Protect Your Child Restraint System With the Best Car Seat Travel Bag

#1. J.L. Childress Ultimate Backpack - Top Pick Car Seat Travel Bag

If there's one car seat travel bag I can guarantee every parent who travels a lot will recommend, it's this one.

J.L. Childress's travel bag remains parents' favorite for years now, with around 4000 customer ratings and more than 80% of them five stars.

The first thing you'll love about this car seat travel bag is the customized design that fits almost every car seat model on the market.

However, to make things 100% certain, J.L. Childress listed all the suitable models in the user's manual that you can find on their website.

The reason why this model is so popular is the heavy-duty construction.

The entire bag is made of polyester, being waterproof and lightweight. However, the inner lining is hypoallergenic to ensure your child is by no means at risk of germs or bacteria.

To make it comfortable for carrying, J.L. Childress padded all sides and attached backpack style straps.

Its ergonomic shape enables you to walk with your back straight and the weight properly balanced.

Another convenient feature is the dual zipper that enables you to pack the seat faster and take it out just as easily.

Also, the identification pocket ensures no one accidentally walks off the airport with your car seat.

All in all, it's an excellent car seat, even the price is very affordable.

So, with that in mind, this is definitely my go-to car seat travel bag when I'm flying with my little one.

#2. Zohzo Car Seat Travel Bag - The Most Secure Car Seat Travel Bag

Zohzo car seat travel bag is another of the high-quality models with shoulder straps and inner padding.

It features a customized, ergonomic design that fits most of the car seat models and lies comfortably on your back.

The bag is made of a premium tear-resistant material, reinforced to last longer and repel water and other liquids.

It includes a lockable dual zipper, so you can rest assured knowing it won't suddenly open up, dropping your car seat.

This is an innovative feature of Zohzo; no other car seat travel bags have a zipper locker.

Just like the other premium models we reviewed thus far, it has adjustable straps, so you can modify the height of the backpack to make sure it sits conveniently.

But, unlike other models, this Zohzo travel bag has a third weight strap to redistribute the weight evenly and protect your car seat effectively.

If you prefer carrying your car seat bag in hand, you can use a built-in handle or simply wear it as a backpack.

I like when you can choose how you want to carry your bag because I usually like having my hands free, but at the gate check, the handle means a lot.

The model is available in black, gray, and purple variants, and it comes with a 1-year guarantee.

The price is a bit high, yet if we take the quality and convenience of use into consideration, it's pretty adequate.

#3. Gorilla Grip Car Seat Bag with Pouch - Easy-to-Use Budget Offer

Gorilla Grip car seat bag is the easiest-to-use car seat bag on the market, taking no more than thirty seconds to put on your car seat.

It features a baggy, sack-like design. Therefore it fits all car seat models conveniently.

Although this sack looks very weak and lightweight, the manufacturer claims it incorporates durable materials made to withstand the car seat weight.

It includes three straps, so you can carry it as a backpack or a bag, and the straps are padded for more comfort while carrying and better durability.

This carrying bag was made with simplicity in mind.

When you desperately need a car seat, and you don't have a suitable carrier, take this lightweight bag out of its pouch, put your car seat in, and secure it with drawstrings.

The entire process won't take more than two minutes, trust me.

On the other hand, such a simple design compromised the quality.

Although incredibly functional, sacks like this are not as durable as padded backpack travel bags.

This doesn't mean it will rip off after a single-use, but many customers claim the drawstrings easily open up, and the bag can rip off if you're not careful enough at the airport.

The price is incredibly affordable, so if you're looking for a budget offer, go for it.

#4. J.L. Childress Gate Check Bag - Compact and Portable

When it comes to less expensive car seat travel bags, J.L. Childress has something to offer as well. They make affordable gate check bags, very similar to the Gorilla Grip model.

This gate check bag is made of durable, water-resistant material that weighs very little yet carries even the heaviest car seat models.

It features a simple sack look and can be folded down to the size of a stretchable spandex pouch.

You won't have to stress about the durability since J.L Childress Gate Check Bag has double seams for a heavy-duty design and excellent weight capacity.

Just like the Gorilla Grip model, this gate check bag has drawstrings that enable easy access and fast closing.

However, as I already mentioned, this is not the most secure closure, so pay close attention to your bag when at the airport.

Unlike the Gorilla Grip model, this bag has a carrying handle only, so it's not very convenient for carrying.

