From car rentals to public transit, traveling often means being in unfamiliar vehicles.
Planning ahead for things like strollers, car seats, and piles of tiny luggage can lower your stress and ensure the fam gets the most out of your next adventure.
But which options are the safest? And what should you consider before taking kids (and luggage) on public transit — both in the U.S. and abroad?
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Family Transportation Options: Pros and Cons
Let’s start by assessing five common forms of ground transportation with a young family’s needs in mind.
Car rentals for families
- Benefits: Flexibility and control over safety measures (e.g., child seats).
- Drawbacks: Expensive, insurance/parking/gas become considerations, requires understanding of local laws and driving customs
- Tip: Don’t forget about luggage and strollers— families of four or more may need a large SUV
For many families, the default choice (especially on domestic trips) is simply to rent a car.
Having access to a vehicle can be a massive luxury since it allows you to stay together, stop when and where you wish, and saves you the hassle of having to haul luggage onto public transit.
The chief drawbacks to a rental car are all cost-related — you now have to factor parking, gas, and insurance into your travel budget. But if you’re lucky, your credit card already has that third one covered.
Rideshare services
- Benefits: Cost-effective, predictable, works on your schedule
- Drawbacks: Limited availability of child seats or accessible vehicles
- Tip: Look for travel credit cards that offer 5% cashback on ridesharing
If you’re not sure how often you’ll need to use a rental car, ridesharing may be the more efficient and cost-effective option. While Lyft only operates within the U.S. and Canada, you can hail an Uber in over 10,000 cities worldwide.
Opinions will vary on this, but I consider Uber to be safer and more practical for families than a local taxi since you can order (or schedule) a larger vehicle, and transactions are handled through the app.
Just keep in mind that taxis and rideshares typically won’t have car seats, so it’s best to bring your own (and warn your driver that you’ll need time to install it).
Public transportation
- Benefits: Safe, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly
- Drawbacks: Crowded environments may pose safety risks for young kids
- Tip: Stay together as a group, keep your belongings secure, and choose well-lit stations or stops
Many destinations in the U.S. — and especially abroad — have excellent and affordable public transportation.
In fact, many places like Tokyo, Paris, Berlin, and London have such well-established bus routes and subways that driving is considered the far less convenient option.
That said, public transit can be tricky for families since it doesn’t run on your schedule, isn’t always accommodating to luggage and strollers, and can often involve chaos and large crowds where families can get separated.
To minimize stress, consider traveling during off-peak hours and have a plan in place in case of separation. You can use Google Maps’ offline maps feature (detailed below) to plan bus and train routes in advance.
RELATED: How To Protect Family Valuables While Traveling
Private transfers and shuttles
- Benefits: Safe, excellent for hotel/airport transfers
- Drawbacks: Limited flexibility, can be expensive
- Tip: Always book with reputable services to ensure safety and value
If you and your family are staying at a hotel, consider calling ahead and asking the front desk what sort of shuttle services are available.
We once stayed at a Marriott that was a full 30 miles away from the airport, and yet, they sent a Mercedes Sprinter van to fetch us from the airport and drop us off a week later free of charge (before tip, of course). An equivalent Uber XL, by contrast, would’ve cost us $87 each way.
For ultimate peace of mind, you can also book a private transfer service like Blacklane to greet you at the airport, assist with luggage, and safely chauffeur you and the fam to your final destination.
Naturally, these services can be quite expensive (~$50 per person), but it might be worth it just to see your kids’ reactions to seeing the family name on a chauffeur sign, just like in the movies.
Preparing for Safe Transportation Before You Travel
Now that we’ve assessed your options, what are some general tips for having a smooth experience from A to B?
1. Pre-book transportation with family amenities
Before booking transportation, make a “shopping list” of your family’s needs.
For example, if you’re a family of five traveling overseas, you may need a vehicle with room for six (including the driver), car seat compatibility, and room for plenty of luggage.
You can also call travel providers and simply ask: What amenities do you have for families?
