Best Car Seat Travel Bags for Traveling Families

THE TOP 12 CAR SEAT TRAVEL BAGS

Traveling with a little one means you will need to bring along a car seat. There are options to rent car seats, but the safest option is to bring your own. The best way to protect your car seat while traveling is using a car seat travel bag.

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Car seat travel bags not only protect your car seat, but they make it easier to drag them around the airport. My wife once carried our convertible car seat around the airport when she traveled with our son alone, and it was a nightmare.

To help you avoid that hellish experience we wrote this post on the best car seat travel bags. Each option has its pros and cons, so we provided a variety of options to fit your travel style.

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Do you need a Car Seat Travel Bag?

In my opinion, everyone should travel with a car seat bag, if they have a child that requires a car seat.

We all know how expensive car seats are, so having the proper protection is essential.

Baggage handlers throw bags around, and I’ve even seen them throw car seats while loading them with checked luggage.

Your car seat can be compromised while traveling, so having a car seat travel bag will protect it from dirt, rain, and damage.

Types of Car Seat Travel Bags

There are different types of car seat travel bags depending on what you are looking for.

Some travel bags for car seats provide more protection than others, but it comes with an additional cost.

Here are the different types of travel bags for your car seat.

Regular Car Seat Bag

A regular car seat bag is just a bag to carry your car seat. There are no additional features outside of making it easier to carry your car seat throughout the airport.

Protective Car Seat Travel Bag

Protective bags do exactly what the name says, they protect your car seat from rain, dirt, dust, and damage.

These types of bags for car seats are padded, so your car seat will stay in place, even after it is checked with your luggage or at the gate.

If you have an expensive car seat, this is the best option for you. Your car seat is less likely to get damaged while traveling.

Car Seat Travel Bag with Wheels

If you are a frequent traveler, having a car seat travel bag with wheels will make it easier for you to travel with your car seat.

These travel bags with wheels offer protection, so you can check this bag with your luggage without worrying about it getting damaged.

In my opinion, this is the best car seat travel bag for families traveling with a heavy convertible car seat.

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Car Seat Travel Cart

A car seat travel cart doesn’t protect your bag, but it is one of the most convenient ways to travel with a car seat.

You can put your toddler in the car seat while wheeling it around the airport like a suitcase.

Car seat travel carts are designed with a lightweight fold that makes them easy to store in the airplane compartment after gate checking your car seat or installing it on the flight.

Car Seat Travel Belt

Travel belts for car seats are simply, but genius. Car seat travel belts are great if you are traveling with a carry-on with wheels.

All you need to do is strap the car seat to the suitcase, and you have a car seat on wheels.

Unlike the car seat travel cart, your little one shouldn’t sit in their car seat while it is strapped to a bag.

The travel belt isn’t as sturdy as the cart and your little one could get hurt.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

CAR SEAT TRAVEL BAG (BACKPACK) COMPARISON CHART

BEST CAR SEAT BACKPACKS FOR AIRPLANE TRAVEL

If you have decided to purchase a backpack-style car seat travel bag but aren’t sure which is the best option for your little one’s car seat, we got you covered.

Here are the best backpack car seat bags based on their durability, affordability, and quality.

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J.L. Childress Ultimate Backpack

The J.L. Childress Ultimate Backpack Car Seat Travel Bag is the most popular bag for traveling with a car seat.

This car seat bag is completely padded on all sides to provide extra protection during any trip. Also, its unique & ergonomic harness-style backpack belts can provide a comfortable, hands-free carrying alternative for luggage-laden parents.

My favorite thing about the J.L. Childress Car Seat Travel Bag is its exterior material which is waterproof and durable.

J.L. Childress is the best-padded car seat bag on our list, so if you want the best protection, this is it.

If you fly frequently, this is the ultimate car seat travel bag. It will protect your child’s precious car seat and allow you to be hands-free when pushing strollers, pulling luggage, and wrangling the kids.

Things to consider:

• The J.L. Car Seat Travel Bag dimensions are 18.6 x 12 x 7.3 inches.
• Dual zipper opening to make it easier to load and unload your car seat
• Zipper openings for two lockable zippers with 360-degree rotation

Our Favorite J.L. Childress Accessories

Kiddi Go Car Seat Bag

The Kiddi Go Car Seat Bag provides the ultimate protection from dirt and germs when traveling with your car seat.

