Driving from Romania to the UK with a Dog: A Complete Road Trip Route

I’ve driven across Europe more times than I can count, but driving from Romania all the way to the UK is a different kind of trip. This is a 9-day road trip, going through 7 countries and staying in 5 countries, and I’m taking my partner and my 13-year-old dog with me. 

The car is all packed, and I’m so excited to share this entire adventure with you and give you all my best tips on how to plan and organise a similar road trip in Europe. 

I’m feeling confident about this trip, as I’ve done many road trips all around Europe (many starting from Bucharest, Romania). I’ve rented cars and driven in most places in Europe, and last year I did my longest road trip to date (it was a 4-month-long Northern Europe road trip), which also included my dog. 

This time, I’m setting my course west, and I’m not stopping until I reach Wales. 

This guide covers our exact route, every overnight stop, what to expect at each stage, and the practicalities of doing this drive with a dog, including the Eurotunnel crossing (LeShuttle), which is its own adventure entirely.

Quick Route Overview

This Bucharest, Romania, to Wales route takes 9 days and a total of 3200 kilometres. Here are all the stops I made along the way.

Is This Drive Doable?

Yes, this Romania-to-the-UK road trip is a long drive, but I’ve broken it up into 9 days, and this schedule allows me to also have about half a day to explore in each city that I stop along the way. I’ve specifically calculated these stops so that they do not take more than half a day. 

That’s because I don’t want to get stiff from driving too much in one day, and also, I have to think about my dog, who might get bored sitting in a car for too long. Obviously, I’ll make multiple shorter bathroom breaks in between the daily stops. 

See the daily distances and total driving time in the overview table. 

Driving from Romania to the UK with a Dog (What You Need to Know)

Doing a road trip in Europe with a dog isn’t something new to my partner or me, and I already have a dedicated guide on travelling with a dog in Europe, which I strongly encourage you to check out if you’re planning a similar trip. 

However, for this specific trip, the end goal is to reach the UK, which is not in the European Union anymore and thus, specific regulations apply. 

Dog paperwork and treatments

Luckily, they still accept foreigners and their dogs from the EU with an EU passport, and the only extra rule is to give the dog a tapeworm treatment (the same applies to Norway, and I know that from my last year’s trip). 

In short, when travelling to a non-EU country that requires a tapeworm treatment and coming from the EU, you need to go to a vet and give your dog a tapeworm treatment 1 to 5 days prior to crossing the border. The tapeworm treatment is just a pill, and the vet has to add the treatment to the passport and then declare it at customs when crossing the border. 

The challenge is not to forget about the treatment and make a vet appointment in the required timeframe while in a foreign country. 

In this particular case, I made a vet appointment in Bruges, since this was one of our stops and found an office that allowed me to make an online appointment. I booked an appointment with DAP Kop tot Staart, Sint-Michiels (book online here) and it all went very smoothly; the staff was so nice to us, and the visit cost only 68 Euros. 

Dog-friendly hotels

The other thing when doing such a road trip is to find dog-friendly hotels along the route. After doing a lot of research, I think I have found some of the best hotels on this route that will accept you together with your fur baby. 

That’s what makes this specific itinerary so special, because I’ve sorted out the route and the hotels so you don’t have to waste all this time doing the research. 

I always cross-check availability on Booking.com with the pet-friendly filter on. It’s the most reliable way to confirm a hotel accepts dogs before you commit to the route.

Travel insurance

One more thing I never skip for a trip like this is travel insurance. 

Vet bills abroad can be expensive and unpredictable, and a cancelled crossing or lost luggage adds up fast. I use SafetyWing because it covers multiple countries without needing separate policies for each one.

Eurotunnel with a dog

I chose to go with the Eurotunnel (LeShuttle) because the trip is much shorter than with the ferry (35 minutes compared to 2h+) and we get to stay in the car with our dog, whereas on the ferry the dog sits in the car alone. 

The Eurotunnel is more expensive, but I’d figure it’s more comfortable for our dog. Here’s my full review of our Eurotunnel crossing (using LeShuttle), which includes all details. 

