Newbie dad here so forgive what may be a straight forward question to seasoned family travellers, but we've got a trip LGW - FAO and OPO - LGW later this month with a 5 month old. As we'll be renting a car (sixt within faro airport), I've read up on the horror stories of what car rental companies provide in terms of infant car seats. This means I'll have to take our one.

What's the best course of action wrt packing the car seat? We'll need it to get to the airport. Is it best to just take a box and sellotape in the car and try and sort it out in the boot on arrival at Gatwick? Take a carry type bag? Stuff it with as much padding as possible in case I get there's a disgruntled luggage handler? Should we check it into oversized luggage or gate check it?

So many questions so many thanks in advance.