Europe Road Trip With a Dog: My 4-Month Route Across France, Scandinavia & Back

I did a 4-month Europe road trip with a dog. 

I know this isn’t everyone’s dream, but if you want to plan a road trip in Europe with your dog, I think it will help you immensely to know exactly what to expect and how to prepare for the trip. 

I already wrote the detailed itinerary of this 4-month Northern Europe road trip, if you want to do a similar thing (Northern France and Germany, Denmark, Norway). Obviously, it can be done without a dog.

And I also wrote all the logistical side of travelling through Europe with a dog (passport and legal stuff). 

In this guide, I will focus on the particularities of planning a European road trip with a dog, including all the dog-friendly stops I made in this itinerary. 

I know a lot of pet parents can’t leave their fur babies at home during their summer holiday (and you shouldn’t). 

These countries (there are others too) will welcome you and your dog, and you will have one of the best holidays as a family. 

Because dogs are part of the family, they should be treated like such.

So here it is, all my knowledge and personal insights after doing a road trip through half of Europe with my 12-year-old dog. 

Update: I’m now driving from Romania to the UK with Ador. Follow the full route here.

How to prepare for a road trip in Europe with your dog

I think preparation is really important for such a trip. 

I did a lot of research before the actual trip, and that helped me a lot. But there were also things I hadn’t anticipated, but I now know and will share them all here. 

Items I bought before the road trip:

• Dog collar or harness. This is something you already have. 
• A leash. This is also something you have, but some places, like open-air museums, ask specifically for a non-retractable leash. It might be a good idea to get an extra leash (backup). 
• Dog car seat belt (it ties to the dog’s collar or harness, and then the other end has a seatbelt tongue and connects to the car’s seatbelt buckle). This is mandatory if you want to drive in France, for instance. 
• Collapsible dog bowl. Saves space, it’s lightweight, and it is useful for fast feedings and water breaks between drives (and hiking). 
• Dog Sling Carrier. Useful for smaller dogs (<10kg), I use the sling carrier mostly when visiting cities, as my dog is smaller and can get confused or hurt in crowds. 
• Dog Backpack Carrier. Also for smaller dogs. The Dog hiking backpack carrier is often used when going on nature walks or hikes that are too demanding for my 7kg dog. 
• Dog waste bags (poop bags). These can be bought from any pet shop, but it’s better to always have a reserve in the car. 
• Dog food and treats. Most pet shops all over Europe (even more remote areas) will have several food options. But my dog has severe allergies, so he cannot tolerate any kind of kibble. I bought a big bag of the ones he has at home. 
• Dog bed or blanket. I bought one of his beds and placed it in the car, on the floor behind my seat, so he could sleep during long drives. I also had a blanket for him to use in the car and at campsites. 
• Chew toy or bone. Most dogs have a favourite toy, so bring that. 
• Towel (for wet or muddy paws). I always kept a towel at hand in the car for urgent cleaning. 
• Paper towels or wipes. I also used wet wipes for car situations when I couldn’t just put him in the car (after longer walks or hikes). 
• Any medications your dog is taking. I recommend checking with your doctor and bringing anything that he occasionally takes. Vet appointments are harder to get in Europe (and expensive). 
• Tick remover or flea protection. Again, check with your vet at home. 

I tried to bring everything he might need or is used to, because familiar items help dogs feel safe in new places and reduce travel stress. 

One extra tip that many people forget:

Plan stops every 2–3 hours so your dog can walk, drink water, and go to the bathroom.

If you want to know the legal requirements for travelling with a dog in Europe, read my full guide here.

My 4-Month Europe Road Trip Route With a Dog

Initially, my goal was to spend 1 month on the northern French coastline. 

I really wanted to explore those beautiful white sand dunes, find random small French villages and discover the authentic French lifestyle. 

But to get there, I had to plan a rather long road trip from Bucharest, Romania (my hometown), to Lille, the largest city around the coastline in northern France. 

But in the end, my dog started to enjoy longer driving days, and we ended up driving for about 7 hours a day while road tripping in Norway to reach Lofoten (and then on the way back through Sweden). 

Here is the map of the entire 4-month European road trip I did with my dog:

I know this looks far too long to be even considered a road trip anymore, but I do this full-time.

