posted on November 12, 2026
You’ve landed at the airport after a delayed flight with more suitcases and bags of snacks than you can handle. All that’s left to do is pick up your rental car, right?
Booking through a traditional car rental company means joining the line at the counter when you arrive. And once you make it to the front, you’ll have to cross your fingers that the car you want is not sold out. Otherwise, you’ll be squeezing the troops into a compact car for the entire vacation.
That’s why more families are switching to Turo to skip the rental counter experience, ensure the exact car you book is the one you’ll drive, and enjoy the convenience of extras like child seats, booster seats, and strollers. Learn how renting a car on Turo works, why families are making the switch, and how to plan ahead for your next family road trip.
In this guide, we’ll be covering:
- What is Turo?
- Why Turo is a great fit for families
- Turo vs. a traditional rental car: Why make the switch to Turo?
- 6 reasons why families are switching to Turo
- Frequently asked questions
What is Turo?
Turo is a car rental marketplace where you can book directly from trusted local car owners in the US, Canada, Australia, France and the UK. Turo does not own any vehicles — Turo hosts rent out their own cars and set their own prices, discounts, vehicle availability, and delivery options.
Unlike a traditional car rental company, the specific car you book is the car you’ll drive (rather than selecting a generic vehicle “class” from a car rental fleet). Plus, you can skip the car rental counter and pick up your car almost anywhere, such as airports, train stations, hotels, and custom delivery locations.
The booking process happens online via the Turo app or website. Enter where and when you need a car, filter to find the best one for your trip, and read reviews from previous renters. Trips can run from a few days to multiple weeks or months, and you can choose from over 1,600+ unique car makes and models.
Why Turo is a great fit for families
Turo solves some of the most painful logistical headaches of traveling with kids. Eliminating long rental counter lines, guaranteeing the exact vehicle model you need, and providing custom delivery directly to you are just a few perks of renting on Turo. As a parent, knowing the car you’ve booked will fit all your kids, luggage, and even come pre-fitted with child seats makes getting on the road a whole lot smoother.
Because let’s be honest, family travel runs on certainty. Nobody wants to wait in a long line with tired kids, or find out at the rental desk that your “minivan or similar” has no room for the stroller. And when plans shift, you need a rental that can keep up. With Turo, you get more certainty, less guesswork and a whole lot less hassle. Here’s what families love most:
- You know the exact car before you book
- You can skip the traditional car rental counter line
- You get more family-sized vehicle options to choose from
- You can find a car with the exact seats, cargo space, and extras you need
Turo vs. a traditional rental car: Why make the switch to Turo?
For families, the biggest differences come down to certainty, space, and convenience. Turo means parents can rent a specific vehicle that matches their exact luggage and seating needs, with no last-minute swaps or surprises at the counter.
| What matters to families | Traditional car rental | Turo |
|---|---|---|
| What you book | A vehicle class (“or similar”) | A specific car you choose, right down to the car make and model |
| What you’ll drive | Unknown until you arrive at the counter | The exact car pictured in the listing; you can confirm its features and book convenient extras at checkout |
| Pickup | Rental counter, often a line | Search by your preferred pickup address to find cars available for delivery to you |
| Space for kids and bags | Depends on what’s available at pickup | Check cargo space and seating before you book |
| Car seats and extras | Only available on request | A common extra you can add to your trip when you book for peace of mind |
| Vehicle variety | Limited to the rental company’s fleet | Over 1,600 makes and models to choose from, including minivans, SUVs, EVs, and unique vehicles suited to families |
6 reasons why families are switching to Turo
1. The car you book is the car you drive
On Turo, you search by individual car listings, not by comparing prices across vehicle classes. Each vehicle listing shows the exact features of the car: its fuel type, transmission, safety features, and even perks you can add on (from child seats or returning the EV without fully recharging). This is one of the biggest draws for families, as there are no “similar” vehicle swaps or last-minute changes when you go to collect the car; you’re guaranteed to drive the exact car you book.
Knowing the exact car pictured is the car you’ll drive is a big deal when traveling with kids. With a traditional rental, you usually book a category, like “minivan or similar” or “full-size SUV or similar.” You only find out what you’ll be driving once you reach the counter. And by then, it’s a bit late to discover the third row is tight, or the trunk won’t fit the stroller and three suitcases.
