Travelling with children adds a layer of complexity to car hire. Get it right and a hire car transforms a family holiday — get it wrong and you're stuck at the rental desk arguing about a child seat you forgot to book. Here's what to plan for.
Choosing the right car size
As a rough guide:
- 2 adults + 1–2 children: a standard estate or compact SUV is usually sufficient
- 2 adults + 3+ children: look for a large SUV, MPV or seven-seater
- Two families travelling together: two separate cars are often easier than a nine-seater minivan
Always check the boot space as well as passenger count — a car might seat five but with luggage for a family of four there may be no room for a pushchair.
Child seats: what you need to know
Child seat rules vary by country. In most of Europe children under 135cm or under 12 must use an appropriate child seat. Requirements in the USA, Australia and elsewhere differ. Key points:
- You can usually hire a child seat from the rental company — expect to pay $5–$15/day
- Bring your own seat if possible — it's often cheaper and you know it fits your child
- Check your airline's policy on transporting car seats as hold luggage
- Book the child seat in advance — they can run out at busy airport desks
Seven-seaters and MPVs
If you need a seven-seater, book well in advance — they're in high demand in summer, especially at European beach resort airports. Compare prices on our site and filter by vehicle category. Prices for MPVs vary significantly between suppliers — sometimes 40–50% for the same vehicle class.
Insurance considerations for families
With children in the car, many families feel more comfortable with a zero-excess policy. Rather than buying the rental desk upsell, consider a standalone excess waiver policy before you travel — they cover the same thing at a fraction of the cost. See our insurance guide for full details.
Best destinations for family road trips
Some destinations lend themselves particularly well to family car hire:
- Spain — excellent roads, family-friendly resorts, easy drives between beach and inland towns
- USA — road trips are part of the culture; huge variety of landscapes accessible by car
- New Zealand — compact enough to drive end to end with children, stunning scenery throughout
- Portugal — affordable, compact, excellent beaches, relaxed driving culture
Booking checklist for families
- Book child seats in advance and confirm with the supplier
- Check the actual boot dimensions, not just "5 seats"
- Confirm the fuel policy — full to full is best
- Buy excess insurance before you travel
- Check young driver rules if any driver is under 25
- Photograph everything on collection — with children it's easy to forget