After visiting all European countries and visiting the best European cities, my priority right now is to discover more regions of Europe. 

And I believe the best way to do that is to drive there. 

That’s why I design these super-long road trips in Europe. 

But anyone reading this should only take the parts that are interesting and use them to design their own road trip. 

And all this road trip I show you here (basically half of Europe), can be easily done with a dog. 

And here it is, proof. 

City European road trip with a dog

The first phase was driving from Romania to France. 

While I have done this kind of trip before, this was the first time doing a multi-European country road trip with a dog and having multiple city stops. 

The route I had created for reaching France: 

Bucharest (Romania) → Arad (Romania) → Vienna (Austria) → Regensburg (Germany) → Cologne  (Germany)→ Lille (France)

I was worried about this part of the road trip with a dog, because my dog wasn’t used to car trips longer than 2.5 hours before the start of the trip. 

After sorting out all the logistics of driving across all these countries, I started making specific plans for travelling across Europe with a dog through large cities. 

That’s why I had to minimise the driving time, and decided to push for about 5 hours of actual driving time every day. That’s how I ended up with so many stops on our way to France. 

He was a bit nervous this first week, as he was noticing all the luggage and the big fuss in the car. After all, he is a small dog and obviously had some anxiety stored up, as most dogs have. 

Each day, I was giving him his sedative before getting in the car, which he seemed to adore. 

He was shaking the first few days after getting in the car. I would stop the car every 2 to 3 hours for him to relieve himself and have a short walk. 

Dog-friendly hotels in big cities in Europe

For all the big European cities that I chose on my route, I booked dog-friendly hotels in advance. 

Because I also wanted to visit the cities, I chose hotels closer to the city centre, with parking garages.

Most hotels have underground garages (paid extra), but that made it really easy for us to carry our luggage and the dog. 

Hotels usually charge a fee for dogs, and some might only allow smaller dogs. It’s important to check their pet policies. Or send them a message and ask about it.

The pet fee is paid at reception, upon arrival, and the parking fee is paid at departure. 

Most hotels sent me detailed instructions for parking after asking. 

Dogs are mostly not allowed in breakfast areas or restaurants, but I have seen exceptions in Germany. 

I’ll briefly share some facts about each city we stayed in, just to give you an idea of what to expect in the area or country if you’re travelling with a dog. 

I think you will find this information useful. I spent a lot of time researching hotels that ticked all conditions. Needless to say, one important rule is valid everywhere you go. Dogs need to be on a leash while in cities, except for dog-designed enclosed parks. 

Vienna with a dog

I chose to stay at The Weekend Hotel, which was about €130 for one night. I paid an extra €10 pet fee. Then the parking garage, which is adjacent to the building, was about € 28,00 per day (24-hour tariff), but hotel guests pay a reduced fee (about € 24). 

I chose this hotel because it has a reasonable price, you can walk on foot to the city centre, and it has a parking garage. 

We walked to the city that afternoon, and took our dog all over the city. 

We carried him in the dog carrier for a few kilometres, mostly because he was tired and it was somehow busy on the streets. But once we reached the centre, we allowed him to walk and sniff a bit, which he enjoyed. 

However, he didn’t seem to enjoy the crowds at St. Stephen’s Cathedral, where there was an orchestra performing on the street, so we carried him out of there. 

We (my partner and I) tend to exaggerate a bit, but we don’t want him to struggle in any way. 

I think the hotel was strategic because it allowed us to walk to the centre, to explore the city on foot and not rely on public transport. 

In Austria, you need a separate public transport ticket for your pet, and he needs to wear a muzzle (which I had just in case). 

Otherwise, it was easy to walk around the centre, but there are some specific areas where dogs are not allowed, and there are signs for it. I think they are mostly concerned about dog poop not being picked up. 

One example where dogs are not allowed is the Maria-Theresien-Platz (but you can go around it). 

Regensburg with a dog

Germany made me relax a bit because a lot of places are dog-friendly. In fact, it seemed that locals were surprised when I asked things like “Are we allowed with a dog?”

I chose to stay at Rosi Boutique Hotel (Regensburg, Bavaria), which is very conveniently located in the centre of the city and has a garage really close by, to which they also offer a discounted rate. I recommend parking first and then going to the hotel. 

