Renting a car when with your kids
Renting a car when you are traveling with kids is appealing because you do not have to struggle on and off public transport and children do not travel light. You have the benefit of privacy and independence and setting your own timetable and avoid at least some of the stresses of family travel when going on your family holiday.
If you are traveling in a destination likely to experience snow you must have snow tyres fitted and must carry snow chains in the event that the weather gets severe. Weather conditions can be difficult so this is not for the faint hearted and you will also need to be sure that you can get parking in a ski resort and that it is not very expensive.
If you are renting a car with the kids we have partnered with cartrawler who search thousands of car rental special offers and special deals and you can book car hire here on the site. Have a look here too at the tips for car hire savvy savings.
Top tips for car rental when traveling with children
Selecting your vehicle will make a huge difference in terms of comfort. Most families will travel with several bags and suitcases and you need to check boot size. If the cost of upgrading to a slightly larger vehicle is modest we would always suggest you super size if the budget allows.
Upholstery that is easy to clean will be best and if you are going to be in a warm climate, air-conditioning is important. This also applies where air pollution could be an issue.
Car seats are generally an extra charge and do add up in terms of cost. If you are traveling on a tight budget you can save money by taking your own seat.
If you would rather not carry your child's car seat on the flight, check what car seats the car rental company provides and ensure that it is suitable for your child’s height and weight. Always pre-book a car seat if you require one as local supply can be limited. If you are bringing your own car seat, you must check that it can be installed in the model of the car you are renting.
A car with an entertainment system such as a CD player will be the best option to entertain the children either with child's CDs or audio books.
We would always recommend you get comprehensive insurance including (accident or collision damage waiver). Children can have a habit of spilling or scratching things and the smallest piece of damage could result in a large bill.
Car seats and seatbelts are always recommended for children under the age of twelve but global laws vary. In some countries, children are not allowed in the front seat of a car. Make sure you check the local legal requirements.
Check that airbags are disabled if you are using a rear facing car seat for a baby.
Make sure the car is properly equipped with all of the appropriate safety features. Before you set off ensure that car seats are properly installed, child locks enabled (this can often be forgotten when collecting a rental car in unfamiliar destinations) and any sunshades or rear view mirrors are installed.
Check that the car rental company have done a full car check including tires, spare wheel, water, oil, antifreeze, fuel, brake fluid and pads and airbags.
Make sure you have all of the contact details in case of breakdown or accident.
Plan your route carefully. Get a map and study it before you set off not en route. Make sure you have explicit written directions.
Consider special equipment designed for travelling with kids such as neck supports, toy storage systems, sunshades, child rear view mirrors and snack trays. The extra expense can make a huge difference.
Check that you are fully aware of the rules of the road in your destination country if you are travelling abroad.
The difference preparation will make when you are travelling in a car with your family is immense and proper timing, appropriate stocks and good in-car entertainment will make a huge difference to this experience. We have provided a long list of top tips for travelling in a car with the kids and hope that you will find them useful. We also have a long list of top car games and travel games to play with the kids car games for babies and downloadable colouring links all of which are free.
We have prepared some advice and a checklist of what to bring on a car journey as well as several lists on how to entertain the children while you are travelling with the kids through the various ages and hope these are helpful.
When you are returning your car, try to leave extra time so that you can stock up on fuel close to the drop off point.
For thousands of car rental special offers and special deals and you can book car hire here on the site.
You will find lots of family friendly travel tips and advice in our research and advice section to help you book the right family holiday. Check out also the experiences of other parents and travellers in our parents forum and add your own experiences as we are a great believer in real parent's experiences as the best measure of whether somewhere will suit you for your family holiday.
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