How do families manage car seats for taxi trips on UK holidays?

[Cookserella]

Just wondering what other people do in this scenario...

We are travelling by train for a UK holiday this summer. It's a long journey, too far to do by car and anyway, we don't own one.

When we get there it's a taxi ride from the station to our accommodation. The taxi company said the kids have to be on seats (i.e. not on laps).

We have three kids (15 months, 3, 5) - obviously it's not a legal requirement to have car seats in taxis but they won't be able to sit on an adult seat comfortably, and it's a 20 minute journey. It goes without saying that I am also concerned about safety.

What does everyone else do - it's obviously not entirely straightforward getting three car seats on and off a train, especially as we won't need to travel anywhere once we've actually arrived. The ones we have are really bulky.

I know this probably won't be a popular opinion, but for a 20-minute journey, especially when you've already said that car seats aren't legally required in this situation, I'd probably roll up a couple of jumpers to give them a bit of a boost and then sit between the children with an arm around the youngest. It's obviously not ideal, but I'd personally feel the risk over such a short journey is very low.

I also have to ask—out of curiosity rather than criticism—how can a journey entirely within the UK be "too far to drive" (if you had a car)? I genuinely don't mean that as an insult. I actually think it's really cool that you don't rely on a car. But even Land's End to John o' Groats is perfectly doable if necessary....?

Yes I’m almost tempted to wing it but that feels irresponsible…

We live right in the centre of London, going to the far end of Cornwall. 4 hours on a fast train then the transfer or could easily be 8+ hours in the car at this time of year (done both many times so I do know!)

We do hire cars a few times a year for breaks that we really can’t do by train but we are trying to live car free for as long as possible.

I’d get a seven seater and ask the taxi company to provide car seats.

Does your 15 month old still fit in an infant carrier height and weight wise?

If so I’d gave one of them and either a boostapak or bubblebums for the other two as a temporary thing.

https://www.u-buy.co.uk/product/4PZS7MM10-new-mifold-comfort-grab-and-go-car-booster-seat-3x-thicker-cushion-compact-and-portable-for-every-day-carpooling-travel-etc-compact-for-every?campaign_source=googleads&campaign_medium=PLA&campaign_name=PLA/_(1)GGL(2)UK(3)EN(5)_EU_USD_Sale%7C&campaignid=23860990961&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23860990961&gbraid=0AAAAADOeNAS4z7Xpg8HcNkmZsWscy0r-O&gclid=CjwKCAjwmozTBhAeEiwAkEGZzqCcnny52azQPfJQS89uLQZrr6d6xmRxmUhUb-AW1jAti2IWZOAhCRoCqFgQAvD_BwE

i had these for my 2 they could go in the buggy and used in any taxi.

I got them from mifold directly

I rang round a few taxi companies and none would do that, annoyingly.

Thanks, I haven’t come across these before.

Not many people have! They really helped us out when travelling and going in other cars and fitted in a backpack or in the bottom of the buggy.