The material of this car seat bag is extremely tear-resistant, fully waterproof, and protects your valuable car seat from dust, germs, and moisture, thanks to the double stitching.

Gate checking your car seat is easier with this protective car seat bag. It’s one of the most comfortable car seat bags on our list.

The bright red color of this bag makes it easier to identify your car seat if you decide to check it with your luggage.

There is an identification card on the outside of the bag, just in case, it gets lost in baggage claim, which has happened to us a few times.

You will notice this bag is recommended for parents gate checking their car seat. Although it’s not as convenient, there are some durability issues if you plan to check this car seat bag with your luggage.

Many parents report rips in the bottom of the bag when sent through baggage claim.

As you can imagine, baggage handlers are rough with luggage, so it’s likely your car seat will get tossed around, and this bag doesn’t have padded protection to keep it from getting damaged.

I recommend this bag for parents who need to keep their car seats dry when taking a few family vacations a year.

This bag will provide the best protection from outside elements when gate-checked.

Booster & Stroller Bags

Reperkid Car Seat Bag

If you are looking for a pop of fun color, then the Reperkid Car Seat Bag is the perfect car seat storage bag for traveling with your little one.

This is one of the few car seat backpacks with different color options, so you can pick your favorite, which I’m sure will be easily identifiable at the airport.

The capacity of this bag for car seats is enough to fit your car seat, a booster seat, and a few extra things that won’t fit in your luggage.

Most of the over 1,000 reviews are positive, with a few complaints about the durability of this car seat storage bag.

There are a few complaints about rips in the fabric, but that’s to be expected with how rough luggage is handled at the airport.

The outside of the bag has the message “handle me with care” emprinted on the front in large white letters. The message is meant to help medicate the likelihood of your car seat being thrown around, but there is no guarantee.

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ZOHZO Car Seat Bag

Although the ZOHZO Car Seat Travel Bag is not the most popular car seat travel bag on our list, it’s certainly our favorite.

I love the rubber handle, waist strap, padded protection, and lockable double zippers. These are just a few of the reasons this is our favorite car seat travel bag.

If you are like us, you prefer to check your car seat to your final destination, especially if you do not use your car seat during the flight.

This car seat travel bag has padding that provides additional protection to keep your car seat from being damaged.

I like having the zipper closure, as opposed to the drawstrings, which doesn’t feel as secure, especially since we store other items in our car seat bag when we travel.

It would be nice if this bag could fold when not in use, but that’s the tradeoff getting more protection from being thrown around.

Overall, this is my favorite car seat travel bag for families on the go.

MyEasy Convertible Travel Bag

The MyEasy Convertible Car Seat Travel Bag is a large storage bag for car seats that has enough space to fit a car seat, along with a boost seat, maybe even two.

This is one of the most popular travel bags for car seats for parents in family travel groups. They love the large size, durable material, reinforced handles, and affordable price.

Much like the other large infant car seat bags on our list, this travel bag offers protection from dirt, germs, and moisture.

It comes with a convenient travel bag, so when you are not storing your car set, you can fold in and put it inside of the travel pouch, so it’s a bag in a bag.

This baby car seat storage bag has great reviews with 4.8 out of 5 stars, so there aren’t many complaints.

The one thing that I do not like about this car seat storage bag for airplanes is the drawstring close. I do not think it is as secure as a zipper, especially if you plan to pack extra diapers, wipes, or clothes inside.

YOREPEK Car Seat Travel Backpack

Parents looking for a budget storage bag to carry their car seat should consider the YOREPEK Car Seat Travel Backpack. This is one of the bestselling and highest-rated travel bags for car seats on our list.

This bag is similar to the other car seat travel bags on our list, without the additional padding protection.

There is enough space to fit overflow from your luggage, plus your car seat. Many parents like the padded shoulder straps, making it more comfortable to carry through a crowded airport.

A travel pouch is included, so the bag can be stored when not in use, which is perfect for parents using a car seat during their flight.

There are some complaints about the durability of the car seat bag. Given how rough luggage is treated by baggage handlers, a few rips are expected.

CAR SEAT BAGS (WITH WHEELS) COMPARISON CHART

TOP 6 CAR SEAT BAGS WITH WHEELS

Having a car seat travel bag with wheels makes it easier to get around airports, especially if you have a layover.

