Installing carseats in London taxis and recommendation for car service?

Posted by Angela (Bethesda, MD, USA) on 06/30/08 05:17 PM

We're going to London tomorrow evening with our 3 year old and 3 month old. We are bringing carseats with us. Has anyone had any experience with riding in London taxi cabs and installing your own carseat?

I think that our only cab rides will be from Heathrow to the hotel (and back). It looks like if we want to just hail a cab from the airport, the only option is a London Black Cab. But in searching online for information on them, I read a message board post that implied that there is no way to install a car seat in a Black Cab. I know that British law makes a carseat exemption for the black cabs, but not having our kids in carseats is not an option for us.

So, does anyone know if it is possible to install your own carseat in a London Black Cab? If not, then it seems like our option is to pre-arrange a car to pick us up. In that case, does anyone have any recommendations? By the way, we'll have 3 adults, 2 kids (in carseats), about 5 pieces of luggage, and our carry-on bags.

Thanks,
Angela

Posted by Arnold

Denver, CO, USA

07/01/08 04:46 PM

1556 posts

I don't see any way that you are going to fit in 1 black cab with the number of people you have and the amount of luggage. Even a regular car service will probably not be able to accomodate all of you.

I know you are set on having the car seat but are you absolutely sure you want to travel with the seats? Will you be driving all over London/UK? If not, how are you going to manage on the Underground/buses, etc. Unless you are staying in one place and not taking the kids around (I'm making the assumption that this is a vacation and that you will be sightseeing with your kids).

Regardless, would love to hear back from you after your trip as to how it works out and what advice you would give to other parents in the same situation.

Posted by Frank

Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA

07/01/08 07:47 PM

23267 posts

I agree with Arnold. I had the same reaction. A black cab with hold four easily -- two on the seat and two on the jump seats. Add in luggage and car seats, it could be pretty tight. I think you only other options is to hire a car and driver and ask for a full size sedan. Even that could be tight.

Posted by pat

victoria, Canada

07/03/08 02:00 AM

11507 posts

Bringing the car seat for the 3 month old will be easy, they just need a seat belt through the slots in the back right.If you have the type with the big base that you click in and out of that would be difficult. I loved the car seats for infants, I never took child out of it as it was a comfy sleeping place for child( during day , not at night of course) , and when child was a bit older ( 6 months) the car seat was great for feeding them too.
The three year old is big enough for a booster seat may and those aren't so bad to install.

NO taxis have the tether clip to make your car seat actually safe , you do realize that right? A tether strap must be installed into the framework of a vehicle, altough I imagine some newer cars have now incorporated them into their frames. The taxis with not have that .

Really , for the two rides, I would just bring the baby car seat( besides I think babies do best on planes in their own carseat) . The three yr old will be fine.

You will likely need two cabs, or hire a limo. You have alot of stuff, I can't imagine a baby and a 3 yr old each needing a suitcase. And yes, I have 3 kids, when they are small their clothes are small, so our kids could easily share a suitcase.