1er – 8e (central): Louvre, Marais, Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain, Champs-Élysées. Often complex parking; we arrange kerbside delivery slots in advance.
- 9e – 11e: Opéra, Pigalle, République, Bastille — densely residential, common professional rentals.
- 15e – 16e: Most popular among British expats, with strong Anglo schools and dog-friendly parks like Champ-de-Mars and Bois de Boulogne.
- 17e – 20e: Batignolles, Belleville, Buttes-Chaumont — rapidly gentrifying, popular with families.
For suburban deliveries, the closer Hauts-de-Seine and Val-de-Marne departments are no extra cost on time; the more distant Yvelines or Seine-et-Marne add 30–60 minutes.
Documentation for the London-Paris Run
From 22 April 2026, your pet needs:
- ISO 15-digit microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination.
- Rabies vaccination — at least 21 days before travel.
- Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian within 10 days of departure.
- Tapeworm treatment for dogs returning to the UK (1–5 days before re-entry).
We send a step-by-step documentation checklist on booking confirmation. If you're new to AHCs and don't have an OV, we can recommend one in your London borough.
What Your Pet Experiences
Our purpose-converted vehicles include:
- Individually climate-controlled travel zones (18–22 °C maintained).
- Non-slip flooring and crate-secured travel space sized to your specific pet.
- Live 4G CCTV that you can request access to during the journey.
- DEFRA Type 2 authorisation, with annual APHA inspection.
Specific Considerations for Capital-to-Capital Pets
Apartment-living dogs
Many London-to-Paris dogs live their lives in apartments and have never experienced long car journeys. We advise short, increasing-length practice drives in the fortnight before relocation.
Senior cats
Cats over 12 sometimes show transit stress responses (panting, hiding, refusal to eat). Pheromone diffusers (Feliway) introduced 14 days before, plus a covered carrier with a familiar blanket, can dramatically improve the experience.
Cargo-shy rescues
Pets adopted as adults sometimes have trauma triggered by enclosed spaces. We can split the journey into a quieter overnight rest at our Folkestone facility for particularly anxious animals — just request "split journey" when you book.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon should I book the London to Paris pet journey?
Two to three weeks ahead is ideal — long enough to confirm AHC dates, short enough to keep details accurate. Last-minute bookings are possible but space is limited in summer.
Can my pet travel with me in the same vehicle?
Yes. Our vans accommodate one accompanying owner at no extra charge.
Do you handle puppies or kittens for London to Paris transport?
Yes — from 15 weeks of age (the minimum for rabies vaccination plus 21-day waiting period).
What if there's a problem en route?
All our drivers carry vet contacts in Kent, Calais, Lille, and Paris. We have never failed to deliver a pet, and our safety record on the London-Paris corridor is unblemished since 2018.
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