Booster and baby seat for hire car

Renting in one country and returning in another is a very expensive option, too. You would be better off to drop your car at the border and re-rent in the next country. You would save the big drop fee and could probably rent your baby equipment with the cars, then.

Here's one portable option for the booster seat: http://www.bubblebum.co/us/ Assuming a "baby capsule" is what we call an infant carseat, I would just take along. You should be using it on the airplane anyway. Make sure the label says it is approved for use on aircraft. Baby will be much safer, happier, and sleep better in the seat they are accustomed to. If you are using a cot on the plane, check the carseat. If you have the kind that attaches to a stroller frame, even better! 2 missions achieved in one device! Not sure who you are flying with, but carseats and sometimes strollers are allowed in addition to the child's checked baggage allowance for free. This is true on Qantas, for example.

Rachel I would bring infant carseat from home, my babies flew in theirs ( and ate in them most of the times too since its not always easy to find high chairs etc) ... I would consider in investing in a carseat that snaps into a rolling stroller base,, but I have managed without . Totally agree about reconsidering dropping car in different country they the one you rented in. .the drop fees make it so expensive!! Also, hve you considered scrapping the car idea and just taking a train, kids generally enjoy train trips as they can walk about and stretch they legs.. plus can be a lot cheaper then car, ( gas, and road tolls can add up ) .just a thought.

Thanks everyone, apparently Avis and Hertz will allow car seat hire and drop off in different country. Just a lot more expensive to book through them but at least it is possible.

Rachael How are you getting from Austria to France? Italy, Germany, and Switzerland all have special requirements and considerations when driving. If you need information on any of that, squawk.

Would be very appreciative of any information in regards to driving in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and France. I am starting to rethink our driving plans as it is looking to be so expensive although we really did think it would be much easier travelling by car with a 5yr old and a 5 month old rather than getting to and from train stations and accommodation and dragging luggage, etc. Any advice will be thankfully received.

Rachel , driving in Europe is not cheap, tolls, gas ( very high prices) can really add up, plus in most big cities you don't want to have to pay for parking and most hotels do not offer free parking, if they have it at all ( small hotels in small towns that's different) . Parking in Paris will run you about 20-30 euros a day... unless of course you park somewhere in the just outside Paris and take the train in,, ( meanwhile still paying for days of rental car when not even using it!) .. And of course no drop off fees or insurance to pay... A car is great for exploring the countryside though, but not so great if your itinerary is mostly larger cities. Even with two tots you can pack light ( I had three, its doable) and it is very important to do so , as one adult has to be the luggage handler and one the child handler( luckily your youngest tot is still small enough to carry of a backpack or kangaroo carrier) . Once on the trains it is a lot more relaxing then driving.. you can play with kids, feed them picnics, take them to a washroom and walks up and down aisles...
And on the train,, no need for carseats!