Ask HN: Alternative ways to move a dog, human, and some baggage overseas? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Alternative ways to move a dog, human, and some baggage overseas?

11 pointshereforphone16 comments

I need to move myself, a 23kg dog, and about 8 suitcases worth of stuff from the USA to Southern Europe. International shipping and pet relocation services that will take this route either don't instill confidence (amateurish websites, poor reviews) or don't respond to inquiries.

I can spend a fair amount of money on this. Are there any websites where I can connect with ships, sailors, or other potentially helpful organizations / individuals (private or commercial) who might provide this service?

View on HN

Should we assume that the boat is not large enough to fit them all, and that the dog will eat the suitcase if the human is not present?

(Sorry, couldn’t resist.)

> I can spend a fair amount of money on this.

A charter flight would be your best bet. NYC to Paris will run you about $60-70k, that can accomodate about a dozen passengers so the cost goes down dramatically if you can find some people to share the flight (and the cost). Take a train to your final destination. If you bring friends or family with you, they can help with the luggage at this point. Bring as many pets or suitcases as you like - just inform the airline in advance. It'll be a very memorable experience too!

Many airlines allow small-medium pets on board, but unfortunately at 23kg (= 50 lbs) your dog is likely too big for that.

I think the limit is 8 kgs. But there is a limit of 3 pets per flight. If no one else is flying with their pets, there might be an exception made.

The 8 kg limit is for the crate which is treated as cabin luggage. If you buy another seat, problem solved.

When I looked into a similar move (a dog who would need to be with me entire time) to Germany from the US, I found a cruise that went to Europe and then from there could rent a car or take trains.

You could try searching for how people afraid of flying travel. May have some creative solutions.

I’d throw in that cruise prices are probably as low as they’ll ever be also. I’m curious myself how a cruise works. It seems like US to Europe is 700-1500 per person, and it makes stops at a few ports in Europe.

What Visa do you have? Will they allow you to leave at the first port or is that against Cruise policy? If they let you get off, then just have a hotel booked at that destination. Settle for a days and then book the train to your final destination.

Last but not least, it’s not hard to get your pet designated an emotional support animal. People do this very easily in apartments that have no pet policy. If you can get that, then just take a flight.

I don’t know if this thread is still alive but I have been thinking about diff ways to get reliable information and support. Two thoughts:

1. Pet breeders know how to transport animals via air. And will have all the details at hand. Sometimes they also act as pet moving agents. Animals are precious cargo to them.

2. Rescue groups. I am familiar with a local hound rescue group and they often get rescued race hounds from all over the world that travel alone. My friend was mostly into Saluki hound rescue and they are often 50ish pounds. So approach rescue groups and ask them for guidance.

Best of luck.

The simplest way would be to find a couple of friends or family willing to travel with you, take a plane and check in your 8 suitcases (plus whatever your companions need) and hopefully that size dog can come in the passenger cabin with you.

If money is no object, private jet charter.

If flying is the problem, I think the cruise to Europe is probably the best. Designed for comfort, impervious to icebergs, probably not as slow as passage on a cargo ship.

Read the rules about international movement of dogs though.

I recently went through this from Middle East -> Layover in Europe -> USA.

I went with airlines and I can recommend Lufthansa myself fwiw.

I also recommend calling when booking the flight, since not all planes will take pets. You’ll need to pay extra for that.

Moved to europe from states with 2 dogs (1 chihuahua and 1 60lb dog). We just checked all of the bags. Big dog was checked like a bag and put in cargo in his sky kennel. Tape food to the outside of the pen and put one of those hampster water things on the cage for him. Dont give the dog anything to put em out (slepping stuff, allergy things, etc.) just let them be as normal. Our's peed in his pen on the way there (was a 10 hour flight). Chihuahua went in the cabin with us. Europe (we were in Germany) was so much easier with dogs. Dogs get an EU pet passport (go to vet when you are there and show them all your vaccines and such and they will issue one). Vet's are soooo much cheaper in Europe, a trip to the vet for both was 50 euro total, no joke.

Can't speak for southern europe but it was also nice cause we took our dogs everywhere, on the train, on the bus, etc. Hope that helps

Also keep in mind when you fly and call ahead so they know you are checking a live animal, they usually only have space in cargo for 2 on a plane. If its summer they won't let you fly with animals usually and when you board the plane remind the folks at the ticket counter you have a dog in cargo so they put the heating/cooling on in the cargo hold and don't buy the cheapest airline, get a good reputable one.

one more on bags, check all the stuff you are using for the first few months but I would just buy crap once you are there. If you have other things you want to take have folks who come visit bring it for you. I had a friend take a bunch of Magic the Gathering cards for me and another suitcase when they came visit.

+1 I moved from Chile to the US and then from the US to Brazil, the experience was ok. Everyone goes in the same plane.

The only part that was harder was taking the dog out in Brazil. In the US he was delivered to US in the Luggage area, in Brazil we had to go to the cargo areas and deal with some bureaucracy. Knowing how it will work in advance can save a lot of time, potentially get a service in the destination country that knows how to do it in case it is needed.

Lufthansa, Air France have the best pet policies for pet air travel. KLM too iirc. (I did this with three cats from India to USA)

I picked Air France because there was no layover and we’d all arrive and land at the same time. I wanted to be in the same flight with them at all times. They let me spend some time with them at CDG during the few hours stop.

I chose not to sedate my pets. I do not recommend it. But I speak for cats. Check with your vet. The pet cabin in the cargo belly is set up in terms of temperature and pressure for the pets comfort. You need to get airlines approved crates. Ours were comfortable enough for them to walk around and sleep. I did not feed them either. Because I did not want them to pee or throw up in the crate. But I left water. And I checked on them at CDG.

One thing tho’..and maybe this has changed now… I was asked to microchip them twice. Because the American format is different from the European standard. I also had to vaccinate them again closer to the date of departure.

You likely won’t have to jump as many hurdles as I had to because moving them from India required a lot more hoops. Between two western courtries should be fine as they’d likely accept each other’s pet passports.

If there were no other pets being flown, I could have possibly had them with me in the cabin. But my pets are vocal and everyone would have had a miserable time. Depending on your dog’s personality you could possibly book a seat or four for yourself but it won’t be pleasant for the dog. You’d probably be asked to muzzle your dog.

Having said that..chartered flight and possibly splitting costs with friends/family seems to be the better option. Good luck. Best wishes for a safe journey.

Talk to airlines, not international shipping.

I'm trying to avoid airlines. There are too many risky variables that could leave me stuck on the ground without a home or ticket. This is based on what I've read on their websites about pet transport.

Cruise ship? Private yacht?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com