The car stops, the driver sees the dog and shakes his head. Many owners have been there, especially with a large dog or on a longer trip. Here is what to say when you book a taxi with a dog in Bulgaria, how to prepare your pet and what is up to you – for a short ride across town, an intercity trip such as Sofia Airport to Plovdiv (about 150 km, around 1 h 45 min), or a transfer to the coast or the mountains. At YesTrans, we drive dogs and cats together with their owners every day.
Call or message us: +359 897 227 771 (Viber, WhatsApp) · Book online · no prepayment
Always mention the dog when you book
This is the single most important tip. Not every driver and not every car is suitable for a dog, and a surprise at the door is unpleasant for everyone. When you book, tell us:
- what animal is travelling – dog or cat;
- how big it is – approximate weight, or at least small, medium or large;
- how it will travel – in a crate or a carrier;
- how many people and how much luggage – suitcases, a pram, skis and so on.
With this information we choose the right vehicle. A cat or small dog in a carrier fits in a sedan. A large dog in a crate travels in a minivan or van. Our fleet has around 200 sedans, 50 minivans, 100 vans and 20 S/E-class cars, so there is always a suitable option.
Crate or carrier
A dog in a car should be secured – for its own sake, for yours and for the driver’s. There are two options:
- Carrier bag – for cats and small dogs. It sits at your feet or on the seat next to you.
- Crate – for dogs of any size and the safest option for a long trip. A large crate fits in a minivan or van.
The crate or carrier is yours to bring. Do not count on the driver having one in the car.
A towel for the seat and keeping things clean
Hair, wet paws and mud are part of travelling with a dog. To keep things pleasant for you and for the next passengers, bring a blanket or towel to cover the seat or the floor where the dog will be. A familiar blanket has another benefit – it smells of home and calms the dog.
Bring poo bags and wet wipes too. If the dog feels unwell on the way, you will be ready.
Before the ride
- Walk your dog for 15–20 minutes before the car arrives.
- Do not feed a big meal in the three hours before a longer trip. Do not hold back water.
- Bring water and a bowl for any ride over an hour.
- Put on a collar with your phone number and keep the lead in your hand while the dog gets in and out.
- Keep a cat in a closed carrier for the whole trip, however short.
During the ride
Your dog should stay in its place – in the crate or in the carrier. Do not let it wander around the car or put its head out of the window. Talk to it calmly. If the dog is nervous, sit next to it.
On an intercity trip, tell the driver when the dog needs a stop. Motorways have petrol stations with grass areas where the dog can stretch its legs for a few minutes on the lead. On routes of two to three hours or more, one break is a good idea.
City taxi or private transfer?
For a short ride in town, calling a taxi company and mentioning the dog usually works. For anything longer – to another city, to the seaside, to the mountains or to the airport – a private transfer is easier:
- The car is confirmed in advance – you know it suits your dog.
- The price is known in advance – you see it in the calculator and pay after the ride, with no prepayment.
- Door to door – no changes, no bus stations.
- 24/7 – at any time, including night and early morning.
- Unlimited waiting for a delayed flight – when we pick you up at the airport.
- Child seats at no extra charge – if you travel with children and a dog.
Airport pick-ups with a dog
A trip to or from the airport with a dog has its own details. The dog usually travels in a crate that meets your airline’s requirements – check those directly with the airline before you travel. The flight crate is often bigger than the one you use at home, so tell us its dimensions when you book. That way we send a car where the crate and the suitcases fit together. On arrival, the driver waits for you at the exit, and if your flight is delayed, there is no time limit on waiting.
See Sofia Airport transfer with a dog or cat and Burgas and Varna airport transfers with a pet for details. All our pet services are on pet-friendly transfers in Bulgaria, and without a pet you can book a regular Sofia Airport – Plovdiv transfer or Sofia – Plovdiv taxi.
One important rule: your dog travels with you
At YesTrans we carry pets only together with their owner or the person looking after them. We do not transport animals on their own – not to another city, not to the airport and not to a pet hotel. This is for the animal’s own good: in a strange car without a familiar person beside it, it would be frightened.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not mentioning the dog when you book.
- Letting the dog move freely in the car without a crate or carrier.
- Feeding the dog just before a long trip.
- Forgetting water on a hot day.
- Leaving the dog alone in the car „just for a minute“.
Planning a holiday? Read our guides Black Sea coast with a dog and ski holiday in Bulgaria with a dog.
Call or message us: +359 897 227 771 (Viber, WhatsApp) · Book online · no prepayment
Frequently asked questions
Can I take a dog in a taxi in Bulgaria?
Yes, if you mention the dog when you book. We then send a suitable car – a sedan for a small dog, a minivan or van for a large dog in a crate.
Does the dog have to be in a crate?
Your dog travels in a crate or a carrier. The crate or carrier is yours to bring.
Can you take a large dog?
Yes. Tell us the size and we will send a minivan or van with enough space for the crate.
Will you stop on the way for a walk?
Yes. On a longer trip, tell the driver and we will stop where the dog can walk on the lead.
Can you transport my dog without me?
No. We carry pets only together with their owner or the person looking after them.
When do I pay, and is there a prepayment?
You pay after the ride. There is no prepayment. You can see the price in advance in the calculator.