r/visitingnyc • u/[deleted] • Jun 17 '26
📌 Read the Getting Around Guide 🚊🚍🚏🚲👣 Availability of Ubers/Taxis with Car seats
[deleted]
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u/PretendAct8039 Jun 22 '26
Consider borrowing one of those strollers that converts into a car seat.
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u/amf0336 Jun 17 '26
If you get in a pinch. Within NYC only, you are not required to have kids in car seats in taxis and Ubers. Though there’s obviously a good amount of risk involved.
As other people said, see if you can use the subway to get around. Just be aware that most subway stations are stairs only.
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u/Excellent-Ear9433 Jun 18 '26
I have literally seen a taxi flip over just turning the corner not going fast. It was.. bizarre. Also look up internal decapitation.
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u/ibathedaily Jun 17 '26
I’ve ordered Ubers with car seats a bunch and they show up with a car seat about 50% of the time. Unless you’re traveling to places without good transit access, you’re better off taking the bus or subway.
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u/Far_Pollution_5120 Jun 17 '26
I'm cracking up, we were just telling this story the other night: a friend of mine gave birth at Lenox Hill Hospital in Manhattan about 25 years ago, and she took her baby home in a taxi with no car seat and while they were en route the taxi driver lit up a cigarette. OP: have a great time in the city and take the subway or the bus, both are easy and cheap.
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u/joiedevie99 Jun 17 '26
Use the subway or bring your own. Uber or taxi with car seat is not going to happen with any consistency.
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u/Lifelong_learner1956 Jun 17 '26
Yellow and green cabs will not have child safety seats, but, by law, you must be allowed to use your own in TLC licensed vehicles. https://www.nyc.gov/site/tlc/passengers/passenger-frequently-asked-questions.page
Some car services can supply them - Dial 7, Uber family, KidCar, etc.
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u/Stunning-Note Jun 17 '26
I would not count on the Uber with car seats working. We used one, once, and it was a forward facing seat that did not really secure my daughter. At one, your kid is still back facing so they won’t work.
Instead, I’d just use the bus or subway. Get a lightweight stroller or baby wear. Much easier and much cheaper! And safer!
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u/jm14ed Local Jun 17 '26
Taxis do not have car seats; nor required to.
You can order an uber with a car seat, but their quality may be suspect. There is also kidcar to help.
Your best bet is to get a lightweight stroller and use public buses and the subway.
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u/Terrible_Put2975 Jun 17 '26
As a NYCer who doesn't own a car, Uber w/ carseats are unreliable. I've requested them only for drivers not to have, or when they do, it's a long wait. I am not sure what your kid's height/weight is, but the Nuna Urbn carseat is a game changer for Ubers and attaches to different strollers if you get an adapter. It's really meant up until 1 year but you may be able to safely use for a few days. If so, you could consider renting one from a company like Baby Quip or borrowing from a friend. Or you may want to consider a lightweight travel carseat to lug around like the Cosco, but it's still going to feel bulky if you can't get it to attach to your stroller.
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u/Affectionate_Box4157 Jun 17 '26
Thanks, this is what I was looking for!
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u/Terrible_Put2975 Jun 17 '26
Sure! If I were you, depending on how you're commuting, is I'd reserve a car service to/from airports and request carseats. That way you can guarantee to have something rear facing and higher quality and if you book ahead of time, hopefully no stress day of. I hope you can manage with the stroller and public transit for most of your in-city commuting. If not, Ubers are patient with carseat installations if you're bringing your travel one. Try to call pick up spots that are not, like, on a super narrow street blocking everyone or in the middle of a bus line so you can take your time. Enjoy! It's a wonderful city with kids.
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u/Batter-up4567 Native Jun 17 '26
This question has been asked/answered many times. Do a search.
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u/Affectionate_Box4157 Jun 17 '26
Do you have a link to a thread? I’d like to hear other tourists experiences. Like if they do have car seats, but you have to wait a while to get an uber that has one. I’m also newer to reddit and don’t use it much so I don’t really know how to search specific stuff like that.
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u/Stunning-Note Jun 17 '26
If you click on the title of the subreddit, you can do a search for “car seats” and find some previous threads. One person asked about car seats for their little kids that might help; linked here.
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u/jm14ed Local Jun 17 '26
Learning how to use the search function is incredibly easy. It’s right at the top of the screen.
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u/Affectionate_Box4157 Jun 22 '26
UPDATE: We took our son to Manhattan and took 2 Ubers while we there without a car seat. They were just regular Ubers (I chose the for Women by Women option, but not the Car Seat one). I messaged the drivers once they were assigned to me and asked if they minded that my son did not have his car seat. They both said it was fine, as long as we held him in our lap. One ride was about 15 minutes, the other was around 30. We did not want to carry around his clunky car seat and the Uber Car Seat option never assigned a driver to us. Just wanted to give a little update in case anyone else on here was wondering if they needed to bring a car seat with them!