To buy a new car seat for this?

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I don’t think I am, but I’m sort of posting here for traffic and hoping someone can maybe recommend something.

3yo (3 years and 8 months to be exact) DD and I have to take a longish journey this weekend. Two trains and then a two mile taxi at the end to a fairly rural area. I can’t bring our car seat, as it is massive. It is also isofix and I don’t know if we will get a taxi with isofix installed or not, so I am looking for a seat which I can just put in using a seat belt. It also does need to be reasonably lightweight, so we can take it through the station when we change trains. The one we use at the moment is really hefty.

I’ve seen some portable booster seats by bubblebum and trunki, but they are for four years and up. Also they don’t seem to offer any protection round the back and head, so not sure they would be suitable anyway.

Has anyone got any ideas or recommendations please? Very much appreciated if so.

So the seat is for a 2-mile taxi journey in a rural area? You know a car seat isn't legally required in a taxi?

Are you travelling on your own? If you are taking a bulky seat is going to be awkward. Legally don't need to have a seat at all in taxi so getting something like the trunki booster is better than nothing.
Or how heavy is child? If 15kg+ then could get a high back booster. The cheap halfords one is probably as small and lightweight as they come.

Prebook the taxi and ask fo a child seat.

Could you call the taxi company and ask if they have car seats available for customers to use?

In this situation I would get one of the Trunki seats... for a nearly 4 year old on a very occasional journey I would take that risk (and put them rear passenger side etc. ... and I say this is as someone very interested in car safety who does extended rear facing etc.

Phone the taxi firms in the local area in advance and see if they can provide one. Many will be able to and for a short journey when she's awake and can be told to sit straight, even a basic booster seat would be better than nothing.

I don't think you are ridiculous as I am also cautious of this despite knowing it's legal to use a taxi without, I try to use public transport or make arrangements to borrow a seat.

I’d use a bubblebum, in the middle seat in possible. Also an extended rear racer here but for a 2 mile journey in an almost 4 year old i would not be lugging a massive car seat around!

Thanks all.

The last time I booked a taxi with a car seat, they turned up without it! So, I’m a bit reluctant to do that really. I don’t mind shelling out for something now as it will come in handy in future. We also have a younger child (not travelling with me this weekend), so we will get plenty of use out of an additional seat / booster.

I think people's belief that a lack of car seat is a significant risk in every day motoring is because the law requires them to use one. If they were going to be logically consistent, they would be happy to not use one when the law allows them not to.

Ooooh found this:

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B06XFSND5S/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_a_it?ref=plSrch&keywords=high+back+booster&dpPl=1&dpID=41MBlQcgOcL&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1533023656&sr=8-1

Apparently, it folds flat and breaks in two to put in boot of car. I could break it in two and put it in a big canvas bag to cart round station...

Dont isofix car seats still have thr belting in option?
I have a cybex which can still be belted. Sister has a maxi cosi which can still be belted.
Have a look at the instructions for yours on google or YouTube.
I was under the impression all seats were still made to be traditionall belted when needed.

I've done some travelling in places which are somewhat laissez faire about car seats. My solutions have been: little one strapped in sling, facing my body (=
rear-facing) - with my seatbelt between me and the child, and, for an older one, the Trunki booster mentioned above.

We walked away from taxis which didn't have seatbelts.

To add...thats if you dont mind carrying your massive seat lol

Oh maybe they are buns. I wonder if I just took the seat and no base would it be a good bit lighter as well.

I've got one of these and they're brilliant: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003HKQJFK/ref=asc_df_B003HKQJFK54405897/?hvlocphy=9045909&linkCode=df0&hvptwo&psc=1&hvnetw=g&hvadid=214131859643&creative=22110&hvpone&hvlocint&creativeASIN=B003HKQJFK&th=1&hvpos=1o1&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl&hvqmt&tag=mumsnetforum-21&hvtargid=pla-340155895333&hvrand=431909087748167899
It's the size of a small backpack ant I has space inside to put some stuff in like toys, wipes etc...

Oh and it's light as well. My three year old likes to carry it on her back when she wants to be a grown up.

Ask the taxi service to bring a car seat and explain to them how important it is, but take a Bubblebum with just incase. Bubblebum actually meets and exceeds US and EU safety requirements. Make sure he is in a seat with a shoulder belt rather than just a lapbelt.

I wonder if I just took the seat and no base would it be a good bit lighter as well.

No, just looked again; the seat itself is still massive.

Think I’m going to go with the Graco one. I love the look of the Trunki too though, but would feel a bit better if she had something with a back and head support.

Also, just realised, while we’re away, we will probably be going places in other people’s cars, so definitely will need a car seat of some sort.

I'd ask taxi for a seat. For 2 miles Id definitely not bother carrying a spare around

We have a Britax Romer Adventure for trips like yours.
I'd never trust taxi companies to provide one.

would it be an option to get it delivered to the place you are going to if you will be out and about when over there rather than carrying it on the train? then call the taxi company regarding booster seats for a 2 mile journey?

I wouldn’t buy the graco. The crash test results are so poor it’s a waste of time lugging around the useless back. I’d go for the trunki or similar for this particular situation especially with the graco being the alternative option.