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The 7 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024

These top picks combine convenience and peace of mind

Jordi is a freelance contributor to TripSavvy. Her personal passions gravitate toward wellness and adventure, leading her to frequently plan trips that blend zen relaxation with urban and rugged exploration.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

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Traveling with small children is a great way to make memories. You expose little ones to new experiences and see the world through their eyes. But there are still everyday tasks to worry about on the road, from meal times to naps. Safety is the top priority, of course, and this means ensuring your kids have a good car seat.

If you're flying with small children or frequently switching cars, the thought of lugging around the car seat you have perfectly installed in your vehicle can seem daunting. Luckily, many companies make travel car seats lighter and easier to install on the go. These models also emphasize portability and legroom for your child to grow into.

To find the best choice for you, we looked closely at the installation process, weight ratings, and certification status of some of the most popular options on the market today.

Final Verdict

• What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, cosco scenera next convertible car seat.

 Amazon

Easy to carry

Budget friendly

Sizing issues for older childen

The Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat receives excellent marks for lightness and simplicity. This affordable car seat is a great choice for those who already have a regular car seat but need a second option for traveling. Safety features include side-impact protection built into the headrest and a five-point harness that adjusts to accommodate your growing child. The car seat can be used rear-facing for kiddos 5 to 40 pounds and 19 to 40 inches tall or front-facing for those 22 to 40 pounds or 29 to 43 inches tall. The car seat will last from infancy through toddlerhood.

Use the LATCH connectors or a seat belt to secure the car seat in any rental car or taxi. It's also designed with air travel in mind: It's FAA-approved and lightweight at just 7 pounds. Additionally, its 17.5-inch width makes it a good fit for most airline seats. Other highlights include a removable, machine-washable, and dryer-safe car seat pad and a dishwasher-safe cup holder. Colors range from Moon Mist Grey to Ocean Breeze.

Dimensions: 17.6 x 15.8 x 30.3 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 40 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH

Best Lightweight

Wayb pico travel car seat.

Very compact

Includes a travel bag

Only for toddlers and older

Car seats are a hassle to travel with because they're bulky, heavy, and unwieldy. Luckily, this travel car seat by Wayb won't add much extra weight to your suitcase. Weighing under 8 pounds, the FAA-approved Pico Travel Car Seat is easy to transport everywhere you go. It's front-facing and can hold kids between 22 to 55 pounds or measuring 30 to 45 inches tall. It has an AeroWing aluminum frame that is durable yet lightweight, and the AstroKnit performance mesh lining will keep your kids comfortable throughout their journey. Best of all, this car seat folds into a small enough package to store in overhead bins and comes with a carrying bag that can slip onto your suitcase.

Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 20 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 50 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or car/airplane seat belt

Most Compact

Safety 1st guide 65 convertible car seat.

Supports a variety of sizes and ages

Sleek design

Machine-washable cover

Complaints about installation

Safety 1st's Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat weighs 14 pounds; it's sturdy enough for everyday use yet light enough for travel. This car seat's frame is so compact that you could place three in the back of your car, making it an excellent option for larger families or smaller European rental cars. Plus, it can accommodate a wide range of weights, making it a budget-friendly pick that can last for years. It's for children who weigh between 5 and 40 pounds to use in a rear-facing position and children 22 to 65 pounds to use in a front-facing position.

Side-impact protection and five harnesses that adjust in the center ensure your child stays secure throughout their ride and help deflect impact away from their head, neck, and spine in the event of an accident. Other safety features include three buckle locations and an adjustable headrest. This car seat also has a LATCH connector system, making it easy to take the seat in and out of the car quickly. Both the cushion and cup holder are removable for easy cleanup. It's available in multiple colors.

Dimensions: 27.3 x 18.5 x 20.3 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 65 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH

Best for Bigger Kids

Graco extend2fit convertible car seat.

Harness storage makes loading and unloading easy

Rigorously crash tested

Several customizable features

Most of the car seats on this list are appropriate for children up to 40 pounds, but the Graco Extend2Fit is rated for up to 65 pounds. It also allows children up to 50 pounds to ride rear-facing and provides an extra 5 inches of legroom. This, plus a headrest that can also be adjusted to 10 different positions, ensures the child is comfortable and secure as they grow.

Two integrated cup holders keep juice bottles within easy reach and help to prevent spills. While there are multiple ways to install this model, it is easy to remember after the first time. Although this seat is designed with car travel in mind , it is FAA-approved. If you're flying economy class, consider calling ahead to check that the restraint is compatible with the airline seat.

Dimensions: 21.5 x 19.5 x 23.5 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 65 pounds | Installation Type: InRight LATCH

Best Booster Combo

Cosco finale dx 2-in-1 booster car seat.

Can fit three across

Easy to clean

Accommodates older children

Durability complaints

If you're shopping for a child aged 12 months or older, the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat will last from toddlerhood until after they start school. It has a 10-year lifespan and can be used as a forward-facing car seat or as a high-back booster seat. As a car seat, it's appropriate for kids between 30 to 65 pounds and 32 to 49 inches in height. The five-point harness has three different height settings, and the LATCH connectors can be used until your child reaches 50 pounds. In addition, the FAA approves the Cosco Finale for aircraft use in its car seat capacity.

It suits kids between 40 to 100 pounds and 43 to 52 inches in height as a booster seat. Its 17-inch width and 9-pound weight make it ideal for quick transfers between rental cars, taxis, and family cars back home. Other useful features include a removable cup holder and a machine-washable cover in colors that range from gray to pale pink. Lastly, thrifty families will appreciate this seat's affordable price tag.

Dimensions: 18.3 x 19 x 29.8 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 100 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or seat belt

Most Innovative

Maxi-cosi pria max 3-in-1 convertible car seat.

Easy to buckle

Not the lightest pick

If you don't want to invest in multiple car seats, the Pria Max 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is your best bet. It can handle children from birth to 10 years old, making it one of the most versatile options on the market. Plus, the high-end brand makes each stage supremely comfortable for your child and easy for adults to use. It has a spring-assist harness system, so the straps don't get tangled; a one-hand magnetic chest clip; a simple integrated headrest and harness system, so you don't have to rethread as your tot grows; and machine-washable fabric. Keep in mind it comes with a hefty price tag and heavier weight.

Dimensions: 25.3 x 24 x 19.9 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 100 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or seat belt

Best For Road Trips

Chicco keyfit 35 cleartex infant car seat.

FAA-approved

Eco-friendly textiles

UPF 50+ canopy

Rear-facing only

This car seat is a great option for road trips —or as your primary car seat that occasionally travels—as the stay-in-car base is a breeze to install correctly and the carrier itself clicks into place in one motion. When it's time to stretch your legs and explore simply detach the seat and click it into any Chicco stroller base for a lightning-fast travel combo. The base has an anti-rebound bar for added stability and extra legroom for a rider up to 32 inches tall, and the headrest has five different positions to accommodate an infant's growth.

If your plans include air travel, this is still a solid pick. The best thing about this carrier is that it can be installed in an aircraft or rental vehicle without the base, using the European or American routing method. The base and carrier together weigh 18 pounds but you'll only have to manage 10 pounds if you go baseless. It comes with removable newborn positioners so little ones from 4 pounds are ready to roll.

Dimensions: 28 x 16.5 x 24 inches | Weight Rating: 4 to 35 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or seat belt

The Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat is light, FAA-approved, and supports young travelers up to 40 pounds. We love the accessible price point and easy-to-clean cover. If you're shopping for a toddler or older but still want to prioritize portability, go for the Wayb Pico Travel Car Seat .

What to Look For in Travel Car Seats

Installation.

All models on our list use LATCH systems and some can also be installed using the vehicle's seat belt, but you should never use both anchoring methods together. LATCH, also known as Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, is an alternative way of securing the car seat to the vehicle without using the seat belt. Both the vehicle and the car seat must have LATCH parts to install the seat properly, but most car seats (and vehicles manufactured after 2002) will do so. The car seat has straps that come from the bottom and a tether at the top. These attach to the lower anchors in the car, found in the space between the rear back seat and seat cushion, and to the top anchor, which could be near the rear window or on the car ceiling. When in doubt, check the vehicle manual and seat instructions.

Weight Rating

Like their everyday counterparts, travel car seats include maximum weight ratings that must be adhered to. Additionally, your decision to install the car seat front- or rear-facing is based on the weight and height of your child. Most models can transition from rear- to front-facing as your tot grows, or even from front-facing to a booster seat like the Cosco Finale DX . Consider the kid's age, weight, height, and the manufacturer's notes to choose a travel seat that will give you the longest practical use.

Certification Status

Most importantly, the car seat you buy should meet all safety standards. If you're flying, look for an FAA-approved or similarly aircraft-approved seat.

"All legal car seats must meet the same crash test criteria, or safety standards, and be properly labeled," said Amie Durocher, a CPS Tech at SafeRide4Kids.com. "If you are worried about counterfeit car seats, check the label. Certified seats in the U.S. are required to have very specific language on the labels. Beware if it doesn't mention federal motor vehicle safety standards or FMVSS213 or if it lacks a model name or number or manufacture date."

Yes, you can travel with a car seat on the plane —and it's actually recommended. "We recommend that parents purchase a seat even for children under 2 who could be 'lap babies' and use the FAA-approved child restraint on the airplane," said Durocher. "This makes it safer for the child—and the parent—in case of an incident during takeoff or landing and in case of turbulence during the flight."

The hardest part of traveling with a car seat is figuring out the logistics through the airport. “Infant car seats that click onto a compatible stroller are easy, but travelers might need a car seat cart, luggage strap, or bungee cords to lug a convertible car seat through the airport,” said Michelle Pratt, founder and owner of Safe in the Seat. “Some people prefer to check their stroller with their luggage and use a car seat cart to get their child and seat through the airport easily. Others babywear or let their toddler walk and load up their stroller with all their gear, then gate check the stroller planeside.”

“Rear-facing is the safest way for kids to ride in the car, but it’s not always possible on planes due to the tighter space,” added Pratt. “If the car seat fits rear-facing on the plane, that’s best. But kids who rear-face in the car can forward-face on the plane if they are at least 1 year old and meet their car seat’s forward-facing requirements. Then they seamlessly go back to rear-facing in the car at the destination.”

Author Jordi Lippe-McGraw has researched and written about travel and lifestyle products for nearly a decade. She is also the mom of a 3-year-old. When making this list, she researched dozens of products, looking at key specs like dimensions and weight rating and the number of positive and negative reviews. While researching the best travel car seats, we spoke with Amie Durocher , a CPS Tech at SafeRide4Kids.com, and Michelle Pratt , founder and owner of Safe in the Seat.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. " Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) Restraint System ." Accessed Feb 6th, 2023.

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• Baby and kid

The Best Travel Car Seats

By Christina Szalinski and Rebecca Gale

Let’s face it: Traveling with little kids can be a slog. But a lightweight, compact, easy-to-install travel car seat is one tool that can make trips a bit easier.

We’ve tested 17 travel car seats for infants and up, and we examined how they performed in various circumstances, including during air travel and in rental cars. The Chicco KeyFit 35 , one of our picks for the best infant car seats , is an excellent choice for both travel and everyday use. For an affordable and easy-to-use convertible car seat for toddlers and preschoolers, we recommend traveling with the Cosco Scenera Next , which fits kids up to 40 inches tall for rear-facing or 43 inches for forward-facing. For kids bigger than that who still need a seat with a five-point harness, we recommend the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 , which also converts to a high-back booster. The backless, lightweight Cosco Rise is great for booster-age kids.

If you’ll be hopping in and out of taxis or ride shares with a baby, the Doona is a unique but expensive infant car seat that converts to a stroller. And instead of purchasing a dedicated convertible car seat for travel, another option is to bring yours along with the Britax Travel Cart .

Everything we recommend

Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex

The best infant car seat for travel.

If you’re a frequent traveler, the Chicco KeyFit 35 is easier than most infant car seats to install securely without its base.

Buying Options

An infant car seat and stroller in one

This unusual car seat has integrated wheels that pop out to turn it into a stroller. It’s best for parents who frequently need to move their car seat in and out of different vehicles.

Cosco Scenera Next

The best convertible car seat for travel.

This affordable and easy-to-use car seat weighs 6.8 pounds and can be used rear- and forward-facing. But kids can outgrow it quickly.

Cosco Finale 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat

The best harness booster car seat for travel.

This no-frills seat converts from a forward-facing five-point harness to a high-back booster. It weighs just 12 pounds.

Britax Travel Cart

A travel cart for lugging your own seat through the airport.

This sturdy, smooth-rolling travel cart helps you transport your own convertible car seat—and avoid buying a standalone travel seat. You can even strap your child into their seat and use it like a stroller.

The best backless booster seat for travel

This basic booster seat weighs only 2.2 pounds and can work for children as small as 40 pounds. But it has a rather large footprint and will be too big to fit in most carry-ons.

May be out of stock

How we picked

A seat that’s lightweight is more manageable to carry between multiple locations. A more compact seat is also easier to pack.

We considered the seat’s comfort and ability to adjust straps and buckles.

Ease of installation is paramount, as the easier it is to do, the more likely it will be done properly.

We looked at crash-testing scores and ease-of-use ratings. Our infant, convertible, and harness booster picks are FAA-approved for use on a plane.

The Chicco KeyFit 35 is a great all-around infant car seat—and one of the ones we recommend for everyday use. But for travel it stands out: It has a European belt path that makes it easier to get a secure install without the base than for many car seats, and it’s cheaper than other seats that have this belt routing option.

Weight of seat: 10 pounds Orientation: rear-facing only Weight range: 4 to 35 pounds Height limit: 32 inches

Parents who can’t leave their infant seat base installed in a specific car but instead need to travel by taxi or rideshare frequently may find the innovative Doona to be a convenient option. This sleek infant car seat has integrated wheels and converts to a stroller that maneuvers easily, plus the seat is FAA-approved for use on an airplane. But the versatile Doona is much heavier and more expensive than a regular infant car seat.

Weight of seat: 14.3 pounds Orientation: rear-facing only Weight range: 4 to 35 pounds Height limit: 32 inches

The Cosco Scenera Next is a notably lightweight, affordable convertible car seat that is simple to install and carry on an airplane. It receives strong safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is FAA-approved for use on a plane. But many kids will outgrow it before they reach the height or weight limit because of the low position of the shoulder straps.

Weight of seat: 6.8 pounds Orientation: rear- or forward-facing Weight range: 5 to 40 pounds rear-facing; 22-40 pounds forward-facing Height range: 19-40 inches rear-facing; 29-43 inches forward-facing

For children using a forward-facing five-point harness, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is a lightweight and affordable travel option that is FAA-approved for use on a plane (in harness mode only). It also converts to a high-back booster. However, it has lower height limits than some boosters, so kids may not get as many years of use from it, in comparison with pricier options.

Weight of seat: 12 pounds Orientation: forward-facing only Weight range: 30 to 65 pounds for harness mode; 40 to 100 pounds for high-back mode Height range: 32 to 49 inches for harness mode; 43 to 52 inches for high-back mode

Bringing your own car seat to the airport has one big advantage—you don’t have to learn how to install yet another seat. But your own convertible car seat is likely to be heavy (our picks in our guide to convertible car seats range from 19 to 33 pounds). The Britax Travel Cart is compatible with most convertible seats, and when your car seat is secured to it with LATCH, you can use it like a stroller to push your toddler through the airport. The cart can then be stored in an overhead bin during your flight.

Weight of cart: 7.6 pounds

If you need a cheap, no-frills booster seat, we recommend the Cosco Rise . It’s a bit too large to fit into a carry-on suitcase or backpack, but it’s easy to attach with a bungee cord to a carry-on for plane travel. It’s also a great option if you just need a spare booster for carpools or to order ahead for use at the grandparents' house.

Weight of seat: 2.2 pounds Weight range: 40 to 100 pounds Height range: 43 to 57 inches

The research

Why you should trust us, who should get this, the best infant car seat for travel: chicco keyfit 35, an infant seat and stroller in one: doona, the best convertible car seat for travel: cosco scenera next, the best harness booster seat for travel: cosco finale 2-in-1, a great car seat caddy: britax travel cart, the best booster seat for travel: cosco rise, other good travel car seats, should a kid sit in a car seat on the airplane, what about checking a car seat, the competition, care, use, and maintenance.

The authors of this guide have collectively interviewed 40 industry experts, safety authorities, and physicians. Among them were certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) such as Lani Harrison, who installs more than 300 car seats each year; Dr. Aditya Belwadi, a biomechanics research scientist who previously led the child passenger safety research team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and now works at Tesla in Crash, Safety, and Occupant Protection/Biomechanics; and Bill Horn, head sled testing engineer at Calspan , one of the country’s top crash-testing facilities. The authors also talked with dozens of parents and representatives from leading car seat manufacturers.

The original version of this guide was written by Rebecca Gale, whose reporting on policy and parenting has appeared in outlets including The New York Times, Slate, and The Washington Post. Rebecca has also been certified as a CPST, completing a 40-hour training program through the Safe Kids Worldwide organization.

In 2022 and 2023, this guide was updated by Christina Szalinski, a science writer whose reporting on health and parenting has appeared in The Atlantic and Kaiser Health News . In addition to writing the most recent versions of Wirecutter’s infant and convertible car seat guides, Christina is responsible for Wirecutter’s guides to the best baby formula and kids face masks .

Few people strictly need a separate car seat for travel as you can gate- or baggage-check any car seat for free with most airlines. But lugging your regular (likely heavy and bulky) seat in and out of the car and through the airport can be a major hassle. Investing in a smaller, lighter-weight option may be worthwhile, especially if you fly or use ridesharing services or taxis frequently.

Infant car seats for travel

If you’re traveling with an infant or baby, bringing along your usual infant car seat without its base (to cut down on weight and heft) is typically the best option. Our top infant car seat pick, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX , is relatively lightweight and, like other infant car seats, can be safely strapped in with a seatbelt only and no base.

There are two possible ways to install an infant car seat without a base: either with the belt directly across the top, called “American routing,” or with the shoulder belt placed around the back of the seat in addition to the top, called “European routing.” It’s easier to get a secure fit with European routing, and two seats we recommend in our guide to infant car seats, the Chicco KeyFit 35 and the Clek Liing , are designed to allow for that type of install. If you know you’ll be traveling with your infant often, it may be worthwhile to choose one of these as your baby’s first car seat.

Many infant car seats are compatible with easy-to-fold stroller frames, such as the Chicco KeyFit Caddy , which turns an infant car seat into a stroller and can be convenient for travel. Most infant seats are FAA-approved for airplane use, should you decide to purchase an airplane seat for your infant.

Convertible car seats for travel

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, deciding on a car seat for travel can be trickier. Alisa Baer, a pediatrician, CPST, and co-founder of the website The Car Seat Lady , recommends bringing your own convertible car seat and using a travel cart . That way you have a seat that you’re already comfortable installing. But some people will prefer a dedicated travel car seat, as they can be significantly lighter than regular seats—as little as 7 pounds versus 20 to 30 pounds.

If you do buy a dedicated travel seat, it’s a good idea to practice installing it before your trip—you don’t want to be figuring it out for the first time when you, and your kid, are potentially jet lagged and feeling extra cranky. Installation can be the most time-consuming and frustrating part of using a car seat—and particularly a convertible car seat—and is often the point of failure for using a car seat correctly.

Booster seats for travel

If your everyday booster seat has a removable back (as with our top pick and runner-up pick, the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus and the Graco TurboBooster LX ), you may prefer to simply bring that seat for travel, leaving the bulky back at home. But like with convertible seats, it’s also an option to get a dedicated travel booster that may be significantly lighter and smaller than the one you rely on every day.

Jessica Jermakian, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, offered several tips for bringing along a backless booster, especially if it’s not one that’s compact: “I bungee cord them to my luggage while traversing the airport. On most flights, my kids could shove them under the seat in front of them and still have room to throw their backpack on top. On some flights, I’ve put them in a tote in the overhead compartment.”

Travel car seat alternatives

If you’re headed to a familiar destination, you could look into borrowing a seat from friends or relatives. Or, you may be able to rent one through a baby equipment rental service.

Many car rental companies also offer car seats for a daily fee, but it can cost up to $15 a day—adding up to much more than the cost of a travel car seat, which can be less than $50. And though you can reserve one in advance, rental car seats are subject to availability, so there’s no guarantee that one will be available when you arrive. The car seat provided may also be difficult to install properly, especially in an unfamiliar car. That said, you may be able to find discounts or other benefits through programs such as AAA, which offers one free car seat rental for members when they book a car through Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty. Ridesharing and airport and town car services may also provide a car seat with advance reservations.

There are hundreds of travel car seat options for infants, toddlers, and older kids. We began the whittling down process by examining online customer reviews and existing media coverage, which included going to Car Seats for the Littles , Lucie’s List , and the Car Seat Lady . We found the travel car seat category to be sorely lacking in an abundance of great options, so we also considered some “regular” car seats and alternatives.

We knew from our expert interviews that proper installation is generally a far bigger problem than the level of protection that a seat inherently provides, so we searched the NHTSA ease-of-use installation database to help determine which seats offer easy installation and come with clear instructions. We also relied on the personal experience of Wirecutter staffers, volunteer testers, and car seat techs who had used the car seats in the past.

Our research led us to conclude that the ideal travel car seat should be:

Lightweight and compact: A travel car seat will likely need to be carried between multiple locations, sometimes with a baby inside (if we’re talking about an infant). The less the seat weighs, the easier it is to deal with when combined with children and carry-on items. A more compact seat can also fit more readily in a wide variety of vehicles.

FAA approved: For parents who want to use their infant seat, convertible car seat, or harness booster on a plane, FAA certification is crucial.

Easy to install: As with all of our car seat recommendations, ease of installation is paramount, as the easier it is to do, the more likely it is to be done properly.

Easy to use: Straps should be simple to adjust to get a snug but comfortable fit in a five-point harness. The buckles should be easy for parents to clip and unclip but difficult to impossible for children to mess with. We considered the experience of both parents and kids in using the seats, as well as how easy each seat was to clean.

Safe: When it comes to travel, convenience can trump a minor safety advantage; a seat that you can bring along with you is vastly superior to no seat at all. Still, we did take the relevant government safety data from NHTSA into consideration.

Over the past five years we’ve tested 17 car seats with travel specifically in mind.

If you’re shopping for an infant car seat with travel in mind, we recommend the FAA-approved Chicco KeyFit 35 , one of our picks in our guide to infant car seats . It is lightweight and easy to use, and it can be installed securely without its base using the European belt path, a method that generally provides a superior install. (Any infant seat can be installed without its base, so if you already have an infant seat, using what you already own is likely the easiest choice.)

You can save on weight and bulk by leaving a car seat base at home when traveling. There are two ways to install an infant seat without its base. The most common is American belt routing, in which the seat belt goes over the top of the infant seat and the baby’s knees. We’ve found that it can be very difficult to secure an infant seat in the car securely using this method.

A few seats also offer the option to rely on the European belt path, the method we prefer, in which the lap belt goes over the top of the infant seat and the shoulder belt goes around the back. It’s easier to get a secure install with the European belt path, but it’s only found on a few car seat models. Of the four infant car seats we recommend, only the Chicco KeyFit 35 and Clek Liing offer the option of using the European belt path.

Beyond the advantage of the European belt bath, the Chicco KeyFit 35 has everything we love about the more popular Chicco KeyFit 30 with a few bonus features, such as an anti-rebound base as an added safety option. The KeyFit 35 can also accommodate a slightly larger baby (up to 35 pounds) than the KeyFit 30.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The KeyFit 35 is about $50 more than our top infant car seat choice, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX . It probably doesn’t make sense to buy this seat just for travel if you already own a similar infant car seat. But if you plan to be jet-setting with your baby, it may be worth the additional $50 or so to get a better on-the-go install from the start.

The Doona is an FAA-approved infant car seat (rear-facing only) with built-in wheels that allow it to convert to a stroller. For travel, this is about as convenient as it gets, allowing caregivers to rely on a single piece of equipment to accomplish two goals: avoid gate-checking a stroller—assuming an airline seat is purchased for the infant—and hop in and out of cabs without having to stow anything in the trunk.

Compared with a regular infant car seat, the Doona has some drawbacks. For one thing, it did not perform particularly well in Baby Gear Lab’s crash testing (there are no government crash tests available yet for this seat). For this reason, and because it’s tricky to install without its base (as most infant seats are), one of our car seat experts does not recommend this seat. At 14.3 pounds, it’s heavy and bulky to carry and maneuver when in car seat mode. The Doona also has the steepest price of any of the car seats (including infant, convertible, and boosters) that we’ve reviewed. It does come with a traditional infant car seat base that allows for an easy click in and out of a car, but the extra width means it could be impossible to fit three across in a backseat. And it would defeat the point to use that base for travel.

Switching the Doona from car seat mode to stroller mode and back requires “both hands and concentration,” said one tester, as well as “quite a bit of practice for me. It takes a rather specific, subtle motion to collapse it back and tuck the wheels.” It’s harder than taking a regular infant car seat off of a stroller with an infant seat attachment. Plus, once your child outgrows this seat, you’ll have to buy another stroller.

As a stroller, the Doona maneuvers easily, and the brake is intuitive and easy to use. But though it comes with an attached storage bag, the Doona lacks a storage basket.

The inexpensive Cosco Scenera Next weighs just 6.8 pounds, is relatively easy to carry and install, and can be used rear-facing from 5 to 40 pounds and forward-facing from 22 to 40 pounds. It’s FAA-certified and easy to install on an airplane (using the plane’s seatbelt).

The Scenera Next sells for $60, which is a bargain compared with many convertible car seats (the Graco Extend2Fit , our favorite convertible seat for everyday use, is a little over $200). The seat gets strong safety ratings from NHTSA, and given its low weight and heft and easy-enough install, we think it’s the best option available for an on-the-go or backup car seat. We strongly prefer the (heftier) Graco Extend2Fit for everyday use. That’s because it’s easier to get a safe, secure install with that seat and to adjust it to fit the child. Plus, it can be used forward-facing until a kid is 65 pounds and 49 inches tall—a much longer usable life than the Scenera Next.

Several Wirecutter staffers use or have used the Cosco Scenera Next, appreciating its low cost, low weight, and small size. They’ve found that the seat’s slim profile makes it a great option for smaller cars (specifically, a Prius or Renault Scenic). Senior editor Courtney Schley found that the Cosco allowed her to get three seats (two Scenera Nexts and one infant car seat) across in her family’s car.

The Scenera Next’s low shoulder straps mean that a child may outgrow this seat well before they are ready for a booster. ( Shoulder straps should hit at or below the shoulders when a child is rear-facing; when forward-facing the straps should hit at or above the shoulders.) The low straps mean that many 3-year-olds with longer torsos may outgrow the seat in forward-facing mode, even though the seat’s height and weight limits indicate that it should fit an average-size kid up to age 4. With a long torso, the straps end up hitting below the shoulders, a situation that can compromise safety.

Though the Scenera Next is simple to install compared with other lightweight convertible car seats we tested, some of our testers still found it difficult to get a tight, secure install. It has hook LATCH straps that aren’t particularly easy to use—you really have to tug on the LATCH straps to get a tight fit, and getting them off can be an even bigger challenge. We preferred installing the seat with a seat belt in unfamiliar cars, which was an easier way to get a tight install (try the inside/outside trick with the shoulder belt), and made it much easier to uninstall.

Our testers also found that the chest clip on the harness wasn’t as responsive or easy to use as those on more expensive seats. The Scenera Next also has less padding than many seats, though Baer points out that the padding on most seats is highly compressible, meaning that just because a seat looks fluffier doesn’t mean it provides much more cushion.

This seat also has a few downsides if you bring it on a plane. Like most convertible car seats, it’s wider than the aisle, so you have to carry it awkwardly down the plane to get to your seat, which can be quite a challenge if you’re on your own and have other carry-on items (plus your child). Additionally, the plane’s seat belt buckle is going to be pushing into your child’s back if the seat is oriented forward-facing. Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, recommends installing any seat with this issue rear-facing, even if a kid is used to forward-facing. Or you can put a diaper or other soft item over the buckle to make it a bit more comfortable.

The Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is a solid option for kids who are no longer rear-facing but still benefit from a five-point harness. It’s affordable, weighs just 12 pounds, and is relatively easy to install using the car’s seat belt while in harness mode (it also comes with LATCH straps, though we didn’t find these as easy to use). Like other boosters, when in booster mode, this seat relies on the car’s seat belt to secure the child, so there’s no need to install it.

This bigger-kid seat can see a growing child through years of travel: It can be used as a forward-facing five-point harness booster seat from 30 to 65 pounds and then as a regular (harness-free) high-back booster from 40 to 100 pounds (up until a child is 52 inches tall).

As a five-point harness, it’s FAA-certified and easy to install on an airplane using the plane’s seatbelt. However, when it’s in booster mode, like all boosters, it cannot be used on an airplane.

In harness mode, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 performed well in an NHTSA crash test. And several Wirecutter staffers use or have used the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 while traveling after their child outgrew the Cosco Scenera Next—they liked the price and straightforward install. Converting the seat to a booster is fairly straightforward , and the seat has storage for the harness, crotch buckle, and chest clip. Once the seat is in booster mode, your child can’t use it on an airplane, but many airlines will allow you to check a booster seat for free (you may wish to check with your airline in advance).

A more expensive version of the Cosco Finale 2-in-1, the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 , is also available. The only difference between the two is the fabric—the DX has a tiny bit more cushion and a slightly less slippery texture. We asked several children to try each seat and then report their favorite (they wore blindfolds, to remove color preference as a factor). There was no clear winner between the two seats, and our adult testers could hardly distinguish a difference in the cushioning. For this reason, we don’t think it’s worth the extra $20 for the DX.

When using the Finale 2-in-1 in harness mode, you first have to install it in the car, which you can do either with the seat’s LATCH straps or with the car’s seat belt. We found the Finale 2-in-1’s hook LATCH straps difficult to use—it’s hard to get a tight fit in the car, and getting them off can be a big challenge. As we did with the Cosco Scenera Next, we preferred installing the harnessed seat with a seat belt; this was an easier way to get a tight install (try the inside/outside trick with the shoulder belt) and also made it much easier to uninstall. (When the harness is removed and the seat is in booster mode, you do not need to install it in the car, since the car’s seat belt holds it in place and secures the child.)

Our testers also found that the chest clip on the harness was a bit more difficult to open compared to those on more expensive seats like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 . The straps have to be manually threaded through the car seat, which isn’t particularly difficult or time consuming, but you have to remember to do it before you install the seat. It also has less padding than many seats, though our child testers didn’t complain (however, we didn’t take it on any long road trips).

This seat won’t have as many years of use as other travel options, like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1, because the Cosco has a maximum height of 52 inches (most boosters go to 57 inches) and does not convert to a backless booster.

If you need to travel with a convertible car seat, you can bring the one you already have to the airport and onto the airplane with the Britax Travel Cart . The main benefit of bringing your own is that you’ll have a seat that you (and your child) are comfortable with, and that you know how to install confidently.

There are a number of similar travel carts out there, but we think this one offers the most for the price. We like that when the car seat is strapped onto the cart using the car seat’s LATCH clips, you can use the whole thing like a stroller and push (or pull) your child through the airport. The frame is also studier than other models—it can hold a total of 100 pounds of car seat and child. Plus, when it’s time to get on the plane you can fold the cart to stow it in an overhead bin.

At about $100 for the cart, it is cheaper to purchase a budget convertible car seat like the Cosco Scenera Next. However, depending on your circumstances, the Britax Travel Cart may outlive the expiration of many car seats (which are between six and 10 years), and could be used for future car seats, or passed along without as much consideration as a used car seat.

For a cheap, no-frills booster seat, the Cosco Rise is a reliable option that weighs only 2.2 pounds. It’s simple to use: Like other backless booster seats, it does not need to be physically attached to the vehicle; a child simply sits in it and fastens the car’s lap belt over their knees (under the seat’s sides).

The Chicco GoFit Plus is our overall top pick for the best backless booster seat because it’s cushy, made with easy-to-clean materials, and includes two cup holders and a LATCH system to anchor the seat to the car. But it’s bulky, heavy, and not great for travel. The Cosco Rise has fewer bells and whistles, but it offers a key safety feature: Unlike many other boosters, this seat has a strap that attaches to a car’s shoulder belt to adjust the belt’s position for smaller riders (the shoulder belt should always rest on a child’s collarbone, and not against their neck).

The Cosco Rise can accommodate children as small as 40 pounds, as long as they are also 43 inches tall, meaning it will work for most kids 5 and up but may not accommodate some 4-year-olds.

This seat is a bit too large to fit easily into a carry-on suitcase or backpack (it takes up almost all the room top-to-bottom in a standard-sized carry-on, with only a little room left on the side). There is also almost no padding on this seat, merely a polyester cover, but for short rides, our testers didn’t complain.

If you want an upgraded infant seat that’s great for travel : We recommend the Clek Liing , one of our favorite infant seats . Like the Chicco KeyFit 35, the Clek Liing can be installed without its base using a European belt path, which is much easier to get secure than the standard American belt routing found on most infant car seats. And when you’re at home, we love how easy it is to install the Liing’s base, which includes an added safety feature: a load leg .

If you want a high-end infant seat and don’t own a car: The lightweight, easy-to-clean Clek Liingo is similar to the Clek Liing but without the base. In general, we think installing a seat with the base is an easier and more secure option with infant car seats. But if you don’t own a car, the Liingo can be installed without a base in several ways. It has the same European belt path that the Liing has, which routes the lap belt over the top and the shoulder belt around the back for more security than an install that just goes over the top of the seat. The Liingo also comes with a LATCH strap that routes in the same spot as the lap belt—though we found this was not nearly as secure as the European belt path routing.

If you want a longer-lasting five-point harness seat for older kids: The Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 is a good choice. This forward-facing-only seat has a five-point harness that holds kids from 22 to 65 pounds and up to 49 inches tall, and it can be adjusted without rethreading it, so it is easier to modify as your child grows. When your child is ready for a regular booster, you can remove the harness and crotch buckle, converting the seat to a high-back booster that can hold a child from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall. Finally, you can remove the back and convert the seat to a lightweight backless booster that can also be used from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall.

First off, a car seat must be FAA-approved—as all of our recommended infant and convertible seats are—for a kid to ride in one on an airplane. (Booster seats are reserved for older children and not intended for use on airplane seats.)

Both the Federal Aviation Administration and CPSTs believe it is safer for kids under 2 to ride in a car seat aboard a plane rather than in their parents’ arms. In the event of turbulence or rough air, a child is much safer if strapped in. Being injured in turbulence , though unlikely, does affect a handful of American flyers each year, and recent research indicates that turbulence is on the rise due to climate change.

Many parents find that air travel is easier when their child has their own seat (though of course you have to pay for that additional seat). Children are allowed to sit on caregivers’ laps on planes until age 2, but few toddlers can sit still for a long period of time, and that extra harness and recline (as well as familiarity) provided by the car seat may keep a child seated comfortably longer, especially once they are mobile but still too young to fully understand how to sit still in a lap belt.

There are a number of challenges to bringing a car seat, especially a convertible seat designed for a toddler, onto a plane. Some smaller planes may have seats that aren’t wide enough for many convertible car seats. And even if the car seat is narrow enough for the plane, not many seats are narrow enough to easily fit down the aisle. The Clek Foonf , one of our convertible car seat picks, is one of them, but it is pricey and heavy. (The Clek Fllo , Graco SlimFit3 LX , and Graco True3Fit LX also fit on an airplane seat, but we did not test them.) You’ll generally have to lift a car seat above the seats to carry it to the rear of a plane.

Finally, unlike a car seat buckle, which sits on your hip, a plane’s seat buckle sits right in the middle of your lap. That means for many car seats, once you install them on the plane, there’s going to be a large metal buckle below your child’s legs or behind their back (the Clek seats are among the few without this issue). Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, recommends using convertible seats with buckle-in-the-back issues rear-facing, even with a larger child—they’ll likely be more comfortable if their feet have a place to rest, plus they won’t be trying to rest their feet on the passenger’s seat in front of them. You can also put a diaper or spare T-shirt over the buckle to make it a bit more comfortable.

Some parents may find it simpler to use a CARES harness (Child Aviation Restraint System) to help keep kids in their seats on a plane (and their kids may prefer sitting in an airplane seat over a car seat); you install this four-point harness around the child’s seatback and under the tray behind it.

Most airlines allow at least one car seat to be checked for free but doing so has several potential problems . The luggage can be handled roughly and tossed, damaging the car seat in the process. Seats, like any piece of luggage, can also be lost or misplaced in transit. Ultimately, the main reason you may want to have your child use a car seat on the plane is so that you are absolutely confident you’ll have the car seat when you arrive at your destination.

For people who do check in their car seats, Harrison recommends—ideally—using the original box and styrofoam that the seat came with if they are available or using Bubble Wrap and a garbage bag if not. Examine the seat for visible damage when it comes out at baggage claim, and be prepared to replace the seat if it’s broken or bent.

Infant travel seats

The Chicco Fit2 can accommodate infants as small as 4 pounds and toddlers as large as 35 pounds or 35 inches. Like the Chicco KeyFit 35 we recommend as the best infant car seat for travel, it can be installed with a European belt path. But because of this seat’s large size, some seat belts are too short to route over the car seat securely.

Convertible travel seats

We previously recommended the lightweight, foldable, forward-facing WAYB Pico (rhymes with “baby”) as a good travel car seat for kids who are too big for the Cosco Scenera Next but still need a five-point harness. Its adjustable seat back allows it to accommodate taller kids, and its slim design means it takes up less room in the backseat than other car seats. The 8-pound seat is exceptionally convenient to install, uninstall, and carry around, including through airports and onto a plane. In September 2019, however, WAYB announced it was recalling 4,558 Pico car seats manufactured between March 1 and May 12, 2019, due to reports of breakage in the aluminum tube connecting the headrest to the seat. You can read NHSTA’s report (PDF)  for details about the recall, how to identify your car seat’s date of manufacture, and how to inspect your car seat for damage. Since the recall, there have not been further reports of problems. Like all car seats sold in the US, the Pico was self-certified by WAYB to pass NHTSA standards (PDF) for safety testing.

The EvenFlo Tribute is a lightweight seat (9 pounds) similar to the Cosco Scenera Next and also has a weight limit of 40 pounds, but as our convertible car seat guide testing showed us, it’s not as easy to get a good install with this seat. CPSTs like Harrison recommend using a towel or pool noodle when using the Tribute to address this. It’s also more expensive than the Cosco Scenera Next.

Booster travel seats

We previously recommended the BubbleBum , an inflatable, portable backless booster seat for older kids. However, in February 2022, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety raised concerns about the safety of inflatable boosters. A study using a computerized model determined that an inflatable booster may not have the stiffness required to keep a child from sliding out from under the lap belt upon impact in a car crash.

The backless Cosco Topside is too large to fit into a carry-on or a backpack. Unlike the Cosco Rise , our favorite backless booster for travel, this booster seat also doesn’t have a belt-positioning clip, which can help the shoulder belt fit better on a smaller rider.

We liked the Graco RightGuide booster seat because it was small enough to fit inside a carry-on or backpack. But it was discontinued.

The Immi Go is a booster car seat with a five-point harness that folds conveniently into its own carrying bag. Due to low sales, it is no longer for sale in the US, but you may see this seat if you travel abroad.

The MiFold backless booster seat (currently unavailable) is small enough to fit into the back pocket of some pants and weighs less than 2 pounds. It works by moving the seat belt down to fit the kid (as opposed to raising the kid to fit the belt, as other boosters do). However, our testers found its hard plastic shell uncomfortable to sit on for long periods of time and said that the seat was complicated and unintuitive to set up. Also, a car seat safety expert we consulted noted that the design of the seat may encourage a child to use bad posture while they’re sitting in it—in an effort to find a more comfortable position, the child may tend to scoot forward, moving the slick-bottomed seat along with them, which could pose a safety concern.

Travel carts

The Torevsior Car Seat Travel Cart is about $30 less than the Britax Travel Cart we recommend, but it’s also less robust—the frame just doesn’t feel as sturdy. The weight limit is also lower than the Britax’s, at 70 pounds versus Britax’s 100 pounds. Like the Britax travel cart, the Torevsior cart has hooks for LATCH straps, to secure a car seat onto the cart so that your child can ride in it as you’re moving through the airport. It’s 6.4 pounds (Britax is 7.6 pounds), and extends up to 46 inches (Britax to 42 inches).

All of the guidelines for car seat care, use, and maintenance in our other car seat guides apply to travel car seats as well.

This guide was edited by Ellen Lee, Amy Miller Kravetz and Kalee Thompson.

Jessica Jermakian, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety , email exchange , August 1, 2022

Alisa Baer, pediatrician, nationally certified child passenger safety instructor, and co-founder of The Car Seat Lady , phone interview, July 15, 2022 and January 9, 2023

Lani Harrison, CPST, Car Seats for the Littles , email interview , January 28, 2019

Meet your guides

Christina Szalinski

Christina Szalinski is a freelance science writer with a PhD in cell biology.

Rebecca Gale

Further reading

The Best Booster Car Seats

by Rebecca Gale

After researching over 50 booster car seats and testing 13, we’ve concluded that the convenient Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus is the best overall choice.

The Best Infant Car Seats

by Christina Szalinski

After extensive research and field testing, we found that the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is the best infant car seat for most families.

The Best Travel Strollers

by Elise Czajkowski

After testing seven travel strollers on various trips and excursions, we’re confident that the Uppababy Minu V2 is the one to get.

Traveling With Little Kids Can Be Tough. The Right Gear Can Help.

by Kerry Davis McGuinness

From compact car seats and cribs to portable blackout shades and white noise machines, the right tools for travel can lead to less fuss—and more fun.

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• Travel Products
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The 8 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

We rounded up the best travel-friendly car seats to keep your kids safe wherever you go.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying

You May Also Need

• Why Trust T+L

Travel + Leisure / Cassie Aulie

Traveling with children can be a gratifying and enriching experience, but family vacations are also challenging because of the extra items you need to pack (and carry), including a car seat, which adds quite a lot of bulk to your luggage. That's why we set out to find the most compact, travel-friendly, lightweight, and easy-to-install car seats on the market right now.

We combed through results and feedback from three different real-world car seat tests in which we tested a total of 57 car seats, looking specifically for portable, travel-friendly options. During testing, we looked at several factors like design, features, ease of cleaning, value, and — most importantly — safety. Below, we rounded up eight of the best travel car seats to consider for your next family getaway.

Best Overall

Graco contender slim convertible car seat.

It is an excellent fit for compact cars.

The chest buckle is large and bulky.

Lugging around a heavy car seat in addition to your luggage is not pleasant, but this car seat will make your life so much easier. Not only is it the lightest car seat on our list, but it is also the slimmest, making it an excellent choice for both compact and larger vehicles (or for larger families who need to fit more than one car seat in the backseat). Installation took us about 15 minutes, and then it was pretty intuitive to use. It has several inserts that help you customize it for your child, including an infant insert with extra padding, eight headrest heights, and two reclining positions.

It also has a removable cup for snacks and drinks that you can place on either side of the seat. And while we only had to spot-clean it, if you need to wash the entire cover, you can take it off and throw it in the washing machine. The fabric is breathable and has held up exceptionally well after over a month of use.

The Details: Weighs 16 pounds; holds 65 pounds | 24.75 x 18.9 x 21.5 inches | Rear and forward modes | Belt- and latch-compatible

Travel + Leisure

Best Rotating

Evenflo gold revolve360 convertible car seat.

It’s easy to install and rotates 360 degrees.

It would be nice if it had a built-in sunshade.

Four minutes: that's exactly how much time it took us to install this Evenflo car seat after watching the instructional video. It was an incredibly easy-to-follow process, and we found the audible click and level indicator super helpful. But the most impressive feature of this convertible car seat is its ability to rotate 360 degrees, which is a complete game changer for parents (seriously, our team member who tested this car seat said it spoiled them into "never using a car seat that doesn't have this feature"). This means that the seat can transform into rear- or forward-facing in seconds without the need to uninstall the entire seat and base. Just pull one of the two levers on either side and start rotating it. This feature also makes it super convenient to place your child in the seat and buckle them because you no longer have to bend at an awkward angle. 

Comfort is also a standout feature, and the upholstery fabric of this car seat felt soft, breathable, and very high-quality (cleaning it is also a breeze). The overall padding of the car seat and the generous recline positions also contribute to a more comfortable trip. And finally, while this is not the lightest car seat at 40.6 pounds, its design is quite compact, and even if you install it in a smaller vehicle, you will be left with a good amount of legroom and recline space for the seat in front. 

Shoppers should also note that the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (OVSC) is currently evaluating this car seat .

The Details: Weighs 40.6 pounds; holds up to 120 pounds | 25.9 x 19.8 x 21 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Belt- and latch-compatible

Best for Compact Cars

Diono radian 3rxt convertible car seat.

The seat folds, making it easy to carry.

The initial installation takes more time than some of the other options on this list.

When renting a large car is not always possible, this Diono car seat is the way to go. First, it's much easier to carry (and store) because of its slim, foldable design. And while the installation took us a while compared to others on this list (about 45 minutes to an hour), we found it to be a perfect match for a smaller vehicle similar to a Fiat 500. 

Second, buckling and unbuckling is super intuitive, and the straps never get tangled up. And even after a year of constant use, the fabric is in excellent condition with few signs of wear and tear other than some light fading. You can also remove the cover and machine wash it, another very convenient feature. 

Third, we love that even though the seat is about 17 inches wide, it features additional padding and side protection without compromising comfort. Lastly, this car seat is also FAA-approved, so feel free to fly with it.

The Details: Weights 30.6 pounds; holds up to 120 pounds | 17 x 28.5 x 16 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Latch

Best With Stroller

Doona car seat and stroller.

The wheels fold up and attach to the seat.

There is no storage space, and you need to purchase the base separately. 

There is a reason the Doona car seat is a best-seller and an all-time parent favorite. It's all in the smart design that combines a car seat and a stroller in one compact product. Unlike other models, the wheels of this car seat collapse under it so you can latch it into its base (sold separately). Basically, you can bid adieu to lugging a stroller and a car seat. This is the ultimate travel-friendly stroller/car seat combo for infants and toddlers up to 35 pounds. We recommend you take your time to read the folding and unfolding instructions before you use it. It took us some time to figure out what each button was for and how to attach it to the base correctly, but it was smooth sailing once we got the hang of it.

The Doona is upholstered in a cooling bamboo fabric for added comfort, and it has a canopy for shade. The car seat also performed exceptionally well in our maneuverability category during testing — it was a breeze pushing it even with one hand. The brake was easy to engage and disengage, so this is the perfect option for a city vacation or a road trip that requires you to quickly transport your baby in and out of the car.

The Details: Weights 16.5 pounds; holds up to 35 pounds | 26 x 17.4 x 22.4 inches (folded) | Rear-facing | Latch and belt

Most Durable

Graco extend2fit 3-in-1 car seat.

This option proved to be most durable after we used it for more than two years.

The shoulder straps are difficult to adjust.

