To bring our own car seat to Spain

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Sorry to post in AIBU but we’re leaving for the airport soon and I don’t know what to do. Going to Spain today with my two year old dd and meeting friend at airport. She (friend) has booked a hire car to pick up at other end. I asked her to book a child seat but she’s not been able to on the online booking although thinks it’ll be easy to add once we’re there, and it’s about £50 extra. I’m wondering if i should bring mine? Pros: won’t cost £50, free to take on plane, it’s good quality rear facing, attaches with seatbelts so I know it’ll fit. Cons: weighs an absolute ton and is awkward to carry, don’t know how it works re plane (presumably goes in hold). Please can anyone advise! I’m stressing about taking dd on the plane for the first time as it is so don’t want to make the wrong decision, thanks in advance!

We do it but there are two of us to carry luggage, help the kids etc. Are you traveling with anyone who can help once you get to baggage reclaim? I'd rather have our own car seat than trust one that you don't know hasn't been in a crash etc.

Sorry added con: what if we can’t add one to the hire car once we’re there and are stuck without one

This is not unreasonable. Just get it checked in (with a label thing) at the desk & take to oversized baggage. Easy.

Sorry cross posted @Nomad86 yes I’m travelling with one female friend who I’m meeting at the airport, she’ll have her own bag and case and I’ll have bag, case, dd’s bag and dd in buggy but I guess we can use a trolley for the luggage

Ok looks like it might be better to take it, thank you

Car hire people will definitely have one for you to hire but as you say, it'll cost you and it won't be up to the standards of your own.

I'd worry about it being bashed about on its way to and in the hold

Take your own. I usually wrap mine in bubble wrap but often see them on the conveyor belt unwrapped. Lots of people take them. Then you know what you have is safe and fits your child. Just make sure yours is a universal fit as even when you hire a specific model of car you're not guaranteed that's what you'll get.

I travel alone with ds and I manage to get it all on the trolley.

Car seat travels free like a buggy/pram

Thanks everyone! Definitely taking it!

Have a lovely holiday!!

I'd worry about it being bashed about on its way to and in the hold

It will still be less bashed than the ones provided by car hire which literally get thrown in a container.

I agree, there is never a guarantee that the hire car company will have car seats available and in my experience, the quality is never been great.

My experience of car hire seats in Spain is that they are rather lax about the size etc and they aren’t great quality. I’ve tried it twice with two different hire companies. Looked at the third and took the train.

You’ve made the right decision. A bit of hassle at the airport is far less than worrying about it/getting a crap seat when you’re there. Have a brilliant holiday!