A rented SUV with leather seats is not the same thing as a car that is actually safe for your toddler — here is what to ask for, and why it matters more in Lagos than in most cities.

Families flying into Lagos, whether relocating, visiting relatives or on holiday, often assume that any decent rental car will be fine for young children. In practice, Lagos traffic — sudden braking, potholes, and long stretches of stop-start driving — makes a properly fitted car seat more important here than on a quiet suburban commute elsewhere. ToTrip Car Rental Services fits child seats on request across its fleet, but knowing what to ask for in advance makes the difference between a smooth pickup and a stressful one at the airport with a tired child in tow.

1. Request The Seat When You Book, Not On Arrival

Child seats are not something a rental company keeps in unlimited supply at the airport counter. Requesting one at the time of booking — and specifying your child's age and approximate weight — lets us have the right seat installed and waiting in the vehicle before you land, rather than trying to source and fit one while you and a jet-lagged toddler wait in the arrivals hall.

2. Match The Seat To The Child, Not Just The Car

Infant carriers, convertible seats and backless boosters all suit different ages and weights, and using the wrong category is a common mistake even among careful parents. As a rough guide: infant carriers suit newborns to around 13kg, convertible seats cover toddlers through early primary-school age, and backless boosters work for older children who have outgrown a full seat but are still too small for an adult belt to fit properly across the shoulder and hip.

🚗 Quick Age & Seat Guide

0–1 yearsRear-facing infant carrier
1–4 yearsForward-facing convertible seat
4–8 yearsBooster seat

3. Choose A Vehicle With Proper Anchor Points

Not every car in a general rental fleet is set up for a secure child-seat install. ToTrip's family-friendly vehicles — including the Toyota Sienna and mid-size SUVs — have ISOFIX anchor points and enough rear-seat width to fit a seat correctly without compromising a second passenger's belt path. If you are travelling with more than one child, it's worth mentioning this at booking so we can recommend a vehicle with the row space to fit two seats side by side.

4. Ask The Driver To Show You The Install

A loose or incorrectly angled car seat is one of the most common safety gaps we see, and it is easy to miss if you are unfamiliar with the specific seat model. Before you set off, ask your chauffeur to walk you through the install — the anchor points used, the recline angle, and how snug the harness sits. A good driver will do this without being asked, but it never hurts to confirm.

"Parents shouldn't have to choose between arriving quickly and arriving with the seat properly fitted. We build in the extra five minutes."

— ToTrip Car Rental Services, Family Travel Desk

5. Plan For Rest Stops On Longer Trips

If your Lagos itinerary includes a longer drive — a trip out to Badagry or an interstate journey — young children generally need a break every 90 minutes to two hours. Building this into the schedule up front, rather than treating stops as a delay, keeps the whole trip more pleasant for everyone in the car, including the driver.

Travelling with children in Lagos? Let us know their ages when you book and we'll have the right seats ready.

Book A Family-Friendly Ride

6. Keep Snacks, Water And Entertainment Within Reach

Lagos traffic can turn a 20-minute drive into an hour without warning. Packing a small bag with water, a snack and something to keep a child occupied is a simple habit that makes delays far more manageable, and it's one our chauffeurs are used to accommodating with an extra stop if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to bring my own car seat?

No — ToTrip Car Rental Services can provide an appropriate seat if you tell us your child's age and weight when booking. You're welcome to bring your own if you prefer a seat you're already familiar with.

Is there an extra charge for a child seat?

A small fee may apply depending on the seat type and rental length; our team will confirm this at the time of booking so there are no surprises at pickup.

None of this needs to be complicated. A quick note at booking about your children's ages, and a driver who takes the extra few minutes to fit the seat properly, is really all it takes to make family travel around Lagos both safe and comfortable.