The hotel was about € 150, and the pet fee was about €6. I was surprised to see other dogs at breakfast, although I had left my dog in the room. 

My dog seemed very tired after those few days of driving and visiting, so we left him to sleep while we visited Regensburg. I hung the dog sign on the door and asked the receptionist to call me in case he hears anything. Luckily, he was asleep the entire time I was exploring. 

Cologne with a dog

In Cologne, I chose to stay at Aparthotel Adagio Köln City. The studios have a functional kitchen.

They have underground parking from where you can take the elevator directly to the lobby. And there’s a supermarket around the corner with ready-to-eat food. 

I stayed for 2 nights in Cologne, because we wanted to explore the city and rest a bit after driving for 4 days and changing hotels every night. The hotel was € 246 for 2 nights, and the pet fee was about €12. 

Our dog was ok for a few hours in the hotel room while we visited the centre of Cologne and the Ludwig Museum. 

The next day, we booked a KD cruise on the Rhein, where dogs are allowed. You have to book in advance as they sell out fast during the summer. 

Unfortunately, it was mostly rainy while visiting Cologne, but we managed to walk around the entire centre of the city, and we had fun. 

In Germany, Small dogs in a container/bag travel for free. Larger dogs require a child’s ticket or a reduced-fare ticket. Dogs must be on a leash and have a muzzle (if not in a container). 

Lille with a dog

Lille was a nice stop. Initially, I wanted to stop for 1 night somewhere in Belgium (Ghent ot Brugges), but the prices were too high, and I decided to spend 2 nights in Lille. 

I chose to stay at B&B HOTEL Lille Lillenium Eurasanté, and I paid about € 215 for 2 nights and about €6 for the dog. There is underground parking at the next-door shopping centre, and the hotel offers discounted tickets of about €18 for 24-hour tickets. 

That gave us plenty of time to explore Lille, and also drive for one afternoon to Dunkirk. 

That’s when I got my first speeding ticket in France. 

I still think those seep traps are set up to make money, not to actually help drivers slow down. I wrote all about it in my guide about how to drive in France. I recommend that you read it if you’re planning a trip to France. 

The hotel is in a quiet area, a bit further away from the city centre, but close enough to a metro stop. In France, small dogs are allowed on public transport for free (most places), but they need to be carried in a bag. I used my dog carrier. Dogs should also be muzzled. 

However, there seem to be different rules for different cities or means of transport. Some say in Paris, big dogs are allowed on the metro, but not on the ground public transport. 

I think you should check for each city and part in France, and the specific train or public transport that you want to use. Some might require a ticket (for larger dogs). 

But French locals have many dogs and love their pet companions. They are allowed mostly everywhere, except for food or health-related stores. 

But I sat down at a restaurant in the centre of Lille, and he was allowed even inside.

I noticed that a lot of dogs in France aren’t the best-behaved pets, and tend to bark or be aggressive. My dog never engages in such behaviour and completely ignored them, but that’s important to know, especially if you have a younger or more reactive dog. 

That’s why I think it’s important to keep your dog on a leash at all times. 

Also, I noticed that many people don’t clean up after their pets in cities in France. I honestly didn’t expect that. But there are fines in place, so don’t risk it and be a nice traveller and dog owner. 

French coastline with a dog

Before settling into slow travel on the northern French coast, I had already learned that driving in France requires a bit of extra attention.

I wrote a separate guide about Driving in France as a Foreigner(with a foreign car) if you want the full logistics.

The second phase of this European road trip was about slow travel on the northern French coast. 

After reaching France, the pace of the trip changed completely.

After doing this great road trip in Europe with a dog, we have finally reached the intended destination for this summer. 

And that is the Northern French coastline. 

This part of France fascinated me from day 1.

I even wrote an option for a day trip from Paris for anyone looking to explore Northern France off the beaten path. 

When I planned the trip, I wasn’t extremely set on just one spot.

All I knew was that I wanted a location close to the beach and to have plenty of places to visit as a day trip or half a day trip from that location. 

Because I booked my hotels so late, I couldn’t find something for a long time, so we ended up changing accommodations a few times.

But in the end, that was a great thing, because we ended up discovering a large part of Normandy and northern Brittany. 

