English version · Ver en español · Quotes and descriptions copied from each property's website, and some linked pages, are in Spanish.
hotelguaw

How to travel with your dog by train, plane and ferry in Spain

Getting to your accommodation with your dog without a car is possible, but each company sets its own rules on weight, carrier and price. We have gathered the conditions published on the official websites of train operators, airlines, ferry companies and coach operators, checked on 2 November 2026. Always confirm via each company's link before booking.

Checked against official sources on 2 November 2026. Rules change: always check the linked source. This guide is for information only and does not replace the legal text or what your town hall or region says.

Before you set off: what you will almost always be asked for

Within Spain you will usually be asked for a microchip and an up-to-date health booklet; the European pet passport is needed to travel to another EU country [7][10]. Iberia warns that Ceuta and Melilla have their own requirements [7].

Guide and assistance dogs do not count as pets: on Renfe, Ouigo and Alsa they travel free of charge, with their supporting documentation, and on Fred. Olsen they can access any area of the ship without prior notice [1][5][18][19]. AENA (Spain's airport operator) states that on planes they travel in the cabin with a muzzle, collar and lead at no extra cost, provided the airline is notified 48 hours in advance [15]. Iberia carries them free of charge in the cabin, at your feet, provided its conditions are met and it is notified when buying the ticket or at least 48 hours before departure [26].

Train

Renfe (Spain's national rail operator) is currently the operator most open to dogs. Since 21 July 2026 it has accepted dogs of up to 40 kg without a carrier on AVE, Avlo, Larga Distancia (long-distance), Avant and Media Distancia (medium-distance) trains, with a maximum of two large dogs per train in a «pet friendly» carriage and one per person [1][2]. The extra costs €40 on AVE, Avlo and Larga Distancia (on AVE and Larga Distancia only with an Elige Estándar ticket) and, on Avant and Media Distancia, the equivalent of the standard fare [1]. It can be bought up to 24 hours before and cannot be changed [1]. The dog travels in the window seat next to you, with a muzzle and a non-extendable lead of 1.5 m maximum in the station and when boarding. Dogs under one year old, of potentially dangerous breeds or females in heat are not accepted, and you must carry a health booklet signed by the vet or a European pet passport [1].

For small dogs, Renfe accepts pets of up to 10 kg in a carrier of 60x35x35 cm maximum, one per passenger: free with a Prémium ticket and €10 with Básico or Elige on AVE and Larga Distancia, €10 on Avlo and 25% of the standard fare on Avant and Media Distancia [1]. On Cercanías (commuter trains) and on metre-gauge Media Distancia services, dogs travel free, without a ticket and with no weight limit, on a lead and muzzled [1] (Renfe's page does not expressly mention Rodalies de Catalunya). Note: the combined train + bus ticket does not accept pets [1].

iryo accepts dogs, cats and ferrets of up to 10 kg in a carrier of 60x35x35 cm, one per passenger, for an extra charge paid before the journey [3]. For dogs over 10 kg without a carrier it charges €40 per journey; the adult must hold an Inicial Superior fare, booking is by phone and the signed self-declaration must be presented at the iryo office at least 90 minutes beforehand [3]. It only departs from Madrid Atocha and Chamartín, Barcelona Sants, Valencia Joaquín Sorolla, Sevilla Santa Justa, Málaga María Zambrano, Córdoba and Zaragoza Delicias [3]. Its obligations document also requires compulsory insurance for the dog and a muzzle in the station and when boarding, and excludes dogs under one year old, in heat or of potentially dangerous breeds [4]. That document, which gives no year, also refers to a period «desde el 17 de junio hasta el 31 de agosto, sujeto a disponibilidad» (translation: “from 17 June to 31 August, subject to availability”), to the Singular fare and to a different phone number, so it is unclear whether the large-dog service runs all year: confirm with iryo when booking [4]. Neither the page nor the document states the maximum weight for large dogs or the price of the option for small pets [3][4].

Ouigo only accepts animals in a rigid, waterproof carrier of 60x35x35 cm maximum, under the seat or on your lap, over 12 weeks old and microchipped [5][6]. It does not offer an option for large dogs without a carrier. Its pets information page, published in January 2023, stated €10 for the «Mascota» (translation: “Pet”) option if added up to 30 minutes before, or €25 if paid at boarding [5]; the general conditions in force (since 21 August 2026) refer to its price list without giving the amount or a maximum weight, so confirm the price when buying [6].

Plane (domestic flights)

Vueling and Volotea do not carry animals in the hold [8][12], so only small dogs fly with them. AENA clarifies that the conditions are set by each airline [14].

