Holiday Car Seats: Take Your Own or Hire Abroad?

If you're hiring a car on holiday, or even just taking a taxi from the airport, you'll need to think about car seats. You can hire one with the car, take your own, or pack a lighter portable seat for older children. Each option has its pros and cons, and the right choice depends on your children's ages, your luggage and where you're going.

First, the rules

In the UK, children must normally use a child car seat until they're 12 years old or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first. New seats are approved under the R129 (i-Size) standard, and seats are chosen by your child's height or weight, depending on how the seat is approved. You must never fit a rear-facing seat in a front passenger seat with an active airbag. The GOV.UK child car seat rules set out the details.

Abroad, local laws apply, and they can differ from the UK's on age and height limits and which seats are accepted. Check the rules for your destination before you travel; the GOV.UK foreign travel advice pages are a good starting point for driving information.

Option 1: hire a seat with your car

The upsides

• Nothing extra to carry through the airport.
• No risk of your own seat being damaged or lost in the hold.

The downsides

• It can be expensive, especially for longer trips and more than one child.
• You can't always be sure of the seat's condition, age or history, or that the right type will be waiting for you, particularly at busy family destinations in peak season.
• Rental staff may not be allowed to fit seats, so you'll usually need to install it yourself, sometimes with unfamiliar instructions.

Making hire work

• Book with a reputable company and reserve the seat when you book the car, stating your child's age, height and weight.
• Contact the local branch a few days before you travel to confirm.
• When you collect the car, check the seat carefully: look for the approval label, cracks, frayed straps or missing parts, and make sure the instructions are there. If it isn't suitable, ask for another.

Option 2: take your own

The upsides

• You know the seat's history, how to fit it and that it suits your child.
• A familiar seat can help children settle on long drives.
• You can use it for the taxi or transfer at both ends.

The downsides

• Carrying a bulky seat through the airport alongside luggage, a buggy and children.
• Possible damage in the hold. A padded car seat travel bag helps, and it's worth inspecting the seat on arrival.

Airline rules

Many airlines carry car seats in addition to the normal baggage allowance, but policies vary, so check with your airline before you go. If you'd like your child to use their seat on the plane itself, it must be approved for use in aircraft (look for a label on the seat), your child will need their own paid-for seat, and the airline must agree. Booster seats generally can't be used on board. Don't assume it will be allowed on the day; confirm in advance.

Option 3: a portable seat for older children

Once children are old enough for a high-backed booster or booster cushion, lighter travel options become practical. Look for:

• Folding or inflatable boosters that pack flat into a suitcase or hand luggage.
• Backpack-style boosters that double as a child's cabin bag, so they can carry it themselves.
• A clear approval label, and height and weight ranges that fit your child.

Be aware that newer backless booster cushions are only approved for children taller than 125 cm and heavier than 22 kg, so they won't suit younger children. For smaller children, a high-backed booster or a full seat is the safer choice. Our guide to travel car seats covers the features to look for in more detail.

Which is best?

For babies and toddlers, taking your own seat usually offers the most peace of mind, as long as you check your airline's rules and protect it in transit. For older children, a lightweight approved booster is often the easiest option. Hiring works well if luggage is tight, provided you book ahead and check the seat carefully on collection. Whichever you choose, check the local laws at your destination and make sure the seat is fitted correctly every time. If you're weighing up where to stay, our hotel or villa guide explains when a hire car is likely to be essential.