I'm due over next week and have just realised the extortionate amount of money my car hire firm are charging for booster seats (type for kids 6+)

Does anyone know where i can buy them locally and approx how much ??

You can buy them in Continente for under €10 each. I am sure other supermarkets must also have them.

We are out next week and have decided to do this too. A couple of years ago we got one from Intermarche but think we paid a bit more than that but still worked out a lot chepaer than getting one through the rental company. Where is Continent?

Sorry just re-read it, forgot the 'e', I meant Continente.

Not sure of the age of your kids, but Toby (who is a small 6 year old) has a very lightweight booster seat which fits into my hand luggage (providing we fly easyjet). This means that I don't have to drive anywhere without the seat from the airport.
I would be devastated if something happened to him on the way from the airport to the supermarket which would not have happened had I been using the correct seat.

Mmmm, we had thought about taking ours with us but need to take 2, and the ones we have got are bulky. Maybe I might have a look before we go to see if we could get hold of some lighter ones. I suppose they could be put in a separate bag and travel with our suitcases.

The year before last we had the same problem so we bought cheap booster seats in the UK and put them in the hold, as 4 of us travelling and only 3 suitcases, which worked fine. When we got there, in the Intermarche booster seats were only about £5 so we could of got them over there, but you do have the problem of getting to Supermarket without seats.

This year we booked with Algarve driver and booster seats are free with them so this solved this problem, but again saw plenty of cheap booster seats there if you did want to wait till you get there.

Our son and his young family came out with us in April. They have a baby and a 3 yr old. We just took their own seats with us. Once you have checked in your hold luggage you can also check in your car sats, it doesn't cost anything and you know you have them when you arrive.

Yes, check with the airline, I have flown with car seats, booster seats, travel cots etc. all for free, although I am aware they don't all do this now. Continente is at Guia - Algarve Shopping. The Intermarche probably will also have some. Its often hit and miss as to what the range and prices will be but they shouldn't be extortionate.

Thanks all for your help on this one, much appreciated.

I'm just wondering where the nearest supermarket to the airport is, any ideas ??

The nearest one would be Jumbo which is in Faro by the Forum shopping centre.

Algarve driver car hire offers free booster seats, or as mentioned above the local supermarket sells them for 8 euros each.

I still think you are crazy considering driving in a foreign country (or any country really) without a safety seat. Is the cost of hire really so bad? Or perhaps I am being over cautious - I know what I would do. I know how many accidents I see within 5 miles of the airport.

Fmm - I'm simply weighing up the options. The car hire firm are charging 168 euros for booster seats for two children who are over 8 years old. One alternative is to buy them at a local supermarket, potentially within 5 minutes of the airport for considerably less.
I wouldn't take chances with my childrens safety, that is not an option !

Booster seats, child seats and infant carriers are provided at no extra cost when booking with http://www.algarvedriver.com;

Infant Carrier with integral harness
From birth to 9 months (approx)
(weight up to 10 kg.)
http://www.algarvedriver.com/infantcarrier.html


Forward facing child seat with integral harness
From 9 months to 4 years (approx)
(weight 9 to 18 kg.)
http://www.algarvedriver.com/childseat.html

Booster cushion
From 4 to 11 years (approx)
(weight 15 kg. and over).
http://www.algarvedriver.com/booster.html