Hello everyone,
As part of my studies I'll be off to Madrid for a year before coming back to France. Has anyone made similar trips with pets (I have 2 cats).
Ive looked into flying (was quoted 1100 euros...) , the train is 7 euros per pet but with 2 large cages and my own bags and a non direct train, that's really a huge pain...
Looked into renting a car and driving with a friend and he also doesn't think that's such a great idea.
Any suggestions?

There's no wonder your friend doesn't think it's a good idea; it's a 1300 km drive! You could consider a 1-way rental?

That's a point, I forgot that Madrid was well inland! Apart from the friend having to return alone, an overnight stop would be necessary, even if you take turns to drive.
Likewise, a BlaBlaCar wouldn't be possible for such a journey in one go.
I'm thinking of your cats, being stuck in a cage for so long....
I think you may be obliged to fly, for minimum stress for all.....

You could try Sixt as they allowed european hire but not sure about one way?

Fwiw, I've done UK to Madrid twice by road (both times with a 1970's 2+2 Spider with 3 year-old child on-board) and must agree it's quite a drive, which needs careful planning, especially transporting small animals on board - very similar to ourselves......
I guess the trip from Nice to Madrid even with motorways would be pretty tiring for pets.
Admittedly our trips were before there were the main motorways in France/Spain, so in that respect was more interesting. I well recall that on the 2nd trip it started to snow heavily across the Sierra Nevada somewhere around Burgos. How can one forget an icy snowball being pushed down the back of your neck by small hands when fiddling to fit snow-chains around Burgos? Which reminds me, I've never got my own back for that, but alas, now he's far bigger than I am.
(Attached:- Fond memories, and what has been my desktop image for many years).

One-way rental is possible, but it's not cheap, because they charge you to return the car to it's home depot.

Hi thanks for the replies!
Actually my friend and I are both moving to Madrid- but due to work this summer and finishing at different times- we won't be able to go at exactly the same time. He originally wanted to drive there- the only reason he said no was because he's worried about the cost of car insurance if he takes his own car there for a year, and also we've looked into one way rentals and it's certainly NOT cheap!
There are a couple of blabla cars that go there... but Ive never done that before...bit nervous about spending 12 hours in a car with some random person... I think it will be stressful for the cats regardless.
Im really thinking about the train, but my bags and changes are the only thing putting me off!

Courier your bags; take the cats on the train?

Have broken down on Eurotunnel many times...too many to mention but once it happened with two cats with us and was awful as the train had to be towed back to Folkestone at something like 5 mph which took ages! Good luck!

Good idea, but no need for a courier!

Accessibilité > Le service Bagages

AFAIK you don't have to be handicaped for this service, but it'll be easy enough to check.

Courier the cats; take the bags on the train.
Apologies to cat lovers.

We used to do just as long a trip with our cat quite regularly and we have been lunching today with a firend who also does North UK to S France regularly too with cat AND disabled wife. No problem for the cats.

Your problem seems not to be the cats but the car/method of transport. I am assuming you don't drive and don't have a car? I reckon the best solution is to go with your friends car and sort out the insurance. Don't really understand why that would be difficult. Alternatively takes the cats on the train and get friend to bring your case in his car when he comes.

Where there is a will etc.

We did the 1200km drive down here with our cat on board. No bother, did in one go with a few pit stops. But I'm sure you could find a b and b that likes cats if you wanted to stop.

We also do the journey with the dog.

Use your friends car. You and him catnapping in the back seat during the whole trip, with the cats doing all the organizing and.....