How to Travel Without Car Seats: Safe Options for Every Trip
Traveling without a car seat isn’t always ideal but for many families, it’s the only realistic option.
Whether you’re flying with kids, relying on public transit, or just trying to pack light, figuring out how to travel without car seats can feel overwhelming. I’ve been there. As a parent who often travels as the only adult with young kids, I’ve navigated train stations, airport shuttles, rideshares, and entire international trips without bringing a car seat, and I’ve learned a lot about how to do it safely, legally, and confidently.
This guide breaks down the exact methods I’ve used, the safety considerations that matter, and what I wish I’d known before our first car seat–free trip. If you’re planning to travel without a car seat, here’s what really works so you can spend less time stressing and more time enjoying your adventure.
Why I Travel Without Car Seats
When I’m traveling as the only adult with two young kids, I’m already managing a ton of gear in transit: a double stroller, backpack, and a carry-on suitcase. Adding two bulky car seats on top of that just isn’t feasible.
While I choose to travel without car seats because it makes my trips so much easier, it does require extra planning. Without them, I have to figure out:
- How do we get from the airport to our hotel?
- How do we get around the city safely?
- What if we need to travel to another city?
If you’re a parent in the same situation, here’s a list of transportation options I’ve personally used that don’t require car seats, plus some things to consider before choosing the right one for your trip.
Note: Car seat safety is extremely important. I always follow local laws and only choose transportation options that feel safe for my family.
If you prefer to travel with car seats, or just want help figuring out how to make that work, check out these fantastic car seat travel courses from Where Is Briggs. They’re a great resource for navigating safe travel with car seats, strollers, and more.
Is It Safe to Travel Without a Car Seat?
The safest place for a child in a moving vehicle is always in a properly installed car seat. There’s no debate about that.
But not every trip involves a personal vehicle. When you’re traveling, especially if you’re handling the logistics without another adult, you’re often relying on public transit, shuttles, ferries, trains, or taxis that may not legally require car seats. And when you’re juggling young kids, luggage, and strollers through multiple cities or countries, bringing car seats for every leg of the trip sometimes just isn’t realistic.
That doesn’t mean you’re ignoring safety. It means you’re evaluating the full picture. Asking what options are available, what the local laws say, and what feels like the safest choice given the situation.
My goal with this post isn’t to tell you what’s safe or unsafe. It’s to walk you through the real-life choices I’ve made, the questions I ask myself when I’m planning transportation, and the ways I’ve kept my kids as secure as possible while still actually getting from point A to point B.
If you’re navigating the same questions, I hope this helps you feel more confident, more informed, and more prepared to make the best decision for your family.
Airport Survival Guide for Families
Flying with kids? This guide walks you through the airport step by step, from packing and parking to security, boarding, baggage claim, and beyond.
Airport Survival Guide for Families helps you think through strollers, car seats, bags, TSA, bathrooms, snacks, gate-checking, delays, and all the little logistics that can make airport days feel like a lot.
It’s based on real family travel experience, including many flights where I was the only adult with my kids, and it’s written to help the airport part of your trip feel more manageable.
Safe Ways to Travel Without Car Seats
Traveling without car seats doesn’t mean you’re ignoring safety, it just means you’re planning ahead and choosing transportation options that don’t require them. Below are the exact methods I’ve used on real trips with my toddlers, plus what has worked for my family when I’m the only adult managing the logistics.
1. Understand When It’s Legal to Skip a Car Seat
In most places, car seat laws apply only in private vehicles like personal cars, rental cars, or rideshares. Public transportation is usually exempt.
This means things like:
- Airport shuttles and hotel buses often don’t require (or accommodate) car seats
- Trains, metros, subways, and buses typically don’t require them either
- Taxis and rideshares fall into a gray area—some cities exempt them, others don’t
But here’s the important part: rules vary widely depending on where you are. In some countries, taxis are fully exempt. In others, they’re held to the same laws as private vehicles. And it can even change from city to city within the same country.
If you’re not sure about the local laws, do a quick Google search like: “car seat laws in Lisbon” or “do taxis need car seats in Tokyo.” And make sure to cross-check your answer with a government or official tourism website, those are your most reliable sources.
2. Be Real About Your Trip Style and Needs
Before you stress about skipping the car seat, ask yourself:
- Are you mostly walking or using public transit?
- Are you staying somewhere walkable with access to transit, ferries, or shuttles?
- Will you need to take any rideshares or taxis at all?
Some destinations are easier than others. Big cities like New York, London, Paris, and Tokyo have incredible transit systems. But smaller towns, beach destinations, or sprawling areas might make it harder to avoid cars.
When we traveled through Portugal for 10 days, we didn’t bring car seats and we never needed them. We used a combination of public transportation, trains, private transfers, and even taxis and rideshares (which are exempt from car seat laws in Portugal). It was seamless, and it made the trip feel so much lighter—literally and logistically.