We tested this car seat for over two years, and it has held up exceptionally well against wear and tear, spills, and everything a toddler can (literally) throw at it. Graco makes some of the sturdiest, most durable car seats by focusing on quality and safety, and this is exactly why we included the Extend2Fit model in this list.

The car seat is easy to install (it took us about 20 minutes), and even if you're setting it up in a smaller vehicle, it leaves plenty of legroom and recline space. We appreciated the two deep cup holders that are perfect for holding sippy cups and snacks (and bonus points for how easy they are to clean). This car seat has a unique feature that accommodates growing kids — a retractable panel provides five extra inches of legroom, making it safer for taller infants and toddlers to ride in a rear-facing position.

The Details: Weighs 19 pounds; holds up to 65 pounds | 24.5 x 20.75 x 19 inches | Rear and forward modes | Latch

Most Comfortable

Safety 1st grow and go lx convertible car seat.

You can use the footrest in both rear- and forward-facing positions, making it comfortable no matter which way kids sit.

 It is a bit tricky to install.

Looking for a car seat to keep your little one comfortable during long road trips? This one performed well in almost all categories thanks to its easy use, design, durability, and overall value. Its size is generous (so it may not be a great fit for compact vehicles) and provides ample space for kids to grow into without compromising on padding and safety.

Safety 1st updated this model with a footrest that really impressed us because you can use it in rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster positions so your child's feet will not dangle for hours. We also love that the removable cups are dishwasher-safe and come with convenient lids to prevent messes (but in any case, the cover is removable and machine-washable). The car seat we tested still looks new, and the fabric seems spill-resistant.

The Details: Weighs 20 pounds; holds up to 100 pounds | 23.5 x 19 x 25 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Latch and belt

Best for Multiple Age Groups

Graco 3-in-1 rotating car seat.

It is super easy to install and accommodates various age groups.

This rotating car seat works better in larger cars and may be a tight squeeze in smaller vehicles.

Your child should be all set for years to come with Graco's convertible car seat, which accommodates children up to 100 pounds. It rotates in a rear-facing position so you can get your baby in and out of it more easily. As for securing your child, the buckles are extremely easy to use, and the straps stay in sync — meaning that if you loosen one, the other will loosen automatically, too. And with four reclining positions, your child will be comfortable whether they are taking a nap, eating a snack, or playing.

We tested this car seat in a mid-size SUV, and it left plenty of reclining space for the seat in front. However, if you install it in a smaller vehicle, it might be a much tighter situation. And speaking of the installation, it only took us 17 minutes to read the instructions, watch the YouTube video, and install it. Finally, this seat grows with your child as it can accommodate kids weighing from four to 100 pounds. 

The Details: Weighs 30 pounds; holds up to 100 pounds | 19.1 x 24.4 x 20.8 inches | Rear, forward, and booster modes | Latch

Easiest Installation

Britax emblem 3-stage convertible car seat.

This no-fuss car seat is quick to install, and it only weighs 19 pounds.

There are no extra features such as cup holders or sensors.

If you're in the market for a no-fuss, easy-to-use car seat, this is it. Installation is standard (although you will still have to read the instructions to do it), and once you've practiced a couple of times, you will be able to install it pretty fast in any vehicle. We tested it in a sedan and an SUV, and it fits well in both (although the SUV was a slightly better fit). Thanks to the excellent design, using it is a breeze. Buckling your child, adjusting the harness, and reclining is intuitive and stress-free, which is exactly what you need when you're on the road. And while it may not have many bells and whistles, it provides excellent padding, and the fabric is soft and pillowy without feeling scratchy. 

The Details: Weighs 19.5 pounds; holds up to 65 pounds | 21 x 18.3 x 26 inches | Rear and forward modes | Latch

Other Car Seats We Liked

We tested so many car seats that we think there are a few more worth mentioning, although we didn't love them quite as much as the others on our main list.

Baby Jogger City Sights Travel System: This stroller and car seat combo is a good option for parents looking for a two-in-one. The stroller is easy to maneuver and collapses into a pretty compact and travel-friendly size. The car seat has a weight capacity of 35 pounds, so it can only be used in a rear-facing position.

Nuna Rava Convertible Car Seat : This rear-facing car seat can accommodate children up to 50 pounds, which is impressive (however, keep in mind that the seat itself is almost 28 pounds). The straps and the buckles are very easy to use and don't get in the way when you place your child in and out of the seat.

We used results from three real-world tests in which we reviewed convertible car seats, rotating convertible car seats, and car seat stroller combos to find our favorite travel-friendly options. We sorted through feedback from 57 car seats we tested, looking at weight, size, and performance in multiple categories, including ease of installation, ease of use, design, features, safety, value, and more.

We also consulted Ben Hoffman, MD, a pediatrician and nationally recognized expert in child injury prevention and education, to ensure the safety of the products we chose for real-life tests. In addition, every car seat meets the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) standards.

Tips for Buying a Travel Car Seat

Look for portability.

Portability is one of the major factors differentiating a standard car seat from one you'll mostly use while traveling. Consider its weight and size: opt for lighter and more compact car seats that you can carry without compromising safety features. Some car seats fold or feature collapsible stroller wheels — all features that come in handy when you're on the road or in transit. 

Consider ease of installation

When you're just getting off a long-haul flight and need to get in the car and drive for hours, the last thing you want is to waste time installing a car seat. That's why your travel car seat should be simple to install and use. Check if the vehicle you are setting it up in accommodates a latch or belt car seat, and make sure that yours can comfortably fit in the back seat of whatever size car you may be renting. Then, read through the installation instructions or watch the video, and make sure you don't need another adult to help you safely install it. 

Pay attention to your child's weight and height

Every car seat has strict weight and height limits to ensure your child's safety. Some might also have age restrictions, but they are not as important as children are different and grow at their own pace.Make sure you weigh and measure your child before purchasing a travel car seat. The good thing about convertible car seats is that you can use them in both rear- and forward-facing positions as your child grows so you don't have to invest in a new car seat every few years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but you must first ensure the car seat is FAA-approved (it will say so on the car seat). In fact, while using a car seat on a plane is not required, the FAA recommends it to ensure your little one's safety in case of turbulence, for example. If traveling on an international airline outside the U.S., check with that airline's policies, size limitations, and guidelines before your trip, as some international airlines do not allow car seats on board. Usually, using a booster seat during a flight is not an issue with airlines, and it doesn't count toward your carry-on luggage allowance.

The short answer is yes. Airlines will usually check in a car seat, stroller, or a child restraint system for free (one per child). However, the tricky part is that if you're not traveling with a child, you might have to pay to check in the car seat, so in this case, it's always best to contact the airline before your trip.

If your car seat is oversized, you will be asked to check it in at the airport, so it's essential to place it in a protective bag that will offer some sort of protection while in the cargo hold of the plane. Even if you plan on using your car seat during the flight, a travel bag can help make carrying it through the airport easier. Some car seats come with travel bags that have handles. If your car seat doesn't come with one, you can likely purchase it from the maker's website or find one that accommodates the size of your car seat on Amazon. Certain bags even feature wheels so you can roll the car seat through the airport.

Most car rental companies offer car seats as an add-on for a fee, so if you don't want to invest in one or carry it with you, you can always rent one. U.S. car rental companies must offer car seats that comply with state and federal laws. However, if you're traveling internationally, the risk is that you don't know if the car seat has been stored and cleaned properly or if it’s ever been in an accident. It also means you have to install it yourself, which can be challenging and time-consuming if you're unfamiliar with that particular brand or car seat model. 

If you're traveling with children, here are some other useful products that can help make your trip run smoothly.

Maxi-cosi Swift Lightweight Portable Play Yard : This was our absolute favorite travel crib out of 19 that we tested , with a detachable mattress and bassinet feature that you can use to adjust the crib as your newborn grows. The crib is easy set up and take down for maximum portability, and it proved to be sturdy and durable in the long run.

Cybex Coya Compact Lightweight Travel Stroller : After testing strollers in our lab , this was our favorite travel stroller for flying. We found that it folds up quickly and fits easily into airplane overhead bins. It also has removable seat padding for cleaning and a canopy that comes down for sun and rain protection.

JetKids by Stokke BedBox Kid's Ride-on Suitcase : We are expert luggage testers here at Travel + Leisure , and this ride-on suitcase was one of our favorites for kids . The ride-on design means that a kid can sit on top of the suitcase as their parents pull them using the adjustable strap. Parents can also use the strap to carry the lightweight suitcase like a shoulder bag.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

For this article, Dobrina Zhekova worked with T+L editors to round up the safest and most comfortable travel car seats for kids of all ages from real-world tests. As a mother, she has also tested several car seats in the past five years and has extensive knowledge of airline policies and regulations about traveling with car seats. She also referenced customer reviews and expert recommendations in this article.

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter , and we'll send you our favorite travel products each week.

Related Articles

The 10 Best Travel Car Seats In 2024 (For Airplanes & Transfers)

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. FIND MORE INFO IN MY DISCLAIMER.

Our process involves independent research, testing (by using it whilst we travel), reviewing, and recommending the best products. Click here  to learn more.

It can be so tricky to find car seats for airplanes.  

Deciding which car seat is in actual fact the  best travel car seat  can be even more challenging.

Did you know that you can only use a portable car seat for travel on an airplane if it is has been FAA certified?

Now take into consideration that we need to find the best lightweight car seat for travel so we can easily port it around and lastly that we also need to find a car seat that is slim enough to fit on the narrow airplane seats.

It is no easy feat to find to find the best car seat for flying, and that fits all of those criteria!

Don’t have time to go through the entire list?

THE BEST CONVERTIBLE LIGHT CAR SEAT FOR TRAVEL

Our pick: Safety First Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat  

• It is lightweight
• Slim design for airplane seats
• Suitable for weights from 5 - 65 lbs

See the Safety First Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat for travel reviews

Below you will find a list of best airplane car seats for 2024.

We also share some food for thought about whether you actually need a car seat as well as ideas on how to make it easier to actually travel with the car seat.  

PS.   Here is our guide to the best baby travel gear and the best travel gear for toddlers .  

Best Car Seat for Travel Guide & Top 10 Compact Travel Car Seat Reviews

In this airplane car seat buying guide, we suggest you check out our comparison chart of the best car seat for air travel and then read our portable baby car seat reviews of the seats that best suit your requirements.  

The below reviews are of the best convertible travel car seats, so if you are shopping for either:

• the best travel car seat for 1 year old, 
• best travel car seat for 2 year old,
• best travel car seat for 3 year old or
• the best travel car seat for 4 year old, 

we got you covered!

Click Here to See Our Pick for the B est Convertible Car Seat for Travel

FAA Approved Car Seats Comparison Chart

Below is a helpful airline approved car seat list of all the top rated car seats for travel, which are mentioned in this article.

You can then read my reviews below featuring the best car seat for airplane travel that 2024 has to offer.

Best Travel Car Seats Sorted by Age

We also thought it might be helpful to have a FAA child seat chart that is sorted by age.

Let's take a look at some options of the best travel infant car seat for babies from birth to 1 year of age  and travel toddler car seats options that are perfect for little ones from 1 - 4 years of age.

Also, let us show you our recommendation for a car seat for travel on airplane for 3 - 4+ year old.

Before you choose which is the best car seat for plane use, we do recommend that you read through all of the reviews to get a clearer picture.

Top 10 Best Travel Car Seat Reviews

Below you will find the list of the best FAA approved car seats and best FAA approved convertible car seats. We will have a close look at the top air travel car seats.  

I will outline the features, the pros and cons of each in detailed travel car seat reviews, which should help you choose the best travel car seat 2024 has on offer for you. 

1. Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat Review

What We Love About It: It is only 18" in width - so it fits nicely on plane seats. The arm rests are low so we could use the plane tray table for eating.

Important to Note: For a car seat to be light, it has to compromise on comfort and quality, so we only keep this seat for travel purposes but have a better seat for when we are home.

This is one of the best selling travel baby car seat because you can use it straight from birth all way through to 65 lb.

It is cheap enough to take on a trip without worrying if it got dirty or banged up a bit. 

It is lightweight (14 lb) and slim (18"), but still offers some cushioning for little babies.

Tip: There are also 2 removable cup holders on each side, which will save more space and make it more compact. 

This safe travel car seat is certified for aircraft use in both the rear- and forward-facing positions

Lightweight

The Safety 1st car seat might not be the lightest car seat on our list (the WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat is), but it is still light enough at 14 lbs to carry with ease and offers more cushioning in comparison to the NEXT car seat.

It is important that your little one is comfortable which is why we prefer this car seat.

Convertible Car Seat

The seat is convertible and has a weight range of 5lb to 40lb when using rear-facing and a weight limit of 22lb to 65lb for forward-facing position.

Some Negatives

Whilst you can use this seat from 5 lb, we prefer the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX for infants. The straps are a bit hard to adjust and the padding slips around a bit.

Keep in mind this is a basic car seat (which is great as you won't mind if it gets knocked about on a trip), but a newborn baby, I prefer to spend more and get more protection for their necks.

Overall Opinion

The Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Car Seat is one of the best cheap baby car seats for travel.  It is lightweight and slim enough to fit on airplane seats.

It has a wide weight limit so that you can use the seat for many years.

The seat is definitely one of the best car seat for traveling on an airplane and, in our opinion it is one of the best car seat for airplane 2024 options.

This is our pick for the best cheap car seat for travel and/or the best convertible car seat for air travel.

2.   Cosco MightyFit 65 DX Convertible Car Seat Review

What We Love About It: It’s light weight and you can use it in a plane rear facing and front facing. 

Important to Note: It could have more padding where the airplane buckle goes.

This travel-friendly car seat is a lightweight car seat for travel that is also a FAA certified car seat. 

It has high safety ratings and it a bit taller in comparison to other cheap car seats, which means that the seat will last that bit longer before your little one hits the height limit.

It is FAA-Approved and can be used only on forward-facing positions on the plane.

The car seat is lovely and light at 12.76 lbs, which is the ideal weight for a car seat for aircraft use.

The seat is convertible and has a weight range of 5lb to 40lb when using rear-facing and a weight limit of 22lb to 65lb for the forward-facing position.

Whilst you can use this seat from 5 lb, we prefer the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX for babies and infants as it offers more support and protection for their necks.

The Cosco MightFit DX 65 Car Seat is a brilliant buy for older kids. The seat is cheap as chips and lightweight.

It is a great option as a portable car seat for 3 and 4 year old's, as the seat is nice and roomy.

It is also a fabulous car seat for home-use. You can fit 3 of these car seats in most cars, which is brilliant!

We love this car seat and I'm sure you will love it too.

3. WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat Review

What We Love About It: It folds! This is the narrowest and lightest car seat on our list.

Important to Note: This seat is so innovative, but it comes at a premium price.

Looking for a travel car seat for 2 years and up to 4 year old kids? This is a fabulous seat with extra room for growing kids. 

The WAYB Pico travel car seat is super lightweight (8 lb) and lovely and slim (14.5"). It is such a great car seat that I would even recommend it for the car at home as well. 

The car seat is lovely and light at 8 lbs, which is the ideal weight for a car seat for aircraft use.

Slim Design

The baby travel car seat is lovely and slim and at 14.5" it should fit comfortably on most airplane seats.

When folded the Pico car seat can fit into overhead bins and is easily carried while walking through the airport or to-and-from the car! 

Forward-Facing ONLY

Because this seat is designed for older kids, you can only use it in the forward-facing position and it doesn't recline.

It is suitable for toddlers and kids older than 2 with a weight range of 22 - 50 lbs. It is roomy and lovely and tall for kids with height up to 45".

The WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat is a brilliant buy for older kids.

The seat is our most expensive travel car seat however if you are looking for a super lightweight and lovely slim travel car seat this is a great option for 2 - 4 year old's.

It is also a fabulous car seat for home-use and due to it's lightweight you can easily move it from car to car and it will fit in most cars, which is brilliant!

Tip:  Check out our blog post on best portable car seat for 2 year old here.

4. Evenflo Sonus 65 Convertible Car Seat Review

The Evenflo Sonus 65 is ideal for use as a travel seat on the airplane. It is a FAA approved child restraint seat, it is lightweight (only 11.5 lbs.), and has a perfect width of around 19".

The Sonus is a lovely light 11 lbs. It is the second lightest car seat on our list and is the perfect seat to cart through an airport, you might even get away with carrying it if you have to.

The width of the car seat is 19", which means that the seat should fit comfortably on all plane seats, although you might have to lift the arm rests on the very narrow 16.5" seats.

Convertible

The seat can be used in rear-facing position from 5 – 40 lbs. and in the forward-facing position from 22 – 65 lbs.

You can find out how to install this seat in rear- and forward-facing positions on the plane in the manual here . 

The Sonus 65 is a great convertible lightweight travel car seat.

It is suitable for babies and toddlers from 5 to 65 lbs. and offers 6 harness positions for a better fit. The seat is lightweight and slim.

We also love that the seat features a revolutionary air flow ventilation system that provides a temperature-regulated, which means that your little one will be comfortable no matter what the season or temperature is of your destination.

5. Graco Contender Slim Convertible Travel Car Seat Review

What We Love About It: It is light and compact. It is also a bit more comfy in comparison to the seats listed above.

Important to Note: If you need to use the seat in rear-facing, it will mostly likely be a very snug fit (and it might not even fit). It is better in forward-facing.

This Graco travel car seat is a great portable car seat that is FAA approved with a good safety ranking.  

Despite it having a fixed base it is still lightweight (16 lbs.).  

It is slightly more expensive than many of the other car seats on our list, but it is more cushioned and comfy.

The Graco Contender Slim Convertible car seat is a lovely lightweight car seat despite the fixed base, weighing in at only 16 lbs.  

It is slightly heavier than other car seats so we do recommend you invest in a car seat carrier.  

The Graco car seat is compatible with the Baby Trend Snap N Go car seat carrier.

It is a convertible car seat which means that you can use it in rear-facing to forward-facing positions.

It has a rear-facing weight limit of 40 lbs. and a forward-facing weight limit of 65 lbs.  

The car seat is a bit more pricey in comparison to the cheap infant car seats such as Cosco, Evenflo and Safety 1st.

It also has a lower height (24.75") in comparison to Safety 1st (29.75"), which means that your little one might grow out of it before they hit the weight requirements.  

As with many other car seats on the list, it can be tricky to install on planes.

The Graco Contender Slim is a great seller due to being able to use it from infants up to toddlers. 

If you don't mind the slightly higher price tag, then this might be, in our opinion, the best travel convertible car seat for you.

It ranks high on our list as one of the best travel convertible car seat 2024 options, after all.

6.   Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 Car Seat Review

The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 is a great portable car seat FAA approved and with a good safety ranking.  

It is slightly more expensive than many of the other car seats on our list, but it offers better comfort from the cushion and padding.

The Graco SlimFit slim design makes the seat 10% slimmer despite the dual integrated cup holders.

It is a convertible car seat which means that you can use it in rear-facing to forward-facing positions. It is also used as a high-back booster seat.

It has a rear-facing weight limit of 40 lbs, and a forward-facing weight limit of 65 lbs. When used as a booster seat it has a weight limit of 100 lbs. 

The Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 is a great car seat for air travel.  

Although it is more expensive than the other car seats we have recommended, this car seat will provide value for money as you can use it from infants right up to the booster seat stage for your child. 

It is also a great car seat to use in your car at home.

7. Graco TriRide 3-in-1 Car Seat Review

The Graco TriRide 3-in-1 car seat is not the best lightweight car seat for travel. It is a bit on the thicker and heavier side, but it is still an FAA certified car seat. 

This car seat weighs just over 17 lbs (it is not the lightest car seat on our list!) which means that you should consider using the following to carry it with you through the airport.

We still do recommend that you put it in a  car seat backpack  or a car seat roller like the  Baby Trend Snap N Go to make life easier.

Thicker Design

The Graco TriRide is not the slimmest with a width of 19" compared to other car seats we have recommended.  

It will still fit through the security scanners and it should still fit on most airplane seats with the armrest up. 

Please do check with the airlines to make sure that the size of this seat is allowed before you go.

Rear-Facing

The Graco TriRide car seat is a travel convertible car seat, which means that you can use this car seat in the rear-facing position for babies up to 40 lbs. and forward facing for little ones up to 65lbs. 

When using the booster seat option, the seat can take a wight limit of up to 100lbs.

It is important to note that this seat can only be installed on the plane in the forward-facing position.

The Graco TriRide 3-in-1 is a very popular travel car seat because it offers value for money through the various weights and stages so can be used for a long time, but it also has high safety ratings.

The car seat is convertible and will last your bubs up until 100 lbs.  

8.   Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Travel Car Seat Review

The Evenflo Tribute LX is a favorite because it is such an incredibly lightweight infant car seat.

The Evenflo Tribute LX is the one of the lightest car seats on our list. It is compact and weighs only 12 lbs. which is pretty incredible!

The seat has been designed to fit on plane seats. It measures 22" so you might have to have the arm rest up on smaller seat planes.  

I would also suggest you check the width of the bulkhead seats as they tend to be slightly more narrow than normal seats.

This car seat is convertible which means that it is suitable for newborns up to a weight of 30 lb when used in the rear facing position.

It has a weight limit of up to 40 lbs for forward facing.

The Evenflo Car Seat is a great car seat for travel. It is compact and lightweight and at a width of 22" it will fit on most seats with the arms rests down.  

The seat will fit through the baggage security scanners. A great car seat with high safety ratings! 

Find information on how to install this seat in rear- and forward-facing positions on the aircaft in the manual here.

9. Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX Review

If you have a little baby, the best way to travel is with a capsule. Little babies sleep a lot and the last thing we want to do is to disturb their sleep by having to wake them up when we need to transport the seat.

Capsules are fabulous because you can leave your baby sleeping and simply grab the handle to carry baby through the airport.

Another fabulous things about this specific capsule is that it has the silent shade canopy which will help to block off the harsh plane lighting.

The capsule is suitable for infants from 4 - 35 lbs.

We also highly recommend that you can get the stroller frame that accompanies this capsule.

This travel system is ultra-lightweight at 16 lbs and is the perfect travel accessory for the capsule.

It also folds up great which is fabulous as it won't take up loads of room in your boot when you have to fit other luggage as well.

Grab the Graco SnugRider 3 Elite Car Seat Carrier here.

The capsule is lovely and lightweight at 10 lb. Important to note that you cannot use the base of the capsule on the plane (this is across the board with all capsules, not just this brand).

So best to pop the base in the overhead locker.

This capsule measures at 15.5 inches in width, which means that it definitely fit on all airplane seats.

Infant Travel Car Capsule

The Graco SnugRide is great for newborns babies up until 35 lbs.

It is a capsule style infant travel car seat which means that you can easily cary it around with the adjustable carry handle.

We absolutely love this baby capsule with the combination of the Graco stroller frame.

Both pieces are affordable, lightweight and small in size, which makes it perfect for vacations with your baby.

10. Graco Size4Me 65 Convertible Car Seat Review

The Graco Size4Me is a great and lovely cushioned seat for travel. T

he Graco car seat is FAA approved and whilst many people assume you can't travel with it due to its widest width being 22", you can actually still fit it on most plane seats with the arm rests down due to the narrow base and the way it is shaped.

The car seat is heavier than many other car seats on our list.  

It weighs 19 lbs. so do ensure you have a car seat trolley or car seat backpack to port it around the airport.

Whilst the seat measures at 22" at the widest point, it does have a narrow base.

Which means that the seat should fit beautifully (with the arm rests down) on the larger plane seats, but you will most likely have to fly with the arm rest up on the slimmer seats.

This car seat is great for 4-40 lbs babies in rear-facing position and 20-65 lbs. in forward-facing position. Which makes it a great travel toddler car seat.

Be aware that it is on the heavier side, so don't try to carry it around the airport.  

Due the width, you might also have to lift it up over the seats when you walk down the aisle in the plane (although friends have reported that it does fit down the aisle of some planes).

The Graco Size4Me 65 is a great portable toddler car seat to take along on trips. It fits beautifully on seats due to its narrow base and shape.

It is also really easy to install and adjust.

Important to note that it is slightly on the heavier side, but if you prefer a seat that is cushioned and super cozy for your baby, then we do recommend the Graco Car Seat.

Best Car Seat Travel Cart and Transporters for Airports

No matter how light the car seat is, I still suggest that you invest in either a car seat travel stroller or a backpack car seat bag to get around the airport.

Even with a trolley it might be slightly challenging to get your baby, luggage and car seat to the plane. Here are some great car seat cart options:

1. Britax Car Seat Travel Cart

The Britax Travel Cart is, in our opinion, one of the most popular travel carts for Britax car seat owners.  

It is a great car seat roller cart that allows seats to attach effortlessly using the car seat latch connectors.

The one-hand telescoping handle is great as it adjusts to fit any height. It will fold down compact enough to fit into most airplane overhead compartments.

The Britax car seat travel cart will work with all Britax convertibles and harnessed booster seats, as well as with most other brands.

The cart is a lot heavier (20.8 pounds) in comparison to the Go-Go Babyz cart (5 pounds) down below.

>>> Check pricing of this cart here .  

2. Go-Go Babyz Kidz Travelmate

The Go-Go Babyz Car Seat Luggage Cart is a great cart for USA car seats.

It works with both infant travel car seats as well as toddler convertible car seats. It has an additional fold down plate that you can use for larger car seats.

You can adjust the handle, which is great as you can make it shorter when stored and lengthen it out to make it easier to push (it has 4 positions).

It has wide-set 3" roller blade wheels which makes it easy to push along in the airport.

The Travelmate can be checked with your baggage, rolled to gate and checked, or rolled all the way on the plane to be used in flight or stored in the overhead compartment.

Folds to 28 x 17 x 5 inches. Weighs 5 lbs.

3. BRICA Roll ‘n Go Car Seat Transporter

The Brica Sar Seat Roller Cart is great as it fits most major brands of convertible and forward-facing car seats.

The best travel carseat stroller must have a lightweight design.  

It has fold flat wheels as well as an adjustable telescopic handle which allows the cart to fold up in order to fit in an overhead locked on the plane.

Weighing just 5 pounds, this transporter folds flat (2-1/2 inches thick) for easy storage.

4. Car Seat Travel Accessory

For a small alternative, you can consider this car seat travel strap. Simply connect your car seat to your rolling carry-on suitcase and off you go.

Easy, although I would probably suggest you only use this option for the lightweight car seats.

Best Car Seat Travel Bag, Carts, Transporters and Protective Covers for Travel

I hope you managed to find a car seat for your next trip from our FAA approved car seats list, the next step is trying to figure out how to transport the car seat around the airport.

If you wish to check in your car seat, we highly recommend you purchase one of these top car seat bags for air travel.  

Some airlines might give you a thin plastic car seat cover for travel, but they offer no protective.  

The first time we traveled with our car seat, it got damaged so we never go without a protective car seat cover for travel now.

Here are some of the best infant car seat travel bags that we can recommend:

1. JL Childress Padded Car Seat Travel Bag

The JL car seat travel bag is a great option. It is durable and comes with a lifetime warranty.  It is adjustable, has padded backpack straps and a lifting handle.

The interior of the travel car seat bag is padded.  It has dual and lockable zipper openings and an ID card pocket to pop all your details.

>>> Check pricing of this bag here .  

2. Flightjoy Travel bag  

The Flightjoy Car Seat Bag for Travel is another great option.  It has adjustable straps. The material is heavy duty, durable and will last.  It is compatible with most baby car seats.

These infant car seat travel bags are also airline approved so you can carry it through the airport terminal gates when you want to use the seat on the airplane itself.

3. Britax Car Seat Travel Bag

The Britax Car Seat Airplane Bag is great for Britax car seats. The brilliant thing about this bag is that it has built-in wheels.

The car travel bag is light and has several straps to make it easy to carry. It is waterproof and comes at a pretty affordable price tag.

4. Jeep Car Seat Travel Bag

The Jeep Airplane Car Seat Bag is a great universal car seat travel bag.  It is nice and large in size to fit even the bulkiest of seats.  

It has shoulder straps and made from quality durable fabric.  it is also waterproof and lightweight.

You can also choose to invest in the Jeep car seat travel bag with wheels if you prefer.

5. JL Gate Check Car Seat Bag

After a simple, no-frills car seat gate check bag that will get the job done?  Then the JL Childress Car Seat Check Bag is for you.

It’s lightweight and easy to carry. It is large enough to fit most car seats.  Simple, but effective and affordable.

Does My Child Need a Car Seat on an Airplane?

Ultimately the answer to this question comes down to safety and how important your baby or toddler's safety is to you.

The American FAA does strongly recommended that you use an approved child restraint device when travelling with infants less than 2-years old.

Ultimately car seats are the safest and most comfortable way for infants to travel on a plane.

Plus a toddler travel car seat for airplane use really comes in handy as your child know that they are expected to stay put in the seat.

But, in saying all of that, you are not legally required to use a car seat on the plane, so it does come down to your own decision.

Of course, you would also need to purchase an additional seat in order to use the car seat on as well, so keep that in mind.

A convertible car seat on airplane can be an easy option, allowing for use both rear and forward facing. We prefer a convertible travel car seat over an infant travel car seat. 

You will also need to ensure that the car seat has FAA approval.  Not every car seat can be used on the plane!

More information and the best infant car seat for travel below.

FAA Baby and Toddler Car Seat Regulations for Airplanes

In order to be allowed to use your car seat on the plane, it must be FAA approved. How do you find out if your car seat is FAA approved?  

Have a look at the sticker on the side of the seat and see if it says “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraf t .”

If you are located in Australia , the car seat must be approved to Australian Standards AS/NZS 1754. So make sure your seat has an AS/NZS 1754 approved safety label.

FAA Requirements

For a child less than 40 lbs. : Secure your child in an FAA approved car seat for the duration of the flight.  Follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This would typically be in the rear-facing position.

For a child 22lbs – 44 lbs. : For babies and toddler at this age, you could either use an approved car seat or you could choose to secure them in the airplane seat in an  Airplane Child Safety Harness .

The harness restraint is the only FAA approved child airplane harness system that is allowed to be used during takeoff, landing as well as in flight. 

More about this device below.

More than 40 pounds: Kids can use an airplane seat belt, however many parents typically keep their child in a car seat till around 4 years.

FAA-Approved Child Harness Device

The Airplane Harness Child Safety Device is the only FAA approved harness restraint for children weighing between 22 and 44 lbs (kids 1-year and older).

The benefits of a this harness is of course that it is small and portable enough to carry in your carry-on bags.  

The negatives are that your child will be required to sit up pretty straight on the airplane seats and the harness is really uncomfortable to sleep in.

So we do still prefer a toddler portable travel car seat as they are more comfy for kids.

>>>Learn more about this FAA approved child restraint or check out the airplane harness here .

You can find a list of 7 other great car seat alternatives for travel here.

Travel Car Seat Buyers Guide

Things that you should look out for when purchasing a car seat for travel use.

1. Weight of Seat

Ultimately the best car seats for travel should be lightweight, compact and portable. The weight of the seat is important for your own sanity.

We prefer a car seat that is around 10 lbs. (Slightly over is still okay).  

You will be required to lift the car seat in and out of the car, on to trolleys, port it around the airport as well as potentially have to lift it over peoples heads on the plane to carry it down the aisle. Stick to a lightweight car seat. Trust me!

2. Width of Seat

The width of the seat is another important consideration.  Just because the seat has FAA approval does not mean that it will fit on the plane seat.  

Plane seats can be anywhere from around 16" to 22". Most are around the 17 or 18" mark.  

You can check to see if your plane is list on the SeatGuru seat chart table to see what size your seat will be ahead of time.  

We find that child care seats around 18" or under fit on all airplane seats. Although you might have to lift the armrest on the 16" seat planes.

Another important consideration with slim designs is so that the seat will fit through the security scanner.

If the seat won't fit, the will need to hand inspect the seat and it would slow down the whole checking in process.

3. FAA Approval

As mentioned above, you will need to ensure that you purchase a FAA approved infant car seats or FAA approved toddler car seats.  

You can do this by checking the sticker on the side for this saying: “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraf t .”

3.  Convertibility

When you are shopping for the best car seat for international travel, make sure to get the best convertible car seat for travel option there is.

Buying a convertible car seat means that you will save money in the long run.

Convertible travel car seats can accommodate your child from infant to toddler with ease, from approximately 5 lbs. to 65 lbs. comfortably. 

Most of our seats on our list are convertible airline approved car seats.

With that in mind, please make sure to check out the convertibility features carefully and choose the travel car seat that suits you best.

Tips for using a Car Seat on an Airplane

Here is a list of some tips to make life easier when it comes to using your car seat on an airplane.

1.  Booking Seats

Important to note that you will need to use the car seat in a seat that won't block anyone's exit, so for example a window seat.

You will only get away with using your car seat in the bulkhead seats if your car seat is really narrow. Bulkhead seats have fixed armrests, thus reducing the amount of width available for a car seat.  

You won't be allowed to use the seat in exit rows or where it could block anyone's exit path.

2. Rear-Facing Car Seats

Another consideration is that if you use a rear-facing seat, the person in front of the seat might not be able to recline at all. So consider booking one parent to the right of your baby and one in front. 

3.  Notify the Airline of your Intent to use a Car Seat

Do take the time to make a call to the airline in advance to notify them that you intend to travel with car seat.

As extra precaution we also recommend that you request to have this noted to your booking and also ask for written confirmation of approval that you can bring out and take with you on the plane.

4.  Infant Capsule Seats with a Base

Another tip that might be useful is that the base of the capsule style infant travel car seats are NOT FAA approved and you would need to check-in your base or pop it in the overhead compartment (if it fits). You can only use the seat part on the plane itself.

5. Booster Seats and Plane Travel

According to regulations, booster seats are not permitted on-board.

Some airlines might let you use the booster seat for flying, but it will need to be stored for take-off and landing, but realistically speaking they can tell you that you are not allowed to use it at all as there are NO FAA approved booster seats. Sorry!

If you use a combination car seat/booster car seat, you can use the car seat with the internal harness, but the booster seat is not acceptable because there is no shoulder belt to use with the seat.

Tip: Here are the top 10 best travel booster seats .

6. Getting Around the Airport with your Seat

Making your way through the airport with a child, luggage, and a car seat can be a challenge.

Fortunately there are ways to make your life easier and easier means better! Last thing you want on the airport is an added struggle.

You could choose to invest in either a car seat trolley or choose to carry it around on your back with a car seat backpack.

You will find different recommended products for both of these options at the bottom of the guide.

>>> Click here for more helpful information on using a car seat for plane travel .

Answers to FAQ

1. should i bring a car seat on the plane.

Flying with a car seat is your safest option when flying with a baby or toddler. This is because the seatbelts on airplanes are not designed for their little bodies.

The general recommendation is for children under 40lbs to fly in an FAA-approved restraint which can either be one of the car seats for planes or an airplane harness. 

The great thing about taking your car seat with you is that when you reach your destination you have a car seat to use when traveling either in the taxi or in your rental car.

Most airlines will allow you to check a car seat into the hold for free in addition to your baggage allowance.

This applies to toddler car seats and booster seats as well as baby car seats.

So yes, you should purchase one of the best car seats for airplanes so that you can keep your child safe.

2. Can you rent a car seat from an airline?

No you cannot rent a car seat from an airline. Most airlines will allow you to check a car seat into the hold for free in addition to your baggage allowance.

3. Are all car seats airline approved?

The short answer is no, not all car seats are airline approved. We always recommend that you check if your airline does allow car seats and if it does, it must normally be an FAA or TÜV-approved seat. 

This means it is approved for use in an aircraft. To find out if you have an airline-approved car seat, check to see if it is marked "For Use In Aircraft".

Most car seats will have a sticker near the base of the car seat and it should have in red letters that it is approved for airplane or aircraft use.

4. What car seats can be used on planes?

Nearly every car seat in the US is approved for aircraft use - but not all are. But it is important to purchase car seats approved for air travel, so make sure it says it is FAA approved to avoid any issues with the flight attendants.

The only car seat that you cannot use is a booster seat as you require a seat belt that goes over the shoulder and lap when securing. 

We suggest using a high-backed booster seat as they are allowed on planes if they have a 5-point harness. 

5. What is FAA approved?

FAA approval means that the car seat has passed a standard airworthiness test and therefore allows you to travel with the car seat on a plane.

6. How do you pack a car seat on an airplane?

If you are checking in your car seat when flying we would recommend that you pack the car seat in a car seat travel bag. This will help prevent your travel car seat from being spoiled or damaged.

If your airport does offer baggage wrapping service we would also recommend this as it will add an extra layer of protection to the car seat.

7. Is it better to gate check a car seat?

Gate checking your car seat might not be as convenient as checking your car seat with your baggage when you check in, however the advantage to checking your car seat reduces the time and handling of your car seat by someone else.

This means less opportunity for your car seat being lost or damaged!

8. How do I check my car seat at the airport?

When you check in you can check your car seat at the same time if you wish it to go into the hold with the usual luggage.

First you will need to get it checked and tagged at the counter where you get your tickets and then you will most likely have to drop it off to the oversized luggage counter.

When checking in your car seat to the hold this is not counted as a part of your baggage allowance and most airlines will allow you to check a car seat into the hold for free.

This applies to toddler car seats and booster seats as well as baby car seats. 

We always recommend checking with your airline first to be sure of the rules and what they will and won't allow.

9. Do airplanes damage car seats?

Unfortunately, any item that is checked into the hold is at risk of being damaged or even lost.

We would recommend that if you do plan to check in a car seat, purchase a cheap FAA approved car seat for the flight.

This way if it is lost or damaged, it is not your expensive car seat that you use in the car at home.

10. Can I take my baby in a taxi without a car seat?

A child can only travel in a taxi or private hire vehicle without a child car seat if he or she sits in the back.

However, even though this is allowed we would always recommend that a car seat is used when traveling in a vehicle as this is the safest option. 

Children older than three years old must use the car's adult seat belt and it is advised that children under three should not use a seat belt.

11. Do airports provide car seat bags?

No, airports do not provide car seat bags as each car seat is different in size and there is not one size fits all car seat bags available. 

We have at times grabbed a normal thin plastic bag from the counter to use, however it didn't add any protection for the seat so is not recommended.

Verdict on Our Pick of the Best Travel Car Seat

Your baby's safety will of course top priority when it comes to choosing a car seat for travel. You may also take into account the style as well as your preference, needs, and budget.

If you want a travel car seat that will work for both travel and home use then our top pick would be the Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat . It is also great value for money as you can use it from birth up to 65 lbs which means you will get a good few years of use.

Although the Safety 1St Jive 2-in-1 can be used from 5 lbs, we do prefer the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 LX for babies and infants as it offers more support and protection for their necks.

If you prefer to travel light and with minimal fuss then the WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat is perfect. It folds up small and compact and does not take up much space when not in use or you have to transport it when not using. It is perfect for ages 2-4 years old.

If you want to travel super light and not have to worry about a car seat for when you arrive at your destination, a great option for children  aged two years or older who have their own seat and do not need much support is the Newroutes Airplane Safety Harness .

If you opt for the Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 car seat we suggest investing in the Britax Car Seat Travel Cart as it will make transporting the seat around the airport so much easier.

We also recommend the Britax Car Seat Travel Cart for the WAYB Pico Travel Car Seat. Although this travel cart is made by Britax it works with most other brands of car seats as well. If you want to check this travel seat in then we recommend the smallest of all check-in bags, the JL Gate Check Car Seat Bag .

To give your Cosco Might Fix 65 DX travel car seat the best protection when you check it in when not using it on the plane, be sure to get the JL Premium Backpack travel bag . 

We hope this article has helped you decide on the best travel car seat for flying. Have a safe and comfortable trip.

Why Trust Wanderlust Storytellers

Jolene Ejmont is an author with almost a decade of experience in researching and writing about travel and lifestyle products. 

Additionally, she is a mother to 3 kids. She has experience traveling with a baby, toddler, preschooler, tween and teenager.

In the process of creating this list, Jolene delved into the research of numerous products, scrutinizing crucial specifications such as dimensions, weight rating, and reviews, both positive and negative.

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6 best car seats to take on the plane for babies and toddlers

Looking for a lightweight car seat to take on the plane? After in-depth research and parent-led testing, these top cabin-approved car seats have all met airline safety regulations and dimensions for in-flight use, ensuring peace of mind and a safe, comfortable journey for your baby.

By Tammy Jacks | Last updated May 15, 2024

Considering whether to take your child’s car seat on the plane to your next holiday destination ? According to Mumsnetters on our forums , a travel-friendly car seat not only helps to keep your child safe and comfy during a flight – allowing them to sleep for longer if they’ve outgrown the option of having a bassinet - but it also comes in handy for taxi and car rides on the other side of your journey.

Although there are plenty of good-quality baby and toddler car seats on the market (which we've rigorously tried and tested with real parents), not every car seat is approved for use on the plane and would need to be checked in as hold baggage along with your buggy and other heavier travel items if not. 

While airlines may differ slightly in their policies, the general principle is that cabin-approved car seats must align with the airline's criteria for size, weight and safety. For in-flight use, a car seat needs approval from either the TÜV , a widely recognised safety certification in Europe, or the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the US. Look for the 'Certified for use in aircraft' sticker on car seats with TÜV or FAA approval.

How we tested the best car seats for the plane

We began our research by gathering insights from Mumsnet parents on our forums, which has around 8 million monthly users. We then cross-checked our favourite car seat selections against TÜV and FAA lists to ensure they met their rigorous airline standards and were suitable for plane use amongst the most popular airlines (although it’s always a good idea to discuss your chosen car seat with your airline before you fly).

We spent hours analysing numerou s consumer reviews from retail sites and consulted industry experts, including The UK Civil Aviation Regulations (CAA), and Which? to narrow down our list.

Our recommended car seats have undergone independent safety testing and received top safety scores from the German automobile club ADAC . Where possible, we also tested the car seats out themselves with our trusted team of parent testers.

Here are the best car seats to take on a plane.

Best car seats to take on the plane at a glance

Best overall car seat for plane: Maxi Cosi Pebble 360

Best budget car seat for plane: Joie Tilt

Best convertible car seat for plane: Doona + Infant Car Seat

Best lie-flat car seat for plane: Britax Römer Baby-Safe iSense

Best easy carry car seat for plane: Cybex Aton M i-Size

Best lightweight car seat for plane: Bugaboo Turtle Air

Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360

TÜV-certified for all airlines

Good value for money

Plenty of padding for a comfortable ride

Easily adjustable harness and headrest

Reaches the maximum width limit for an aircraft  

Small integrated sun canopy

Swivel base is pricey

Price: £158 | Age range: Birth to 83cm or approx. 15kg | i-Size: Yes | Rear-facing: Yes | Weight: 4.3kg | Dimensions: 67 x 44 x 56cm | Installation: ISOFIX and three-point harness | Travel system-compatible? Yes | ADAC test: 1.8 Good | Warranty: 2 years | Certification: TÜV-approved

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our Maxi-Cosi Pebble review

With safety, reliability and comfort as its top priorities, you can’t go wrong with the Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 when travelling with a baby. This rear-facing, Group 0+ car seat is specifically designed for newborns, which means it can be used from birth to 15kg or until your child is 83cm in length. Approved for use on aircraft with TÜV certification, the car seat may be a little wide for some airline seats at 44cm, but its 4.3kg weight makes it simple enough to carry around at the airport and in and out of the plane.

Compliant with the latest i-Size regulations , this car seat offers superior head and neck protection for your child, which is good news in the event of turbulence, and the impact-absorbing side wings on this seat make it supremely comfortable for babies. Once you’re in the car, the Maxi Cosi Pebble 360’s built-in G-CELL side impact technology includes hexagonal-shaped energy-absorbing structures that are strategically placed in the car seat's shell to enhance protection by absorbing and dispersing crash forces away from your child in the event of a side impact collision.

You’ll find soft padding all around this seat and we found this one-piece baby-hugg inlay to be really soft and snug, ideal for keeping your little one warm when the air ventilation is on.  

The Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 can be secured to the aeroplane seat using the aircraft’s safety belt which gets threaded through the seat’s belt path on the front of the car seat. The three-point harness has a simple stay-open feature to make it easy to get your child in and out of the car seat, and we like the one-touch buckle system which opens and closes with ease. 

Adjusting the harness straps for height or length is also straightforward as you can make them as snug as you like by simply pressing the grey button at the front of the seat which will allow you to move the straps up and down or forwards to lengthen without having to rethread them.

Once you reach your destination, it’s a breeze to fit this car seat in a car or taxi, with or without the FamilyFix 360 ISOFIX base (which is sold separately, unfortunately doubling the price of this car seat). However, we think the base is worth the investment as it not only offers supreme protection for your child, but it also swivels left or right with a simple lever, making it simpler to put your child in and out of the car. (You'll also find this car seat in our best 360 spin car seats buyer's guide).

The Pebble 360 is compatible with Maxi-Cosi and Quinny buggies and can also be used with other brands such as Ocarro and Mamas & Papas Strada, provided you have the appropriate car seat adapters for those pushchairs . When your child reaches the height and weight limit for the Pebble 360 the Maxi-Cosi Pearl 360 i-Size should be used for children up to the age of four .

Read next: The best travel systems to buy right now

Search for a hotel for your next family holiday

Has comfortable, machine-washable padding

Grows with your child

Quite heavy

No ISOFIX base

Price: £105 | Age range: Birth to four years or around 18kg | i-Size: Yes | Rear-facing: Yes | Weight: 6.1kg | Dimensions: 49.2 x 42 x 61.6cm | Installation: Three-point seatbelt | Travel system-compatible? Yes | ADAC test: Not tested | Warranty: 2 years | Certification: Meets the ECE R44/04 regulation

While the Joie Tilt doesn’t have an official TÜV certification like the Joie i-Gemm 3 , for instance, it does comply with most airline’s width and weight regulations and meets the European Safety Regulation for car seats (ECE R44/04). However, it’s a good idea to check with your airline before you take this car seat on board.

The Joie Tilt, which falls within the Group 0+/1 car seat category, is made to last, covering your child from birth to four years old (or 105cm) without the need for an upgrade at the one-year mark. 

It’s a good choice for the plane too thanks to the plush and cosy seat cushion inserts (which are also machine-washable - a must for messy eaters), the i-Size side impact cushioning, the height adjustable shoulder harness and the secure five-point harness system which has cushion covers over the harness and buckle to avoid any friction.  

It can be used both rear-facing and forward-facing in a car, although airlines stipulate that car seats must be used in a forward-facing position when secured on the plane. It has four recline positions - one rear facing and three forward facing - although the tilting movement might be a little restricted on the plane as the car seat should be secured tightly to the aeroplane seat. 

One downside is that this car seat is not ISOFIX compatible, so it can only be secured with a seatbelt in the car.

Read next: The best baby carriers, wraps and slings

Doona + Infant Car Seat Nitro

Both TÜV- and FFA-approved

Dual use - converts to a stroller

Wheels fold compactly

Convenient for travel

Heavy for a car seat

Low to the ground as a stroller due to short handlebar

Price: £339 | Age range: Birth to three years or around 13kg | i-Size: Yes | Rear-facing: Yes, rear-facing only | Weight: 7.5kg | Dimensions: 60 x 44 x 66cm | Installation: ISOFIX or three-point seatbelt | Travel system-compatible? Yes - it converts into a stroller | ADAC test: 2.4 Good | Warranty: 2 years | Certification: TÜV- and FAA-approved

Designed by medical and engineering experts, the Doona + Infant Car Seat and Stroller stands out as one of the safest travel systems on the market. The car seat holds both TÜV and FAA certification, making it a safe and versatile two-in-one travel solution. However, at 44cm wide, it does reach the maximum width limit for the plane, so may not be suitable for all airlines - see our guide below for car seat rules and criteria per airline.

