Vacation with the kids should be fun for all of you. If you want to travel in a car, you have to ensure it’s safe, entertaining, and comfortable for them.
Renting a car for your family trip with kids can be a great experience for you. It’s the same as travelling in your own car, but without worrying about its maintenance and having the option to choose an ideal car for the trip.
Thousands of Indian families now prefer rental cars for holidays, road trips, and weekend getaways for this very reason. Let’s look at the 10 benefits of renting a car for kids travel.
In this blog, we will cover:
10 reasons why renting a car is suitable for a family trip with kids
1. Choose a car that suits your family’s needs
2. Flexibility to make stops and detours
3. Safety & reliability of your chosen car
4. Personalize the riding experience for your kids
5. Enjoy your trip without worrying about car maintenance
6. Dedicated 24×7 support
7. Just relax and enjoy your ride
8. More quality time with the kids
9. Professional, safe, & courteous drivers
10. Ideal for elderly family members
Are rental cars safe for travelling with kids?
Which rental car and type is suitable for travelling with kids?
10 reasons why renting a car is suitable for a family trip with kids
A family vacation with the kids is exciting and allows you to spend quality time with them while having fun. You want safe and comfortable transport to get to your destinations.
In recent years, many families have turned to car rentals as a mode of travel. Renting a car for family vacations has also become more accessible, convenient, and safe for kids. Here are the ten benefits of renting a car for kid-friendly trips.
For self-driven family car rentals
1. Choose a car that suits your family’s needs
You have options from compact hatchbacks ideal for navigating bustling city streets to spacious SUVs and minivans designed for comfort on long journeys.
You can also consider other factors such as fuel efficiency for longer distances and the type of terrain you will be encountering. For instance, AWD or FWD, manual or automatic transmission, high or low displacement engines, etc.
Don’t forget to consider the safety features for your kids, like the ISOFIX mounts for children smaller than 4 years. You also need to think about other factors like your budget and destination.
2. Flexibility to make stops and detours
You have the liberty to set your pace, decide when and where to stop, and spontaneously change your route based on your family’s interests and energy levels. This flexibility is particularly needed when traveling with children, whose needs and moods can be unpredictable.
Moreover, you can venture off the beaten path, discover quaint villages, scenic viewpoints, and cultural treasures that are not typically included in standard tourist itineraries. This impromptu detour can be exciting for you and the kids.
3. Safety & reliability of your chosen car
Modern rental cars for kids travel in India are increasingly equipped with essential safety features designed to protect you and your loved ones during your journey. Moreover, reputable car rental companies in India prioritize the maintenance and inspection of their fleet to ensure a smooth and safe travel experience.
Regular servicing, pre-rental checks, and adherence to manufacturer guidelines are common practices among established rental agencies.
4. Personalize the riding experience for your kids
You can customize the riding experience to keep your kids entertained and comfortable throughout the journey. The rental cars for kids travel becomes your own for the journey, and you can personalize the space with familiar items that can make the rental car feel more like home for your kids.
5. Enjoy your trip without worrying about car maintenance
The responsibility for the upkeep and potential repairs of a rental car lies with the rental company when renting a car for kids travel. You don’t have to worry about scheduling a service before your trip, checking fluid levels, or addressing any minor mechanical concerns.
6. Dedicated 24×7 support
A round-the-clock support availability provides significant comfort when you know that assistance is just a phone call away, no matter the time of day or night. This support often extends to providing crucial assistance in case of vehicle breakdowns or other emergencies.
Many rental companies offer 24/7 roadside assistance to help with issues like flat tires, engine trouble, or accidents.
For chauffeur-driven family car rentals
7. Just relax and enjoy your ride
The chauffeur takes the responsibility of planning the route, skillfully maneuvering through traffic, and ensuring timely arrival at the destination. This means you can begin your vacation with the kids the moment you step into the car, in a state of relaxation and anticipation.
You can even enjoy some amenities like onboard Wi-Fi and an entertainment display. You can talk to your kids, enjoy the scenery, take naps, enjoy the food, play some board games, etc. and have fun in the backseat.
8. More quality time with the kids
This type of vehicle rental service gives you the freedom to be present and engage with your children throughout the journey. You start spontaneous conversations, share laughter, and create memories together.
This gives you a great opportunity to spend time together and strengthen family bonds. Moreover, the chauffeurs are flexible enough, and you can also request stops for the kids’ unpredictable needs for bathroom breaks, snacks, or changes in activity.
9. Professional, safe, & courteous drivers
A professional and warm driver ensures a reliable travel experience for you. They are punctual, plan efficient routes, and are prepared to handle unexpected situations.
These trained drivers also drive at safe speeds and avoid risky maneuvers. Many even help you with the luggage, assist you in finding a hotel, and handle other requirements.
10. Ideal for elderly family members
Your elderly family members can avoid the physical strain associated with getting in and out of buses or trains and can travel in a vehicle with comfortable seating and ample space
The elders can even spend quality time with the kids and others and experience new places without undue physical strain. Some cars even have comfortable and adjustable seats for people who have a medical problem.
You also get to take care of the elders who want to enjoy the vacation but need some dedicated care for their ailments.
Are rental cars safe for travelling with kids?
Well, it depends on the vehicle rental service, the car type, and the safety features specific to the kids. Indian regulations regarding child passenger safety are present and are becoming increasingly stringent.
It’s your responsibility, though, to choose a car that has seat belts, core safety features, and a Child Restraint System (CRS). CRS is a safety device to protect children in vehicles by securely restraining them in their seats.
In some states, like Kerala, many vehicles are often penalized for not having these systems, according to the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act, 2019.
Modern rental cars for family travel are generally equipped with standard safety features like airbags, Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), etc. But these features are not enough for kids, as different age groups require different kinds of CRS.
For instance, for kids up to 4 years, you should specifically check with the rental company regarding the availability of ISOFIX anchor points. You can also purchase a separate Child Safety Seat for your baby.
Overall, you should be well-informed about the child safety features in a car and alternative ways to ensure safety for your kid. And, you must rent a car for a family trip with kids that has the CRS and other key safety features.
Which rental car and type is suitable for travelling with kids?
You have to consider several things, like the size of your family, the amount of luggage, and your preference for driving yourself or hiring a chauffeur while taking your kids away for a trip.
For instance, SUVs are a popular choice for families due to their spacious interiors, safety features, ample luggage capacity, and comfortable seating. Multi-Purpose Vehicles (MPVs) or Vans are suitable for large families.
Sedans work well for smaller families (up to 4 members). Whatever rental cars for family travel you choose, always ensure they have child safety features like ISOFIX mounts and other key ones.
Conclusion
There are many benefits to renting a car for kid-friendly trips. It can be the best option for you if you don’t have a car or don’t want to use your car for the vacation.
Renting a car for family vacations with kids is about creating a smoother, safer, and more joyful experience. Choose a rental car that has enough space, keeps your kids safe, and meets the needs of your family.
Want to see some family car rental options for you? Check out our rental website or just have a chat with our rental team.
Droom is an automobile e-commerce platform offering a 21st-century automotive buying experience online with its four value pillars including trust, selection, low price, and convenience second to none. It offers 250k+ vehicles online in 1,100 cities — both used and new. Droom deals in buying and selling cars, 2-wheelers, and other vehicles too. It is an AI and data science-driven platform designed with the best ecosystem tools. Here, we have a team of auto-experts and auto enthusiasts who are dedicated to covering every sphere of the auto industry by simplifying the procedure of buying and selling with Unified Droom Experience. To know more, click here.