Iberia, Iberia Express and Air Nostrum: in the cabin, up to 8 kg including the carrier, of 45x35x25 cm maximum (it cannot be rigid on Air Nostrum flights); on domestic flights it costs €40 per journey online or €44 at the airport [7]. In the hold they accept up to 45 kg including the carrier, with prior authorisation and booking at least 48 hours in advance; on domestic flights you pay at the airport €90 (up to 10 kg), €100 (11-25 kg) or €110 (26-45 kg) per journey. Brachycephalic breeds (boxer, bulldog, pug…) and dangerous breeds do not travel in the hold [7]. On flights to or from the Canary Islands, the cabin costs €60 online or €66 at the airport, and the hold 135, 145 or €155 depending on weight [25].

Vueling: cabin only, up to 10 kg with a non-rigid carrier of 45x39x21 cm; maximum five pets per flight [8][9]. Air Europa: in the cabin, dogs up to 8 kg (10 kg with the soft carrier of 40x30x30 cm), €35 on domestic flights; in the hold up to 50 kg with the crate (maximum 83 cm high, 121 cm wide and 134 cm long), €90; brachycephalic breeds do not travel in the hold [10]. It asks for an official health booklet or a certificate of good health from the previous 10 days [10]. Volotea: cabin only, up to 10 kg with a non-rigid carrier of 50x40x20 cm, from €39.99, five pets per flight; guide dogs travel in the cabin at no extra charge [11][12]. Binter: in the cabin up to 8 kg with a carrier of 45x35x25 cm, €9 on inter-island flights and €25 on the rest; in the hold, over 8 kg, €20 inter-island and €100 on the rest; it does not publish a maximum weight in the hold or excluded breeds [13].

Ferry: Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla

Baleària offers pet-friendly cabins on eleven ships, with up to two animals not exceeding 30 kg in total; if they weigh more, only one [17]. It also has a pet-friendly seat for pets of up to 8 kg with carrier and ventilated kennels on deck or in the garage that normally cannot be visited during the crossing [16]. It asks for the pet's boarding pass and a valid health booklet; its website does not publish prices [16]. It prohibits leaving animals in vehicles [23]. For travel to or from Ceuta and Melilla it also requires a microchip, a European pet passport and a rabies vaccination given within the last 12 months, and the animal may only enter through a port authorised as a traveller entry point [24].

Trasmed offers a pet-friendly cabin for up to two dogs or cats with no weight limit, a seating area with the pet in a carrier (up to 8 kg including the carrier, one per passenger) and video-monitored kennels, with no weight limit, that can be visited during the journey; the animal needs its own ticket and cannot travel in the hold or stay inside the car [22].

On 18 May 2026 Baleària announced that it had taken effective control of Armas Trasmediterránea's assets in the Canary Islands and operates in the archipelago under the Baleària Canarias brand [21]. Baleària Canarias does not allow pets to stay in the vehicle during the crossing, and assistance dogs board free of charge [28]. Check the conditions of each ship when booking.

Fred. Olsen Express has, on its inter-island routes, Pet Carrier (up to 10 kg, your own carrier of 50x40x25 cm), Pet Room (kennels on the outside deck) and Pet Sofa (the dog tied next to your seat), from about €2, €3 and €7 depending on the route [18]. For Canarias-Huelva, its website lists a pet-friendly cabin for two pets of up to 30 kg, with advance booking, or pet rooms in a covered, ventilated area [18]. Leaving the dog in the car is at your own risk: the ferry company declines responsibility [18].

Coach: Alsa

Alsa only accepts dogs, cats and ferrets of 10 kg maximum, which travel in the hold in a special compartment, inside a rigid, waterproof carrier provided by the passenger [19][20]. One animal is accepted per vehicle, not on international routes, and Alsa advises against travelling when it is above 25 ºC [19]. The amount of the supplement does not appear on its website [20]. Its website also presents Traveldog, a company specialising in pet transport that collects the animal from home and takes it to its destination in the company's own carrier or crate; that page does not publish fares and advertises a discount of up to 40% when booking through alsa.es [27]. Assistance dogs travel inside the coach free of charge [19].

Comparison table

Conditions checked on 02/11/2026. “—”: option not offered; “n/p”: information not published.