Featuring both an ISOFIX base for the car (sold separately) and a secure belt path, it ensures a safe and comfortable ride for your child. With a simple, adjustable headrest, Velcro shoulder pads, breathable fabric, loads of comfy padding, a secure five-point harness, a near lie-flat position and unique rocking function, the Doona+ prioritises your baby's comfort. 

Another bonus is the three different handlebar positions (forwards, upright and backwards) so it’s out of the way on the plane but ensures manoeuvrability in tight spaces when it converts to a lightweight stroller .

Once you’re ready to leave the aircraft, the quick-release wheels and one-motion operation effortlessly transition it from car seat to stroller in seconds, saving you time in the busy airport and on your journey. On the flip side, the wheels fold and tuck into the back of the seat instantly when you’re ready to install it. Simply push in the red safety lock button while pulling up the grey stroller wheel release.

While pricey, the Doona Padded Travel Bag , sold as a separate accessory, makes it even easier to transport the car seat as the bag doubles up as a backpack and takes minutes to assemble. This car seat is also available in seven bright colours, although you may need to shop around as the Nitro Black is the most popular colour.

Read next: The best 360 spin car seats

Britax Römer Baby-Safe iSense

Lightweight – under 5kg

Reclines to a near lie-flat position

Wider carry handle

Comes with automatic safety lights

Buckle can be fiddly

ISOFIX base is sold separately for use in the car

Price: £199 | Age range: Birth to 15 months | i-Size: Yes | Rear-facing: Yes | Weight: 4.8kg | Dimensions: 58 x 44 x 67cm | Installation: ISOFIX or three-point seatbelt | Travel system-compatible? Yes | ADAC test: 2.1 Good | Warranty: 2 years | Certification: TÜV-approved

Tested by Mumsnet: Read our full Britax Römer Baby-Safe iSense review

Having won the  Red Dot Design Award in 2021, the Britax Römer Baby-Safe iSense is not only packed with plenty of i-Size-compliant safety features such as enhanced side impact protection, an adjustable headrest and five-point harness, it’s also lightweight and durable with a tall seat back, accommodating little ones up to 83cm.  

This car seat is TÜV-approved and offers a distinctive feature – the ability to recline to a near lie-flat position, allowing your baby to lie flatter than in other car seats, promoting the safest, most ergonomic sleeping position, although it may not recline to a full flat position on the plane. The seat's position adjusts automatically as you change the headrest, controlled by a lever at the back of the seat. It also comes with a plush newborn insert that makes the seat safe and comfy with a nifty crotch pad to minimise the risk of buckle friction.

Another unique feature of the Britax Romer Baby-Safe iSense is its automatic safety lights that activate in low-light conditions - a handy feature on the plane, especially on long-haul flights. The two interior ambient lights have three different light settings that can be manually adjusted, allowing you to always see your little one. Additionally, the exterior installation lights help you to install the car seat in the car either day or night without hassle.  

Other features we like are the handy swivel function when used on the ISOFIX base (sold separately or as part of a bundle ), the machine-washable seat cover that can be taken off without removing the harness, and the extra-large UP50+ sun canopy that folds down and tucks away easily when not in use.

Although the Baby-Safe i-Size car seat is travel system-compatible and works with any Britax Römer pushchair, it's only compatible with a few other brands including Joolz, Babyzen, Bugaboo and Silver Cross, to name a few.

Read next: The best lie-flat car seats for newborns

Cybex Aton M-i-Size

Has an easy-carry handle

Lightweight (just over 4kg)

Suitable for taller babies up to 87cm

Has extra wide Y-harness straps

Base and travel system adaptors not included

Headrest is small for upper age limit

Price: £170 | Age range: Birth to 2 years | i-Size: Yes | Rear-facing: Yes | Weight: 4.2kg | Dimensions: 66 x 44 x 39-56.5cm | Installation: ISOFIX or three-point seatbelt | Travel system-compatible? Yes | ADAC test: 1.6 Good | Warranty: 2 years | Certification: TÜV-approved

Weighing in at just over 4kg and built with a wide, sturdy handle, the Cybex Aton M-i-Size is easier to carry than the other heavier car seats on our list. Approved for use on aircraft with TÜV certification, and with one of the best ADAC ratings out of all the cabin-approved car seats on our list, you can rest assured that this one will keep your baby safe and secure both on and off the plane. 

Like most of the other rear-facing car seats we feature here, this car seat can be easily secured on a plane seat by using the lap belt across the front of the seat, threaded through the belt guides. As far as infant car seats go, this one lasts longer than you might expect from a Group 0+ car seat. According to Cybex, you can use it until your child is two years old or weighs 13kg thanks to the 11 adjustable height positions which will accommodate your child's growth.

Additional safety features such as shoulder and head protectors, along with an energy-absorbing shell, offer extra protection in side-impact collisions or turbulence on the plane. It’s also softly padded with extra-wide harness straps to keep your little one secure on a flight or in the car. Plus, it has a great cushioned newborn inlay which can be easily removed, leaving plenty of space in the seat for older babies. 

However, the headrest is a little small and may not be as comfortable for babies closer to the upper height limit. On a positive note, this car seat has one of the largest, UP50+ sun canopies (XXL) we’ve seen, protecting your child from rain, wind or sun when attached to a buggy. 

Additionally, it’s designed to seamlessly integrate with pushchairs from both Cybex and GB brands and it's available in seven bright colours. 

Read next: Can you take a pram on a plane?

Bugaboo Turtle Air

Super lightweight (only 3kg)

Great quality

Soft Merino wool insert

Good safety rating

TÜV-certified

Pricier than other infant car seats

Compatible ISOFIX base  is bulky

Price: £209 | Age range: Birth to 15 months or 13kg | i-Size: Yes | Rear-facing: Yes until 83cm | Weight: 3kg | Dimensions: 69 x 44 x 59.8cm | Installation: ISOFIX or three-point seatbelt | Travel system-compatible? Yes | ADAC test: 1.6 Good | Warranty: 2 years | Certification: TÜV approved

TÜV-certified, the Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna is designed to fit most airline seats, but it's advisable to check with the airline you’re travelling with, especially if seats are narrower than 44cm. 

As the lightest car seat on our list at only 3kg, you might assume that the Bugaboo Turtle Air isn’t as safe or robust as the other car seats we’ve featured, but don’t let its light weight fool you. There’s a reason why this rear-facing infant car seat has impressive ADAC safety scores. It’s made with a durable, protective outer shell and Tailor tech™ memory foam in the headrest for shock absorption, plus it’s built with EPP energy-absorbing foam for enhanced side impact protection. 

The ultra-luxe Merino wool inlay is soft and breathable, making it a great choice for sensitive skin. Keep in mind that this car seat only has a three-point rather than a five-point harness, but it’s still cleverly designed to keep your baby secure whilst in the plane or the car.

With easy portability and large UPF50+ sun canopy with an exclusive peek-a-boo window and secured with magnetic clips, this car seat ensures your baby stays comfortably protected in a snug cocoon.

For daily use and to turn the Turtle Air into a spin car seat, you can purchase the Bugaboo 360 ISOFIX base by Nuna . Although it’s as expensive as the car seat itself, the base has a convenient 220-degree swivel rotation, allowing easy strapping of your baby into the seat before adjusting it to the proper travel position. Plus, the one-click true lock installation, safety indicators, shock-absorbing materials and a crumple zone in the stability leg work together to enhance safety by redirecting impact away from your baby.

Read next: The best cabin-approved strollers

Can I take a car seat on a plane?

Yes, you can take a car seat on a plane in the UK. Most airlines allow passengers to use an approved car seat for infants and young children during the flight. However, there are a few points to consider:

Different airlines may have specific rules and requirements regarding the use of car seats on planes. It's advisable to check with your airline in advance to understand their policies. See our list of airlines with their respective regulations below.

Ensure that your car seat has either TÜV approval or FAA approval (if you’re flying to or within the United States).

Be familiar with the installation instructions for your specific car seat. Some airlines may require you to follow certain guidelines for securing the seat in the aircraft.

Generally, car seats in the Group 0+ category (for infants from birth to approximately 15 months old) are accepted on planes due to their compact size and lightweight design.

Read next: Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus foldable travel car seat review

Can you take an ISOFIX base on a plane?

If you have a car seat with an ISOFIX base, you can bring the base on the plane, but it’ll have to be checked in and put in the hold. ISOFIX bases aren't compatible with planes since they're designed to anchor securely to a vehicle's chassis, and planes lack ISOFIX anchor points. When flying, you’ll need to secure the car seat using the seatbelt on the aircraft.

How do I install a car seat on a plane?

Installing a car seat on a plane in the UK typically involves using the aircraft seatbelt to secure the car seat. Here are general steps to install a car seat on a plane:

If possible, choose a window seat for installing the car seat. This helps you avoid blocking the path for other passengers in the event of an emergency.

Lift both armrests if possible.

Place the car seat in the aircraft seat and secure the car seat using the aircraft seat belt. Thread the seatbelt through the designated belt path on the car seat and buckle it securely. Ensure the seatbelt is snug. Press down and back on the car seat as you tighten the seat belt.

Then, adjust the harness straps on the car seat to fit your child securely. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper adjustment.

Once installed, check the car seat for stability. It should be securely fastened and not wobble.

Be sure to pay attention to any specific instructions given by the airline crew regarding the use of car seats during the flight.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) also maintains that car seats must be forward-facing on the plane, even if it’s a rear-facing car seat. This generally isn’t an issue because the plane’s belt buckle can always be routed through the seat belt guide on the car seat. Bear in mind that, in infant seats, the buckle will go over your child’s legs, which is normal.   

Can I take a car seat that isn't approved for use on a plane?

While you can take any car seat on holiday and have it checked in the hold, if you’re keen to use the car seat on the plane, it’s best to avoid using one that doesn't have the necessary approval, i.e. isn’t TÜV- or FAA-approved, as it might not meet the required safety standards for air travel, or be the correct weight and size for the aircraft seat.

Do I have to use a car seat on a plane?

No, using a car seat on the plane is a personal choice. However, little ones do need to be secured on the flight. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) states that “Infants under the age of two need to be secured whenever the seat belt sign is on. This can be achieved through the use of a seat belt loop provided by the airline to secure the infant on an adult’s lap, or by using a child restraint device i.e. car type seat, or an alternative provided by the airline.”

What are the benefits of taking a car seat on a plane?

Taking a car seat on a plane can offer several benefits:

Safety: Using a car seat on a plane provides an additional layer of protection for your little one during the flight, especially in the event of turbulence.

Familiarity and comfort: If you’re taking a trusted car seat on board, your child will already be familiar with it, making it a comfortable and secure space during the journey. This familiarity can contribute to a smoother travel experience.

Consistent rest position: Car seats are designed to provide proper support and a comfortable rest position for infants and young children, which can be especially important during long flights.

However, according to the Lullaby Trust , healthcare professionals specialising in infant care, safety experts, and the majority of car manufacturers advise against keeping babies in a car seat for more than two hours continuously, emphasising the importance of taking breaks.

Ease of transport: Cabin-approved car seats are lightweight, easy to use and portable, plus they’re designed for easy installation, making it convenient for you to transport your child safely both in the car and on the plane.

Use in transit: While it’s possible to hire a car seat, many parents prefer using their own trusted car seat during taxi rides or transfers at the destination, as this ensures their child's safety during various modes of transportation. By taking your own car seat, you’ll also be sure of its history. 

Potential cost savings: Renting a car seat at your destination can be expensive. Bringing your own car seat can be a cost-effective option, especially if you plan to use it during your trip.

These Mumsnetters took their car seats on the plane and this is what they had to say: 

Mumsnetter dramalamma says, “I've done both car seat and none with an under two in own seat. It was a lot easier with a car seat because it's not just about the take-off and landing - if there is any turbulence or any other reason the seatbelt sign is on (including them forgetting to turn it off!) you have to pick your child up and have them on your lap which can be an absolute nightmare when it's a long haul flight and they've just gone to sleep!”

Mumsnetter, Genegenieee agrees and adds, “When we flew long haul with children under two, but they were too big for a bassinet, we booked them a seat and took a car seat in the cabin. Far easier to have them in a harness seat belt than a lap belt during the flight. Mine just used to sleep.”

What are the car seat criteria for the main airlines?

According to Maxi-Cosi manufacturers, any approved child seat should have a maximum width of 44cm, ensuring that it will fit in most aeroplane seats. Here are the specific airline requirements in terms of seat width and restrictions:

EasyJet : Car seat should not exceed 44cm and must be used in a forward-facing position.

Ryanair : Car seat should not exceed 43cm, must be airline approved and have a five-point harness.

TUI : Car seat should not exceed 40.64cm, must have a secure harness and adhere to British Safety standards. It should also be used in a forward-facing position.

British Airways : Car seat should not exceed 43cm and must be used in forward-facing position.

Air France : Car seat should not exceed 44cm or 42cm if your seat is in the first row of the Economy cabin. It must be secured with the seat belt.  

Air Canada : Car seat should not exceed 44cm and should be airline approved. It must have a suitable harness system.

Aer Lingus : Car seat should not exceed 43cm and must be secured on the aircraft seat by the normal aircraft lap strap. It must be used in a forward-facing position.

Virgin Atlantic : Car seat should not exceed 43cm and must always be secured to the host seat.

Emirates : Car seat should not exceed 44cm and must be TÜV- or FAA-approved. It must only be used in a forward-facing position.  

Jet2 : Car seat should not exceed 42cm and must comply with European Safety Standard requirements of United Nations ECE R 44 (UN/ECE 44).

Qantas – car seat should not exceed 43.7cm and must be used in a forward-facing position. It must comply with European Safety Standard requirements of United Nations ECE R 44 (UN/ECE 44). Qantas also states that car seats can't be located in an aisle seat or in an exit row.

For children under the age of two, Jet2 also states that the car seat must:

Be securable with a lap strap, not over your child

Include manufacturer's instructions stating suitability for air travel with lap strap

Have a single release-type harness securing your child’s lap, chest, and shoulders

Preferably placed in a window seat

Be the sole car seat on the row segment

Be forward or rear-facing

How to choose the best car seat for the plane

When choosing a car seat for use on a plane in the UK, there are several factors to consider:

Approval for air travel: Firstly, the car seat you pick for the plane needs to be TÜV- or FAA- approved. It’s also important to check your specific airline’s criteria (use our guide above as a start), as their rules and regulations differ slightly. The good news is that all the car seats on this list are approved for use on most popular airlines.

Size and weight: Check the dimensions and weight of the car seat to ensure it meets the airline’s requirements. Note that preferences for seat width can vary among airlines. For example, TUI may prefer a narrower seat compared to British Airways. Also consider the weight of the car seat since you'll need to carry it through the airport and onto and off the flight. It's important to choose one that's manageable for you.

Comfort for your child: Ensure that the car seat is comfortable for your child, especially if it's a long-haul flight. Look for features such as adequate padding, an adjustable harness and headrest, and the ability to recline as this is the safest and most comfortable position for babies from 0-6 months.

Cleaning and maintenance: Choose a car seat with a removable and machine-washable cover for easy cleaning, as travel can be messy!

How much should I spend on a car seat for the plane?

When considering which car seat to get for the plane, keep in mind that prices can range from £80 to over £300. The amount you spend will depend on various factors such as the brand of car seat, the overall quality of the padding and materials, the safety features and duration of use. Most car seats on our list cater to babies from birth to around age four.

Given that car seats are a significant investment, it's essential to choose one that can serve dual purposes – for use on the plane and in your car at home. You’ll also want to ensure that your chosen car seat is compatible with a variety of travel systems and pushchairs to extend its use.

About the author

Tammy Jacks has 15+ years' experience in the publishing industry, enjoying a long and fruitful career as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa. She later went on to become Assistant Editor of the popular South African parenting title Living and Loving, and has written for numerous lifestyle publications including Oprah Mag SA, Health Intelligence, Your Family Magazine, Longevity, and pharmaceutical company Clicks Clubcard Magazine, as well as edited books for popular fitness influencers and health professionals.

Tammy is a distinguished researcher and writer in the field of child safety, with a notable focus on the critical domain of car seats. Her extensive expertise and commitment to child safety, particularly in the context of air travel, have made her a trusted authority in providing comprehensive insights and guidance to parents and caregivers looking for the right car seat for their children. 

As a mum to an eight-year-old, Tammy has personally tried and tested numerous car seats over the years, across all age categories. Her specialised attention to car seats for the plane involves scrutinising what's essential for safe air travel with children.

8 top car seats for travel

There comes a point in every pre-trip packing session when my husband and I look at each other and ask, " Do we bring the car seats ?" Several factors come into play when deciding: Are we renting a car at our destination? Are we going to a place where we can mostly get around on foot or rely on public transportation? Can we survive a 10-hour overnight flight with our squirmy 19-month-old not tethered into the familiar cocoon of her Cosco Scenera?

More often than not, the car seats come along on our family travels — even when we know we'll likely only use them on the cab ride to and from the airport. After all, car seats are free to check on nearly every airline, the quality and condition of rental-car seats at your destination can't be guaranteed, and you'll feel more secure installing a car seat you've used before, rather than one that's brand new to you and your baby.

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What makes a car seat good for travel?

When it comes to travel, not all car seats are created equal. That super-heavy, cup-holder-accented, rock-star ride that's become a fixture in your minivan back home is going to look a lot less attractive when you're pushing two suitcases and a few carry-ons through London Heathrow while trying to figure out how to balance the car seat atop it all and make a connection at Gatwick.

That is when you need a compact car seat that travels like a pro and keeps your baby safe. And that's where we've got you covered with our best suggestions for travel car seats that won't have you dreading the logistics of lugging them along.

Related: The best cards to use for Amazon purchases

DOONA INFANT CAR SEAT AND STROLLER

Why it's great: The Doona converts from a car seat to a stroller and back again with the push of a button.

Photo courtesy of Doona

One thing to know, however, is that this is an infant car seat and not a system that's going to grow with your baby. The Doona is rated for babies up to 35 pounds and 32 inches long, and is a tight squeeze when you get close to those numbers. Your baby may surpass the height limits even before the weight limits. It should work well for about the first year, but possibly not much beyond.

COSCO SCENERA NEXT

Why it's great: The Cosco Scenera Next is as lightweight and affordable as car seats come and has a safety sticker for airplane use.

Here's a car seat with a deserved cult following among traveling families. The Cosco Scenera Next wins on so many levels and is the perfect car seat when you get to toddler age. It can be used rear- or forward-facing for kids up to 40 pounds. At less than seven pounds, the seat is super light to carry. I've often put it atop the canopy of my stroller to push it through the airport when I've wanted to have it on board during a flight.

The seat has the mandatory sticker on the side that lets flight attendants and ground crew know that it's certified for use on airplanes (I've been asked to show this sticker on more than one occasion, both at check-in and once inside the plane). Safety features include side-impact protection built into the headrest and a five-point harness system that's a cinch to get on and off. Win, win, win all around. You can find this affordable seat on Amazon, but walmart.com often has more selection when it comes to colors and patterns, as well as lower prices.

CHICCO KEYFIT 30 INFANT CAR SEAT

Why it's great: Bubble indicators let you know it's in perfect position and easy installation are among the features we love.

Chicco makes some great all-around car seats. And if you're planning to hit the road a bunch with your infant, it's worth investing in a Chicco stroller to go along with the highly rated Chicco KeyFit30 Infant Car Seat . Car seat installation can be befuddling, but this one is super easy to install securely and has spring-assisted leveling footing and a bubble indicator you can reference to be sure it's in the right position. After all, a car seat works most effectively when it's properly installed. Infants from four to 30 pounds and up to 30 inches long can be accommodated and the car seat is designed to click in and out easily into Chicco strollers, so you can transfer smoothly from the back seat of the car to the street. Together with the car seat base, the system weighs around 17 pounds. Not exactly feather-light, but still easy enough to get around with.

COMBI COCCORO

Why it's great: The narrow body leaves extra space for siblings alongside and we love that this one can be used rear- and forward-facing.

Another good contender in the convertible car seat category, the Combi Coccoro is a bit bulkier than the Cosco Scenera Next but still a good choice. It weighs less than 15 pounds and can be used rear- and forward-facing for kids up to 40 pounds. The car seat has a nice narrow build that makes it far less cumbersome than many others for use as a kiddie straitjacket, er, safety device inside an airplane. It's also FAA approved, with the sticker to prove it.

EVENFLO TRIBUTE CONVERTIBLE CAR SEAT

Why it's great: Super lightweight and super affordable make this one an all-around winner.

Weighing in at a hair over nine pounds, here's another good lightweight option with plenty of safety features that can be used rear- and forward- facing as your child grows. There are four shoulder harness positions that make it easy to adjust comfort as your needs change from newborn to the toddler years. And the Tribute 's 100% polyester seat pad and backing is easy to remove and toss into the washing machine between trips. You can use this seat for kids up to 40 pounds and 40 inches long. And you really can't beat the price point, right around the $50 mark and available in different colors on Amazon and Evenflo websites.

PICO TRAVEL CAR SEAT BY WAYB

Why it's great: For ease of portability, it's hard to beat this forward-facing option that can fold down to nearly flat.

This extremely portable car seat looks like a total game changer for moving swiftly through airports and cities while carrying lots of luggage. I've heard good things about it from traveling parents, although I have yet to try it myself. The Pico Travel Car Seat by WAYB is just eight pounds. But more importantly, it folds down to nearly flat, yet has a full-size back seat portion that makes it safe for use as a forward-facing car seat for kids between 22 and 50 pounds and 30 to 45 inches tall.

It couldn't be easier to bring along as a carry-on, or even to pack inside a suitcase. The seat is made from aerospace-grade aluminum, which is to say it's extremely strong and light at the same time. Kids must be at least a year old to use it but it's best suited for those who are 2 years old and up. This one's going on my holiday wish list, for sure.

Approximate price: $234

Why it's great: Its lightweight (just 10 pounds) and small size makes it easy to bring along and stow in the overhead compartment.

Uber uses this harness-style car seat in its uberFAMILY rides. If you're in the market for a portable car seat that will grow with your child from 22 to 55 pounds, this might be a great choice for your family. The IMMI GO folds for easy storage in the overhead bin on an airplane or in the trunk of a car. It also comes with a handy carrying case that makes it easy to tote along on city shopping trips before you jump back in a cab.

BubbleBum Inflatable Backless Car Seat

Why it's great: A seriously portable booster seat for kids between 40 and 100 pounds that you can stash in a backpack or oversized purse to take on the go.

This is the little miracle worker of a booster seat to bring along when traveling with kids between the ages of four and 11, who weigh between 40 and 100 pounds. A few puffs of breath is all it takes to blow up the inflatable BubbleBum , which is 13 inches wide and packs down to nearly flat when you're ready to toss it back into your handbag and go. Three kids can sit on the booster seats next to each other with room to spare in the back seat of a car. What could be easier to pop open and install for a cab ride or something longer? We just wish we had thought of this brilliant idea first.

Bottom line

It's a bit of a pain, but we'll continue to bring a car seat along whenever we travel -- for as long as our kids need them. But, the right car seat certainly depends on a lot of different factors and what's perfect for us may not work as well for you. What's your go-to travel car seat? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Best Travel Car Seats of 2024

Traveling with kids? Whether an extended road trip or airplane ride is on the agenda, your little one needs a travel car seat to stay safe on the journey. Travel car seats are a bit different from everyday ones, as they’re typically lighter in weight, easier to move and set up from car to car, and approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take in the air.

A travel car seat also comes in handy if you find yourself in ride-shares or taxis regularly. Many models don’t require a base, so it’s simple to strap the unit in without spending half the afternoon figuring out which piece goes where. The best travel car seats are so convenient, in fact, that you might stick to them altogether.

Table of Contents

• Best Travel Car Seats
• Things To Consider When Buying
• How We Chose

Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex Infant Car Seat  »

Various features for correct installation

Can be installed without a base via European belt routing

Five height positions and six recline positions

Includes base and newborn positioner

Extendable canopy with UPF 50+ sun protection

JPMA certified and GreenGuard Gold Certified

Not super light

Travel bag sold separately

There’s no need to worry about properly installing the Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex Infant Car Seat. It comes with multiple features to ensure you do it correctly, including LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) connectors, a SuperCinch force-multiplying tightener, and RideRight bubble level indicators to make sure it’s at the right angle.

This best travel car seat comes with ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) 50+ sun protection. It also comes with a base, but doesn’t require one in order to use. That means you can keep the base in your car for regular use and still be able to install it in other vehicles, thanks to its European belt routing system. It only weighs 10 pounds and is FAA approved, so it’s ready to bring on an aircraft. The Chicco Car Seat Travel Bag , however, is sold separately. But with the five height positions and six recline positions, your baby is bound to be comfortable no matter how you choose to travel. And once you reach your destination, keep the car seat looking fresh by tossing the fabrics in the washing machine.

They KeyFit 35 is certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), meaning it meets minimum government requirements based on safety and use, and GreenGuard Gold Certified, meaning it’s built to contribute to safer, healthier air and has been screened for more than 15,000 volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Cosco Kids Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat  »

Affordable price point

Aircraft certified and TSA-friendly designed

No additional base needed

Side Impact Protection

Machine-washable and dryer-safe seat pad

Installation may be tricky with some seat belts

May fit snugly on older babies

If you’re looking for a secondary car seat, chances are that you’re hoping to keep the cost low. With the Cosco Kids Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat, you’ll save money without losing the factors that make a travel car seat desirable. At just 6.8 pounds, this is one unit you won’t struggle to carry through the airport. Plus, you’ll have peace of mind knowing it has built-in Side Impact Protection.

This model can carry a child up to 40 pounds and 43 inches tall. It has five harness heights and three buckle locations, so it’ll grow with your baby from infancy to toddlerhood. This affordable car seat comes in seven designs with black details. And Cosco Kids makes it easy to clean with its machine-washable and dryer-safe seat pad and dishwasher-safe removable cup holder.

While this may not be the ideal pick for everyday use, the no-base, lightweight design makes it a smart pick for upcoming vacations or times when you need to move it between cars often. Just use the LATCH connectors to safely secure it in place.

Diono Radian 3RXT SafePlus  »

Only 17 inches wide

Seats folds up

FAA approved

Supports kids up to 120 pounds

12 headrest positions

Available in five colors

Heavy at 30.6 pounds

Booster mode can’t be used on a plane

LATCH connectors not available for all weights

At just 17 inches wide, the Diono Radian 3RXT SafePlus comfortably fits in even the most compact cars. If you have a full backseat, three of these models can fit across the backseat. Don’t let its compact size fool you, though. This travel car seat was designed to grow with your child from 4 to 120 pounds, in rear-facing position, forward-facing position, and booster mode.

This unit comes with a detachable rear-facing base, which Diono recommends using, but it can be used without it. The base shouldn’t be used in the forward-facing position or in booster mode. To make sure your little one is happy, the Radian boasts a 12-position headrest that you can adjust with just one hand. The covers are machine washable, and the shell and components on the rest of the car seat can be spot cleaned.

This convertible car seat folds to make travel easier, and its FAA-approved status means it’ll be your airplane companion. Just keep in mind that it can only be taken on a plane in rear-facing and forward-facing positions, not booster mode.

Doona + Car Seat & Stroller  »

Converts from car seat to stroller in seconds

Comes fully assembled

FAA approved and can be pushed down airplane aisle

Available in seven colors

UPF 50+ sun protection and water-repellant canopy

Includes LATCH base, infant insert, head support, and vehicle seat protector

Can only be used up to 35 pounds

The Doona + Car Seat & Stroller can be used with or without the included base, but the real magic comes in when you’re using it in between car and airplane rides. Within a matter of seconds, this innovative model goes from car seat to stroller with the push of a button. Plus, it comes fully assembled, so you can use it the moment it arrives.

The water-repellent canopy provides UPF 50+ sun protection, and comes in seven bold colors, including Racing Green, Flame Red, and Blush Pink. The adjustable handle is a nice touch, too, for a more comfortable gliding experience for adults.

Not only is the Doona approved by the FAA, but at just 17.4 inches wide, it can easily be pushed down an airplane aisle so you can get in your seat easily. Although it’s pricey, the fact that it acts as both a travel car seat and stroller means that it’s a great value. Consider this the all-in-one travel system that makes navigating the world with a baby so much simpler. Megan Wood, Senior Editor at U.S. News 360 Reviews, uses the Doona as her family’s main car seat and loves how easy it makes running errands and travel without having to pack a separate stroller.

Wayb Pico Portable Car Seat  »

Fits in most airplane overheads bins

Only weighs 8 pounds

Installs via LATCH or car or plane seat belt

Folds down to 11.6 inches long by 14.5 inches wide by 18.9 inches tall

Made with space-grade aluminum alloy and Responsible Wool Standard (RWS)-certified wool

On the pricier side

Can’t be used until child is 22 pounds

Make your next flight with your child as easy as possible with the Wayb Pico Portable Car Seat. With a compact design that folds up—so much so that it fits in most airplane overhead bins—this FAA-approved model goes wherever you do. Weighing just 8 pounds, this travel car seat is installed via LATCH connectors or using the car or airplane seat belt.

Unlike the other best travel car seats on our list, the Pico is a forward-facing option that’s designed for children 22 to 50 pounds and 30 to 45 inches tall. Wayb recommends it for ages 2 years old and up. While you can’t use it for a newborn, it’ll be your little one’s travel companion once they grow a bit.

The Pico is available in five colors, and an optional carry bag, vehicle seat protector, and cup holder are sold separately. If you have multiple children, you can snag a few of these and three can fit in a row in the backseat of most vehicles.

Nuna Pipa RX x Pipa Relx Base  »

Five-second installation

Can be used with or without the included base

Removable UPF 50+ canopy

GreenGuard Gold Certified and fire retardant-free materials

Connects with all Nuna strollers

Doesn’t fold

If installing a car seat isn’t something you’re looking forward to, make it easy on yourself with the Nuna Pipa RX. It comes with Pipa Relx Base, but you don’t need it in order to put it to use in a car or on an airplane. If you do decide to use it, however, the base features a stability leg that absorbs impact to prevent motion from transferring to your baby. Plus, installation takes just five seconds.

At 7.6 pounds (not including the canopy or infant insert), it’s one of the lightest options on our list. This travel car seat has a four-position recline, and you don’t have to reinstall it to change the position. It features an infant insert that can be removed when your little one grows. But no matter what age they are, you’ll want to take advantage of the removable, full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy.

This unit has the green light to be part of air travel, and you can feel good knowing that it’s GreenGuard Gold Certified and made with fire retardant-free materials.

Britax Emblem 3-Stage Convertible Car Seat  »

High-strength steel frame and SafeCell technology to absorb crash energy

Accommodates children up to 65 pounds

Aircraft approved

10-position harness and headrest adjust together

Machine-washable and dryer-friendly fabrics

On the heavier side

Any piece of baby gear you put your child in needs to be sturdy and durable. The Britax Emblem 3-Stage Convertible Car Seat was built to last. Its frame is made of high-strength steel, and it features SafeCell technology to absorb crash energy, so you can feel confident that your little one is protected. Its fabric is tough and can be tossed in the washing machine and dryer to refresh it after a spill or accident.

This best travel model is designed to grow with your child, as it accommodates them from 5 pounds all the way up to 65 pounds. As they get bigger, you can adjust the harness and headrest, which move together in 10 different positions.

The Emblem is on the heavier side at just under 20 pounds, but it’s still reasonable enough to bring with you in a ride-share or carry it on for aircraft use. Just utilize its installation features, including LATCH connectors and level indicators, to ensure that it’s correctly set up.

Graco Century Carry On 35 Lightweight Infant Car Seat  »

Only weighs 6.8 pounds

Four-position carry handle

Machine-washable seat pad and canopy

Doesn’t convert to front facing

Graco refers to its Century Carry On 35 Lightweight Infant Car Seat as “The Weightless Wonder,” and it’s clear why. This lightweight car seat only weighs 6.8 pounds. If you count the base, it only goes up to 10.4 pounds. It’s the lightest carrier on our list, so it’ll truly become a travel must-have when vacation is calling.

Approved to take on an airplane, the Graco Century has a carry handle with four adjustable positions, so both you and your baby will be comfortable. It comes with a base that can be installed via LATCH connectors. However, it can be used without one for even quicker installation with a vehicle or airplane seat belt. And if an in-flight spill dirties the seat pad or canopy, both are machine washable.

The Century is designed for babies up to 35 pounds. Even though it won’t go the long haul, it’s a budget-friendly option that does its job well while it can. Plus, it’s compatible with all Century strollers and car seat bases from Graco that can be purchased separately.

The Bottom Line

The market is far from short on car seat options, and that rings true for travel car seats, too. To choose the best one for your child, consider how often you plan to use it. If it’s a secondary car seat that you’re planning to only break out a couple times of year for vacation, then you may want to keep your budget low. But if you’re looking forward to road trips and airplane rides on the regular, better quality and durability may be more important. Once you see how much use you’ll get out of it, you can focus on what features are necessities in your book. Does it need to fold? Does its weight need to stay super low? But if you’re not totally sure what you need in a travel car seat, the Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex Infant Car Seat, our Best Overall pick, is FAA approved, weighs just 10 pounds, comes with a UPF 50+ canopy, and comes with a base but doesn’t need it in order to install.

Things To Consider When Buying Travel Car Seats

Safety Certification and Compliance

The good news is that if you’re buying a new travel car seat from a reputable retailer in the United States, you’re probably in good shape.

“All car seats sold in the U.S. must meet stringent safety regulations, following the requirements set by the NHTSA,” says Joe Colella, JPMA director of Child Passenger Safety and 2020 Child Passenger Safety Hall of Fame Inductee. “A car seat that meets these standards is required to be labeled with, ‘This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.’”

Don’t forget that car seats also have expiration dates, and when they hit it, toss them, reminds Samora Coles, founder and executive director of The Alex House Project , an organization that supports low-income families and young mothers with their transition to parenthood. While this is one piece of baby gear you’re likely to want to buy new, if you’re using a secondhand model, it’s even more imperative that you check its expiration date and look up if any recalls or malfunctions have been reported.

Size and Weight Suitability

Most—but not all—travel car seats can be used right from birth, so keep in mind when you plan on using it and if your little one is big enough to be safely strapped in. Some options have one mode while others convert to various positions, including rear facing, forward facing, and booster to grow with your child. Each mode has its own weight and height limits, and those numbers vary depending on the brand and model. It’s important to read through and follow those instructions for safety.

“Car seats, when not used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, could be less likely to protect a child from injury,” says Colella. “Car seats are safety devices that are designed and tested to protect children when used as directed by the manufacturer.”

Many travel car seats have an adjustable headrest that you can raise as your child grows. If longevity is important to your buying decision, check to make sure it has this capability so you’re not stuck getting a new one in a year’s time.

Ease of Installation and Compatibility

The first time you put a typical car seat in your vehicle may have taken a while. That kind of time isn’t provided when you’re on the tarmac, so the best travel car seats need to be easy to install. It’s a smart idea to do a test run in a car so you can feel confident in its setup.

Even though many travel car seats come with a base, they’re typically not a must-use on the road. Some models just need a vehicle’s or airplane’s seat belt to safely strap in. Others also offer LATCH connectors that provide a super-secure installation.

“Most travel car seats are compatible with any vehicle, but parents want to research car seat company manuals and reviews from other parents,” says Coles. To assure parents that they did it correctly, some units have colored indicators that give the thumbs up when it’s ready to use or level indicators that confirm it’s not tilted. If you’re concerned about always setting it up and taking it out, look for a model that eases your worries.

Portability for Frequent Travel

Whether you’re hurrying to your gate or rushing to the taxi stand, the last thing you want is a bulky, heavy travel car seat weighing you down. Even if you don’t plan to carry it around while your baby is in it most of the time, you want the unit to be built for portability. That starts with looking at the car seat’s weight. The lowest on this list is 6.8 pounds, and it goes up quite a bit from there. It’s also helpful if the travel car seat folds down — not only so that it fits in the overhead bin on an airplane, but so it’s convenient to carry along with your weekender bag.

“When considering portability factors, parents should consider dual abilities in a travel car seat,” explains Coles. “Seats that can act as strollers can help parents limit necessary items they must carry while traveling.”

Don’t forget to check out the handle, too. Even if it’s lightweight, if the handle doesn’t boast an ergonomic design, parents can feel quite uncomfortable.

Convertibility as the Child Grows

Some travel car seats grow with your child, so they’ll go from rear facing to forward facing to even booster. Each of these stages have their own weight and height limits. However, things can get tricky depending on where you’re traveling to.

“Every U.S. state and territory has a law that defines how a child must be restrained in a vehicle and also requires car seat compliance with the aforementioned safety regulations. State laws vary significantly, and travelers must follow the law for the state in which they are traveling,” says Colella. “For example, 19 states and the District of Columbia require that children ride in rear-facing car seats until at least age 2, while other states use age 1 or do not specify a rear-facing age requirement. Most states also require the use of car booster seats, though the maximum age for those requirements varies from 5 to 10 years old.

How We Chose the Best Travel Car Seats

Nothing is more important than safety when we’re talking about baby gear. U.S. News 360 Reviews kept it at the top of mind when hunting down the best travel car seats, but we also considered price, weight of the carrier, weight and height limits, and installation. To ensure we had the must-know information, we consulted the director of Child Passenger Safety at JPMA and the founder and executive director of an organization that helps young mothers with their transition to parenthood. They provided insight on which key components to understand before landing on the travel car seat for your personal lifestyle. Before adding to cart, think about when and where you’ll use it and what features truly matter to you.

WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST US?

Caitlyn Fitzpatrick , the author of this piece, has been researching, testing, and reviewing products since 2017. This means she has years of experience honing in on what’s important when shopping for a product, including baby gear. Fitzpatrick is a mom herself and has done her own personal deep dive on what makes one car seat better than another. That’s why she concentrated on safety as the top priority when choosing the best travel car seats. Megan Wood , Senior Editor at U.S. News 360 Reviews, focuses on baby gear and recommends the Doona Car Seat + Stroller for traveling families.

“While the FAA does not require the use of car seats on airplanes for children, and those under the age of 2 are allowed to ride on their parents’ lap, this is not considered best practice,” says Colella. “Turbulence can happen with little or no warning, and appropriate car seats provide the safest way for children to travel on airplanes.”

Most travel car seats are certified to use on aircrafts, but be sure to check that it’s the case with your specific model. It can also make a difference which airline you fly and if you’re traveling domestically or internationally. Booster car seats and child restraint harnesses are generally not supposed to be used on an airplane. All of the recommendations on this list are approved for airplane use.

As far as adjustability, many models feature adjustable straps, height/headrest positions, and recline positions.

The best travel car seats are typically easy to install. After all, they’re expected to be moved between vehicles or on and off airplanes regularly. Some of these models come with a base, but don’t necessarily require it for the unit to be secured. Many travel car seats come with LATCH connectors. “This system is compatible with vehicles with anchors located at the lower and upper tether of their seats where the car seat can be secured,” explains Coles. “Since all vehicles must have seat belts, all car seats have a space to secure car seats using the seat belt.”

Two of the most important factors when shopping for the best travel car seat are installation and portability. You want it to be easy to secure on an airplane and in a ride-share, and simple to carry it with you wherever your adventures lead.

“Additionally, factors such as the age, weight, height, and overall condition of the seat should be considered as they can help determine the overall value of the car seat, especially for those with limited resources and busy lifestyles,” says Coles.

About Our Team

Caitlyn Fitzpatrick

Contributor

Senior Editor

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

• The best overall
• The best budget-friendly
• The best booster
• The best for infants
• The best for air travel

What else we considered

Check out our other baby gear guides, the best travel car seats.

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I'm not one to buy extra things just to buy them, but I'm okay with spending some extra money on a safe car seat that makes my life easier. When my daughter was born, my husband and I didn't stop traveling, and with Uber, flights, and rental cars, the need for a travel car seat quickly became apparent. They're lighter, less cumbersome, and take up less room. 

Finding the right travel car seat is difficult, though. You need to find the perfect mix of affordability, portability, comfort, and safety. An uncomfortable kid can make for a miserable flight or road trip.  

If you're planning on taking any flights, your car seat must be approved for use by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) . Otherwise, it will need to be checked, and your child will not be able to sit in it on the plane. Babies and kids don't need to sit in car seats on planes, but it's safer and more comfortable for your child. All of our picks are approved by the FAA, with the exception of our booster seat pick. No booster seats are reviewed by the FAA.

I take car seat safety very seriously; I've tested my fair share of car seats and have returned the ones that didn't meet my standards. To bring you the best travel car seats, I combined my own experience testing seats with thorough research using top consumer product websites and authentic customer reviews.  

Here are the best travel car seats you can buy:

Best overall: Safety 1st Guide 65, $144.99 on Amazon Lightweight, compact, and comfortable for kids up to 65 pounds, the Safety 1st Guide 65 is the ideal travel car seat for road tripping across the country or hopping on a flight. 

Best budget-friendly: Cosco Scenera NEXT, $59.98 on Walmart The Cosco Scenera NEXT is extremely light and compact, and the low price point makes it the perfect option to have as an extra car seat for travel. 

Best booster: BubbleBum, $29.99 on Amazon BubbleBum is an inflatable booster seat that weighs just over a pound and can be inflated in 20 seconds.

Best for infants: Doona Infant Car Seat, $550 on Amazon You won't need to pack or check a stroller with the Doona Infant Car Seat that converts directly to a stroller and is safe for babies 4 to 35 pounds.

Best for air travel: Evenflo Tribute LX, $79.99 on Evenflo Lightweight to carry through the airport, compact to fit in the plane seats, and comfortable for your baby or toddler, the Evenflo Tribute LX will serve you well on any flight. 

Best overall

Lightweight, compact, and comfortable for kids up to 65 pounds, the Safety 1st Guide 65 is the ideal travel car seat for road tripping across the country or hopping on a flight. 

If you're already buying an extra car seat for travel, you probably want to buy one and be done for good. The Safety 1st Guide 65 is a convertible car seat that holds babies as small as 5 pounds when rear-facing, and while many other travel car seats are only manufactured for kids up to 40 pounds, the seat is safe for kids up to 65 pounds when forward-facing. 

The Safety 1st Guide 65 is ideal for travel because of its light weight and compact size. It weighs only 12 pounds while many traditional convertible car seats are double that weight. Measuring 20 inches wide, 23.5 inches high, and 18 inches deep, it fits well on airplane seats and can fit three across in most cars. The seat comes with a removable cup holder, which is a nice feature to help keep it compact. I've also found that it is much more cushioned and comfortable than many of the other travel car seat options. 

The seat can be installed with or without the LATCH system, and while this seat is small, light, comfortable, and convenient to use for travel. However, it may be difficult to install tightly and securely in a car. Other reviewers say that they are able to get a very secure fit, so the fit is likely better in some cars than others. 

The Safety 1st Guide 65 is recommended as one of the top travel seats by CarseatBlog , based on research and tests conducted by Child Passenger Safety Technicians. Car Seats for the Littles , a nonprofit staffed by Child Passenger Safety Technicians, also praises this seat, calling it a "long loved convertible car seat that packs some desirable features into a low price tag."

Pros: Lightweight and compact, safe for kids up to 65 pounds, more cushioned and comfortable than many other travel car seat options

Cons: Difficult to securely install in some cars

Best budget-friendly

The Cosco Scenera NEXT  is extremely light and compact, and the low price point makes it the perfect option to have as an extra car seat for travel. 

At 10.4 pounds, the Cosco Scenera NEXT  is one of the lightest car seats out there, making it easy to carry through the airport, on and off shuttle buses, or anywhere else your travels take you. We also love this one because it's extremely affordable.

The car seat can be used for children weighing 5 to 40 pounds, and it's compact enough to fit on an airplane seat or three across in a car. The seat is 17.63 inches wide, 15.75 inches deep, and 30.25 inches high. This seat can be installed rear- or forward-facing and with or without the LATCH system.

While the Cosco Scenera NEXT is a safe option that is convenient for parents, it might not be the most comfortable seat for your child. It doesn't provide much padding between your child and the plastic shell. 

It also has a machine-washable and dryer-safe cover, so you can easily clean it right up when you're done traveling. A removable cup holder is perfect to keep drinks or snacks within reach of your child while traveling.

Wirecutter named it the best convertible car seat for travel of 2019, saying "it's lightweight, small, inexpensive‚ and yet still safe." Car Seats for the Littles praises it for travel: "It's lightweight, it fits under larger strollers, and it can be hung on the handle of a smaller stroller using the top tether strap."

Pros: Lightweight, fits in small cars and on airplane seats, machine-washable cover

Cons: Hard to install properly, some reviewers note that it seems flimsy and uncomfortable

Best booster

BubbleBum is an inflatable booster seat that weighs just over a pound and can be inflated in 20 seconds.

For safety reasons, kids should stay in a car seat with a five-point harness until they outgrow the weight and height recommendations of the seat, so boosters are only for older kids who have completely outgrown car seats. Because no booster seats are approved by the FAA, our top pick is easy to store on an airplane and quick and easy to install in a car.

Hands down, the best travel booster seat is BubbleBum , which is inflatable and made of memory foam. It weighs just over a pound and folds up very small, so you can easily store it in your carry-on, diaper bag, or purse. When ready to use, it can be blown up in 20 seconds and is 11 inches wide, 11 inches deep, and 4.5 inches high. It is suitable for children 4 to 11 years old, weighing 40 to 100 pounds, and up to 59 inches tall.

BubbleBum keeps kids safer in the event of a crash by positioning the seat belt on their legs rather than their stomach, and the memory foam helps kids' bodies stay stable. BubbleBum does not have a high back or head stability, but the lack of these features is what makes it so compact and portable.

Experts widely agree that BubbleBum is the best travel booster. It's rated as a top seat by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), Wirecutter , and BabyGearLab . "We like the simplicity of the BubbleBum and think it is tough to beat for children who do a lot of carpooling," BabyGearLab said. IIHS employs engineers to test booster seats and chose BubbleBum as a best bet because it properly positions the seat belt on kids in virtually any vehicle.

Pros: Lightweight, compact, easy to use, stabilizes child's body and positions seatbelt in a safer position in the event of a crash

Cons: No high back or head support

Best for infants

You won't need to pack or check a stroller with the  Doona Infant Car Seat  that converts directly to a stroller and is safe for babies 4 to 35 pounds.

We'll come right out and say it — this thing is pricey. But if you can afford it and are looking for something that makes life traveling with a baby a million times easier, the Doona Infant Car Seat will be well worth the investment. Designed with wheels attached, this car seat converts to a stroller literally in seconds with the click of a button.

If you find yourself traveling with an infant, this will save yourself room and hassle by not having to pack or check a stroller. Although the LATCH base makes it easier to transfer the seat in and out of a car, the seat can be safely installed without the base as well.

