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Original poster

No car seat - what would you do?

13 replies

babyluck · 22/04/2010 22:53

Would be grateful for your opinions?

We (family of 5) are travelling abroad later this year. And I am struggling to decide how best to get to the airport. One option is to drive and leave our car at the airport but unfortunately the cost is rather extortionate - £125.

Alternatively we could get a lift one way from a relative and we would have to use a taxi the other way. This would obviously be by far cheaper but leaves me with the problem that my 3 kids (1, 2 & 7) would probably have to travel without car seats (unless I am lucky enough to find a taxi driver who could supply them which seems unlikely. Maybe one seat yes but not 3).

My friends have told me not to worry about the car seat situation (after all they argue when we get there and get the coach transfer or use a taxi abroad we won't be able to have them). But I am worried about it. It is a 30 minute drive to the airport and I guess I am a bit paranoid (or am I?) because my 3 have never been anywhere without a car seat.

So can you tell me what you would do? Not sure if I am being paranoid or whether it would be remiss of me not to pay the extra (probably £90 ish) to keep my little ones safe. Would just pay it if we had the money but don't really.

Mum of 3

OP posts:

lowrib · 23/04/2010 01:14

Sorry if it's a stupid question but is public transport not possible for the return journey?

lowrib · 23/04/2010 01:18

I do understand your dilemma BTW. It's a PITA not having the money to chuck at things like this isn't it?!

It means you have to spend much more time weighing up things like this.

I'm not sure what I would do. I would be very uncomfortable about having the DCs in a car without a seat for them. Would I do it anyway push come to shove? I'm really not sure, I'm thinking about it ...

Is there anyone else who could maybe pick you up for the return journey (sorry again if it;s a stupid question!)

SparklyGothKat · 23/04/2010 01:19

we hire a van and a driver when we went abroad, it cost us £120 for drop off and pick up, for 8 of us, they took the carseats and stored them at their lockup and then brought them with them for the return jounery home.

There · 23/04/2010 01:32

Really tricky - I lived overseas without a car and a small baby for a year; taxis didn't even have safety belts in the back, let alone the option of child car seat. You could have the younger one in a papoose (sp?), the 2 year old in a car seat if you prebook the taxi (they normally provide a seat don't they?) and the 7 year old could bring a booster and you could take it with you as hand luggage.

It is difficult, because they are soooooo vulnerable on public transport, yet there are no rules on buses and trains.

Long-term car parks at airports usually involve a bus trip to the terminal, where the kids might run wild and be even more vulnerable.

I'm sure there's a business opportunity there...

abitlostandconfused · 23/04/2010 06:03

TBH, I'd pay the 125 and leave the car at the airport.

EldonAve · 23/04/2010 07:05

we have used taxis that will provide car seats

daisydotandgertie · 23/04/2010 07:11

This'll sound crazy but we've saved a fortune recently on airport parking by booking a hotel room on a deal (found in the depths of the AA website, even cheaper if you're an AA member). The deals allow you to book a room in the hotel the night before you fly, and leave your car in the hotel carpark for the duration of your holiday. The hotels usually provide a transfer service too.

The last 2 week hol we went on we paid £65 for a 4* hotel room and 2 weeks parking. It's worth looking at.

mumoverseas · 23/04/2010 07:12

which airport are you flying from and when?

angel1976 · 23/04/2010 09:13

Whereabouts are you? I've used a mini cab company that will provide car seats. But this is in London... And it's at no extra cost. I am sure there will be a local equivalent if you are not in London?

Cab company that provides car seats FOC

CoteDAzur · 23/04/2010 09:16

Can't you take a bus to the airport?

Lionstar · 23/04/2010 09:19

We've used a taxi there and back before. We took our own car seats and they stored them for us and brought them back for the return journey. You have to trust them though, we used a firm we have known for years. Other taxi firms in the area will supply their own group 1 and booster seats but not infant seats.

snala · 23/04/2010 14:29

I understand what your saying and its a PITA but I would just pay the £125.

You can't put a price on your childrens safety.

How would you feel if somthing happened to them and £125 could have prevented it?
(sps!!! am on way out lol!)

Original poster

babyluck · 24/04/2010 23:22

Thanks very much ladies for clearing everything up in my head. We have to be at the airport for 5.00am so think I am either going to have to pay for a taxi both ways (and trust them with my car seats) or alternatively use our own car.

The hotel stay is a good idea though. Done this before when we went to Gatwick but going to Luton this time (which is only 30 mins away) so hadn't given it a thought.

OP posts:

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