Parents know that traveling with car seats and strollers can be challenging, whether you need to transport the car seat on a plane, bus, or train. I mean, it’s tough enough to juggle these bulky items and all of your other bags and belongings while keeping track of your child. But then you need to make sure that car seat or stroller arrives safely to where you’re heading, so that when you continue your travels at your destination you have the security of knowing that your little one is safely seated in the comfort and familiarity of their own car seat or stroller throughout your trip. By choosing one of the best travel bags for car seats and strollers, you’ll be keeping your item protected during transport.
The best car seat travel bags are highly durable so that they withstand the rigors of being tossed, stacked, or otherwise moved around by luggage handlers. And they are rich with features that make them convenient to use, transport, and store. But since travel styles and personal preferences vary greatly, what is considered best for some parents may not be the best for others.
Before making your purchase, consider your style and frequency of travel and modes of transportation. How will you want to maneuver the item while it’s stored in the bag – would you want a bag with a single shoulder strap, full backpack straps, or wheels for rolling? Also, do you want a simple slim profile bag to cover your item, or do you want a fully padded bag that offers more solid protection, but may weigh a bit more? Your careful answers to these and other questions will help you make the optimal decision of what is the best travel bag for you.
We’ve pulled together a list of the top rated travel bags for car seats and travel bags for strollers. Each of these picks consistently receive rave reviews from actual users, and are designed specifically to help simplify your travel experience.
J.L. Childress Ultimate Car Seat Travel Bag
The top of the line Ultimate Car Seat Travel Bag from J.L. Childress lives up to its “ultimate” name. The feature-rich design provides durable protection to your car seat while making it easy and convenient to use. Travel tested by families around the world, this is the highest customer rated car seat travel bag for checked luggage during flights.
The bag is fully padded, with extra padded wings for protecting the car seat headrest. Dual front flap zippers make getting into and out of the bag a breeze, and a lock can be put across both zippers to keep belongings secure. The exterior 600 denier polyester fabric is water-resistant, and features an interior coating that provides antimicrobial protection.
This bag has ergonomically designed backpack straps that are padded and fully adjustable, for a comfortable hands-free fit for transporting through the airport or to your hotel room. It also has an easy lift top handle, plus an integrated id card pocket.
Measuring about 16″ h x 15″ w, the bag is designed to fit most car seats. However, as with any bag on this list, please carefully check the manufacturer’s compatibility chart before purchase to make sure your car seat will fit in this bag. Then rest easy knowing that the bag comes with a lifetime warranty against defects.
J.L. Childress Gate Check Bag For Standard and Double Strollers
This JL Childress Gate Check Bags for Standard and Double Strollers is another great example of J.L Childress’ highly popular products. Designed for use when checking your stroller in at the gate when flying, the bright red color of this stroller travel bag makes it readily visible at your destination gate. This bag will keep stroller free from dirt, grease and germs. Plus the heavy duty nylon fabric construction resists rips and tears, and is water and stain resistant – simply wipe clean with mild soap and water.
Equipped with a draw string closure at the top which securely tightens at the touch of a button, you’ll find it simple to quickly put your stroller in and remove it just as fast. And when not in use, the bag can be conveniently stowed away into its attached pouch, creating a very lightweight and compact packet that’s easy to bring with you wherever you go. Designed to accommodate most single and double strollers.
J.L. Childress Gate Check Bag for Umbrella Strollers
It’s no surprise that multiple J.L. Childress travel bags for car seats and strollers appear on our list. This thoughtful brand has won the heart of traveling parents everywhere. Founded by a real mom (Jan Childress) whose product inspirations were born out of everyday parental needs, this 30 year old company has continued to grow to become a leader in infant and toddler travel accessories around the globe.
This gate Check Bag for Umbrella Strollers from J.L. Childress shares all of the same characteristics and features of the J.L. Childress Gate Check Bag reviewed above. It has the same drawstring closure style and comes with an attached travel pouch for compact storage. The only difference is in its size, which is taller and narrower, designed to accommodate a traditional umbrella stroller.
Gate Check Pro Car Seat Travel Bag
Protect your child’s car seat with this car seat travel bag from Gate Check Pro and rest easy knowing that it will arrive safe, dry and clean at your destination. The ballistic nylon constructions offers extreme durability, waterproofing, and lightweight ease of use.
Attached backpack straps are padded for comfortable transport, and the drawstring closure with top protective velcro flap makes the bag quick and easy to load and unload. Designed to fit most infant, toddler, booster, and all-in-one convertible car seat models, this bag provides the protection from dirt you seek in a safe, easy to carry package.
The bag comes with a compact stuff pouch for storing and carrying when not in use. And as with all other Gate Check Pro products, this travel bag comes with a 100% lifetime money-back guarantee. And at this writing, when you buy this together with the Gate Check Pro Travel Seat below, you get an extra 10% off.
Gate Check Pro XL Double Stroller Travel Bag with Backpack Straps
This XL Double Stroller Travel Bag from Gate Check Pro is truly extra large in size, shares the same top quality characteristics as the Gate Check Pro seat travel bag above. And at the time of posting this article, they are offering a 10% discount when both are purchased together.
Constructed to provide roomy protection for your double stroller, jogging stroller, or other travel system, it measures a full 47″ x 23″ x 14″. This lightweight and durable bag is made of a ballistic nylon that’s 100% waterproof, keeping your stroller dry and clean.
Backpack style shoulder straps are ergonomically designed and fully padded for comfort and hands-free carrying convenience. Then when not in use, this bag folds neatly into a handy compact travel pouch. Gate Check Pro offers a generous 100% lifetime money-back guarantee, so you can have the peace of mind in knowing that your purchase is risk free.
Bebishi Child Car Seat Storage Bag
Sized for ease of use with most car seats, toddler booster seats, and even some smaller strollers, the Child Car Seat Storage Bag from Bebishi is a well-thought out product that has garnered rave reviews from users. With both fashion and function in mind, the bag has several useful features and an exterior color pattern that will help it stand out from the rest.
This drawstring bag is made of ultra durable 210D nylon and reinforced with double stitched seams for long-lasting wear. An adjustable shoulder strap as well as a carry handle make this bag easy to grab and go as you head through the airport, train or bus station.
The unique convertible design enables the bag to be quickly packed and unpacked, and folded into the integrated storage pouch when not in use. You’ll love the added touch of a small exterior zippered pocket, super handy for ready access to items such as baby’s favorite little book or stuffed animal.
Consider using any of these best travel covers for car seats and strollers for more than just plane travel. Not only are these bags perfect for keeping your item clean and protected when traveling by any mode of transport (taxicab trunk, under bus storage, etc.), but they also offer a convenient way to protect the car seat or stroller in a closet or garage at home when not in use.