Assistance Dogs Are Welcome — Including to London
Unlike regular pets, certified guide dogs and assistance dogs (and cats) are permitted on all Eurostar services, including the London routes. This is the only exception to the pet ban on cross-Channel trains.
- Guide dogs for visually impaired passengers
- Hearing dogs
- Mobility assistance dogs
- Medical alert dogs (seizure alert, diabetes alert, etc.)
- Other professionally trained, certified assistance dogs
- Assistance cats (rare but permitted)
Emotional Support Animals Are Not Included
Eurostar does not recognise emotional support animals (ESAs) as assistance animals. Only professionally trained, certified guide and assistance animals qualify. If your animal is not formally certified by a recognised training organisation, it will not be permitted on London routes.
How to Book
Contact Eurostar's Special Assistance team at least 24–48 hours before travel. This cannot be done online — it requires a phone call or direct contact.
You will need to provide your booking reference, details of your assistance animal (type, breed, certification), and which station assistance services you require.
There is no charge for assistance animals. They travel free on all Eurostar services.
On the Train
- Your assistance dog travels at your feet throughout the journey.
- If your dog normally travels without a muzzle, this can continue on board — muzzling is not required for certified assistance dogs.
- Bring a portable water bowl. The journey from London to Paris is 2 hours 16 minutes. There are no specific facilities for dogs on board.
- Your animal remains your responsibility throughout the journey.
Documentation Required
UK to EU Travel
- Microchip — ISO standard.
- Rabies vaccination — current, at least 21 days before travel.
- Animal Health Certificate (AHC) — issued by an authorised vet no more than 10 days before travel.
- Assistance dog certification — from a recognised training organisation (Guide Dogs UK, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, Canine Partners, or equivalent).
EU to UK Travel
- All of the above, plus:
- Tapeworm treatment — administered 24 hours to 5 days before entering the UK.
- Pet travel scheme declaration — completed by the person accompanying the dog.
💡 Station Accessibility
Eurostar provides full accessibility assistance at all stations. When you book your assistance animal, the team will also arrange any station support you need — help through check-in, border control, security, and boarding. See our full accessibility guide.
Station-Specific Notes
- London St Pancras — fully accessible. Assistance meeting point clearly signed.
- Paris Gare du Nord — accessible. Assistance available with advance booking.
- Brussels-Midi — accessible. Pre-booked assistance available.
- Amsterdam Centraal — accessible.
- Ashford International — Eurostar has indicated this station may not be fully equipped for assistance dogs arriving from Europe. Check directly if Ashford is your planned arrival.
Related Guides
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