Renting a Car with Kids: The Best Routes and Stops

Renting a car for your vacation is a good idea if you have children. After all, family life doesn’t follow a set schedule, and the same goes for your vacation transportation. Rent a car, and you won’t have to worry about long lines or being crammed together in an overcrowded bus. A rental car offers plenty of flexibility: from stopping to let the kids run around to urgent bathroom breaks or fun sights that pop up unexpectedly.

Traveling with kids means you have to pack a lot of extra stuff: snacks, diapers, toys, beach gear, and more. A rental car offers plenty of trunk space to comfortably bring everything along without having to lug around bags.

And what about the cost? Public transportation can get pretty expensive for a family. In that case, renting a car is often a cheaper option.

Rental Cars and Kids: What Should You Keep in Mind?

Safety is paramount when traveling with children, and that includes age-appropriate child seats. You don’t have to lug a child seat around yourself—you can easily order one as an option when booking your rental car. Whether you choose an infant car seat or a child safety seat, you’ll need to install it yourself, as car rental companies won’t accept responsibility for any consequences resulting from an improperly installed seat.

Strollers, travel cribs, toys—traveling with kids isn’t exactly a light load. So look for a rental car with a spacious trunk. You don’t want to start your vacation by figuring out how to fit everything in the trunk, especially when traveling with kids.

Best Family Routes for a Rental Car in Europe

So what are some fun routes to take when traveling with kids? That, of course, depends entirely on your children’s interests and ages. Toddlers and preschoolers enjoy things that older kids might turn their noses up at. And while one child might be hyperactive and want to play all day, another might be interested in dinosaurs, the Vikings, or the age of knights.

Every family is different, with one or more children of varying ages, each with their own ideas about what they like to do. In short: there’s no single “best” route, but we’ve included a few suggestions below.

The Portuguese Algarve: Much More Than Just the Sea and Beach

The Algarve in southern Portugal is known for its beautiful coastline, picturesque beaches, and warm climate. Renting a car there is very affordable, so be sure to reserve a rental car at Faro Airport.

Why Southern Portugal Is Perfect for Families:

The Algarve is a fantastic place for a relaxing family vacation. But there’s so much more to see and do than just lying on the beach or by the pool all day—especially for kids!

Best Things to Do in the Algarve:

• Zoomarine – An amusement park featuring an aquarium and dolphin shows, as well as a water park with various pools and slides. Many of the land-based attractions are primarily designed for young children.

• Kayaking – A perfect combination of sightseeing, adventure, and exercise, but above all, kayaking is a lot of fun. There’s often a minimum age requirement of 4 or 6 years.

• Sand City – Sand sculptures in all shapes and sizes, covering a wide variety of themes: from well-known landmarks and famous people to popular cartoon characters and animals.

• Sea Caves – A boat trip to one of the many sea caves along the Algarve coast is a true adventure. Many tours combine a visit to the caves with dolphin watching.

• Beaches – The beaches of the Algarve are incredibly diverse: from long, flat sandy beaches to secluded coves nestled among impressive rock formations. You can easily drive there in your rental car!

Please note: the coastal cliffs are breathtaking, but there are few safety railings. Keep a close eye on your children there and don’t get too close to the edges.

Read more tips for trips through the Algarve or choose an alternative route from Faro to Lisbon.

Fiestas and More in Andalusia, Spain

Andalusia is the heart and soul of Spain. This southernmost region of the country embodies Spanish culture and is home to the Alhambra in Granada, the Alcázar in Seville, and the Mezquita in Córdoba.

Why Andalusia is perfect for families:

Spain is a very child-friendly country. There’s often something fun to do or experience—from local fiestas to street performers. But above all, children are welcome everywhere: in every bar, restaurant, or café.

Best Stops for Kids:

Of course, you should visit the cultural highlights, some of which we mentioned above. Below, we’ve listed a few attractions that will especially appeal to kids.

• Picasso Museum – Pablo Picasso was born in Málaga, and his unique and eccentric approach to art is very accessible to children. The street art in the Soho neighborhood also captures the imagination.

• Parque de las Ciencias – A science museum in Granada featuring a planetarium, an observation tower, and a fantastic Biodome where you can spot some truly unique animals.

• Flamenco – Enjoy the dance and music that together make up flamenco. You can attend a performance, but there are also countless street performances by flamenco artists.

• Setas de Sevilla – A unique wooden structure with a walkway along the top. It’s especially fascinating in the evening, when it’s beautifully lit.

• Nerja – A charming seaside town with beautiful beaches and a fantastic viewpoint overlooking the Andalusian coast: Balcón de Europa. On the eastern side of the town lies an impressive cave system.

