If you’re taking your dog to Europe from the UK and wondering what LeShuttle is actually like, the short version is:
It is much easier than it sounds.
The first time we did it with Luna, I had all the usual worries.
Where do we go?
What do they check?
Do we have to get the dog out?
What happens with the paperwork?
What if something is wrong?
What if we miss our crossing?
What if Luna decides the whole thing is deeply offensive?
Thankfully, the reality is far less dramatic.
We’ve now done LeShuttle several times with Luna and, for us, it is probably the easiest way to get a dog across to France.
First things first: LeShuttle is the Eurotunnel
It used to be called Eurotunnel.
Now it’s LeShuttle.
Preferably said with your most convincing French accent.
Essentially, you drive your vehicle onto a train, travel through the Channel Tunnel and pop out in France around 35 minutes later.
Your dog stays with you in the vehicle throughout.
And that is probably the biggest reason we like it so much.
Arriving at Folkestone
When you arrive, you go through the usual entrance process and passport checks.
Then you need to look out for signs for Pet Reception.
This is pretty obvious to us now.
The first time?
Not so much.
I remember driving around thinking:
Where is it?
Then:
Have we missed it?
Then:
We’ve definitely missed it.
Then discovering we hadn’t.
So my advice is simple:
Give yourself plenty of time and keep your eyes peeled.
The signs are there, but I wouldn’t rely on every single one pointing you perfectly in the right direction.
Why I like arriving early
One thing I really like about LeShuttle is that if you turn up early, there is sometimes a chance you’ll be put onto an earlier crossing.
For someone like me, this is ideal.
I am not the kind of traveller who casually turns up with twelve minutes to spare and thinks:
It’ll be fine.
Absolutely not.
I would rather arrive far too early, have everything sorted and know I am where I need to be.
Especially when travelling with a working-line Border Collie who does not understand why the vehicle has stopped moving but she is apparently not being released for an immediate game of ball.
If we can get through earlier?
Even better.
What happens at Pet Reception?
Once you find Pet Reception, you park up and head inside with your dog paperwork.
If you’re anything like me, everything will be in a folder.
In order.
Probably checked three times.
Nerd.
The setup is surprisingly formal.
There are counters and glass screens and it feels slightly like walking into a bank.
The staff are professional, obviously, because they are checking legal travel documents.
But in our experience they have also been lovely.
And usually very dog-friendly.
Last time we even got given some calming treats for Luna, which was a really nice touch.
Do you need to take your dog into Pet Reception?
In our experience, yes, because they need to scan the microchip.
If you have a nervous dog, though, I would suggest using a bit of common sense around the queue.
If you’re travelling with someone else, one person can go in first and see how busy it is.
Then bring the dog in when you’re actually needed.
Most other owners we’ve encountered have been pretty sensible about giving nervous dogs space anyway.
If you’re travelling alone, just allow yourself more time and don’t feel pressured to rush.
What do they check?
This is the bit that feels tense the first time.
They check your dog’s paperwork.
They check the dates.
They check the details.
Then comes the microchip.
In our experience, they have handed us a handheld microchip scanner.
You run it over your dog’s neck until:
BEEP.
Done.
You hand the scanner back.
They confirm everything is in order.
And that’s pretty much it.
The whole thing feels much more intimidating before you’ve done it once.
Afterwards you realise:
Oh. Was that it?
What happens after Pet Reception?
Once the dog check is done, you get back into your vehicle and continue through the terminal.
There are then the usual border-control checks.
From memory, one side is British border control and the other French.
There may be questions.
There may be another passport check.
You follow the signs.
You get directed into the relevant queue.
And then you wait for boarding.
Depending on your booking and how early you arrived, you may be put onto your original crossing or an earlier one.
Either way, once the dog paperwork is sorted, the stressful bit is basically over.
Boarding the train
Eventually your lane gets called forward.
Then you follow the vehicle in front onto the train.
This part always feels slightly strange the first time.
You’re essentially driving your car, van or motorhome into a giant metal train carriage.
Completely normal.
Apparently.
You get directed forward until you are surprisingly close to the vehicle in front.
Then you stop.
Engine off.
Handbrake on.
And that’s it.
What is LeShuttle like for dogs?
Honestly?
Pretty uneventful.
And I mean that as a compliment.
The crossing itself takes around 35 minutes.
Your dog stays with you in the vehicle the whole time.
For Luna, that is perfect.
She is in a familiar space.
She is with us.
There are no stairs.
No busy passenger lounges.
No wandering through strange corridors.
No random dogs appearing from every direction.
The train movement is smooth.
The windows in the train are quite small and far apart, so it doesn’t feel like your dog is watching the world hurtle past.
For Luna, it really isn’t hugely different to sitting in the camper while we’re driving.
Does the pressure affect dogs?
You can sometimes feel your ears pop slightly during the journey.
Because of that, we normally make sure Luna has something to chew or lick.
In my head, chewing and swallowing should help with the pressure changes.
Now, do not ask me to explain the anatomy of a dog’s ear.
I cannot.
It just makes sense in my head.
At the very least, it gives her something to do.
A chew, lick mat or treats are useful anyway, particularly if your dog is a little uncertain.
Can you get out of your vehicle?
Normally, you stay with your vehicle throughout the crossing.
People do sometimes get out and walk through the train.
There are toilets onboard.
Personally?
I strongly suggest using the facilities before boarding.
Especially if you’re not in a motorhome.
You will occasionally see someone squeezing down the narrow walkway between the vehicles and disappearing through the doors connecting the carriages.
I’m sure if you are a seasoned train traveller this is all perfectly normal.
For a country bumpkin like me?
Slightly alarming.
Completely safe.
Just not something I particularly enjoy.
What about travelling in a motorhome?
This is where LeShuttle gets even better.
If you’re in a camper or motorhome, you already have your little living space with you.
So while you’re crossing, you can sit comfortably.
Play cards.
Have a snack.
Give the dog a lick mat.
Do some brain games.
Complain about whoever is winning the card game.
Thirty-five minutes goes incredibly quickly.
By the time you’ve properly settled, you’re nearly there.
What happens when you arrive in France?
Towards the end of the crossing, there will be an announcement.
You get told that you are approaching the other side and to prepare to leave.
Snack away.
Cards down.
Dog sorted.
Everyone back in the correct seat.
Then the train stops and the vehicles start moving.
You drive off.
And suddenly:
France.
That’s it.
You’re through.
No dramatic arrival.
No big ceremony.
You just drive out and carry on.
Remember: drive on the right
This sounds obvious.
Until you have just come off the train and everything feels slightly strange.
There are signs reminding you which side of the road to use.
The bit that always feels most unnatural initially is the roundabouts.
Your brain goes:
This is wrong.
Then after a little while, it becomes surprisingly normal.
Just take your time.
Is LeShuttle good for nervous dogs?
For Luna?
Absolutely.
If I had to choose purely based on which crossing is easier for her, I would pick LeShuttle every time.
She stays in her familiar environment.
She does not have to deal with crowds.
She does not have to climb strange staircases.
She does not have to settle in a busy dog-friendly passenger area.
And the whole thing is over quickly.
That doesn’t mean every dog will love it.
But for nervous dogs, reactive dogs or dogs who find new environments overwhelming, I can completely understand why owners prefer it.
LeShuttle vs ferry with a dog
They are completely different.
The ferry is more of an experience.
You get the sea.
The decks.
The views.
The feeling of actually travelling somewhere.
LeShuttle is about efficiency.
You arrive.
You check the dog.
You board.
You cross.
You leave.
Done.
And that is exactly why we tend to use it on the way home.
By that point, we’ve had the adventure.
We’ve done the travelling.
We’ve probably driven thousands of miles.
We’re tired.
We’ve run out of clean clothes.
And all we want is to get back.
So for us:
Ferry out.
LeShuttle home.
Would I recommend LeShuttle with a dog?
Yes.
Without hesitation.
The first time feels intimidating because there are rules, paperwork and the worry that you’ll somehow get something wrong.
But once you’ve done it, you realise how straightforward the actual crossing is.
The biggest part is making sure your paperwork is correct before you arrive.
Once that is sorted, the rest is remarkably easy.
You find Pet Reception.
They check the documents.
You scan the microchip.
You get back into the vehicle.
You board the train.
Thirty-five minutes later, you drive into France.
And your dog has spent the entire journey right there beside you.
For us, that simplicity is very hard to beat.
