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Original poster

Car seats - Hire or take own?

20 replies

Newbie8 · 18/06/2024 21:27

We're going to Italy with our 14m old and 3.5yr old in July, I'm trying to work out whether it would be best to take car seats with us (not sure if Ryanair will let us take 2?). Both of ours are isofix so I'd need to buy new ones that can be used with a seatbelt - does anyone have any recommendations? Thank youuuu

OP posts:
samarrange · 18/06/2024 22:06

Take your own. Renting from car hire companies costs a fortune.

In principle, any Isofix seat can also be used without the base, with a 3-point belt. The base is just for convenience so you can thwack the seat into place in your car at home, but the seat itself is fully EU compliant on its own. Check with the manufacturer or look up the model and manual online from the conformity label, but any half-decent Isofix seat ought to be useable without the base. (After all, you might need to take your child in a car that doesn't have Isofix points.)

The airlines usually let you take 2 items per child. Ryanair's policy is explained here. They could do a better job of explaining that the free child transport items also apply to over-2s, but I'm pretty sure they do. If not just take 2 for the baby, one of which is for the 3.5 year old. They will take it off you at the plane door, and when you land, you collect it at the bottom of the front steps.

If in doubt, contact Ryanair's chat support — in my experience it is surprisingly non-awful and if you make the question very explicit ("I am travelling with DC aged 14m and 3.5y, I propose to bring the following items, is that OK?") you will get a straight answer. Take a screenshot and bring that with you. But of all the things I've seen people complain about with low-cost airlines (not just Ryanair), baby equipment doesn't seem to figure too often.

eurochick · 18/06/2024 22:28

Take your own. We've tried hiring them and they have always been poor quality and looked worn/broken. There's often no opportunity to swap so you are stuck. We always take our own now.

BertieBotts · 19/06/2024 19:37

Ryanair gives you 2x "baby item" allowance per child regardless of their age, so you can take for example travel cot + pram + 2x child seats.

In principle, any Isofix seat can also be used without the base, with a 3-point belt. The base is just for convenience so you can thwack the seat into place in your car at home, but the seat itself is fully EU compliant on its own.

That's only for the baby carry type seats. Once you get to the toddler seats, they often either don't come off the base, or they only fit with that specific isofix base. So this won't work for OP most likely - maybe for the 1yo if they are still in the first stage seat.

I agree that it's fairly risky to hire seats - they tend to be older, lower quality, may be incorrect for the age of the child and then you're stuck after a long flight with all the kids etc. They might not come with instructions either - and then you're stuck.

How tall/heavy/sensible is your 3.5yo and how much driving - would you be happy with a decent high back booster or would you prefer a 5 point harness?

modgepodge · 19/06/2024 19:41

neither toddler seat that I owned could be used without isofix. The base is connected and cannot be separated.

Id definitely take your own baby seat, assuming it’s one which can be used without isofix. For the 3.5 year old I’d probably be happy to hire one, but be aware it will likely be a high back booster not rear facing.

Original poster
Newbie8 · 19/06/2024 23:27

BertieBotts · 19/06/2024 19:37

Ryanair gives you 2x "baby item" allowance per child regardless of their age, so you can take for example travel cot + pram + 2x child seats.

In principle, any Isofix seat can also be used without the base, with a 3-point belt. The base is just for convenience so you can thwack the seat into place in your car at home, but the seat itself is fully EU compliant on its own.

That's only for the baby carry type seats. Once you get to the toddler seats, they often either don't come off the base, or they only fit with that specific isofix base. So this won't work for OP most likely - maybe for the 1yo if they are still in the first stage seat.

I agree that it's fairly risky to hire seats - they tend to be older, lower quality, may be incorrect for the age of the child and then you're stuck after a long flight with all the kids etc. They might not come with instructions either - and then you're stuck.

How tall/heavy/sensible is your 3.5yo and how much driving - would you be happy with a decent high back booster or would you prefer a 5 point harness?

Thanks BertieBotts!

