When it comes to choosing travel car seats, one feature which is right at the top of the list is to find a lightweight car seat. One that’s compact and easy to carry while offering a high standard of safety and protection.
Because you may be moving it from car to flight to train and back into the car again, it also helps if it’s a seat that is quick and easy to fit.
Lots of today’s car seats come with added features, such as washable covers and cup holders, which are handy for long journeys and holidays.
We outline some elements you might want to consider before choosing your car seat and review 5 of our favourite travel lightweight car seats below as well as 3 further travel systems – where the car seat clips directly onto a pram base, making it helpful for moving around.
Things to consider before buying:
Travel car seats approved for flights
If you’re taking a car seat to use on a plane you will need to make sure it is FAA approved (look for a sticker on the side). However, it’s worth noting that just because a car seat is FAA approved, it still does not mean that it will be small enough to fit an airplane seat.
If you’re using a travel car seat on a flight, bear in mind that most airline seats in are between 17 – 18.5 inches wide. It’s best to do your homework and check first.
Convertible car seats
These grow with your child and convert from rear to front facing. They can last right up to when your newborn baby is a grown toddler or young child. Typically convertible car seats can be used for children from 5 to around 65 pounds.
Choosing a convertible car seat can save you money in the long run, as you don’t have to replace the seat when your baby hits the toddler years.
Weight
You will have to carry your travel car seat about a lot and so weight is a really important consideration.
Car seats range greatly in terms of how much they weigh. Some, like those below, are super lightweight at 10-15 lbs. Others are not only much heavier, but bulkier, making them a pain to lug about.
Price
The all singing, all dancing travel car seats (such as the Doona car seat below that converts from a car seat to a stroller in seconds, without even having to lift your baby out) can be pricey.
But if you travel a lot and your budget allows it, you might decide that it’s a price worth paying for the convenience.
Other travel car seats are cheaper but might not last you so long. It’s worth considering how long each car seat will last you. See if buying one that lasts you longer will save you money in the long term.
Disclaimer: contains affiliate links
Our top 5 lightweight car seats for travel:
Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat
Safety 1st Convertible Car Seat (baby to child) Amazon – https://amzn.to/2lMNTeP
This car seat is perfect because of its compact size and the fact it can be easily converted from rear to front facing. It can be used from newborn all the way up to children weighing 65 pounds.
Pros:
- Compact size. Three of these seats fit comfortably in the back seat of an average car.
- Lightweight. The seat weighs 15lb, so it is heavier than some travel car seats but still light enough to carry.
- Safety. It includes side protection, an adjustable headrest and even a built in cup holder, handy for long journeys.
- Grows with baby through to child. It accommodates babies and children from 5 to 40 pounds in rear-facing mode and from 22 to 65 pounds in forward-facing mode.
Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat
Cosco Convertible Car Seat (Moon Mist Grey) Amazon – https://amzn.to/2lZnlab
This is a nice small, compact and light car seat, making it a popular choice for travelling. It’s also a really great price, and fits onto most universal stroller frames.
Pros:
- Compact size. Three seats fit comfortably into most back seats, making it a great choice if you’ve got a big family.
- REALLY lightweight. It’s one of the lightest car seats around, weighing only 10 pounds, so is really easy to carry.
- Grows with baby. This one can be used for infants between 5 and 40 pounds.
- Fits onto stroller frames The car seat fits onto many universal stroller frames, so you can use it for day trips on your holiday too.
Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 Belt Positioning Booster Car Seat
Chicco Booster Car Seat (red, turquoise, taupe) Amazon: https://amzn.to/2lXXWgV
For children aged 4 and over
This is a great choice for older children, who are ready to switch from a 5-point harness to a regular seatbelt.
Pros:
- Grows with your child. With its 10 height adjustments, it’s great for taller or growing children and will last you a long time. Can be used for children up to 100 pounds, or as a backless booster up to 110 pounds.
- Comfort. The contoured seat and double padding make sure your child has a comfortable ride, even on a long trip.
- Easy to install. There’s a Super Cinch LATCH (Isofix) attachment, which fits the seat with one easy pull.
- Easy to clean. The seat pads and arm rest covers are removable and washable.
