Car seat travel bags are one of those extra purchases you may not have considered when you planning for your baby. However, as we have discovered after many trips with our little ones, they can make travel a whole lot easier.
These handy bags come in a variety of sizes and materials and with various functions, so you want to find the right one for your needs.
We’ve researched, ranked, and reviewed the best car seat travel bags based on their durability, compatibility with various car seat models, ease of use, and storage options. We’ll explain the various purposes of these bags to help you narrow down your selection and find the best fit for your situation.
- Made of high-quality materials
- Compatible with most car seats
- Easy to maneuver
- Easy to use in crowded places
- Fits a variety of car seats
- Adjustable straps
- Durable materials
- Easy to store
- Multiple ways to carry
- Deep base
- Well-positioned straps
- Extra waist strap
- Universal fit
- Bright color
- Water resistant
Review Methodology: At Mom Loves Best, our comprehensive analysis and hands-on evaluation of the best car seat travel bags are designed to instill trust in our readers. Our experienced team of professionals conducts thorough research and assessments on a variety of car seat travel bags, comparing their performance, design, and key decision-making factors. We provide first-hand evidence and share quantitative measurements based on strict criteria and benchmarks to rank and review each product. Our goal is to help you make the most informed decision by presenting the top car seat travel bags, highlighting their unique features, durability, ease of use, and compatibility with various car seat models. With Mom Loves Best, you can trust that our recommendations are based on facts, data, and in-depth expertise to ensure you choose the best product for your needs.
The Best Car Seat Travel Bags of 2024
Here are our favorite car seat travel bags available on the market.
J.L. Childress Wheelie Car Seat Travel Bag
Best for Air Travel
This option from J.L. Childress is airline certified. It’s designed to spin a full 360 degrees on four wheels to provide maximum maneuverability. There’s no need to tip the bag while rolling it, which makes it easier to get from place to place.
It’s fully padded on all sides including the top and bottom. This provides extra protection for the car seat during trips, especially when it’s checked or will be on a conveyor belt.
This black bag offers an extra-long zipper that it to unfold entirely, making it easier to load the seat in. The inner cavity is large and can accommodate most car seats.
What We Like
Made of High-Quality Materials
The thick padding prevents scuffing and damage to your car seat. The exterior material is waterproof and durable. It resists tears and is made to stand up to rough traveling situations.
A sturdy double zipper allows you to lock your car seat safely away. It’s made to withstand regular use and won’t break or damage easily. The wheels roll smoothly and can spin in every direction, making travel a breeze.
Compatible With Most Car Seats
It’s suitable for use with most types of car seats. If using it with an infant seat, detach the base prior to putting it in the bag. Place the base on top of the car seat basket, then zip the bag up.
Easy to Maneuver
There’s no need to fuss with the bag to get it perfectly positioned so you can move it. You can push or pull it in all directions, and you don’t need to tilt it to get going.
Moving it on all four wheels gives you a nice sturdy unit you don’t need to worry about tipping over. When you add in a heavy car seat and other items you’re likely juggling, this can be a lifesaver.
What We Don't Like
This Is a Large Travel Bag
It takes up a good amount of space. While that allows it to accommodate oversized car seats, you do need to account for that space while traveling. Even once the car seat is out of the bag, the unit does not store compactly for easier traveling.
Product Specs
| Weight | 5.6 pounds |
| Dimensions | 30 inches by 20.5 inches by 19 inches |
| Type of Car Seat | Infant, convertible, booster |
| Color | Black |
| Features | Double zipper for locking, 360-degree rotation, padding |
Our Ratings
User Experience
J.L. Childress Padded Backpack Car Seat Travel Bag
Great for Busy Cities
This travel bag is made to be worn on your back and is suitable for most types of car seats. The straps are adjustable to provide a snug fit and prevent any undue back strain. They’re also padded to provide you with additional comfort.
The outer material is water-resistant to protect your car seat during bad weather. The inner lining is antimicrobial, which helps prevent mold from developing in the bag or on your car seat.
The bag is padded, which adds extra protection to your car seat. You’ll find an additional carrying handle at the top of the unit and an identifying tag.
An extra-long zipper allows you to open the bag fully to load in your car seat. The zipper features two pulls that can be used to securely lock your car seat.
What We Like
Easy to Use in Crowded Places
Compared to bags that need rolling behind you, this one takes up less space. You only need to worry about where you can fit, and not if there’s enough space to pull it along with you.
It’s also great for uneven terrain where a rolling piece would be difficult.
Fits a Wide Variety of Car Seats
It’s suitable for use with infant carriers and can be used with convertible and booster seats. You may find you can stack certain models and keep two car seats in a single bag.
Adjustable Straps
We love how you’re able to get a custom fit with this bag. Wearing a car seat on your back, especially a heavier model, can be uncomfortable. Fortunately, this model lets you adjust the straps and can suit short or tall adults.
