Do You Need Child Car Seats for Taxis in Austria?
Updated: Aug 25
Austria is a wonderful country for families—whether you’re exploring Vienna’s imperial charm, hiking in the Alps, or skiing in Tyrol. But when it comes to getting around by taxi with kids, many parents wonder: Are child car seats required in taxis in Austria?
Here’s what you should know to travel safely and comfortably with children in Austria.
Austrian Law on Car Seats
According to Austrian traffic regulations, children under 14 years old and shorter than 1.35 meters must use a child restraint system that meets EU safety standards. This applies to private vehicles and, in principle, also to taxis.
However, there is a legal exemption for taxis. If a child seat is not available in a licensed taxi, the child may travel in the back seat with a seatbelt. While this makes things more flexible for locals, it’s not ideal for tourists traveling with babies or toddlers, especially during long rides or airport transfers.
Do Taxis in Austria Provide Car Seats?
In most Austrian cities—including Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Graz—taxis do not come with car seats unless requested in advance. Even airport taxis or hotel pickups rarely have infant or toddler seats unless specially booked.
You might find booster seats upon request, but for babies and younger children, pre-booking a car seat is essential if safety is a priority.
A Safer Option: Book a Taxi With Child Car Seats
To ensure your child’s safety and peace of mind during your trip, the best option is to pre-book a taxi with a car seat that suits your child’s age and size.
At Taxibambino.com, we help families book taxis with child car seats across Austria, including:
Vienna
Salzburg
Innsbruck
Graz
You can choose from:
Rear-facing infant seats
Forward-facing toddler seats
Booster seats for older children
Our drivers are vetted, and car seats are installed properly before pickup—so you can start your journey safely from the first kilometer.
What About Renting a Car in Austria?
If you’re planning to visit Austria’s mountains or villages, renting a car may be a good option. Most car rental agencies offer child seats, but they must be reserved in advance, and you’ll likely need to install them yourself.
For airport transfers, city trips, or hotel pickups, a pre-arranged taxi with a car seat is often more convenient and hassle-free.
Family Travel Tips for Austria
Book your taxi with a car seat in advance, especially during ski season and holidays
Provide your child’s height and weight to get the correct seat type
Ask for air conditioning or winter tires, depending on the season
Avoid relying on taxis hailed on the street if your child needs a seat—they rarely have one
FAQ: Child Car Seats and Taxis in Austria
Is a child car seat required in an Austrian taxi?
Yes in principle, but there's a legal exemption if a seat isn't available in a licensed taxi - we always fit an appropriate seat as standard regardless.
Do Uber or Bolt guarantee a child seat in Vienna?
No - both operate in Vienna, but neither guarantees a child seat in the vehicle that arrives.
Which Austrian cities does TaxiBambino cover?
Vienna, Salzburg, Innsbruck, and Graz.
How much does a taxi from Vienna Airport cost?
Typically EUR 36-45 to the city center, a 20-30 minute ride.
Do rental car companies in Austria provide child seats?
Most do, but you should request one at booking and confirm it meets the under-14/1.35m requirement.
Family-Friendly Travel Made Easy
Austria is rich in culture, nature, and activities for all ages. But when it comes to your child’s safety on the road, don’t take shortcuts.
Visit Taxibambino.com to pre-book taxis with child car seats in Austria, and enjoy a safe and stress-free family journey—whether you're heading to a palace, a ski lodge, or a mountain trail.
Source: Bundesministerium fuer Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Energie, Mobilitaet, Innovation und Technologie (BMK) (official Austrian transport ministry).
Uber and Bolt both operate in Vienna, but neither guarantees a child seat in the vehicle that arrives.
For reference: a rear-facing infant carrier suits babies up to around 13 kg, a forward-facing seat covers roughly 9 to 18 kg, and a booster applies up to the Austrian threshold of 135 cm. All seats are certified to ECE R44/04 or the newer i-Size (R129) standard.
Where the vehicle has ISOFIX anchor points, our drivers use them rather than a belt-only install - a firmer, more consistent fit on Austria's alpine mountain roads than a lap-belt install alone. Traveling with more than one child matters too: standard Austrian taxis are mostly compact sedans, and fitting two or three bulky seats across one back row is often physically impossible - say how many children and their ages when you book.
Price reference: a taxi from Vienna International Airport to the city center typically costs EUR 36-45 (20-30 minutes).
What our own booking data shows: across 104 bookings made through TaxiBambino across 4 destinations in Austria in the twelve months to August 2026, the middle half of families paid roughly €69–€99, with a median near €76. Party size is the part most families underestimate: 26% of those bookings were for four or more passengers and 12% for five or more — the point at which a standard sedan stops working once car seats, a stroller and luggage are added.
December was the busiest travel month, and families booked around five days ahead on average. Prices move with demand, season and the specific route, so treat these as historical ranges rather than a quote; vehicles are supplied by TaxiBambino and our partner network.
Travelling as a larger family? See our fleet before you book.
Last updated: August 2026. Reviewed by Lija Scheiman, CEO, TaxiBambino Content Audit Team.