Tip: Book tickets for major attractions like the Alhambra and Seville Cathedral well in advance online, even during the off-season.

For more detailed information about traveling in Andalusia, check out our other blogs: The Ultimate Road Trip Through Andalusia by Rental Car, 10 Day Trips from Málaga, and The Perfect Road Trip Around Seville.

From Dublin to Dingle, Ireland

Rent a car in Ireland for a magical road trip from the capital, Dublin, to the Dingle Peninsula in the southwest. The best way to discover Ireland’s most beautiful spots is to hop in a rental car and see where it takes you.

Why Ireland is perfect for families:

Ireland offers endless variety to keep kids entertained: from castles to caves and from coastal walks to tales of mythical trolls. Between Dublin and Dingle, you can visit many highlights without spending too much time in the rental car between stops.

Best stops in southern Ireland:

• Dublin – Take a tour in an amphibious vehicle, step back in time at the Dublinia Viking Museum, admire bog mummies at the National Museum, and visit a pub with live music and dancing.

• Kilkenny – The city’s medieval alleyways are fascinating, as is the history of Kilkenny Castle, which features a playground for the little ones. The River Nore offers a variety of water activities.

• Rock of Cashel – Epic ruins and panoramic views. The grounds are very open, and children can wander around freely. They’ll never stray far, as the grounds are completely walled.

• Killarney National Park– This park is famous for its lakes, which are surrounded by Ireland’s highest mountains. You can go hiking, biking, boating, or take a horse-drawn carriage ride.

• Dingle Peninsula – The Slea Head Drive isn’t very long, but there’s plenty to see and discover along the way. For kids, the highlight is Fairy Fort, where they can feed the animals themselves.

Tip: Spending the night in a castle converted into a hotel is better than any Disney vacation. Many castle hotels in Ireland are surprisingly affordable.

For more ideas, check out our blog on the ultimate road trip through Ireland in a rental car.

Rugged and Mysterious Brittany, France

Every stop in Brittany reveals a new side of this region: elegant seaside resorts, peaceful villages full of charm, rugged coastlines, and places where history and nature come together.

Why Brittany is perfect for families:

Brittany is ideal for a family road trip: the distances aren’t too long, and you’ll pass through a wide variety of landscapes and sights. Rent a car in France and discover it for yourself!

Top stops:

• Côte de Granit Rose – This impressive pink granite coastline offers a little bit of everything: from building sandcastles to surfing, kayaking, biking, and hiking along trails suitable for all ages.

• Belle-Île-en-Mer – A small island off the southern coast of Brittany with beautiful beaches and picturesque villages. You can follow a lovely looped bike route there, which is also easy to ride with children.

• Mont Saint-Michel – This densely built-up islet off the coast is officially located in Normandy and is a wonderful place to let your imagination run wild.

• Lorient – A city of sailors featuring the interactive sailing museum Cité de la Voile. You can also visit a historic submarine and glide over the harbor via a zip line.

• Lighthouses – Brittany’s rugged coastline is home to 52 lighthouses; some stand in the middle of the stormy sea, others at the end of easy coastal trails, but all are picturesque.

Tip: If you want to spend part of your vacation on the beach, the southern coast of Brittany offers a better chance of nice weather than the northern coast.

Impressive Natural Wonders in Iceland

Rugged Iceland has a lot to offer, especially for families who love outdoor activities. Here you can see beautiful waterfalls and spectacular geysers, bathe in hot springs, ride Icelandic horses, and admire adorable animals like puffins.

Why Iceland is perfect for families:

With short distances between attractions, Iceland is one of the best family destinations for a road trip in a rental car. The Ring Road is almost entirely paved, making Iceland’s attractions easily accessible.

Iceland's Top Attractions:

• Reykjavik – A kid-friendly city with fun interactive museums, such as the Sagan Museum and the Whale Museum. A highlight (literally) is the observation deck in the modern Hallgrímskirkja.

• Waterfalls – Iceland has many picturesque waterfalls that you can reach by rental car. In most cases, access isn’t too difficult, making them easy to visit with children.

• Geysers – What could be more exciting for kids than making a pit stop at a geyser during a road trip and waiting for it to erupt?

• Whales – There are plenty of boat tours where you can spot whales and puffins in the summer. With your rental car, you can also drive to spots on your own to see puffins.

• Vik’s Black Sand Beach – One of the most picturesque and impressive beaches you’ll ever see, just a short drive from Reykjavik.