But on a trip to Central Florida, it was a totally different story. We were heading from Orlando to the coast, about an hour away, and there was just no realistic way to get there without renting a car. That meant also renting car seats. It wasn’t my first choice, but it was the safest and most practical option for that trip.
No destination is one-size-fits-all. What matters is doing the research ahead of time and making choices that fit both your comfort level and the local transportation setup.
3. Choose Your Destination (and Lodging) Strategically
If you know you won’t be bringing a car seat, you’ll want to plan around that from the beginning. That means:
- Pick walkable cities with good public transportation
- Book hotels near transit lines or in city centers so you don’t need a car to get groceries, visit parks, or eat out
- Look into hotel shuttles or private airport transfers that don’t require car seats
Some destinations make this easier than others. When we stay at Walt Disney World, we never need a car seat. Disney’s transportation system (buses, boats, monorail, and the Skyliner) gets us everywhere we need to go. Other resort-style locations may offer similar setups, with on-property transportation that helps you skip the hassle of bringing car seats altogether.
I’ve specifically chosen hotels based on whether they offer free shuttles from the airport or sit right next to a metro stop. It’s one of the first things I check when I’m mapping out a trip with the kids.
4. Rely on Public Transportation
Buses, subways, ferries, and light rails are your best friends when traveling without a car seat. They’re usually cheap, frequent, and kid-friendly.
Most of the time, kids under a certain age ride free (often under 5 or under 6), and you can keep them in a baby carrier or travel stroller while in transit.
Things to keep in mind:
- Avoid rush hour if possible, it can be intense with kids and gear
- Look for elevators or ramps for strollers, especially if you’re managing kids and gear without help
- Plan ahead for stairs and narrow platforms in older stations
Even if you’re nervous at first, you’ll get the hang of it quickly. My toddlers love trains and subways. Sometimes that’s their favorite part of the trip.
5. Walk When You Can (and Bring a Good Stroller)
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I don’t travel without my double stroller. It’s not just for comfort, it’s our primary mode of transport when we’re exploring a city without a car seat.
I use the Zoe Twin+ double stroller (full review here), which handles cobblestones, curbs, and public transportation like a champ. It’s light, folds easily, and works in most tight spaces.
In some cities, walking is the best way to get around. When we sailed on the Disney Dream out of Southampton, we stayed at the Moxy Southampton, which was perfectly located. We walked from the bus terminal to our hotel, and then from the hotel straight to the cruise port. No car, no taxi, and no car seat needed the entire time.
If you’re walking a lot, here’s what helps:
- Bring a rain cover and sunshade so you’re ready for all weather
- Add a stroller handle so toddlers can walk next to you when they’re up for it
- Stick to well-mapped routes—Google Maps’ “walk” setting is your best friend
6. Use Airport Shuttles and Hotel Transfers
Many hotels near airports or in big cities offer free or paid shuttles and most of the time, you won’t need a car seat to ride them.
When I took the kids on a Royal Caribbean cruise, we specifically chose the Fairfield Inn & Suites Miami Airport South because of their shuttle options. They offered a free shuttle from the airport to the hotel, and a paid shuttle from the hotel to the cruise terminal. That meant we could fly in, stay overnight, and board our cruise, all without ever needing a car seat.
For our Disney World trips, we always use private transportation from MCO to the resorts. Away We Go Transportation is our go-to. They provide car seats that are already properly installed and ready to go when they pick us up, which takes a huge weight off my shoulders.
If you’re planning a similar setup, this can be one of the easiest ways to skip the hassle of bringing car seats while still getting where you need to go safely.
7. Rideshares and Taxis (When You Have No Other Option)
Sometimes you can’t avoid taking a car. Here’s what to know:
- Uber and Lyft rules vary depending on location—some allow lap children, others require car seats, and some even offer car seat options in select cities
- Taxis may be exempt from car seat laws in some cities but that doesn’t mean they’re always safe
- You can request a car seat through certain premium services, but availability isn’t always guaranteed
That said, I don’t travel with car seats at all. When I’m the only adult traveling with both kids, it’s just not feasible to juggle them alongside our luggage, stroller, and everything else. I’ve taken taxis and rideshares without car seats in situations where I felt comfortable, and I always follow local laws and trust my judgment about what feels safe for my family.
That said, on a recent trip to Portugal, I traveled with a friend who brought a RideSafer travel vest for her daughter to use in taxis and rideshares. I was honestly shocked at how easy and convenient it was. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and quick to put on the child. Some parents swear by it as a portable harness option that meets safety standards for older toddlers and young kids.
If you’re looking for a portable safety harness that adds a layer of protection without the bulk of a full car seat, it might be worth exploring.
