Need advice on how to get from the airport to accommodation with a 3 y.o. child

[SparklingStar28]

Hello everyone!
This summer, me and my 3 y.o. son are going to visit my best friend who lives in Spain. We'll arrive at Madrid Airport and have to get from it to the city center. Public transportation is not at all comfortable for traveling with a small child. Been thinking about local taxis but not sure they are equipped with child seats. Besides, don't know how much time we will spend searching for one. I was recommended to pre-book a private transfer and even fiound one suitable service (they provide child seats) - kiwitaxi.com/en/spain/madrid+airport, but not sure about it as these prices are rather high.

Could your friend come and collect/meet you? Then you would have another adult to help with bags etc on public transport...

Why would you not use public transport? The metro system in Madrid is excellent. If not, I have used private transfers with car seat provided through hoppa.com - would recommend them.

WinkysTeatowel, unfortunately, she cannot:( She'll be still at work when we arrive, so nobody can meet us at the airport. We'll need to reach her home by ourselves, and only there her housemaid will meet us.

MummaGiles, public transport always seems uncomfortable because you have to search for stations and then wait for it. Besides, if you have bags with you, it's difficult to carry them on a bus/train. All this is especially stressful when traveling with a small child...
Thank you, I'll examine the hoppa website one more time.

OP that’s fair enough. I have a 3yo and know it can be difficult juggling bags/ them/ navigating, especially when you’re on your own.

If you want to jump in a normal taxi at the airport (there’s a big rank so no concerns you won’t find one) you could take a portable booster seat just for the taxi ride. Something like the Mifold, which will fold up into your bag.

MummaGiles, thank you! I will think about the Mifold booster seat. It seems to be rather small and light.

Many of the taxis at Madrid airport have a car seat in the boot for you to use. I've done it lots.

It may sound a bit obvious OP but when I used to travel with DS at that age I always took.a case and a large rucksack instead of a second case. Much easier to have the same amount of luggage space but with one hand free, whatever method of transport.

Taxi will be much easier than buses etc and You don’t need a car seat in a taxi.

The metro runs from the airport to the city and its just like the tube, with trains every few minutes. There's probably an app that will tell you your route, or ask your friend.

The metro from the airport to the city centre is easy to navigate.
Otherwise I’d just ask the taxi drivers at the rank if any of them have a car seat. Many do. Taxis are fairly expensive into the city centre.

I've taken the metro to the city centre before and it was really straight forward. But I don't know how far you would then need to walk from the metro at the other end.

You could use a trunki boostapak backpack. They can be used as a car seat. Then you could get a taxi. That would definitely be easiest.

Thank you all so much for your advice! I think I will take a taxi on the spot.