CompanyModeCabinHold / large dogsPriceSource
RenfeTrainYes, up to 10 kg in carrier 60x35x35Yes, up to 40 kg without carrier (2 per train)Small: €0–10 or 25% of fare; large: €40 (AVE/Avlo/LD)[1]
iryoTrainYes, up to 10 kg in carrier 60x35x35Yes, over 10 kg (max. weight n/p), limited stationsSmall: n/p; large: €40/journey[3]
OuigoTrainYes, carrier 60x35x35 (weight n/p)—€10 (€25 at boarding) per 2023 page; n/p in current conditions[5][6]
Iberia / Iberia Express / Air NostrumPlaneYes, up to 8 kg with carrierYes, up to 45 kg (no brachycephalic breeds)Cabin €40 (€60 Canary Islands); hold €90–110 (€135–155 Canary Islands)[7][25]
VuelingPlaneYes, up to 10 kg with carrier—n/p[8][9]
Air EuropaPlaneYes, dog up to 8 kg (10 kg total)Yes, up to 50 kg with crate (no brachycephalic breeds)Cabin €35; hold €90[10]
VoloteaPlaneYes, up to 10 kg with carrier—From €39.99[11][12]
BinterPlaneYes, up to 8 kg with carrierYes, over 8 kgCabin €9–25; hold €20–100[13]
BaleàriaFerryPet-friendly seat up to 8 kgPet-friendly cabin (up to 30 kg) and kennelsn/p[16][17][23]
TrasmedFerrySeats with carrier up to 8 kg; pet-friendly cabinCabin for 2 with no weight limit; kennelsn/p[22]
Fred. Olsen ExpressFerryPet Carrier up to 10 kg; Pet Sofa with no limitPet Room; cabin up to 30 kg (Huelva)From €2–7[18]
AlsaCoachNo (assistance dogs only)Hold, up to 10 kg; large dogs not acceptedSupplement n/p[19][20]

Frequently asked questions

Can I travel by train with a 30 kg dog?

Yes, with Renfe on AVE, Avlo, Larga Distancia, Avant and Media Distancia (up to 40 kg, buying the extra up to 24 hours before) and with iryo from its designated stations, booking by phone. Ouigo does not allow it.

Which airline carries large dogs on domestic flights?

Iberia (up to 45 kg including the carrier, except brachycephalic and dangerous breeds), Air Europa (up to 50 kg with the crate, except brachycephalic breeds) and Binter (over 8 kg) carry them in the hold. Vueling and Volotea do not carry animals in the hold.

Can my dog stay with me in the ferry cabin?

Yes, in the pet-friendly cabins of Baleària, Trasmed and Fred. Olsen (Canarias-Huelva route), subject to availability.

Do assistance dogs need a ticket?

On Renfe, Ouigo, Volotea, Alsa and Iberia (subject to its conditions) they travel free, and AENA states that on planes they travel in the cabin at no extra cost. Always carry the documentation that certifies their status.

Sources

  1. Viaja con mascotas · Renfe
  2. Renfe permitirá viajar con perros de hasta 40 kilos en todos sus trenes (julio 2026) · Grupo Renfe
  3. Policy for traveling with pets on trains · iryo
  4. Obligaciones del viajero con perro grande (PDF) · iryo
  5. Viaje en tren con tu perro o gato · Ouigo España
  6. Condiciones generales de transporte de Ouigo España (en vigor desde 21/08/2026) · Ouigo España
  7. Travelling with pets · Iberia
  8. Volar con mascota · Vueling
  9. Fly with my Pet (centro de ayuda) · Vueling
  10. Mascotas · Air Europa
  11. Mascotas a bordo · Volotea
  12. Condiciones de transporte (apartado 6.10, Animales) · Volotea
  13. Travelling with animals · Binter
  14. Travelling with dogs, cats and ferrets · AENA
  15. Travelling with guide or assistance dogs · AENA
  16. Travel by ferry with pets · Baleària
  17. Pet-friendly cabins (centro de ayuda) · Baleària
  18. What is it like to travel with pets on Fred. Olsen Express? · Fred. Olsen Express
  19. Companion animal transport conditions · Alsa
  20. Travel with pets · Alsa
  21. Baleària takes effective control of Armas Trasmediterránea in the Canary Islands and consolidates its leadership in Spain (18/05/2026) · Baleària
  22. Viaja con tu mascota · Trasmed
  23. Are pets allowed to travel in vehicles? (centro de ayuda) · Baleària
  24. Passengers traveling to Ceuta or Melilla with a pet (centro de ayuda) · Baleària
  25. Viajar con mascotas · Iberia
  26. Assistance dogs · Iberia
  27. Transporte de mascotas Traveldog · Alsa
  28. Viajar en ferry con mascotas · Baleària Canarias