The Doona car seat measures 23.6 inches wide, 17.3 inches deep, and 26 inches high when folded, and unfolded, it measures 39 inches wide, 17.3 inches deep, and 32.3 inches high. The seat weighs 16.5 pounds, making it heavier than your typical infant car seat, but the majority of the time, you'll be pushing the stroller rather than carrying the seat. 

The Doona is safe for babies 4 to 35 pounds, and it comes with an infant insert to help stabilize and bring comfort to even the smallest baby, and many users report using it well beyond their child's first birthday. Because it is an infant seat, it can only be installed rear-facing.

Wirecutter named the Doona one of the top travel car seats, citing its convenience and ease of use. Car Seats for the Littles gave the Doona a positive review, saying it's pretty easy to install (a must for traveling) and has many comfort features to please even the smallest of babies.

Pros:  Stroller and car seat in one, easy to use, saves room when traveling, fits babies 4 to 35 pounds

Cons:  Expensive, heavier than many other infant seats

Best for air travel

Lightweight to carry through the airport, compact to fit in the plane seats, and comfortable for your baby or toddler, the Evenflo Tribute LX will serve you well on any flight. 

The Evenflo Tribute LX is a lightweight and compact seat at just over 9 pounds. It's suitable for babies and toddlers from 5 to 45 pounds. This seat fits well both on airplanes and in compact cars as it measures 17 inches wide, 25 inches high, and 19 inches deep and weighs 9.29 pounds. It's also a very affordable seat that doesn't skimp on comfort or safety. 

We like that the Tribute LX has more padding and is more comfortable than many other travel seats. Its removable cup holders make it very convenient on long trips. If you have a very snug fit on an airplane or in a car, you can easily return them. The seat can be installed rear- or forward-facing and with or without the LATCH system.

Another great feature is the option to purchase this seat with a travel and storage bag. This makes it easy to store at home when you're not traveling and will help protect your seat if you decide to check it rather than have your child sit in it on the plane. 

Board-certified pediatrician Juliet Spurrier of BabyGearLab praises this seat because it scored very well on their crash tests, and it's inexpensive. That combined with its light weight "makes it a good candidate for parents who frequent taxis or Uber," Spurrier said.

Pros: Lightweight and compact, inexpensive, comfortable padding, option to purchase with a travel bag

Cons: Some reviewers have difficulty getting a proper fit in a car

Finding the perfect car seat isn't an easy task, and especially when you're looking at lightweight travel options, you're always sacrificing one feature in favor of another. Here are the other travel car seats we considered for this guide, and why they didn't make the cut. 

• Evenflo Sonus : The Evenflo Sonus is very similar to the Evenflo Tribute LX and is also a great pick for air travel. We like that it has a higher weight capacity, so it will last you longer, but we ultimately picked the Evenflo Tribute LX because the Sonus is a bit heavier and more expensive than the Tribute LX.  
• CARES Child Safety Device : CARES is the only safety device that is not an actual car seat that is approved by the FAA. It's a five-point harness that is designed to keep your child safe on a plane. We didn't include it in the guide because it's not an actual seat, and it's not approved for use in cars. 
• Baby Trend Yumi : The Baby Trend Yumi is a high-back booster seat with head support, and we like it because it provides more security and protection than a backless booster. It does fold up to fit into an overhead compartment on an airplane, but we chose the BubbleBum instead because it is so much more compact when folded, and it's lighter.

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• Main content

SHOULD I TAKE MY CAR SEAT ON HOLIDAY?

Car seats have to be one of parents clumsiest over sized nightmares. I get asked the question daily, should I take my car seat on holiday? They are heavy, arm breaking pieces of baby paraphernalia that leave us parents in a state of guilt for not wanting to bring them with us. Not to mention

I’ve seen it spark outrage and debate online between parents when opinions are expressed. The moral of the story is, someone needs to invent an amazingly light weight car seat for all ages from newborn that can offer the same level of safety whilst also being easily transportable. At the end of the day, we all want to keep our kids safe, at home and when travelling.

I have travelled both with and without car seats. I take the view point, if we rent a car , then we will certainly take our own. Not only will it save us money, but we can also be certain of the standard of our own car seat. We can’t be sure what we will get on rocking up to a car rental office.  

This time last year, we arrived into Canada. We drove through Alberta and BC, before making our way down through the states, all the way to Argentina, predominantly by road. We rented lots of times from Kayak . That is my ‘go to’ website when renting a car.

We lugged our two car seats thousands of miles over six months. They were incredibly annoying to carry around in between rentals but also very useful in countries where car seats where not such a big deal to locals.  

There is no right or wrong answer, it 100% depends on the situation. However here are a few helpful thoughts and ideas should you need some guidance.

• If I’m going to places like Asia, say for example Cambodia, where the majority of the time we will ride around on a tuk tuk, I do not bring car seats.  

• If I’m travelling for an extended period of time and will be renting a car on occasion, I generally bring my own because it’s expensive to rent them alongside a car and I can not guarantee the quality.
• In many countries there are baby rental companies. They will have specific models that can be rented and generally are in good condition from my experience. This can be particularly useful, say if travelling from Europe to America where safety features differ significantly. I personally used my European car seats when travelling through the US.

• If you plan to take a taxi, its worth noting in many countries such as Australia and Singapore, they will not take children of a certain age unless they are in a car seat. We like to take Uber usually for ease, however they refuse to take kids without a seat. However the local taxis often have a car seat to hand in the boot and will happily provide a seat if you don’t have one.
• Now I know this will be a controversial point but the few times we’ve been stuck without a seat, I generally keep baby in the carrier and belt myself in. Having a carrier as opposed to car seat can be super handy, especially for tuk tuks and so on.
• If you are thinking about flying with your car seats, international airline associations rules do vary, so this effects the airlines rules on what car seats you can bring on-board. This guide will help you know your rights and the rules,  answer many of your questions regarding traveling with carseats even if you are not flying with a USA airline and provide details of some FAA approved car seats .

In summary, it all depends on the situation and mode of transport. Although annoying, it’s often best for us to bring our own car seats. We always try to be well prepared to make it as easy as possible. For example getting a trolley straight away at the airport.

Having coins to operate them if necessary. Getting help from a porter is also helpful in trying to reduce the stress that comes with travelling with kids and bulky equipment.  

On times when we’ve needed to physically carry both car seats, we’ve put the kids into backpacks and strapped both cat seats into the stroller so we can push them. It’s only happened a handful of times when we’ve been crossing borders by foot in Central and South America.

That really helped to lighten the load. I hope you’ve found these tips helpful. If you have any comments, do let me know, I love hearing from you.

This post is brought to you in collaboration with RentalCars.com  

Ready to book your trip? Find the best deals on flights , hotels , travel insurance , tours , reliable internet and rental cars !

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All views expressed are entirely my own.

Sunday 21st of July 2019

Hi, we travel to Turkey in a couple months with our two kids for their first holiday, my daughter is 8 months and my son is 2. I was wondering if you could give me some advice on the whole car seat thing.... we have transfers booked to and from the airport and we will not be renting a vehicle. Is it safe just to hold the kids in our arms in the taxi?

Travel Mad Mum

Sunday 28th of July 2019

It's a personal decision and it will also depend on how far it will be to and from the airport. You should also check that it is legal there to take taxis without car seats for the kids because the drivers may refuse to take you. The transfer service may have car seats though if you ask them about it ahead of time.

Friday 28th of December 2018

Thank you for wonderful post. A great post for families who travel with young children. It gives clear options for most stages and alternative ideas to rent-a-car seats.

Friday 21st of September 2018

I never bring a car seat cause I think its not worth it, the one we have is an iso fix, 360 degrees rotating with a "leg" that adjusts to the floor of the car and it is way too heavy to carry around, not to mention that it could be seriously damaged if it was to be checked often.I do my research and book cars ahead and make sure that age proper car seats are offered, I even ask which the model of the available car seat is ?.The annoying part is that after some tiring flight hours and under extreme heat/cold/rain we have to struggle to adjust a car seat that might not be iso fix (aka easy to install) and make sure that the said car seat is in good condition and safely holds my child.I go beyond and I dont even bring stroller for my 2.5 year old son when we are travelling for summer vacation in islands with pebbe stone sidewalks and narrow streets, so during afternoon naps we rest as well.

Sunday 16th of September 2018

Hey ! When I travel I have a lightweight car seat. The bigger the car seat isn’t better. It’s the install of it that makes a different. Now my son is 40 pounds so he’s in a booster seat!

Saturday 15th of September 2018

We follow the same guidelines as TMM and bring seats when we are renting a car. We structured our last big trip around two cities (Washington DC and New York) where we knew we could take public transit the whole time so we didn’t need a car seat for our 3-year-old. We still brought our Then 11-month-old’s infant bucket for the plane rides and strapped it into the stroller for the ride to and from our hotels. We are probably outliers here in that we buy our kids seats even when they could be lap infants.

We like the Traveling Toddler strap for attaching a convertible seat to a carry-on for carrying through the airport. Find it on Amazon. It’s just a few dollars and easier to store than a specific car seat trolley.

We are traveling to visit family at Thanksgiving and will be packing both car seats to fly for the first time ever. I’m dreading it. Right now, the plan is to use our 1-year-old’s convertible car seat on the plane and check the 3-year-old’s seat. We’ll buy a bag sold by the car seat manufacturer to put the seat into to check it. I absolutely do not trust the airport staff not to throw the seat around and damage it. Thin car seat protector bags don’t actually protect the seat from harm or unseen damage, but this travel bag from the manufacturer will. Bonus, it will have extra space for luggage in there.

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6 Best Travel Car Seats for Your Next Trip

Traveling with young kids requires preparation—and plenty of it. Between planning your route, packing all the essentials and ensuring you’ve got plenty of snacks on hand, there’s a lot to organize. And, of course, keeping your little one safe on the road is always a top priority. If your next family vacation involves air travel, a rental vehicle or frequent cab rides, a travel car seat will come in handy. While most airlines allow you to gate-check a car seat or stroller for free, the last thing you want on a long journey is a bulky bit of gear. Unlike convertible models , which tend to be on the heavier side, travel car seats are designed to be lightweight, compact and easy to install when you’re on the go.

Ready to start your search? Here find our picks of the best travel car seats for every age, stage and need, plus our top tips for traveling with a baby or toddler in tow.

Do you Need a Travel Car Seat?

If you’re planning to take a road trip, you definitely need a car seat. Granted, you could bring a day-to-day model with you, but a travel seat will take up less room in a packed rental car. It’s important to note that each country has its own rules and regulations, so if you’re traveling internationally, brush up on the local car seat safety laws.

For domestic air travel, a car seat is recommended, but not required. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) allows children under age 2 to be held on an adult’s lap, meaning you don’t technically need a car seat. That said, both the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the FAA recommend that children are properly restrained on a flight, especially given the unexpected but common occurrence of turbulence.

Are booster seats safe for air travel?

If your little one has outgrown a car seat, a booster is a good option for rental cars and taxi trips. But the FAA prohibits passengers from using booster seats or backless car seats on flights. If you plan to take a booster seat with you during air travel, it can be brought along as checked luggage (usually without a baggage fee).

What to Look for in a Travel Car Seat

Choosing a car seat can involve a lot of research—and a travel car seat comes with its own set of requirements. To make things easier, here are some key considerations to keep in mind.

Age-appropriate. The most important factor to consider for any car seat type is whether it’s appropriate for your child’s age, weight and height. According to the AAP , children should use a rear-facing car seat until they’re at least 2 years old—or until they reach the height and weight requirements for a specific model. Children that weigh over 40 pounds can use an aircraft safety belt.

FAA approved. A travel car seat you plan on taking on a plane should have a label noting that it is FAA approved. This means that the model has been deemed safe for air travel.

Lightweight. The best travel car seats are lightweight and easy to carry. After all, you’ll need to lug it onto a plane or switch it from one car to another. Fortunately, most car seats designed for travel range in weight from 6 to 12 lbs.

Easy to install. Whatever mode of transport you choose, correct installation is critical to a car seat’s safety —so look for one that makes the process simple. Our advice? Find options with easy-to-fasten buckles and an adjustable harness to ensure a snug fit.

The Best Travel Car Seats

Whether you’re traveling by plane, train or automobile, a travel car seat makes the journey run that much smoother. Here, find our top picks for infants, toddlers and big kids.

Best affordable travel car seat

• Suitable for infants and toddlers
• Affordable price point
• Some children will outgrow it quickly due to the low position of the shoulder straps

Searching for something affordable? The Cosco Scenera may be the best travel car seat option for you. Suitable for infants and toddlers, this convertible seat can be used in a rear- or front-facing position. Certified for use on an aircraft, the compact seat is lightweight and easy to carry, so it won’t slow you down as you make your way to departures. It has all the safety features you need, including a five-point harness and side impact protection. Plus, a removable seat pad makes it easy to clean up messes; simply throw it in the wash and get ready for your next adventure. All that for $60? What a steal!

• Weight of seat: 10.4 lbs.
• Weight capacity: Rear-facing 5 to 40 pounds; forward-facing 22 to 40 pounds
• Height limit: 43 inches

Best travel infant car seat

• Seat weighs under 6 lbs.
• Convenient option for car and air travel
• Magnetic buckle holders keep straps out of the way while you secure your child
• Car seat must be used with the base for air travel
• High price point

Weighing in at just 5.3 lbs, the Nuna Pipa Lite is one of the best car seats for travel. Pegged as the lightest infant car seat available, this Best of Baby award-winning pick has a compact design, a convenient carry handle and a True Lock base that installs in as little as five seconds (yes, really!). Plus, the rear-facing seat is reliably safe thanks to a five-point harness and Aeroflex foam that absorbs and diffuses energy for superior impact protection. Better yet, built-in belt paths mean you can remove the base and use the car seat with just the vehicle seat belt, allowing you to travel in taxis without worrying about baby’s safety. And for air travel, it’s FAA certified when used with its base.

• Weight of seat: 5.3 lbs. (without sun canopy or infant insert)
• Weight capacity: 4 to 32 pounds
• Height limit: 32 inches

Best travel convertible car seat

• Can be used in a rear- and front-facing position
• Four shoulder strap positions allow the seat to grow with your child
• Thin padding

Looking for a travel car seat that’ll function from infancy to toddlerhood and beyond? A convertible option is the way to go. This type can be used in both a rear- and forward-facing position, so you can use it even after your child hits the two-year mark. Our top pick? The Evenflo Tribute. This convertible model weighs under 10 lbs. and has a narrow design, making it a good option for smaller vehicles or times when you find yourself moving between multiple cars. Plus, it’s FAA approved and reliably safe for air travel.

• Weight of seat: 9.29 lbs.
• Height limit: 40 inches

Best travel car seat and stroller system

• Converts from a car seat to a stroller in seconds
• TUV and FAA approved
• Rear-facing position only

Planning to bring a stroller and a car seat on your next vacation? This innovative product by Doona combines both items into one lightweight travel system. The Best of Baby award-winning product has wheels that unfold from the bottom of the seat in seconds, meaning you can go from cruising along the pavement to safely buckled into a vehicle in no time. And it doesn’t skimp on safety features—with a five-point harness, three layers of impact protection and an adjustable handle that doubles as an anti-rebound bar in car seat mode. It also comes fully assembled and can be used from day one, without any extra adaptors or inserts. The best part? It’s certified as safe by the US and European authorities for air travel.

• Weight of seat: 16.5 lbs.
• Weight capacity: 4 to 35 pounds

Best toddler travel car seat

• Lightweight; compact fold
• Travel case can be worn as a backpack
• Parents report that the crotch strap is too short

Another contender for the title of best travel car seat is this pick by WAYB. Designed for children over the age of 2, this forward-facing seat has a foldable aluminum frame that fits inside the included travel bag for easy transportation. And whether you’re ridesharing, road tripping or traveling by plane, Pico’s five-point safety harness keeps your little one safely buckled in. It's FAA approved and even fits in most airplane overhead bins.

• Weight of seat: 8 lbs.
• Weight capacity: 22 to 50 pounds
• Height limit: 45 inches

Best travel booster seat

• Easy to install
• Quick-release design
• Not suitable for children under the age of 4
• Not usable for air travel

If your kiddo has grown too big for a travel car seat, a backless booster seat is a good option for car travel. The innovative quick release design and built-in carry handle makes it easy to move between vehicles. Plus, lap belt guides and a shoulder clip allow for easy installation when you’re trying to get from point A to point B in a hurry. Again, it’s important to note that booster seats are not safe for use in airplanes. Bonus: Use code BUMP2023 on the Chicco website to get $75 off any order of $299 or more.

• Weight of seat: 6 lbs.
• Weight capacity: 40 to 110 pounds

How We Chose the Best Travel Car Seats

To decide which travel car seats are the best options on the market, we leverage our familiarity with leading baby brands to make sure items are from reliable manufacturers. We read user reviews to get the low-down on how these products work for families, and typically don’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating. And since many of us are also parents, we rely on our writers’ and editors’ experience using these products with their own families.

When it comes to car seats, safety is paramount, so we also consulted the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines and checked that all options—bar the booster seat—are approved for air travel by the Federal Aviation Authority .

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here .

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Best Infant Car Seats

Best Toddler Car Seats to Keep Your Traveling Tot Safe

Tips for Traveling With Baby

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The best travel car seats for your next trip

Traveling with young kids takes a good deal of planning—and usually involves some heavy-duty packing to ensure you have everything you need while away from home. Whether you are flying somewhere or taking a road trip, your stress levels will hinge on your littles ones being safe and feeling comfortable for long periods of time. For that you’ll need a high quality travel car seat.

My husband and I took our first out-of-state trip with our daughter last fall when she was just over a year old. Our vacation to North Carolina involved a plane ride and then a rental car when we arrived at our destination. Initially, we considered bringing our Nuna Rava car seat, but at 27.2 pounds, we decided it would be too heavy to lug around with us as we navigated the airport and car rental office. So, we bought the Cosco Scenera Next DLX Convertible Car Seat , a lightweight travel car seat that was easy to carry through the airport while also managing our carry-on luggage and our daughter.

SKIP AHEAD The best travel car seats | How to

Travel car seats, compared to regular car seats, are designed to be more portable while on the go. To help you shop for the right travel car seat for your needs, we consulted experts about what to look for and compiled recommendations based on their advice and high ratings.

How we picked the best travel car seats

We interviewed car seat experts to get their tips on what to look for in a travel car seat. Based on their guidance, we kept the following in mind when sourcing highly-rated options:

Portability : We looked for car seats that weighed under 15 pounds to ensure they’d be easy enough to carry and move around. For this reason, we also prioritized slimmer designs over wider options.

Ease of Installation : Car seat safety hinges on proper installation. Since you’ll likely have to install and uninstall the car seat multiple times during the course of a trip, we made sure our picks make that process simple.

Certification Status : In the United States, car seats must meet specific safety standards like the use of flame-retardant materials and restraints that can withstand a crash—all of our recommendations do that. In addition to meeting those standards, the car seats on this list are also approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) so that they can be installed in a plane seat.

select It's worth it: This stroller/car seat combo makes parenting easier

The best travel car seats.

To help you find the best travel car seat for your child, we considered recommendations from certified child passenger safety technicians and highly rated options from brands like Evenflo, Safety 1st and more.

Cosco Scenera Next DLX Convertible Car Seat

I bought this lightweight car seat (just over 6 pounds) for my 2-year-old daughter and found it was easy to carry through the airport and its slim profile fit nicely in the narrow plane seat. It can be used for both infants and toddlers and be placed in the car rear-facing (for kids from 5 to 40 pounds) or forward-facing (for kids between 22 and 40 pounds who are at least a year old). This car seat is FAA-approved for use on aircrafts. It has a 5-point, adjustable harness to secure your child safely and the cover is machine washable. You can either use lower anchors to install it or a seatbelt.

Product Weight : 6.4 pounds | Child Size Guidelines : Up to 40 pounds and 43 inches tall | Installation Type : Seatbelt, Latch equipped

Doona Infant Car Seat and Latch Base

If you are looking for an infant car seat (suitable for babies who are up to 35 pounds and 32 inches tall) that is good for everyday use (as well as on trips), this pick is worth considering. Select contributor Jo Piazza says she recommends the Doona car seat and stroller to every expectant parent she knows. It can be installed in your car via its base, or simply secured with a seatbelt. When taking it out of the car, you simply press a button and wheels unfold that allow you to push the seat as a stroller. At 17.2 pounds, this car seat is heavier than other options on this list but makes transitioning to a stroller a breeze. It has been approved by the FAA for use on planes.

Product Weight : 17.2 pounds | Child Size Guidelines : Up to 35 pounds and 32 inches tall | Installation Type : Seatbelt, Base is latch equipped

Evenflo Tribute 5 Convertible Car Seat

This car seat costs under $100 and has a 4.5-average star rating from 5,861 reviews on Amazon. It is designed and tested for structural integrity at energy levels approximately twice the Federal crash test standard, according to the brand. It weighs 9.29 pounds, can be used rear or front facing and can be installed using latches or a seatbelt. This seat also has a removable head pillow and the cover is machine washable.

Product Weight : 9.29 pounds | Child Size Guidelines : Up to 40 pounds and 40 inches tall | Installation Type : Seatbelt, Latch equipped

Safety 1st Jive 2-in-1 Convertible Car Seat

“If you want the most bang for your buck out of your travel car seat, this is a great option,” says Michelle Pratt, a certified child passenger safety technician, car seat expert and founder of Safe in the Seat . She likes that the lightweight car seat has a long life span, as it’s suitable for children from 5 pounds to 65 pounds. This convertible car seat has a 5-point harness that can be adjusted to 5 different heights to grow with your child and is approved by the FAA.

Product Weight: 14.25 pounds | Child Size Guidelines : Up to 65 pounds | Installation Type : Seatbelt, Latch equipped

WayB Pico Forward Facing Car Seat

This seat was recommended by both Pratt and Amie Durocher, a certified child passenger safety technician and creative director of Safe Ride 4 Kids , an advocacy group that aims to help parents make safe choices when it comes to car seats. It weighs only 8 pounds and is approved by the FAA for use on planes. This car seat can only be installed forward-facing, meaning that it is best for children over the age of 2. When not in use, the WayB Pico can be folded in half for portability or, for an additional cost, you can store it in the brand’s padded backpack .

BubbleBum Inflatable Travel Booster Seat

This booster is intended for kids between the ages of 4 and 11 and can be blown up when you need to use it, then deflated to easily store it in your bag. It has a 4.3-average star rating from 5,410 reviews on Amazon and meets both U.S. Federal car seat regulations, as well as those in Europe. One thing to note: It is not approved by the FAA for use on a plane. However, most children old enough to use this should fit comfortably in an airplane seat, anyway.

Product Weight : 1 pound | Child Size Guidelines : 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall | Installation Type : Seatbelt

select Planning a short weekend trip? These bags can keep your travel essentials in one place.

How to shop for the best travel car seats.

When it comes to purchasing a travel car seat, here are the key factors our experts recommend you keep in mind:

Portability : Your everyday car seat may be FAA-approved for use on a plane, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s ideal for travel: “It may be too darn heavy,” says Pratt. “If you fly often, we recommend having a lighter car seat for travel. This way you have a lighter, less-expensive car seat to travel the world with without the hassle or risk of lugging around your top-of-the-line seat.” Sticking to a travel car seat that is under 20 pounds will make it easier to carry it through an airport.

Ease of Installation : Since you’ll likely have to install and uninstall a car seat at least once during a trip, you’ll want that process to be as smooth as possible. There are two ways to install a car seat—most employ a latch system, says Durocher—which stands for lower anchors and tethers for children. Essentially, small buckles near the base are locked into corresponding receptors that live in the crease between the seat and back of your car. Otherwise, car seats use a seatbelt system, which may be your only option in an older rental car, says Durocher.

Certification Status : Any car seat you use should meet Federal safety standards. These include restraints that hold up in a crash, flame-retardant fabric and buckle release pressure. You should be able to find this information on the packaging. There are a lot of knockoffs being sold online that say they are travel car seats but are not safe or legal to use,” says Durocher, so checking for this classification is especially important. Then, if you want to bring it on an airplane to use it as a seat (rather than checking it), it needs to have another certification. “Make sure it is FAA-approved and labeled as such,” adds Durocher. “Some airline employees will check the stickers on the seat to make sure it is FAA approved.”

What’s the difference between a regular car seat and a travel car seat?

The biggest difference between a car seat you’d use every day and one for travel is size and weight. Most people leave the car seat they use regularly installed in their car, so it doesn’t really matter if it’s heavier. Heavier, wider car seats can be better for constant use because it usually means they’re a bit more comfortable for your child and may have some nice features—like attached cup holders and extra padding. But those extras weigh more and may mean the seat is not narrow enough for those 18-inch airplane seats, says Pratt. Finally, a normal car seat doesn’t need FAA approval, which you will need if you plan to bring a car seat on a plane.

Should you check your travel car seat or bring it on the plane?

If air travel is part of your trip, you have the option of either checking your car seat (which airlines typically offer for free) or carrying it on the plane and installing it in a seat, so long as it’s FAA-approved. “However, the FAA and the American Academy of Pediatrics highly recommend flying with your child safely strapped into their car seat,” says Pratt. “During severe turbulence or a potential runway collision, your child is not safe in your arms. Your car seat kiddo can safely ride just like they do in the car. Whether they’re rear-facing or front-facing.” Plus, they may feel more comfortable:if they fall asleep, they can rest their head against the side of the car seat for support—something that they won’t have in a plane seat.

Meet our experts

At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.

Michelle Pratt is a certified child passenger safety technician, a car seat expert and the founder of the website, Safe in the Seat .

Amie Durocher is a certified child passenger safety technician and creative director of Safe Ride 4 Kids .

Why trust Select?

Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers topics like travel, home and lifestyle. She is also a frequent traveler herself and has been to more than 30 countries. For this story, she interviewed two experts to gather their guidance and researched highly-rated travel car seats based on their advice.

Catch up on Select's in-depth coverage of personal finance , tech and tools , wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook , Instagram and Twitter to stay up to date.

Bethany Heitman is a contributing editor at NBC Select.

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The Best Travel Car Seats to Keep Your Little One Safe on the Go

‘Tis the season for going over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house. But what to do when you have a little one in tow and Grandmother’s house is 2,000 miles away? Your full-featured, miniature La-Z-Boy-style car seat may be exactly the right tool for the job in day-to-day travels, however you’ll quickly find it’s impractical for planes, trains, and (rental) automobiles.

For long-distance travel you need a car seat that can safely transport your infant, toddler, or school age kiddo while being eminently luggable along with your rollaboards and diaper bag accoutrement. It needs to be easy to set up and break down while Uber drivers tap their fingers and fellow airplane passengers pile up behind you. Extra-soft cushions, sturdy cupholders, and cute patterns? These things are all gravy.

Here’s a selection of travel car seats to fit your budget and specific age-range needs. We’ve pulled a few with some nice-to-have bells and whistles as well as some innovative options that will have you thinking outside the standard car seat box.

For more information on the best travel car seats, refer to our table of contents.

Table of contents

1. editor’s pick: combi coccoro convertible car seat, 2. budget pick: cosco apt 50 convertible car seat, 3. luxury pick: doona infant car seat and stroller, 4. toddler and older pick: wayb pico travel car seat, 5. graco admiral 65 convertible car seat, 6. safety 1st guide 65 convertible car seat, 7. evenflo tribute 5 convertible car seat, 8. evenflo maestro sport booster car seat, 9. evenflo sonus convertible car seat, 10. bubblebum inflatable backless booster car seat, what is a travel car seat, what to expect when you’re choosing a travel car seat, how to install a travel car seat.

Our favorite travel car seat is a well-rounded pick with what we think is just the right mix of necessary features, quality construction, and simplicity. The Combi Coccoro is a travel car seat that is convertible, meaning that it can be mounted in either forward-facing or rear-facing modes depending on the age range and size of your child.

When positioned to be rear facing, the Coccoro accommodates kids from 3 to 33 pounds. In forward mode, the seat is rated for 20 to 40 pounds, and overall whether facing to the front or back, it’s made for a minimum height of 19 inches and maxes out at 40 inches.

The seat itself is especially lightweight at only 11 pounds, meaning transporting the Coccoro in and out of shuttles and through the airport is a breeze, even if you have to hand hold it. At a mere 15.5-inches wide, this seat has a notably slim footprint meaning not only is it less unwieldy to haul around, but also that it will mount in those ever-shrinking Economy Class seats with no problem. It’s compact enough that some parents report they can drop it into their stroller seat, kid and all, for even easier conveyance through the concourse. One more benefit of its skinny build is that you can easily fit three of these seats across the average automotive bench seat, a boon for parents with a passel of children who want to employ the Coccoro year-round.

Other features include a removable infant insert and machine-washable cover. It also has one-touch height adjustment of the five-point harness. As all good seats should have, this offering from Combi has side-impact protection and a thick layer of energy-absorbing foam. It’s FAA approved, and it has a buckle with a visual cue so you know when it is securely in place.

Buyers of the Coccoro report that it’s easy to mount in an airplane seat due to its small stature and curved bottom, allowing you to fine-tune its angle in tight quarters. These same qualities make it ideal for small rental cars outside of North America. As with most of our picks, this seat mounts securely using the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system or via seatbelt in older or non-American cars.

Of course, a simplified and compact car seat is not without its downsides. You won’t find any cupholders here, and its small size limits the kinds of kids that will fit comfortably within its confines. Average-sized kids are likely to max this car seat out at around four and a half years old while faster growers are going to find themselves in a squeeze.

A few customers have also struggled with rear-facing installations in certain vehicle models, and one reviewer took issue with the tricky crotch buckle. There also appear to be isolated incidents of the shock-absorbing Styrofoam cracking under the strains of normal use within a year.

For budget conscious shoppers, the Cosco Apt 50 provides a stripped down convertible car seat that gets the job done. Even lighter weight than our top pick, this model clocks in at a svelte 8 pounds, yet is rated for a wider range of occupants.

In rear-facing mode, the Apt 50 accommodates kids from 5 to 40 pounds and a maximum of 50 pounds while in the forward position. The seat’s five-point harness can be adjusted to six heights and three front buckle locations as children grow, and its seat pad is machine washable and tumble dry safe.

The gains in capability at a lower price point are achieved in part through the features it doesn’t have. Infant inserts and other niceties like strap pads must be purchased as separate accessories. Meanwhile, strap height adjustment is a manual affair unlike the one-touch operation of our top pick. Each time the height has to be adjusted, it requires rethreading the straps through one set of six pre-determined slots.

Still, this cost-effective model sports a pair of cupholders, has side impact protection and is certified for use on aircraft. James L. says the Cosco Apt 50 is “incredibly easy to install and take out, since there's a tension release button on the latch strap, which not all car seats have.”

It’s additionally worth noting that while owners report that it mounts fine to airplane seats in either forward or rear positions, the seatbelt can be felt beneath the padding and is uncomfortable to lay against without extra cushioning. Some reviewers also have encountered difficulty achieving a safe mount of any sort in a car, even when utilizing professional help.

If money is no object, and ultimate convenience is what you’re after, look no further than the Doona Infant Car Seat. When it’s in a vehicle, it’s a rear-facing car seat, but once outside, in one smooth motion, it’s a stroller. True, this option has a much more limited lifespan, being limited to infants 4 to 35 pounds and maxing out at 32 inches in height, but during that time it would be hard to find a carrier offering a more seamless experience.

The Doona features a five-point harness, adjustable handlebar, washable fabric cover, and side-impact protection. It includes an infant insert, head support, vehicle seat protector, and a base. The carrier is FAA approved and weighs a not insignificant 16.5 pounds.

Buyers say that while it is heavy, you’re rarely carrying it around as the burden of the weight is borne by the wheels. According to reviews, converting it can take a bit of practice, but if you try it a few times at home, you’ll quickly be ready to use it out in the real world. The Doona fits perfectly in an airplane seat or in the back of a two-door vehicle, and while it’s more secure on the base, which weighs an additional 10 pounds, it’s unnecessary while traveling. Getting it through airport security is simple too; just flip it upside down in car seat mode and it fits right through the scanner.

As for downsides, some taller customers mention needing to hunch down to push the carrier in stroller mode. On the flip side, more petite owners explain that getting the heavy car seat out of a tall SUV or crossover can be a bit of a struggle. Also, considering its steep price tag, reviewers wish it came with accessories such as a storage bag or shade extender.

Most buyers agree that it’s expensive, but worth the convenience it provides. NelWa lays it out this way, “We call this the marriage saver! We had a long distance trip with 6 flights and 10+ cabs and Uber’s [sic] and this saved us a ton of hassle and we got a lot of compliments on it!”

For toddler-age kids and up, WAYB has a unique solution that keeps children safely harnessed and also packs up easily when not in use. The Pico is a travel car seat recommended for kids two years and older in the 22- to 50-pound range who are between 30 and 45 inches tall. Unlike standard one-piece, shell-style seats, this product cleverly folds up into a compact eight-pound package that’s easy to lug around or stow away when not needed.

The WAYB Pico’s frame is sheathed in a responsibly sourced wool-polyester mesh fabric, which helps keep kids cool and is devoid of flame retardant chemicals and foams. The Pico is a forward-facing only design and is FAA approved. It can mount via the LATCH standard or via car or airplane belt. Children are secured by a five-point harness, and the design is slim enough to fit three Pico seats across most car bench seats.

The manufacturer recommends the fabric be spot cleaned and air dried, though it can be removed for more extensive cleaning. One buyer warns that the mesh can tear easily and is not easy to clean as any sort of liquid food becomes embedded in the covering. While the WAYB meets all NHTSA safety standards, some owners express concern over its impact protection compared to conventional seats.

Overall, reviewers agree that while not ideal as an everyday seat—armrests would be a welcome addition, for instance—the WAYB Pico serves well as a solution while traveling. It’s very convenient to install in a rush, and quite comfortable despite its skeletal appearance.

Accommodating the widest range of ages yet in this list of travel car seats is a convertible offering from Graco, the Admiral 65, whose name comes bearing a strong hint at its maximum weight rating.

In rear-facing configuration, the Admiral 65 seats kids from 5 to 40 pounds. When facing forward, the range is 22 to 65 pounds. The seat includes removable body supports for infants and has been tested to meet or exceed impact standards for front, side, rear, and rollover collisions. Additionally, it has been tested for structural integrity under extreme hot and cold temperatures.

This FAA-approved car seat mounts using the LATCH system and has a five-point harness and headrest that move in concert without the need to rethread the straps as kids grow or as differently sized siblings swap seats. The design also includes an integrated cupholder.

Owners praise its cozy padding, though they admit the seat is on the heavier side to travel with. A few find it challenging to loosen the straps and some wish it came with shoulder pads to protect the occupant’s neck. Several reviewers also complain of the difficult-to-release latch, which can be almost impossible to access when the seat is in rear-facing mode.

Another travel car seat that’s intent on giving the game away in its name is the Safety 1st Guide 65. As you might have guessed, it’s rated to carry children 5 to 40 pounds in rear-facing mode and 22 to 65 pounds in forward-facing configuration. Safety 1st specifies a minimum height of 19 inches and between 34 and 52 inches for each mode, respectively.

The Guide 65 utilizes a five-point harness, which must be threaded manually through one of five preset heights and one of three lower buckle positions. The head support is also adjustable, and the body pillows are removable, as is the cupholder, which can be placed on either the right or left side. The seat pad can be removed for handwashing.

Making it great for travel, this car seat has a diminutive profile and is FAA approved. It fits well in small cars, though reviewers warn that it can be a tight squeeze in airplane seats. Speaking of tight squeeze, bulkier or fast-growing kids may be better suited to a different seat as this one can be a bit of a pinch. It’s not a great fit for newborns either since the lowest shoulder strap setting is not quite low enough to be safe.

Also of note, some parents have found it a challenge to safely install, saying it requires multiple pool noodles or towels to shim it up. A couple of buyers have also spotted a manufacturing defect wherein screws were missing in a critical location.

Keeping costs in check, the Evenflo Tribute 5 convertible car seat offers up a no-frills solution that gets the job done. Weight ranges are 5 to 40 pounds when pointed rearward and 22 to 40 pounds when forward facing. The acceptable height range is 19 to 37 inches.

The Tribute 5 is engineered with side-impact protection which meets or exceeds all federal safety standards and is FAA certified. It features a removable head pillow and integrated body cushions. The seat pad can be removed and is machine washable on the cold cycle and safe to tumble dry on low heat. The five-point harness can be adjusted to multiple positions, and the seat itself is installed via the LATCH standard, though recline will need to be fine-tuned by using towels or pool noodles.

The seat includes a detachable cupholder, and overall, only weighs 9.3 pounds. Be advised however, that the cupholder does not match the one in the photo and has garnered poor reviews. Similarly, the placement of the airplane belt buckle can be felt through the modest seat padding and can be uncomfortable for little ones. Also, make sure you know the location of the hard-to-find FAA statement on this seat before the flight attendant puts you on the spot.

On the plus side, reviewers praise its lightweight, travel-friendly design saying it even squeezes into tiny budget airline seats *cough* Spirit *cough* . The cover holds up well to the rigors of cleaning up after car sick toddlers, and though it lacks many creature comforts, it delivers where it matters. Jim A. gets down to the brass tacks of what a car seat is for: “My daughter and my 2 year old were in horrible crash... the car flipped over, (sliding) across the highway landing upside down! The car seat saved her life! Just some red marks from the straps!”

For kids that have transitioned beyond the infant stage, the Evenflo Maestro Sport is a travel car seat that offers two front facing modes. One configuration is for smaller kids, 22 to 50 pounds and up to 50 inches in height, and it utilizes a standard five-point harness. When the kids have graduated beyond that stage, this seat converts to a belt-positioning booster that uses the car’s own safety restraints. Its top capacity is 110 pounds and 57 inches in height.

It features dual cupholders, a machine washable pad, and removable head pillow. It weighs less than 10 pounds and is FAA approved when used with the five-point harness. It’s manufactured with side-impact and rollover protection and can be mounted using the LATCH system or seatbelts. Perhaps most interesting, each purchase includes live video installation support.

Owners of the Maestro Sport report that it’s great for airplane use but can be a bit unwieldy to haul around. For that reason, a strap that can attach the seat to your roller bag is highly recommended. As with many travel car seats, parents tend to dislike this model for day-to-day use. It’s not as padded as more expensive models, tightening the top tether in trucks can be very difficult, and the upright seating position means kids’ heads tend to nod forward, unsupported, when they doze off. The cupholders also detach with frustrating ease, leaving one mom to worry that they will one day become toddler-powered projectiles while driving.

One last entry from the folks at Evenflo is the Sonus convertible car seat. Rated for children five to 40 pounds while rear facing and 22 to 50 pounds when aimed at the front, this travel car seat accommodates kids up to 50 inches tall.

In addition to rollover and side-impact protection, FAA approval, and a five-point harness adjustable to five height positions, the Sonus also touts ventilation built into the frame for better temperature regulation. And, to prevent unintentional “ouchies,” this seat has buckle storage pockets to keep hot metal clasps away from little fingers. The head pillow is removable, as are the seat pads for machine washing and tumble drying. There are two cupholders that fit both standard sippy cups as well as non-round objects like juice boxes due to the addition of elastic bands.

Parents report that this seat works well on airplanes and isn’t too heavy at just 11 pounds. Reviews indicate that this is a particularly good pick for taller toddlers and the kickstand allows the seat to recline both in forward- and rear-facing modes.

As to the bad, the crotch buckle is unpadded and is a potential pinch hazard, and despite efforts to the contrary, the black neoprene material gets very hot during the summer months. The seat is also quite tall making it problematic in rear-facing configurations since it needs a very deep back seat for proper installation. Finally, multiple buyers complain of the elastic breaking on the cupholders.

And finally for a completely different approach. With a cheeky, memorable name, the BubbleBum is a backless booster seat for toddlers and school age kids that may not need a full car seat but still need a boost for proper belt positioning.

Geared toward kids between four and 11 years old and weighing between 40 and 100 pounds, the BubbleBum is foldable for travel, easily squeezing into a purse or backpack. This booster gets its name from the fact that it has to be inflated by mouth using a nozzle in the rear, and when it’s time to pack it away, the air is squeezed out for a compact footprint. It takes about 10 seconds to inflate according to its manufacturer, but even when deflated, it meets federal safety regulations due to an adequate amount of memory foam that comprises its construction.

The BubbleBum includes seatbelt guides for proper routing of the vehicle’s safety restraints and a travel bag for storage. The booster can be cleaned by spraying and wiping the exterior and weighs a mere 1.2 pounds. The company advises that the seat should not be exposed to extreme temperatures while inflated because the internal bladder can expand and split, compromising its function. This includes leaving the booster in a hot car. Similarly, the BubbleBum is susceptible to great changes in altitude and may deflate when going from low to high. For this reason, it should never be inflated while at high altitude and then taken to a lower altitude. When flying, the booster should always be deflated.

While the manufacturer touts this product as an everyday solution, most reviewers agree it works better as a stopgap for situations where proper boosters with backs are unavailable. While it’s reportedly softer and more comfortable than standard boosters, it’s not as effective for a wiggly or sleepy kid who might slide off the seat. Finally, there’s a bit of an “ick” factor which is perhaps more pronounced in the COVID era. The only way to inflate the BubbleBum is to put the nozzle between your lips. The same nozzle that might have just been touching the seat of a well-used taxicab. Just sayin’.

Photo credit: mathom / Shutterstock.com

All the shiny bells and whistles are great when your kid’s car seat is practically a permanent fixture of your vehicle, but when it’s time to traverse the country—or the world—a lighter, more travel-friendly alternative is practically a must. Standard car seats fall in the 25- to 30-pound range while the kind of car seat you’ll want to haul through the airport is more like eight to 15 pounds.

The perfect travel car seat has all of the essentials and none of the overkill. That seat is going to go with you from home to shuttle to security to plane to shuttle number two to rental car and then the same sequence in reverse (and that’s assuming a direct flight!). Lightweight and easy-to-carry is the name of the game. Oh, and one more thing: approval from the FAA. Any car seat that you plan to install on an airplane must have explicit documentation stating that it’s safe to fly.

Travel car seats come in the same flavors as normal car seats: infant, convertible, booster, etc. In fact there aren’t really travel car seats so much as there are car seats that are better for travel. That is, there’s no reason you can’t use a travel car seat as your everyday car seat, just that a car seat ideal for travel is probably not the one you want to take the kids to school in day to day, if you can help it. They tend to be a bit flimsier, have a few less cupholders, and a little less room to spread out.

When choosing a travel car seat, consider how you want to use it and the child who will be using it. Ask yourself, how do I want to transport this through the airport? Will you have a cart at the ready, or do you plan to carry it?

While smaller is generally better, you’re ultimately limited by the size of your ever-growing passenger. Get a seat that’s made for an infant, and by the next time you go on vacation you may find you’re shopping for travel car seat number two. In fact, if you already have an infant carrier, a seat specifically for travel is probably unnecessary as your everyday car carrier can just be removed from its base and installed in the plane or in the car directly via seatbelt routing.

So, make sure you choose the right size for your needs according to how long you reasonably expect to use the same seat. You’ll get a lot more life out of a convertible car seat that can start out being mounted in rear-facing mode for infants and transition to forward-facing mode for toddlers and older kids. Just remember that do-it-all seats have their drawbacks, notably cramped installation in rear-facing mode.

And that’s one of the other major considerations. The seat you choose to travel with should be able to install in a shuttle, taxi, Uber, rental car, and airplane with minimal rigamarole. Some seats require shims like rolled up towels or pool noodles to achieve a safe and secure install. Do you really want to travel across the country with pool noodles in your diaper bag?

Other considerations include comfort. The amount of padding should be directly related to how long you expect your little one to stay in their seat. In poorly padded seats, the airplane buckle can often be felt through the cushion, poking into the child’s back. Verify also that the seat you choose is FAA approved. Know where the sticker stating its certification is located. It is always printed in red, and you may be asked by a flight attendant to show it.

Is your kid four or older? A traditional car seat may not even be necessary. Other solutions exist such as travel boosters, backless or not, or a travel vest. Just remember, a booster seat is only for a car. On the airplane they need to be stowed away.

Proper installation of a car seat is an important safety concern. Always refer to your specific seat’s instruction manual and other accompanying documentation such as video demonstrations. It is often helpful to look for other customers’ how-to videos as well, but remember that your car seat manufacturer is the ultimate resource.

In general, every American car seat can be installed one of two ways: either using the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) system or by using the automobile’s seat belt. Most cars manufactured after September 2002 are required to have the LATCH system, and it’s generally considered the safest way to install a child seat.

Before traveling, learn and practice installing your travel car seat using both methods. Once you’re in another city, state, or country, you will be in an unfamiliar vehicle with all of the pressures of family travel in tow. While almost any car you encounter will be child seat-ready, there’s still the chance you’ll find yourself in an outdated or foreign vehicle that doesn’t adhere to the American standard. Note the fact that while some child seats are equipped with top tethers, not all vehicles come equipped with top tether hooks, and not all top tether hooks are located in the same place. Some are closer to the floor than they are to the top of the seat.

We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works .

Main photo credit: TierneyMJ / Shutterstock.com

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Posted on Last updated: April 18, 2024 Categories Kids Travel Gear

By: Author Kate

The Best Portable Car Seat for Travel For Every Age!

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Are you looking for the best portable car seat for travel with your baby, toddler or child? Are you wondering about the best car seats for airplanes? One of the biggest pains of traveling with young kids is figuring out what to do about the car seats! Seriously, I have planned so much of our travel around “well, how are we going to travel with the car seats??!”  

Not only do we want to keep our kids safe on vacation, but we also want a lightweight travel car seat that isn’t going to break the bank. My car seat for my 3-year-old (although AWESOME) is super heavy and bulky – I needed a better toddler travel car seat option! In this post, we are going to teach you all the tips and tricks I’ve learned to make traveling with car seats a breeze.

The Best Travel Car Seat: Quick Comparison

Should you buy a separate portable toddler car seat.

We love the car seats we have at home and we also spent a lot of money purchasing them. We didn’t want to take the chance of having them ruined at the airport or while traveling which is why we decided to buy a separate portable carseat for travel. The portable car seats we purchased were all super affordable, which is why we weren’t too fussed if they got scuffed or damaged in our travels. We also bought the most lightweight portable child car seat we could find! It never hurts to lighten your load when you are traveling. One extra bonus to having separate travel carseat is that you don’t have to uninstall and reinstall your car seats at home! One time was hard enough to get it all perfect, I’m happy not to have to reinstall my seats every time we take a trip.

If you are looking for some excellent basic information about car seat travel, please check out this awesome article by the American Academy of Pediatrics which is a primer on Car Seat Safety and FAQs. 

Top Choices for Portable Car Seats

We’re going to be reviewing all of these car seats in massive detail below but in case you just want to get to the good stuff, here is our list of the best portable car seats for travel:

Top Choice: Portable Car Seat for 1 Year Old

Our top choice for a 1 year old (or less) is an bucket car seat. These seats are easy to travel with as they can be easily installed using a regular seat belt. We chose the Maxi Cosi Mico 30 for its lightweight design. This is provided that your one year old has not yet outgrown a bucket car seat. Our top choice infant car seat has a weight limit of 30lbs and a height limit of 32 inches. The reason we love bucket seats is that they usually connect to strollers really easily and that means one less piece of equipment on your trip. Read more reviews of the Maxi Cosi Mico 30 and compare prices on Amazon.