It is extremely compact and makes a great emergency carrier, not just for your car seats but also for strollers, diapers, or other baby equipment.

I like that this model is genuinely affordable, airline-certified, and compact.

However, I don't think it is convenient for carrying, and it doesn't seem very heavy-duty despite the reinforced seams.

#5. V VOLKGO Durable Car Seat Travel Bag - Best Foldable Design for Storage Saving

The V Volkgo car seat travel bag lets parents travel with a sound mind!

It has an incredible construction that guards your expensive car seat for airport damages, so you can rest assured its superior design will guarantee safe trips.

Not only does this travel bag offer security, but it also offers comfort for the person carrying it. It includes a double padded backpack strap that won’t leave any nasty marks on your back.

In addition, it also offers a front protective strap so you can carry the bag in more ways than one!

But, parents often wonder how they are sure their car seat is safe inside the travel bag?

Well, this one offers two drawstring closures as well as a velcro strap that keeps your car seat safe and sound inside of the carrier.

It’s pretty large by measuring out in 34 x 18 x 18 inches so that you can accommodate it to the majority of the car seat brands on the market.

When it comes to compatibility, I did not find parents complaining.

Oh, and did you know you can pack this travel bag into a travel pouch?

That’s right, it’s fully foldable and reaches miniature size when packed up, so you never forget to carry it on the airplane.

Lastly, the car seat travel bag is made out of wear and tear-resistant material that is waterproof!

#6. YOREPEK Car Seat Travel Bag - Optional Wheels for Easy Transport

Not many parents have heard of YOREPEK, but their car seat travel bag is a top seller on Amazon.

Featuring a heavy-duty, customized design, this car seat carrier represents a super-convenient hands-free way to transport your car seat to the airport.

Just like our top pick, this product is made of polyester, being thus water-resistant and effortless to clean.

It includes adjustable shoulder straps and an ergonomic shape, so you can modify it for the most comfortable fit.

On the inside, YOREPEK placed thick padding and an internal strap for secure car seat placement.

And the bottom has a reinforced structure to prevent wearing off and make sure the bag lasts for a long time.

Another innovative and certainly unique feature is the special sewing technique that YOREPEK used to ensure the durability and longevity of the product.

Plus, the size is large enough to fit most of the market's best-selling car seats, and even some additions.

This model is available in black and dark black, plus the dark black model has small wheels to make the transport even less troubling.

This addition, of course, comes with a slight modification of the price, so it's up to you to choose the variant you find the most convenient.

#7. UPPAbaby MESA Travel Bag - Best for UPPAbaby Mesa Car Seats

Who here has not heard of the UPPAbaby brand?

Well, it’s time you get to know one of the most popular and trustworthy baby gear brands on the market.

Not only do they manufacture high-quality car seats, but they have delivered one of the best travel bags to protect your car seat during air travel!

If you are a fan of the UPPAbaby brand, the chances are you are going to love the travel bag from their collection. Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.

The price! It sure does go over the budget of many, so there is only one thing to ask. Is this travel bag even worth it?

Let’s see; it’s made from 600-denier material that is one of the strongest materials to choose from when picking a heavy-duty travel bag. Oh, but that’s not the best part yet!

Thanks to the Travel Safe program, you can truly travel safely.

Once you register online for the program, it guarantees the absolute safety of your car seat.

And, if anything is to happen to the seat while being handled during air travel, the UPPAbaby will fully cover the damage.

However, if you only have to use UPPAbaby Mesa car seats, they are the only ones that fit in this bag.

However, if you own one of those, you can fit both the car seat with a base or without it!

#8. Chicco Car Seat Travel Bag - Best 4-Wheel Design

Are you not a fan of backpack travel bags and prefer something that does not require you to carry the seat?

Then this Chicco car seat travel bag is just what you need!

I have to admit that along with the UPPAbaby Mesa bag, one of the pricer models on the list.

However, if you do end up loving the review, I suggest you start saving up because the price is not so easy on the budget.

So, why is this travel bag much pricier than its competitors?

For starters, it includes 4-wheel spinner construction that offers a 360-degree spin. Meaning, the wheels won’t get stuck suddenly at the airport, which is a huge bonus!

You can even maneuver it with one hand in all sorts of directions and never get tired of how smooth it runs.

One more thing that explains the price is the design of this car seat travel bag. The bag is a durable and water-resistant fabric with sturdy zippers and a rubberized base.