The 3.5yr old is 103cm and weighs about 17kg I think. We'll be driving most days as we've got a villa and we can't walk to any shop/restaurant etc. but I don't anticipate lots of long journeys. We're also flying into a pretty small airport with only a few car hire companies so I do worry a bit about hired seat quality and appropriateness. I think I'll definitely have to buy one for the 14m old and will think a bit more about the 3.5yr old.

OP posts:
Revelatio · 19/06/2024 23:31

Took a car seat once at it was such a hassle. Had to wait forever to pick it up. We always hire now, take minimal luggage and travelling is a comparative dream! Same with cots etc. When we’ve hired cars abroad we’ve always had great car seats and some you can even specify. Most use Britax or Joie.

Original poster
Newbie8 · 19/06/2024 23:31

modgepodge · 19/06/2024 19:41

neither toddler seat that I owned could be used without isofix. The base is connected and cannot be separated.

Id definitely take your own baby seat, assuming it’s one which can be used without isofix. For the 3.5 year old I’d probably be happy to hire one, but be aware it will likely be a high back booster not rear facing.

I'll have to buy new for either of them as both isofix (Joie ispin for baby and cybex something for the older one).

Do you have any recommendations for good quality travel options for the younger one that don't cost the earth!

OP posts:
Ponderingwindow · 19/06/2024 23:34

Always take your own. You have no way of guaranteeing that hired seats have not been in an accident and have been stored properly.

Original poster
Newbie8 · 19/06/2024 23:34

samarrange · 18/06/2024 22:06

Take your own. Renting from car hire companies costs a fortune.

In principle, any Isofix seat can also be used without the base, with a 3-point belt. The base is just for convenience so you can thwack the seat into place in your car at home, but the seat itself is fully EU compliant on its own. Check with the manufacturer or look up the model and manual online from the conformity label, but any half-decent Isofix seat ought to be useable without the base. (After all, you might need to take your child in a car that doesn't have Isofix points.)

The airlines usually let you take 2 items per child. Ryanair's policy is explained here. They could do a better job of explaining that the free child transport items also apply to over-2s, but I'm pretty sure they do. If not just take 2 for the baby, one of which is for the 3.5 year old. They will take it off you at the plane door, and when you land, you collect it at the bottom of the front steps.

If in doubt, contact Ryanair's chat support — in my experience it is surprisingly non-awful and if you make the question very explicit ("I am travelling with DC aged 14m and 3.5y, I propose to bring the following items, is that OK?") you will get a straight answer. Take a screenshot and bring that with you. But of all the things I've seen people complain about with low-cost airlines (not just Ryanair), baby equipment doesn't seem to figure too often.

Super helpful, thanks very much! 😀

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 20/06/2024 15:23

Newbie8 · 19/06/2024 23:31

I'll have to buy new for either of them as both isofix (Joie ispin for baby and cybex something for the older one).

Do you have any recommendations for good quality travel options for the younger one that don't cost the earth!

Show quote history

I'd probably get Graco Extend R129 for the youngest, has to be rear facing as under 15 months. Or if he is under 13kg, Cozy n Safe Fitzroy is slightly cheaper and a similar model - that's what we have as a travel seat. I would just fit this a few times at home for practice, because it is a bit tricky at first and it can feel right but then it's not quite right - but after I'd done it a few times I got to grips with these quirks.

Halfords also have a cheap rear facing seat up to 105cm but I don't know how robust it is - it looks a bit flimsy in the photos but I don't know what it's like in real life.

Most Cybex seats that cover your eldest's age should be usable with a seatbelt - is it a spinning one, a high back booster or one with an impact shield? If you'd prefer to avoid putting your main seat in the hold, it might be worth looking at Joie Elevate R129, or some of the cheaper Graco R129 high back boosters, or Maxi Cosi Tanza i-size is a folding/portable one for travel which is inexpensive and a good brand.

Or if you still have an infant carrier for your youngest and he would fit into that, you could take that plus the Graco Extend R129 for your eldest to use (can be used up to 105cm and 18kg).

reluctantbrit · 20/06/2024 17:40

Always our own one. Hired twice in our home country so language wasn't a problem. First time, we had written confirmation and phoned the day before but the seat wasn't there. Took long discussions until they managed to get one from another rental agency.