Top Choice: Portable Car Seat for 2 Year Old

In the two-year-old category, we are LOVING the Cosco Scenera Next car seat. This convertible car seat is one of the most popular travel car seats for a reason, literally, every single friend of mine owns the same one. The Cosco Scenera Next is super lightweight and you really can’t beat the price . Read more reviews of this travel car seat for 2 year old toddlers here.

Top Choice: Portable Car Seat for 3 Year Old

We still love the Cosco Scenera Next for most 3 year olds . The upper weight limit for this car seat is 40lbs, so most average sized 3 year olds will still fit in this seat. This seat can be used rear facing and forward facing, making it super versatile. If you are short on space or planning to travel for a long period, you may want to consider the Ride Safer Delight for this age group. This nifty ride safer travel vest is the perfect travel car seat for 3 year old and 4 year olds that are too small for travel booster seat options. Read more reviews here!

Top Choice: Portable Car Seat for 4 Year Old

For the 4 year old and up kids, a travel booster may be appropriate. This is all depending on the size of your 4 year old – keep in mind that the majority of boosters have a minimum weight of 40lbs. We love the mifold for its compactness and portability. We have been using this car seat with our now 5 year old son and it has totally changed our lives when it comes to traveling (safely) with kids. Read more reviews and see the weight and height restrictions here.

Should I bring my travel car seat on the plane?

One of the questions that I am asked most by readers is whether it is worthwhile to bring a car seat on the plane. If your child is over age 2 and you are already going to be bringing the car seat along, my answer is always YES!! We were actually late to the game in bringing our car seats ON the plane. I hadn’t really considered it until my second son was almost 2. We’ve now brought our Cosco Scenera Next on the plane for multiple trips and it has been an absolute lifesaver! Not only is it safer to have kids safely strapped into a car seat in the case of turbulence , it also makes flying with kids SO much easier! With my son strapped in, we didn’t have to worry about him constantly trying to bother the people in front of us or trying to hide on the seats. Our kids also sleep super well in the car seats, so it really helped the travel go as smooth as possible. Check out the latest prices on the super affordable Costco Scenra Next here.

One important thing to note is that having a forward facing car seat on a plane puts your kids’ feet at premium seat kicking range! We solve this problem by seating our older child in front of the car seat. It’s something to consider before you book your seats!

Now if your child is less than 2 years old, the decision whether to bring the car seat is entirely personal. If you want to bring your seat, you’ll usually have to pay for the seat. It is definitely safer to have a child strapped in the case of turbulence. Commercial airplanes travel at a speed of 250mph during takeoff and landing and a sudden stop or jolt could send your child flying no matter how tightly you are holding them. That being said, the majority of individuals I know do not buy a seat for their child under age 2. Air travel is one of the safest forms of travel, and in the majority of cases, an infant in your lap will be just fine. One pro tip is to ask the flight attendants whether the flight is full before you board. I have scored a free seat for my less than 2 year old infants twice using this method and both times was able to bring on my car seat without difficulty.

If you aren’t planning to use a travel carseat at your destination, you may consider using the CARES airplane travel harness. The CARES travel harness keeps your kids safe on the flight by strapping them in with an extra chest strap. It is rated for kids 22-44lbs and is approved by the FAA for travel. Not only does the Cares harness keep kids safe, but it also keeps kids contained in their seats. I love that my kids are happier to stay put in their seats when they are all buckled in and relaxed. One thing to note about the CARES harness is that you do need to secure it around the back of the seat behind you. I’ve never had anyone complain about it.

How do I know if my Airplane Car Seat is Approved?

Before you fly, you’ll want to know if your carseat is FAA approved for flight.  Please note that it is important to check your local car seat regulations as these may vary from country to country. In the US,  you will need FAA approved car seats . You can look for your car seat sticker to see if yours is approved, if approved, it should say “this restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft”

Our quick list of FAA approved car seats:

• Portable Baby Car Seat: Maxi Cosi Mico 30
• Best travel car seat for toddler: Cosco Scenera Next

Please note that booster seats are not FAA approved and cannot be taken on flights.

To check or to gate check?

If we aren’t planning to bring our car seats ON the plane (we almost always do now), we usually gate check out seats. I personally trust the gate checkers to be more careful with the objects than the regular luggage line. I have friends who have checked theirs at the desk and have had damage to the seats which made them unusable.

Should you use a car seat bag?

Check out the latest Car Seat Bags on Amazon here.

There are lots of travel car seat bags available to help you lug your car seats around the airport. Some even have backpack straps and some have roller wheels to make it even easier to bring them along. I have lots of friends who use (and rave!) about these accessories. Personally, I don’t use a car seat bag. For me, it’s just one more thing to bring along!

I also find that when the luggage attendant sees something in a bag they tend to be less careful about it! When they see a car seat out in the open they know they can’t just toss it around (hopefully!). Perhaps if I traveled with my more expensive car seats, I would be more inclined to use a bag, but for now, I’m not sold on the need for one.

How do you bring your car seat through the airport?

If you gate check you can use the seat to transport your child around the airport. Check out this neat product which straps the car seat right to a piece of luggage turning it into a stroller for the airport. Or you can even buy a travel car seat cart to turn your car seat into a temporary stroller at the airport. Read more reviews and compare prices of these travel car seat accessories here.

Personally, one of the reasons that we LOVE the Cosco Scenera NEXT Car Seat is that it fits in the basket of our Uppa Baby Vista stroller. With the car seat tucked in the bottom of our stroller, we still feel like we are traveling light! Check out the Cosco Scenera next in detail here.

Portable Travel Car Seat Rundown

Ok, now it’s time for the detailed reviews! Here are the best car seats for travel that I have tried and tested. These opinions are my own, and I was not paid or sponsored by any of these companies.

Infant Portable Car Seat: Maxi Cosi Mico

Weight and Height Restrictions:

• Up to 32 inches

FAA Approved?

Where to buy it:.

Check out prices at the following retailers:

Why we love it

Taking a car seat with an infant is the easiest and simplest. I have always used a bucket seat with my kids and I take the same bucket seat that I use at home with me when I travel. We have the Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 , and I think this is the most lightweight car seat around!  Any bucket seat , as long as it meets safety requirements, will do!

For the best car seat stroller combo,  our car seat attaches to our UppaBaby Vista which makes it great for use in the airport and also while we are on the trip. We never bring along our actual stroller seat until our little one has outgrown the bucket seat. It is too much to carry and our little ones have always been happy in the bucket seat with a few toys to play with. I LOVE traveling with my full-size stroller. Find out more about why I always bring my full size stroller here! 

Toddler Travel Car Seat: Cosco Scenera Next

• 5-40lbs (rear facing 5-44lbs, forward facing 22-40lbs)
• 19 to 40 inches

Why we love it:

For me, toddlers are the trickiest age for bringing car seats for travel. My 2-year-old certainly doesn’t fit into a bucket seat, but also is way too small for a more portable booster seat. A lot of the toddler car seats are so bulky and that makes them difficult to transport in the airport. At the advice of a friend, I purchased what I consider the ultimate portable car seat for my 2-year-old,  the   Cosco Scenera Next.   I use this car seat exclusively as my toddler travel car seat and I can not stop RAVING about it. This seat is seriously the best car seat for travel!  The car seat is SUPER lightweight, which makes it great for airplanes as it’s easy to transport and not a huge pain in the airport. It also fits perfectly in the basket of my Uppa Baby Vista Stoller (score!).

The biggest plus of this super portable car seat is the price!! It is the best value around, and with such a low price I am not afraid of it getting ruined when we travel.  We don’t use this car seat for anything but travel, and it’s also AMAZING not to have to uninstall our regular car seats from our cars because we have this one. If you are like me, installing the car seat the first time was challenging enough, I prefer to keep my regular car seats installed when I can! In the US, this portable car seat is FAA approved,  meaning that it is an airline approved car seat for travel. I prefer to take this car seat and risk it getting damaged than to take the expensive car seat that I use every day.

Portable Booster Seat: The MiFold

Best car seat for travel.

• 40 lbs – 100lbs
• 40 -57 inches

No! Booster seats are not permitted on airplanes.

My kids are still little but I recently learned about an amazing new product from my friend. The mifold car seat is a super thin and portable booster seat that was designed by a couple who also felt the pain of constantly traveling with their seats. The mifold is so compact, it can fit in your purse! The design is simple, yet safe, as it currently meets all of the safety requirements for booster seats in the US. The minimum weight is 40lbs (and 4 years of age).

My friends review? She loves it! The only complaint would be that she says her kids say the seat is not the most comfortable for long car rides. This usually isn’t a huge problem when we travel. Certainly, I would still be using my 5-point restraint car seat at home (as its safer until you reach the maximum weight!). Once my son is big enough I plan to just use the mifold for trips, carpooling, taxi rides etc. My son is soon to be 4, but far away from 40lbs. I can’t wait to try this for myself!

For those kids who are a bit small for their age,  another cool option is the Ride Safer Delight . Although a bit bulkier than the mifold, this safety restraint is rated for smaller children who are at least 3 years old and at least 30 lbs.  You can compare prices and read reviews of the Ride Safer Delight here . Check out my fellow blogger friend from The Family Voyage for a detailed review of The Ride Safer Delight .

*** Update *** My son is now almost 5 and we are LOVING the mifold! It is so great to have something that literally fits in my purse to take with us on our travels. We don’t typically use a car a lot when we travel so having this option is SO GREAT! It sure beats lugging a bulky car seat along for only 40 minutes of total drive time! At home, we use it for taxi rides as well, which is SUPER convenient on the go. Definitely, love having this option! You can read more reviews of the MiFold here.

Should you just rent a car seat for travel?

Sometimes even the most portable car seat is just too much of a pain to bring on your trip. On several occasions, especially when we have been renting a car, we have rented a car seat . A few times we had a car seat that was quite old and worn, and on one occasion we had a seat that wasn’t properly rated for my child’s size. These are the problems with renting travel car seats from a rental company. Renting from a car rental company is at your own risk, as they don’t reserve the seats ahead of time. We will still occasionally do this, especially if we aren’t planning on using the seats a lot during the trip.

There are also companies that rent out car seats specifically for travelers. These baby gear companies will tell you the exact model of car seat that you are renting. The main disadvantage to a company like this is that unless they deliver to the airport you will be left without the car seat for your trip to go pick it up! This is why we have never rented a car seat from a company like this in the past.

Don’t forget your car seat accessories!

This post would not be complete without a shout out to some of my favorite car seat accessories!

The Best Car Seat Fan

I love my Diono Stroller Fan that attaches easily to the handle of the bucket seat to keep my baby cool on a hot vacation. Check out my other favorite beach hacks in this post on what to pack for the beach with kids.

Car Seat Lap Support

If you are headed on a road trip with kids, a car seat lap organizer is a perfect accessory. This Lap Desk for kids has a spot for a drink and can easily hold a few coloring books and markers. It can be worn like a backpack which makes it easy to carry through the airport when travelling.

The Best Car Seat Head Support

If you are doing a road trip with kids, you may have concerns about ‘head slump’ in the car seat. Mostly because it was freaking me out to see my kid’s heads contorted in such ways, I bought this portable car seat head support . Now when we go on long trips my son doesn’t look so darn uncomfortable when he sleeps! And seriously, the panda face is super cute!

Best Car Seat Cover

I love this car seat cover particularly for travel. It comes with a UPF 50+ sun shade that is perfect for hot vacations where you want to keep your little one protected. Under the sun shade is a mesh layer that is perfect to keep the Mosquitos out at night. With all of the worry about mosquito-borne illnesses like Zika, I wanted to prevent my little ones from getting bit as much as possible! Check out the pricing for this car seat cover here.

What is the best stroller for travel with car seats?

We are huge fans of trying to bring our full size stroller whenever we can on vacation. We have an Uppa Baby Vista and absolutely love it. The only exceptions would be when we are really limited on space (e.g. cruise, small rental car etc ). I love our full-size stroller and I’ve found every travel stroller I’ve owned to be completely lacking in so many important features. The basket on our stroller is larger enough to carry our travel car seat – you would never see that on a travel stroller!

I’ve never regretted bringing my bigger stroller and I’ve also never had any damage to my full size strollers. I have, however, had a wheel break on a flimsy travel stroller during a flight! Check out prices on the Uppa Baby vista here .

We do have a travel stroller that we use occasionally when we are really short on space. We used the Zoe XL2 travel stroller when we went on a Disney cruise and there was no room for a full size. I like that the Zoe XL has a decent recline and a really large canopy. The storage space isn’t great but it’s the best travel stroller I’ve owned yet. You can read more reviews and check out prices of the Zoe XL2 stroller here.

Have any more travel car seat questions?

Drop your questions in the comments below and I will be sure to answer them in this post.

While you’re in trip planning mode, be sure to check out my other guides to the top  baby travel gear and toddler travel gear posts for more ideas.

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7 best travel car seats – portable and foldable

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When it comes to holidaying abroad, it’s hard to know what’s best to do about your kids and car seats. The thought of not having appropriate car seats makes us really anxious so I researched and tried out a few portable car seats. In this blog post I compare 7 options of portable travel car seats and tell you which we bought and why.

Travel car seat options

We don’t mess about when it comes to our kids’ car seats. We take it seriously and do our research, following whatever is the best guidance at the time.

It is one area where we don’t try to scrimp, even for grandparent’s cars. To us, it’s just not worth it.

Our three year old has good extended rear facing car seats in both our car (Cybex Sirona, you can see our review here ) and in her grandad’s car (Concord Reverso – see our video review here ).

But for our recent trip to Spain we chose to take portable car seats.

Our daughter is too young for a booster seat at 3 and I would never put our 6 year old in a booster seat without a high back at home (they should be for over 22kg and 125cm tall) .

However, following personal research I felt a travel car seat option would be better for both than nothing at all.

Portable car seats in the UK

After asking around and doing some research and it seems there are 7 options for travel car seats on the UK market at the moment:

• The BubbleBum  (affiliate link) – this is an inflatable booster seat that you blow up for them and then deflate to put in luggage. From the limited amount of safety reviews I’ve been able to find on travel car seats, this one seems to score the best. BubbleBum is crash test approved and meets and exceeds the EU ECE R44. 04 and the US FMVSS 213 safety regulations. This means we are able to use this one for our trip to Iceland. See below for more reasons we liked the Bubblebum seat and how we tested it. Bubblebum has not been reviewed by Which? at the time of writing.
• The Trunki BoostApak (affiliate link) – this is a hard shelled back pack that transforms into a booster seat. The h ard shell means that whatever you have put in the backpack can remain in it meaning it’s a good ‘two for one’ option . I’ve read some reviews that say it can be a bit heavy (3lbs without anything in it) for younger kids though and I know mine would complain about carrying it. ECE R44.04 – EU Certified for Group 2 and 3 (girls and boys weighing 15kg-36kg approx. 4 – 12 years old). Trunki BoostApak has not been reviewed by Which? at the time of writing.
• The mifold grab and go booster seat (affiliate link) – this is a foldable car seat that guides the seat belt into a more optimum position on the child. If you are looking for the most compact travel seat then this is the smallest I’ve seen on the UK market. These seem to be hard to get a hold of at the moment following a Which? safety warning review scoring 0% that says: ‘The MiFold backless booster seat is legal to be sold but offers virtually no side-impact protection. The regulation this car seat is approved to does not include a side-impact crash test.’
• The same company have also now launched the HiFold (below) which transforms into a higher back booster. This looks good but we haven’t personally tested it as it wasn’t available when I wrote this post originally. These also seem to be hard to get a hold of at the moment. The HiFold scored 50% on Which? safety testing with average to poor crash test results and is only recommended for occasional holiday use.
• NEW to the UK market is the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus (affiliate link) foldable car seat – this seat is for children aged 15 months to 4 years (or 67-105cm). It weighs 4.26kg so one of the heavier options however it is more like a traditional car seat with a high back and side impact protection which may make you feel less worried about using it compared to a backless option. You can adjust the safety harness and headrest as your child grows. It fits any car with best installation. It comes with it’s own (water repellant but not waterproof) carry bag. There is no Which? review of the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus yet but it is I-Size-compliant and conforms to the latest R129 regulations. The cover and harness shoulder pads are removable so you can machine wash when (not if) it gets dirty. Currently priced at £109.
• NEW to the UK market is the Urban Kanga Wallaroo Portable and Foldable Car Seat (affiliate link). This seat is ISOFIX i-Size 100-150cm meaning it lasts from about 4 to 12 years (or 15-36 kg). Its one of the heaviest seat in my list at 6kg which is a substantial weight if you are carrying around exploring. Like the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus it has side impact protection. The Urban Kanga Wallaroo is tested to ECE regulation R129/03 for 100-150 cm (i-Size). It has ISOfix or seatbelt installation. There are 8 adjustable height positions, recline options and memory foam seat padding. The included backpack-style carry bag ensures effortless portability. The most expensive car seat on the list at the moment at £129.90 at the time of writing. This car seat hasn’t been reviewed by Which? but the similar The Urban Kanga Uptown TV107 got a Which? don’t buy rating with 15% score for scoring poorly for side impact tests.
• NEW to the UK market is the Jovikids Portable Folding i-Size Highback Booster with ISOFIX (affiliate link). Like the previous seat this is heavy – weighing 7kg which isn’t going to be ideal if you are taking it out for a day of exploring. However, Jovikids’ highback child seat is certified to the latest European i-Size standard (ECE R129). Quality is strictly controlled, with a one-piece injection-molded frame, and has passed front, side, and rear collision tests, ensuring the safety seat provides all-around protection for your child, reducing the risk of injury to the head, neck, and shoulders. You can secure with ISOfix or seatbelt installation. The Jovikids seat can grow with your child. It’s suitable for children from 100-150 cm in height (approximately 3-12 years old). The backrest’s recline angle can be slightly adjusted for more comfortable support. The headrest is cushioned for extra comfort. The soft and breathable fabric cover of the booster seat is fully removable and easy to clean. This seat has not been Which? tested.

Travel car seat product comparison – pros and cons

• GROUP 1 CAR SEAT: this foldable toddler car seat is suitable from 15 months up to approx. 4 years (9–18kg) and is quick to install and easy to carry, so your child travels safely in comfort
• EASY TO TRAVEL EVERYWHERE: the Nomad Plus is built for travelling as
• High back and side impact protection
• i Size-compliant and conforms to the latest R129 regulations
• Removable washable covers
• Carry bag provided
• Only lasts up to 4 years old

• Portable Highback Booster: This seat’s backrest can be folded, saving space and making it easy to store, allowing you to switch between different modes of transportation, such as cars and airplanes. The ergonomically designed handle makes it easy to carry and move, providing a safe seat for your
• Long lasting at 3-12 years old
• certified to the latest European i-Size standard (ECE R129)
• ISOfix or seatbelt installation
• Covers remove and wash
• Very heavy at 7kg, can't see you being able to lug it around on a day of tourist exploration

• TAKE ANYWHERE CAR BOOSTER – The inflatable travel car booster seat for children aged 4 – 11yrs and weighing 15 – 36kgs. It comes with a Seat Belt Positioning Clip for optimum seat belt fit.
• ULTRA PORTABLE – The world’s lightest backless car booster seat. Folds away to
• Range of designs
• Very lightweight and compact for sightseeing and fitting in bags
• Can use until your child no longer needs a car seat
• Crash test approved and meets and exceeds the EU ECE R44. 04 and the US FMVSS 213 safety regulations
• Affordable option
• Not highback or side impact protection

• Quickly Transforms – Kid’s backpack to portable car seat in seconds, can also be used as a booster seat dining chair at home or eating out and as a cinema / stadium booster
• Lift Share – Always have a portable booster seat to hand for the school pickup
• Back pack option as well as seat so child can carry themselves
• ECE R44.04 – EU Certified for Group 2 and 3
• Cover is only wipe clean
• Heavier to carry for younger children (3lbs)

Our top pick – BubbleBum as a portable travel car seat

We chose to go with the BubbleBum for a several reasons:

• It seems good for safety (as I read  here) and meets EU and US safety testing regulations as described here .
• My kids both seemed better positioned with it than the mifold when testing them in it
• My kids said it was the most comfortable to sit on (as compared to the mifold)
• I liked that it had a case unlike the others. You can pay £15 for a case for the mifold but I think that’s a bit of a cheek when you just paid £50 for the seat itself.
• It was the lightest product at only 1lb . The mifold is 1.5lbs and Trunki BoostApak is 3lbs. If you have multiple children and therefore multiple seats to carry and are going to be out exploring all day and relying on taxis then this is going to really really matter.
• It was the cheapest product on the UK Market , coming in at around £30. The mifold is around £50 and the Trunki BoostApak is around £60. For the high back foldable travel seats you are looking at close the the £100 price range which is expensive if its not going to be their main seat and if you have multiple children. To get a safe product for the cheapest price seemed like a solid option.
• It lasts longer than the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus which you can only use until around 4, whilst being a lot lighter than the Jovikids and Urban Kanga seats that do last until around 12 years. (Updated to add: My children are now 9 and 12 and we are still using the Bubblebum for them in taxis etc.)

BubbleBum travel car seat – holiday review

We have now taken the BubbleBum with us to Lanzarote, Florida and Iceland when my children were a range of ages. They aren’t heavy at all and they fit inside the kid’s carry on luggage (kid’s size character suitcases). We’ve also used it on a number of UK trips for taxi rides.

We tried both the BubbleBum and the Mifold out in our car to see which we preferred. The kids seemed positioned better on the BubbleBum and told us it was much more comfortable.

I was surprised that something so small and light could make such a difference . It reassured me that whilst it’s not as safe as a high backed proper car seat, it’s certainly a lot better than just putting a seat belt on them.

If you usually don’t take car seats on holiday because of the hassle, then I would personally recommend the BubbleBum as a travel car seat for young children. Sure its not as good as a proper car seat but compared to using nothing, it’s an easy option to make their car journeys safer and give you some peace of mind .

Buy our recommendation for travel car seats

You can buy the BubbleBum for £34.99 on Amazon here  (affiliate link). This is a bargain to keep your kids safer.

Updated to add: This year we have used the Bubblebum for my 8 year old daughter on a 2 week holiday in America and for a trip to Iceland whilst there and it really helped position the seatbelt better for her and gave us reassurance. It was also very portable for carrying around with us when not in a car or taxis. We have really got years of our money’s worth out of this product.

Other options for kids portable car seats when travelling abroad

Just risk it.

It’s legal to not have car seats for taxis/transfers for many places in the EU so you won’t get into trouble for not using one.

Lots of people do this and generally it’s fine, after all, crashes aren’t super common.

We decided against this option though as we spend all this money to keep them safe at home, why risk it when abroad?!

Arrange for the travel company to provide seats

Our first port of call was to contact the travel operator to ask if they could provide car seats. After 2 emails, we weren’t making much progress though and there was a language barrier.

I was left with no confidence that there would be seats provided, and if they were, that they would be the right ones for the size of my children. This would be my preferred option though.

If anyone knows of any great European transfer companies that are good at providing car seats please let me know in the comments.

Take your own seats

Our second consideration, was whether or not we should take our own seats. This is something we decided against. We have our hands full with 2 kids and luggage at the airport anyway. The kids’ car seats are really bulky and heavy. Plus they are expensive and I don’t want to risk them getting damaged in the hold. There is also the issue that you aren’t going to be able to take them out and about on your daily excursions and taxi rides.

Buy cheap car seats to travel with

This is certainly an option, be it booster seats or just cheaper, more travel friendly seats than we have but for some of the reasons above, this again is something that we chose not to do.

Summary of the best portable travel car seat

There are 7 main options for portable car seats on the UK market – the BubbleBum, MiFold, HiFold, the Trunki BoostApak, Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus and the Jovikids.

We recommend the BubbleBum as our kids preferred it for comfort, it scored well on the safety scores we read, it was the lightest and cheapest. We were pleasantly surprised at the difference it made compared to belt only.

Are there any new options I’ve missed? Let me know in the comments if so.

If you liked this post about travel car seats you might also like:

• Cybex Sirona Review – extended rear-facing UK car seat
• Review Video: Concord Reverso – Extended Rear Facing Car Seat
• Abora Interclub Atlantic Gran Canaria review
• Occidental Margaritas, Gran Canaria, family holiday review
• HD beach resort, Costa Teguise, Lanzarote, review
• Getting the ferry from Newcastle to Amsterdam with kids
• 12 ideas for toddler busy bags for airplane travel on Amazon
• Toddler won’t brush teeth? 11 tips for brushing your children’s teeth

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Please note this post was originally written in May 2018 and was last updated April 2024. Some products in this post were press samples.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through an affiliate link you will not be charged any more for your purchase, but I will receive a small fee for referring you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For my full disclosure policy, please see my about page .

9 thoughts on “7 best travel car seats – portable and foldable”

Safety is worthwhile investing in.

This was really interest. I’m on the hunt for stage two car seats for my twins and traveling in Europe wasn’t something I’d considered!

Confused as bubblebum seat says from 4yo and your child was 3, which is how I came to this page by searching for travel seats for my 3yo. Can it be used for 3yo? Can’t see a weight guide.

Bubblebum’s FAQs says ‘EU law varies slightly between 135cm-150cm. Best practice for your child is to remain in a booster seat until the age of eleven AND/OR until they reach a height of 4ft 9 inches. This is when their body proportions are starting to be more like that of a small adult and they can sit properly in the vehicle seat. Never transition your child to a booster seat until at least the age of four AND weight of 15kg.’ But for us it was a case of Bubblebum or nothing at all and we felt that the Bubblebum provided a bit more protection than nothing for our 3 year old. We’d not have used it for her in the UK as a regular seat but it was better than nothing when travelling. The weight range from what I can see is from 15KG-36KG.

Can you please link to the safety reviews you mentioned you have found on portable car seats?

Hi Janet, sadly I can’t as it was on Which? and you need a paid membership to read them however if you head to the Which? website that’s where I read them.

Would any of these be suitable for a 2 year old?

You fail to mention that backless booster seats can only be used from 22kgs and above. Also the Milfold has a safety alert on the which.com review. I guess you’re just in the blogging game for the commissions from your affiliate links. None of these seats offer side impact protection.

Hi, I wasn’t aware of the Which? safety notice for the Mifold as my membership had lapsed but I renewed it to see and have added all the available Which? safety reviews to the piece. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I have also added a new statement about backless booster seats being for children over 22kg. Several of the seats do offer side impact protection, obviously none of these seats will be as effective or safe as a regular car seat used for everyday use. We do not use these seats as our main car seats. This post doesn’t constitute advice for a reader’s own personal circumstances but is talking about what we have done for occasional travel abroad where we need something very portable. It compares using a seat like these over using nothing at all (rather than regular car seats) which is the choice many are faced with when travelling.

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Want a folding car seat for travel? Here are your best choices by age (2023 reviews)

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This article about folding car seats for travel is written by certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Melissa Conn and may contain affiliate links.

The car seat game is changing quickly these days. Child safety seats for use at home are getting bigger and beefier with every new generation – steel frames, massive headwings, and extremely high weight and height limits.

But on the other end, there’s a new set of folding car seats for travel that are changing how families explore the world. Gone are the days when you had no choice but to stay within the confines of the US and Europe lest you risk your child’s safety on crazy roads (there are still places like that, for the record). No, in 2023 you have options .

There are some amazing foldable car seats for travel and car seat alternatives that will take you around the world and back again without breaking a sweat. Especially once your child is a mature enough, there’s now an entire ecosystem of foldable booster seat choices for you!

In this article will share our top picks for folding travel car seats at each stage, including the advantages and disadvantages of each. You’ll also learn what to consider when you’re choosing the right portable car seat for travel with your family.

Quick picks: which folding car seat for travel is right for you?

Read more: 10 things you NEED to know before flying with your car seat

How to choose a foldable car seat for travel

What should you look for in a collapsible car seat? In reality, you don’t have nearly the same choices as you do in more “traditional” car seats.

The most important feature to look at is what stage the car seat is and how that matches up with your child’s age and size. After all, it’s not safe to put a 2 or 3 year old on a backless booster no matter how convenient! Likewise, your 6 year old who still sleeps in the car might not fit into the folding car seat with a 5 point harness option.

Since this article is all about folding car seats, portability is the name of the game! You want a car seat that folds small enough to take out for the day so that you have it when you need it. So some of the options on this list may not be the lightest in their classes, but they’re the best for putting in the overhead bin of an airplane or toting around the city.

In the picture at the beginning of this article, you can see how our family rocks folding travel car seats (and car seat alternatives). That photo was taken at the beginning of our family’s gap year – we needed to travel extremely light while keeping our kids as safe as possible. We’re fortunate to live in an era when we could make that happen!

Reviewing the best foldable travel car seat options

Doona infant car seat stroller review.

*Ideal for birth to age 1-1.5 years old

Key stats: -Weight 16.5lbs -Rear-facing size limits: 4-35lbs, up to 32”

Pros: ✔ Integrated car seat/stroller ✔ Several installation options ✔ Car seat handle doubles as anti-rebound bar

Cons: ✘ High price ✘ Heavy ✘ Need to buy a new car seat and travel stroller when it’s outgrown

Do you want the Swiss Army knife of baby travel gear? You’ll find it in the Doona infant car seat stroller , one of the coolest baby products I’ve ever seen. In just a matter of seconds your very capable infant car seat deploys its own wheels and converts into a perfectly serviceable baby-friendly stroller! I’ve had the opportunity to play around with it in person (though it was released after our youngest was born) and I definitely let out a few “WOW”s during my test drive.

This is the perfect foldable baby car seat for families who live in or travel to big cities and need to hop in and out of taxis. You’ll never have to worry about your baby being safe on the road, but you also won’t have to wonder what to do with your car seat while you hit a museum or go into a store.

Likewise, a foldable car seat stroller is an easier solution than a two-piece travel system that has to be separated and stored in the car trunk. The Doona is even FAA-approved and you can just wheel is straight down the airplane aisle. (While this isn’t truly a “foldable” car seat for a 1 year old, it’s the closest option out there – not including the extremely unsafe unapproved knock-off contraptions you’ll find online).

So why wouldn’t every family put this foldable carseat on their baby registry ? There are three downsides to consider with the Doona, and it’s up to you how important they are.

First, it’s heavy compared to other infant car seats. The official Doona weight listing is 14lbs (some reviewers say it’s more like 16lbs). Most infant carriers weigh more like 10lbs, but of course they don’t have a whole stroller built in. If you prefer a lightweight infant car seat, you’ll find great options here .

Second, it ain’t cheap . The price tag may make it a non-starter for many families, though once you add the cost of a well-respected infant car seat and a car seat stroller frame the sticker shock might subside a little.

Third, once your baby outgrows the Doona as a car seat around 1 year old you’ll be on the hook to buy a new car seat and a new stroller. Obviously that’s a tough nut to swallow financially. But many families find that the stroller they love for the newborn and infant stage just isn’t ideal for the toddler stage and they wind up wanting a new stroller anyway. Especially if you’re focusing on lightweight, travel friendly products you’ll find that many of the best ultralight strollers aren’t ideal until at least 6-12 months anyway.

All those cons aside, the Doona really is an incredible option for families who want to travel extensively with a young baby. It’s the only collapsible car seat that rear faces to keep the littlest travelers safe!

Evenflo Shyft DualRide review

*Ideal for preemie to age 1.5 years old

Key stats: -Weight 8-9lbs without wheels, ~19lbs with wheels -Rear-facing size limits: 3-35lbs, up to 32”

Pros: ✔ Integrated car seat/stroller ✔ Several installation options ✔ Approved down to 3lbs ✔ Option to leave the wheels in the car if you want to carry the car seat alone ✔ Tensioning panel on base for easy seatbelt installation ✔ Anti-rebound panel on base ✔ Approved in Canada

Cons: ✘ High price ✘ Requires 1.5″ between car seat and front seats if not installing in the center ✘ Can’t be used with other strollers ✘ Need to buy a new car seat and travel stroller when it’s outgrown

The Evenflo Shyft DualRide integrated infant car seat/stroller is brand new for 2023. If it looks similar to the Doona above, that’s because it is. But the Evenflo has a few nifty tricks up its sleeve that are worth mentioning.

First, the Evenflo Shyft DualRide is approved for newborns as small as 3 pounds (just like most Evenflo infant car seats). No one outside of Evenflo has gotten to test one out with such a tiny baby so we’ll need to see how the fit is for preemies in the real world – sometimes the beefy headrests of no-rethread harnesses like this one can be challenging for newborn head positioning. Hopefully the fit will be just as good as it is with this excellent preemie car seat .

On the other end, many kids can use it until 15-18 months thanks to the extended headrest. It’s a very convenient option for travel with toddlers!

Second, while the Doona always brings its wheels (and their weight) the Evenflo Shyft DualRide can leave the wheels behind on the car seat base or at home if you don’t anticipate needing them. That brings the weight of the car seat itself down to just 8-9 pounds – in line with many other car seats on the market. But it’s nice to have the flexibility to use the wheels when you want them and leave them behind when you don’t.

Third, the base has an integrated anti-rebound panel to help manage crash energy and a tensioning arm for easy seatbelt installation. You still need to lock the seatbelt when you install – always read your manual – but you don’t have to worry about putting much force into installing it.

As with all products, the Shyft DualRide isn’t perfect. For starters, the Evenflo Shyft DualRide is not compatible with any of the company’s strollers. That’s a bummer since many parents with an older child might like the flexibility to sometimes use the car seat with the Evenflo Pivot Xpand single-to-double stroller .

Like all Evenflo car seats, the manufacturer wants 1.5″ of clearance between the car seat and the vehicle seat in front of it. Practically speaking this rules it out for some compact cars unless you will always install it in the center seat (where the rule doesn’t apply). Keep that in mind if you’re planning on installing it by the window so that you can install another car seat on the other side!

The 10lb weight of the wheel assembly is surprisingly high. Families already sometimes complain that the Doona is too heavy, and the Evenflo car seat stroller combo is even heaver; the trade-off, of course, is that if you plan to hand carry it you can leave the wheels behind… unless you’re traveling and taking a taxi followed by a lovely walk over cobblestones.

Moment of truth here: I’m also surprised by the price point of the Evenflo Shyft DualRide. There are several versions with slightly different features/accessories and they range from $500-600. Thankfully you can get a discount when you buy direct and sign up for the email list, and Evenflo runs frequent sales as well. There’s also a slightly less expensive Walmart version , which lacks the carry-all bag and leather accents.

It’s great to see more innovation in this space, and finally a competitor to the Doona. The Evenflo Shyft DualRide has a lot going for it and will definitely be a contender for car-free city dwellers and travelers alike!

Read next: Best portable car seats for a 1 year old

Wayb Pico review

*Ideal for ages 2-5

Key stats: -Weight 8lbs -Max harness height 16.5″ -Forward-facing size limits: 22-50lbs, 30-45″, recommended 2+ years old minimum

Pros: ✔ Compact ✔ Easy to install ✔ Keeps kids harnessed ✔ FAA-approved to use on flights ✔ Can install without top tether ✔ Narrowest car seat on the market

Cons: ✘ High price ✘ Low height limit ✘ Crotch strap too short for some kids ✘ Top tether strap too short for some cars (can request an extension)

One of the coolest kid travel products we’ve seen in a loooong time is the new Wayb Pico collapsible car seat. It was hard to miss as they plastered their Indiegogo campaign all over Facebook in 2018! The promise? An ultra-light, ultra-compact folding car seat with 5-point harness. Families would be able to travel with world with this foldable toddler car seat without compromising safety.

In many ways their promise has come true. For certain families the Pico is the perfect solution to a really tough question of what to do when they need a travel 5-point harness, while for others it isn’t quite the right fit. Read our in-depth expert Wayb Pico review here .

I’ll start with the advantages: the Wayb Pico is small and easy to use. The weight is about the same as the Cosco Scenera Next, but the genius is in how small it folds up (and even packs into its own backpack!) so that you can lug it around and have it when you need it for spur-of-the-moment taxi rides.

The Wayb Pico is by far the best foldable car seat for a 3 year old if you plan on lots of international travel. Why? The concept of a folding forward-facing harnessed car seat isn’t new. They’ve actually been made for years , including the current car seat used by Uber Family . The downside of prior seats is that they required use of a top tether. Without it, the seats don’t stay upright! If you’re traveling within the US, Canada or Western Europe that’s no problem.

But if you plan to venture outside those areas you may have an extremely hard time using those car seats. We’ve encountered so many cars in South America, Morocco, Thailand and more that don’t have top tethers – rendering a fold up car seat like the IMMI Go completely useless. While you’d ideally use the top tether all the time with the Wayb Pico , at least you have the option to use it without the top tether if absolutely necessary.

Because it doesn’t require a top tether, the Wayb Pico is also the only foldable car seat for airplane use. Your kids can even fully use the tray table, unlike most forward-facing travel car seats, since it’s so low-profile.

The major disadvantage of the Wayb Pico foldable child car seat is that the 45″ upper height limit and 16.5″ harness slots aren’t high enough for some families. Many kids will outgrow it around 5-5.5 years old, though if you’re buying it at 2 or 3 years old that’s a few years of good usage (and more if you can pass it down to a younger sibling). If you’re a family that prioritizes extended rear-facing and then you want an extended forward-facing harness, this isn’t the car seat for you! But if you’ll be doing a ton of traveling with a 2 or 3 year old (like our family gap year) then the Wayb Pico fold up travel car seat is the best option to keep your kid safe without lugging a full-size model. On the small end, the Pico is approved for kids at least 1 year old – but that’s not recommended, and in some places (like California and New York) it’s not even legal.

Finally, the price tag of the Pico may be tough for some families to swallow for a portable car seat for 3 year old. Of course, some families opt to use it at home too though it doesn’t offer the same creature comforts as typical forward facing car seats.

Is the Wayb Pico right for everyone? Maybe not. But if your family is going on an extended trip or relying on lots of taxis in your daily life and a folding travel car seat is on your must-have list, give the Wayb Pico a serious look once it’s available again.

Read next: Best travel car seats for a 2 year old

Ride Safer Travel Vest review

*Ideal for ages 3.5-6

Key stats: -Weight 2lbs -Size small: minimum age 3, fits best for 30+ lbs and 35-47″ -Size large: minimum age 4, fits best for 50+ lbs and 45-57″

Pros: ✔ Rolls up to the size of a 2L soda bottle ✔ Perfect for taxi rides ✔ Lowers seat belt to provide an appropriate fit for young children ✔ Keeps kids properly seated better than a traditional booster seat – even when sleeping ✔ Easy to fit 3-across since it’s only as wide as the child ✔ 5 year expiration

Cons: ✘ No side impact protection like a highback booster seat ✘ Takes practice to get belt fit right ✘ NOT permitted for use on planes

Several years ago the kind folks at Safe Ride 4 Kids sent us a Ride Safer Delight travel vest to review, and it hasn’t left our travel kit since. The Ride Safer travel vest (“Delight” has been dropped with the latest Ride Safer travel vest Gen 5 release) is completely different than the travel car seats above.

You could say that the Ride Safer travel vest is sort of in between a booster seat and a traditional forward-facing car seat. It relies on the car’s seat belt to handle most of the restraint, but also has an optional-but-pease-use-it-always top tether that minimizes head movement in an accident and keeps your child in the correct position even if they fall asleep (or drop a toy). While we won’t put our youngest child in a booster seat yet since she’s a car sleeper – especially when jet-lagged – we’re comfortable with her riding in the Ride Safer vest.

So comfortable, in fact, that we brought our Ride Safer vest on our year-long trip around the world! It’s seen action on six continents and served us well the whole time. Once we practiced a few times, we got very fast at putting her in the vest and getting her secured in the car. The biggest change from the Ride Safer Delight to the Gen 5 is an easier buckle in the front, so that should help many parents.

The Ride Safer Gen 5 is rated for kids beginning at 3 years old and 30lbs, but honestly we felt that the fit was better starting at 4 years old and other parents agree with us. Fortunately size small should last most kids until 6 or even 7 thanks to the adjustable shoulder strap length. Because there’s no side impact protection, it’s a good idea to put your Ride Safer in the middle seat if it has a top tether available. Read our in-depth Ride Safer review .

For families going on extended journeys like ours who just can’t take a traditional car seat or those heading somewhere like NYC or Paris, where they’ll mostly rely on public transportation but need an occasional taxi ride, the Ride Safer travel vest is a fantastic option. It is not approved for use on an airplane, so you may want to pair it with the CARES harness ( full review here ) to use on the plane.

For a more typical trip that involves flying and then renting a car for a week or two, we sometimes opt to bring our other travel car seat . But if you’re choosing between the Ride Safer travel vest or a backless booster seat, the vest is the better choice for younger kids and/or car sleepers .

While we generally think of the Ride Safer as one of the travel car seat alternatives, we also use it at home often. I keep it in my trunk at all times so that we can fit 3-across in our car for those unexpected carpools or for when Grandma comes for a visit! Since the vest is as narrow as the child in it, there’s no trouble fitting it between two big car seats in our compact SUV.

Read next: Best travel car seats for a 3 year old Best travel car seats for a 4 year old

Key stats: -Weight 10lbs -Highback booster size limit 4yo, 40-100lbs, 40-59″ -Belt guide 14-20″

Pros: ✔ Tons of size adjustments for great fit ✔ Folds down small ✔ Legal to use everywhere except Australia (in progress) ✔ Extremely narrow ✔ 7 year expiration

Cons: ✘ Expensive if you will only use for a few years ✘ No cup holders included ✘ Bigger than some of the other travel-specific car seats

Bubblebum booster seat review

*Ideal for ages 5+

Key stats: -Weight under 1 lbs ( really! ) -Backless booster size limit 40-100lbs, age 4+

Pros: ✔ Lightest booster seat ✔ Extremely narrow ✔ Good seatbelt fit in lots of cars

Cons: ✘ Can slide around if kids are wiggly ✘ 4 year expiration (from first use)

The best backless booster seat for travel is one with which we’re extremely familiar: the Bubblebum inflatable booster seat . We traveled full-time with this booster seat for the better part of two years. It’s my favorite folding travel booster seat!

The Bubblebum is a pretty amazing collapsible booster seat. It weighs about one pound and deflates/rolls to the size of a soda bottle. Setting it up takes just a few seconds, and there’s even a shoulder belt guide to give a great fit for kids of different sizes in all different vehicles.

Read more: My in-depth Bubblebum review

If you’re a family with a mature kid who doesn’t sleep in the car the Bubblebum gives you the paragon of portability. It’s the perfect option for taking around on days in a city when you think you might hop in a taxi to get home at night or if you’re taking lots of planes and trains for an extended trip.

The Bubblebum is so light that it may shift if your kid is very wiggly. But if your kid is very wiggly, they may not be ready for a backless booster yet. In that case, I’d go with the RideSafer travel vest for an ultra-portable option or the hifold folding booster seat . We also had an issue with one of our Bubblebums deflating after we left it inflated in a hot car for a month (oops!); we reached out to customer service and they sent us a whole new one for just the $7 shipping charge!

We started using this booster seat at 6 years old, and we think that’s about right. But it’s approved for 4 years old/40lbs and there are plenty of 5 year olds who can use it successfully, especially if your drives are short. This is a judgement call for each family and also depends on the specifics of your travels.

Read next: Best travel car seats for a 6 year old and best travel booster seat

hiccapop Uberboost booster seat review

*Ideal for ages 7+

Key stats: -Weight 1.25 lbs -Backless booster size limit 40-110lbs and 38-62″

Pros: ✔ Extremely light and compact ✔ Very narrow ✔ More stable than other ultra-portable booster seats

Cons: ✘ Frustrating shoulder belt adjuster clip

If you like the idea of an inflatable booster seat for travel, there’s a new option to consider these days. The newish hiccapop Uberboost follows the same basic concept as the Bubblebum but with a few pros and cons.

Read more: My in-depth hiccapop Uberboos t review

The hiccapop packs down slightly smaller than the Bubblebum but inflates to offer a larger seating seating area. Score! It also has a grippy layer on the bottom to prevent it from sliding around.

The biggest downside for us is that our leggy 48″ rider needs the shoulder adjuster clip in most seating positions but finds it very uncomfortable. The clip is much bulkier than on our other travel booster seats.

If your child is 48″+ or has a longer torso, you might be able to avoid using the clip – just be sure that the shoulder belt makes nice, complete contact with the middle of the collar bone. In that case the hiccapop Uberboost is a great choice for a traveling booster seat. For a smaller child, I’d stick with the Bubblebum for now.

Graco RightGuide

Key stats: -Weight 2 lbs -Backless booster size limit 50-120lbs, 43-60″, age 5+

Pros: ✔ Extremely light booster seat ✔ Very compact booster seat when folded ✔ Narrow option for 3-across with big kids ✔ Inconspicuous option for tweens ✔ 10 year expiration

Cons: ✘ Belt guide may not stay in place securely ✘ Incompatible with some seatbelt designs

If you have a big kid or tween who’s approaching readiness for the adult seatbelt (usually 10-12 years old) but not quite there, check out the Graco RightGuide . It’s ultra low profile and easy to throw in a backpack or clip to the outside of a carry-on suitcase. It does require that kids be at least 5 years old, 43″ and 50lbs – a weight many kids don’t achieve until they’re around 7 or even older.

The RightGuide offers a wonderful seatbelt fit even for kids at the bottom of the stated size range. It can be problematic with certain types of seatbelts, so be sure to read my Graco RightGuide review to know what you need to look out for.

Foldable Car Seat for Travel FAQs

Yes. All car seats sold in the US have to pass the same Federal testing. The most important factors in keeping your child safe in the car are choosing an age-appropriate car seat for and using it correctly 100% of the time.

The best car seat for traveling is the one that fits your child properly and that you’ll use every time you’re in the car. Check this list to find the best choices by age.

Need more ideas? Check out the best travel car seats for every age

What’s your favorite folding car seat for travel? Tell us in the comments below!

2 thoughts on “Want a folding car seat for travel? Here are your best choices by age (2023 reviews)”

Hi! I am just trying to clarify- can the WayB Pico car seat be used on international flights that don’t adhere to FAA regulations? Has anyone done this or had a problem? Specifically I am most concerned with TAP Portugal. Do they allow? Thanks!

TAP allows a car seat for children up to 5 years old as long as it’s FAA-approved (which WAYB is) and the bottom of the seat is physically small enough (which WAYB’s is as well).

Safe travels,

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Flying with a car seat on a plane: 10 things you NEED to know (2024)

This article about taking a car seat on a plane is written by certified Child Passenger Safety Technician Melissa Conn and may contain affiliate links.

Are you considering flying with a car seat? Or maybe you’ve decided it’s your best option and wondering exactly how to fly with a car seat? Then you’ve come to the right place!

This guide covers everything you need to know about travel with a car seat on planes – from choosing an airplane car seat to airline rules to installation quirks and insider tricks you can only learn with lots of experience. We’re sharing it all to make traveling with a car seat on a plane a smooth experience for your family.

