Animals on public transport

Ok on buses if you can carry them, ours is too big. But we have taken her on trains with no problem.

Jim

We have a 33kg Golden Retriever, formerly a guide dog puppy but later withdrawn. We doubted that he would be allowed on buses or trains although it is not an issue in Britain. As for cafes and restaurants, the French are more liberal, we usually have to stay outside here in Spain which is not a problem most months of the year!

Hi Jim

We are coming over to Vera Playa in November and bringing our two small dogs. Would they be permitted on the train from Madrid to Alicante? We are looking at flying with Iberia so they can travel in the cabin with us.

Grateful for advice and thank you.

Debra

Hi

If they can travel on plane in carry case, dont see a problem on train. Our dog is 28kg, a golden doodle, and we took her on train in San Sebastion, train staff helped us by tickets. 

We travel by car, hoping to be back out late October.

Jim

Thanks a lot Jim

We are still considering driving but nervous about the journey as it is a while since we have driven on the right. Also route seems to go round Madrid from Santander. Do you travel down this way or is it better to drive through France?

Grateful for advice that enables us to make a final decision.

Debra

Hi,

We have done the trip down from San Sebastian and also the Calais-Mojacar on a number of occasions. Only once have we skirted Madrid via the tunnels and didn't enjoy it. We programme our smartphone google route planner for 'avoid toll roads' & it's so simple. Tolls would be more expensive.

Both Tripadviser, Booking.com , & Hotels.com give pet friendly accommodation.

Hope that helps in some small way.

Bob and Sandra

Mojacar Playa and Puerto Lumbreras

We drove down in May from Manchester to Almeria. With our dog. We used the tunnel, stopped at Folkestone, then Bourges,  then Perpignan, then Xativa. We stuck to the motorways and used Ibis Budget places overnight. Yes, it costs for tolls but it's safer and quicker, especially if you're not used to driving on the right in a UK car! I know some people drive down here like a bat out of hell and hardly stop but if you have children and/or animals there are other considerations! Driving rather than a ferry also meant we could be with our dog all the time. We had no car air-con so needed frequent breaks. NB: ferries have to be booked ahead and the Bay of Biscay weather is unpredictable!

I drove back alone to the UK and sold the car in July, just took three overnight stops that time. We plan to buy a Spanish car here.

Thank you so much Bob and Sandra. It is Madrid we are particularly worried about and saw an alternative route coming down past Valencia. How is it driving through France? And approximately how many days do you allow? Lastly is it easy crossing the Pyrenees? Also nervous of this as it will likely be November. Thank you again.

Debra

Thank you so much for being so helpful. We need to decide soon but our rental doesn't start until end of November and realistically we would love to come out in October!

Debra