Second time the seat was there but a bit too small, the brand wasn't one we used before or came across anywhere.

Original poster
Newbie8 · 21/06/2024 12:47

BertieBotts · 20/06/2024 15:23

I'd probably get Graco Extend R129 for the youngest, has to be rear facing as under 15 months. Or if he is under 13kg, Cozy n Safe Fitzroy is slightly cheaper and a similar model - that's what we have as a travel seat. I would just fit this a few times at home for practice, because it is a bit tricky at first and it can feel right but then it's not quite right - but after I'd done it a few times I got to grips with these quirks.

Halfords also have a cheap rear facing seat up to 105cm but I don't know how robust it is - it looks a bit flimsy in the photos but I don't know what it's like in real life.

Most Cybex seats that cover your eldest's age should be usable with a seatbelt - is it a spinning one, a high back booster or one with an impact shield? If you'd prefer to avoid putting your main seat in the hold, it might be worth looking at Joie Elevate R129, or some of the cheaper Graco R129 high back boosters, or Maxi Cosi Tanza i-size is a folding/portable one for travel which is inexpensive and a good brand.

Or if you still have an infant carrier for your youngest and he would fit into that, you could take that plus the Graco Extend R129 for your eldest to use (can be used up to 105cm and 18kg).

Edited
Show quote history

We have a Cybex HBB for the 3.5yr old but would probably prefer to leave it at home.

For the 14m old, we actually gave our infant carrier away to a friend so don't have that as an option annoyingly. Would you recco the Graco Extend over the Joie Stages for his age?

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 22/06/2024 05:29

If you are looking at the Joie Stages, Graco Enhance is the same seat and it's cheaper.

In terms of Extend vs Enhance/Stages, the Extend is the newer regulation (not sure this makes a huge amount of difference TBH) and I think it's lighter? But I'm not 100% sure. I would use any of these rear facing at his age even if they are the older regulation.

You can use your Cybex HBB without the isofix if necessary, though honestly I think most hire cars will have isofix, but if you'd prefer to avoid due to bulk or in case of damage, then the folding one or this Graco one is probably the cheapest I would buy. https://www.halfords.com/baby-and-child/car-seats/toddler-car-seats/graco-junior-maxi-i-size-r129-highback-booster-seat---midnight-819750.html?clickref=1011lyEgcZKm&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=idealo&utm_campaign=phgreferral

I wouldn't use the Bubble Bum/Trunki for a 3.5yo - they are so minimal in protection.

Bear in mind for Italy you also need a device for each child under 4 to prevent them being accidentally left in the car. For example this: https://www.pramworld.co.uk/chicco-bebecare-easy-tech

You might want to check if the car hire place will provide these without hiring a seat from them directly. I know when the law first changed they were being quite hot on it even for tourists, not sure if that has changed at all.

mitogoshi · 22/06/2024 05:38

For the older one it's worth looking for a seat that can be taken into the cabin. Only forward facing with harness can be used and dimensions are key, britax did one.

BertieBotts · 22/06/2024 05:57

The Britax one was discontinued a while ago. The Graco Extend might fit here but it depends on the airline policy. I think the Stages/Enhance is too wide but not sure.

GailTheFish · 22/06/2024 06:19

Having had a couple of occasions when I have pre-ordered a car seat with the car hire, obly to be told when we got there they had run out, I would also say take your own. Also, you can buy big car seat bags quite cheaply, which can be handy for putting extra luggage in too…

Philandbill · 22/06/2024 06:22

Take your own. I still have hideous memories of trying to find suitable seats in a shed at a car hire place at Miami airport. Several of them smelled of vomit. The staff did not care at all.

LittleLittleRex · 22/06/2024 07:06

Get some basic non isofix to take on the plane. Ryanair have lost two car seats of ours and it's a complete PITA.

mrssunshinexxx · 22/06/2024 07:07

My friends recently went abroad and hired and then isofix was broken on the one they gave them they didn't have anymore so ended up with a booster seat - dangerous ! If you are passionate about car seat safety take your own

RobinEllacotStrike · 22/06/2024 09:07

I always took my own. Planes carry the them for free & we used them going to & from airport so it made sense.

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