Travel to Europe and Carseat

hikerbeth

So this is a few months off, but I'm wondering. . .

We plan to travel to Europe with the kids this summer.  Can I use my American carseats in the European rental cars or am I better off trying to find carseats to rent on the other end?

Anyone have experience?  I haven't found a ton of info by googling.  I did read that European seatbelts don't lock like American seatbelts and not all have ISOFIX (LATCH), so it might be a real crapshoot.

breezee_bean

I have a friend who travels to Germany alot.  I will ask her what she does. 

happy-honey

KateB1984:

I took DS1's infant carseat to Scotland. I don't know what's typical, but our rental car didn't have locking seatbelts, but I just used the locking clip that came with our carseat. Bit more of a pain, but you only have to do it once when you install it, so doable. I find it easier than renting carseats.

Also, after losing my luggage a few times, I always gate check the carseat (or now that DS1 gets his own seat, use it on the plane). It's not worth the risk to me.

Good luck for your trip!

I completely agree with gate checking if you aren't going to use it on the plane.

hikerbeth

happy-honey:

KateB1984:

I took DS1's infant carseat to Scotland. I don't know what's typical, but our rental car didn't have locking seatbelts, but I just used the locking clip that came with our carseat. Bit more of a pain, but you only have to do it once when you install it, so doable. I find it easier than renting carseats.

Also, after losing my luggage a few times, I always gate check the carseat (or now that DS1 gets his own seat, use it on the plane). It's not worth the risk to me.

Good luck for your trip!

I completely agree with gate checking if you aren't going to use it on the plane.

We travel a ton domestically and I am right on board with you guys on this one

bugmommy

I lived in the UK, so my answers are specific to that, although most of their stuff is EU rated, so I imagine it will be similar.  ISOFIX is not exactly the same thing as LATCH.  The connectors look very different, so I'm not sure they would work properly.  Some of the seatbelts don't lock, but some do.  I would bring the locking clip if you plan to bring your carseat.

Just as a warning if you decide to rent a carseat there.  A lot of SUV's and the like have "built in" car seats.  This is basically a built in booster seat.  Part of the back cushion of the seat flips down and there is a harness in there.  I have no idea on the safety ratings, although I would imagine it varies by car.  I personally wouldn't use one on a child younger than about 4, but they are perfectly legal for smaller children.  A lot of times when you ask about car seats this is what they will offer so be VERY specific.  This is frequently what they have in cabs as well.

hikerbeth

Thanks for the experiences. . . keep it coming.

For the record, I will have a 4.5 year old and a small infant (3-4 months).

bim38106

We went to visit family when DD1 was 7 month and in the infant carrier. I didn't even think about compatibility. The seat belts did not lock and we ended up putting her car seat in the center w/ the belt that hand-tightens (can't think of the word, where you just slide it over to tighten the strap). It was not safe because we couldn't get it tight enough. I guess it did the trick but I wish I had known..

My cousin has 3 kids and I checked out her carseats and they were very different and installed differently then ours are here.

mgfit1

We took our Britax Marathon with us to Italy and used it with no problem last May.  I posted messages on the international boards before we went asking about this and they assured me all would be OK.  It worked out fine with the car we rented. 

I did post info on packing and travel tips for europe with a little one on my blog if that helps at all with your planning