Normandy coastline

I was so pleasantly surprised to discover Mers-les-Bains, one of the preferred coastal resorts for the Parisian high life of the 19th century. 

I stayed in one of those 19th-century Art Nouveau and Belle Époque buildings that make up the entire promenade of the gorgeous resort. I assure you the interior was up to normal standards, and we were welcomed with our pet for no extra fee. 

In general, put a filter for “travelling with a pet” when searching for accommodation on Booking or Airbnb. Not all hosts welcome pets, but a lot of them do. 

We enjoyed the green park around (right in the centre), and the proximity to the beach (we could see the beach from the balcony). 

We did a lot of exploring around, went on the cliffs around to do the hikes. My dog was present for all of these. 

I used the car to do road trips and discover nearby cities, including Le Treport, Eu, Rouen, Amiens, and many other towns and castles around to be discovered. 

Overall, we enjoyed this coastal lifestyle a lot; our dog enjoyed it too, and we found that many locals and tourists around here own a dog. 

This is when I realised France is truly a dog-friendly country. It was in Mers-les-Bains that I realised that travelling with a dog stopped feeling like a challenge and became a lifestyle.

Brittany Coastline

In Guingamp, we stayed at an affordable apartment, which was chosen specifically for its internet connection and free private parking. 

Unfortunately, that isn’t available for booking anymore, but there are many other options in Guingamp.  

While Guingamp itself isn’t a major tourist attraction, the town is nice and walkable and worth a stop if you’re around. 

I find that less touristy towns offer a greater value for money accommodations. 

Also, I noticed that all the great-looking accommodations tend to have really bad internet connections, while this apartment has one of the best internet connections I’ve encountered during my entire 1.5 months in Northern France. 

Also, the Location of Guingamp is perfect if you want to visit Perros-Guirec and the Côte de Granit Rose, Réserve naturelle régionale du Sillon de Talbert, Paimpol, Île-de-Bréhat and Saint-Brieuc. 

I loved staying in Guingamp while exploring the northern Brittany coastline. 

Northern Germany and Denmark with a dog

The third phase of this European road trip was about Northern Germany and Denmark.

Wilhelmshaven

Germany was mostly a break from visiting, and our week in Wilhelmshaven was mostly used for work and other logistical things, like a visit to the vet. I’ll share some tips on going to the vet in northern Europe in a dedicated section in a moment. 

Germany is very dog-friendly, and we stayed right next to a park, which was really nice as we could walk around a lot to explore it. 

Here are some great apartments in Wilhelmshaven.

Hamburg

The next stop was in Hamburg, where we stayed at IntercityHotel Hamburg Dammtor (about € 240 for 2 nights, € 12 pet fee and 16 EUR for underground parking directly connected to the lobby. 

The area is nice, walkable, close to the centre and public transport, and there’s a huge park across the street. 

Again, Hamburg is a dog-friendly city, although it is crowded, and some dogs might not like that. But that is the case with all big cities. 

I was impressed by how friendly the hotel was, as I saw an older couple with 3 large dogs walking inside the hotel. 

Denmark

After Germany, the next stop was in Denmark for 2 weeks, which was mostly to work. 

It was a rainy summer in Denmark, and our dog was not too comfortable out in the rain, so we avoided unnecessary walks. 

We visited Aarhus as a day trip, and it started raining in the afternoon, so we had to cut our visit short. 

But overall, Aarhus and Denmark in general are walkable and dog-friendly in less crowded places. However, unlike Germany and France, Denmark doesn’t allow dogs inside stores or restaurants. 

I wouldn’t necessarily visit a Danish city extensively with a dog, but I’d love to come back to the Jutland peninsula and properly explore the coastline. 

Some parts are closed for dogs during summer, and they have strict rules (like keeping your dog on a leash at all times), but I see this part of Europe as far less crowded and more enjoyable than many other coastlines during summer. 

Ferries in Europe with a dog

During my entire road trip, we took 3 ferries with the dog:

• Denmark to Norway (night ferry, 4 hours)
• Mainland Norway to Lofoten (4 hours, daytime)
• Denmark to Germany (2 hours, daytime)

Denmark to Norway ferry (night ferry, 4 hours)

From Denmark, I crossed over to Norway with ColorLine ferry company.