Here are some of the most popular car seat travel bags with wheels for parents traveling with front-facing or convertible car seats.

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J.L. Childress Spinner Deluxe

The J.L. Childress Spinner Wheelie Deluxe Car Seat Travel Bag is the ultimate travel storage bag for car seats when traveling. Although this is the most expensive airport car seat bag, you’ll get the best protection.

This car seat storage bag has padding on both sides, the top, the back, and the bottom, which protects your car seat from rough baggage handlers. Plus, the 360-degree wheels make it easier to get around the airport if you decide to check it at the gate.

For parents looking for the best protection, this is the car seat bag with wheels that you need to have.

This wheeled car seat bag has durable material, making it perfect for families planning to have more little ones.

There are a few complaints about the price, but a higher price tag is expected with the level of protection you are getting.

An inconvenience with this bag is the ID card is not included, which isn’t a huge deal, but it’s annoying. How hard is it to include a piece of paper, especially with the price of the car seat bag?

If you have an expensive car seat, I highly recommend this storage bag for airplane travel.

Our Favorite Munchkin Travel Accessories

Alnoor Car Seat Travel Belt

Having an Alnoor Car Seat Travel Belt will make your life easier for parents traveling light but want to bring a car seat along for their little one.

This is one of our favorite travel accessories for families on the go because it doesn’t require a lot of space, plus it’s affordable. For less than $20, you can attach your car seat to your suitcase and be on your way.

This travel belt can fit suitcases between 13″- 56″, so you don’t have to worry about having a specific size or brand.

I highly recommend using a car seat travel belt if you purchased a seat for your little one and want to install your car seat. If you plan to gate-check your car seat, I recommend a car seat carrier bag.

Britax Car Seat Travel Cart

The Britax Car Seat Travel Cart is great for walking around the airport with your toddler in tow. Many parents will put their toddlers in the car seat and wheel them around the airport, which is perfect if you don’t have a stroller.

Similar to the travel belt, I recommend the car seat travel cart for parents who will use their car seat on the airplane.

You can fold the cart to fit in the overhead bin of the plane after you install your car seat.

The bottom of the cart doesn’t reach the ground, so your little one’s feet won’t be dragging on the ground as you walk.

With a max weight limit of 100 lbs, your little one should be able to roll across the airport with no problem, especially if you are trying to make a short layover.

Simple Being Baby Car Seat Travel Bag

If you are looking for an affordable padded storage bag for your car, then the Simple Being Baby Car Seat Travel Bag is the best choice for you. This airplane infant car seat bag offers protection at an affordable price.

Along with having 360-degree wheels, this padded car seat travel bag can be carried in backpack mode.

There is a waist strap to help distribute the weight of your car seat if you have a heavier model, such as a Britax Marathon, Chicco NextFit Zip Max, or Graco 4Ever DLX.

The heavy-duty polyester makes it durable and keeps your car seat protected from water, dirt, and germs while under the plane if you decide to gate-check your car seat.

This infant car seat bag makes it easier to get around with your little one when flying, especially during those crucial car seat years.

Some reviews have mentioned this car seat bag isn’t as stable as others on the list. There are reports of the bag not remaining standing on its own.

This could be a problem if you have a heavier car seat, so I recommend using it in backpack mode or getting a more sturdy rolling car seat bag.

Brica Car Seat Travel Bag

Brica Cover Guard Car Seat Travel Bag is the most affordable car seat cover and tote bag on our list. Although it doesn’t have padding, it’s the perfect gate check bag for car seats.

If you do not want to wheel this car seat bag for flying through the airport, you can use the backpack mode with padded shoulder straps for additional comfort. 

My favorite thing about this car seat storage bag is the stuff’ ‘n go pocket, which is perfect for storing extra diapers, wipes, clothes, and anything else that you need access to while flying with a baby or toddler.

Brica is a great budget option for parents who use their car seats on flights with their toddlers. It can be folded up and put in the overhead compartment of the airplane.

The material is a water-resistant fabric that protects tour car seats from damage and moisture, like those rainy travel days.

Chicco Car Seat Travel Bag

If you have a Chicco car seat, then the Chicco Car Seat Travel Bag is the obvious choice as the best travel bag for your car seat. This airplane storage bag is just for Chicco brand car seats. 