But if you are travelling from Europe, you just need your pet’s EU passport and tapeworm treatment, and you need to go to the Pet check-in office before checking in at the Eurotunnel. 

It’s easy to do that; you just need to follow the signs on the road; it’s very straightforward. 

Inside the office, you need to go with your pet, and they will simply check the paperwork and your dog’s microchip (if he has an EU passport).

Another option for crossing the English Channel is the ferry. I chose it on the way back from the UK to mainland Europe, and I did not regret it. Read my Ferry vs Eurotunnel with a dog comparison before you make your choice.

The Route Romania to Wales (Day by day)

Day 1 — Bucharest to Timișoara, romania (28 May)

• Distance: approximately 550km
• Driving time: approximately 7.5 hours
• Why Timișoara: gateway to Western Europe, last Romanian city before crossing into Hungary/Serbia
• What to see if you stop: Centre of Timisoara

Where we stayed: Hotel Continental, Timisoara

We stayed at a historic hotel right in the centre of the city, Hotel Continental, which makes for a perfect stay in Timisoara if only for a short time. 

The hotel made a perfect first stop on this massive road trip as it offers parking, a great location, and a spa where I could relax after a 7h drive from Bucharest. 

I was not expecting such a nice spa, to which hotel guests receive complimentary access. It offers an indoor and outdoor pool, a hot sauna, and a jacuzzi. Right next to it is also a gym, which was quite popular with locals. 

And it’s a dog-friendly hotel, which is a big thing in Romania, where not a lot of places accept dogs. However, you will need to mention this when booking your room, as not all rooms are dog-friendly. The ones that are have a hard floor instead of carpet. 

We could easily explore the centre of Timisoara on foot, and we found plenty of nice restaurants around. I booked a table at Riyo Chinese Fusion restaurant, which is minutes away on foot from the hotel. I also met with some friends there.

As a Romanian, I love revisiting Romanian cities from time to time, and this stop in Timisoara was one of the highlights of my road trip. 

The next morning we took advantage of the spa at the hotel and then headed to breakfast. The breakfast offer was plentiful, and after it we started our trip to Vienna, Austria.

Day  2 — Timișoara to Vienna (29 May) 

• Distance: approximately 550km
• Driving time: approximately 6 hours
• Route options: through Hungary. I chose the most direct route from Timisoara to Vienna, because I wasn’t planning on visiting any other city on this segment, as we’ve done that before in previous trips. 

Vienna is always on our road trip itinerary because of its location, so we decided that we were not going to visit the city this time. I chose a comfortable studio outside the centre to spend the night in Vienna. Luckily, there are plenty of dog-friendly accommodations in Vienna. 

If you are looking for a self-check-in, dog-friendly place, I recommend this spot (Nest Natur Hostel), but we stayed in a studio, so it was very comfortable. 

There was no parking available, but we found safe street parking just across the street (ask when booking), and in Vienna, the street parking is free at night. 

Because we were too tired to go out and eat, we ended up using Lieferando to order food, and we had pizza.  

If you want to stay closer to the centre, I recommend the Weekend Hotel, where we stayed with our dog last time, which has a parking garage, and you can walk to all attractions from there. 

Day 3 — Vienna to Nuremberg (30 May)

• Distance: approximately 500km
• Driving time: approximately 5.5 hours
• Where we stayed: Schindlerhof Hotel, a family-owned boutique hotel outside Nuremberg 

This was my first time visiting Nuremberg or Nürnberg in German (this was the unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire founded in the 11th century). 

The Medieval town is also famous as it was very faithfully restored after WW2, and the walls surrounding the city are almost intact to this day. There’s plenty to visit and explore around it. 

The city is also famous for its Christmas Market (as many others in Germany), which happens every year in front of the Frauenkirche in Hauptmarkt.

After an afternoon in the city, we stayed at Schindlerhof Hotel, a Japanese-inspired boutique hotel just 10 minutes by car from the centre of Nuremberg. 

The place is so cute that it had 2 weddings happening at the same time that weekend. 

There’s secure private parking, and the entire area is so well designed and cute that you could just spend the entire day enjoying the inner courtyard and hotel room. 