The ride from Hirtshals (DK) to Larvik (NO) takes about 4 hours.

There are 2 ferries per day, each direction. I recommend booking in advance, as prices increase closer to the travel date. 

There are other companies offering this trip, but I chose ColorLine primarily because of the route convenience and price. 

You will pay for each adult, the car and the pet. Each ferry company might have a different policy, but ColorLine asks you, at the time of the booking, if you are travelling with a pet and if the pet will stay in the car. 

You also have the option to take the pet with you, in which case you either stay outside on the deck (it gets really cold and windy at night) or book a dog kennel (they are limited and close to each other in a small room). 

I chose to let my dog stay in the car for the 4-hour ferry trip. 

My main concern was that it was during the night (10:15 PM to 2 AM) and that he is usually very sleepy during the night.

I also didn’t want to stress him to stay in a kennel because he isn’t used to that. The car was a familiar environment for him. 

I also feared that the car deck would feel cold for him, but when I got back, he was really hot and was thirsty. 

He was ok, and there was a visiting time (passengers aren’t allowed in the car during the trip), and the time for visiting dogs in cars is displayed at the reception (on the ferry deck).

But I missed it (and I also didn’t want to alarm my dog to leave him after seeing him for 10 min). 

He was ok for the entire trip, although it was a bit wobbly at some point, and people were feeling a bit sick (but nothing too bad). 

Mainland Norway to Lofoten ferry (4 hours, daytime)

The ferry company operating around Lofoten is Torghatten. Check the website for exact routes, timetables and dog-friendly ferries.

Overall, they are very relaxed and allow dogs inside, on the main deck, but not in the cafe area. It really depends on the route. 

I took the route Skutvik to Svolvaer (summer route only, up to September). It was free, and our dog relaxed inside while watching the rainy weather outside. That was a brutal introduction to Norwegian weather, but he got used to it after a few days. 

Denmark to Germany Ferry (2 hours, daytime)

I took the ferry from Sweden to Germany (Rødby to Puttgarden using Scandlines ferry). 

They are also very relaxed with dogs on board. Dogs are allowed on board in all areas (inside and outside), but not in the restaurant area. 

Many travellers had accompanying dogs, so it was one big happy dog-friendly ferry. 

We relaxed on the sun deck because the weather was great. 

Norway road trip to Lofoten with a dog

After crossing from Denmark to Norway using the night ferry from ColorLine, we arrived at around 3 AM at a pre-booked Airbnb. 

I was able to find multiple accommodation options that allowed dogs, so I ended up picking one place, considering the location (to be close to the port). 

A lot of travellers take this route during the summer, so pre-booking a hotel is a must. 

For the next 5 days, we had really long driving days and chose to stop each day at another campsite that was on our way.

Norway has a big culture centred around nature, and during summer you’ll find many campsites, for tents, campervans and with bungalows for rent. 

The thing is that most campsites have limited bungalows and they are sold out months in advance, so even for doing a road trip in Norway and choosing a campsite with bungalows for the night to sleep, you need to book it in advance. 

A lot of people are on similar road trips, and many stay just for a night in campsites.

Also, Norway has fewer accommodation options than other places, so pre-booking is necessary, especially in the high season (July and August). 

I first learnt about campsites in Norway when I drove all the way to the North Cape a few years ago.

These long road trips in Norway require careful planning. I made this route and paid for all campsites about 1 month in advance. 

I believe that that still lucky, because most places only had 1 option left at that point. 

Luckily, most campgrounds allow dogs. Some bungalows were free for dogs, while others asked for a modest fee of up to about 10 Euros. 

One important mention (in case you are not used to campsite life): You have to bring your own sheets and towels. Of course, you can rent them from reception, but it makes more sense financially to have your own if you’re staying in multiple campsites. 

Also, having my own bed linen and towels makes me more relaxed because my small dog sleeps in the bed. 

Unfortunately, once we passed the Arctic Circle, the weather turned pretty grey and rainy, which our dog didn’t like. 

By the time we crossed from the mainland to Lofoten with the ferry, the rain was pretty bad, and our dog refused to pee outside (although I really tried to convince him).

