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travel car seat trunki

BoostApak Green - Car Seat

travel car seat trunki

  • Volume: 8 litres
  • Size: 36 x 16 x 40 cm
  • Weight: 1.8kg
  • Recommended Age: 4-12 years
  • Car Seat Group: 2 & 3

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travel car seat trunki

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Trunki BoostApak review

travel car seat trunki

  • Anna Richardson-Taylor

In a nutshell

The Trunki BoostApak is a backpack that unfolds into a child’s car booster seat. We love the design and its versatility, but it’s a bit bulky for small children to carry

What we tested

  • Compact, versatile, lightweight, travel-friendly, easy to use
  • Not as safe as a high-backed booster, bit big to use as small child’s rucksack

Showing item 1 of 9

travel car seat trunki

MadeForMums reviews are independent and based on expertise and testing. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission, but this never influences our product choices.

The Trunki BoostApak is a Group 2/3 booster cushion combined with a practical rucksack to make travelling with children easier. Featuring children’s travel brand Trunki’s distinctive, kid-friendly style and weighing less than 2kg, it provides a truly portable safety boost when you don’t have a traditional car seat.

The fact that it doubles as a rucksack is its USP - use it to cart the kids’ entertainment on a train, and then strap it into the taxi as a car seat when you arrive.

The BoostApak is similarly priced to the Mifold Grab and Go, and about twice the price of the BubbleBum Travel Booster Seat , but it is pretty unique in its rucksack-seat combination and also seems more sturdy - so it’s potentially safer, too.

Anna Richardson-Taylor is a mum of two and tested the BoostApak with her very tall 5-year-old, on school runs and trips around town.

First impressions?

I had seen pictures of the Trunki BoostApak before and always thought the product was a great idea. It seemed practical, well designed and with the Trunki brand’s distinctive, playful style. Both my kids loved the look of it and my 3-year-old keeps asking for the “dragon rucksack”.

What age is the BoostApak suitable for?

The newest child seat laws recommend children are at least 125cm tall or 22kg (approximately age seven) before using a booster cushion, but the BoostApak was approved under previous regulations as a Group 2/3 car seat, which means it is actually suitable and legal to use for kids between 15 and 36kg (approximately 4-12 years).

trunki-booster-seatbelt

Do you think your child will fit in the seat until she is 12?

By design, a booster cushion is a bit trickier to grow out of than other types of car seats and, as my daughter grows, we’ll probably use it more and more. I’m confident the BoostApak will last until she is 12 - unless she’s so tall by then that she doesn’t need a booster seat at all.

How big is the BoostApak?

When packed up like a backpack, the BoostApak is 40x36x18cm, with an 8-litre capacity - so it’s the size of an average adult rucksack. I was keen to try it as a seat in the middle space in our car’s back row, which does have a proper seat belt but is sandwiched between a full-sized, high-backed booster and a rear-facing car seat so is quite narrow.

I’m not sure how comfortable it was, but I did manage to squeeze the Trunki in. The compact dimensions also mean it is very easy to tuck it away – we’ll probably keep it in the footwells by the kids’ seats.

trunki-booster-backpack2

Is it good value?

I think it is worth that price. It offers extra peace of mind at times when you don’t have a traditional car seat, and it’s so easy to use. I know families who have been using theirs for a number of years and the quality does hold up.

Was it easy to install the BoostApak in the car?

The BoostApak is very easy to install, and the illustrated instructions are easy-to-follow. There’s no harness or Isofix connectors, you simply place the rucksack onto the seat and fold out the ‘backrest’. Then you need to adjust the strap that holds the diagonal section of the car’s seatbelt in place, which needs to be attached to the booster on the same side as the car seatbelt buckle and lengthened so that your child’s shoulder is aligned with the arrow indicator.

You then fold out the lap guides. You strap your child in using the car’s seatbelt, with the shoulder belt guide holding the diagonal belt down behind your child’s shoulder.

trunki-booster-car-3

Does it feel secure once in place?

The BoostApak does feel secure once it’s installed – just make sure you get the shoulder strap guide positioning right. However, you will never be able to provide the security of a high-backed car seat with a booster cushion.

Does the BoostApak feel safe and sturdy?

My daughter just meets the minimum weight and height levels of the new i-size guidelines for using booster cushions, so I wouldn’t want to rely on this type of car seat for everyday use. I would also be nervous about using it on long trips, as there is no side impact protection or headrest. However, for short transfers, or to accommodate extra children on the school run, I trust the BoostApak to do its job.

trunki-booster-seatbelt2

What do you think of the design?

I really like the design of the BoostApak. It makes travelling with your child seat so much easier. You can store quite a lot in the rucksack part and keep it all to hand, as you don’t need to check it into the plane’s hold if you’re flying.

trunki-booster

How comfortable is the BoostApak?

The fold-out back support has an ergonomic design that supposedly keeps your child comfortable and encourages better posture – although this feature didn’t seem very obvious to me. My daughter did enjoy sitting on it, although I think she would get a bit wriggly on longer journeys.

