- Travelling between EU countries with a dog, cat or ferret requires a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport.
- Many airlines only allow small pets in the cabin — often around 8 kg including the carrier. By road, your pet stays with you.
- Plan a walk and water every 2–3 hours, bring a familiar blanket and never leave a pet alone in a parked car.
- Tell us about your pet when booking so we can prepare the vehicle and plan stops.
Short answer: for trips within Estonia and the Baltics, travelling by road with a private driver is often the calmest option for a dog or cat. Your pet stays with you, you stop whenever it needs a walk, and there are no weight limits for the cabin. Just check the documents, prepare a few essentials and tell us about your pet when booking.
Why flying with a pet can be complicated
Airlines set their own rules, and they vary. Many allow only small pets in the cabin — often around 8 kg including the carrier, which has to fit under the seat in front of you. airBaltic, for example, applies an 8 kg limit for pet and carrier together. Larger dogs usually have to travel in the hold, if the airline accepts them at all. Add check-in, security and connections, and a short flight can become a long and stressful day for an animal.
Always check your airline's current rules before you decide. For shorter regional distances, the road is often simpler.
| Flying | Private car | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the pet travels | Small pets in the cabin, larger ones often in the hold | With you |
| Weight limits | Often around 8 kg in the cabin (check your airline) | No airline limits |
| Breaks | None until arrival | Whenever needed |
| Door to door | Plus transfers to and from airports | Yes |
Documents: what the EU requires
If your trip crosses a border — Tallinn to Riga or Vilnius, for example — EU rules apply to dogs, cats and ferrets travelling between member states. Under Regulation (EU) No 576/2013 your pet needs:
- A microchip, implanted before the rabies vaccination.
- A valid rabies vaccination. The pet must be at least 12 weeks old for the first vaccination, and after a primary vaccination you must wait at least 21 days before travelling.
- An EU pet passport, issued by an authorised vet.
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are all in the Schengen area, so there are normally no border checks on the road — but the rules apply all the same, so carry the passport. For other animals or travel from outside the EU, check the official rules or ask your vet.
How to prepare your pet for the trip
- A carrier or a harness. Cats and small dogs are usually calmer in a familiar carrier; larger dogs can travel with a car harness. Use what your pet is used to.
- A familiar blanket or toy. A known smell helps an animal settle in a new space — and protects the seat.
- Water and a bowl. Offer water at every stop.
- A light meal. Many owners feed a few hours before departure rather than just before, to reduce travel sickness.
- Lead, bags and wipes within reach, not packed at the bottom of a suitcase.
- The pet passport and your vet's number.
On the road: stops and safety
- Plan a walk every 2–3 hours. On the way to Riga, Pärnu is a natural halfway stop with green areas by the sea.
- Keep the pet secured in its carrier or harness while the vehicle is moving.
- Never leave a pet alone in a parked car — a closed car heats up quickly, even on a mild day.
- Keep the cabin calm. Gentle temperature and quiet music help nervous animals.
Which vehicle suits a trip with a pet?
Space matters. The Mercedes-Benz V-Class seats up to six and leaves room for a carrier, bags and a family. The Jaguar F-Pace, an SUV for up to four, is a good choice for a couple with a dog. Tell us your pet's size, whether it travels in a carrier, and any special needs — we will suggest the right vehicle, prepare it and plan the stops.
| Route from Tallinn | Driving time (approx.) | Jaguar F-Pace | V-Class |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pärnu | 1 h 45 min | €150 | €200 |
| Tartu | 2 h 20 min | €230 | €260 |
| Riga | 4–4.5 h | €285 | €365 |
One-way prices per vehicle. All routes and vehicles are on the pricing page.
What to tell us when you book
- The animal — dog or cat, its approximate size and weight.
- How it travels — in a carrier, on a harness, or both.
- Special needs — travel sickness, anxiety, medication times.
- Stops you want — a park, a beach or a quiet spot for a walk on the way.
Book through the form, by phone, WhatsApp or Telegram — we confirm within 30 minutes, 24/7.
Frequently asked questions
Tell us about your pet when booking — its size, whether it travels in a carrier and any special needs — so we can prepare the vehicle and plan stops.
For dogs, cats and ferrets travelling between EU countries: a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an EU pet passport. After a first rabies vaccination you must wait at least 21 days before travelling.
A walk and some water every 2–3 hours is a good rule of thumb. On the way from Tallinn to Riga, Pärnu is a convenient halfway stop.
For regional distances it is often calmer: the pet stays with you, there are no cabin weight limits and you can stop whenever needed. Many airlines only allow pets of around 8 kg including the carrier in the cabin.
Get a fixed price for your route
Tell us where, when and how many — we confirm a fixed price within 30 minutes. Available 24/7.
