Traveling by ferry to Albania may seem like the perfect solution when you’re bringing your dog: no need for long hours on the road, the chance to enjoy the crossing, and the convenience of arriving directly at the port. But as is often the case, the experience isn’t quite as simple as it looks—especially when traveling with a four-legged companion.
Here’s our feedback—with its good surprises, but also its setbacks—and a few tips to help you avoid the same struggles.
Choosing your ferry
To get to Albania, you can take a ferry either from Ancona or from Bari. We chose Ancona. It runs less frequently (twice a week in September 2025), is a bit more expensive, but it still saved us many hours of driving.
Booking a ticket with your dog: quick and easy
Booking is straightforward, either directly on the ferry company’s website or via Direct Ferries. When booking, simply add your dog as a passenger. Two options are available:
- Pet-friendly cabin: convenient but very expensive.
- Kennel: included when you declare a dog, with no extra charge—but keep in mind that the size and comfort of the cages are quite basic.
We chose the kennel option, thinking it would be enough.
The kennel: a bad surprise for our dog
On paper, everything looked fine. In reality, the cages were small and unsuitable: our dog couldn’t even sit properly inside. The kennel was located at the very top of the ship, in a small, isolated, dirty, and very noisy room. As a result, even though she is usually very adaptable and crate-trained, she panicked… to the point of peeing on herself.
It was a difficult experience for her and for us.
In the end, faced with her stress, we decided to let her sleep in our cabin’s bathroom, which turned out to be a much calmer solution for her (even if, officially, it wasn’t allowed).
Dog’s needs on board: plan your own solutions
In principle, there should be a box with sand or gravel where dogs can relieve themselves. But on our ferry, nothing was provided. As a result, our dog couldn’t relieve herself despite the familiar “go pee” command. Eventually, she ended up peeing… on the bar’s doormat, under the disapproving stares of the staff.
👉 Our tip: bring absorbent pads to avoid this kind of situation, along with cleaning supplies for accidents. It will save you a lot of stress and make the crossing more comfortable for everyone.
Prepare your supplies before departure
Another detail we hadn’t considered: once the ferry departs, you can’t return to your car. We had left her second portion of kibble in the trunk… and couldn’t access it. Luckily, we managed to improvise, but it’s better to plan ahead!
Make sure you have:
- Enough food for your dog.
- Water and a portable bowl.
- Bags and cleaning supplies, just in case.
And of course, don’t forget to grab your personal bags before boarding, as there’s no access to the car once the ship leaves.
A welcome freedom on board
Despite everything, one big positive: dogs are allowed almost everywhere on the ferry. This means you can keep them with you most of the time, reassure them, and avoid long periods of isolation. That’s a real plus compared to other modes of transport.
In summary: our tips for a smoother journey
Taking a ferry to Albania with your dog is absolutely possible, but it requires a bit of organization if you want to avoid the problems we encountered:
- Consider the pet-friendly cabin option if your dog is sensitive and if your budget allows.
- Check the kennel cage size before booking.
- Bring pads, bags, and cleaning supplies.
- Keep food and water on hand (not in the car).
- And above all: stay flexible and attentive to your dog’s needs.
Despite a few mishaps, the ferry remains a great way to travel together—provided you’re well prepared.
Albanian Travels 
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