Ultimate Guide to Flying with a Car Seat and Stroller

The logistics of traveling with a baby or toddler can be intimidating, especially when it comes to navigating the airport with a car seat and stroller. These essential pieces of gear are crucial for keeping your little one safe and comfortable, but figuring out how to get them from point A to point B can be a real headache. The good news is, with a little planning, flying with a car seat and stroller is much easier than you might think.

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This guide will walk you through your options, from checking your gear to gate-checking and even renting at your destination.

For more helpful tips, be sure to check out our Best Tips for Flying with a Toddler article.

Traveling with an infant car seat

Having a car seat on the plane is the safest option for your little one, especially during turbulence. While infants younger than 2 do not require their own seat in flight and can fly as a lap infant, most airlines allow you to bring their FAA-approved car seat on board if you purchase a separate ticket for them.

Otherwise, you can check their car seat for free with most major airlines, either at the ticket counter or at the gate.

Do car seats count as checked luggage? No! A car seat and stroller are typically considered free checked items for a traveling child, so they do not count against your regular baggage allowance. We strongly recommend using a reusable, padded car seat travel bag to protect your investment from damage during baggage handling.

Traveling with convertible car seats

For toddlers ages 2 and older, you’ll need to purchase a seat on the flight. According to most airline safety guidelines, your toddler should be in their car seat on the plane until they reach 40 lbs, as that’s the minimum weight rating for airline seatbelts.

This can also make the trip much easier, as it gives your child a familiar and comfortable place to sit and hopefully nap. If you decided to check your toddler car seat, here’s a universal padded car seat travel bag.

For a full list of must-have items to keep your little one entertained, check out our Toddler Carry-On Essentials guide.

Choosing a travel car seat

Do I need an FAA-approved car seat for my baby? The FAA strongly recommends using a car seat on board for optimal safety. Be sure to check your seat for the label that says “This restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft.”

Some frequent traveling parents opt to have a specific, lightweight car seat for traveling, as it’s much easier to carry through the airport than a heavy, everyday car seat. For example, the convertible car seat we use at home rotates, which I love, but I would absolutely not want to haul that heavy thing through the airport!

If you don’t want to buy a separate car seat for travel, consider a car seat dolly. This genius gadget straps your child’s car seat onto a rolling luggage cart, allowing you to easily pull them and the seat through the airport. It’s a game-changer for parents who don’t want to carry a heavy car seat on their back or over their shoulder.

Traveling without a car seat

Should I bring or rent a car seat at my destination? This is a great question to ask before you book your trip. Some family vacations simply don’t require a car seat. If you’re going on a cruise, staying at a resort, or relying on public transportation for your cultural tour, you can often leave your car seat at home.

In this case, I recommend using the CARES Airplane Safety Travel Harness For Kids. This is the only FAA-approved harness for toddlers under 44 lbs and is a great option for keeping your child secure in-flight. It’s especially useful for destinations that are made for walking. Plus, it takes up basically no room in your luggage to store it!

For our top picks for families, see our Best Vacations with Babies and Toddlers article.

Traveling with strollers

If you’re deciding between checking your stroller at the ticket counter or at the gate, here’s what you should know:

Can I use my stroller until boarding? Yes, that’s the main benefit of gate-checking! You can use it to carry your child and bags all the way to the boarding door. Once you’re there, simply fold up your stroller and leave it at the end of the jet bridge to be loaded onto the plane.

If you don’t think you’ll need your stroller in the airport, or you have a tight connection, check your stroller at the ticket counter.

How do I gate-check my stroller? Simply ask an airline agent at the check-in desk or at the gate for a gate-check tag. Either way, get a padded bag that fits your stroller with wheels to prevent damage from baggage handling. Some people say that if you check your stroller at the gate, there’s less opportunity for it to be damaged, but we’ve never had an issue.

Having an easy-fold, lightweight travel stroller is an absolute game changer. Check out our guide on the Best Travel Strollers (single & double) that are all cobblestone approved!

Renting strollers and car seats while traveling

You may also be able to rent strollers and car seats (and other baby gear) in your destination! Sometimes it’s nice to not have to worry about your own gear getting damaged in transit. Plus, it’s less you have to worry about in the airport.

Check out BabyQuip for rentals in your destination, but confirm if your hotel has a stroller to use first. This is a great way to support the local economy while lightening your luggage load.

Wrapping it up

Whether you choose to bring your own gear, rent at your destination, or use a travel harness, there are many ways to make flying with a stroller and car seat a smooth process. Remember that with a little planning, you can make your family trip much less stressful and more enjoyable.

Once you land and if you’re heading off on a new adventure, be sure to check out our Toddler Road Trip Survival Guide for more tips on making travel with a little one a breeze.

Do you have a favorite tip for traveling with a stroller or car seat? Share this post with other parents who might be planning their next big adventure!

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