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-   -   1 year old travel questions (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/1-year-old-travel-questions-1089022/)

jennyjackso Mar 7th, 2016 11:30 AM

1 year old travel questions
 
Hi, We're heading to France the first week in June with our 1 year old. Arriving in Nice, renting a car and traveling the coast and through Provence, ending in Avignon. Then taking the train to Paris, spending 3 days there.

I'm wondering about traveling in France with our 1 year old. I understand that we can rent a car seat when we rent the car? But when we are in Paris- can babies take taxis? I'm unfamiliar with using public transportation or taxis with a child.

Any guidance is appreciated!

Whathello Mar 7th, 2016 11:35 AM

You can rent a seat with the car - do this beforehand, if you do that on arrival it will cost you an arm.

No idea about taxis - at one year, does the kid no longer fit in a maxi cosy (for small distance) ? and helpful for the airport.

http://www.maxi-cosi.be/be-fr/sieges-auto.aspx

jennyjackso Mar 7th, 2016 11:56 AM

thank you, we were trying not to bring a lot of stuff, so I was trying to eliminate bringing the car seat. She was a preemie, so is still very small for her age. At 1 she will be about the size of a 6 month old. I have such little experience with Taxis, I don't know if they take babies, or how that works

Thank you!

hetismij2 Mar 7th, 2016 12:04 PM

In the Netherlands it isn't compulsory to transport a child in a car seat in a taxi, but it is possible to boo a taxi with one. I imagine Paris is much the same.
You may prefer to bring your seat from home so your daughter has her own comfortable seat on the plane.

If you do a search for "taxi Paris child seat" you will find links to taxis you can book, should you decide against bringing your own seat for her.

StCirq Mar 7th, 2016 12:04 PM

Yes, taxis will take babies, but don't expect a car seat.

Also, you can request a car seat in a rental, but as with requesting an automatic, or a roof rack, there is never a 100% guarantee you will get one.

StCirq Mar 7th, 2016 12:07 PM

Taxis G7 in Paris actually have a fleet of cars/vans that are equipped with carseats. They also have an English-speaking phone line, I believe.

Christina Mar 7th, 2016 12:12 PM

There are some special requests you can make of taxis to have a baby carseat, like this service. http://www.taxisg7.com/services/taxi-familycab

http://www.taxibebe.net/english/

However, few will have them if you don't reserve, just as a walk-up or in a taxi queue line.

As far as I know, there is no law that they are not allowed to have babies in a taxi, even without a car seat. I think taxis and buses are exempt from those laws.

Whathello Mar 7th, 2016 12:18 PM

I've got no shares with maxi cosy but it was a huge help when traveling. Easy to transport, the kids loved to be in it.

hetismij2 Mar 7th, 2016 12:26 PM

If you do reserve a car seat it is important to tell them the weight of your child, since she is small for her age, so they can provide the correct seat.

Sassafrass Mar 7th, 2016 02:31 PM

Won't you need a seat anyway for all those hours on the plane?

BigRuss Mar 7th, 2016 03:05 PM

<<Won't you need a seat anyway for all those hours on the plane?>>

One-year old premie = lap child.

nytraveler Mar 7th, 2016 04:45 PM

No you can't rent a car with a car seat - you MUST rent a car with a car seat. As in the US they're mandatory.

However, I'm not aware of any country that requires taxis to have car seats - but if you are getting a car service you can have them install a car seat.

spaarne Mar 7th, 2016 06:51 PM

<i>1 year old travel questions
Posted by: jennyjackso on Mar 7, 16 at 3:30pm
I'm wondering about traveling in France with our 1 year old. I understand that we can rent a car seat when we rent the car?</i>

As mentioned by StCirq you might or might not get what you ask for. Make the reservation from home and review it to make sure that the baby seat is included. And hetismij2's comment about specifying the baby's size is important. You will most likely need a rear facing baby seat.

With no baby seat you will probably have to sit in the back seat with the baby in your arms, or buy a baby seat after picking up the car.

BigRuss Mar 8th, 2016 07:40 AM

<< we were trying not to bring a lot of stuff, so I was trying to eliminate bringing the car seat>>

Uh, you're not traveling as if it's you and the other half. You have a highly dependent hobbit with you. That means planning for more contingencies. And that means bringing more "stuff" than you would otherwise.


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