Flying my Piggies

[Brownie in Bahrain]

I live in Bahrain but looking to move to Austria in the future. I’ll move my horse and dog but struggling to find a way to take my 2 guinea pigs. Anyone had experience travelling their piggies, i couldn’t bear to leave them here..

 

[FinnishLapphund]

If my info is correct, flying with rodents like Guinea Pigs can be a bit tricky, but there are airlines that does allow them. If they're not allowed to travel in a pet carrier in the cabin with you, there's also the option that some airlines allows them to travel in something called the cargo hold.

A cargo hold is different from the normal cargo area, because it can be heated and ventilated. As I understand it, pilots are informed about if pets are in the cargo hold before a flight starts, but I've heard that some people who travel on the same airplane as their pet in the cargo hold, still asks for the pilot to confirm that he/she knows that pets are travelling in the cargo hold.

I found this page as an example about airlines that does allow you to travel Guinea Pigs either with you in the cabin, or in the cargo hold.

7 Airlines That Allow Rodents on Planes [2023 Pet Policy] - Pets That Travel

The following 7 airlines allow rodents on their planes, however they have strict policies. In this article, we will list the airline's strict rules and regulations you must adhere to, as well as their prices in 2023.

www.petsthattravel.com

If none of those airlines flies from Bahrain directly to Austria, maybe you need to think outside the box. If they fly from a neighbouring country, could you travel with your Guinea Pigs there, and then fly from that country?
If none of the airlines have an option that goes directly to Austria, could you go to e.g. Germany, and then travel from Germany to Austria?

But regardless whether you arrive by air, or land, you also need to look up what rules there are for taking your Guinea Pigs into Austria. Do they e.g. need an international pet passport?

Perhaps using a professional pet shipping service could be worth the money? Maybe you can find some useful info on this page https://www.ipata.org/

On this page listing some top international pet shippers, they mention a company called Pets Oasis, which helps relocate pets out of and into United Arab Emirates. https://www.movehub.com/advice/pet-couriers/
It says the primary airport they use is Dubai, but they can also arrange to use other airports in UAE. According to Google Maps, it's possible to drive from Bahrain to Dubai in around 10 hours, but I suppose it would take longer with breaks on the way.


Anyhow, this is as far as my knowledge about flying with pet goes, but it doesn't seem completely impossible. And presumably it's worth all the hassle if you're planning on staying in Austria, or Europe, for a longer period of time. Best of luck.

 

[Brownie in Bahrain]

Thank you for all the info. I will certainly check any airlines from Saudi Arabia as it’s possible to drive there fairly easily. Nothing direct from Bahrain unfortunately .

 

[FinnishLapphund]

Sorry you don't have any easy direct from Bahrain options, but hopefully you find something else that works for you all. Better a bit of hassle, than not being able to travel them at all.

 

[Honey08]

Is there any other destination nearby in Europe that you could fly them to? Then drive? I guess you’d need to check paperwork needed for that destination as well as Austria.

 

[Brownie in Bahrain]

Sorry you don't have any easy direct from Bahrain options, but hopefully you find something else that works for you all. Better a bit of hassle, than not being able to travel them at all.

I agree, i adore my boys and couldn’t i shine leaving them behind..

 

[Brownie in Bahrain]

Is there any other destination nearby in Europe that you could fly them to? Then drive? I guess you’d need to check paperwork needed for that destination as well as Austria.

It’s getting them out of the Middle East that seems to be the issue. Its looking like they’ll have to go in cargo, wish i could travel in there with them!

 

[FinnishLapphund]

It’s getting them out of the Middle East that seems to be the issue. Its looking like they’ll have to go in cargo, wish i could travel in there with them!

I can totally understand that wish, but perhaps try to view it as that from the Guinea Pigs point of view, the differences between a ventilated, heated cabin, and a ventilated, heated cargo hold, are simply that one have seats + human passengers, and the other one doesn't.

In case your Guinea Pigs aren't used to being in a pet carrier, make sure to start training them to view a pet carrier as a nice, normal place for them to spend time in, well in time before their actual travel.

 

[Brownie in Bahrain]

I can totally understand that wish, but perhaps try to view it as that from the Guinea Pigs point of view, the differences between a ventilated, heated cabin, and a ventilated, heated cargo hold, are simply that one have seats + human passengers, and the other one doesn't.

In case your Guinea Pigs aren't used to being in a pet carrier, make sure to start training them to view a pet carrier as a nice, normal place for them to spend time in, well in time before their actual travel.

I see what you’re saying, I’m sure as long as there’s food my boys will be happy enough..