- Great added features. It has 2 removable, dishwasher-safe cup holders, which fold out of the way to save space.
Evenflo Stratos 65 Convertible Car Seat
Evenflo Convertible Car Seat (8 colours) Amazon: https://amzn.to/2mOMVii
A compact car seat that’s really comfortable, making it a good choice for long journeys.
Pros:
- Grows with your baby. Designed to grow with your baby, converting from rear facing to forward facing, accommodating infants from 5-65 lbs. It has 6 shoulder strap positions and a 5-position adjustable headrest to make sure your child is secure and comfortable.
- Compact yet comfortable. This is a nice compact seat, which fits in most mid-sized vehicles and is approved by most major airlines. But it also has a wider seating area to make it more comfy for your child, even as they grow.
- Great features if you’re travelling somewhere hot. There are buckle pockets to store away the metal buckles to prevent them heating up and causing burns. There are also built in air flow channels to help keep your child cool.
- Lightweight. Weighs only 13 lbs so it’s light and easy to carry.
Graco My Ride 65 Convertible Car Seat
Graco My Ride Convertible Car Seat on Amazon.com
Parents rave about the safety features of this car seat. It’s a little bulkier than most but is really comfortable and still only weighs 16 lbs, so is manageable to carry.
Pros:
- Great safety features for peace of mind. Rigorously tested to meet or exceed safety standards. Includes side impact protection.
- Easy to install. Comes with a quick-fit LATCH (Isofix) system so it simply clicks into place.
- Grows with your child. It can be used as a rear facing seat for babies up to 40lbs. Then converts to a forward facing seat for infants up to 65lbs.
- Easy to clean. Removable and washable covers.
Lightweight travel car seat comparison table
Here is a quick summary of our 5 favourite lightweight travel car seats listed in more details below.
| Car seat model | Dimensions | Weight | For babies/children weighing: | LATCH (Isofix) system | Extra features | Price* |
| Safety 1st Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat | 27.25 x 18.5 x 20.25″ | 14lbs | 5-65 lbs | No | Washable covers, cup holder, adjustable head support | $97.58 |
| Cosco Scenara NEXT Convertible Car Seat | 29.8 x 17.5 x 16″ | 10.4lbs | 5-40lbs | Yes | Cup holder | $69.99 |
| Chicco Kid Fit 2-in-1 Belt Positioning Booster Car Seat | 28 x 19 x 8.5″ | 10lbs | 30-110lbs | Yes | Washable covers, 2 cup holders | $99.99 |
| Evenflo Stratos 65 Convertible Car Seat | 15.5 x 18.5 x 26″ | 13lbs | 5-65lbs | Yes | Air-flow channels, buckle pockets, 2 cupholders | $128.99 |
| Graco MyRide 65 Convertible Car Seat | 21.1 x 17.3 x 34.5″ | 15.8 lbs | 4-65 lbs | Yes | Cupholders, removable washable covers | $119.99 |
*Prices are guides and may vary.
Travel systems
Another great option for travelling with a baby or toddler is to pick a travel system, combining both a car seat and stroller.
The car seats that are part of these travel systems are often heavier than the lightweight car seats listed above. However because they convert into a stroller or fit onto a pram wheel base, they are very easy to push through airports or stations.
Some are even narrow enough to push comfortably up and down plane or train aisles.
Depending on how you like to travel and how often you do it, it might be worth looking at investing in a good travel system.
Here are 3 of our favourite travel systems compared.
Doona Infant Car Seat & Latch Base
Doona Car Seat and Base (5 colours) Amazon: https://amzn.to/2li35QD
This is one of the most innovative travel car seats around. It has integrated wheels, which flip down to convert it from a car seat to a stroller in seconds.
If you need to switch back to using the seat you simply fold the wheels back up again. You don’t even have to take your baby out when you’re converting it.
It’s one of the most expensive travel systems but those who buy it say it’s worth every penny.
Pros:
- Easy installation. It has a LATCH (Isofix) base so clicks in place in seconds.
- Safety features. With a 5-point harness and great impact protection your baby will be both comfy and safe.
- Easy manoeuvrable stroller. When expanded into a stroller this has swivel wheels, a height adjustable handle and a one-touch brake system. These features make it so easy to push around, especially when navigating busy places like airports or train stations.