As I walked into the room, I said “wow” more times than I can remember. We stayed in a Ryokan double room with breakfast included. Our dog also received a welcome pack and a blanket for him to sleep on, which is honestly so thoughtful and so rare these days in hotels in Europe. 

The room had a lovely outdoor area, a hidden TV, a very comfy bed, a desk, and a cosmetics bar. One of the most unique stays I’ve had in Germany, and I’ve visited this country a lot in the last 7 years. 

The hotel also has a restaurant and a very cute-looking breakfast area where we served locally produced jams and honey. 

Day 4 — Nuremberg to Koblenz (31 May)

• Distance: approximately 330km
• Driving time: approximately 3.5 hours
• Why Koblenz: manageable driving day, gateway to Belgium

I chose to stay at an apartment in Koblenz, just outside the centre and near the train station, but still within walking distance to the old centre of the city. If you want a central location, then I’d recommend staying at Altstadt Hotel. 

We walked all the way to the Deutsches Eck, where the Moselle meets the Rhine River. From there, we took the cable car up to Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, which is on the other side of the river. 

From there we admired the entire city from the Rhein-Mosel-Blick observation platform. Unfortunately, the fortress was already closed for the day when we visited. But the cable car is dog-friendly (small dogs are welcome). 

We had dinner in one of the restaurants in the centre of the city, and our dog was welcome inside. 

Day 5 — Koblenz to Ghent, Belgium (1 June) 

• Distance: approximately 340km
• Driving time: approximately 3.5 hours

Usually, I don’t plan for stops in Belgium because it’s a rather small country but with high prices. Last time I drove directly to France. But this time I wanted to explore a bit more and decided on two stops in Belgium, and this was the first one. 

I chose a hotel outside of the centre (out of convenience, free parking and easy access), but if you want to properly explore Ghent, I’d recommend NH Collection Gent (central location) or Adagio Access Gent Centrum Dampoort (still walking distance to centre, but a studio). 

Since I stayed outside the city, I used the car to visit the centre of Ghent and parked at Parking Sint-Michiels (P7). This is a secure underground garage, and from there you can easily explore the entire centre on foot. 

Day 6 — Ghent to Bruges (2 June) 

• Distance: approximately 55km,  shortest day, time to actually explore

I chose Bruges as my second stop in Belgium, as I wanted to properly explore this spot.

The weather is generally moody in Belgium (or at least that’s the case whenever I visit it), so it’s better to have more time to explore. 

Again, I chose to stay outside the centre, and that’s because this is a rather small town and dog-friendly hotel options are fewer than expected (so you need to book this one in advance).

I’d recommend staying at Hotel Patritius, which has a very central location.

We spent one night each in Ghent and Bruges. Read my full Ghent vs Bruges comparison here.

Day 7 — Bruges to Calais (3 June)

• Distance: approximately 110km

For this last stay on mainland Europe, I chose a more budget option, outside of the centre of the city.

Calais is a famous transit city, as this is where the famous Eurotunnel connects the mainland to the UK.

So you’ll find plenty of hotels around. But if you are taking LeShuttle (Eurotunnel) to the UK, then I’d recommend staying at Sure Hotel by Best Western or around that area. 

We arrived quite early in the afternoon, so we spent our time shopping in Cité Europe Shopping Centre, which is a huge shopping mall conveniently built right next to the departing area, for some last-minute shopping. You’ll find everything you need here.

France’s northern coast is a place I know well. Last year, I visited Dunkirk on a day trip from Lille. Here’s my guide to visiting Lille and Northern France on a day trip from Paris.

In my last year’s trip to France, I also visited Normandy extensively, specifically in Mers-les-Bains.

Day 8 — The Eurotunnel Crossing with a Dog (4 June) 

• Actual driving distance: approximately 70 miles (UK measures distances in miles)
• Time on the train: 1.5 hours (including the check-in, waiting time and the actual crossing)

LeShuttle train has a dynamic price, so booking early is essential, as it tends to get more expensive closer to the departure date. During summer it also gets busier, and you might not find a spot for your desired departure. 

