Yes, you can typically rent a car seat from most major car rental companies. However, it's a service that requires advance planning and comes with important caveats regarding availability, cost, and hygiene. Relying on a rental car seat is often less ideal than bringing your own familiar, properly fitting seat.
The process involves reserving the car seat—infant, convertible, or booster—when you book your vehicle. Availability is not guaranteed, even with a reservation. High demand, especially during peak travel seasons, can lead to situations where the reserved seat type isn't available upon arrival. Furthermore, the quality and cleanliness of rental car seats can be inconsistent. You may have no way of knowing the seat's crash history or how thoroughly it was cleaned.
From a cost perspective, renting a car seat involves a daily fee, usually between $10 to $15 per day. For a week-long rental, this can add $70 to $105 to your total, which can quickly approach or even exceed the cost of purchasing a new, basic model. The table below outlines typical costs and considerations from major U.S. rental agencies.
| Rental Company | Average Daily Fee | Seat Types Available | Advance Reservation Required? |
|---|
| Enterprise | $13.99/day | Infant, Convertible, Booster | Yes |
| Hertz | $14.99/day | Infant, Convertible, Booster | Yes |
| Avis | $13.99/day | Convertible, Booster | Yes |
| Budget | $14.00/day | Convertible, Booster | Yes |
| National | $13.99/day | Infant, Convertible, Booster | Yes |
The most reliable and safest option is to bring your own car seat. Airlines generally check car seats for free, and using a seat you know how to install correctly provides peace of mind. If renting is your only option, call the specific rental location ahead of time to confirm their policies and inspect the seat thoroughly for damage and cleanliness before you leave the lot.