Living in Lofoten With a Dog

It was easy to find an Airbnb to accept dogs in Lofoten, as a lot of them do. 

If visiting during high season during summer, I recommend pre-booking all your accommodation around, as Lofoten is not a very popular place for campers, backpackers, and families from all over the world. 

The main activity in Lofoten is hiking. 

I find that most hikes are rather short and can be done in half a day or less, but your dog must be able to walk. 

Dogs should be kept on a leash. You might encounter sheep on the mountain, but step away from them; they seemed a bit wild to me. 

One sheep was curious about my small dog (they look somewhat similar) and head-butted my small dog. I didn’t know that was a thing until I witnessed the attack. 

Everyone survived. 

One thing to keep in mind is that Norway has a culture around a quiet environment and privacy. 

I left my dog at our Airbnb a couple of times for about 6 hours. 

Both times, our host messaged me and said my dog is barking non-stop and that he is disturbing the neighbours. I felt really embarrassed (especially because he almost never makes any noise). Every time I found him sleeping, by the time I had returned. 

I admit that the second time it was night (we did a northern light tour), and maybe he was scared it was getting dark outside. 

After that incident, our hosts said we aren’t allowed to leave our dog alone in the apartment. 

I was flabbergasted because no one has ever complained about my dog being noisy. And at this point, he had been travelling with us for over 2 months, in several hotels and Airbnbs. 

I mean, I made this massive road trip in central and northern Europe, and the hosts in Lofoten were the only ones to complain. Boggles the mind.

I was polite about it without hosts (we only spoke via messages), but I felt they were awkward about it, and they never messaged me after that, not even to say goodbye when we left. 

Here is my complete Lofoten travel guide.

Driving South Through Sweden

I decided to take the Sweden route on the way back to Central Europe.

Sweden offers a less dramatic landscape than Norway, but it is far more budget-friendly and predictable for long driving days. Many chose this route when returning from a Scandinavian road trip.

I made a few stops on the way to Stockholm, given the distance. I only stopped to sleep; I didn’t visit anything else. They all allowed dogs for a small fee. 

Here are the stops I made in Sweden:

• Gällivare, I stayed at Piilijärvi Camping
• Holmsund, I stayed at Bedtime (no pet fee)
• Stockholm, I stayed at Motel L Hammarby Sjöstad
• Malmö, Sweden, I stayed at Havshotellet

I chose to stay for 2 nights in Stockholm, to explore a bit and relax. 

This wasn’t my first time in Stockholm. I stayed in Stockholm for a month before and then around Stockholm for another month during my past summer trips. But this was the first trip to Stockholm with my dog. 

Overall, Stockholm is very dog-friendly. He was allowed in restaurants, shops, and almost everywhere (except for museums and other attractions). 

When driving south from northern Sweden or Norway, Stockholm works well as a cultural pause before continuing toward mainland Europe.

The stop in Malmö was also just to sleep, before crossing the famous Øresund Bridge between Sweden and Denmark. I also visited Malmö before, and here is my guide for the best things to do in Malmö. 

Driving Back to Romania

After crossing back to Denmark, I continue my drive back to Romania through the fastest way. 

Ferry: Rødby–Puttgarden vs Gedser–Rostock

I took the ferry from Sweden to Germany (Rødby to Puttgarden using Scandlines ferry). 

They are also very relaxed with dogs on board. Dogs are allowed on board in all areas (inside and outside), but not in the restaurant area. 

Dogs travel for free on Scandlines ferries. 

Many travellers had accompanying dogs, so it was one big happy dog-friendly ferry. 

We relaxed on the sun deck because the weather was great. 

The alternative is the Gedser-to-Rostock ferry route (longer trip, more expensive). Prices for these ferries are dynamic, and buying them a week or more in advance will give you the best price. 

Germany

We visited Lübeck in the afternoon, which has a lovely old town and great food options.

However, the real reason to stop there was because out dog was feeling sick after he accidentally ate 1 entire chocolate bar (we left him in the car while we went inside a shop).

When I got back, he was already feeling sick and very thirsty. I gave him some charcoal (always have some with you). It was a real struggle to make him swallow 2 charcoal pills.

We later drove into a larger city, parked the car, and let him walk, throw up, drink water, and relax a bit. We monitored his state and searched for an emergency clinic. Because it was the weekend, most vet offices in Germany were closed. 