How useful is it as a backpack?

We haven’t used the BoostApak on a long journey yet, but when we do I anticipate that I will be carrying it. It’s a bit too bulky for my daughter to carry comfortably as it has the shape and feel of a good quality, grown-up backpack. However, it is really useful as a rucksack. It holds a surprising amount (change of clothes, wipes, toys, snacks and so on) and the hard shell means the contents are well protected even when it’s being sat on. It would be perfect to take to the theatre or cinema as a booster seat – no car required.

trunki-booster-backpack-2

Tell us about its main safety features…

The main safety feature of the BoostApak is that it raises your child so that the existing car seat belt is more suitable to keep them safe in the event of an accident. Not all available booster cushions provide a strap that adjusts the diagonal seatbelt, so that is definitely a plus.

How does the Trunki BoostApak compare to a traditional car seat?

The main - and significant - difference is that a booster cushion doesn’t provide any additional safety features to guard against side impacts or to support the head and neck of your child. This is obviously a very different level of protection than a high-backed booster provides.

In addition, in terms of comfort, the BoostApak doesn’t compare to high-backed seats either. For example, your child doesn’t benefit from a headrest to lean against when they need a snooze – and my daughter definitely missed hers.

trunki-booster-side2

Is it easy to clean?

The BoostApak’s cover is removable, so it’s very easy to clean.

How heavy is the BoostApak?

It weighs just under 2kg. It’s very easy to carry, even when full, and I will definitely be taking it travelling.

What feature do you like most in the car seat?

I love that the BoostApak is so portable and easy to store in the car for emergencies. Whether I’m bringing one of my daughter’s friends home in our car, or visiting cousins, it’s great to have the option to whip out an extra booster that’s easy to use - and fits in our middle seat!

I also love that you can use it as a rucksack - I find this particularly useful for train-plus-taxi journeys.

trunki-booster-boot

What’s in the box?

The Trunki BoostApak booster rucksack and instructions.

Are there any accessories needed or available?

There are numerous Trunki accessories you can buy, such as neck supports and wheelie cases, but nothing specific to go with the BoostApak.

What do you wish you had known before you got it?

That it’s not that great as a child’s rucksack - you will probably have to carry the BoostApak yourself.

trunki-booster-3

Would you recommend this car seat?

Yes, I would definitely recommend the Trunki BoostApak. It’s a good booster seat and I love that it is so versatile. It’s a great piece of kit.

Where can I buy the Trunki BoostApak?

It is available from Trunki , Amazon and Halfords .

MadeForMums verdict

The Trunki BoostApak is a really handy product from the popular kids’ travel brand. It will help you out in a variety of situations where an extra booster cushion is useful, and the clever rucksack design will make travel that bit easier.

Read More...

  • 10 best car seats from 4 years
  • High-backed or backless booster - which car seat should you choose?
  • Diono Monterey 2 review

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Trunki USA

Collection: Car Seat Backpacks

Boostapak 2-in-1 car seat backpacks.

BoostApak is the car booster seat that doubles as a backpack! It's perfect for ride-sharing, hire cars, and taxis or keep it at the Grandparents' house as a spare. This innovative car seat has won 10 prestigious design awards including Mumsnet Best Award, Practical Parenting & Innovation Award and the LBP Best Travel Invention Award.

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travel car seat trunki

Travel Essentials: Our Trunki Boostapak Review

travel car seat trunki

One of the many annoying complications with hiring a car since becoming a parent is the question of car seats. If we chose to hire one, do we then:

A. Take our own car seats from home. B: Hire car seats from the car hire company or on arrival. C: Buy car seats on arrival.

This question is further complicated with two preschoolers with A becoming impossible for us, B becoming expensive and C being a pain in the backside! Thankfully there is an option D – take along a cool backpack which is also a booster seat!

trunki boostpak review

As you probably already know, we are already big fans of Trunki . Our kids ride on Trunki suitcases come everywhere with us. I was happy to learn there is also a Trunki car seat that fits along with their philosophy of fun, cute and functional travel items.

The best part is that this Trunki booster seat is also a backpack that can carry items and be taken on board as carry on luggage. It is a great option for 4+ year olds who just need a booster seat and meets safety regulation in many places including the UK and Europe (it does not in Australia however).

Click here to see the latest prices.

Trunki Boostapak review

trunki boostapak

The Boostapak lived up to everything it promised except it is even cuter in real life.

Easy to use

boostapak

S using her Boostapak

The Boostapak could not be easier to use. You simply put it on the seat, pull the tab on the front of the backpack up, push a button in to release the sides of the booster seat and adjust a red clip to your child’s shoulder height once they are sitting. It only takes a moment.

Works well as a backpack

boostapak

5 year old S carrying her Boostapak

My favourite part about this booster seat is how it works as a backpack. It’s an easy size for my daughter, she can pack whatever she needs for the day and she can carry it around.

