Not every pet journey involves an airport. In fact, for millions of pet owners every year, the best — and often the kindest — way to move a cat or dog from A to B is by road.
Ground pet transport is a growing industry, and it's more varied than most people realise. There are solo pet couriers who'll drive your dog across the country in a car. There are purpose-built pet transport vans fitted with individual kennels and climate control. There are shared-ride services, dedicated vehicles, door-to-door collection, and everything in between.
The challenge isn't finding a service — it's understanding what you're actually booking.
This guide explains every type of ground pet transport service available for cats and dogs, what to look for when comparing providers, and how to use Get Pet Go to find and book the right service for your specific journey.
Quick orientation: If you're moving your pet internationally and need to understand customs documentation, health certificates, and import rules, read our companion guide: International Pet Travel Requirements. This article focuses on the transport itself — specifically ground-based options.
A pet transport service is any professional service that moves your pet from one location to another on your behalf. For ground travel, this typically means a courier, van operator, or specialist relocation company who collects your pet — often from your front door — and delivers them to the destination.
Ground pet transport is used for:
It is distinct from air cargo (where the pet flies in the hold) and ferry travel (though many ground transport services use ferries as part of a longer journey).
A solo pet courier is an individual driver who transports one pet (or one owner's pets) at a time in their personal or adapted vehicle. This is the most hands-on, personalised form of pet transport.
How it works:
The courier collects your pet from your home, keeps them as their sole responsibility throughout the journey, and delivers them to the destination. Some couriers allow pets to travel in the main cabin of the vehicle (rather than in a crate in the boot), and many provide regular photo and GPS updates.
Best for:
What to check:
Typical pricing: Solo couriers tend to charge per mile or per journey, and are often more cost-effective for single animals over shorter distances.
A dedicated pet transport van is a purpose-fitted vehicle — usually a larger van or minibus — designed specifically to carry multiple pets safely. These are operated by professional pet transport companies rather than individuals.
How it works:
The van is fitted with individual kennels or compartments — each with ventilation, secure latches, and often padded flooring. Pets are kept separate from one another. The vehicle is temperature-controlled, and the driver (often with an assistant) manages feeding, hydration, and welfare checks throughout the journey.
Best for:
What to check:
Typical pricing: Shared van services charge per animal and are generally priced by distance. Dedicated (sole use) vans cost more but give your pet the entire vehicle.
Shared ride services operate like a scheduled coach route for animals — picking up multiple pets from different owners along a set corridor and delivering them to destinations along the same route.
How it works:
You book a slot on a planned run. Your pet is collected from an agreed pickup point (sometimes your home, sometimes a central meeting location), travels with other animals in individual kennels, and is delivered at the destination. These runs are often published in advance with fixed dates.
Best for:
What to check:
Typical pricing: Shared rides are usually the most affordable option, especially over long distances.
A full pet relocation service takes care of everything — not just the driving, but the documentation, vet coordination, permits, and logistics. These are specialist companies that manage the entire process of moving your pet, usually for international relocations.
How it works:
You hand over responsibility for the whole journey to the relocation company. They'll advise on documentation requirements, liaise with vets, handle import permit applications, book appropriate transport (road, ferry, and sometimes air), and deliver your pet to the destination — sometimes with regular welfare updates throughout.
Best for:
What to check:
Typical pricing: Full relocation services are the most expensive option. Costs vary enormously by destination, but for international moves expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred pounds/dollars to several thousand for complex routes.
A pet taxi is a shorter-distance, more nimble version of a courier service — typically used for transfers to and from airports, vets, groomers, or kennels. Many pet taxi operators work within a single city or region.
How it works:
You book the service like a taxi, specifying pickup and drop-off. The vehicle is adapted for pets (or the driver has appropriate equipment). Journey times are typically under two hours.
Best for:
What to check:
Regardless of which type of service you choose, there are non-negotiables that any reputable pet transport provider should be able to confirm:
If a provider can't answer clearly on any of the above, that's a red flag.
For international ground travel — particularly between the UK and mainland Europe — a van or courier service will typically combine road travel with a ferry crossing or the Channel Tunnel (Eurotunnel).
The Eurotunnel allows pets to travel in the car with their owner through the Channel Tunnel between Folkestone (UK) and Calais (France). This is one of the most popular ways for UK pet owners to bring their dog to Europe.
Key requirements:
For a full breakdown of UK and EU pet entry requirements, see our guide: International Pet Travel Requirements
Multiple ferry routes across Europe and the British Isles accept pets — though policies vary by operator. Some allow pets in the passenger cabin (on leads or in carriers), while others require pets to remain in the vehicle or in designated pet kennels on the car deck.