Flying with a car seat is the safest option

Let’s start with the most basic question: why should you fly with a car seat? The simple answer is that airplane seatbelts aren’t designed for tiny bodies. The general recommendation is for children under 40lbs to fly in an FAA-approved restraint – either a travel car seat or a CARES harness (minimum weight 22lbs, but fits better at 30lbs – full review here ). The best car seat for airplane travel depends on your child’s age, size and development level – start your search here to pick the right one . The FAA and the NTSB both recommend using your car seat on airplanes.

This video shows you exactly why:

Why aren’t parents required to use car seats on airplanes? First, because airlines have lobbied to prevent rules that might decrease the number of families who fly – and thus, their revenue. Second, air travel is much safer than car travel. Government statisticians have determined that society is better off overall with unrestrained or improperly restrained kids on flights than with many more families taking to the roads to travel. Learn more about the pros and cons of flying with a lap infant if you have a baby.

Even if you’re reading this after you’ve made your travel arrangements and you didn’t buy a seat for your baby, you can always ask at the ticket counter or check in with the gate agent. If the flight isn’t full, you can often use an empty seat for free to put your child (with their car seat) so that everyone on the flight is safer.

So do you need to bring a car seat when traveling? You need some way to keep your child safe in-flight and safe on the roads beyond, so in part it will depend on your child’s age and the type of trip.

Can you take a car seat on a plane? It depends on the airline

The US leads the way for using car seats on airplanes. Kind of shocking, eh? Not only do the FAA and NTSB encourage buying kids their own seat and using a car seat in flight, but your right to use an FAA-approved car seat through the entire flight is protected by law. Bookmark these FAA rules on car seats on your phone (or even save it) in case a flight attendant gives you a hard time. Across the border, Transport Canada maintains similar standards .

If you bring your car seat on board ( and you should ), you’ll have to use it for your child for take-off, landing and when the seatbelt sign is on during turbulent patches. All in the name of safety! Just make sure your car seat is certified for airplane use – nearly every car seat in the US is FAA-approved (just not this one ). You can’t use a booster seat on planes at all since they require a lap-shoulder seat belt, but a combination car seat like this one is completely fine if the harness is still installed. Get more details on bringing booster seats on an airplane here.

Read more: Important info for traveling with car seats

How do I know if I have an airline approved car seat? Near the base of the car seat there’s a white sticker with lots of small print. In red letters it should say that it’s approved for aircraft use.

Below is an example of the FAA approved car seat sticker from this seat . It’s located inconveniently on the bottom of the seat, but they’re in different places on different seats. Make sure you locate yours before you get to the airport; for some international flights, we’ve had to show it at the check-in counter to avoid sending it along with the baggage. In other cases, we’ve been asked to show it before installing on the plane.

Some parents (and flight crews!) get confused when they see this because it has two separate sentences about aircraft. That’s because the seat can either function as a forward-facing harnessed seat or as a booster seat. Just leave the harness in and you’ll be fine! An FAA-approved convertible car seat will generally just have the first red sentence, while an all-in-one car seat will have both. Booster seats can’t be used on board so they will only have the last red sentence.

It’s been an uneven few years for airlines, and plenty of crew members don’t know the ins and outs of flying with a car seat. Here are a few things to keep in mind to avoid unpleasant encounters:

• It’s YOUR responsibility to know how to correctly install your own travel car seat for airplane use. Be sure to read the manual in advance of your flight and consult a CPST if you have questions.
• Infant car seats generally fit better than rear facing convertible car seats .
• You are allowed to rear face within manufacturers’ limits on US carriers, even if it impedes recline. You may want to consider seating someone else from your family in front of a large rear facing car seat so that another passenger isn’t inconvenienced.
• Car seats must be installed on forward facing aircraft seats, but that doesn’t mean that car seats must be forward facing.

Read more: The lightest infant car seats of 2023

Note that on some airlines the seats are so narrow that you’ll have to choose your travel car seat wisely. If you plan to fly Spirit airlines, for example, be sure to read this article for all the particulars.

There’s one important (and recent) exception to note: some of the new premium classes of service like United Polaris and Air Canada Signature aren’t able to safely accommodate car seats. In those classes, the only option is to hold a child under 2 in your lap and to buckle older kids in the lap belt. Personally, I wouldn’t book those with a young child.

Can you bring a carseat on a plane in other countries? In my experience, outside of the US and Canada it’s more like the wild west. Every airline sets their own policies. They can range from airlines that are extremely supportive of car seat usage on board in the interest of safety to airlines that prohibit all car seats in the cabin. Some don’t allow any car seats, some only allow forward-facing car seats, some only allow car seats for certain ages. Thankfully a few give discounts if you’re purchasing a child their own seat.

The strangest rule we’ve encountered is that even if you bring a car seat on board, some foreign airlines require you to use a “belly belt” instead during take-off and landing. Belly belts have been banned in the US and Canada because they turn a baby into an air bag. What should you do if you find yourself in that situation? Graciously accept the belly belt and attach your child to you. As soon as the flight crew is securely seated in their harnesses, strap your baby into the car seat to keep them safe during the most dangerous part of the flight.

The worst situation reported by one of our Tiny Globetrotters families was when traveling on an Asian carrier with their 3 year old and car seat. They wouldn’t permit the kid to sit in the car seat for take-off, but he was clearly not of an age to use the belly belt. The airline forced the family to gate check the car seat. Which leads me to recommend…

If you’re flying a carrier that isn’t based in the US or Canada, be sure to check their “traveling with children” section before booking your tickets to make sure you’re comfortable with the airline’s policies. You’d hate to arrive at the airport and be told that you need to check your car seat unexpectedly!

What’s the best carseat for flying?

The best airplane car seat depends on your child’s age and size – there’s a wide range to choose from but it’s important to consider your family’s specific needs in selecting the best car seat for plane travel. Check out these best car seats for airplanes, including the honest pros and cons of each one:

– Best infant car seat for travel

– Best travel car seat for a 1 year old

– Best travel car seat for a 2 year old

– Best travel car seat for a 3 year old

– Best travel car seat for a 4 year old

– Best travel car seat for a 5 year old

– Best travel car seat for a 6 year old

– Best travel booster seat

How do you travel with a car seat? The airport isn’t so bad

For lots of parents, the most daunting part of figuring out how to travel with a car seat is strategizing about the airport. How to travel with a car seat in the airport depends on your family’s specific needs, like how many kids, their ages and what gear you’ve chosen for flying with car seat and stroller.

Yes, a car seat is another thing to schlep with you on the endless trek through the airport. But it’s not the end of the world. Travel systems and other car seat-stroller combinations can help, and there are lots of creative ways you can transport your car seat through the airport all the way to the gate – read about them all here .

Just give yourself plenty of extra time to get through security. Some car seats fit through the x-ray machine, but others will require hand inspection. We’ve been delayed as much as 10 minutes at security waiting on an officer to poke at our car seats. Beyond that, it’s not much of an issue if you have a solid game plan for transporting your car seat around the airport.

Maneuvering through the plane with a car seat can be ugly

Ok, so getting through the airport is no big deal with the right tricks up your sleeve. Getting through the plane… that can be a little tricky depending on your car seat. Car seats have gotten wider, aisles have gotten narrower. So what can you do?

The first thing to do is show up at the gate with your small child, car seat, carry-ons and miniature circus tent and politely explain that you need some extra time to board the plane and get situated. Usually gate agents will let you on fairly early in the process even if there isn’t an official family pre-boarding policy. Trust me, the extra space in every direction can only help you!

There have been plenty of times when I’ve had to carry a car seat down the aisle of an airplane over my head. That’s why I personally prefer a lightweight travel car seat ! The other great option is to use a foldable car seat travel cart to wheel your narrow car seat through the aisle. Just make sure the folks in front of you keep their knees in! If you have a Doona , you don’t even have to fold the wheels in until you get to your seat.

Once you get to your row, if possible put your child in the same row on the opposite side of the aisle. It’s for their own good! Raise the arm rests in your row to make your life easier. There’s usually a hidden lever on the underside of the aisle arm rest (near the hinge) to lift it.

If you’ve used a cart up to this point you need to detach the car seat from the cart, lift the car seat into the row and shimmy it to the window seat if need be. Then fold your cart and stow it under the seat in front of your car seat. If your car seat is light enough that you carried it over the tops of the seats, hopefully you can gently place it in position to begin installing the car seat on the plane.

For me, maneuvering down the airplane aisle was always the worst part of flying with a car seat!

How do you install a carseat on a plane? It’s usually pretty easy

Do you remember your first time?

The first time you huffed, puffed, sweated, swore and possibly cried… through installing a car seat, that is.

Installing a car seat on a plane won’t be like that. It’s generally the easiest kind of installation you can do. There are just a few simple steps for how to install a car seat on a plane:

• Find the correct belt path on your car seat for rear-facing or forward-facing
• Loosen the adjustable side of the airplane seatbelt
• Feed that side through the belt path
• Pray that your hand is tiny enough to reach through
• Buckle the seatbelt
• Put your weight into the car seat (possibly with the airplane seat reclined) while pulling the seatbelt tail to tighten

Here are few tips to help you out… 

• An infant car seat is the easiest style to install since the “belt path” is just two little arms that are completely exposed.
• For a rear-facing car seat, the buckle is usually between your child’s feet or knees so it won’t bother them. As long as your child is on the older side of infancy, it’s ok to install your rear-facing convertible car seat a little more upright. Sometimes that’s necessary on airlines with tiny seat pitches.
• The biggest challenge with using a forward-facing car seat on an airplane is that the seat belt buckle may end up right in the middle of your child’s back. We usually shove a sweatshirt in there after installing the car seat to offer more padding and that’s worked well. Some parents also recommend looping the short side of the seatbelt around the armrest so that the latch plate connects outside of the car seat.
• If your car seat has a lock-off for seatbelt installation pretty please read the manual to understand your seat’s particulars. The last thing you want to do is break the lock-off on your super expensive car seat ! See the yellow box below.

That’s pretty much it when it comes to car seat airplane installation! The best place to look for details on your car seat is in your manual.

SPECIAL NOTE: Installing a car seat with a lock-off, ClickTight, SnugLock or other fancy tensioning mechanism

Lots of car seats today are designed to make seatbelt installation in cars easier, and I love them. They may have a traditional lock-off (Clek Foonf/Fllo, Britax Allegiance etc), a locking panel (Britax ClickTight, Graco SnugLock) or a “tensioning” panel (Evenflo LockStrong, Nuna True Tension).

The common feature of these seats is that you must consult the instructions to make sure you install the car seat on the plane without breaking it. Generally you’re instructed to bypass the tensioning/locking mechanism for aircraft installation.

At least once per week now I’m asked how to install a Britax ClickTight on a plane, or someone tells me that they couldn’t get it to work and had to check the seat. Below you can see the Britax ClickTight airplane installation instructions taken from the Marathon manual, and you’ll not that they’re totally different than the instructions for installing in a car! Note that the directions for installing the car seat rear facing and forward facing are different as well.

Want to know all my best secrets? Click here to learn how to travel with your car seat like a pro!

You can only be seated in specific places on the plane

Nearly all airlines have rules on where on the plane you can install your child’s car seat. Generally speaking, it needs to be in a window seat if it’s a single aisle plane, and it can also be in a middle seat in the middle section on a plane with two aisles. We’ve gotten away with putting a rear-facing car set in the window and a forward-facing car seat in the adjacent middle seat.

A car seat (or a child without a car seat, for that matter) can’t be in an exit row. In the US, you usually can’t install a car seat in the row in front of or behind the exit row either. Many airlines don’t allow car seats in the bulkhead row.

Errrrrr…. So where can you install the car seat?

Rest easy. You can install your child’s car seat in the vast majority of seats on any given flight (assuming the airline permits them). We’ve only run into an issue once in all the flights we’ve taken, and that was because we were assigned seats immediately behind the exit row.

If you’re having trouble figuring out the right seats to request or if you’ve booked a Basic Economy fare, I suggest reaching out to the airline in a private message on Facebook or Twitter and let them know you’ll be taking a car seat on the plane. It’s by far the fastest way to reach a real customer service representative, you’ll have everything documented and they can make changes for you immediately if you provide a confirmation number.

You have to install your car seat on a forward facing aircraft seat. Into the early 2000s, Southwest offered “lounge seats” (aka “party seats”) in the exit row that faced each other. You’re unlikely to see those again, but you also can’t install a car seat on sharply angled seats.

Some well-meaning parents worry about inconveniencing other passengers by limiting their recline on long flights. That’s awfully nice of you! Remember that your child’s safety trumps another passenger’s comfort and convenience. That said, you can try to mitigate the issue by putting someone else from your family in front of the car seat – especially if it’s rear-facing. 

When we traveled with two kids in car seats, we’d book our family of four in the “AB-AB” (two rows of window seat and middle seat) configuration rather than “ABC-D”. The forward-facing car seat went in the window seat in front of the rear-facing car seat since there was no real need for recline. We missed having the aisle seat but survived lots of flights this way.

If you’re lucky enough to be flying in First Class or Business Class, you’ll definitely want to do your research in advance. There are many limitations on car seats in First Class and Business Class and they vary not just by airline, but even by aircraft type and configuration.

Rear-facing car seats are awesome for sleeping babies (and beyond)

Do you ever have trouble falling asleep on flights because you just can’t seem to get comfortable? Imagine if you got to sit in a perfectly-sized, cushioned recliner for the entire flight. That’s what I’m talking about.

But seriously, that’s what it’s like for your baby or young toddler when you put them in a rear-facing car seat on the plane. Their heads are properly supported so they don’t loll awkwardly forward. Our flights got much harder when our kids switched to forward-facing because they had a harder time getting comfortable!

The other advantage of rear-facing car seats on planes is that your kids can’t really drop stuff. We’d prop the tablet at our kids’ feet against the seat back when they were old enough to watch. If they dropped a toy or blankie, it rarely went further than their laps (or ours). These days I feel like half of our flights are spent retrieving their stuff from disgusting airplane floors.

If you’re traveling with another child in a car seat or adult, you may want to consider seating them in front of the rear facing car seat so that a passenger outside of your family doesn’t lose out on recline. It’s not required, but it is considerate.

Your kid may not be able to use the tray table (but that might be ok)

One downside of using a forward-facing car seat on a plane is that, with very few exceptions ( this one , this one and this one ), a standard tray table won’t come down all the way. Boooooo. That can make it hard to serve them meals or offer quiet hands-on activities on a long international flight. One option is to bring along a tray like this one that props on their laps.

Somehow, our kids managed to survive. By the time we let them face the front of the plane, they were much more interested in spending the whole flight watching movies on the in-flight entertainment system… at least as much as we’d let them. And our kids have almost always refused airline meals anyway – just a few nibbles even on 13 hour flights! So we don’t stress too much about it. I do recommend bringing a car seat with a cupholder so that your kid can have easy drink access to stay hydrated.

This, however, is the one bright spot of Spirit Airlines and their comically tiny tray tables. They are so ridiculously small that the car seat arm rests don’t interfere with them!

You can flip the airplane car seat around mid-flight if you need to

The FAA says you have to use your car seat per manufacturer instructions, but if your child is the right age and size to rear-face or forward-face then it’s totally up to what you want to do. Change your mind mid-flight? No problem.

Why might you want to flip your car seat back and forth during the flight? There are a few reasons. On a long flight, you might want to let your child face forward to eat and watch a movie but then flip her rear-facing (which offers more recline) for sleeping. Alternatively, if you have a child who’s old enough to face forward but won’t stop kicking the seat in front then switching him to rear-facing is the kindest thing you can do for the passenger in front.

When riding in a car, the car seat harness should come from below the shoulders for rear-facing and above the shoulder for forward-facing. I have changed them mid-flight when there was a big difference, but for the cruise portion of the flight I wouldn’t worry if they’re pretty close to the right spot. For take-off and landing I’d make sure the car seat is installed such that the harness height is correct.

There isn’t usually anywhere to store a car seat on board

Last but not least… once you decide to bring a car seat on a plane with you, you’re pretty much locked in to that decision unless you bring this . Your child will be required to use it for take-off, landing and turbulent patches. In between they don’t necessarily have to be strapped in (though that’s always the safest bet).

But don’t plan on taking your baby out and stowing the car seat elsewhere to let them play. There generally isn’t room. There are exceptions, of course – on a huge international flight, the overhead bins (if they aren’t full) are usually tall enough to accommodate an infant car seat.

Sometimes flight attendants will be nice and put a car seat in a closet in another cabin. But usually either you take it or leave it. A notable exception is this car seat (suitable for kids at least 2-3 up to 7-8): if you’re bringing it on board for a child over 40lbs and decide you don’t want to use it mid-flight, you can separate the base from the back for storage.

If your child is at least 30 lbs and you don’t need a car seat at your destination (or you have a Ride Safer travel vest for cars), you can use the CARES harness instead if you think you’ll want your child to have the whole seat available to relax and play rather than sitting in the car seat most of the time.

Get a quick visual summary of flying with a car seat !

Flying with car seat FAQs

While kids under 2 who have their own seat on a plane are often required to use a car seat, kids over 2 aren’t required to use one. However , it’s strongly recommended to use a car seat to keep your child safe through runway incidents or extreme turbulence.

As kids approach 40 pounds, they can get a better fit with the airplane seatbelt than when they are smaller. But an average 3 year old is still just over 30lbs and benefits from riding in a travel car seat for a 3 year old . Another option at this age is the CARES harness .

Average sized 4 year olds can often sit safely using the airplane seat belt, though not if they’re on the smaller side. However, bringing the travel car seat on a plane avoids the risks of loss or damage when checking a car seat .

If you buy your child their own seat and are flying a US-based carrier, it’s your legal right to bring an FAA-approved car seat on board and use it! If you don’t buy a seat for your child (under age 2), you may luck out and ask for an empty seat. If you’re flying a non-US airline, be sure to check their specific policies before booking your tickets.

While a car seat isn’t generally required on a plane, some airlines do require a car seat if you purchase a ticket for a child under age 2 (assuming he or she is under 40lbs).

Not sure if you do need a car seat on a plane for your upcoming trip? Reach out to the airline to confirm, but remember that the recommendation/requirement is in place to keep your child and the other passengers safe in a runway crash or during serious turbulence.

Car seats must be installed so that they don’t block the safe exit of another passenger. In a single-aisle aircraft, that generally means a window seat (or window seat and middle seat if you’re installing two car seats). On a two-aisle aircraft, you may also install a car seat in any airplane seat in the center section.

If you’ve purchased a ticket for your child, you don’t have to pay extra to bring the car seat on board! When checking your car seat , there’s generally no charge but many airlines deem them “special items” and aren’t liable for loss or damage per the contract of carriage.

You might also like…

• Uber and car seats: what you NEED to know about riding Uber with a baby or child
• Best travel car seat options by age
• Want a folding car seat for travel? Here are your best choices by age

Pin this for later!

The post Flying with a car seat on a plane: 10 things you NEED to know (2024) appeared first on Travel Car Seat Mom .

Free Infant Car Seats in All 50 States

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on obtaining Free Car Seats for your little ones. We will first delve into the general types of organizations that offer Free Car Seats or assistance programs. These include state or local health departments, non-profit organizations, WIC programs, Medicaid, insurance companies, state car seat inspection stations, local churches, hospitals, health care systems, and pregnancy life centers. Some of these operate at a national level, ensuring wide reach and accessibility.

Following this overview, we will provide a state-by-state guide with specific information and links to resources in your area. This comprehensive approach ensures that no matter where you’re located, you’ll be able to find the assistance you need. Use the Table of Contents to quickly access information.

• Connecticut
• Massachusetts
• Mississippi
• New Hampshire
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Pennsylvania
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• South Dakota
• Washington DC
• West Virginia

Where to Find Free Car Seats

State or local health departments.

State or local health departments are government-run organizations that oversee public health issues at a state or local level. Examples include the Texas Department of State Health Services, the California Department of Public Health, the New York State Department of Health, among others.

You can find these departments by searching for your specific state or local health department’s official website or contacting them through their official phone number.

They often serve low-income families or those who demonstrate a specific need, but some programs may serve all residents.

It’s important to note that the availability of programs and eligibility criteria can vary by state or even by county. Contacting the department directly provides the most accurate information.

Many of these departments’ programs require you to take a short safety course before receiving a car seat.

Non-Profit Organizations

Non-profit organizations operate independently from the government and are dedicated to addressing a particular social issue or advocating for a specific cause. Examples include Safe Kids Worldwide, United Way, Baby2Baby, and Buckle Up for Life.

The latter has donated tens of thousands of car seats to low-income families and often requires participation in safety classes.

You can find them through an online search. Websites like Charity Navigator can help determine their legitimacy.

They may serve a wide range of individuals, but usually those who demonstrate a specific need or fall within a certain income bracket.

Non-profit organizations often rely on funding and donations, so the availability of Free Car Seats can be contingent on these factors.

WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) Programs

WIC is a federal assistance program providing nutrition education, healthy food, breastfeeding support, and other services for low-income women and children.

You can search for your local WIC agency online or through local government resources.

WIC generally serves low-income women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, postpartum, or have children under the age of five. If you’re already enrolled in WIC, you may have access to a car seat program.

Similar to other programs, WIC often requires you to take a safety course before receiving a car seat.

Medicaid is a state and federal program that provides health coverage to people with low income, including some low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities.

You can apply for Medicaid through the Health Insurance Marketplace website or your state’s Medicaid website.

Medicaid generally serves low-income individuals and families. Those eligible for Medicaid might also be eligible to receive a free car seat.

Similar to other programs, Medicaid often requires you to take a short safety course before receiving a car seat.

Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are organizations that provide insurance policies to individuals or entities, covering a range of risks. Examples include State Farm, Allstate, Geico, etc.

If you’re looking for your current insurance provider, you can visit their official website or contact their customer service. If you’re searching for new insurance providers, online comparison tools can be useful.

Insurance companies generally serve their policyholders, but it can depend on the specifics of the policy and the provider. Many insurance companies provide car seats free of charge to insured new mothers or pregnant women.

The availability of Free Car Seats can be a part of specific insurance benefits. It’s crucial to read your policy carefully or speak directly to an agent for accurate information.

State Car Seat Inspection Stations

State Car Seat Inspection Stations, including firehouses and sheriff departments, are locations where certified technicians can inspect car seat installations for safety. Examples could include your local fire station, police department, or sheriff’s department.

You can locate these stations using the NHTSA’s Child Car Seat Inspection Station Locator or through an online search of your local city or county’s resources.

They serve the general public, providing safety services and occasionally Free Car Seats to families in need.

Not all inspection stations offer Free Car Seats, so it’s advisable to call and ask in advance. They often have programs for the free installation of car seats and can help you find new car seats for free as they are familiar with various charities.

Local Churches

Local churches are religious institutions that often have community outreach programs.

You can search for local churches online or through a directory.

They typically serve community members. Churches may be able to connect you with charities or institutes that provide resources to low-income families.

Availability of resources may vary widely, so it’s best to reach out directly.

Pregnancy Life Centers

Pregnancy Life Centers are often non-profit organizations that offer various resources, support, and education for women during pregnancy and early parenthood. They can provide important aid such as maternity items, baby supplies, and even Free Car Seats.

To locate a Pregnancy Life Center, you can do an online search specifying your local area. Some well-known national networks of pregnancy centers include Care Net and Heartbeat International, but there are also many independent centers that may be local to your area.

Pregnancy Life Centers primarily serve women who are pregnant or recently became mothers. They aim to support these women through their pregnancy journey and beyond, often extending their services to the early years of child-rearing.

Most Pregnancy Life Centers offer their resources and aid as part of a wider program, often involving parenting or childbirth classes. Expectant mothers who enroll in these classes may be eligible to receive items like car seats free of charge. The specifics of what’s provided and the requirements for receiving these items can vary by center, so it’s best to contact them directly for detailed information.

Do remember that these centers are often funded through donations and community support, so the availability of specific items may fluctuate. They strive to provide as much assistance as they can to support mothers and their children.

Hospitals and Health Care Systems

Hospitals and Health Care Systems are medical institutions that provide patient treatment with specialized staff and equipment. Examples include Kaiser Permanente, Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, etc.

You can locate these through a local directory or online search.

They typically serve pregnant women, new parents, or families with young children who are patients within their system. Hospitals may provide car seats without any cost or direct you toward some great local resources.

Not all hospitals or healthcare systems offer this service. It’s best to directly contact the hospital or health care system for information on any available programs.

Free Car Seats by State

Alabama free car seats.

Alabama Department of Public Health (Statewide): May offer car seat assistance to expectant mothers or parents who are receiving federal benefits like WIC, AllKids, Food Stamps, or Medicaid. The Injury Prevention Branch in Montgomery hosts monthly car seat clinics, which are occasionally booked two months in advance and are by appointment only. The car seat program is active in Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, and Huntsville. More details can be found on their website .

Alabama Farmers Federation (Statewide): Members can avail of low-cost car seats for children and can acquire certain car seats and booster seats by picking up an order form at their nearby Alfa office. Available seats prices, which include shipping and handling, are: $40 for Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Seat, $40 for Cosco Finale 2-in-1 Booster, $30 for Cosco Pronto Belt-Positioning Booster. Check out their website for more information.

Children’s of Alabama, (Birmingham): Children’s of Alabama provides a free car seat program for patients who don’t have a car seat at the time of their discharge. Before receiving the seat, families must watch a short educational video about its correct usage.  Learn more about the Children’s of Alabama car seat safety program

Baby’s Bounty (Montgomery):  Baby’s Bounty serves the Montgomery area, providing essential items for newborns, including car seats, for families in need.  Find out more about Baby’s Bounty

ALASKA Free Car Seats

Safe Alaskans (Anchorage): Provides car seats for families in need, with a suggested $10 donation for booster seats and $35 for car seats. Check out their website for more information.

Community Pregnancy Center (Anchorage): Offers Life Lessons classes, where participants can earn Baby Bucks to spend in the Mini Depot on car seats or other essential items. More details are available on their website .

Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults (Wasilla): Offers car seats for all families at a reduced cost based on a sliding scale. You can find more information on their website .

Alaska Injury Prevention Center (Anchorage): Has a limited number of car seats and booster seats available for a small donation. Visit their website for more details.

Alaska Child Passenger Safety Coalition (Statewide): Lists several events on their calendar where Free Car Seats and booster seats are available. Check their event calendar for more information.

Fairbanks Safe Rider Program (Fairbanks): May have car seats or booster seats available for families, contact them to find out more on their website .

Juneau Police (Juneau): Offers inspections by appointment and will provide a replacement seat for a minimum fee if necessary. Find out more on their website .

Alaska DOT (Statewide): Maintains a page with potential resources you can contact for free car seat information. Check out their website for more details.

ARIZONA Free Car Seats

Children Are Priceless Passengers (Statewide): Operates in nine locations across the state. A $35 fee is required for a safety class. Those lacking a safe and effective car seat can receive a new one for free. For more information, visit their website .

Phoenix Children’s Hospital (Phoenix): Offers car seat distribution. Detailed information can be found on their road safety programs page .

Yavapai Regional Medical Center (Prescott): Provides free or discounted car seats in conjunction with a safety class. For more information, call (928) 771-5651 or visit their website .

Deer Valley Unified School District Child Car Seat Safety Program (Phoenix): Offers limited Free Car Seats alongside an education class. Visit their website for more details.

Tuscon Medical Center Car Seat Loaner Program (Tucson): Allows you to pay $40 and get a car seat for one month. They also have car seat giveaway events sponsored by Safe Kids Pima County. Register on their website or call for more information.

HealthLinks Car Seat Program (Phoenix): Offers a free car seat to those who meet the qualifications and take a two-hour class. Further details can be found here .

ARKANSAS Free Car Seats

Farm Bureau Federation (Statewide): Membership entitles you to advantages like the Infant Car Seat Program when you have auto, home, life, farm, or other insurance with Farm Bureau Insurance of Arkansas. A car safety seat costs as little as $15 when you participate in this program. The price of this order includes shipping and handling. Visit their website for more details.

Rogers Police Department Car Seat Loan Program (Rogers):  The Rogers Police Department runs a car seat loan program for families experiencing financial hardship. They can loan one car seat per family. Car seats are distributed every Wednesday from 9 am to 3 pm. The department also offers a car seat installation service.  Find out more about Rogers Police Department’s car seat program

CALIFORNIA Free Car Seats

Related Reading : Free Car Seats in California  (by county, bigger list)

California Office of Traffic Safety (Statewide): This organization has a county-based directory that provides resource information for car seat education and distribution. You can visit their website for more information.

Police Departments & California Highway Patrol Offices (Statewide): Most locations offer a free exchange for an expired car seat. More information can be found here .

OC Health (Orange County): This resource provides a list of area organizations that offer car seat education and free/low-cost car seats. Detailed information can be found here .

First 5 LA (Los Angeles County): The New Economics for Women’s Child Passenger Safety Program offers a free car seat if you complete their safety class and qualify. Visit their website for more information.

Clinic in the Park’s Boosters in a Bag (Orange County): After completing an online course, you can receive a booster seat for free. More details can be found here .

Pacific Safety Center (San Diego County): This organization offers Free Car Seats to low/median income families, as well as Native American and military families. More information is available on their website .

Solano County Public Health (Solano County): Vibe Solano offers car seat safety classes and low-income families can receive vouchers toward the purchase of a low-cost car seat. Visit their website for more details.

Safe Kids Sacramento (Sacramento County): Low-income families may qualify for a low or no-cost car seat upon completion of an online class. More information is available on their website .

River to Coast Children’s Centers (Sonoma County): This organization offers a low-cost car seat program and safety education for low-income families. Visit their website for more information.

City of Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz County): The city provides Free Car Seats for low-income families, but an appointment is needed. More details can be found here .

CHOC Child Safety Seat Distribution Program (Orange County): For CHOC patients, a seat is available for $30 after completion of a safety class. More information is available on their website .

Camarena Health (Madera County): This organization offers classes on car seat safety, and if you can prove and show what you learned, you get a free car seat. More information can be found here .

Family Health Centers of San Diego (San Diego County): Patients enrolled in the Prenatal program may be eligible for a free car seat. Visit their website for more details.

Venice Family Clinic (Los Angeles County): The clinic offers monthly car seat safety classes including Free Car Seats for low-income families in several locations. Visit their website for more information.

St. Mary’s Medical Center (Los Angeles County): The Welcome Baby program has referrals to free or low-cost baby essentials, including car seats. Visit their website for more information.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (Los Angeles County): This hospital offers car seat safety classes twice monthly and a free car seat for families receiving public assistance. More information can be found here .

St Francis Medical Center (Los Angeles County): The center offers a free car seat to eligible families upon completion of a class. More information can be found here .

East Valley Community Health Center (Los Angeles County): This organization offers a free virtual car seat safety class with a free car seat for families that qualify and complete the class. More details can be found here .

Whittier Hospital (Los Angeles County): The hospital provides a complimentary rear-facing car seat and diaper bag for moms delivering at the hospital. More details can be found here .

Butte County Public Health (Butte County): The county provides a free car seat class with low-cost car seats for qualifying low-income families. Visit their website for more information.

San Diego County Public Health (San Diego County): The Keep Em Safe program provides Free Car Seats for low-income, active military, or refugee women who are at least 8 months pregnant and families with children up to the age of 9. More information can be found here .

Shasta County Health and Human Services (Shasta County): This organization offers a free car seat for pregnant moms that attend 3 classes and meet other qualifications. More information can be found here .

Plumas County Public Health Agency (Plumas County): The agency offers a free car seat to eligible families upon education and installation by a certified car seat technician. More information can be found here .

Colusa County Family Action Centers (Colusa County): The center has classes for $20 and families may qualify for a free car seat. More information can be found here .

Merced County Public Health (Merced County): The county charges $25 for a car seat class,

COLORADO Free Car Seats

Safe Kids Larimer County (Larimer County): Safe Kids Larimer County provides a car seat resource program. Though not explicitly free, they do request a $30 donation for each car seat distributed. More information can be found on their website . Further details about the county can be found here .

Morgan County Public Health (Morgan County): Morgan County offers car seat vouchers worth $50 for low-income families. These can be redeemed at the local Walmart. If the car seat costs more than $50, the family will need to pay the balance. Further information about Morgan County can be found here . Contact them directly for more details on the car seat voucher program.

Custer County Program (Custer County): For Custer County, you can contact Terra Raye who may provide car seat resources. You can reach her at 719-783-9451 or via cell at 719-371-3046. Alternatively, you can email her at [email protected] . The selection criteria are not well-defined, but it’s suspected that she prioritizes county residents who qualify. More information about Custer County is available here .

Montezuma County Car Seat Program : Located in Montezuma County, this program is committed to child safety in vehicles. Certified car seat technicians are on-hand to ensure that children are correctly fitted to age- and weight-appropriate car seats. Parents are also taught how to use and install the car seats properly. Last year, this program supplied over 200 car seats to families at a reduced cost.  Learn more about Montezuma County’s Car Seat Program

CONNECTICUT Free Car Seats

St. Gianna Pregnancy Resource Center: This center provides a range of maternity and baby items to those in need. For more information, please visit their website .

Hope Pregnancy Center: Hope Pregnancy Center offers the “Earn While You Learn” program, providing educational and material assistance to expecting parents. This continues after the baby is born, offering vital support for growing families. More information can be found on their website .

Southington Police Department: For those in need of a child passenger seat, Southington Police Department offers consideration for this essential item. Please contact their community relations division by sending an email to [email protected] with a brief narrative explaining your child passenger seat request. You can visit the Southington Police Department’s Facebook page using this link .

Carolyn’s Place Pregnancy Care Center: This center offers “Earn While You Learn Classes” for first-time parents. These consist of childbirth and parenting classes, and upon completion of the course, clients may be eligible to receive items needed for baby’s care, which may include a crib, car seat, clothing, diapers, etc. Visit their website for more details.

DELAWARE Free Car Seats

Delaware Opportunities Inc. (Statewide): Income-qualified families living in Delaware are eligible for a free car seat and instruction on appropriate installation through Delaware Opportunities Inc.’s car seat safety program. More information can be found on their website .

Delaware Division of Public Health (Statewide): The Delaware Division of Public Health collaborates with local organizations to set up car seat inspection stations around the state. Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians perform the inspections and provide Free Car Seats. Dates for these events are posted on the calendar .

FLORIDA Free Car Seats

Florida Department of Transportation Safety Office (Statewide): This office sponsors the purchase and distribution of car seats to trained/qualified Child Passenger Safety (CPS) instructors and technicians. More information can be found here .

Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital (St. Petersburg): This hospital offers low-cost car seats for families in need. More information can be found here .

Florida Farm Bureau (Statewide, Members Only): Florida Farm Bureau provides up to three (3) car seats for $25 and booster seats for $15 via forms on their website under Member Benefits. More details can be found here .

Tampa Police Department (Tampa): The Tampa Police Department employs Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) who can provide and/or install child safety seats for residents in need. Check their website for more information.

Safety Council of Palm Beach County, Inc. (Palm Beach County): Their Childsaver Car Seat Program provides child safety seats at a reduced cost to those in need in Palm Beach County. More details can be found here .

Florida Health Pinellas (Pinellas County): Offers workshops on proper safety seat usage. Additionally, those who meet certain financial requirements can obtain low-cost safety seats. Check their website for more details.

Mothers Helping Mothers (Sarasota, Manatee, and surrounding counties): This non-profit organization provides basic necessities such as clothing and baby items (including cribs, car seats, strollers, formula, breast pumps, and more) to families in need. More information can be found on their website .

St. Johns County Tax Collector – Project Buckle Up : This Florida-based program provides Free Car Seats to families in need. It also offers education on the correct installation and usage of car seats.  Project Buckle Up

Wolfson Children’s Hospital Car Safety Program : This Jacksonville, Florida-based program offers a low-cost car seat workshop. Participants can receive a car seat at a reduced cost while also gaining knowledge on car seat safety and correct installation.  Low-cost Car Seat Workshop

GEORGIA Free Car Seats

Child Occupant Safety Project (Statewide): Offers child safety seats and information on correct installation and use through the Mini Grant Program. This program collaborates with local community partners to deliver best practice education and services. More information can be found here .

South Health District Car Seat Program (Valdosta, Lowndes County): Provides a child safety seat to low-income families in need. More details can be found on their website .

District 4 Public Health (Troup County and eight other counties): Offers complimentary booster seats and safety training to financially eligible families through a Child Passenger Safety Mini-Grant. More details can be found here .

Safe Kids Cherokee County (Cherokee County): Provides up to ten car seats and education to financially qualified Cherokee County families through the mini-grant. More information can be found here .

Safe Kids North Fulton (North Fulton County): Offers qualifying families a child seat education as well as a free child seat through the Safe Kids North Fulton Child Passenger Safety Mini Grant. More details can be found here .

Northeast Georgia Health System (Northeast Georgia): Offers Car Seat Safety Class with Car Seat Distribution. In exchange for attending the lesson, you will receive a discounted car seat. Check their website for more information.

Women’s Enrichment Center of Dalton (Calhoun, Gordon County): Will be giving a Car Seat Education Class. Each child will receive a free car seat. More details can be found [here](https://www.wecnorthga.org/gordoncounty-carseats).

Bartow County Fire & Emergency Services (Bartow County): Provides car seat checks and installations and assists low-income Bartow County families in obtaining car seats. More information can be found here .

Safe Kids Program at Children’s Hospital of Georgia : Safe Kids, hosted by the Children’s Hospital of Georgia, provides a range of services to promote child safety, including a program for car seat safety. Contact the hospital for more information on potential assistance with car seats.  Safe Kids Program

Safe Kids Cobb County : This coalition hosted by Cobb & Douglas Public Health, works on injury prevention among children, including car seat safety. Please contact them directly for more information about potential car seat assistance.  Safe Kids Cobb County

HAWAII Free Car Seats

Statewide: Hawaii State offers a tax credit of $25 per year for the purchase of a booster or child safety seat. More information about this can be found here .

Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children (Oahu): In previous years, Farmers Insurance Hawaii has partnered with the Child Passenger Safety Program at Kapi’olani Medical Center for Women & Children to offer Free Car Seats and education to families in financial need. The continuation of this program into 2023 is not explicitly stated on their website, but you can contact the Car Seat Check office to schedule a free car seat check and inquire about the availability of Free Car Seats. More information can be found on their website and here .

Oahu Pregnancy Center (Oahu): This center provides baby supply assistance and may be able to provide families with a free car seat. You can find more details on their website .

Aloha Pregnancy Center (Oahu): The center’s Baby & Me Boutique is stocked with big-ticket baby items, including car seats and high chairs, and is open to families in need. You can find more details on their website .

Keiki Closet (Oahu): This organization partners with LIV, a pregnancy and women’s center, to help provide baby essentials to moms in need. You can call them and request a car seat specifically and they can either provide one or direct you to other resources. More information can be found on their website .

Malama Pregnancy Center of Maui (Maui): This center provides material assistance to clients. While it’s not explicitly stated that they have Free Car Seats, this could be a great resource for finding a free car seat on the island of Maui. You can find more details on their website .

IDAHO Free Car Seats

St. Luke’s Children’s and Kohl’s – Right Seat 4 Kids 4 Care (Statewide): Offers Free Car Seats to families in need. Contact St. Luke’s Children’s Car Seat Program at (208) 381-3033. More information can be found here .

Kootenai Health (Kootenai County): Provides car seat education, installation, and limited free seats available for those who qualify on a donation basis. More details can be found here .

Safe Kids USA (Statewide): You can contact the following districts for free or discounted car seats:

• DISTRICT 1: Kootenai Health, (208) 666-2030
• DISTRICT 2: Moscow Police Department, (208) 883-7054 (ask for Kirstin); Success by 6 of the Palouse, (208) 882-7387; St Joseph Regional Medical Center-Family Beginnings, (208) 799-5430 (ask for Linda Rosetti)
• DISTRICT 3: Canyon County Paramedics, (208) 466-8800 (Car seats available based on income guidelines)
• DISTRICT 4: Safe Kids Treasure Valley, (208) 381-3033; Meridian Fire Department, (208) 884-0597
• DISTRICT 5: Safe Kids of Magic Valley, (208) 814-7640 (Also has low-cost car seats and booster seats)
• DISTRICT 6: Southeast District Health, (208) 478-6315
• DISTRICT 7: Madison Memorial Hospital, (208) 359-6710

Medical Home Portal – Idaho Car Seat Safety : The portal provides a directory of Idaho resources for car seat safety, including various organizations that offer car seat inspection, assistance, and education. Check the link below for detailed contact information for each organization.  Medical Home Portal – Idaho Car Seat Safety

ILLINOIS Free Car Seats

DuPage County Health Department’s Child Car Seat Program (DuPage County): In collaboration with the Carelink Foundation, provides Free Car Seats to low-income families. Parents must complete safety training provided in both English and Spanish. More details can be found here .

Buckle Up Child Passenger Safety (CPS) Program (Chicago, Cook County): Provides car seat information, installation assistance, and reduced-cost car seats to at-risk families through monthly car seat seminars, car seat inspection stations, and a network of over 15 community partners. More information can be found here .

CountyCare (Cook County): Provides Free Car Seats to expectant parents. More details can be found here .

Fair Hope (Vermilion County): Supplies car seats to families that DO NOT OWN A VEHICLE. The car seats are designed for children weighing 5 to 40 pounds. More details can be found here .

Safe Kids Coalition (Statewide): Hosts safe car seat events to provide instruction on safe use and inspect car seat installation. Many also provide free or low-cost car seats and other safety products. More information can be found here .

OSF Children’s Hospital (Peoria, Peoria County): Offers a low-cost car seat program that provides families in need with low-cost car seats. More information can be found here .

Auxiliary Stroger Hospital : Through their community outreach programs, the Auxiliary Stroger Hospital offers assistance to families in need. Their efforts include providing necessary items like car seats to those in need. You can find more information about their services on their website.  Auxiliary Stroger Hospital Community Programs

Grant A Wish Inc. Chicago : This organization runs a Baby Program which aims to provide a range of essentials to parents who are unable to afford them. Car seats are among the items provided. Visit their website for more information and eligibility criteria.  Grant A Wish Inc. Baby Program

INDIANA Free Car Seats

Community Health Network (Marion County): This Indianapolis-based organization provides Free Car Seats to parents who need them. More details can be found here .

Gear-Up for Safety Program (Statewide): Families receive the essential safety equipment they need to make their homes child-safe, including car seats. More details can be found here .

Project L.O.V.E. (Statewide): A program for law enforcement that educates families on the correct use and installation of child safety seats. Only parents or caregivers who are Indiana citizens and meet low income financial qualifying requirements are eligible to receive free child safety seats. More information can be found here .

Franciscan Health Car Seat Safety Clinics (Tippecanoe County): Installed more than 100 Free Car Seats for families in need. Reservations are necessary and eligibility restrictions must be met in order to receive a free car seat. More details can be found here .

Indiana University School of Medicine (Marion County): In partnership with a San Francisco-based auto insurance firm, Go Insurance, they have a project that provides Free Car Seats as a part of its recently introduced nationwide kid passenger safety initiative. More details can be found here .

Spencer County Car Seat Program : This Indiana-based program offers car seat inspections and provides car seats for families who meet the income eligibility criteria. Visit their website for more information and how to participate.  Spencer County Car Seat Program

IOWA Free Car Seats

Unitypoint Health – Des Moines, Statewide : Offers Child Passenger Safety Technicians that may assist in instructing caregivers on how to properly utilize car seats. Families in need may be able to receive Free Car Seats through this program, but it does not give out baby carriers. Convertible, combination, and booster seats are provided under this program. A newborn weighing as little as 5 pounds can fit in the convertible seat. More information can be found on their website .

Johnson County Empowerment/ECIA, Johnson County : Periodic Car Seat Events are held to check that car seats are securely fastened and to give away free seats to kids in need who don’t have them or whose seats are damaged or have expired. The generous donations from HOPE for Johnson County and the Johnson County Empowerment/ECIA board monies enable the provision of free seats. More information can be found on their website .

Jones County Public Health, Jones County : Car seats and booster seats are available for families who might require one to transport their children safely. A single family may use this program. More information can be found on their website .

Stork’s Nest in Polk County, Iowa : An incentive-based program providing necessary baby items like diapers, strollers, cribs, and car seats to new and expecting mothers with low income. Participants earn points through healthy behaviors and can also avail parenting and prenatal classes. For more details, call (515) 558-9950 or visit here .

University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital Safety Store : Provides car seats and other safety products to families at a discount. The store is designed to teach caregivers about injury prevention, and each purchase includes education on the proper use of the product. Visit their website for more information.

Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa : Provides Free Car Seats to families in need as a part of their “Kids on the Go!” program. More details can be found in their document .

KANSAS Free Car Seats

Kansas Traffic Safety Resource Office, Statewide : Will distribute program seats to eligible families that can show visual proof any of the following (we do not need copies):

• KanCare Health Plans
• Vision Card
• Kansas Farm Worker Health Program This program will provide a car seat to pregnant women 30 days before their due date, anything sooner is at the technician’s discretion. It will also provide another car seat to the same child if the child has outgrown the initial car seat issued, and the family can provide proof they are still eligible, or if the family has been in a car crash and can provide a police report. More information can be found on their website .

Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) and North Kansas City Fire Department, North Kansas City : MARC has received a federal grant to provide car seats to low income families and has partnered with the North Kansas City Fire Department. This program has income restrictions and to find out if you qualify for a car seat through the MARC and the Head Start program. More information can be found on their website .

Swope Health (Kansas City) : Celebrates moms and healthy babies with their event that includes a free car seat giveaway. More information can be found on their website .

Baby Talk ICT (Wichita) : Offers various classes, including car seat safety. Families in need may qualify for a free car seat. Find more information on their website .

Injury Free Coalition for Kids (Kansas City) : This organization provides a program for car seat safety, potentially offering car seats for families in need. For more details, visit their website .

KENTUCKY Free Car Seats

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Statewide : They provide child safety seat and booster seat inspections, and sometimes even Free Car Seats, to families in need. They aim to ensure all children have access to safe, reliable child safety seats. You can learn more about their program and how to participate by visiting their official website .

Hardin County Health Department, Hardin County : This health department has a car seat program where they provide a car seat to families in need. They require you to watch an educational video and have the seat installed by a certified technician at their facility. Explore their website for more details .

Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness, Louisville : Offers child safety seat checkups where Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians teach parents and caregivers how to install their car seats correctly. They also provide Free Car Seats to individuals who are in need and meet certain criteria. Discover more on their website .

Jessamine County Health Department, Jessamine County : The Health Department’s HANDS program provides education, resources, and even Free Car Seats to parents in need. Parents must participate in the HANDS program and complete a car seat safety class. You can gather more details by visiting the Jessamine County Health Department’s website .

Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, Lexington-Fayette County : They provide car seats to eligible families and also conduct car seat inspections. They want to ensure that every child travels safely. If you want to learn more about their initiative, you can do so on their website .

LOUISIANA Free Car Seats

Councilman Free Car Seat Program, Baton Rouge : A local councilman provides Free Car Seats to qualifying parents who receive WIC and/or SNAP assistance. Interested parents must preregister for the giveaway. Check out more details at the official news page .

