Hamster travel

[Peanut84]

Hi guys!
I had a similar thread a month ago, but since then I cleared a few things up. I will be moving from England to Germany at the end of April. Actually I wanted to move by car and take the hamsters, but it turns out that it is way to expensive, so I have to take the plane.
I phoned the airline and hamsters can only travel in cargo. Do you think they would be ok (2 dwarfs around a year old) or is it too stressful?

[Piebald]

Yikes Peanut I don't know about that. I traveled with a cat by plane many years ago and here are some of the questions I was told to ask:
Is it an animal cargo area? Is it heated? How noisy is it? What other animals are going to be in it? How is the animal loaded and unloaded?
Also do a search to see what people's experiences are on different airlines.
I've recently seen animals in their cargo carriers left on noisy tarmacs waiting to be loaded. Not what I would want for my pet.
However, I understand sometimes needs must. My cat was freaked but ok. One hopes the methods and regulations are much better now -- that was 25 years ago.

[Pebbles82]

I don't think I'd have them travel in cargo. Shame they won't let you take them as hand baggage in an approved carrier. Is Eurostar no good?

[barley]

I work for a pet travel company. You're not going to like my answer... but the hamsters we have transported via air have either died in transit, or shortly after arrival. We now refuse to do it.

[racinghamster]

I worry when I have to take a taxi to my vet never mind travel to Europe! What a dilemma for you. But I agree with the advice about looking at hand luggage/carrier or by train? Or find an airline that will 100% allow the hamsters to travel on your lap. Surely there will be a few that would cater for thing? Or am I being nieve?

[barley]

Originally Posted by racinghamster

I worry when I have to take a taxi to my vet never mind travel to Europe! What a dilemma for you. But I agree with the advice about looking at hand luggage/carrier or by train? Or find an airline that will 100% allow the hamsters to travel on your lap. Surely there will be a few that would cater for thing? Or am I being nieve?

No animals, except registered assistance dogs, are allowed to travel in the plane cabin on journeys in or out of the UK. They must, without exception, travel in the cargo hold.

[racinghamster]

Such a shame they can`t extend animals the same travel arrangements as us humans eh? Given animals suffer so much for us. x

[barley]

To be honest, it would be FAR more stressful for animals to be in the cabin, rather than in the cargo hold.

The cargo hold is pressurized and heated, the same conditions as the passenger cabin. Once the plane reaches altitude the lights are dimmed and all it's dark, quiet and the animals are not disturbed.

The passenger cabin is loud, bright and full of noisy people!

That said however - whilst cats and dogs travel well, I ship hundreds a year without issue - I do not believe hamsters should travel by air, hence our companies refusal to do so.

[Peanut84]

While the train would be affordable, I feel it would be very stressful as well. It would take around 17 hours or longer, not counting possible delays and involve at least four changes, me carrying all my luggage around plus hamsters. At least the plane would only be four hours. I didn't know that cargo had the same conditions as the cabin. I'm kind of at the point were I think it would be less stressful for everyone if I would just rehome them. If I would take them and they would die I'd feel terrible, but I also feel guilty about rehoming. I'm a bit worried I won't find a nice home for them.

[Piebald]

Hey Peanut, I don't know where in Germany you're going but seems like you can get just about anywhere faster than that-- see here:
How to travel by train from London to Germany | From £49 to Berlin, Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt or Cologne...
I see it does involve a lot of transfers tho. Very tough decision for you. It doesn't look like the plane is a good option however so sorry