Popular pet-friendly ferry routes include:
Always book pet spaces in advance — they fill up quickly, especially in summer.
If your ground journey takes you through multiple countries (e.g. UK → France → Spain → Portugal), your documentation must be valid for every country you enter, not just your final destination. Transit requirements are often overlooked and can cause problems at internal border crossings.
The pet transport industry is regulated differently in different countries, but here's a general overview:
When booking via Get Pet Go, you can see which services are verified and review their credentials before booking.
With so many options available, here's a simple framework for evaluating services side by side.
An anxious rescue cat and a confident Labrador have very different travel needs. Consider:
Ask — or look for evidence — of:
Photos of the actual transport vehicle (not stock images) are a green flag.
Ask directly:
A good provider will answer these without hesitation. Vague or dismissive answers are a warning sign.
Before you hand over your pet, make sure you have written confirmation of:
A little preparation from your side makes the journey smoother for your pet and the transport provider.
For the journey:
What NOT to do:
For the handover:
The pet transport industry, like any service industry, has its bad actors. Here are warning signs that a provider may not be trustworthy:
Always book through a platform that verifies providers and offers you some form of dispute resolution if something goes wrong.
Get Pet Go was built specifically to solve the problem of finding trustworthy pet transport.
Rather than searching Google and hoping for the best, Get Pet Go is a dedicated booking platform where pet transport businesses — couriers, van operators, relocation specialists, and more — list their verified services. You can filter by:
Every listing shows service details, pricing transparency, and customer reviews — so you can make an informed decision, not a hopeful one.
Find pet transport services near you on Get Pet Go
A pet transport service is a professional service that moves your cat or dog from one location to another on your behalf. Ground-based options include solo pet couriers, dedicated transport vans, shared ride services, full relocation companies, and pet taxis. Each type suits different journey lengths, pet personalities, and budgets.
Pricing varies widely by journey length, service type, and provider. Short-distance pet taxi services might cost £20–£60. Longer domestic courier journeys can range from £100–£400. International van transport across Europe can cost £200–£800 or more per animal. Full relocation services for complex international moves can run into the thousands. Use Get Pet Go to compare pricing from multiple providers for your specific route.
For many pets — especially anxious animals, brachycephalic breeds, or those who don't handle crates well — ground transport is significantly less stressful than air cargo. It allows for more frequent breaks, human interaction, and a less dramatic change in environment. For long-distance international moves, the answer depends on the route, timeline, and your pet's individual needs.
Look for verifiable business registration, relevant licensing (transporter authorisations in the UK/EU, USDA licensing in the US), pet-in-transit insurance, and membership of professional bodies like IPATA. Check for detailed customer reviews mentioning specific journeys and breeds. Be cautious of cash-only operators, vague welfare answers, or no verifiable online presence. Booking through a vetted platform like Get Pet Go adds a further layer of assurance.
Yes, in separate compartments. Reputable pet transport vans have individual kennels with full separation between species and between individual animals. Cats and dogs should never share an open space during transport, as this causes significant stress for both.
For domestic journeys within the same country, your pet typically needs to be microchipped and carry proof of vaccinations. For international ground journeys, you'll need a veterinary health certificate, proof of rabies vaccination, microchip documentation, and potentially a titre test result, import permit, or parasite treatment records depending on the destination. See our full guide: International Pet Travel Requirements.
Many professional pet transport services now offer GPS tracking and regular welfare updates via photo or message. This is increasingly standard among reputable providers. Ask about this before booking — a provider who refuses or can't offer any form of update during the journey is one to approach with caution.
Reputable providers have a clear protocol: they will contact you immediately, divert to the nearest veterinary practice if necessary, and follow any medical instructions you've provided in advance. Before the journey, give the driver your vet's contact details and any relevant medical history. Make sure the provider has emergency vet contacts for the route they're travelling.
For popular routes in peak seasons (summer, school holidays, Christmas), book 4–8 weeks in advance. For international journeys requiring health certificates, the transport date needs to align with your certificate's validity window (usually 10 days), so confirm the transport date before booking the vet appointment — not the other way around.
Ground transport by van or courier is generally safe for all breeds, including brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs and cats that may be restricted from air cargo travel. However, very large or giant breeds may need a vehicle with a larger kennel configuration. Always confirm your pet's measurements with the provider before booking.
This article is intended as general guidance. Regulations, licensing requirements, and individual provider standards vary by country and change regularly. Always verify current requirements with relevant authorities and conduct your own due diligence when selecting a pet transport provider.
Last updated: April 2026