He was sick for a few hours, but he was lucky to recover without further intervention. 

This was a truly painful moment for us, because we are always taking care of food and especially dangerous foods for him, but didn’t expect this to happen. 

Central Europe and back to Romania

After the incident in Lübeck, we stopped at Hotel Waldhalle, which was a wonderful random discovery. It was night already, and I was tired and couldn’t drive anymore. 

This is one reason why I don’t always book in advance hotels when doing road trips with multiple stops. I initially intended to reach Berlin that day, but it didn’t happen because our dog was sick. 

The next part of the trip was without any thrills. 

The next stop was in Prague, where we stayed with some friends. 

And after that, we drive straight for 14 hours to Bucharest (Romania), stopping only occasionally for refills and toilet breaks. 

That was quite a trip. 

The thing is that I made this drive so many times (Bucharest – Prague) that I don’t feel like stopping anymore for another overnight hotel. 

Of course, I wouldn’t recommend it if you are not used to driving such long hours or if you plan on exploring other cities on this route (Brno, Bratislava, Vienna, Budapest, Arad, Timisoara, Sibiu). 

Things I Would Do Differently Next Time

Our dog had a mild eye infection (conjunctivitis), and he needed some eye drops with an antibiotic. 

In Europe, no antibiotic can be bought from a pharmacy without a prescription, so we needed to go to a vet to get it. 

And also, in most places, like France, Germany and all over more civilised parts of Europe, you need an appointment to visit a doctor. 

So we got a doctor’s appointment (luckily, the next day), and I bought the necessary medicine from them. 

My dog is really allergic and often has issues with his eyes and ears. Unfortunately, I didn’t bring any medicine from back home, where it is much cheaper to buy and you don’t need a vet appointment (we live in Romania). 

The vet consultation, with the eye antibiotic, eye drops for daily use, and ear drops for yeast infection, was about 165 Euros.

The same thing would have been less than half in Romania. If you’re visiting multiple countries, know that some countries are cheaper than others when it comes to vet care. 

This is your reminder to bring with you any medicine your dog takes (even occasionally). 

In Europe, you’ll need a vet appointment and consultation to get any of that. And appointments are rarely the following day (we got lucky). 

Unlike my other road trips, I had to prioritise my dog’s wellbeing, and that meant not driving for such long hours. That meant booking more hotels, spending more money on hotels (and the dog fee, which adds up). 

My dog also dislikes rainy days, and that meant more indoor time during the rainy days (and less exploring). 

Heat can also be an issue during summer in Europe, but I also can’t stand sweating. That’s why I chose the northern French coastline, Germany, Denmark and Norway to spend the summer. Heat was never an issue for us. 

Overall, it was not as limited as I initially believed, but that’s because I created realistic expectations for this trip. I know I wasn’t going to visit museums, stay too much in cities, and focus mostly on nature walks and hikes. 

In a sense, you can’t be really spontaneous when travelling with a dog, especially if it involves longer distances or cities. You won’t be able to go bar crawling or check out the top restaurants in a city. 

But if hiking is your idea of spontaneous, then there’s no issue if you’re taking your dog along. 

Would I Recommend a Europe Road Trip With a Dog?

Yes. Europe is a great place for road trips, and there are many road trip itineraries that are great options for anyone travelling with a dog. 

I think one thing that keeps a lot of people from planning a trip with their dog is the fear of the unpredictable. 

That’s normal.

Dogs are not made for super long road trips. 

Some dogs don’t like sitting in a car for hours. 

But that’s for you to decide. You know your dog better than anyone else. 

Even dogs from the same breed can have completely different personalities. 

If you think your dog can handle such a trip, then go for it. 

I believe a European road trip with a dog is suitable for the kind of traveller who loves nature, is flexible in the itinerary and the planning of the trip. 

However, there are limitations to such a road trip in Europe with a dog. 

For instance, if you’re staying in larger cities, you have to find a hotel that accepts dogs in advance. Also, being flexible allows you to change your itinerary if you or your dog needs it (medical issues or other things).  

Overall, a road trip with a dog in Europe is the best kind, because you get to experience the wonders of Europe with your dog, and it just gives you the best feeling.