It even has padded handles that offer a firm grip when you need to lift the bag up. I was impressed that the travel bag offered the alternative of carrying it as a backpack.

I know, I know, what I said, in the beginning caught your eye, but it would be a shame not to use all the benefits the Chicco travel bag has to offer!

#9. Birdee Car Seat Travel Bag - Lightweight Car Seat Bag

The next product is the best of both worlds. It's a lightweight carrying sack and a durable car seat backpack.

How did Birdee manage to make this perfect blend? Let's find out.

Essentially, what makes this product so great is a combination of a heavy-duty, premium material and innovative stitching techniques.

In such a way, the bag was sewn to be rigid and durable, while the material itself is already very resistant.

The exact material this bag consists of is 1680D ballistic nylon, known for its lightweight, waterproof properties and durability.

It also has a double closing system, featuring a drawstring and a buckle flap, which fixed the problem of the sack opening up involuntarily at the gate.

Another great characteristic of this Birdee bag is the shoulder straps that come with padding to ensure comfortable carrying.

Plus, the straps are modifiable, so you can modify them to create a perfect fit for you. If you like to carry the bag in hand, there is a rubber handle to make the job easier.

This car seat travel carrier is fantastic because although it looks small in the pictures, it actually measures 34x18x18 inches and fits about all car seat models.

Plus, it is produced in three different colors, black, blue, and pink.

As you could figure by now, I am not a fan of the sack-like car seat travel bags, but this model is definitely something else.

It's well-built, functional, and comes at a reasonable price.

#10. reperkid Car Seat Travel Bag for Airplane - Reinforced Design

The next car seat bag on our list is one heavy-duty sack-like infant car seat bag that is free to check by most major airlines and very easy to use.

It takes no more than a minute to put your car seat into this sack and safely secure it with a drawstring.

And once you're done within, fold it up and pick it into a pouch bag that is provided by the manufacturer.

The material it incorporates is a durable 600D nylon material that resists water and doesn't wear off easily.

Furthermore, it includes reinforced double stitching for a more tear-resistant design and better durability.

You can choose how you want to carry this bag, for it includes both shoulder straps and a handle. The straps are padded to be more comfortable for carrying.

The size of the bag supports most of the major brands' car seats, such as Maxi Cosi, Graco, Britax, Safety 1st.

ReperKid also included an identification card to prevent you from losing your luggage at the airport, and their bags are free to check at the gate check.

You can find it in vibrant blue and purple color, and the price is mid-range, a bit higher than the price of other sack-style bags we reviewed.

#11. ProFaster Car Seat Travel Bag Backpack for Air Travel - Best Universal Fit

The ProFaster travel bag for car seats is very similar to the V Volkgo one!

As a first resemblance, I assume that the measurements are the same!

But, of course, this is not a bad thing, especially considering that they both offer a universal fit.

That being said, this travel bag fits car seats by Chicco, Britax, Graco, Evenflo, you name it!

Plus, it can even cover an entire booster seat and a convertible one, and God knows how bulky those are.

When you are not using the bag, roll it up and fold it into its very own storage pouch! Voila, one more thing that takes minimal storage space in your closet!

As for the quality, I only have positive remarks! It’s made out of heavy-duty oxford fabric that is lightweight, durable, waterproof, and includes quality stitching!

Now, we all love multi-purpose design, don’t we?!

Well, this one will not only protect your car seat when air traveling, but it can also offer outstanding protection from daily wear and tear.

For instance, I bet that you have one car seat you keep stored away just for traveling, and I bet it collects a lot of dust in the meanwhile.

Well, this no longer has to be an issue! Just pack it in this travel bag and problem-solve.

#12. MyEasy Convertible Car Seat Travel Bag - Best Travel Bag With Double-stitched Straps

When checking in, your hands can finally be free of carrying an extra bag!

The MyEasy car seat travel bag is built for your convenience to focus on having an unforgettable family trip, not worrying whether your car seat is handled well by the airline.

This incredible car seat travel bag follows the dimensions of many other models on the list.

Therefore, you can achieve a universal fit as it measures out in 34х18х18 inches and fits most of the car seats on the market.

Not only that, but it can also safely fit a booster car seat or a convertible seat! If you are worrying whether your bulky Clek convertible will fit in; I assure you it will.

With heavy-duty construction made from 400D nylon, the travel bag is highly durable, even for the heaviest car seats.

However, the bag itself manages to stay lightweight, so it’s easy to handle.

