Last updated July 16, 2026 · Editorial policy
More travellers than ever bring the dog along — and some places make it genuinely easy, with pets welcome on trains, in cafes and on the trails. These nine are the most four-legged-friendly.
1. Switzerland
Possibly the most dog-friendly country in Europe: dogs ride trains, cable cars and boats (often with their own ticket), and the alpine trails are made for them. Bring proof of vaccination and a muzzle for public transport, which some cantons require.
2. Italy
Dogs are part of the family here — welcomed on patios, in many shops, and on regional trains. The Italian Lakes and smaller hill towns are especially relaxed. Beaches vary, so look for a spiaggia per cani (dog beach).
3. Germany
Famously dog-friendly: pups join you in restaurants, beer gardens and on public transport, usually without fuss. Berlin and Munich both have huge parks and off-leash areas. A valid EU pet passport or equivalent makes travel seamless.
4. Austria
Vienna is a dream for dog owners — coffee houses, parks and trams all accommodate them. The Alps offer endless summer hiking with your dog. Dogs need a ticket on public transport and sometimes a muzzle.
Jordan" width="1024" height="768" loading="lazy" />5. The Netherlands
Flat, bike-friendly and welcoming, with dogs allowed in many cafes and on trains. Amsterdam’s parks and the wide beaches near The Hague are great for runs. Off-season, most beaches drop their leash rules entirely.
6. France
Dogs accompany their owners to cafe terraces and many restaurants as a matter of course. The countryside — Provence, the Dordogne — is ideal for a road trip with a pet. Carry their paperwork; checks happen at borders.
7. The Lake District, England
A walker’s and dog’s paradise: fells, lakes and famously dog-friendly pubs with water bowls at the door. Many cottages and inns welcome pets. Keep dogs on leads around grazing sheep in spring.
8. Slovenia
Compact, green and easygoing, with dog-friendly trails around Lake Bohinj and the Julian Alps, plus relaxed cafe culture in Ljubljana. Trains and buses accept dogs. A great low-key alternative to busier Alpine countries.
9. San Diego, USA
One of the most dog-friendly cities in America: off-leash beaches (Coronado, Ocean Beach), dog-welcoming patios and a mild climate year-round. Many hotels actively cater to pets. Check beach leash hours, which shift by season.
Before you go
Sort vaccinations, microchipping and the right pet passport or health certificate well in advance — requirements differ by country and are strict at borders. Then pack water, a familiar blanket, and plenty of patience.
Plan your trip to these destinations
Every destination here is chosen from first-hand visits and independent research — Packzup runs no sponsorships or paid placements.
The Fine Print: Why Each Pick Earns Its Spot
These five aren’t interchangeable. Here’s the honest breakdown of what makes each one worth the passport paperwork for you and your dog.
- Switzerland — Why go: the most seamless dog-transit country on earth. Best season: June to September for alpine trails. Cost: budget roughly $180-250/day for two plus a dog. Insider tip: skip per-trip tickets and buy the SBB Day Pass for Dogs (CHF 25) for unlimited trains, boats, and PostBus; a large dog otherwise pays a half-fare ticket every leg.
- Italy — Why go: dogs are genuinely welcome on café terraces and piazzas, not just tolerated. Best season: May or late September to dodge heat. Cost: about $120-180/day. Insider tip: on Frecciarossa high-speed trains, any dog needs a pet ticket, leash, and muzzle regardless of size — but a large dog on regional trains costs just €5 (or €1 on Saturdays).
- Germany — Why go: forests, biergartens, and Deutsche Bahn’s dog-friendly long-distance network. Best season: May to September. Insider tip: dogs under 10 kg in a carrier ride free; larger dogs pay a half-price adult ticket and must be leashed and muzzled onboard.
- Austria — Why go: warm alpine swimming lakes with dedicated dog beaches. Insider tip: Carinthia’s Wörthersee is the warmest lake in Austria, hitting the upper 70s°F in summer, and the Messer lido on nearby Lake Ossiach has a separate dog-bathing beach.
- The Netherlands — Why go: flat, walkable, and dog-normalized. Insider tip: NS trains charge only a €3.70 Day Ticket Dog; in Amsterdam, GVB carries pets free.
How to Choose Between Them
All five are excellent, but your dog’s size, your budget, and your travel style should decide. Here’s how I’d match traveler to destination.
- Traveling with a large dog? Go to Italy or Germany. Italy’s regional trains charge a large dog only €5 (€1 on Saturdays), and Germany simply applies a half-fare adult ticket — no size penalty, just a leash and muzzle onboard. Switzerland also charges half fare per leg, which adds up fast unless you grab the CHF 25 day pass.
- Traveling with a small dog in a carrier? Almost everywhere is free — Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands all carry small carried dogs at no charge. This is the cheapest way to see multiple countries.
- Want alpine hiking? Choose Switzerland or Austria, but call ahead: SAC mountain huts have limited space and not all allow dogs to stay overnight — always confirm before you climb.
- Want lake swimming? Austria wins outright with warm, dog-permitted lake beaches in Carinthia. Note that dogs are banned from Austria’s public bathing beaches year-round, so head to the designated dog sections such as the Hafnersee dog beach or the Ossiach Messer lido.
- Want the easiest, most walkable trip? The Netherlands — flat, compact, and its coast (Scheveningen, Zandvoort, Bergen aan Zee) has dog beaches, with off-leash access outside the May-September peak.
- Want the smoothest overall logistics? Switzerland, hands down — one day pass covers every mode of transit.
Getting There: The Paperwork That Actually Matters
The single biggest mistake American pet owners make is underestimating the timeline. Start preparing about three months before departure — this is not a last-week errand.
- Microchip first, always. Your dog needs an ISO-compliant microchip implanted before the rabies shot. Your vet must scan the chip before vaccinating, or the EU won’t recognize the vaccination.
- Rabies timing is strict. The primary rabies vaccination (given after microchipping) must be administered at least 21 days before travel and less than one year prior. US-issued rabies shots are valid for only one year for EU purposes.
- The health certificate is time-sensitive. You need an EU Animal Health Certificate completed by a USDA-accredited vet and then endorsed by USDA APHIS within 10 days of arrival in the EU. The APHIS endorsement fee runs roughly $100-200, plus your vet’s fees.
- Know the 2026 rule changes. New EU legislation took effect April 22, 2026, and the updated non-commercial health certificate format becomes mandatory October 1, 2026 — confirm which form applies to your travel dates. Note that as of April 2026, non-EU residents can no longer use an EU pet passport and need an Animal Health Certificate for every trip.
- Fly smart. Small dogs in-cabin are the most affordable option; large dogs flying in the hold or as cargo cost several hundred dollars more. Book the pet slot when you book your seat — cabin spots are capped per flight.
People also ask
You Might Also Love
Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.