University Medical Center New Orleans, Statewide : Families in need throughout Louisiana can sign up for Free Car Seats at this hospital’s injury prevention program. You can sign up for a free car seat on their website .

MAINE Free Car Seats

Maine Bureau of Highway Safety, Statewide : This bureau offers Free Car Seats to qualifying families in Maine. Parents or guardians should contact them directly to see if their child qualifies. More details available here .

KVCAP Child & Family Services Department, Statewide : This department operates two distribution stations for the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety’s car seat program, which provides car seats to low-income families. Find out more about their service from the official website .

Maine Families Washington County, Washington County : They provide free convertible and booster car seats for income-eligible families through a program sponsored by the Maine Bureau of Highway Safety. Certain conditions apply. More about their services can be found here .

Southern Kennebec Child Development Corporation, Kennebec County : This corporation collaborates with the Bureau of Highway Safety to provide car seat education and distribution. Eligible families can schedule an appointment with their certified car seat technician to receive a car seat. You can access more information from their official website .

MARYLAND Free Car Seats

Safe Kids Frederick County, Frederick County : Safe Kids Frederick County, a program of the Frederick County Health Department, offers Free Car Seats to residents. They aim to prevent unintentional injuries to children under the age of 19 in Frederick County. Additional details can be found on their official webpage .

Maryland Department of Health’s Kids In Safety Seats, Statewide : This program offers car and booster seats at a low cost to families who cannot afford to buy them. They also have short-term special needs loaner programs for children with certain medical issues. Seat availability varies by location. Learn more about their initiative on this webpage .

Holy Cross Health (Silver Spring, MD) : Offers a Car Seat Rental Program for newborns and children. To learn more, visit their website .

MASSACHUSETTS Free Car Seats

Massachusetts Car Seat Distribution Program, Statewide : This initiative provides car seats to qualifying entities for distribution to needy families. They aim to prevent child passenger injuries and fatalities. More information about their program is available on their official website .

Boston Children’s Primary Care, Boston : This health care provider offers car seats and booster seats to low-income families that come for care. You can find out more on their website .

Injury Free Coalition for Kids, Worcester : They host child passenger safety car seat check-up events twice a month. Families are taught how to properly install and utilize booster seats and car seats. Families in need are given access to car seats and booster seats. Get more details from their official webpage .

UMass Amherst Police Department, Amherst : The Police Department was awarded a grant to help parents who need car seats. CPS trained installers can check to see if it has any recalls and is installed correctly. If you or someone you know requires a seat, contact Officer Brian Kellogg. You can find out more here .

Boston Public Health Commission’s Childhood Injury Prevention Program, Boston : This program provides a valuable resource for Boston’s low-income families who require a child safety seat. Recipients should meet MassHealth eligibility requirements or be below the poverty line in Massachusetts. More about their program can be found on this webpage .

Boston Medical Center (Boston) : They offer a car seat program for patients. For more details, refer to their program PDF .

MICHIGAN Free Car Seats

Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning, Statewide : This office supports neighborhood car seat distribution initiatives by providing car seats at regional seat check events and fitting stations for low-income families. Explore more details here .

Family Futures, Kent County : Parents residing in Kent County who are enrolled in Medicaid are eligible. However, people with a specific level of income may still be eligible. More information can be found on their website .

Kids Always Ride Safe (KARS), Houghton and Keweenaw Counties : KARS is a program for car seat education and a cheap car seat alternative made to last your kids through the years in the car seat/booster seat. This program is available to families living in Houghton and Keweenaw Counties, including WIC families. Find out more on their website .

Maternal Infant Health Program, Statewide : Families who receive Medicaid are eligible to receive Free Car Seats from this program, while discounted car seats are provided for families with economic hardships. Read more about their service here .

Trinity Health Michigan (Michigan) : They provide a child injury prevention program which includes car seat safety. Learn more about their program and how to avail of these services from their website .

MINNESOTA Free Car Seats

Child Passenger Safety Program, Statewide : This program in Minnesota offers Free Car Seats to families in need. The program is funded by a number of sources. Learn more about their initiative here .

The Baby Blanket (Michigan) : They offer a Crib & Car Seat Program to support families in need. They provide car seats among other necessities for your baby. Learn more and apply for assistance on their website .

Sherburne County Public Health, Sherburne County : Car seats are available to Sherburne County residents who meet income requirements. Sherburne County children on WIC, Medical aid, or the Medica PMAP program are automatically qualified. Find out more about their initiative here .

Every Day Miracles, Statewide: This organization donates car seats to families with Medical Assistance health coverage. Visit their website to reserve a spot here .

Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Scott County : The Sheriff’s Office provides car seats to uninsured and low-income families when they are available. More information can be found here .

Renville County Public Health, Renville County : They offer a free car seat class to all residents of Renville County. Members of PrimeWest, Blue Plus, and other groups that may be eligible can access car seats. Read more about their service on their webpage .

Norman-Mahnomen Public Health Department, Norman-Mahnomen Counties : This department offers Free Car Seats to MinnesotaCare and Medical Assistance participants who qualify. They also provide guidance on selecting the best kid safety restraint and details on how to use it properly. Explore more details on their webpage .

Vadnais Heights City (Statewide) : Their Car Seat Program offers car seat safety checks and provides car seats to families in need. Visit the city’s website for more information.

Mille Lacs County Community Health (Minnesota) : This community health center offers car seat safety checks and assistance in obtaining car seats. For more information, visit their website or contact them at:

Public Health: 635 2nd St SE Milaca, MN 56353 Phone: 320-983-8208 Toll-Free: 888-270-8208 Fax: 320-983-8352

Carver County Public Health (Minnesota) : Carver County provides a Child Passenger Safety Program that offers services to help ensure your child’s car seat is installed correctly. It also offers low-cost car seats to eligible families who are unable to afford one. Learn more about their program on their website .

MISSISSIPPI Free Car Seats

Mississippi State Department of Health, Statewide : The state department of health offers free infant or convertible child safety seats to all eligible Mississippi children. To find out if you qualify, use their assessment form found here .

Farm Bureau Mississippi, Statewide : Farm Bureau Mississippi provides members with the chance to order car seats and booster seats at a reduced cost through the Child Saver Program. Find out more about this service on their webpage .

MISSOURI Free Car Seats

Platte County Buckle Up Kids Car Seat Program, Platte County : This program provides Free Car Seats to residents of Platte County who may be eligible and meet income requirements. Find more about this service here .

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Safety Program, Statewide : Children under the age of one can get a free car seat through this program along with parent instruction from a highly qualified specialist. Local Child Passenger Safety Partners can help you find car seats for kids over one. More information is available here .

Cass County Health Department, Cass County : The Health Department is pleased to offer free car seat safety workshops for families in need of a car seat or booster seat for their child. Find out more on their website .

Henry County Health Center, Henry County : Car seats for low-income families can be offered here. Explore more on their official website .

Lebanon Missouri Child Seat Safety Program, Lebanon : This program gives away car seats to those in need. Find out more about their initiative here .

Lawrence County Health Department (Lawrence County) : The Lawrence County Health Department runs a car seat program providing education, installation assistance, and low-cost or Free Car Seats for eligible families in need. For more information, visit their website .

Safe Kids Columbia, Columbia : The Safe Kids Columbia initiative brings together community people, educators, businesses, foundations, volunteers, and local health and safety professionals and provides those in need with Free Car Seats. Read more about their service here .

Callaway County Ambulance District, Callaway County : In order to help individuals in need, the Ambulance District has teamed up with SERVE, Inc. and Safe Kids Columbia. You must submit an application for a voucher at SERVE, Inc., in order to be eligible for a free car seat. Learn more about their initiative here .

MONTANA Free Car Seats

Missoula County, Missoula County : They provide car seat vouchers for those receiving public assistance on a first-come, first-serve basis. Get more details from their website .

Greater Gallatin Safety Commission, Bozeman area : They offer Free Car Seats to families in need. Find more about their service here .

SafeSeat for Baby, Statewide : Referrals for Free Car Seats and training must come from the public health department or another social service organization. Explore more on their webpage .

Safer Start Montana, Statewide : They offer car seats to families in need who apply online. More information can be found on their website .

Ravalli County, Ravalli County : They provide car seats to families in need by appointment only. Find out more about their initiative here .

Safe Kids Yellowstone County, Yellowstone County : Safe Kids Yellowstone County is able to help with car seats when available. They have a reduced-cost program and some people may be able to get one for free if they qualify under one of the grants they have put in for. To receive this help, scheduling an appointment for one of their car seat checks is required. Events are listed on their website, where there is also a link to the pick time calendar so people can schedule the appointment. More details can be found here .

NEBRASKA Free Car Seats

Safe Kids South Central at Mary Lanning Healthcare, Hastings : For those who have Medicaid, Kids Connection, or WIC, car seats can be purchased from Mary Lanning Healthcare for a lower price. Get more information from their website .

Three Rivers Public Health Department (Dodge, Saunders, and Washington counties) : In partnership with Safe Kids, the Three Rivers Public Health Department offers various services to promote child safety. This includes providing child car seats for eligible families who can’t afford to buy new ones. Visit their website for more details.

NEVADA Free Car Seats

Ron Wood Family Resource Center, Carson City : This center offers discounted car seats when available. Find more information about this resource here .

NyECC Child Car Seat Inspections & Installation, Nye County : The coalition has a number of certified technicians that can properly inspect all child safety seats and install no-cost seats to those that qualify. Contact NyECC at 775-727-9970 to learn how to schedule an inspection or installation. Get more details from their website .

Car Seats for Christy, Statewide : This is a non-profit that gives car seats out to those in need. Learn more about their mission here .

Baby’s Bounty, Statewide : Baby’s Bounty gives car seats along with other baby essentials to families that adhere to the 130% of the 2020 US Federal Poverty Guidelines. Find more about their program requirements here .

NEW HAMPSHIRE Free Car Seats

Amerihealth New Hampshire : This program is available for Amerihealth NH members and provides car seats and booster seats at no cost for child members, up to a $129 value.  Learn about the Amerihealth NH benefits here

WellSense : As a WellSense NH MassHealth ACO or MCO member, you may qualify for additional benefits. Car seats play an important part in keeping children safe while riding in a vehicle. Each child member between 5-65 lbs. can receive an infant seat once per lifetime, and children between the ages of 4-8 years old are eligible for a booster seat to replace the infant seat, once requested. Pregnant mothers can request a car seat 45 days prior to their due date. Members should call WellSense Member Services to request a free car or booster seat.  Get more information about the WellSense program here

New Hampshire Right to Life (Statewide) : Committed to supporting pregnancy centers around New Hampshire, they provide necessary baby items including car seats. For more information on how you can benefit, visit their Support Pregnancy Centers page .

NEW JERSEY Free Car Seats

Burlington County Child Safety Seat Inspection Program : Burlington County offers this program for families who are expecting or have an infant and cannot afford a child safety seat. The Burlington County Sheriff’s Department may be able to provide a seat through the Child Safety Seat program. An application and proof of income are required.  Find the Burlington County program details here

Ride of My Life : This charity is dedicated to ensuring the safety of every car ride a baby takes. For mothers who can’t afford the government-required car seat to bring their newborns home from the hospital, Ride of My Life steps in to provide the necessary aid. Hospitals across New Jersey are encouraged to reach out to the organization for their maternity patients in need of a car seat.

Learn about the Ride of My Life initiative here Explore more about the charity’s outreach here

NEW MEXICO Free Car Seats

New Mexico Child Safety Seat Distribution Program, Statewide : The state program features 40 distribution stations across New Mexico. Each station has its own application criteria, most require proof of qualification for WIC, Medicaid, or New Mexi-Kids. Most families only pay $25, cash only. Visit their website for more details .

NEW YORK Free Car Seats

Ardent Solutions Car Seat Distribution Program, Allegany County : This program helps low-income families and others find the best car seat for their child at every age. From the time a kid is born until they are old enough to ride without a seat, parents and legal guardians of those children are provided with Free Car Seats. There are booster seats available for older children. Assistance is only intended to be given once. Learn more here .

Wayne County Public Health Child Safety Programs’ Car Seat Distribution Class, Wayne County : If you don’t already have one and can’t afford one, this program may be able to help. The course provides a thorough examination of all available car seat models, their applications, and methods for choosing the best one for your child. Free Car Seats are contingent on attending the class, having a valid photo ID and proof of ongoing participation in public assistance programs, and being a permanent resident of Wayne County. Details can be found here .

Onondaga County Car Seat Program, Onondaga County : Sponsored by Catholic Charities of Onondaga County, this program provides Free Car Seats (call for details on eligibility requirements based on poverty). Check their website .

Tremont Neighborhood Health Action Center, Bronx, NYC : Families are given access to newborn car seats or safe sleeping surfaces. More information can be found here .

New York Connects (Washington County) : Offers a car seat distribution program across the state of New York, ensuring the safety of children in transit. Learn more about the program for Washington County residents on their Car Seat Distribution Program page .

New Hope Family Services (Syracuse) : Provides a variety of pregnancy-related services, including help with obtaining car seats. More information about the services provided can be found on their website .

Cornell Cooperative Extension (Livingston County) : Offers a Traffic Safety Education program that includes child safety seats education. More information can be found on their website .

NORTH CAROLINA Free Car Seats

Child Passenger Safety program, Henderson County : Child passenger safety specialists in Henderson County, North Carolina, educate caregivers on the use and correct installation of car seats. If they don’t already have a suitable car seat for the family’s child, Henderson County homeowners may also be eligible for a free car seat. Learn more on their website .

Alleghany Council on Children, Youth, and Families (Alleghany County) : Provides the “Buckle Up Car Seat Distribution Program” to assist families with car seat needs. Find more details on their website .

The Bear Closet (Asheville) : Offers assistance including car seats to families in need. Visit their website for more information.

NORTH DAKOTA Free Car Seats

North Dakota Car Seat Distribution, Statewide : This state program is sponsored by the North Dakota Department of Health and the North Dakota Department of Transportation. There are over 25 car seat distribution locations across the state, and you can call each location for more information. Find a location here .

First District Health Unit Car Seat Distribution Program, Ward County : This program offers discounted car seats to all families. The cost is $61 for car seats and $5 for backless boosters. Families receiving any kind of public assistance (like WIC, SNAP, Medicaid, etc) are eligible for a further discount, with car seats costing only $30 and backless boosters still at $5. This service is available by appointment only. More details here .

Bismarck Child Safety Program (Bismarck) : Provides car seat safety education and may have resources for families in need of car seats. More information is available on their website .

Safe Kids Grand Forks (Grand Forks) : Offers car seat checkup events, educational presentations, and may provide car seats for families in need. Learn more on their website .

OHIO Free Car Seats

Ohio Buckles Buckeyes (OBB) Child Passenger Safety Program, Statewide : This program offers Free Car Seats and booster seats to qualified low-income families in all Ohio counties. Individuals who qualify based on income must attend an instructional session led by a licensed technician in order to obtain a free OBB seat. The program provides two types of kid safety seats: Convertible Seat ($20 donation) & Booster Seat ($10 donation). Learn more about the program here .

Columbus Public Health Car Seat Program, Columbus : Families in need can benefit from this program by receiving discounted car seats and booster seats. Families need to be referred by their WIC clinic or by a Columbus Public Health Home Visiting program in order to be given a seat. The cost is $30 for a convertible car seat and $10 for a booster seat. Families are required to attend a 60–90 minute long lesson. More details here .

Akron Children’s Hospital Car Seat Program, Akron : This program offers brand new car seats at a reduced cost to low-income families. This discount is available to families who receive government assistance (e.g., WIC, Medicaid, etc.). Caregivers are educated on how to correctly utilize the seat and install it in a vehicle. The hospital occasionally obtains complimentary seats from ODH throughout the year. Read more here .

Lorain County Car Seat Program, Lorain County : This program educates parents and guardians on child passenger safety and gives car seats and booster seats to qualifying people. Eligibility criteria include living in Lorain County, having a qualifying income (eligible for WIC or SNAP), and attending a 30-minute information session. Find more details here .

Tuscarawas County Health Department Car Seat Program, Tuscarawas County : This department has numerous nationally certified car seat technicians (CPST) on staff who can assist you with your car seat. WIC Income Eligible children may receive one car seat every three years if their parents or legal guardians attend a class and pass a quiz. More details here .

Putnam County Health Department Car Seat Program, Putnam County : This program offers Free Car Seats to a resident of Putnam County who also meets WIC Income Guidelines or is income eligible for WIC. Learn more here .

Warren County Health District Car Seat Program, Warren County : This program provides Free Car Seats. To qualify, a parent/caregiver must meet WIC income limits, though the beneficiary does not need to be registered in WIC. The family must have a child who meets the requirements for a car/booster seat and must attend an educational class. More details here .

Knox Public Health Car Seat Program, Knox County : This program offers convertible and booster seats to low-income families in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Health’s Ohio Buckles Buckeyes. A $10 charge is suggested at the time of the class. Find more details here .

Belmont County Health Department Car Seat Program, Belmont County : This department offers Free Car Seats to eligible families. To confirm WIC eligibility, the family must submit one of the following documents: paystubs for the previous 30 days, WIC card, Medicaid card, W2s/most recent tax transcript, or unemployment benefits/award letter. More details here .

Lake County General Health District (LCGHD) Car Seat Program, Lake County : This program provides car seats to income-eligible families in collaboration with University Hospitals and the Ohio Buckles Buckeyes (OBB). To get a car seat, the parent/legal caregiver must attend an instructional class. Learn more here .

Perry County Health Department Car Seat Program, Perry County : This department offers Free Car Seats. A parent or guardian is eligible for a convertible car seat or booster seat if they live in Perry County, are a WIC customer, or meet current WIC income limits. Infant car seats are offered to families receiving assistance from Job and Family Services. More details here .

OKLAHOMA Free Car Seats

SPARC Car Seats: Single Parent Academic Resources Collaborative, Oklahoma City : This program uses a first-come, first-served policy to distribute car seats. Local car seat events are listed on the website. Check the event details because some car seats are provided for free or at a low fee. Details here

Oklahoma Highway Safety Office, Injury Prevention Service, Safe Kids Oklahoma, Statewide : These entities collaborate to launch a car/booster seat program through county health departments. Free Car Seats and booster seats are available to families that qualify for WIC benefits or receive Medicaid, SNAP, or TANF. Details here

Bethany Children’s Health Center, Bethany : For individuals who are eligible, the center offers inexpensive car seats. Details here

Infant Crisis Services, Oklahoma City : A local group offers supplies like diapers, blankets, baby clothes, formula, car seats, and other essentials to those in need. Details here

Muskogee County Emergency Medical Service, Muskogee County : The Kirschner Trusts awarded a grant to Muskogee County Emergency Medical Service to help cover the cost of car seats for low-income families in the county. Details here

OREGON Free Car Seats

Grants Pass Fire and Rescue, Grants Pass : This program offers reduced-cost seats for individuals on OHP or families working with WIC. Convertible and combination seats are available for $30 and booster seats for $10. Additional discounts are available for some individuals working with WIC, but they must learn how to use the car seat correctly. Details here

Oregon Building Healthy Families, Wallowa County : The organization offers car seats in conjunction with a class on a sliding scale payment basis. Details here

Bambinos Oregon, Polk County : If you are a current Bambinos client living in Polk County, a seat is available for a $15 deposit and education is given. Details here

Care Inc, Tillamook County : The organization offers low-cost car seats, determined on a case-by-case basis, along with other essentials for Tillamook County residents. Details here

Legacy Health, Portland : The organization offers a car seat safety class with no/low-cost car seat on availability. Details here

Multnomah County Healthy Birth Initiative, Multnomah County : For Black or African American families in Multnomah County, discounted car seats are available. Details here

Doernbacher Children’s Hospital, Portland : This hospital works with ODOT to see if families are eligible for the car seat distribution program. Details here

Safe Kids Lower Columbia, Columbia County : This program provides an interactive car seat program with one-on-one instruction, a $50 visa gift card just for keeping your appointment, and a free car seat if needed. Details here

Salem Right to Life Center, Salem : By taking five parenting classes, you can earn Baby Bucks that can be redeemed for a new car seat. Details here

Umatilla-Morrow Head Start, Inc, Umatilla & Morrow Counties : Families in/near Hermiston and Pendleton can get car seats for low-income families at a reduced cost. Convertible seats are available for $30, high-back boosters for $20, and no-back boosters for $10. Details here

Vine Medical Pregnancy Health Clinic : A new car seat can be obtained by participating in the educational programs. Details here , Educational Resources

City of Albany, Albany : The Albany Area Child Passenger Safety Program can provide low-cost seats to income-eligible families residing in Linn and Benton counties. A referral may be obtained from Love, Inc, or from WIC for families who are currently eligible for and receiving WIC benefits.

PENNSYLVANIA Free Car Seats

Tri-County Community Action, Dauphin County : This organization collaborates with SAFE KIDS in Dauphin County through Penn State Children’s Hospital to provide a discounted car seat program for families referred to them or other public assistance organizations. Safety checks can be performed by their professionals if required. The program aims to inform the public about the importance of using car seats correctly for safety and legal reasons. Details here

Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia : Through the CHOP Child Safety Seat Program, the hospital provides child car seats free of charge. A healthcare professional may refer anyone who cannot afford to buy a child safety seat to this program. To qualify, you must be actively receiving public assistance and have a green EBT Access card. Details here

Pennsylvania Traffic Injury Prevention Project’s Car Seat Loan Program, Statewide : Free Car Seats are available at locations throughout the county through this program. Details here

Central Pennsylvania Community Action, Central Pennsylvania : This organization has set up a car seat loaner program for people who can’t afford to buy the right car seat for their infants or toddlers. In collaboration with PennDOT and the PA Traffic Injury Prevention Project, this program lends out the appropriate car seats to those who meet the required income levels, set at 150% of the poverty line or less. Details here

RHODE ISLAND Free Car Seats

Injury Prevention Center’s 4-Safety Program, Statewide : Certified child passenger safety technicians (CPSTs) from the Injury Prevention Center teach car seat installation to parents. Qualified low-income families may be provided a car seat for their child. Details here

The organization also lists the sites for car seat checks in Rhode Island. Details here

Seats 4 Safety Program at Lifespan (Statewide) : This program offers car seat inspections and may provide Free Car Seats for eligible families who are unable to afford them. More details can be found on their website .

SOUTH CAROLINA Free Car Seats

Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital, Midlands : The hospital and its Buckle Buddies program offer new and safe car seats to families in the Midlands via their Medicaid discount program. Car seats can be purchased at a discount at Palmetto Health Baptist’s Birthplace. The discount is $10 per car seat, making the total cost $65 for a regular car seat and $35 for a convertible car seat. To access this service, contact:

• Prisma Health Baptist Hospital Women’s Services, Taylor at Marion St. Columbia, SC 29220
• Call: 803-296-2578

More details here

Molina Healthcare of South Carolina : Provides a free car seat program for eligible members who complete 6 prenatal visits. Members must email their details to [email protected] with “Car Seat” as the email subject. The email must include the member’s full name, physical mailing address, phone number, and Molina ID number. Please note that car seat types may vary.  More details here

SOUTH DAKOTA Free Car Seats

South Dakota Department of Social Services, Statewide : This department offers the Child Safety Seat Distribution Program which aims to ensure children are in the most suitable child seat for their height and weight until they are at least 4’9″. It provides child safety seats at no cost to families that meet income eligibility requirements. Details here

Sanford Children’s CHILD Services, Statewide : This service offers the Child Safety Seat Distribution Program, which aims to keep children safe by providing child safety seats at no cost to families who meet the income eligibility requirements. The goal is to ensure children ride in the best car seat for their size and weight until they reach a minimum height of 4 feet 9 inches. Details here

Prairie Lakes Healthcare System, Statewide : In collaboration with the South Dakota Department of Social Services, this organization offers Free Car Seats to parents who meet the requirements. Parents must live in South Dakota and be enrolled in a program that qualifies them for financial assistance, such as Medicaid, WIC, SNAP, CHIP, Child Care Assistance, or Head Start. Details here

TENNESSEE Free Car Seats

Shelby County Health Department Child Car Seat Program, Shelby County : This program offers free convertible car seats to Shelby County residents with children under the age of 2 who meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Details here

Mother To Mother (Nashville) : A non-profit organization that provides vital health, safety, and wellness items for infants and children in need. They have programs that may help families acquire car seats. For more information, visit their website .

TEXAS Free Car Seats

Texas Health and Human Services, Statewide : The Safe Riders initiative forms alliances with Texas stakeholders to educate about child passenger safety and manage the distribution of child safety seats to low-income families. Safe Riders refer families to established distribution stations in their neighborhood. Details here

Denton County Public Health, Denton County : The Safe Riders initiative also provides child safety seat distribution and education here. Families that meet the eligibility requirements and attend the course will be provided with a car seat. Families must self-certify their financial need, have a vehicle with a working safety belt, and attend a one-hour session to learn how to properly use the car seat. Car seat classes are held monthly. Details here

St. John’s Community Center, Travis County : This center offers a variety of services to low-income families, including a free car seat program. To obtain a car seat, you must first complete a car seat safety course. Details here

Living Alternatives of Jacksonville, Jacksonville : This organization may provide free child car seats to low-income mothers who are pregnant or have small children. Living Alternatives is approved annually to distribute new car seats for free through the State of Texas Safe-Riders Program. Details here

UMC Foundation El Paso (El Paso) : The UMC Foundation’s Car Seat Safety Program helps ensure child passenger safety by providing car seats to families who might otherwise be unable to afford them. Visit their website for more details.

Families to Freedom (Dallas) : This organization offers a program providing car seats for families in need. They ensure that families on their way to a safer life have the necessary equipment for transporting children safely. More information is available on their website .

UTAH Free Car Seats

Salt Lake County Health Department, Salt Lake County : The department sells new car seats to qualifying families on a sliding fee scale. Eligible families must attend a car seat class and provide proof of income, which must be at or below 195% of the federal poverty level. Details here

Tooele County Health Department, Tooele County : Offers low-cost car seats to qualifying families. The department also provides free car seat education classes on the first Wednesday of every month. Details here

Weber-Morgan Health Department, Weber County : Sells new car seats on a sliding fee scale to families who qualify. Similar to the program in Salt Lake County, qualifying families must attend a car seat class and provide proof of income, which must be at or below 195% of the federal poverty level. Details here

Southwest Utah Public Health Department, Southern Utah : Offers car seats for free or for a discount after a car seat installation course. Details here

VERMONT Free Car Seats

Vermont Safety Seat Voucher Program, Statewide : This program provides Free Car Seats and booster seats to low-income families who meet program qualifications, primarily determined by receipt of state or federal funds. Details here

Rescue Inc., Statewide : This is a Pediatric Safe Organization designated by the state of Vermont. They provide Free Car Seats to qualified low-income families and free car seat inspections to anyone who wants one. Details here

Lyndon Rescue, Statewide : As part of Vermont’s Child Passenger Safety Program, Lyndon Rescue provides free child safety seat inspections and installation. They also offer low-cost car seats and booster seats to income-eligible families who meet the program’s qualifications. Details here

Springfield Hospital, Springfield : This hospital provides a Nationally Certified Passenger Safety Technician to help families with the installation and use of their child’s car seat. They collaborate with the Vermont Department of Health and the Vermont Governor’s Highway Safety Program to supply car seats to individuals in need. Details here

Colchester Police Department, Colchester : Employs nationally qualified child passenger safety technicians who can inspect your child’s seat installation. Also, if you have a free seat voucher from the Vermont Department of Health, they can assist you. Details here

VIRGINIA Free Car Seats

Virginia Department of Health Low Income Safety Seat Distribution and Education Program, Statewide : This program promotes, acquires, and distributes free child safety seats to low-income families. Details here

Fairfax County Health Department, Fairfax County : Provides income-eligible parents, foster parents, and legal guardians of a child aged 7 or younger, and pregnant women in their third trimester with car seat instruction and a free car seat. Details here 

City of Norfolk’s Child Passenger Safety Program, Norfolk : This program provides low-income families with instruction as well as free child safety seats and booster seats from the third trimester of pregnancy through the age of seven. Details here

City of Lynchburg, Lynchburg : Employs Child Safety Seat Technicians who have completed the National Standardized Child Passenger Safety Training Program. They also provide a program for low-income children. Details here

Louisa County, Louisa County : The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) Division of Injury and Violence Prevention maintains a statewide Child Safety Seat Program that provides low-income families with seat distribution and instruction. Details here

WASHINGTON Free Car Seats

Seattle Children’s Car Seat Program, Seattle : Provides car seats for patients or ER patients, asking families to pay what they can towards the wholesale cost of the car seat. Details here

Benton Franklin Health District, Benton Franklin : Safe Kids Benton Franklin offers free car seat checks and also has car seats available for low-income families who meet the qualifications. Details here

Babies In Need, Southwest WA : Works with social workers to help families get car seats and other essentials. Details here

PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, Southwest WA : Offers a one-hour car seat education class and there are a limited number of car seats available for low income families. Details here

Eastside Baby Corner, Seattle and Surrounding Areas : A community organization that serves families in need in and around Seattle. They can provide car seats and other baby essentials, partnering with various organizations, including Afghan Health Initiative. Details here and here

Two Hearts Pregnancy Aid, Washington : Will provide a car seat to any family in need as long as they qualify. Details here

West Seattle Food Bank, Seattle : In a partnership with Westside Baby, car seats can be ordered for qualifying families. Details here and here

WASHINGTON D.C. Free Car Seats

The District Department of Transportation, Washington D.C .: Runs a federally sponsored Child Safety Seat Program, which educates parents and caregivers on the need of using child safety seats every time a child travels in a car. The program gives an infant or toddler seat, a free booster seat, and information on correctly fitting and strapping children into their safety seats to District households. This project is a collaboration between DDOT, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the DC Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and Safe Kids Washington DC. Details here

WEST VIRGINIA Free Car Seats

The Gabriel Project of West Virginia, Statewide : Assists families that lack the financial means to meet the physical demands of a new infant. They supply their clients with infant essentials such as new cribs, new car seats, diapers, formula, clothing, hygiene products, and other items at no or low cost. Details here

Motown Christian Help (Morgantown) : Offers a variety of programs to support families, including a program that provides car seats to those in need. Their mission is to provide help and hope to individuals and families in the Houston area. For more details, visit their website .

WISCONSIN Free Car Seats

West Allis Health Department, West Allis : The health department offers a variety of car seat services, including providing low-cost car or booster seats to low-income families.  More details here

Injury Free Coalition for Kids (Milwaukee) : This organization is dedicated to preventing injury to children. As part of their mission, they provide a car seat safety program that offers car seats to families in need in the Waco area. Learn more by visiting their website .

Clark County Health Department, Clark County : The health department runs a program called “Car Seats for Kids,” offering free car seat checks to all parents or guardians with children in car seats or booster seats. Some parents may even be eligible for a free car seat! The department also provides educational materials to ensure the safest travel for your child.  More details here

Brown County Public Health (Brown County) : They offer a Car Seat Program that provides car seats at a discounted price to families who qualify. This program aims to increase the number of children who are safely restrained in vehicles. More details can be found on their website .

WYOMING Free Car Seats

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, Cheyenne : Partners with Kohls, Walmart, and other local retailers to offer free or discounted car seats. Interested parties should call the Injury Prevention Department at (307) 432-2679. Details here

Teton County Car Seat Program, Teton County : This program is supported by generous donations from the local Kiwanis Club. It provides affordable car seats, though it cannot provide seats for second vehicles from this program. The suggested donation is $25. Details here

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The Man in Seat 61

How to travel by train from

London to moscow & russia.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, uk to russia by train in 48 hours....

Of course, doesn't everyone go there by train?  It's easy, safe & comfortable to travel from London to Moscow by train in just over 48 hours.  Just take an afternoon Eurostar to Paris and board the Paris-Moscow Express , this runs once a week all year round.  It's the civilised way to reach Russia!  Or travel more cheaply via Berlin, Warsaw or Kyiv, it's all explained on this page with times, fares & how to buy tickets...

IMPORTANT UPDATE 2024:   All international trains to/from Moscow & Russia remain suspended until further notice, originally due to covid-19 and now due to sanctions and the war in Ukraine.  No trains at all now cross the Poland/Belarus or Finland/Russia border.  This page is not being updated, it shows travel as it used to be pre-pandemic.

The Foreign Office now advises against all travel to Russia because of the war between Russia & Ukraine, see www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/russia .

Train times, fares & tickets

Information on other pages

Route map:  uk to russia by train.

London to Moscow by train is a comfortable 1,924 miles (3,097 km) via the route in dark blue.

Useful country information

What are the options for getting to moscow .

There are a range of good options for travel from London to Moscow by train:

Option 1 , London to Moscow via the daily Warsaw-Moscow sleeper :  The cheapest option.  Routed via Belarus.

Option 2 , London to Moscow via the weekly Paris-Moscow Express :  The most glamorous & comfortable option, once a week all year.  Routed via Belarus.

Option 3 , London to Moscow via the twice-weekly Berlin-Moscow Talgo :  Another classy option, twice a week all year.  Routed via Belarus.

Option 4 , London, East Anglia, the North & Scotland to Moscow via Amsterdam :  Similar to option 1, but by ferry not Eurostar.  Routed via Belarus

Option 5 , London to Moscow via Kyiv :  Takes an extra night, but avoids Belarus so no Belarus visa required & has daily departures .  Easiest non-Belarus option.

Option 6 , London to St Petersburg via Stockholm then train to Moscow.  Also avoids Belarus, a scenic & comfortable route via Scandinavia.

Other routes & options including journeys via Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Vilnius, Riga or Tallinn.

Option 1, London to Moscow via Warsaw

This option runs every day and is usually the cheapest way from London to Moscow.  It takes the direct route shown in dark blue on the route map above .  You might still want to consider option 2, the Paris-Moscow Express , as it's a classic experience even if it costs a bit more, or option 3 via the new Berlin-Moscow Strizh , also a very classy experience.  If you want to avoid having to get a Belarus transit visa, consider option 5 via Kyiv .

London ► Moscow

Day 1, travel from London to Berlin using any of the options shown on the London to Germany page .  For example...

Leave London St Pancras at 09:01 by Eurostar , change at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf onto high-speed ICE trains arriving Berlin Hbf 19:08.

Leave London St Pancras at 11:04 by Eurostar , change at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf onto high-speed ICE trains arriving Berlin Hbf 21:09.

Eurostar has a cafe-bar, ICE trains have a restaurant car, all these trains have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Stay overnight in Berlin.   Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf 's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com .  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train , leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:38 every day arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:11.

The Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned trains with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and full meals.  Treat yourself to lunch and a beer or two in the restaurant.  Warsaw Centralna station & city information .  Map of Warsaw showing station location .

Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Moscow by sleeping-car, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 daily and arriving Moscow Belorussky at 16:58 (16:00 from late March to late October as Russia has no daylight saving time).  Check times with Russian Railways at www.rzd.ru .

This train was suspended due to covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions...

This is an impressive modern Austrian-built sleeping-car with 4-berth compartments built in 2014, see photos of this type of sleeper here & see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers .  Each compartment can be sold as 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth.  The sleeping-car comes from Prague.  A Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (on the Polish/Belarus border) & Moscow.  This train crosses Belarus, so you will need a Belarus transit visa , also see this update on reaching Russia via Belarus .

Russian track gauge is 5', but most of Europe (including the UK) is 4' 8½", so at Brest on the Belarus frontier the sleeping-car is into a shed, and jacked up to have its bogies (wheelsets) changed. You remain on board while this is done, quite an experience.  Once in Russia, the scenery is rolling hills, birch tree forests, and villages of small wooden houses.  Approaching Moscow, you may catch a glimpse of the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942' as the train passes through the small station of historic Borodino...  Map of Moscow showing Belorussky station .

Moscow ► London

This is an impressive modern Austrian-built sleeping-car with 4-berth compartments built in 2014, see photos of this type of sleeper here & see panorama photo inside one of these modern sleepers .  Each compartment can be sold as 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth or 2nd class 4-berth.  The sleeping-car goes through to Prague.  A Russian restaurant car is attached between Moscow & Brest on the Belarus/Poland border.  This train crosses Belarus, so you will need a Belarus transit visa .  Warsaw Centralna station & city information .  Map of Warsaw .

Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by Warsaw-Berlin EuroCity train , leaving Warsaw Centralna daily at 12:33 arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:16. 

Alternatively, a later train leaves Warsaw Centralna at 16:34 daily except Saturdays arriving Berlin Hbf at 22:16.

The Warsaw-Berlin EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned trains with a trolley refreshment service and a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and full meals.  Treat yourself to a meal in the restaurant:  Three courses, a beer and a coffee only come to around €11.

Day 2, travel from Berlin to London using any service shown on the London to Germany page .  For example:

Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:46, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi , arriving London St Pancras at 17:00.

Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:46, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi , arriving London St Pancras at 19:57.

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets.

Step 1, book your London-Berlin tickets online following the step by step instructions here .

Step 3, now book the Warsaw to Moscow sleeper train, using one of these 3 sites...

a)  You can book it with no booking fees at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru .  It's a little fiddly, and doesn't always accept every overseas credit card, but does work with many payment cards,

b)  You can book it easily in plain English using the Real Russia online booking system here with a mark-up, tickets sent to any address worldwide.

c)  You can order tickets online from reliable Polish ticketing agency Polrail at http://booking.polrail.com with tickets collected in Warsaw or (at extra charge) shipped to any address worldwide.

Don't forget to arrange your Russian visa & Belarus transit visa .  See update on travelling to Russia through Belarus

How to buy tickets by phone

You can buy tickets just by picking up the phone, with either...

International Rail on 0844 248 248 3, lines open 09:00-17:00 Monday-Friday.  Overseas callers call +44 844 2482483.  International Rail are equipped with both the French and German rail ticketing systems, so can offer the best prices all the trains between London and Prague.  They charge a £10 booking fee for bookings under £100, £20 for £100-£300, £30 above £300.  In many cases tickets can be emailed to you as e-tickets, so there's no postage fee or delay.

Let Tailor Made Rail arrange it as a package...

This is the most hassle-free way to arrange a trip to Russia by train.  Tailor Made Rail's suggested tour package from London to Moscow & St Petersburg is at www.tailormaderail.com/itinerary/moscow-and-st-petersburg , this can be customised your own requirements, one-way or round trip.  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens to one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

Call their dedicated seat61 phone line 020 3778 1461 and quote seat 61 when booking.  From outside the UK call +44 20 3778 1461.  Lines open 09:00-17:30 Monday-Friday.

What's the journey like ?

1. London to Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels .

2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3

Germany's superb ICEs have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, restaurant orders are taken at your seat.  50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava.  As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station.  More information about ICE3 .  Brussels Midi station guide .  Cologne Hbf station guide .

An ICE3neo at Brussels Midi with restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  More about ICE trains .  Photo above courtesy of Christian Hunt.

3. Cologne to Berlin by ICE2

ICE2 trains have a restaurant car, bar car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, bistro orders are taken at your seat.  Immediately after leaving Cologne Hbf , the train crosses the Hohenzollern bridge over the Rhine.  It passes through the industrial Ruhr via Wuppertal & Hamm.  After leaving Hannover, the train passes non-stop through Wolfsburg - look out for the original Volkswagen factory on the left, built in 1938.  The train then travels at up to 280 km/h (174 mph) on the high-speed line to Berlin Hbf , where it arrives at the low-level platforms.  More information about ICE2 .  Cologne Hbf station guide .  Berlin Hbf station guide .

4. Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train

These comfortable air-conditioned trains have a restaurant car.  See the Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity page for more photos, tips & information .

5. Warsaw to Moscow by sleeper train

The Warsaw-Moscow train starts in Prague, and uses excellent Austrian-built air-conditioned sleeping-cars owned by Russian Railways, with compartments which can be used as either 1st class 1-berth, 1st class 2-berth with two lower berths or 2nd class 4-berth with all four berths in use.  There are toilets and a nice hot shower at the end of the corridor.  See panorama photo inside one of the new Russian sleepers .

Don't forget your visas...

Back to top

Option 2, using the Paris-Moscow Express

This is the most glamorous and comfortable way to reach Russia!  It's the option I'd choose, at least if its weekly schedule suited me.  A direct train run entirely by Russian Railways (RZD) links Paris with Moscow once a week all year round.  It's the safe, comfortable and civilised way to travel to Moscow, with a restaurant car throughout the journey and the option of deluxe VIP sleepers with en suite toilet & shower as well as modern air-conditioned 2 & 4 berth sleepers with washbasin and a nice hot shower at the end of the corridor.  On the route map above , t his option takes the route shown in light blue via Paris as far as Berlin, then the direct route to Moscow shown in dark blue, a total of 3,483 km or about 2,164 miles from Paris to Moscow, making it the second longest direct passenger train in Europe - the longest being another RZD train, their weekly Nice-Moscow Express.  See the Paris-Moscow Express page for more information .

London & Paris ► Moscow

Day 1, travel from London to Paris by Eurostar leaving London St Pancras at 12:24 arriving Paris Gare du Nord at 15:47.  That allows plenty of time, although it's just an easy 10-minute walk to the Gare de l'Est .

Day 1, travel from Paris to Moscow on the Paris-Moscow Express .

It runs once a week all year round, leaving Paris every Thursday.

This train was suspended due to covid-19 and remains suspended due to sanctions

It leaves Paris Gare de l'Est at 18:58 and arrives Moscow Belorussky two nights later at 10:58 (late March to late October) or 11:44 (outside those dates), meaning day 3 from London & Paris.

This train crosses Belarus, so you will need a Belarus transit visa , and see this update on reaching Russia via Belarus .  Map of Moscow showing Belorussky station .

See the Paris-Moscow Express page for more information .

Moscow ► Paris & London

Day 1:  Travel from Moscow to Paris on the Moscow-Paris Express .

It runs once a week all year round, leaving Moscow every Tuesday. 

It leaves Moscow Belorussky at 17:14 (late March to late October) or 18:17 (outside those dates) and arrives Paris Gare de l'Est two nights later at 09:40 on day 3.

This train crosses Belarus, so you will need a Belarus transit visa .  Map of Moscow showing Belorussky station .

See the Paris-Moscow Express page for more information . 

Day 3, travel from Paris to London by Eurostar , leaving Paris Gare du Nord at 11:03 and arriving London St Pancras at 12:30.

Returns are twice the one-way fare.  Children under 12 half price.

Berths are sold individually, prices are for one person in one bed.  So if you book (say) one second class ticket you will travel in a 4-bed sleeper sharing with 3 other passengers of the same sex.  There is no need to pay for sole occupancy unless you want to!

On rzd.ru, 2-cl = 2/4 = 2nd class 4-berth = one bed in a shared 4-bed sleeper. 1-cl = 1/2 = 1st class 2-berth = one bed in a shared 2-bed sleeper.  1-cl 1/1 = 1st class 1-berth = sole occupancy of a 1st class 2-bed sleeper.  De Luxe  = VIP sleeper with shower & toilet, which is always sole occupancy whether you book one person or two.  You even get a chance to select a specific berth or berths.

Method 4:  You can sometimes book this train at the French Railways website www.sncf-connect.com with tickets collected from any French station if your journey starts in Paris, or sent to address in your home country if it doesn't.  Again, if this doesn't work, try another method.

Step 3, don't forget to arrange your Russian visa & Belarus transit visa . 

See this update on travelling to Russia through Belarus - there appears to be no problem

How to buy tickets by phone...

You can book the Paris-Moscow Express by phone with Deutsche Bahn's English-speaking telesales line on 00 49 (0)30 311 68 29 04, lines open 08:30-20:00 Monday-Friday, 09:00-13:00 Saturday & Sunday UK time, 1.5% fee for phone bookings.  If you are making a return journey or a one-way trip inbound from Moscow, please read the section above about booking westbound trains from Moscow to London , as the same may apply to the Paris-Moscow Express.  Don't forget to arrange your Russian visa and Belarus transit visa .

What's the journey like?

1. London to Paris by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Paris in 2h20, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More information about Eurostar including check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Gare du Nord station guide .

2. Paris to Moscow :  See Paris-Moscow Express guide

Don't forget your visas

Option 3, the berlin -moscow swift.

Russian Railways introduced a twice-weekly sleeper train between Berlin and Moscow in December 2016. Branded Strizh ( Swift ) by the Russians, it's a little articulated Spanish Talgo train featuring a restaurant car and cosy sleepers, some with en suite shower & toilet.  Like the Paris-Moscow option it's a classy option, and faster too:  It cuts 4 hours off the journey time as the Talgo has axles which adjust in minutes from European standard gauge to 5' Russian gauge, without the need for hours in a shed being jacked up.  If you get any photos of this train inside or out, please let me know !

Russian track gauge is 5', but most of Europe (including the UK) is 4' 8½", so at Brest on the Belarus frontier the train runs through a gauge-changing shed and the axles automatically adjust to the new gauge.  Once in Russia, the scenery is rolling hills, birch tree forests, and villages of small wooden houses.  Approaching Moscow, you may glimpse the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942' as the train passes through the small station of historic Borodino...

This train crosses Belarus, so you will need a Belarus transit visa , also see this update on reaching Russia via Belarus .

Stopover in Berlin?   I have shown the fastest practicable journey here, assuming no stopovers.  But by all means leave London in the morning of day 1 rather than the evening and travel from London to Berlin in a single day by high-speed train using any of the options shown in the London to Berlin section on the Germany page .  You'd then have a 24h stopover in fabulous Berlin.  Consider the 3-star Meininger Hotel is ideal as it's right next to Berlin Hauptbahnhof and a 10-minute walk from the Reichstag or a 15-minute walk from the Brandenburg Gate, it's inexpensive and gets good reviews.  If you want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is right next to the Brandenburg Gate.   Alternatively, you could leave London in the morning or even afternoon of day 1 and travel to Cologne, staying overnight in Cologne instead of Brussels.  There are so many possibilities, what you do is up to you...

This train is an articulated Spanish-built Talgo train branded Strizh (swift).  It has ordinary seats and sleeping-cars with 2nd class 4-berth compartments, 1st class 1 or 2 berth compartments with washbasin and deluxe 1 or 2 berth compartments with en suite shower & toilet.  There's also a restaurant & bistro car.  Map of Moscow showing Kurskiy station .

Travelling across Russia, the scenery is rolling hills, birch tree forests, and villages of small wooden houses.  An hour or so out of Moscow you can glimpse the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942' as the train passes through the small station of historic Borodino...  Russian track gauge is 5', but most of Europe (including the UK) is 4' 8½", so at Brest on the Polish frontier the train runs through a gauge-changing shed and the axles automatically adjust to the European standard gauge.

This train crosses Belarus, so you will need a Belarus transit visa .

Day 2, travel from Berlin to London in a single day by high-speed train, leaving Berlin Hbf at 10:46 by ICE2 train , changing at Cologne Hbf onto an ICE3 train to Brussels Midi , then taking a Eurostar to London St Pancras arriving at 19:57.

London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £140 return standard premier (1st class).

Berlin to Moscow costs around 13,000 rubles (€181) with a bed in a 4-berth compartment, 18,000 rubles (€251) with bed in a 1st class 2-berth compartment.

