There are so many benefits to traveling with young children: it's educational, exposes them to new experiences, and strengthens family bonds. But let's be real. There are some challenges that come along with traveling with young kids as well, and one of those things is bringing along the car seat. It's big, bulky, heavy, difficult to keep clean, and a pain in the butt to keep installing and uninstalling. No matter what mode of transportation you're taking, here's all the information you need to bring the car seat with you.
Taking a taxi or ride share vehicle
Increasingly, taxi and ride share services such as Uber and Lyft are allowing you to reserve a car seat for your ride. However, this service is currently not available in most cities. If you need to bring your own car seat, let the taxi company know in advance if possible so they can send a car they know will fit a car seat. I have personally run into issues where we were unable to install a car seat in a taxi and had to wait for the next one, and once (at an airport) a driver flat-out refused to even let us try.
If your child is the right height and age for a booster seat, consider bringing an inflatable booster seat instead of a car seat to make your life a little easier. If you're heading to the airport, keep in mind that you cannot install a booster seat on the airplane.
Getting through the airport
Car seats are heavy and awkward to carry, but there are several ways to get one through the airport without physically lifting and carrying it:
Stroller - There are numerous stroller / car seat combos available that make it easy to attach the car seat to the stroller and push it (and your child) through the airport. Both strollers and car seats can be checked at the gate for convenience.
Travel Cart - Car seat travel carts allow you to attach the car seat directly to a set of wheels that will fold up nice and compact when it's no longer needed, fitting easily in the overhead compartment on your flight. Many are also strong enough for you to place your child in the car seat while you're rolling it through the airport like luggage.
Travel Belt - By using a travel belt you can attach the car seat directly to your wheeled luggage, including a carry-on sized bag. This is a lower-cost option than the travel cart, but you will not be able to put your child in the car seat while you're rolling it around. I also recommend bringing a backup if you plan on taking multiple flights with the car seat travel belt, in case the strap breaks while you're en route (it's happened to us!).
Backpack - A car seat travel bag with backpack straps does add more strain to your back, but it's a cheaper option than a stroller or travel cart. You can also get bags with added padding, which makes it an excellent option if you're going to check your car seat instead of bringing it on board.
You can check your car seat at the airport baggage counter, but I recommend checking it at the gate to avoid automated conveyer belts, chutes, and any extra "tossing" of your car seat. Just be sure to get your luggage tag as soon as possible once you arrive at the gate rather than waiting until it's time to board, otherwise the gate agent may be busy and you'll board your flight late.
If you're checking the car seat, use a travel car seat bag to help keep it safe during transit, and consider adding extra padding or bubble wrap to prevent damage. Remember, if a car seat is damaged then it's no longer considered effective and must be replaced! Taking a picture of the car seat's condition before your flight can also be beneficial in case damage does occur while it's in the airline's hands.
Installing the car seat
Always be sure to review the car seat's manual in advance of any trip to make sure it's properly installed. For taxis or ride share vehicles, the method of installation will depend on the make, model and year of the vehicle that picks you up. If you're renting a car seat at your destination (not recommended due to possible safety issues), it's still helpful to review the installation procedures beforehand if you know which specific car seat you'll be renting. Some locations have car seat inspection stations to confirm that your car seat is properly installed.
For air travel, make sure the car seat is FAA approved ahead of time if you plan to use it on the flight, and that it will fit in the airplane's seats. The car seat can be installed either backward or forward-facing, but it must be in a forward-facing window seat that is not in an exit row (sometimes there's confusion and people think the car seat must be forward-facing, but it's the airplane seat that must be forward-facing). A car seat may only be placed in a middle seat or aisle seat if the rest of the row is empty. Take advantage of early boarding so you have plenty of time to install the car seat and troubleshoot any issues. Booster seats cannot be used on an airplane.
Most buses and trains do not have the seat belts necessary to secure a car seat, but they're much safer than cars. You can keep your child on your lap or let them sit in their own seat. Some buses and trains, however, may have different rules, particularly if it's a long-distance ride. It's always best to look up any car seat requirements in advance for the specific transportation you're taking.
Never install a car seat on a boat, as it increases the risk of drowning.
Keeping the car seat clean
Whether it's a rental car, your own vehicle, or even on an airplane, the biggest car seat challenge you will probably run into is keeping it clean. If you're lucky, this is just an issue of crumbs that can be shaken out or vacuumed up. If you're unlucky, it could be urine, poop, or vomit, leaving not just a sticky mess but often a horrible smell as well. If an accident happens, don't panic. Examine your choices - is it better to turn back, clean up, and then start again? Keep going and deal with it when you arrive? Pull over and handle it now? Or take a break at a laundromat on the way?
Here are some quick steps to clean up the car seat if you do have an incident:
Wipe up your child first and get them into clean clothes.
Mop up the excess moisture from the car seat using a towel, napkins, or whatever else you have on hand.
If you have access to laundry services, this is the easiest way to clean the car seat cushions if the manufacturer allows it (most will allow it, but require the cushions be laid flat to dry).
Plastic pieces of the car seat can be cleaned relatively easily with a cleaning solution of your choice. If all you have is water, do your best with what you have and tackle a deeper cleaning later. I find cotton swabs to be very helpful for cracks and creases. Toothpicks are great, as well.
Straps and harnesses must be spot-cleaned and cannot be soaked in water or any other liquid, which makes them the most frustrating part to clean. Avoid using harsh chemicals on the straps, as this may damage the integrity of the weaving.
If you are in a taxi or ride share vehicle, expect to be charged a cleaning fee at the end of your ride.
Before you remove any cushions or other pieces of the car seat, ask someone to film how it comes apart so you remember how to put it all together again after it's been cleaned!
Vehicle accidents
If you get into a moderate to severe accident, your car seat will unfortunately need to be replaced. While inconvenient, especially when you're away from home, it's an absolute necessity to ensure your child stays safe. Even if the car seat looks like it's still in reasonably good condition, the seat's plastic could be weakened from the accident. Car seat replacement is often covered under insurance policies.
If you're in a minor crash, you do not need to replace the car seat.