What We Don't Like
It’s Bulky
Both padded and structured to give your car seat a good fit, this bag is large. You’ll need to keep its size in mind when it comes to trunks and long-term storage needs or if you’ll be standing in crowded elevators or riding on airport shuttles.
Product Specs
| Weight | 6.61 pounds |
| Dimensions | 19 inches by 15 inches by 16 inches |
| Type of Car Seat | Infant, convertible, booster |
| Color | Black, gray with fuschia |
| Features | Heavy-duty outer fabric, padding, carrying handle, adjustable straps |
Our Ratings
Personal Perspective
VolkGo Durable Car Seat Travel Bag
Best Budget-Friendly Option
This option from VolkGo has an easy-to-use drawstring-style design. It’s lightweight and highly visible with neon-yellow accent straps.
It comes with shoulder straps, so you can wear the car seat on your back. They’re padded for additional comfort and can be adjusted. Two other straps on the side of the bag also allow you to carry the car seat by hand.
The fabric used is water-resistant nylon, and a large, white vinyl bar on the front of the bag gives you a great spot to write your name.
When not in use, the bag can be folded and kept in the included storage bag.
What We Like
Great for Most Car Seats
This bag can fit most car seats. It doesn’t have a structured shape, so it can easily accommodate infant, convertible, or booster seats.
Easy to Store
We love that it’s easy to keep around when it’s not in use. It folds down compactly and fits in its own bag. It’s the perfect size to keep in the car or in a diaper bag when you’re not using it.
Multiple Ways to Carry
The padded straps are great for when you’re wearing this on your back. We love the front strap and the two side straps for other carrying options. These are especially helpful if you’re loading your car seat into a car or reaching for it on a conveyor belt.
What We Don't Like
There Is No Protective Padding
Although the material is heavy-duty nylon, there’s no lining. It doesn’t have the extra padding that can help prevent your car seat from being damaged during travel.
Be Aware of Wide Car Seats
You need to slide this cover over the car seat from the base up. If your car seat is extra wide at the bottom, you may have some difficulty getting the bag over it.
Product Specs
| Weight | 1 pound |
| Dimensions | 34 inches by 18 inches by 18 inches |
| Type of Car Seats | Infant, convertible, booster |
| Color | Black with yellow |
| Features | Padded shoulder straps, additional carrying straps, storage bag |
Our Ratings
Community Feedback
Zohzo Car Seat Travel Bag
Best Travel Bag for Smaller Car Seats
This travel bag is wearable and has adjustable straps. A padded interior and padded wings help provide the wearer with extra comfort during use. It also serves to protect your car seat during travel.
It has a deep base that can make zipping up and storing your car seat a little easier. The zipper features two zipper heads you can lock together to prevent an accidental opening or theft.
The outer material is durable and water-resistant. Most car seats will work with this bag, and it’s available in multiple colors.
What We Like
The Deep Base
The zipper is positioned a little higher. This allows for a deeper base that stands on its own when the bag is unzipped. This can make positioning your car seat and closing the bag a little easier, especially when you’re on the go.
Straps Are Well-Positioned
This bag is made to carry oversized seats easily. It doesn’t forget to take into account the needs of your body, though. The shoulder straps are positioned to alleviate any back pain or stress.
The straps are padded and can be adjusted to better fit your body. This makes it a great option for when there will be multiple wearers.
Extra Waist Strap
In addition to the shoulder straps, it is equipped with an adjustable, wide waist strap. This provides a more comfortable fit and helps prevent pain and extra pressure through the lower back. It also prevents the seat and bag from swinging while being worn.
What We Don't Like
Stitching Is Not Reinforced
Despite being comfortable to wear and made of durable outer material, the stitching is not reinforced. When traveling with this bag at an airport, you may want to stick to gate-checking, instead of checking your luggage. This can help prevent excess wear on the seams.
Product Specs
| Weight | 3.5 pounds |
| Dimensions | 18 inches by 28 inches by 18 inches |
| Type of Car Seat | Infant, convertible, booster |
| Color | Black, grey with blue, purple with black |
| Features | Adjustable shoulder straps, protective padding, carrying strap |
Our Ratings
First-Hand Impression
Stockyfy Car Seat Travel Bag with Pouch
Best for Light-Duty Protection
This is a great option if you’re looking for a protective cover. It’s a drawstring-style bag that slides up over your car seat from the base. It’s oversized and can accommodate most seats, including more than one at a time.
Although there’s no padding throughout the bag to protect the car seat from jostling or impact, there is a layer of padding through the shoulder strap.
This cover will protect your car seat from dirt and debris and the material is water-resistant.
It features a zippered pouch for easy storage when not in use.
What We Like
Universal Fit
We love that it offers a universal, roomy fit. It doesn’t offer a lot of structure, so it’s well suited to a larger or unusually shaped seat. It’s also a good option for those times when you need to store multiple car seats.