Step 2, book the Berlin to Moscow train.  You can book it in either direction at the Russian Railways site www.rzd.ru .  It's a little fiddly at first, but it usually works, and you'll get a print-at-home ticket.

If you have any problems with rzd.ru, especially at the payment stage, you can easily book the Berlin-Moscow Talgo train online using the Real Russia online booking system here with a small mark-up, tickets sent to any address worldwide

Germany's superb ICEs have a restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, food & drink orders are taken at your seat.  50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava.  As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station.  More information about ICE3 .  Brussels Midi station guide .  Cologne Hbf station guide .

4. Berlin to Moscow by Strizh sleeper train

The Strizh sleeper train from Berlin to Moscow is a Spanish-built articulated Talgo train run by Russian Railways (RZD).  Each car is relatively small, with just one axle between each pair of cars.  The axles adjust automatically from standard European gauge (4' 8½") to Russian 5' gauge at Brest, as the train passes slowly through a special gauge-changing shed at Brest on the Polish/Belarus border.

Don't forget to arrange your Russian visa & Belarus transit visa .

See this update on travelling to Russia through Belarus - there appears to be no problem .

Option 4 , by ferry from Harwich

There are some good reasons why you might prefer a ferry alternative.  For example, if there are problems affecting Eurostar or the Channel Tunnel, or if all the cheap Eurostar tickets have sold out, or if you live in the North of England, Scotland or East Anglia and want to by-pass London.  Or you might simply prefer a relaxing journey, cruising overnight on the Stena Line superferry to Hoek van Holland in a cosy en suite cabin with shower, toilet, satellite TV, have lunch in Amsterdam, then take comfortable trains to Warsaw and the daily sleeper train to Moscow.  You can buy special Rail & Sail tickets from London or any Abellio Greater Anglia rail station to Amsterdam using Stena Line's Harwich-Hoek ferry, complete with a private cabin. 

If you live in the North of England or Scotland, DFDS Seaways run an excellent daily overnight cruise ferry from Newcastle to IJmuiden (near Amsterdam), and P&O Ferries run a daily overnight cruise ferry from Hull to Rotterdam Europoort with bus/train connections to Amsterdam.  So catch the overnight cruise ferry to Holland, spend a day exploring Amsterdam, then take the train to Russia! 

London & Harwich ► Moscow

Day 1, travel from London to Amsterdam overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail .

You leave London Liverpool Street at 19:36 Mondays-Fridays, 19:04 Saturdays or 20:00 Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.

You leave Cambridge at 19:47 Mondays-Saturdays or 19:45 on Sundays by direct train to Harwich International.

At Harwich the ferry terminal is integrated with the station.  You check in for the luxurious overnight Stena Line superferry to Hoek van Holland, sailing at 23:00 and arriving at Hoek at 08:00 next morning.  All passengers get a comfortable private cabin with shower, toilet & satellite TV and there's free WiFi in the lounges, bars & restaurants on 9 deck.

On arrival at Hoek van Holland you walk down the gangway, through passport control and out of the ferry terminal straight onto the station.  Take the frequent metro train to Schiedam Centrum and change onto an InterCity train to Amsterdam Centraal, arriving 10:25.

Cheap combined train & ferry tickets are offered on this route from London or any Greater Anglia rail station to Hoek van Holland, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details of times, fares and how to buy tickets .

Coming from the North of England or Scotland?   Take a train to either Hull or Newcastle, whichever is most convenient for where you live.  Transfer to the P&O overnight cruise ferry from Hull to Rotterdam or the DFDS Seaways cruise ferry from Newcastle to IJmuiden, the port of Amsterdam.  Both ferries have bars, restaurants & comfortable en suite cabins, arriving next morning.  For details of timetables, fares, station to port transfer arrangements & how to buy tickets for travel to Amsterdam via each of these ferry routes, see the UK-Netherlands page .

Day 2, travel from Amsterdam to Berlin by Intercity train leaving Amsterdam Centraal at 15:00 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 21:22.

Or take an earlier train and enjoy an evening in Berlin, for example the 11:00 from Amsterdam arrives 17:22, the 13:00 arrives 19:22.  The Reichstag is only 10 minutes walk from Berlin Hbf, the Brandenburg Gate just 15 minutes walk.

Day 3, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train , leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:38, arriving Warsaw Centralna 15:11.

The Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned trains with a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals.  Warsaw Centralna station & city information .

Day 3, travel from Warsaw to Moscow by sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 every day arriving Moscow Belorussky at 16:58 (one hour earlier late March to late October) (day 4 from London).

This is a comfortable modern Russian sleeping-car with 1st class 1 & 2-berth compartments & 2nd class 4-berth compartments with washbasin, there's a shower at the end of the corridor.  A Russian restaurant car is attached between Brest (just across the Belarus border) and Moscow.  Next morning, as the train passes through the small station of Borodino, look out for the plaques on the station building marked '1812' and '1942'.

This train crosses Belarus, so you will need a Belarus transit visa , also see this update on reaching Russia via Belarus .  Map of Warsaw showing Centralna & Gdanska stations .  Map of Moscow showing Belorussky station .

Moscow ► Harwich & London

Day 3, travel from Amsterdam to London overnight by Stena Line Rail & Sail .

You leave Amsterdam Centraal at 18:35 by train to Schiedam Centrum, changing onto the frequent metro to Hoek Van Holland Haven.  Sail overnight on the luxury Stena Line superferry, sailing at 22:00 and arriving in Harwich at 06:30.  You sleep in a comfortable private cabin with shower & toilet, satellite TV and there's free WiFi in the lounges, bars & restaurants on 9 deck.  A connecting train will get you to London at around 08:55 (day 4 from Moscow).  Special SailRail tickets are offered on this route from Hoek van Holland to London or any Abellio Greater Anglia rail station, covering ferry and train, see the Stena Line Rail & Sail page for full details of times, fares and how to buy tickets .

Heading for the North of England or Scotland?   Instead of using the Hoek van Holland-Harwich route, transfer from Amsterdam Centraal by bus or train+bus to the relevant ferry terminal and sail overnight by cruise ferry either with P&O Ferries from Rotterdam Europoort to Hull or with DFDS Seaways from Amsterdam to Newcastle, whichever is most convenient for where you live.  Next morning (day 4) transfer to the station and take a train home.  For full details of train & ferry times, port transfer arrangements and how to buy tickets for each of these routes, see the Hull-Rotterdam page or the Newcastle-Amsterdam page .

Step 1, buy a Rail & Sail ticket from London to Amsterdam online as shown on the London to Amsterdam page .  One ticket covers the whole journey, train and ferry then Dutch train.

For journeys via P&O Hull-Rotterdam or DFDS Seaways Newcastle-Amsterdam, first buy your ferry ticket online at www.dfds.com (Newcastle-Amsterdam) or www.poferries.com (Hull-Rotterdam).  Then check train fares and buy a ticket online as shown on the UK page or using www.nationalrail.co.uk

a)  You can book it with no booking fee at the Russian Railways website www.rzd.ru .  It's a little fiddly, and doesn't always accept every overseas credit card, but does work with many payment cards,

Step 1, London to Amsterdam by train & ferry

A train takes you from London's Liverpool Street station directly to the ferry terminal at Harwich.  You walk off the train, into the terminal, get your boarding card & cabin key at the Stena Line check-in desk and walk straight onto the overnight ferry to Hoek van Holland.  The superferry Stena Britannica is the largest ferry of its kind in the world.  Have a late dinner in the restaurant, retire to bed in a private cabin with en suite toilet & shower and satellite TV.  At Hoek van Holland, you walk off the ship, through passport control and straight onto the station for the frequent metro train to Schiedam & Rotterdam.  Change at Schiedam Centrum for a Dutch Railways (NS) train to Amsterdam Centraal .  The journey from London to Holland is explained in detail on the Stena Line Rail & Sail page .  See the video ...

Step 2, Amsterdam to Berlin by Intercity train

Take a comfortable Intercity train from Amsterdam Centraal to Berlin Hbf .  See the Amsterdam to Berlin InterCity page for photos, tips, and what to see along the way .

Step 3, Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train

4. Warsaw to Moscow to Russian sleeper train

The train from Warsaw to Moscow uses immaculate modern Russian air-conditioned sleeping-cars (pictured below, see also panorama photo inside one of the new Russian sleepers ).  The Russian cars have compartments which can be used as 1st class 1 or 2 berth or 2nd class 4 berth, shower & toilets at the end of the corridor.

Option 5, London-Moscow via Kyiv

If you want to avoid Belarus to escape the cost & bureaucracy of a Belarus transit visa and any issues crossing Belarus to reach Russia, the cheapest and easiest way to do this is to go south of Belarus through Ukraine rather than north through the Baltic states.  EU & UK citizens no longer need a visa for Ukraine and the trains work much better this way than via the disjointed rail networks through the Baltic States.

The complete journey from London to Moscow takes 3 nights, assuming you don't want to stop off anywhere, as opposed to just 2 nights on the direct route via Belarus, so although you save the cost of a Belarus transit visa it takes longer.  Going north of Belarus via Vilnius & Riga generally means an even longer 4 night journey, with yet more changes of train and at least one, possibly two nights in a hotel, although by all means do this if you want to see the Baltic capitals on the way to Russia.

Update 2024:  For obvious reasons, this route is now out of action.

Day 1, travel from London to Berlin using any of the options shown on the London to Germany page .  For example:

Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train , leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:38 and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:11.

The Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned trains with a trolley refreshment service and a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and full meals.  Treat yourself to lunch in the restaurant car with a beer or two...

Alternatively, on Mondays-Saturdays you can take the early 05:43 Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train arriving 11:11, which will give you an afternoon in Warsaw, see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information .  A left luggage office and lockers are available.  Warsaw's historic old town is a 20 minute walk from Centralna station - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant ( www.ufukiera.pl ) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town.  The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl ) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.

Day 3, take an overnight sleeper train from Kyiv to Moscow...

There are several night trains and times vary by date, but for example there's usually one leaving Kyiv at 19:36 and arriving in Moscow Kievskaya station next morning at 10:13 (day 4 from London).  2-berth & 4-berth sleepers are available.  Check times for your date using int.bahn.de or www.poezda.net .  Incidentally, there's also a direct train from Kyiv to St Petersburg, but this passes through a small corner of Belarus, requiring a Belarus visa and so defeating the object of the exercise...

Day 1, travel from Moscow to Kyiv by overnight train...

The best train is train 5 leaving Moscow Kievskaya station at 19:35 and arriving Kyiv at 07:02 (day 2).  Other night trains are available and times vary, so check times using int.bahn.de or www.rzd.ru .  2 berth & 4 berth sleepers are available.

Spend a pleasant day exploring Kyiv...

The Kyiv Express has comfortable Ukrainian sleeping-cars with 3-berth compartments, you can book all three berths for single or double occupancy.  There may be a buffet car serving tea, coffee, beer and snacks, but it's a good idea to take your own supplies of food, water and wine or beer.  Around 4am, the train is shunted into the gauge-changing shed at Yagodin (the Ukrainian border point) and jacked up to have its wheels changed from Russian 5' gauge to standard European (4' 8½") gauge.  You remain in your sleeping-berth on board while this is done, an interesting experience.  See Tim Richards excellent blog entry about of the Kyiv Express .

Day 3, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train , leaving Warsaw Centralna daily at 12:33 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:16.  Alternatively, daily except Saturdays there's a later EuroCity train leaving Warsaw Centralna at 16:34 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 22:16, giving you more time in Warsaw.

Day 4, travel from Berlin to London using any service shown on the London to Germany page .  For example:

See the London to Ukraine page for prices between London and Kyiv .

Kyiv to Moscow costs around €92 with a bed in 4-berth kupé or €180 with a bed in a 2-berth spalny vagon, if booked online.  Polrail.com charge about €95 for a bed in a 4-berth sleeper.

There may be a reduction if you buy both the Warsaw-Kyiv and Kyiv-Moscow tickets together, Warsaw-Kyiv-Moscow becomes £146 one-way in 3-berth to Kyiv then 4-berth to Moscow.

• You'll still need a Russian visa , but you don't go through Belarus if you go this way.

Other possible routes & options

There are several other routes worth considering, especially if you want to stop off on the way in Scandinavia, the Baltic States or Ukraine, or to avoid travelling through Belarus and so avoid the cost and hassle of getting a Belarus transit visa (although this isn't really a problem, just an expense and a bit of extra bureaucracy).  All these routes take at least 3 nights compared with just 2 nights travelling on the direct route through Belarus, so the cost of an extra day or two's food and accommodation must be set against the cost of the Belarus visa for travel on a direct train to Moscow.  These alternative routes tend to involve a bit more legwork to book, too.  If you simply want to avoid Belarus, the quickest and easiest way to do this is really to head south via Kyiv & Ukraine, see the section above .  You might not be saving much money by avoiding Belarus, but the opportunity to stop off in some fascinating places and countries makes these alternative routes worth considering.

London to Moscow via Warsaw, Vilnius & the Baltic States

London to moscow via copenhagen, stockholm & helsinki, london to moscow via copenhagen, stockholm & riga, london to st petersburg.

There are several good ways to travel from the UK to St Petersburg by train ( all routes currently suspended due to sanctions ):

Option 1:  London to Moscow, then Moscow to St Petersburg

This is the fastest and most frequent option, first travelling to Moscow, then using one of the many Moscow-St Petersburg trains.

Step 1, travel from London to Moscow as shown in the London to Moscow section above using any option you like .

Step 2, travel from Moscow to St Petersburg on any of the overnight trains, or on one of the new Sapsan high-speed day trains in just 3h55.

To buy tickets, first arrange your London to Moscow tickets as shown above .

Then book an internal Russian train between Moscow & St Petersburg using the booking form below which links to Russian rail ticketing & visa agency Real Russia, or you can use www.rzd.ru if it will accept your credit card.

Sapsan high-speed trains from Moscow to St Petersburg, in 3h55

Introduced in December 2009, the Sapsan (Peregrine Falcon) 250 km/h high-speed trains link Moscow & St Petersburg in just 3 hours 55 minutes.  The initial 3 services a day have now been increased to 5 trains each way every day.  The Sapsans have been very successful, with a 99% on-time performance and an average load factor of 80% (meaning each departure is on average 80% full).  Built by Siemens and based on the superb German ICE , they are set to revolutionise travel between Russia's two prime cities, with additional services and faster journey times to come as the line is progressively upgraded.  See the Russian railways' Sapsan video .

Traveller Ian Newberry reports:   "I travelled from Moscow to St Petersburg on Sapsan train 156 leaving at 13:00.  Departure was punctual and the staff greeting passengers could not have been better - they all speak English as well as Russian.  The service on the train was extremely good and in business class a full 3 course meal was served with wines and spirits all included in the price of the ticket.  Information was supplied through screens and announcements in English as well as Russian. The train is very comfortable and arrived 5 minutes ahead of schedule at 17.40.  If one wants to avoid a night train then this is a very civilised way to travel, on a par with any equivalent TGV or ICE available in western Europe."

Overnight sleeper trains from Moscow to St Petersburg

The best Russian Railways overnight train is the famous Krasnaya Strela (Red Arrow) leaving Moscow (Leningradski Vokzal) at 23:55 daily, arriving in St Petersburg (Moskovski Vokzal) at 07:55 next morning.  The Krasnaya Strela has 2-berth and 4-berth sleeping cars plus two luxury sleeping-cars with 1 & 2-bed rooms with private toilet shower and TV/DVD entertainment.  The fare is about 3,280 rubles (£70 or $110) in a kupé 4-berth sleeper, 5,895 rubles (£126 or $197) spalny vagon 2-berth sleeper or 16,250 rubles (£551 or $865) luxury sleeper with private shower and toilet - although there are less swish, cheaper sleeper trains.  The Krasnaya Strela has now been joined by a couple of other premium sleeper trains, train 3/4 Ekspres and train 5/6 Nicholaevsky Express .  Since 2005, there's also a privately-run luxury train, the Grand Express , with fares from 3,700 rubles.  Click for information & online booking for the Grand Express .

Option 2:  London to St Petersburg by train to Stockholm then direct cruise ferry

Travel from London to Stockholm by train, taking Eurostar & connecting trains from London to Hamburg on day 1, staying in Hamburg overnight, then taking trains from Hamburg to Stockholm on day 2.  See the London to Sweden page for full details of train times, prices and how to buy tickets .

Spend the night in Stockholm , find a hotel here .  Spend most of the following day free in Stockholm.

A new ferry company, St Peter Line ( www.stpeterline.com ), sails twice a week from Stockholm via Helsinki to St Petersburg using a luxurious cruise ferry.  She sails at 19:00 on various dates, arriving St Petersburg at 09:30 two nights later, with a day to explore in Helsinki on the way.  The return trip also takes 2 nights, with a day spent exploring Helsinki included.  See www.stpeterline.com to check sailing schedule and prices.  Other ferries on this route seem to have started up and been discontinued soon afterwards, it's hoped that this one will survive a bit longer!

Onward trains to Moscow are explained on the train travel in Russia page .

Other options

London to st petersburg via stockholm & helsinki.

If you feel like seeing a bit of Scandinavia on the way to Russia, you could travel from London to St Petersburg via Stockholm and Helsinki.  This will take 3 nights / 4 days.  See the Finland page for information on the journey from London to Helsinki, then click here for trains between Helsinki, St Petersburg & Moscow .

London to Minsk (Belarus)

The direct Belarusian sleeping-cars from Amsterdam & Cologne to Minsk were discontinued in December 2013.  However, it's still easy to get there via Warsaw or using the Paris-Moscow express.

Option 1, via Brussels, Berlin & Warsaw

This is the cheapest option, and it runs daily.

London ► Minsk

Day 1, travel from London to Berlin by Eurostar to Brussels, high-speed train to Cologne and ICE2 train to Berlin, using any of the several daytime options shown on the London to Germany page .  For example, you can leave London St Pancras at 11:04, arriving Berlin Hbf at 21:09.

The Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned trains with a trolley refreshment service and a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and full meals.  Treat yourself to a meal in the restaurant.  Warsaw Centralna station & city information .  Map of Warsaw showing station location .

Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Minsk by Russian sleeper train, leaving Warsaw Centralna at 19:15 and arriving Minsk at 06:13 next morning (day 3).  The sleeper train has a modern Russian sleeping-car with 4-berth compartments which can be sold as 1st class 1 or 2 berth or 2nd class 4 berth.  This train is currently still suspended due to sanctions.

Minsk ► London

Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by Warsaw-Berlin EuroCity train , leaving Warsaw Centralna daily at 12:33 arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:16.  Alternatively, a later train leaves Warsaw Centralna at 16:34 daily except Saturdays arriving Berlin Hbf at 22:16.

The Warsaw-Berlin EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned trains with restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and full meals.  Treat yourself to a meal in the restaurant...

Day 3, travel from Berlin to London by ICE train to Cologne, high-speed train to Brussels and Eurostar to London, using any of the several daytime options shown on the London to Germany page .  For example, you can leave Berlin Hbf at 06:46 arriving London at 17:00 or you can leave Berlin at 10:46 arriving London St Pancras at 19:57.

Option 2, using the Paris-Moscow express

This costs a bit more, but is a very comfortable journey using the excellent Paris-Moscow express which calls at Minsk on the way.  There are comfortable sleepers direct from Paris to Minsk, with restaurant car Paris-Warsaw.  It runs once a week.

See the Paris-Moscow Express page for details of the Paris-Minsk train and how to buy tickets.

Add a connection between London and Paris at www.eurostar.com .  I'd allow at least a two hours to connect in Paris to allow for any delay.

Buy Russian train tickets online

How to arrange a russian visa..., important:  travel to moscow via belarus from 2020 onwards....

No major problems were reported by any westerners using the direct Russian Railways trains from Paris, Nice, Vienna, Berlin, Prague or Warsaw to Moscow via Belarus in 2017, 2018 or 2019, in spite of there being a theoretical issue with westerners reaching Moscow via Belarus, due to the Belarus-Russia customs union so there's no border control.

It seemed to be that as long as you had a valid Russian visa and a valid Belarus transit visa, travel from Western or Central Europe to Moscow on a direct Russian Railways international train was fine, even if it crossed Belarus.  One traveller even confirmed this with the traincrew.  The problem only arose if you want to START a train journey in Belarus to travel to Russia.  This was the actual situation in practice, regardless of any theoretical official legal situation.  This route is after all Russia's main 'front door', the main line to Moscow, the way people have always travelled since the 19th century...

UPDATE 2020   However, in early 2020 I have now had two reports from travellers who were taken off international trains at Smolensk, because they had crossed overland from Belarus to Russia.  Both reports involved a Warsaw to Moscow journey on the Berlin-Moscow Strizh.  One traveller had made a dozen similar journeys without incident since 2015 and asked why the random check now.  He was told it varied with the political ups and downs between Russia and Belarus.

So whilst the situation below seems to hold true for most westerners on most international trains and I'm still getting occasional positive reports from people who have travelled this way without any problem, you might want to consider diverting via Kyiv to avoid Belarus .

Situation in detail, prior to both updates above...

Since 2016 there has been some concern about entering Russia via Belarus, to do with the Belarus-Russia customs union and the lack of border formalities between the two countries - though of course Brest-Minsk-Moscow has been the perfectly normal mainline rail route for international travellers for over 100 years.

It seems that in practice the Russians are OK with people entering Russia on these direct Russian trains via Brest on the Polish/Belarus border as Moscow-bound passengers appear to have their Russian visas checked here. Many people use these trains every week, but so far I've had zero reports of anyone on these trains having any problem in 2016, 2017, 2018 and just one report in 2019 - but only one isolated report so other factors may have been involved.  I have had a steady trickle of positive confirmations that people have used these trains without a problem.  Polrail.com haven't heard from anyone who's had any problem using these international trains either, and nor have Real Russia.

When leaving Russia, travellers report that they simply showed the Belarus entry stamp that they received at Brest when they entered to the Belarus-Russia unified customs area, and that seems to satisfy the Russian border staff when you leave Russia.

On the other hand, you cannot start a journey in Belarus and go to Russia, as there's nowhere to check visas in between Minsk and Moscow. Real Russia tell me they had reports of people being taken off Minsk-Moscow trains and sent back to Minsk even with valid Russian visas - but so far, they tell me they've had reports from anyone having problems on the Russian-run international trains from Paris, Berlin, Warsaw, Vienna or Prague to Moscow via Brest.

By all means check the latest advice at http://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/belarus, although at the time I write this it simply refers you to your travel provider.  I suppose I should add the disclaimer that I can only report what I hear from travel companies and travellers, and you travel at your own risk - but read the traveller's feedback below, it seems pretty conclusive!

PLEASE REPORT BACK !!   If you successfully travel to Russia on a direct Russian train through Belarus to Moscow, please let me know .  It's difficult to prove a negative, but the more 'no problem' reports I get, the more confident we can be.

How to arrange a Belarus visa ...

Holidays to russia by train.

Tailor Made Rail...

Tailor Made Rail can arrange a flight-free holiday or tour to Russia by train, with trains, hotels & stopovers arranged for you.  Tailor Made Rail have a suggested tour package from London to Moscow via Warsaw & Berlin, and a suggested return tour via Helsinki, Stockholm & Copenhagen, see at www.tailormaderail.com/destinations/russia .  These can be customised your own requirements, one-way or round in either direction, with any stopovers you want.  They specialise in complex itineraries!  As it's a package, they'll take care of you if anything happens on one part of the trip, for example, a national strike.  They're TTA-protected - like ATOL, but not only for agencies that sell air travel.

European Rail Timetable & maps

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

G uidebooks

Click the images to buy the book from amazon.co.uk ..., hotels in moscow & russia, tripadvisor hotel reviews....

www.tripadvisor.com is a good place to find independent travellers' reviews of the main hotels.  It also has the low-down on all the sights & attractions too.

Backpacker hostels:  www.hostelworld.com

If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about the hostels.  For backpacker hostels in Amsterdam and most other European cities at budget prices (either a dorm bed or an ultra cheap private room) see www.hostelworld.com .

Travel insurance & VPN

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

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Singapore PR fined $1,000 for not wearing seat belt properly during holiday in Australia

SINGAPORE - A woman was fined A$1,106 (S$1,000) by the Queensland government on July 26, over a month after returning to Singapore from a road trip in Australia.

Ms Shelley Lu told The Straits Times she had been caught by traffic cameras wearing her seat belt tucked under her arm while riding in the front passenger seat in a rental car.

The Singapore permanent resident, 42, said she was fined for wearing her seat belt improperly, denying previous media reports that she had been penalised for not wearing one.

“I feel it’s so itchy when it touches my neck, so I put it under my arm,” said Ms Lu, who is a Chinese national. “It should have been over my shoulder.”

Ms Lu, who works at a non-profit organisation, said the fine came as a shock to her family, who drove from Brisbane to the Gold Coast during a holiday from June 13 to 19. 

She expressed surprise on several counts over the incident.

First, “that a breach of this traffic rule could cost a thousand dollars”.

“Second is the rule itself,” she added. “I’ve never known that even though I’ve put a seat belt on, that I could still be fined because I didn’t put it at the right place.”

Ms Lu also said she was shocked because she did not know that a camera could accurately detect that she had put the seat belt on but had not done so correctly.

“And how it found me amongst thousands of cars,” she added.

The transport and motoring section on the Queensland government’s website specifies that seat belts must be worn with the belt running over the shoulder, across the chest, and the belt must be buckled low on the hip. “Wearing a seat belt any other way will result in a fine,” it adds.

But Ms Lu feels no indignation at the fine and said she approved of the Australian law “for passenger safety”. The deadline for payment was extended from Aug 1 to Aug 26 after she contested it.

“Definitely, I will pay it,” she said, adding that she does not want any trouble should she return to Australia.

According to a media statement issued in August 2023, to mark Queensland Road Safety Week, Mr Mark Bailey, then Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, noted that travelling unrestrained was one of the top five contributing factors to lives lost on the state’s roads, with 30 per cent of fatalities either wearing a seat belt incorrectly or not at all.

A media fact sheet also said that information provided by Queensland Health medical practitioners revealed that a person wearing a seat belt under the arm or looped under the arm could suffer injuries, including fractures to the sternum, ribs, vertebra, skull, face or neck. The lungs, heart, oesophagus, stomach and bowel could also be injured. Shoulder dislocations or fractures are also possible.

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The Best Hardside Luggage in 2024, Tested by Experts

A hard shell suitcase keeps your stuff safe and un-squished.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Best Overall

Samsonite freeform hardside expandable spinner.

Amazon Basics 21-Inch Hardside Spinner

Most Popular

Away the carry-on.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute , we evaluate all kinds of popular luggage in the Textiles Lab, analyzing them for factors like durability, water resistance and ease of use. Plus, we share them with consumer testers who take them on their own trips and share real-world feedback. Over the years, we've tested luggage from more than 100 brands to find the best hardside suitcases on the market. We've put together a list of picks including lightweight, durable options and hard shell luggage with unique features that we think are worth it.

Samsonite's high-quality luggage has continued to perform well in our tests over the years , specifically in terms of durability during drop tests and ease of use. The brand's Freeform hardside suitcase is a favorite of our consumer testers who agree that its wheels roll smoothly and that the bag is easy to maneuver around twists and turns. It also received perfect scores in Lab tests for being a breeze to open and close.

Inside, a zippered panel and an adjustable cross strap keep your belongings in place, and we were able to fit our entire packing load in the bag with room to spare. Our consumer testers pointed out that the carrying handles are on the smaller side, but they still thought the bag was easy to pick up. There are three different sizes to choose from, or you can opt for a set including a carry-on and a checked bag for a cohesive look.

Listed dimensions: 21.25" x 15.25" x 10.0" | Weight: | Material: Polypropylene | Expandable: Yes

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: 10 Best Samsonite Luggage Pieces, Tested & Reviewed

With more than 35,000 five-star reviews and a 4.5-star average rating, Amazon Basics' hardside luggage is a favorite of real users and GH analysts alike. When we tested this bag in our Textiles Lab, we found it to be spacious, and it received perfect scores for easy packing. Online reviewers agreed, saying that they can fill the suitcase with more than enough clothing and essentials for their trips.

The suitcase is made with ABS plastic, which isn't as durable as some other hard materials, but it is lightweight and keeps the price low. Testers appreciated the luggage's wheel performance, sharing that the bag is easy to maneuver, but they weren't as impressed with the telescopic handle and explained that it felt flimsier than other models they tried. This suitcase comes in three different sizes and is available in two and three-piece sets for an even better value.

Listed dimensions: 13.58" x 9.45" x 20.87" | Weight: 6.83 lbs | Material: ABS plastic | Expandable: Yes

Several of our Lab experts have been using luggage from uber-popular brand Away for years and have found them to stand the test of time. T his pick is made of polycarbonate material, which means it's lightweight yet durable. During Lab evaluations, we put its durability to the test and dropped the suitcase repeatedly from a set 3-foot height, noting no major signs of damage or prominent scuffing.

Our consumer testers thought the wheels on Away suitcases rolled smoothly and said they were easy to maneuver, but the telescopic handle isn't as sturdy as some other styles. In our packing tests, we were impressed by the compressive panels meant to keep your belongings in place and by the hidden laundry bag you can use to separate your dirty clothes. If you're unsure about splurging on a carry-on bag, Away offers a 100-day return policy for unused items.

Listed dimensions: 21.7" x 13.7" x 9" | Weight: 7.1 lbs | Material: Polycarbonate | Expandable: No

READ OUR FULL REVIEW: We Tested Away's Trendy Carry-On to See If It's Worth The Price

July Carry On

July's Classic hardside luggage has a simple yet sophisticated look, thanks to the smooth polycarbonate material with monochrome aluminum corners and real leather details. While it scuffed more than some other suitcases in our drop tests, the suitcase earned high scores overall for durability. The chic carry-on bag has a butterfly-opening with one zipper-enclosed side and one side with a compression panel and adjustable Y-strap to secure your belongings.

The telescopic handle has a unique contoured grip for comfort, and it locks into place at 20 different heights. One at-home tester commented, "I've tested many, many suitcases, but I've never used luggage that glided as smoothly as July's through an airport." Our in-Lab obstacle course testers agreed, rating July's bags highly for ease of use and its smooth rolling wheels, which barely make a sound as they roll over different surfaces.

Listed dimensions: 21.5" x 15" x 8.5" | Weight: 7.4 lbs | Material: Polycarbonate | Expandable: No

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE: July Luggage Review: Does the Brand Live up to the Hype?

Calpak Ambeur Collection 3-Piece Luggage Set

For luggage that's equally as fashionable as it is functional, Calpak's Ambeur suitcases are a must-have. The hard shell bags are made with a blend of ABS plastic and polycarbonate that's both lightweight and durable, but we did find the metallic colors scuffed easily. In Lab evaluations, the luggage was dubbed our "tester favorite" because consumer testers were so wowed by the design and overall ease of use.

The telescopic handles aced our tests, with one tester sharing that it was the "smoothest handle by far" out of all of the bags available for testing. Other testers agreed, explaining that the padded handles were comfortable to lift, pull and push. Plus, the Ambeur luggage earned high scores in our packing tests.

If you don't need a set of three bags, you can opt for a two-piece set or choose from any of the five styles available.

Listed dimensions: Large: 29.5" x 19 "x 12.5"; Medium: 25" x 16" x 11": Carry-on: 21" x 14" x 9" | Weight: Large: 10.3 lbs; Medium: 8.6 lbs; Carry-on: 6 lbs | Material: Polycarbonate and ABS composite | Expandable:

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE: Calpak Luggage Review, My Honest Take

Monos Carry-On

Monos' less-is-more approach to design results in a sleek, timeless look that our testers loved. The durable polycarbonate luggage may have a simple appearance but doesn't skimp on quality or useful packing features. Inside, you'll find two spacious compartments: one zipper-enclosed compartment and one with an adjustable compression panel. There are also additional zippered pockets inside for even more organized storage space.

The bag aced durability tests, resisting major dents and damages after being dropped repeatedly from a 3-foot height, but it did show some signs of wear in our scratch tests. When testers tried it in our luggage obstacle course, they were impressed by how easy the bag was to maneuver and how smoothly the spinner wheels rolled around twists and turns. Monos offers luggage sets for an even better value and a generous 100-day return policy.

Listed dimensions: 22" × 14" × 9" | Weight: 7.01 lbs | Material: Polycarbonate | Expandable: No

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE: Monos Luggage Review: We Tested These Popular Sleek Suitcases

Travelpro Maxlite Air Hardside Expandable Luggage

Known for its luggage made by pilots for pilots and frequent flyers alike, Travelpro primarily offers soft fabric luggage, but the brand does have a few hardside pieces including the featured Maxlite Spinner. This bag has a roomy luggage compartment with two zippered panels, and it can be expanded by 2 inches, lending you extra room for all of your souvenirs on the trip home.

In our Lab tests, Travelpro bags were easy to fill with a full load of clothing and travel gear like toiletries and shoes. They also performed well and earned high durability ratings. Testers loved the cushioned telescopic handles which lock at two different heights. We did find the carrying handles to be on the tighter side, which can make the bag difficult to lift into an overhead bin.

Listed dimensions: 19.75" x 13.75" x 9.5" | Weight: 6.3 lbs | Material: Polycarbonate | Expandable: Yes

READ OUR FULL REVIEW HERE: Travelpro Luggage Review: We Tested the Platinum Elite Collection

Rimowa Cabin S Carry-On

Rimowa only makes hardside luggage, and it's a cutting-edge brand that continues to impress our Textiles Lab experts . The Original line is made with aluminum, which is more durable than other hard materials like ABS plastic and polycarbonate. This style of suitcase features the brand's iconic grooved design and has a zipperless closure, opting for locking latches instead — TSA-approved, of course.

The bag unfolds to reveal two primary spacious packing compartments and two adjustable compression panels to keep everything securely in place. Rimowa's suitcases are much more expensive than other brands, but they are among the best in our tests with high ratings for packing space, durability and maneuverability.

Listed dimensions: 15.7" x 9.1" x 21.6" | Weight: 9.46 lbs | Material: Aluminum | Expandable: No

Briggs & Riley Global 21" Carry-On Expandable Spinner

This innovative suitcase from Briggs & Riley is full of features to make packing for an international trip easier. On the outside of the hardside suitcase is an easy-access pocket for your phone and ID. The bag unzips into one large packing space that's fully lined and contains three zip pockets for easy organization.

The bag utilizes Briggs & Riley's unique expansion system, which allows you to expand the bag for additional packing space and then compress it to its standard size once the bag has been filled — with just the push of a button. Our testers recently tried a softside bag from the brand with the same system and were blown away by how much they could fit inside, sharing that there was way more room than expected.

When we tested Briggs & Riley's hardside suitcases in the Textiles Lab, they performed well, receiving high scores for durability, water resistance and ease of use. Testers also shared that the brand's bags were easy to maneuver through our obstacle course and said the telescopic handles were sturdy. Although we didn't experience this issue, some online reviewers have shared that the zipper pulls are prone to breaking with regular use.

Listed dimensions: 14" x 9" x 21" | Weight: 8.6 lbs | Material: Polycarbonate | Expandable: Yes

Other hardside luggage we evaluated

We've tested more than 100 suitcases in recent years. Here are a few others we've evaluated that weren't featured but are still worth considering:

• Beis Carry-On Roller : With convenient features like a weight indicator, a bag attach strap and a super-padded telescopic handle, this carry-on suitcase from Beis is popular online, but it scuffs easily and wasn't as durable as other bags we tested.
• Delsey Chatelet Air 2.0 : It's chic with faux-leather details and wheels that glide effortlessly, but the carry-on bag is on the smaller side and doesn't expand. Our testers said they had to push its packing capacity to the limit – even on shorter trips.
• Victorinox Airox Frequent Flyer Hardside Carry-On : One of the lightest carry-on bags we've ever tested, this suitcase from Victorinox has a T-bar shaped telescopic handle, which helps keep the bag's weight down. Although it isn't as comfortable to use as others we've tried.
• Herschel Hardshell Carry On : This simple suitcase from Herschel aced our packing tests, but the telescopic handle and wheels just aren't up to par with other popular carry-on bags.

How we test luggage

At the Good Housekeeping Institute , we test luggage using specialized equipment in our Textiles Lab and with consumer testers . When we review luggage, we consider these factors:

• Size and weight: In the Lab, we measure the size and weight of each suitcase to ensure that all online size claims are accurate. We place carry-on bags in a 22" x 14" x 9" area to see if they meet TSA size requirements.
• Extra features: We make note of any additional features or components that make the luggage stand out, like carrying handles, built-in locks and telescopic handles that adjust to different heights.

• Ease of use: We rate how easy it is to zip and unzip each piece of luggage (pictured here) and consider the accessibility of any packing compartments. We also consider features like telescopic handles and wheels.

After packing each bag, we roll it over different surfaces including tile, carpet and hardwood and test the carrying handles by lifting the bag onto a countertop.

• Packing: We fill each bag with a standard packing load for a two-night trip including clothing, accessories and toiletries (pictured here) and then score the suitcases based on how much they're able to hold.

• Drop testing: Each piece of luggage is filled with a standard weight and dropped from a 3-foot height from different angles to mimic real use (pictured here). We then analyze the luggage for signs of damage like dents or cracks.

Amanda (she/her) researches and reports on products in the Good Housekeeping Institute 's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing and accessories to home furnishings. She holds undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and product development and advertising and marketing communications, as well as a master of science degree in consumer sciences from The Ohio State University. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Amanda was a lecturer for the fashion and retail studies program at Ohio State, where she taught fashion and textiles courses.

@media(max-width: 64rem){.css-o9j0dn:before{margin-bottom:0.5rem;margin-right:0.625rem;color:#ffffff;width:1.25rem;bottom:-0.2rem;height:1.25rem;content:'_';display:inline-block;position:relative;line-height:1;background-repeat:no-repeat;}.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}}@media(min-width: 48rem){.loaded .css-o9j0dn:before{background-image:url(/_assets/design-tokens/goodhousekeeping/static/images/Clover.5c7a1a0.svg);}} Product Reviews

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Russian strikes deserved 'fair' response, says Zelenskyy - as Ukrainian troops reportedly enter another Russian region

Ukraine's surprise invasion of Kursk is continuing, with battles raging into a sixth day. Drones and missiles have been launched and Volodymyr Zelenskyy has acknowledged Ukraine's offensive in the Russian region for the first time.

Sunday 11 August 2024 23:12, UK

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• Zelenskyy on Kursk invasion: Russian strikes deserved 'fair response'
• Thirteen injured as drones and missiles launched over Russian region
• Michael Clarke analysis: Ukraine has astonished Russia by sending elite troops to Kursk - but Putin can't let this stand
• Belarus sends troops to reinforce border with Ukraine
• Ivor Bennett analysis: Ukraine could be playing for greater negotiating position

That's all our live coverage for today but we'll be back tomorrow with all the latest updates. 

Before we go, here's a reminder of what has happened today: 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged Ukraine's invasion of Russia's Kursk region for the first time, and suggested it was a "fair response" to a number of strikes launched by Russia.

The Ukrainian president said Russian forces had launched nearly 2,000 cross-border strikes at the city of Sumy from the region over the summer. 

Fighting continued in Kursk for a sixth day, with Russia claiming to have targeted Ukrainian troops with aerial weapons. 

US-based thinktank The Institute for the Study of War said Ukrainian forces have been largely holding their position in the town of Sudzha, while Kyiv's media outlets reported that forces have entered Kursk's neighbouring region of Belgorod. 

Meanwhile, Russia has evacuated around 76,000 people from the border regions.

A man convicted in the killing of a Russian opposition politician has been discharged from jail after signing a contract to fight in Ukraine, state-run news agencies TASS and RIA Novosti have reported. 

Tamerlan Eskerkhanov was among five men sent to prison over Boris Nemtsov's murder in 2017. 

He was convicted as an accomplice and jailed for 14 years. 

Mr Nemtsov, a critic of President Vladimir Putin and former deputy prime minister under president Boris Yeltsin, was shot dead in 2015 as he walked across a bridge near the Kremlin. 

"Eskerkhanov signed a contract with the defence ministry in March 2024, was pardoned, and then released from his penal colony," TASS cited a source in law enforcement agencies as saying.

"He went to one of the assault units and is now carrying out combat missions in the special military operation zone."

He added that the other convicts jailed over Nemtsov's killing were still in jail because they had refused to sign contracts with the military.

More now on the fire at the occupied Zaporizhzhia power plant... 

The UN nuclear watchdog has said strong, dark smoke has been emerging from the northern area of the site. 

It said the smoke followed multiple explosions. 

"Team was told by (the nuclear plant) of an alleged drone attack today on one of the cooling towers located at the site," the International Atomic Energy Agency said on X. 

"No impact has been reported for nuclear safety." 

Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian forces had started a fire at the plant. 

Russian authorities in charge of the plant said the fire had started near the facility's cooling towers, and rescuers were working to put it out. 

By Deborah Haynes , security and defence editor 

With his troops battling hard inside Russia, Ukraine's president has finally broken his silence on an invasion that has stunned his much larger and more powerful neighbour.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the operation, which began on Tuesday in Russia's southwestern Kursk region, as "our actions to push the war out into the aggressor's territory".

Giving a further indication of the goal of the surprise assault, he said: "Ukraine is proving that it really knows how to restore justice and guarantees exactly the kind of pressure that is needed - pressure on the aggressor."

Details about the number of Ukrainian soldiers inside Russia remain unclear as commanders have deliberately stayed silent about a mission that was planned in secret.

But it is likely to be in the thousands, with elements from at least three well-equipped brigades on the ground, deploying tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery guns and drones.

Also hard to measure is how far the Ukrainian attackers have pushed, with Russian military bloggers saying they have penetrated up to around 12 miles from the Ukrainian border.

Videos, widely circulated on social media, purport to show Ukrainian soldiers raising the yellow and blue flag of Ukraine over Russian territory, including in the town of Sudzha and a settlement close to the Ukrainian border in the next door region of Belgorod.

Under pressure, Russia has rushed in reinforcements and released footage of its military fighting back, but this is the sixth day of the Ukrainian offensive and battles are still raging.

Commenting on events, analysts have noted that it is the first time Russia has been invaded since Adolf Hitler in 1941.

But Ukraine's attack is not the act of an aggressive power making a land grab.

Instead it is the counterintuitive action of a nation that was invaded by Vladimir Putin's Russia a decade ago - with the capture of Crimea and parts of eastern Ukraine - and subsequently further devastated by Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

It makes Kyiv's counter invasion into Kursk just the latest - though arguably the most audacious - effort by Ukraine to repel Russian forces from inside its own sovereign territory.

Russian forces have started a fire at a nuclear power plant in southern Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

The Ukrainian president said flames could be seen on the premises of the Zaporizhzhia plant, which has been occupied by Russian forces for much of the war.

In a statement on X, he said radiation indicators were normal.

He also shared a video purporting to show the fire. Sky News has not independently verified the clip. 

A local official in the Ukrainian city of Nikopol, which looks out onto the plant, said there was unofficial information that Russian forces had set fire to numerous tyres in the cooling towers.

He urged residents to remain calm. 

Russian authorities in charge of the plant said the fire started near the facility's cooling towers, and rescuers were working to put it out. 

Ukrainian troops have been seen riding armoured vehicles near the Russian border. 

Photos taken by Reuters showed a number of troops operating in the city of Sumy - the area used to launched Ukraine's surprise invasion of Russia's Kursk region. 

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appeared to suggest this evening that the invasion was launched as a "fair" response to Russian strikes on Sumy over the summer. 

Earlier today, the Ukrainian president issued his first comments on his forces' invasion of Russia's Kursk region.

There have been very few details released about the operation, with Ukrainian officials adopting a policy of secrecy over its goal and why it has taken place. 

But in his nightly address, Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared to suggest the move has been made in retaliation to strikes conducted by Russian forces from Kursk. 

He said Russia deserved a "fair" response after it launched nearly 2,000 cross-border strikes at Ukraine's Sumy region over the summer. 

"Artillery, mortars, drones. We also record missile strikes, and each such strike deserves a fair response," he said. 

Reports have suggested that as many as 6,000 troops have crossed the border, and Ukrainian media outlets suggested today that Kyiv's forces have also entered Russia's Belgorod region. 

Now six days into the invasion, US -based thinktank The Institute for the Study of War has said Ukrainian forces are largely holding their position in the Sudzha area of Kursk. 

Russia has carried out an aerial weapons strike against Ukrainian forces in Kursk, the country's defence ministry has said. 

In a post on Telegram, it said "clusters of manpower, armoured and motor vehicles" were targeted. 

"The strike was carried out with unguided aerial missiles against reconnaissance targets," it said. 

"After the use of the aerial weapons, the crews performed an anti-missile manoeuvre, released decoy flares and returned to the site of departure." 

It claimed the targets had been destroyed. 

Ukraine's invasion of Russia's Kursk region was a moment that caught Moscow and the world by surprise. 

It was the largest incursion into Russian territory since the start of the war. 

While Ukrainian officials have remained tight-lipped over the details of the operation, we have seen Russia evacuating other areas near the border. 

Here's a timeline of what has happened in the invasion so far: 

Ukrainian units launched the surprise operation in the Kursk border region on  Tuesday 6 August.

By Wednesday 7 August , Ukrainian forces had advanced as much as 10km inside the Russian territory.

The US-based thinktank, the Institute for the Study of War, geolocated footage of Ukrainian forces in several locations and verified images showing Russian prisoners of war being taken at border checkpoints.

Ukrainian forces continued their advance on Thursday 8 August . 

By Friday 9 August , a video emerged appearing to show Ukrainian soldiers in control of a local gas facility in the town of Sudzha.

Ukraine continued to expand their presence on Saturday 10 August . 

Now six days into the invasion, this latest map shows that Ukrainian forces are largely holding their position, while the Russian military has evacuated 76,000 people from the area.

Ukrainian media outlets have also started reporting that Ukrainian forces appear to have entered Kursk's neighbouring region of Belgorod, with a video showing them in the Russian village of Poroz.

Sky News has not been able to independently verify this.

Meanwhile, the Russian government has imposed a "counter-terror" operation in the three border regions of Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk.

This allows authorities to relocate residents, confiscate vehicles and control phone communications.

People evacuating from the border areas of Russia's Kursk region have been receiving aid from the Russian Red Cross.

Red Cross workers have been visiting temporary accommodation centres to help those who have fled, and a hotline has been set up to reunite relatives. 

The Kursk office of the aid organisation said it received almost 3,000 calls in less than a day. 

Around 76,000 residents have been evacuated so far, a Russian Emergencies Ministry spokesman said yesterday.

Ukraine's invasion of the Russian region began earlier this week and has been considered an embarrassment to Russian military leaders, who were forced to scramble to contain the breach.

The exact aims of the operation remain unclear, and Ukrainian military officials have adopted a policy of secrecy, with little detail of the invasion released. 

Earlier today, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged fighting in Kursk for the first time. 

He said he had discussed the operation with top Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Syrskyi.

"Today, I received several reports from commander-in-chief Syrskyi regarding the front lines and our actions to push the war on to the aggressor's territory," he said.

"Ukraine is proving that it can indeed restore justice and ensure the necessary pressure on the aggressor." 

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