READ MORE: Child Safety Tips for Stress-Free Family Travel Abroad
2. Bring your own car seat
While some rental car locations may offer cheap car seat rentals (~$14/day), the general consensus is that they’re often dirty, damaged, a poor fit or simply missing upon arrival.
It’s generally safer and more sanitary to bring your own whenever possible.
3. Use travel insurance for transportation-related issues
A good travel insurance policy is a must-have for families since it can:
- Help reimburse you if plans are unexpectedly delayed or canceled
- Assist in case of an emergency
- Find alternative transportation for you if things go awry (e.g., flight cancellations, taxi strikes)
Reputable providers like Allianz Travel Insurance and Travel Guard can also provide instant quotes online without needing your personal information (just trip dates and a few other basic details).
4. Research local laws and requirements
Did you know that in Germany, all children under 150cm (~5 feet) must stay in a car seat until their 12th birthday? That’s much later than, say, Georgia (age 8) and New York (age 10).
Knowing the family-related transportation laws in your destination can save time, money, and perhaps a foreign court date, so it’s definitely worth a quick Google search.
Common Transportation Challenges and Solutions
Traveling as a family isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible. Let’s look at some of the most common challenges facing families on the move — and how to address them ahead of time.
Lack of child seats in taxis or rideshares
In general, it’s highly unlikely that a taxi, rideshare, or other form of private transportation will have a child seat readily available for you to borrow for the duration of your trip.
Even if a reputable company like Hertz or Enterprise allows you to reserve one in advance, the seat may be the wrong size (infant/child/booster), unsanitary, or have hidden damage rendering it unsafe for your child.
Solution: It’s best to bring your own. Even a budget-friendly car seat (~$60) that’s been tested and proven to fit your child will be safer (and likely cleaner) than a mystery rental seat.
Navigation difficulties in foreign countries
Once you land overseas, your smartphone’s GPS app (e.g., Google Maps) may still be able to pinpoint your location on Earth, but without 5G or wifi, it won’t be able to load maps or provide you with directions.
Solution: Use Google Maps’ “download offline maps” feature (Settings > Offline maps) to download complete maps of the areas you’re visiting. While you still won’t be able to load real-time traffic updates without 5G or wifi, offline maps can help you navigate from A to B just like back home.
Unfamiliarity with local driving rules
What do those squiggly lines in the road mean in the UK? Why do drivers in China typically honk when they pass on the left? Can tourists rent scooters in Vietnam?
If you’re unfamiliar with the road laws and driving customs of your destination country, it can lead to delays at best or dangerous outcomes at worst.
Solution: Heavily research the laws, regulations, and customs of your destination country. If you’re not 100% confident that your driving skills and instincts will carry over, you and your family are probably better off taking public transportation, ridesharing, or even hiring a private driver.
FAQs About Safe Transportation Options for Families
What is the best way to ensure car seat availability when renting a car?
The best way to ensure car seat availability is to bring your own. Major car rental agencies like Hertz and Enterprise do offer infant, child, and booster seat rentals but the availability (and quality) of these options can vary greatly by location.
How do I handle public transportation with strollers or multiple kids?
Try to travel during off-peak hours, consider using compact strollers and baby carriers, bring lots of snacks, and have a plan in case you get separated. For maximum peace of mind, consider AirTag/Tile bracelets.
Does travel insurance cover car rental damages or accidents abroad?
In most cases yes, but you typically have to purchase rental car coverage as an add-on first.
What should I do if I face transportation delays?
For long delays, your travel insurance provider’s emergency assistance hotline may be able to help rebook you and find alternative transportation or lodging while you focus on parenting.
For short delays, communicating with your children while keeping them well-fed and well-entertained can prevent stress from snowballing. My parents used to say, “We’re just having an adventure.”
TL;DR: How To Travel Safely as a Family
Planning safe transportation for your family ensures a smoother and more enjoyable travel experience. Whether it’s a rental car, train rides, ad hoc Ubers (or a combo of all), having a plan in advance can eliminate surprises and maximize family bonding.
Before you depart, research your best options based on your destination, keep your family’s needs in mind, and consider a little travel insurance for added peace of mind.
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