8. Consider Renting a Car Seat
Renting a car can be one of the easiest ways to get around with kids, especially if your destination isn’t walkable or doesn’t have great public transit. And if you don’t want to bring your own car seats, many rental companies offer them for an additional fee.
When I’ve needed this option, it’s worked out well. We’ve rented cars with seats from Hertz and Enterprise multiple times in Miami and Orlando, and from Budget once in Newark. The car seats have always been clean, ready, and easy to install. And not having to lug our own through the airport was a huge win.
That said, I’ve also heard plenty of stories from other parents who reserved a seat in advance only to find it wasn’t available at pickup. It’s not always a guarantee, even when it’s on the reservation. If you’re going this route, it’s smart to confirm with the rental location directly a few days before your trip.
Prices vary, and seats are usually charged per day, per seat so it can add up quickly. But in certain destinations, it’s still the most practical and flexible option. And if you’re concerned about quality or availability, you can also look into local baby gear rental services at your destination.
Want to check rental prices (and see which companies offer car seats)? Use the tool below to compare rates across major brands and find the best fit for your trip.
9. Be Prepared to Pivot
Even with the best planning, you might find yourself in a situation where you need a car unexpectedly.
That’s okay. You don’t have to have it all figured out.
Here are a few ways to stay prepared:
- Research local car seat laws and transportation options before your trip
- Bookmark nearby car rental companies and baby gear rental services
- Have a general plan for how you’ll handle unexpected rides (even if it’s just “ask the hotel for help”)
And above all, give yourself grace. No parent can plan for every curveball, especially when you’re managing gear, nap schedules, and TSA lines without much help. You’re doing great.
What About Airplanes? Are Car Seats Required in Flight?
Air travel comes with its own rules and when it comes to car seats, the expectations might surprise you.
Car seats are not required on planes. Even if your child has their own seat, using a car seat is optional. That said, the FAA strongly recommends using one for children under 2. It’s the safest option, especially during turbulence.
If your child is flying as a lap infant (under age 2 without their own seat), a car seat can’t be used at all. They must be held during takeoff and landing.
Personally, I don’t travel with car seats on planes. It’s just not feasible when I’m flying as the only adult with both kids and managing everything else.
If you’re considering flying without a car seat, or wondering what it’s like to have a baby on your lap the whole flight, check out my full post on flying with a lap infant.
Traveling Without Car Seats: What Parents Really Want to Know
Do I need a car seat for airport transfers?
Not usually. Many airport shuttles and hotel transfers don’t require car seats. If I’m uncertain, I check in directly with the hotel to confirm. In Miami, we chose our pre-cruise hotel specifically because it had a shuttle from the airport and to the cruise port. It made everything so much easier, no car seats needed.
Can I use public transportation with kids and luggage?
Yes but you’ll want to choose your routes carefully. I always check ahead to make sure there’s enough room for both our stroller and suitcase, and I think through how I’ll actually manage getting on and off with everything by myself.
In London, for example, I planned to take the train from Heathrow but realized I wasn’t confident I could juggle two kids, a stroller, and our bags without help, so I took a taxi instead. It cost more, but the peace of mind was 100% worth it.
What if I’m visiting a destination where public transit isn’t an option?
You’ve still got choices. In places where transit is limited, I either rent a car with car seats or book a private driver. In Central Florida, for example, we rented a car because there was no other way to get from Orlando to the coast. In Peru, my friend hired a private driver with a car seat for her whole multi-day trip through the Sacred Valley.
Are these car seat-free options safe internationally?
It depends. Car seat laws and safety norms vary by country and by city. I always search “[destination] car seat laws” using official government or legal websites before making a decision. In some places like Montreal or London, taxis don’t require seats. In others, I might avoid cars entirely.
You’ve Got This (Even Without a Car Seat)
Is it perfect? No. Is it always ideal? Also no. But it’s absolutely doable.
If you’re planning a trip and wondering how on earth you’re going to get around without lugging a giant car seat through airports and cobblestone streets, I promise: it’s possible.
You’ll find workarounds. You’ll figure out what feels safe and practical for your family. And you’ll come out of it with more confidence, more clarity, and one more real-world parenting win under your belt.
Have questions about this post or want help thinking through the logistics for your own trip? Join my free Facebook community for parents planning family travel. You can ask questions, share what you’re working through, and get real-life advice from other parents who understand how many little details go into traveling with kids.
More Helpful Family Travel Tips
- Traveling With Kids: How to Make the Logistics Feel More Manageable
- Child Travel Consent Letter: When You Need One
- What I Teach My Kids About Getting Lost While Traveling
- How to Travel Without Car Seats: Safe Options for Every Trip
- Staycations With Kids: The Easiest First Step for Nervous Family Travelers