What impressed me the most were the straps. As you may notice, the carrying straps are the biggest issue for most car seat travel bags.

This one has reinforced and double-stitched straps that carry the heavyweight exceptionally well.

When you are not using the car seat travel bag, you can just as easily fold it away and store it in a pouch, or always keep it in your travel suitcase, so you don’t leave it behind!

1. Types of a Car Seat Bag

First of all, there are two main types of a car seat bag, based on design: customized backpack bag and sack-like bag.

The customized backpack bag is fully padded and features a customized, ergonomic shape that both fits your car seat conveniently and sits comfortably on your back.

On the other hand, sack-like bags are not very sturdy; they are usually closed with a drawstring and can be carried in multiple ways.

Between these two, I prefer customized padded bags because they are more durable, easier to carry and protect your seat better.

However, sacks are cheaper, more portable, and more lightweight.

2. Materials

When it comes to materials, car seat bags are predominantly made of polyester or nylon.

Both materials are great; just make sure it is a resistant fabric, double-stitched for better longevity, and waterproof.

3. Convenient

Moreover, a car seat transporter should allow the least troubling transfer of your car seat. With that in mind, choose a bag you can carry in a way that you find convenient.

For example, backpack straps distribute the weight evenly and leave your hands free, which is why I prefer this type of car seat bag.

On the other hand, with a handle, you can check the bag at the gate faster, and you have a seat in your hands at all times, not worrying whether you'll hit someone or damage the seat accidentally.

4. Reliable

Another important thing to know is that bags with a drawstring opening can be unreliable even though it makes it easy to put your seat in and out.

Many parents reported their bags opened deliberately, so I prefer a double zipper over a drawstring opening.

Or you can choose some of the newer models that include a drawstrings opening and a flap.

5. Color

Now, I don't find the color of the bag a crucial factor in choosing my car seat bag, yet a bright color will make your luggage easy to spot, so from that point of view, vibrant colors could be preferable.

What is the best car seat travel bag?

J.L. Childress Ultimate Backpack is definitely the best car seat travel bag with padded backpack straps and padded interior.

It was designed to fit inside every car seat model, while a double zipper makes it much easier to fit the seat inside and take it out.

Are car seat travel bags necessary?

Bringing a car seat travel bag is not mandatory. You can check your car seat at the gate regularly without the bag.

However, the bag makes it easy to transport your car seat to the airport conveniently, and it's easier to spot your luggage.

Do airlines provide bags for car seats?

It depends on the airline. Some airlines do wrap your car seat in plastic, while others leave it as it is.

How do you transport a car seat on a plane?

One of the best ways of transporting a car seat on a plane is by securing it in its very own travel bag.

These travel bags are often built from a heavy-duty, water-resistant material that keeps your car seat while being handled by airline workers.

In addition, travel bags such as J.L. Childress Ultimate Backpack are built like a backpack so you can carry the car seat on your back. This keeps your hands free, and you can roll the suitcase with ease!

The travel bag also gives you the alternative of wheels if you don’t want to carry the bulky car seat.

Can you check a car seat in a garbage bag?

Technically, you can check a car seat in a garbage bag. But, is it a good idea? Not!

The airline may even offer to bag the car seat by themselves, but this is not recommended as the bags they use hold little to no protection for the seat.

If you don’t travel often, it’s understandable you don’t want to splurge on a travel bag. But, there is no better way of securing the car seat than an appropriate, heavy-duty travel bag. 

What should I know about flying with my toddler?

If you're flying with your little one for the first time, I certainly have a piece of wisdom to share.

The essential thing to know is that your child is the safest in a rear-facing child car seat, safely installed in an airplane seat.

Now, if you did your research, you probably know this is not mandatory. True.

But, airplane crashes taught us that in the case of turbulence or crashes, parents are never capable of keeping their child on the floor, and almost always, the unrestrained toddlers end up severely injured.

To know if your car seat is allowed for use on aircraft, you should look for the FAA-approved sticker somewhere on your seat or check it online.

Now, to transport a car seat to the airport conveniently, you'll definitely need a carrier, a cart, or some sort of DIY transporter.

Whatever it is, make sure it won't cause more trouble than help at the gate, and it doesn't add too much additional weight to your luggage.

Finally, to install a car seat properly, watch some of the instructional videos I found, they honestly made the job easier for me:

And to learn more about flying with an infant, check out these useful articles of ours: