All the keys to sightseeing with your dog
Travelling is always an adventure. If you do it with your pet it can also be a headache. What do I have to take, where can I enter, what are the rules in each autonomous community, in each city, there will be canine beaches …
You can see how to travel by plane, train, bus, subway and taxi, we give you details on accommodation that allow dogs and tourist attractions that you can visit with your friend on four legs. We also give you tips to adapt your holidays and we offer you a list of what you have to put in the suitcase of your dog so that he does not lack anything this summer.
You have to know that although there are still many impediments to know Spain along with a pet is also true that gradually more and more public administrations and private companies are adapting to dog friendly tourism.
The reasons are the increase of pets in the homes and also the expense that the Spaniards make to take care of them, since they are one more of the family. Each family invests more than a thousand euros a year in taking care of their dog, a figure that would increase if more facilities were given to travel and leisure activities with him.
How to travel with your pet on different means of public transport:
Airplane
Traveling with a pet by plane varies depending on the company you choose. Generally speaking, low-cost airlines do not accept them in the hold, and some do not accept them in the cabin either. In Iberia and Air Europa, for example, you can travel with your dog in the cabin of the plane if the animal weighs less than 8 kilos (including the carrier) and lodge it in the hold if it exceeds that weight.
Once at the airport, when you weigh the suitcases at the check-in point, your dog will also be weighed inside the carrier and if it weighs more than 8 kilos you will never be able to carry it in the cabin, so make sure you do this before buying tickets.
Train
Medium and long distance trains admit dogs of up to 10 kilos and must travel in a carrier equipped with a device to contain and remove the waste. The dimensions of the container must not exceed 60x35x35cm. The cost of transport is 25% of the cost of your ticket, if you travel in economy class, and free if you do it in preferential. Be careful, if you want to travel with the carrier on a seat then you will have to pay the full ticket.
Bus
Although it depends a lot on each municipality, in general we can say that the urban buses admit the transport of dogs of up to 10 kilos in their transportín or bag, and also caught in arms in certain cities, as it happens in San Sebastián.
There are much more advanced town halls, such as Palma, in whose buses you can get on with the dog tied and muzzled, regardless of size. In the city of Madrid the Municipal Transport Company has already approved the same measure, although it has not yet been applied.
Underground
Suburban Madrid and Barcelona have been pioneers in allowing pets to travel. They have to do so in certain carriages (usually the last one) with a muzzle, a leash and outside peak hours. In Bilbao the dogs can travel in transportín or in arms and not in all the lines.
Taxi
Since the taxi is a private transport, it is up to the owner to admit or not pets. Therefore we recommend that you call and ask for a vehicle to travel with your pet, since there are in virtually every city (do not wait to stop one in the street because it may take you long to find a ‘dogfriendly’).
Accommodation with dogs
Dog friendly hotels often offer a warm welcome to their furry guests, who will find a drinking fountain, a bed and almost always a “chuche” or biscuit. Some hotels also allow you to go down for breakfast with your pet, such as the Mesón del Cid in Burgos; and others have a garden for the leisure of pets, such as the Avenida de San Sebastián hotel.
It is very possible that the establishment will force you to leave a deposit in case of unexpected damage, or sign the acceptance of rules of use to ensure proper behavior of the dog, such as prohibiting the animal from going to bed, can not be in common areas or not be left alone in the room. Always inform yourself before booking.
Adapt your holidays
Remember that when you plan to go on holiday with your pet you must adapt your plans to the needs of your dog. This includes making frequent stops and enjoying nature, nature spots and parks (not just in urban areas) Also, visit beaches that are allowed access to dogs.
In the low season there are many municipalities that allow dogs to walk on their beaches, which in summer are restricted. However, practically all of the coastal autonomous communities (all but the Basque Country) have canine beaches in the summer months.
The suitcase of your perrete
- A bottle with a solution of water and vinegar for your dog’s urine. And don’t let him pee on buildings or street furniture. Always look for landscaped areas, trees…
- Bag to collect excrement. Ideally, they should be biodegradable (not plastic). There are many brands. Always collect their poop, also on the beach and in gardens.
- Water for the dog, because there are cities where there are hardly any fountains.
- Own towel (do not use those of hotels, which are for humans).
Soakers to clean the pee in case your dog accidentally escapes inside a building or a means of transport… (although they are educated not to do so, it can happen, especially with puppies). - Muzzle (you will have to use it in certain places, such as collective means of transport).
- Up-to-date vaccination record.