Bright Color
The choice of colors will make it easy to spot your car seat in a large crowd. This means it’s also less likely to be mistakenly picked up by someone else.
What We Don't Like
This Is a Light-Duty Option
This unit isn’t designed for heavy-duty protection. If you plan on doing a lot of traveling with your car seat you may want something different. This is especially true if you need something you can regularly check with other large pieces of luggage.
Product Specs
| Weight | 1.06 pounds |
| Dimensions | 34 inches by 18 inches by 18 inches |
| Type of Car Seats | Infant, baby, booster |
| Color | Blue, green |
| Features | Shoulder straps, storage bag |
Our Ratings
User Experience
| Product | Best | Weight | Dimensions | Type | Color | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| J.L. Childress Wheelie | Air Travel | 5.6 lbs | 30″ x 20.5″ x 19″ | Infant, convertible, booster | Black | Double zipper for locking, 360-deg rotation, padding |
| J.L. Childress Backpack | Busy Cities | 6.61 lbs | 19″ x 15″ x 16″ | Infant, convertible, booster | Black, gray, fuschia | Heavy-duty outer fabric, padding, carrying handle, adjustable straps |
| VolkGo Bag | Budget-Friendly | 1 lb | 34″ x 18″ x 18″ | Infant, convertible, booster | Black with yellow | Padded shoulder straps, additional carrying straps, storage bag |
| Zohzo Bag | Smaller Car Seats | 3.5 lbs | 18″ x 28″ x 18″ | Infant, convertible, booster | Black, grey with blue, purple with black | Adjustable shoulder straps, protective padding, carrying strap |
| Stockyfy Travel Bag | Light-Duty Protection | 1.06 lbs | 34″ x 18″ x 18″ | Infant, baby, booster | Blue, green | Shoulder straps, storage bag |
How to Choose a Car Seat Travel Bag
The following points will help identify which product is best for you:
- How you will use your bag: Do you need light protection for your seat or something more substantial? Opt for a padded unit if you need extra protection.
- How you will carry your car seat: If you’re looking for something to transport your car seat in, you’ll want a bag that’s easy to carry. A wearable or rolling option will likely suit you best.
- The weight of your car seat: If it’s weighty, a more substantial variety will likely be needed to travel easily with your car seat.
- Your budget: Determine your price point ahead of time to get your shopping off to a smooth start.
Types of Car Seat Travel Bags
The way you plan to travel may impact which kind of model will suit you best. If you’re traveling a long distance, you may want to consider one specifically designed to make transportation easier.
Are you roughing it with unknown weather conditions? Or do you simply need to guard your car seat from dust? Car seat bags are designed to serve different purposes, so you want to choose the best type for your situation.
Protective Travel Bags
Protective travel bags do what their name implies. They protect your seat from minor issues. They’re essentially dust covers to prevent dirt from settling on your car seat, and many are water-resistant.
These can be a good choice when you know your car seat will be sitting unused for a while.
They sometimes don’t offer an easy way to hold or carry your car seat, which may be difficult for some types of travel. The material may also not hold up well to rough use.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Good for long-term or short-term storage.
- They can be water-resistant.
Cons
- May not offer carrying straps or protective padding.
Wearable Travel Bags
Wearable options usually sport a classic backpack design. The car seat zips securely into the bag and is designed for you to wear on your back. The bag is heavily padded, which helps make it more comfortable to wear while also protecting your seat.
Plan on traveling where you need your hands free, like in an airport with small children? This can be a good option, as it makes getting to your gate much easier.
Pros
- Great for transporting car seats through crowded areas.
- Offers extra protection for your car seat.
- Offers an easy carrying method.
Cons
- The added padding makes the car seat even more bulky.
- Doesn’t collapse for storage.
Rolling Travel Bags
A rolling travel bag can be a great choice if you’re looking for something easy to transport. They may come with additional padding to better protect your car seat.
Do a lot of babywearing, have a heavy car seat, or already have a backpack? A rolling travel bag can be a great alternative to one that’s wearable.
However, they can take up quite a bit of space and be difficult to store. They are also heavier than many other options.
Pros
- Has more structure to help protect your car seat.
- Great for heavier car seats.
- Highly maneuverable.
Cons
- Doesn’t store compactly.
Car Seat Travel FAQs
Should I Put My Car Seat In a Bag to Fly?
Putting your car seat in a bag to fly can protect it from dirt, germs, and potential damage. It also makes it easier to carry through the airport.
Do Airports Have Plastic Bags For Car Seats?
Some airports offer plastic bags for car seats at check-in or gate check, but availability varies. Bringing your own car seat travel bag ensures protection and peace of mind.
Is it Better to Gate Check or Baggage Check a Car Seat?
Gate-checking a car seat generally means less handling and a lower chance of damage. However, baggage checking can be more convenient for navigating the airport. Either way, use a protective bag.
