Traveling with a baby or toddler and renting a car? The car seat situation is one of the most overlooked — and most expensive — aspects of family car rentals. Rental car companies charge $10-20 per day for a car seat, which can add $70-140 to a week-long trip. And that’s assuming they even have the right type available.
Here’s the complete guide to navigating car seats and rental cars — including which companies offer the best deals, when you should bring your own, and what the safety rules actually say.
The Real Cost of Renting a Car Seat
| Company | Car Seat Cost | Free Option? | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hertz | $13-15/day (max ~$90/rental) | Free for Gold Plus Rewards members | Good; advance booking recommended |
| Enterprise | $8-13/day | No free option | Good; varies by location |
| Alamo | $10-13/day | No free option | Generally available at airports |
| Avis | $13-15/day | No free option | Good airport coverage |
| Budget | $10-13/day | No free option | Moderate availability |
| National | $10-15/day | Free for Executive Elite members | Good; advance booking required |
| Sixt | €5-12/day (Europe) | No free option | Good in Europe, expanding US |
| Turo | Host sets price (often free) | Many hosts include free | Varies by listing |
Pro tip: Daily car seat fees are usually capped at 7-10 days even on longer rentals. Always check the total — sometimes a 10-day rental hits the cap and additional days are free.
Traveling with three little ones? Rental fleets rarely guarantee a back seat wide enough for three restraints, so request a model from our list of cars with 3 ISOFIX points in the second row — the Audi Q7 or BMW X7, for example — when you book.
Should You Bring Your Own Car Seat or Rent One?
Bring Your Own If:
- Your child is used to their specific seat and has strong preferences
- You’re renting for more than 4-5 days (break-even point vs. bringing your own)
- You know your seat meets the regulations of the destination country
- You’re flying and your airline allows the car seat as a free checked item (most do)
- You’re visiting family and the car seat will be used there too
Rent From the Car Company If:
- Flying with a car seat is logistically difficult (solo parent, too much luggage)
- Your trip is short (3 days or less) — renting is cheaper than the hassle
- You don’t know the local regulations (rented seats meet local standards)
- You’re traveling internationally and your seat may not be approved there
Car Seat Types: What to Request
- Rear-facing infant seat: For babies 0-2 years (up to ~30 lbs). Always rear-facing. Not all rental companies have these — call ahead.
- Forward-facing toddler seat: For children 2-4 years (22-65 lbs). Most available type at rental companies.
- Booster seat: For children 4-12 years (40-120 lbs). Widely available; cheapest to rent.
Always book the car seat at the same time as the car — they’re limited inventory items. If you show up without a reservation for one, there may not be one available, especially at smaller locations.
Safety: What You Need to Know About Rented Car Seats
A legitimate concern about rented car seats: you don’t know their history. A car seat involved in an accident must be replaced — even if there’s no visible damage. Rental companies are supposed to inspect and replace seats after accidents, but it’s difficult to verify.
Before installing a rental car seat:
- Check the expiration date — car seats expire after 6-10 years. It should be printed on the seat.
- Inspect for cracks, fraying straps, or missing components
- Ask the rental company when the seat was last inspected or replaced
- Make sure the car seat model is approved in the country you’re visiting
Alternatives to Renting From the Car Company
- BabyQuip — Baby gear rental delivery service in 650+ cities across the US and Canada. They deliver a car seat to your hotel, vacation rental, or even the airport. Often cheaper than rental company rates and equipment is newer and sanitized.
- Turo — Many Turo hosts include a car seat as a free extra. Filter by “car seat included” when searching.
- Local baby gear rental companies — In major tourist cities, baby gear rental shops often have a wider selection at better prices than major rental chains.
International Travel With a Baby: Key Notes
If a second adult will take the wheel, add them on the contract. The additional driver fee is separate from the car seat.
- EU: Children under 135cm (4’5″) must use an approved child restraint. EU regulations (ECE R44 or R129) govern which seats are approved.
- Australia: Very strict car seat laws; child restraints must meet Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 1754. A US seat may not be legal.
- Most other countries: Generally follow UN regulations similar to the US/EU. Renting locally ensures compliance.
Planning a family road trip? Search car rentals with baby seat availability — we show you all-in pricing including extras so you can budget accurately before you book.
Written by Jake Ryder
Jake Ryder is the founder and lead reviewer at Road SUV. He has spent more than a decade behind the wheel of everything from subcompact crossovers to full-size 4x4s, logging thousands of highway and off-road miles across the United States. His reviews focus on what actually matters to real drivers: cargo space you can use, safety features that work, and honest talk about fuel economy and pricing.