I booked LeShuttle about 3.5 weeks in advance to make sure I get the best price. 

For the crossing, you need to provide all the details (car type, number of passengers, pet) to get a quote. For a normal car, 2 passengers and a dog, I paid 178 Euros. 

The process is fairly simple and straightforward; you need to be there at least 1 hour before your departure time to have time to go through all the check-ins and border checks. Use the app to provide all details before getting there, and then it will go smoothly. 

Here is my review of the Eurotunnel Channel Crossing using LeShuttle. 

Driving in the UK

After crossing the Eurotunnel, it was weird as we drove off the train; you’re immediately thrown into UK traffic, and you will start driving on the left. There’s a gas station just a few kilometres after you get off, where you can park the car and use the bathroom or take your dog for a walk. 

Driving in the UK was confusing and a bit scary at first, but after following the signs and paying attention to the road, it started being increasingly easy for me.

The only real issue is when I have to check incoming traffic from the right, and I’m on the left side of the car. But I ask my partner to help, and that’s working out ok. Also, I don’t overtake on motorways unless I am sure of what’s happening around me. 

First night in the UK

We stayed at The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne. This is a Victorian-style hotel located on the seafront in this seaside resort that has a special kind of charm. 

I believe this location is hard to beat, and the hotel itself transports you into a different age, where hotel service and quality are held to a standard that modern hotels will never achieve. 

From the moment I parked in front of the hotel, I was amazed by the entire experience.

The staff were friendly and welcomed our dog and us. We had a room with a seaside view and a great terrace on the first floor of the hotel, which made our stay memorable. 

As I stepped inside the hallways of the hotel, making my way to the room, I understood why celebrities such as Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin also chose this hotel in their time. 

Guests of the hotel are also offered access to the hotel’s spa, which offers a steam sauna, an indoor pool, a jacuzzi and a heated outdoor pool. After this entire drive to get to the UK, this spa was so much needed. 

We also had dinner in the hotel, and while dogs are not allowed in the restaurant area (to not disturb other guests), we were allowed to have dinner and bring our dog along in the lounge area. 

The food, service and atmosphere were divine, and I didn’t care how much butter was in my food because it was so delicious. I went for the dessert of the day too, and I don’t regret it. 

For the evening and morning walk, the seafront is a fantastic spot. During those early morning hours, all dog owners were out on the promenade, and we even made some new friends. 

We were lucky with the weather too; I thought England was mostly cloudy, but apparently not in Eastbourne. 

This first experience in the UK was truly memorable and worth the trip. And this is only 2.5 hours away from London, so it is a perfect spot if you’re travelling around this area. I wrote a detailed review of our stay at The Grand Hotel Eastbourne.

If you’re travelling with a dog, their full dog-friendly policy is here. Ador was genuinely well looked after.

Day  9 — Eastbourne to South Pembrokeshire (5 June) 

• Distance: approximately 310 miles (6 hours)

Driving in rural England felt like stepping back in time, as I drove past gorgeous farms and cottages. I never really thought about what the rural part looks like over here. And the roads were so narrow until I reached the motorway. But that’s the cost to pay if you want to visit beautiful coastal resorts. 

The drive on the motorway was straightforward and without incidents.

It’s much easier to drive on a motorway if you’re just starting to drive on the left side; you just need to pay attention to the cars joining the motorway. But basically, everything is like a mirror image of what you’re normally used to. 

Also, the gas and service stops are not directly on the motorway; you need to exit to find them (just follow the “services” sign). Check out my driving in the UK guide if you want to know everything about this experience.

Once I arrived in Wales, it was already late, and all I wanted was to get out of the car and stretch my legs. 

We were welcomed by our friendly hosts at the cottage we booked, and after that I simply got a shower and went to sleep. 

Days later, as I’m writing this, I still feel tired from this super long road trip, but I don’t regret it, as I’m slowly discovering that Wales is a gorgeous spot and it’s mostly free of crowds. 

We stayed for 1 entire month in South Pembrokeshire, and it was so much better than I could have imagined.

A full guide on what to do and see in southern Wales will be written after my stay. 

