Traveling with young children can be an exciting adventure, but lugging bulky baby gear? Not so much. Many parents find themselves questioning whether a separate car seat for travel is truly necessary. While it’s true that most airlines allow you to gate-check or baggage-check any car seat for free, the reality of hauling your regular, often heavy and cumbersome, car seat through airports and in and out of vehicles can quickly become a major headache. This is where investing in a smaller, more lightweight Travel Car Seat can be a game-changer, especially if you are a frequent flyer, rely on ridesharing services, or often use taxis during your travels.
Infant Car Seats for Travel
If your family includes an infant or a young baby, the good news is that your existing infant car seat can often double as a travel car seat. The key is to bring your usual infant car seat without its base to significantly reduce weight and bulk. In most cases, this is the most practical and safest option. For example, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX, a top-rated infant car seat, is known for being relatively lightweight. Like many infant car seats, it’s designed to be securely installed using just the vehicle’s seatbelt, without needing its base.
There are generally two recognized methods for installing an infant car seat without its base: the “American routing” and the “European routing”. American routing involves threading the lap belt directly across the top of the car seat. European routing, often considered to provide a more secure fit, adds an extra step by looping the shoulder belt around the back of the seat in addition to the top belt path. Several highly recommended infant car seats, including the Chicco KeyFit 35, Uppababy Aria, and Clek Liing, are specifically designed to facilitate European routing installations. If you anticipate frequent travel with your infant, choosing one of these models as your primary car seat could be a smart move, simplifying installation both at home and on the go.
To further enhance travel convenience, many infant car seats are designed to be compatible with lightweight, easy-to-fold stroller frames. The Chicco KeyFit Caddy is a popular example, allowing you to effortlessly transform your infant car seat into a stroller. This combination can be incredibly useful for navigating airports and other travel scenarios. Importantly, the majority of infant car seats are FAA-approved for use on airplanes, giving you the option to purchase a separate airplane seat for your infant and use their familiar car seat during the flight.
Convertible Car Seats for Travel
As your child grows out of their infant car seat, the decision of choosing a travel car seat becomes more complex. Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady website, suggests that bringing your everyday convertible car seat and utilizing a travel cart is often a good strategy. This approach ensures you are using a car seat you are already familiar and comfortable with installing.
However, for families prioritizing lightweight and compact solutions, dedicated travel convertible car seats are worth considering. These seats can be significantly lighter than standard models, sometimes weighing as little as 7 pounds compared to the typical 20 to 30 pounds of everyday convertible car seats. If you opt for a dedicated travel seat, practicing the installation process before your trip is highly recommended. The last thing you want is to struggle with car seat installation for the first time when you and your child are already tired and potentially jet-lagged. Correct installation is critical for car seat safety, and it can often be the most challenging aspect, especially with convertible car seats. It’s reassuring to know that most convertible car seats are also FAA-approved for airplane use.
Booster Seats for Travel
Once your child is old enough for a booster seat, travel can become slightly easier. If your regular booster seat has a removable back, similar to popular models like the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus and the Graco TurboBooster LX, you have the option to simply detach the back and bring only the backless booster portion for travel. This reduces bulk while still providing essential safety.
Alternatively, just as with convertible seats, you can choose a dedicated travel booster seat. These are often designed to be exceptionally lightweight and compact, making them ideal for travel. Jessica Jermakian, Vice President for Vehicle Research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), offers practical advice for managing backless boosters during travel, especially if they aren’t particularly compact. She suggests using bungee cords to attach the booster to your luggage while moving through the airport. On many flights, these boosters can conveniently fit under the airplane seat or in an overhead bin inside a tote bag.
Travel Car Seat Alternatives
Beyond dedicated travel car seats, several alternative options can simplify car seat logistics when traveling to familiar destinations. Consider borrowing a car seat from friends or family at your destination. Baby equipment rental services are another excellent resource, offering car seat rentals along with other baby gear.
Car rental companies also provide car seats for rent, but this can quickly become expensive, often costing up to $15 per day. Over the course of a longer trip, this cost can easily exceed the purchase price of a dedicated travel car seat, which can be found for under $50. Furthermore, while you can reserve a rental car seat in advance, availability isn’t always guaranteed. There’s also the potential challenge of properly installing an unfamiliar car seat in a rental car. However, it’s worth checking for potential discounts or benefits. For example, AAA members may receive a complimentary car seat rental when booking a car through Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty. Ridesharing services and airport car services in some locations may also offer car seats if you request them when making your reservation.
Choosing the best travel car seat ultimately depends on your child’s age, how often you travel, and your personal preferences for convenience and portability. By considering these different types and alternatives, you can find the perfect solution to ensure your child’s safety and comfort on all your journeys, making family travel smoother and more enjoyable.
