Car seats and airport transfers with a 1yr and a 2yr old??

[JoJoMam]

Hope you don't mind, I put this in travel and then thought that I might get really good advice on here too.

We'll be going away this summer on family holiday with my parents, siblings and our kids. We are the only ones with kids who need proper car seats. They will be 2 and nearly 1 and I'm worried about the car seat situation on the transfer from the airport to the resort. How does it work?

Its likely that we will be flying into Malaga, though the destination isn't set in stone yet and it isn't us that will be choosing.

When I've looked at a few transfer companies they say:
'In many destinations we are able to request infant and/or booster seats, however there may be a fee for this service. Please enquire at time of booking. However, it is recommend parents to take their own child seats to ensure adequate safety and comfort and as with any car rental policy, it is parents responsibility to fit these seats'

This all sounds a bit crap to me, I'm very car seat conscious and don't want to be in a situation where I'm in a taxi with them on my knee because there isn't another option.

Do we need to take seats with us? Can you take them on a flight or will it cost the earth in extra baggage? How do i know they will fit into whatever taxi/minibus we end up in?
I've never had this type of holiday before, before kids we never did a typical 'summer holiday' (more the week in NYC type) and so have never had an 'airport transfer' and have no idea how it all works, let alone with kids!

Help! I'm getting totally stressed about it!!

[Suzihaha]

Hi. You are usually allowed one item of checked baggage, one buggy and one car seat per infant ticket you buy with airlines (under 2 years). We have taken our group 0 car seat with us on flights and checked it in (you can buy bags for them).

As for your 2 year old, I don't think the ticket would automatically have allowance for a car seat. Plus the seat itself is more bulky and heavy. You can also buy bags for them, but you might want to check if your seat is compatible with the airline as some allow you to take them on the flight and strap them into the plane seat.

Once the DC were in a group 1 seat I stopped taking our own ones as found it more hassle than it was worth; so just booked a seat with the taxi transfer (sometimes it's a coach in which case you don't need a seat).

You can also buy travel booster seats which may be ok as an emergency use for your 2 year old.

[Atomant]

We travelled to France with our then 14 mo last year & took her car seat with us. We were hiring a car but like you we are v car seat aware & didn't want to rely on hire seats being any good.

We were able to check in buggy & car seat, we just wrapped the seat in bubble wrap, it was fine.

We flew with Jet 2.

You should check with the airline before you book but most allow you to check in buggy & car seat free for under 2s at least.