traveling portugal with three kids under five—no car seats!

We're thinking about taking our three little ones (all under five!) to Portugal for about a week and a half this fall. The idea is to skip the hassle of lugging around car seats and just use public transportation—buses and trains all the way. I keep picturing us trying to wrangle three tired kids and a mountain of luggage onto a train platform, and honestly, it sounds both exciting and a little terrifying. We want to see the beautiful coastlines, maybe wander through Lisbon’s old neighborhoods, and find some kid-friendly spots that aren’t just tourist traps. But I’m worried about how doable this really is without a car. Are the trains and buses actually easy to use with little kids? Will we end up stuck somewhere with no stroller access or waiting forever for a bus that never comes? I love the idea of traveling light, but I don’t want to spend half the trip stressed out or chasing after runaway toddlers in a crowded station. Has anyone tried this? Did you regret not bringing car seats, or was it actually a relief? And are there any must-see places that are especially fun for young kids but still easy to reach without a car? Sometimes I feel like these "family-friendly" guides forget that not everyone wants to rent a car or deal with car seats on vacation. It feels like a toss-up between freedom and convenience versus chaos and exhaustion. #familytravel #portugal #travelwithkids #Travel