If you’re based in South Pembrokeshire, Barafundle Bay is unmissable — here’s everything you need to know before visiting.

Costs: How Much Does This Drive Actually Cost? 

This 9-day drive from Bucharest to Southern Wales was a lot, and I’m going to break down some costs in case you’re planning a similar trip. For convenience, I will use EUR and GBP to express prices. 

Fuel estimate

I drive a petrol car with an average consumption of 7 litres per 100 km. 

The refills I did were in Bucharest (55 L – 102 EUR), Timisoara (34 L – 63 EUR), Austria (46 L – 81 EUR), Koblenz (36 L – 64 EUR), Calais (48 L – 98 EUR). 

In total, I spent 408 EUR on fuel, but I got to Wales with half a tank full. 

Toll roads on the route

For this specific route (Romania – Hungary – Austria – Germany – The Netherlands – Belgium – France – UK), I needed a vignette for Romania, Hungary, and Austria. No other toll roads. 

I live in Romania, so I normally have a yearly vignette (but you should only buy for the amount of time you need, because it is cheaper). Let’s assume that you buy a 10-day vignette for Romania (6 EUR). 

I bought a 1-day vignette for Hungary (22 EUR) and a 10-day vignette for Austria (15 EUR), because I stayed for 1 night and 2 days. 

In total, these road tolls were 43 EUR. 

Dog fees at hotels

This will depend on the hotel you end up staying at, but fees range from 5 EUR to 20 EUR (sometimes more for fancier hotels). In total, for 8 hotel nights, the dog fee was 99 EUR. 

Know that some hotels charge more for larger dogs. My dog is only 7 kg, so he is considered a small dog.

Here are the fees for each stay:

• Timisoara, Hotel Continental – 15 EUR
• Vienna – free
• Nuremberg, Schindlerhof Hotel – 15,00 € per pet and night
• Koblenz apartment – 20 EUR
• Ghent – 10 EUR
• Bruges – 5 EUR
• Calais – 5 EUR per night
• Eastbourne, The Grand Hotel – £25 per night

Parking costs

When planning a road trip, parking in cities can be expensive, and costs will add up fast, so it’s better to research the best locations to stay and park. 

It comes down to your preference and whether you want to stay in the city centre or just visit for a few hours (which can lower the cost). 

In total, in my case, I paid 103 EUR for parking. But I also had some free street parking because I stayed at apartments. 

Here are the estimates for parking, including the parking garages when visiting the centre of the cities: 

• Timisoara, Hotel Continental – 10 EUR parking per day for guests
• Vienna – 4 EUR. Street parking 2 EUR per hour, free at night, using the EasyPark app. Only paid for 2 hours in the evening.
• Nuremberg, City parking garage – 9 EUR, Schindlerhof Hotel – € 9.50 per day
• Koblenz – street parking, EasyPark app; I stayed on Sunday when it’s free.
• Ghent – City parking garage: 12 EUR (Parking Sin Michiels)
• Bruges – City parking garages: 11.80 + 5.90 EUR (Parking Zilverpand), 8.70 EUR (Pandreitje)
• Calais – 3 EUR
• Eastbourne, The Grand Hotel – £25.00 per day

Eurotunnel crossing cost

I paid a total of 178 EUR for the LeShuttle, including a car, 2 passengers and a dog. 

Total estimated budget for Romania to Wales

The total cost of this trip was 281 EUR (fuel, road tolls, parking, dog fees), excluding hotel stays, food, restaurants and attractions. 

What I’d Do Differently

I ended up being very tired by the third day of this trip, and that’s because I drove for almost 6 hours or more every day. I used to be able to do this, but now it felt like torture. 

The hardest part of this trip was the Bucharest to Vienna part, and as always, I tried to get through it as fast as possible, but that left me exhausted very early in the trip. However, that gave me more time to explore other places in Germany and Belgium, some of which I didn’t explore before. 

But being so exhausted made me grumpy and made me feel less like walking around and exploring. 

One piece of advice is to try not to exceed 5 hours of driving per day and to add breaks every 1.5 hours. 