Turo flips that. Say you’re a family of five. You might go for a Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey for sliding doors and easy third-row access. Or a Kia Telluride or Toyota Highlander if you’d rather have a three-row SUV. Heading out with a lot of gear? A Chevrolet Suburban has serious cargo room.
Before you book, you can check:
- Cargo space: Will the suitcases, stroller, and cooler all fit?
- Seating layout: How many seats are there, and how easy is it to get into the back row?
- Features: Think rear-seat entertainment, USB ports, or power sliding doors.
2. Skip the rental counter line
After a long day of travel, the last place you want to be is in a car rental counter line. With Turo, many vehicles can be delivered to you, whether that’s your hotel, the airport, a train station, or even your home. A streamlined airport pickup experience means your car is ready and waiting in the terminal parking lot, with no trip to the rental desk required.
Picture the alternative: it’s late, your flight was delayed, and the kids are running on fumes. You finally get to the rental counter, and the line is out the door.
Now picture this instead: you land, check your phone, and walk straight to a car you already selected. There’s no rental counter to navigate; simply collect your car and get on the road sooner.
With Turo, car rental delivery and pickup works in a few different ways:
- Delivery to you: Vehicle owners can deliver the car to the airport or another location you agree on, like your hotel or rental property.
- Designated airport pickup areas: Some airports have set spots where you can collect your car without going near a rental desk.
- Contactless pickup: Many listings offer remote unlocking through the app, so you can find the car, unlock it from your phone, and go. Otherwise, you’ll exchange keys in person or access them via a lockbox.
3. Easier access to family-sized vehicles
When summer break or the holidays come around, family-sized vehicles are the first to be snapped up at traditional rental counters. But Turo doesn’t have a typical fleet. Instead, car owners list their vehicles on the platform, creating a pool of larger vehicles to pick from.
When school breaks, everyone wants to hit the road in a minivan or three-row SUV. While traditional rental fleets often can’t keep up with demand, plenty of family-friendly cars are ready to rent on Turo. In fact, you can filter by exactly how many seats you need (including 8+ seater cars). You can even browse cars curated for family road trips, selected to balance space and comfort.
Here’s the kind of variety you can expect when booking on Turo:
- Minivans: Sliding doors, easy third-row access, and lots of room for the whole family. Browse minivans to compare models.
- Three-row SUVs and large crossovers: A good fit for bigger groups, plus extra room for bags and gear.
- Passenger vans: Traveling with grandparents, cousins, or two families at once? A passenger van gives your whole group room to spread out, with space left for the luggage.
- EVs: Electric cars are a smart pick for families who want to save on gas, especially on longer drives.
- Unique vehicles: Some listings are cars you won’t typically find at a rental counter, which can make the trip a bit more fun for the kids. Think: convertibles, sports cars, and even luxe SUVs for an unforgettable family drive.
4. Car seats, extras, and family-friendly add-ons
Flying to a new city for a family vacation? There’s no need to haul baby seats, beach gear, and strollers with you. When booking on Turo, you’ll be able to find vehicles that offer extras that make traveling with kids a lot easier. Think of it as a few less things to drag through the airport.
Every listing is different, so read the details before you book. Depending on the car, you might find:
- Child car seats and booster seats: Some listings include child seats for little ones, while others offer boosters for older kids.
- Strollers: Helpful for airports, theme parks, and long days out.
- Beach gear: Beach wagons, umbrellas, and chairs for a day by the water.
- Camping gear: Useful if your trip involves a night under the stars.
- Roof racks: Extra room for bags and gear when the trunk fills up.
The best move is to book early. Extras are added at booking, so reserving ahead ensures they’re confirmed for your dates. Once you’ve booked, you can message the car owner right away to check the details. Confirm that the seat suits your child’s age and size, and ask about anything you’d like to add.
5. Flexible pickup, trip lengths, and plans that change
Plans change, and your family vacation should flex with you. A weekend escape might turn into a week, or the grandparents decide to tag along last minute. With Turo, you can easily request to extend your booking and find the pickup method that suits your trip best.
