Long Distance Travelling with kids

[DesireeH]

When you go long distance travelling do you bring the carseat?

We are going to Ireland, England, Scotland this fall. The plane ride is 10 hours. Do I bring the carseat? What do I do with it once we get there? (we arent renting a car, we are going wherever we feel like going with backpacks on our back and taking train, bus, and ferries to get to where we want to go once we are there.)

When we went to Hawaii last year we did bring it but we had a rental car and one hotel when we got there. This time we will have no "base."

Any other tips for cheap travelling with wee ones?

[DesireeH]

oops, I think I spelled traveling wrong......TWICE. :LOL

[IfMamaAintHappy]

Grace was 18 months when we flew from the US to the UK. I was very surprised that when she was not nursing, she preferred to be buckled into her carseat on the plane.

We didn't need the carseat for every day, but we did rent a car to drive to Scotland and to Wales, and we needed her carseat for those drives. I didnt look into carseat rental from the car rental places ahead of time, we just assumed we'd take it with us.

[sarahrose]

Your ds will be almost 3 right? I think it's really up to you and your comfort zone about the carseat. I don't think they are required but you may feel safer if he is in one. It is a long flight and he may be more comfortable if he has it. If you do bring it make sure that it is FAA approved. If it's not they may not let you use it. If you are flying British Airways I just read that they do provide carseats (and are the only carrier to do so)

Are you flying in and out of the same airport? If you bring your seat why don't you leave it in a storage locker of somesort. That way you'll have it in a safe place but won't have to lug it around. Can you call the airline you're flying on? Maybe they'll store it for you for free (or a small fee).

BTW the trip spounds fantastic. I'd love to go!! Have fun.

[nicole lisa]

I was going to suggest the same as sarahrose and see if storing it in a locker it the airport is an option. When we've travelled we've always needed to take it woth us because, in addition to the safety issue on the plae, we always cab it to and from the airport here. So even if we don't need it at our destination, we need it at the beginning and end.

One tip about car rental companies and car seats. If we're ever needing to rent a car upon arriving at our destinatin we always take our car seat. Any of the car rental companies we've encountered won't hold a seat for you. We've always been told they have several but there is no guarantee that one will be available when we go to pick-up the car. I've always been too cautious to take a chance, cause if we land and find out the rental company's sent out all the car seats with other renters, what are my options?

I would love to take a trip this fall. Happy planning!

[DesireeH]

Thanks for the replies! When we went to Hawaii last October, he sat on my lap the whole time (he was going to turn 2 the next day). That was only a 5 hour flight though. This time is 10 hours though and I imagine it would be easier for him to sleep in a carseat. We are flying Aer Lingus to Dublin. Maybe I will call and see if I can get a storage locker, that is a good idea. I also have 3 carseats now cause I am picky so maybe I can bring one I dont care about losing just in case.

[Irishmommy]

I'm so jealous of your trip, and you get to fly Aer Lingus. But back on topic, I wouldn't bother bringing the seat. When we went home (Dublin via Paris, and a couple of other trips, 8 flights in all), we didn't have a car seat for our almost 3yo. And when we did rent a vehicle, we had no trouble getting a car seat with it.