Europe
Pet travel to Edinburgh
GB Animal Health Certificate and Edinburgh Airport APHA-approved clearance — Scotland's most dog-welcoming city.
Clearance & Entry
What's required to enter.
- 1
Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued within 10 days of travel
- 2
ISO-compliant microchip (15-digit)
- 3
Rabies vaccination — minimum 21 days before entry
- 4
Tapeworm treatment (dogs only) within 24–120 hours of scheduled GB arrival
These are the official entry rules for Scotland.
Read our step-by-step compliance guide covering every document, timing window, and government contact for Scotland.
Edinburgh Airport has its own APHA-approved Animal Receiving Centre — direct arrivals into Scotland without routing through Heathrow are possible. Cats are exempt from tapeworm treatment. The reversed microchip-then-vaccination sequence is the single most common compliance failure — if detected, the entire vaccination history is invalid and the 21-day wait restarts from zero. Air Canada (seasonal direct), British Airways via Heathrow, and United via Heathrow serve Edinburgh from North America.
— Paws en Route Compliance Team
Our process
How we handle Edinburgh.
Documentation Review
We audit every certificate, vaccination record, and microchip date against the exact requirements for Edinburgh.
Permit Filing
Our team files all import permits and advance notifications on your behalf, tracking approval status in real time.
Veterinary Coordination
We work with your vet or our partner clinics to issue compliant health certificates timed precisely to departure.
Airport Concierge
A dedicated chaperone manages customs inspection, APHIS or border authority clearance, and handover at destination.
Local Logistics
Getting your pet into Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Airport (EDI) has an APHA-approved Border Control Post for pets arriving from outside Great Britain. Advance notification to APHA is required. For long-haul connections we often route via LHR, where APHA inspection capacity is greater.
Entry Airports
Supported Airlines
At a glance
Lead time
14–28 days
Ready to travel to Edinburgh?
Get a custom quote with exact timelines and costs for your pet.
Pet-Friendly Stays
Where to rest in Edinburgh.
Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel by IHG
Kimpton Charlotte Square Hotel by IHG is pet friendly! Dogs under 35 kg are welcome for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request. Beds
Portobello Townhouse
This 4-bedroom house in Edinburgh is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are welcome for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request.
Peggyslea Farm B&B
Peggyslea Farm B&B is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are allowed for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request.
3 Bedroom at Seton Sands Caravan Hire
3 Bedroom at Seton Sands Caravan Hire is pet friendly! Dogs of any size are allowed for no additional fee. Cats may also be allowed by request.
Paws en Route
Not seeing your ideal stay? Our concierge knows every pet-friendly property in Edinburgh.
Paws en route members get waived pet fees at select partner properties in Edinburgh. Ask your concierge which properties are currently in the programme.
Getting Around
Navigating Edinburgh with your pet.
One of the biggest anxieties of pet travel is local transit. Here's everything you need to know before you land.
Public Transit
Dogs travel free on Lothian Buses and Edinburgh Trams to and from the airport. On ScotRail trains, dogs are permitted at no charge on leads — the city is compact and the network is genuinely useful for dog owners.
Private Cars
Our Edinburgh executive car network covers all APHA-cleared arrivals from Edinburgh Airport. SUVs available for large breeds and crate transport. Day-trip chauffeuring to the Highlands and Scottish Borders available.
On Foot
Edinburgh's hills, parks, and closes reward walkers. We provide detailed off-lead maps for Holyrood Park, the Pentland Hills, and the Water of Leith walkway through Dean Village to Leith.
Private Ground Transport
Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked fleet. Seamless door-to-door service between cities or to your final destination.
Experiences & Culture
Edinburgh, with your dog.
Montgomery Street Park
Montgomery Street Park is a pet-friendly park in Edinburgh, UK. This smaller community park has a basketball court, as well as a grassy field for
119 Montgomery St, Edinburgh, UK, EH7 5ET
Braidburn Valley Park
Braidburn Valley Park is pet-friendly. This community park is open to the public and is a great destination for informal sports, dog walking, and
1 Greenbank Crescent, Edinburgh, UK, EH10 5TE
Hamilton and Inches Jewelers
Hamilton and Inches Jewelers is pet-friendly. This luxury jewellery house allows dogs inside their iconic showroom in the heart of Edinburgh.
87 George Street, Edinburgh, UK, EH2 3EY
The Potter Trail
The Potter Trail is pet-friendly. Calling all Dobbies and Hedwigs to enjoy the original, award-winning magical tour of Edinburgh. You’ll discover
30-34 Candlemaker Row, Edinburgh, UK, EH1 2QE
Paws en Route
Want more to do with your dog? Our experts plan the perfect itinerary in Edinburgh.
Pet-Friendly Dining
Eat out, dog in tow.
Verified dog-welcoming restaurants, cafés, and markets in Edinburgh. Policy notes confirmed by our local team.
Casual
The Sheep Heid Inn
Duddingston Village
Scotland's oldest pub (reportedly since 1360); dogs welcome throughout including the historic skittle alley — water bowls and dog beds provided.
Casual
Teuchters Landing
Leith Waterfront
Waterfront whisky bar; dogs welcome in the bar and the harbourside garden until 6pm in the dining area.
Terrace Dining
The Botanist Edinburgh
St James Quarter
Leafy restaurant-bar with a large outdoor terrace; dogs welcome throughout the garden seating.
Local Infrastructure
Know before you land.
Emergency resources, export-certified clinics, and vetted boarding — vetted and saved before departure.
Emergency Vet
Vets Now Edinburgh
2B Hutchison Crossway (within PDSA Pet Hospital), Edinburgh EH14 1RR
4 km from Princes Street
Mon–Fri 6pm–8:30am, weekend 24hr
Export Clinic
Royal (Dick) School of Vet Studies Hospital
Easter Bush Campus, Midlothian EH25 9RG
11 km from city centre
24/7 emergency referral
Boarding & Daycare
Candidacasa Luxury Kennels
Get a Quote
Get a custom quote for Edinburgh.
We handle the flights, the veterinary compliance, and the door-to-door logistics. Tell us where you're starting from, and we'll calculate the route to Edinburgh.
Travelling to
Pet type
No obligation · Concierge response within 24 hours
Paws en Route Concierge
Ready to turn this guide into a real trip?
Your Preparation Timeline
We build a personalised calendar for Edinburgh: permits, vet appointments, and health certificates timed precisely to your departure window so nothing expires before you board.
Local Intelligence, Pre-loaded
Vetted stays, pet-safe transit routes, and emergency contacts, all curated for Edinburgh and confirmed before you land, so your first day is calm.
Common questions about Edinburgh.
Everything you're likely wondering before you start the process.
