Traveling with 11-month old- what to do about the carseat?

EveKing79

So DH and I are planning a late summer trip to Italy with our DS, who is 9 months old now (will be just over 11 months at the time of travel). We are wondering what to do about the car seat...he just outgrew the bucket and moved into a big convertible car seat (he's 22 lbs at 9 months!) and he is going to travel in our laps on the plane, I believe (Alitalia and Air France seem to require it for infants under 24 months). We are going to Lake Como and most travel will be by ferry or train once we're there, but I doubt we will be able to avoid taxis completely (to and from the airport,on day trips, etc.) What do we do? Do we lug the huge car seat for taxi ride to and from the airport and just avoid taxis the rest of the trip? Can you purchase a portable or travel car seat option? Has anyone traveled with an infant before who can offer some insight? We plan on taking a small stroller and the Ergo for all of our sightseeing around the small towns.

cast920

You could get a cheap Costco scenera (~$40 from Walmart) instead of bringing your big seat. I think a lot of people use the scenera for travel since its so light. 

I don't think any of the car seat alternatives would work since he's not old enough. 

If at all possible, you would want to bring the car seat on board with you (as opposed to gate checking). I'm not sure if a car seat would fit in the overhead bin or not.  

 

aetg

Why do you want to make sure to carry it with you?

frlcb

We travel overseas often - of course you can buy a seat on those airlines for your child. If you don't buy a ticket then your baby will be on your lap and you still have to pay 10% of the full airfare in taxes. 

If we bring car seats we check them in a car seat bag. A car seat will not fit overhead.

iteachk

The easiest thing to do would be to check it.  Our Radian (Diono) folds and we put it in a suitcase.