hi people i really need some help, with a very good mentor we have booked a stud for my bitch for next year, my only problem is i don't drive and i have to get to Aberdeen. I have been checking the internet for ways to get there and the most ideal route is flying, now i have prices for humans but i've never been on aplane can anybody help me with this or give a link of what i need to know or so i can get a rough idea of prices and what airlines take animals cargo.

   Thanks again in advance and very much
appreciated

   Nessa

How about the train? Aberdeen's train station is in the middle of the city, then possibly someone could meet you there.

As far as I know airlines won't transport animals on internal flights at all; the train would be the best bet.

I don't think you can, we picked up a pup from Scotland a couple of years ago, hubby, daughters boyfriend and son flew from Bristol to Edinburgh, then picked up a hire car from the airport and drove home,  they took a steady drive (7 hours) hubby and daughters boyfriend taking it in turns to drive and stopping at services, then dropped the hire car back at Bristol airport where they picked up their own car they had parked earlier that day.

thanks jeangeanie its only to get to Aberdeen as BIL will come and pick us up to take us home so will have a more detailed look at the trains.

Thanks again for all your advice

Nessa

you will have time to learn to drive :)
I learned to drive to pick up my first import from Finland and so that I can get to shows with her :)

I would think train would be the most stress free option to all?

Unfortunately I don't think any of the airlines accept dogs on domestic flights within Uk and between us and Ireland.  I don't know how expensive a private charter flight would be.

A pup of mine went to a home near Glasgow.  Her owner was able to pop down to see them for £50 return flight that only took half an hour, yet had to take pup home by road in two stages.  If she had flown with getting to and from airports they would have been home in little over two hours.

Taking an in season bitch on the train all that way might present some difficulties, not least of which is that you're unlikely to be able to book it far enough in advance to get the discounts.  'Turn up' travel on the train is really expensive...

Have you looked at a dog travel company?  I often notice dog transporters on the motorway so there seem to be plenty about.  I don't know if they can take a person too but it might be an easier way to make the journey

The other option is private hire, as long as they have a suitable vehicle and your dog travels in a crate I'm sure it would be possible.  An elderly friend travelled this way over Christmas so she could visit family - it wasn't cheap but she no longer drives long distance and train travel isn't an option either. She told me it was perfect - he made regular stops for her and managed all her luggage :)

We traveled from Aberdeen to Doncaster an back to visit the stud dog by train. By the time she was ready to be mated she was no longer bleeding but she wore some pants and had her bed with her. We managed to get a seat at the front or with a table the whole way there and back so plenty room for her. Was no problem at all and probably worked out the same price or cheaper than if I drove (£140 return I think)

My girl was perfectly happy and was a nice stress free journey for both of us! With a bitch who is used to traveling I would do it again.

Aberdeen train station is very central.... Only issue is if trains get delayed there's a lot of sitting around.... Our return journey took about 12 hours!

That sounds really interesting.  Do you know if you can take a dog on any overnight London to Scotland trains?  (And if so - where do they wee???)

I've taken a dog on the overnight train from London to Glasgow several times. You need to book a cabin and be the only occupant of the cabin and pay an extra £80 each way for cleaning costs (this cleaning cost has gone up by £10 each year). You can only take one dog with you and the dog can't leave the cabin. It is pricey, but it's a very relaxing way to travel with the dog as they just go to sleep in the cabin. There's nowhere for the dog to go to the toilet, but as the journey is only a little over 7 hours overnight neither of the dogs I've travelled with needed to go - and each was only 6 months old the first time we travelled. Infact, when my last dog was only a year old the train broke down and we were stuck on the train for 13 hours in total as they wouldn't let us leave the train. She lasted all that time.

I'm not sure of the over night trains but know that we weren't charged for the dog and the staff and passengers were great with her.... She got spoilt rotten and ended up sharing a M&S sarnie with a passenger!

We had one change in Glasgow so she got a wee there and on the way back we were delayed in a station for an hour so she got a decent walk! If I were aranging trains for a long journey I would try and get a change with some time in between so you can nip out of the station and give her a wee.

> If I were arranging trains for a long journey I would try and get a change with some time in between so you can nip out of the station and give her a wee.

I have always walked to the end of the platform where it ends is usually chippings and they can wee there, never had one need a poo, but you could bag it easily enough and put in a bin.

I intend to use a dog in Scotland for my youngster in 2 years time,a nd will look at going by train rather than driving, as when we went up to show in October it was £170 in fuel.

Just so stupid that they won't allow dogs on internal flights in the UK as I have the airline crate, airport just half hour away, flight not much longer.

With her grandmother in Finland there was no problem flying on an internal commute for a very Small fee, only about £10 on top of my fare.  I could see her being loaded at the small airport from the doorway before getting on the little shuttle plane myself, it was very much like the inside of a Bus. most passengers had hand luggage only, mostly briefcases.

If the mating is booked for next year, I'd get going and learn to drive :)

Gotta be the way to go, particularly if your b*tch will be in season.

hi TT i am doing the driving lessons which i will start as soon as,  but if it didn't go to plan i thought i would research alternate ways of getting there, just in case.

Thanks to everyone that has replied with your experiences very much appreciated thank you.

Nessa

Have you asked if the stud owner would consider travelling to you if you covered their costs?