I’m always promising myself I will not attempt driving to Vienna in 2 days after such a drive, but I end up doing it again next year, and I always feel it in my body. 

I once drove from Prague straight to Bucharest (15 hours with only bathroom stops), as I was driving back from the 4-month road trip in Northern Europe, and another time from Lublin to Bucharest (also 15 hours), driving back home from the Norway road trip to North Cape, and those felt really extreme. 

As you can see, I take road trips to the extreme, so please know that unless you’re truly in a hurry, arriving home 1 day earlier will not be used for anything if your entire body is in pain (and this can also put you in a dangerous situation as you’re tired, and force you to drive at night). 

Also, always book hotels with parking, which is a rare commodity in European cities.

Practical Info (Before You Go)

Best time of year to do this drive

I believe you can do this drive all year long, but the best time would be in spring/autumn and early summer. During summer, which is the high season in Europe, there are longer queues for ferries and on highways, and most hotels in touristy areas are fully booked. 

Also, during the last summer seasons, temperatures have gone over 40°C(104°F) in central and southern Europe, which can make it very uncomfortable to drive for such long hours. I’ve done such a road trip before, and believe me, that was not fun. 

How long does it take, minimum vs comfortably

The total length of this road trip (Romania to Wales) is approximately 3,000 km and takes over 30 hours of driving. 

I’ve read online about Romanians living and working in the UK who make this trip in 2 days, taking only a short break to sleep in the car in a parking lot (similar to cargo trucks). However, I don’t recommend it. The longest time I have driven on a trip was about 15 hours, and it took me a few days to recuperate after that. 

I’ve done very similar trips before, and I know the roads and have stopped in these cities before. I would rather take my time and enjoy the trip, because I am not in a hurry, and this long drive takes me through so many beautiful places in Europe. 

Do you need an international driving permit?

You do not need an international driving permit if you are a resident of the European Union. However, if you are not from the EU, please check the exact conditions for driving in Europe with your country’s official governmental bodies. 

I recommend checking out my guide about driving in the UK with a European car, if you want to be prepared and know what to expect.

Vignettes — which countries require them on this route

Each country in Europe has a different road toll system, and it’s important to check each country in the itinerary for road tolls. In the case of this road trip from Romania to the UK, here are the exact road toll systems for each country, for passenger cars (M1).

I’ve also linked the most reliable sources for purchasing the vignettes, which I always use (be aware of the many scams online regarding European vignettes). 

• Romania – vignette. Buy here. 
• Hungary – vignette. Buy here. 
• Austria – vignette. Buy here. 
• Germany – no road toll. Need to get a low-emission zone green sticker (UMWELTZONE) to drive in cities. Order online here. (I used this website before. Many websites on the internet will overcharge you. The German green sticker can also be bought on the spot from DEKRA in Germany.  
• Belgium – no road toll; you need to register the car’s licence plate if you want to drive in cities. Check the official source for Ghent here (for the low-emission zone) and for Bruges here (for the traffic-restricted zone). 
• France – ticket taxation system on highways (cash booths), with many speed cameras on all roads. Also, you need a low-emission zone sticker to drive in cities. Order one here (official website; beware of scams). Please read my guide for driving in France. 
• United Kingdom – No road tolls in general; only specific highway or congestion areas can be paid online or by card. Best to follow the signs on the road. 

Internet Connection Across Multiple Countries

Driving through 7 countries means 7 different mobile networks. Rather than buying a local SIM in each country or paying roaming fees, I use a Holafly eSIM (but not exclusively), which gives me data coverage across Europe without swapping anything. 

It works in all the countries along this route, and having an international eSIM is one of the most useful tools for long European road trips.

Since writing this, I’ve tested Airalo and Revolut eSIM side by side with Holafly on this exact route. See the full speed results and price breakdown in my eSIM comparison guide.

And if you need more apps and tools, I cover all my essential travel tools, including eSIMs, in my digital nomad toolkit.

Car insurance (green card) for multiple countries

If you are doing any international road trip in Europe, you must have valid car insurance for all countries that you plan to drive through. This can vary from country to country and from one insurance company to another. Check your car’s insurance for this. 

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