Hello. My family of four (2 adults, 2 kids aged 8 and 11) will be visiting Barcelona in a few weeks. Should we schedule a transfer from the airport to the hotel ahead of time? Does my 8 year old need to be in a booster set (child is about 49" tall, 56 lbs) If so should I cart one from home or pay the $ to rent one? Scheduling a transfer ahead of time appears to be most convenient but quite costly for all 4 of us and our luggage so any tips are appreciated. We will be going to Rome as well, so same questions for there too if you happen to know. Thanks.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
A regular taxi from Barcelona El Prat airport to city center should cost about €35 and be the easiest option. I assume that's less than the transfer services you saw. To or from Rome Fiumicino airport, the set, flat rate for a taxi to the city center is €48.
Posted by
Midwest
2768 posts
If you were renting a car the 8 year old would need a car seat. In that case I'd either buy a portable one to bring or just rent it with the car.
However it seems like your question is just about the taxi/shuttle from the airport? A car seat is not required in public transit, cabs, or shuttles. It's up to you how you feel about the safety. I am ok with a seatbelt for bigger kids in taxis - but not everyone agrees. Some shuttle companies will provide a car seat if asked.
For Barcelona I have arrived by train and just gotten a taxi at the station.
For Rome it is a fixed 48euro from the airport to the center in a cab - but I have had difficulty with unscrupulous drivers so arrange a shuttle there. I used Rome shuttle limo for 50euros.
Some people will suggest taking the train or metro - it is cheaper and not hard but on arrival with luggage and kids it's often easier to just get a cab or arrange a shuttle. Once your bags are dropped off and you are in, then it is easier to figure out the metro. Which is easy and very useful in Barcelona.
Posted by
420 posts
If you're renting a car bring one from home. It's much cheaper than renting one from the car rental. I did check out some booster seats in Italy & the U.K. I thought the one I brought from home was more comfortable. After we were done with rental cars (Tuscany & Scotland) I just left it in the rental car as the rest of the trip,was train travel.
Posted by
OP
3 posts
Thanks for your input, all. I ended up booking a private transfer through Sun Transfers and received an email back from them saying that they noticed I did not reserve the booster seats with my booking and that boosters are required for all children under 12 in Spain, even though they are technically a Taxi service, so I either needed to reserve rental seats for both of my kids through them or bring seats with me. The charge was 7 euros each way for each child, so 28 euros just to borrow their seats. So we are bringing ours from home since that is free (if a bit more of a hassle) Just wanted to share in case anyone else reads this thread having the same question as I did.