It starts with pickup. Depending on the listing, you can select:
- In-person handoff: Meet the car owner, get the keys, and ask any questions face to face.
- Remote unlocking: Unlock the car from your phone and go, with no one needing to be there.
- Delivery to a custom location: Your hotel, your home, or the airport, whichever suits your day.
Trip length is flexible too. Bookings can run from a single day to several weeks, so it works for a quick weekend escape or a long summer road trip. If you’d like to spend an extra day or week in your destination, you can request a trip extension through the app. Longer bookings can also come with discounts, so it’s worth checking the listing if you’re planning to stay for a while.
Keep reading: Discover whether airport pickup or hotel delivery is right for your trip.
6. Try before you buy: an extended test drive
Thinking about buying a minivan or an SUV? Renting the exact model for a longer trip is a low-pressure way to see if it works for your whole family.
A quick test drive around the block won’t tell you much. A week on the road will. You can see how the car handles a long drive, how easy it is to get the car seats in, and whether the trunk copes with a full set of luggage or golf clubs. Try it on the school run too, so you know what daily life with it feels like.
By the end of the trip, you’ll have a much better sense of the model and whether ownership is right for you. Or you might decide it isn’t, and that’s useful to know as well. In fact, many Americans are skipping car ownership altogether and renting long-term instead.
Plan your family trip with Turo
Ready to hit the road? A little planning up front makes arrival day much easier when traveling with the family. Here’s a quick checklist for planning your family road trip and renting a car on Turo:
- Pick the model for your luggage and seat count: Count your car seats, passengers, and bags first. Not sure what suits your trip? Our guide to the best cars for road trips can help you narrow it down.
- Message the car owner early: Confirm extras like car seats, booster seats, and even strollers.
- Confirm your pickup details: Check where, when, and how you’re collecting the car.
- Pack accordingly: Use the exact car’s cargo space as your guide, and keep snacks and chargers within reach.
Still deciding where to go? Browse these family road trip destinations or get inspired for the holiday season and find the perfect holiday road trip for every mood.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose the car I’ll drive on Turo?
Yes, you can choose the exact car you’ll drive on Turo. Every listing shows the specific car you’ll get, so there’s no “or similar” to worry about. The car pictured is the car you’ll drive. Check its features, seating, and cargo space before you book, so you know it fits the whole family.
Do cars on Turo come with child seats?
Some do. Child seats and booster seats are common extras you can add when you book on Turo, but every listing is different. Check the listing details, and message the car owner after booking to confirm the seat suits your needs.
What kind of car is best for a family of five?
A minivan like the Toyota Sienna or Honda Odyssey is a great pick for a family of five, with sliding doors and third-row access. Prefer an SUV? Try a three-row model like the Kia Telluride or Toyota Highlander. You can filter by the number of seats you need on Turo to find the right fit for your family.
Is Turo available in my city?
Turo is a car rental marketplace where you can book directly from trusted local car owners in the US, Canada, France, Australia and the UK. Enter your location and dates to see which cars are available near you.
Why families are making the switch to Turo
Traveling with kids comes with enough unknowns. What’s the weather like? Will anyone skip naptime? Will the snacks last until the first stop? Knowing exactly what car you’re driving shouldn’t be one more thing to worry about, and with Turo, it isn’t.
When you book the car, you know it fits your family, your luggage, and your plans. And finding the right model is easy. Whether you need a spacious SUV, minivan, or budget-friendly car, you’ll find it ready to rent near you on Turo.
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Lucinda Starr
Lucinda Starr is a travel and automotive writer with 5+ years of firsthand experience road-tripping across Australia, New Zealand, and beyond. She writes road trip guides for Turo, drawing on her experience behind the wheel to share practical insights on long-distance drives, destinations, and vehicles. Her travels have taken her across Australia’s East Coast, Victoria’s Great Ocean Road, the Northern Rivers, Byron Bay, and both islands of New Zealand. One of her most memorable journeys was an 11-day, 2,600+ km route from Auckland to Punakaiki and Queenstown. Lucinda has a particular passion for classic, rugged 4WD vehicles and the freedom they bring to exploring new places.