With the option to use the 360-degree wheels to get through the airport or wear it as a backpack, this baby seat travel bag is perfect for families on the go.

This car seat carry case has a rating of 4.8/5 stars because of the protection, multiple carry options, and comfort. The two handles make it easy to pick up at baggage claim, so no struggling to get it off the conveyor belt.

There are a few complaints about the durability, but as long as you are not dragging it throughout the airport, it should last through your little one’s car seat years.

The price may be offputting for some but given the cost of Chicco car seats, it’s well worth the price to protect your little one’s child safety seat.

Things to Consider When Choosing A Car Seat Travel Bag

Choosing the best car seat travel bag depends on your car seat, how frequently you travel, how you travel, and the age of your little one.

Since each person’s circumstances are different, we compiled a list of the factors used to determine the best car set travel bag for traveling families.

The most important things for choosing the best storage bag for your car seat are material, size, weight, budget, and closing method.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

Car Seat Measurements & Weight

The most crucial factor that will determine the type of car seat bag you can purchase is the size of your car seat.

Be sure to look up the measurements of your car seat on the manufacturer’s website. Proper research is the most accurate way to find the exact measurements since Amazon isn’t always correct.

If your car seat dimensions are smaller than the dimensions of the bag, it will fit.

There may be a list of compatible car seats on Amazon or the individual websites.

Material

For the most part, the material used for baby car seat bags is similar.

There are a few differences, but you want to make sure the material is water-resistant.

Having water-resistant material will keep your little one dry if you gate-check your stroller on a rainy day.

Closing Method

Your travel method determines the type of closing method you will need for your airplane travel bag.

If you are an over-packer, I recommend purchasing a travel bag with zippers. Zippers provide more protection against something getting lost in transit, especially if you plan on checking your car seat.

On the other hand, if you travel carry-on only or plan on visiting family, a drawstring may be more convenient and budget-friendly.

Budget

Budget is always a consideration when purchasing travel accessories for kids.

Although car seat travel bags can range in price from $30 to $150, it’s essential to consider the cost of your car seat.

If you have an expensive car seat, I recommend spending more on a car seat storage bag that provides the best protection from trauma.

If you have a budget car seat for travel, I’d recommend a storage bag that protects the car seat from germs, dirt, and moisture without the additional padding.

FAQ’S TRAVELING WITH A CAR SEAT & TRAVEL BAG

Will my car seat fit in a car seat travel bag?

It depends on which type of bag you want to purchase for your car seat. Some of the travel bags for a car seat are brand specific, but others are universal.

The universal car seat travel bags can fit nearly any brand of infant car seats, convertible car seats, or booster seats.

These travel bags do not usually have padding to keep your car seat from getting damaged, but they will be protected from rain, dirt, and germs underneath the plane.

Does my car seat count towards my luggage?

NO!!! Car seats do not count towards your luggage, so you can bring an infant car seat, convertible car seat, or booster seat without an additional charge.

I always recommend gate-checking your car seat and stroller. It’s less likely your car seat will get damaged at gat check than it will go through baggage claim.

Although I think gate-check is best, you can always check the car seat with your luggage, but you definitely need a padded car seat travel bag to protect it.

Should I check my car seat with my luggage or gate check my car seat?

I always recommend gate-checking your car seat, but there are some exceptions. Your itinerary will determine how you should check your car seat.

For parents traveling with infants, keeping your car seat with you is easier, if you don’t have a baby carrier.

If you have a long layover and do not plan on using the car seat on the plane, I recommend checking the car seat with your luggage.

Can I take my car seat on the plane?

If you purchased a seat for your little one, you can take an FAA-approved car seat on the airplane.

Traveling in a car seat is the safest way for children to travel on an airplane, but we understand this isn’t always a feasible solution for families financially.

Most families fly with a lap infant until they are 2-years-old because it is less of a financial burden. We did the same thing when our little guy was under two. 

I see parents being bullied on Facebook groups because they cannot afford an additional seat for their little one, and I think that’s ridiculous. We are all doing the best we can, so we don’t’ judge anyone.

Tip: If you didn’t purchase a seat for your little one, you can ask if empty seats are available. You might get lucky and be able to move to those seats and put your little one in a car seat for free. If not, you will need to gat-check your car seat. 

Last update on 2022-07-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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