Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to worry about my children about to travel in a Spanish taxi without car-seats?

34 replies

parakeet · 29/07/2010 20:49

I've never been abroad with them before so I don't know how it normally works. But we'll be arriving at the airport late at night and we'll have to get a taxi. My children are four and two - the taxi is never going to have car-seats is it? What can I do?

OP posts:
Spacehopper5 · 29/07/2010 20:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

roundthehouses · 29/07/2010 20:55

get a bus?

take car seats?

order a car collection from a dedicated company specifying car seats?

hire a car with car seats?

if none of the above are possible you don´t have much choice - how long is the journey?

Sherida · 29/07/2010 21:01

I've travelled in a taxi with no car seat, driver was the height of consideration, although I did spend the whole journey with my arms around DD (also 2) next to me, belted in. I know you really want a car seat as did I, but sometimes if there's no choice you may well be ok! Mind you, we only drove about 10 mins.

BertieBotts · 29/07/2010 21:03

You can hire car seats in some areas of Spain - here
www.all4kidshire.com/products.php?productcategory=5&productsubcategory=4

www.malagacar.com/uk/car/car-hire-malaga-airport-rates.html

www.doyouspain.com/conditions.htm

shoofly · 29/07/2010 21:44

having just travelled to Germany with a booster in our luggage - we were highly amazed that EVERY taxi we got into had a built in booster seat in the back - Wonder if it's German efficiency but they were all Mercedes cars and they did something to the seat and a booster raised up out of the seat - have to say was very impressed. It was fine for our 4 year old, but I think I'd bring car seats with me if you aren't sure

BertieBotts · 29/07/2010 23:42

I think that might be Germany shoofly - carseats aren't even mandatory in spain unless the children are in the front seat

tokyonambu · 29/07/2010 23:44

The plane ride is a greater risk than a short taxi ride without child seats. This may or may not reassure you.

knickers0nmyhead · 30/07/2010 00:02

Belt them in with the two year old sat at the side of you.

valleyqueen · 30/07/2010 08:12

I think you will find it's safer statistically to travel by plane than car.

fanjoforthemammaries7850 · 30/07/2010 08:14

Travelling by plane is the lowest risk form of transport.

faddle · 30/07/2010 08:15

you can actually buy blow up booster seats for travelling. not sure if that would be any good for a 2yo but belted in with a booster is better than nothing.

Oh, and YANBU. Having to travel with some random stranger driving and no car seats is just one of the many neuroses I suffer when going abroad with kids.

LuluF · 30/07/2010 08:16

I don't think you have to have a car seat to travel in a taxi in this country do you?

LuluF · 30/07/2010 08:17

By 'this country', I mean UK.

chandellina · 30/07/2010 08:20

not in a black cab but i think you are meant to have one in a mini cab, though we've gone to the airport in a van without one.

miffyjane · 30/07/2010 09:27

If you book the taxi in advance you could maybe request car seats.

I hate taking taxis abroad particularly in Paris as some of the drivers are so fast.

Would it be worth hiring a car with car seats for your holiday?

Rockbird · 30/07/2010 09:31

I bought a Boostapak from Trunki for this very reason. Going to New York next week and am not lugging car seats for the sake of two taxi rides. So I thought this might plug the gap.

mousymouse · 30/07/2010 09:32

not german efficiency but law. all taxis have to carry at least a booster seat.
if you dial a taxi you can even get one with an infant seat, taxi companies usually have them in their office.
re spain: book a taxi in advance with car seat or maybe hire car seats from car rental companies.

BertieBotts · 30/07/2010 11:37

No, you don't have to use a car seat in a taxi in the UK - but the law in Spain applies to private cars as well so I doubt the taxis would be equipped with boosters as standard.

scurryfunge · 30/07/2010 11:40

My DS, when he was 8, was wedged between the driver and the front seat passenger on the airport run in Antigua

dreamworld · 30/07/2010 11:41

You're going to have to take boosters with you or relax and get on with it. I have done both, in countries with "interesting" traffic situations. It will be fine.

Original poster
parakeet · 30/07/2010 20:22

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will try to get Trunki travel booster seats or blow-up ones for future, but I've left it too late for this time, as they only seem to be available on the net. Guilt guilt...

OP posts:
lal123 · 30/07/2010 20:29

We're just back from staying with friends in Spain - and they were certainly of the opinion that car seats in private cars are compulsory.

lal123 · 30/07/2010 20:30

see here

wonka · 04/08/2010 14:06

can anone point me in the direction of the blow up boosters? thanks

januaryjojo · 04/08/2010 14:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Swipe left for the next trending thread