- Compact. As a stroller it’s narrow enough to push down the aisle of an aeroplane or train. You don’t have to take your baby out to convert it so it’s really handy.
- Super stylish. The Doona looks great and really stands out in terms of its design. It comes with a blush pink or charcoal grey canopy to shade your baby as well as dark grey bamboo fabric for the seat and head support.
Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Travel System Stroller
Graco Travel System Stroller (2 colours) Amazon: https://amzn.to/2lNGo7p
This travel system comes with a car seat for a baby that clicks into place on a stroller. The stroller can be folded up and down using only one hand, making it easier when you’re travelling.
Pros:
- Easy to fold. The stroller folds up in a second with one hand, leaving your other hand free.
- Easy to use. The SnugRide car seat clicks easily into place on the stroller.
- Loads of storage. It comes with a tray with a cup holder and a really large basket, perfect for storing all the bits and pieces you need when you travel.
- Great price. For a travel system this is a great price.
It is compact but the car seat and stroller are heavy to carry. So it’s great if you can push it around but a bit harder if you will need to fold the stroller and carry it.
Britax Travel System – B-Lively Stroller & B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat
Britax Travel System (7 colours) Amazon: https://amzn.to/2mVbf1I
This is a nice lightweight three wheeler stroller that comes with a car seat that easily clicks in place. It has a large hood, with UV protection to shade your baby on holiday.
Pros:
- Extensive safety features. Britax is one of the best respected names in car seat safety. For the Britax B-Safe they have added a ‘SafeCell Impact protection’ which provides an energy absorbing base and a steel frame within the carrier to give it strength. Ideal for long car journeys.
- Easy to use. The stroller folds up with one hand in seconds. The car seat base clicks on and off quickly and securely.
- Lightweight stroller. The frame of the stroller is really light and it is very easy to push around and to carry.
- Lots of reclining positions. So your baby can lie back or sit more upright, depending on whether they are awake or sleepy.
- Sun protection. The large hood has UV 50 sun protection, as well as a ventilation window to shade your baby and keep them cool in hot weather.
Although as a stroller this is really lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, the car seat itself is the heaviest of all the ones we’ve reviewed. If you are going to need to carry the seat a lot then just be aware that it’s bulky and quite heavy.
At a glance: Travel system comparison table
| Car seat model | Dimensions | Weight | For babies weighing: | LATCH (Isofix) system | Extra features | Price* |
| Doona Infant Car Seat and Latch Base | 27.9 x 20.7 x 18.2″ | 35.3lbs | up to 35 lbs | Yes | One-touch brake, adjustable height handle, canopy, swivel wheels, retractable wheels for easy conversion from seat to stroller | $499.99 |
| Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Travel System Stroller | 23.74 x 19.09 x 30.79″ | 37.5 lbs | 5-40 lbs | No | One hand fold and carry function, swivel wheels, tray with cup holders, large storage basket | $175.99 |
| Britax Travel System – B-Lively Stroller & B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat | 35.5 x 43 x 21.75″ | 47.62 lbs | 4-30 lbs | Key Fit One Click System | Canopy, storage basket, 3 wheeler stroller, one-touch brakes | $429.99 |
*Prices are guides and may vary.
Reperkid Car Seat Travel Bag
Reperkid Car Seat Bag (red and blue) Amazon: https://amzn.to/2lZjHNk
If you’re going to need to carry your travel car seat around a lot then a specially designed carry bag can make a huge difference.
The Reperkid Car Seat Bag is made of strong nylon fabric and fits most car seats.
It also keeps the seat clean if if it is placed in the hold of an aircraft or stored in the baggage area on a train. It has a front and side handle as well as a shoulder straps, giving you lots of carrying options, including being a hands-free rucksack.
When you’re not using the bag, it folds into a really small zipped pouch, which you can easily pop into your hand luggage or changing bag. The padded backpack straps are adjustable so you can make sure you can carry your seat as comfortably as possible.
It’s even got a write on name tab, where you can write your name and contact details, to prevent it being picked up by another passenger on the luggage carousel.
Have baby, will travel, so they say. With these great lightweight car seats and travel system options, you can make your journey a whole lot easier.
Happy holidays!