Tip: Reserve a rental car at Keflavik Airport so you can start your trip right away. A taxi from the airport to the capital, Reykjavik, is extremely expensive.

Read more about driving a rental car in Iceland.

Exploring Charming Tuscany

Known for its rolling hills, historic towns, and wine, you might not immediately think of Tuscany as a vacation destination for the whole family. Rent a car in Italy and discover that this region has plenty to see and do for children of all ages.

Why Tuscany is perfect for families:

In Tuscany, fun for kids and more adult interests go hand in hand. You can play on the beach, see farm animals, go biking, visit attractions for young and old, and enjoy delicious meals paired with wine. And let’s not forget: authentic Italian gelato!

Top Picks in Tuscany:

• Florence – Do you think art galleries and architecture aren’t for kids? Keep in mind that many museums offer special family tours, including a quiz or puzzle to solve. The interactive museum dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions is also fantastic.

• Agriturismo – Visit one of the many farms that specialize in agriturismo. Children learn about rural life there and can often feed animals or play games.

• Pisa – The Leaning Tower captures everyone’s imagination, including children’s. You can climb the 12th-century tower, but only with children over the age of 8.

• Etruscan Coast – Perfect for combining beach fun with sightseeing. In addition to beautiful beaches, there are archaeological sites and countless small towns to explore.

• Cooking Class – Most kids love pasta, and making it fresh from scratch is, of course, absolutely amazing.

Tip: Consider choosing a base for day trips by rental car, such as Lucca. That way, you’ll return to the same accommodation and won’t have to pack and unpack your bags every day.

You can find more tips for traveling in Tuscany in our blog post “7 Day Trips by Rental Car Around Pisa.” If you’re driving a rental car in Italy, be sure to watch out for the ZTL zones in historic city centers.

From Edinburgh to the Scottish Highlands

Rent a car in Scotland—it’s nothing short of cinematic: rugged landscapes, intriguing castles, mysterious lakes, roaring waterfalls, and fairy-tale forests with moss-covered trees.

Why Scotland is perfect for families:

Scotland offers an excellent mix of education and excitement for children, with castles, legends, outdoor adventures, and engaging activities like spotting Scottish Highland cattle and boating on Loch Ness.

Top stops:

• Edinburgh – Visit the Camera Obscura, or the world of illusions, and climb Arthur’s Seat for a fantastic view. Fans of J.K. Rowling’s books should take the Harry Potter Tour!

• Stirling – The Wallace Monument is dedicated to the Scottish hero William Wallace (“Braveheart”). Stirling Castle features an interactive children’s center and actors portraying historical figures.

• Loch Lomond – Take a scenic boat ride across this lake or discover the surprises along the Faerie Trail.

• Glencoe – The Glencoe Mountain Resort offers a variety of activities year-round: skiing, snowboarding, and sledding in the winter; tubing, scavenger hunts, and mountain bike trails in the summer.

• Loch Ness – Tell your children the legend of the Loch Ness Monster and go on a boat tour to search for Nessie. Explore the ruins of Urquhart Castle, located right on the lake.

Tip: Many castles aren’t just historical landmarks—kids can sometimes dress up as knights or damsels themselves.

You can read detailed travel guides in our blogs: “Road Trip Through the Scottish Highlands ” and “Best Attractions Around Edinburgh.”

Even more tips for traveling with kids in a rental car

Virtually no child can sit still for very long. So don’t plan trips that are too long. A good rule of thumb is to drive no more than three hours a day, with at least a full day (or more) at each destination.

A must for virtually all children: water to splash in, swim in, dive into, or just float around in. After soaking up some culture or nature, there’s nothing better than cooling off at a clear lake or the hotel pool. Keep that in mind when planning your trip.

As mentioned, a rental car offers complete flexibility, but be flexible yourself and don’t pack your entire vacation full of places to visit. Leave room for spontaneous stops and adventures. Those often make for the best memories!

You can find ideas for games to play on the road and other tips in our blog post “Stress-Free Car Rentals with Kids.”

Book Early

Many families are tied to school vacation schedules. Although these aren’t the same everywhere in Europe, there is significant overlap. Naturally, demand for accommodations and rental cars is high during these vacations. We therefore recommend booking a rental car well in advance. There will still be plenty of options available, and you’ll be able to rent a car that perfectly suits your family size and travel plans.

Travel worry-free with children in a rental car

For a completely worry-free vacation, choose a rental car with our Worry-Free label. This is our all-inclusive car rental solution, which includes:

• Full damage coverage

• Unlimited mileage

• A favorable fuel policy

• Reliable rental companies with good reviews

• No high deposit