Good morning, moms! I need to find out whether it's required to bring your own carseat when riding a cab. I need to get to the airport and don't want to bring my bulky car seat with me. I've been looking on the internet but couldn't find any answer:( Thanks!
No, you are not required to use a car seat in a cab. I took my 20 month olds twin in a cab for the first time this past summer to the lakefront. My friend went along and held one of them. We asked the driver to be very careful. It really depends on what you are comfortable with.
Hi I. - if you can find a cab company to provide you with a car seat then try a car service. It may be a bit more $$ but most of them will provide you with a car seat. I wish I could remember the one we've used in the past. Sorry and good luck!
I always bring our own car seat especially to have one on the other end. And I have always flown with my kids in their car seat. It's a pain, but worth it. They do have car seat travel bags with wheels on the bottom so that you can wheel the seat through the airport. I got it at Babies R Us
Hope that helps.
A.
Call the taxi cab company and request they provide you with one. I'm sure they have them for a small fee.
Hi I.,
I've taken my 14 month old on 3 taxi rides to the airport since March of this year, and each time we requested that they send a cab with a carseat. We haven't had a problem yet. I don't know if it's a rule/law for the cab companies to keep them in stock, but it's worked every time. And you don't want to risk it, if Heaven forbid, you get into an accident on the way to the airport. Keep that little girl tucked in tight! I don't know what your plans are once you land at your destination, but if you're renting a car, you can also reqeust a car rental with car seat. I think it's an additional $50. Good luck!
I had the same problem when I travelled to California last year. Cabs won't take your child unless they have a carseat. It is against the law for your child to travel without one. I got the Gogo travelmate that turns your carseat into a stroller. I actually put it on craigslist yesterday because we won't be needing it anymore. If you are interested in it let me know. It retails for 89$ plus tax. Look it up online and if this is what might work for you, contact me and we can negotiate a price. I used it only once and it is in excellent condition.
It's actually LEGAL to carry an infant on your lap in a cab in Chicago. I don't know about the suburbs you'll be travelling through. You can request one from the cab company, but you never know if it's old, or has been in an accident, or if you'll know how to use it. If you are flying somewhere, you'll need a carseat when you get there, so you might want to take yours with anyway. We just got back from our first trip, and I'm so glad we had our familiar carseat. (You can have these same issues with carseats from the car rental companies.)
Hope this helps!
For shorter rides in the city (I live in the city), no cab driver EVER refused to take me and my kids because I did not have a car seat. (I have a five year old and a 10 month old). I know it's illegal, but there was no way I was going to lug a car seat to and from day care to our home. (Sitter would bring our then 15 month old home after day care). I got the taxi idea / no car seat from other parents who sent their kids to our daycare.
Aside from safety, I like bringing a car seat to the airport even if it is bulky because it's cheaper than renting one later. I always check in my car seat with the rest of the luggage as I have enough things to carry to the gate. Besides, I read that my particular brand of carseat is too big to fit on an airplane seat.
Have fun on your trip!
You don't need a carseat in commercial vehicles- busses, planes, etc. A taxi is considered a commercial vehicle, so therefore does not require a carseat.
Happy travels!