I have found, however, that she can not handle much weight in the backpack as the backpack itself has some weight.

Can store items in the car

Trunki Boostapak

Inside the Trunki Boostapak

This is not a recommended use but since you can put things in the seat while it is set up in the car, we have used it to store things we are leaving behind in the car when we are sightseeing! I’m hoping a thief would be less likely to look in the booster seat than the glove box!

Cool designs

There are a few different designs. Miss 5 looooves her hello kitty one.

Easy to clean

The cover is fully removable and easy to clean.

trunki boostapak

The Boostapak folded out from its cool backpack

Useful as a booster seat in general

This seat has also worked well for us for Mr 3 as a booster seat at tables in the apartments that we stay in and in restaurants.

Who should use a Boostapak?

Boostapaks are designed for 4-12 year olds, 15-35kg and up to 135cm. They are designed for use with a three point harness which is a normal sash belt in a car. You should have no problems fitting multiple Boostapaks across a back seat.

Our verdict

We love this seat/backpack combination.

trunki boostapak reviews

The Boostapak side on

I love how easy and convenient the Trunki Boostapak car booster seat is for us to travel with and that it is also a useful as a backpack. S loves it especially with the Hello Kitty design.

I especially love that this seat is compact, meets all legal obligations for us on our travels and still has a hard shell and some back padding. Although we liked using the Bubblebum as well, I feel this seat is more solid and does a better job of keeping S in position.

If you live somewhere other than Australia then this option would also make for a great back up seat for the grandparents or for a friend to come in the car.

We are not the only ones who are fans of the Trunki car booster seat. Boostapak reviews in Amazon are very positive. You can see them here  in the UK and  in the USA .

If you are looking for an easy, fun option to a regular booster seat next time you travel, check out the Boostapak. I’m sure you will all love it 🙂

You can find more information about Trunki Boostapak  here  or click here for the latest prices .

You can also read our full guide to the best travel car seats and booster seats for your kids.

Trunki gave us this product in exchange for an honest review. Where’s Sharon is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and its partners. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Thank you for supporting my site and helping me make it the best family travel resource on the internet!

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Reviewed: The Trunki BoostApak

Before we went on our fortnight holiday to Thailand, I made a list of useful items we would be taking, one of which was a Trunki BoostApak – an ingenious bit of kit (see here for prices)  that is not only a portable travel booster car seat but also a handy backpack.

Being safety conscious, we were particularly worried that Monkey wouldn’t be buckled in properly on our three-hour transfer from the airport to our hotel in Hua Hin which is why we wanted to bring one along with us. And, even though the recommended age is 4+ (Monkey is younger) and supports a weight of between 15kg-36kg, we thought it would better to have something fairly robust than not.

Trunki BoostApak Review

Prior to our trip, I studied the guide on how to use the Trunki BoostApak – and even tried it out in our own car. It was simple to understand with clear instructions, so I knew I would be comfortable setting it up once we were abroad – there are instructions actually printed on the seat itself.

Reviewed: Trunki Boostapak

To use it, you simply pull off the Velcro backing, fold up the seat supports (which have a quick-release button to fold back down), strap your child in and you’re good to go. You don’t even have to empty the contents of the bag – this section forms the booster seat and is made from toughened plastic, so it’s sturdy enough to support the weight of your child without squashing its contents.

Reviewed: Trunki Boostapak

Trunki BoostApak Features

Its features include ergonomic back support, with seat belt guides and adjusters as your child grows. There’s also the wipe-clean removable cover and the bag section includes an ID tag and high visibility reflective trim.

We let Monkey pack his toys inside the 8-litre storage capacity – as well as adding his sticker books, activities, and colouring pens. They all fit inside the hard plastic shell, even though I struggled to zip up the bag. But I think this was due to the fact I had overfilled it.

Reviewed: Trunki Boostapak

At the airport, Daddy did most of the carrying, but considering we didn’t have much other hand luggage this wasn’t a problem. In fact, the Trunki BoostApak came in very handy when we grabbed a spot of lunch. Instead of getting a high chair, which are for ‘babies’, Monkey happily sat on his booster seat while eating his food.

Reviewed: Trunki Boostapak

Meanwhile, on the actual aircraft, we found the bag slid under the seat in front, which came in useful when we wanted easy access to Monkey’s belongings during the long flight.

Reviewed: Trunki Boostapak

Trunki BoostApak as a booster seat

We used it several times while we were away – and although Monkey wasn’t able to carry the Trunki BoostApak, we found worth its weight in gold. Not only was he comfortable in the booster seat – on several occasions he actually fell asleep – he also enjoyed being able to sit up high and look out of the window. But more importantly, we were thankful that the seatbelt straps were secured around him properly.

Reviewed: Trunki Boostapak

The seat doesn’t have the high-backed safety features that proper car seats have – but when you’re away on holiday and you have no other alternative, the Trunki BoostApak is a good choice.

And the best thing is, even though the bag is too big for Monkey now, we know that he will be able to carry it in the future – after all, the Trunki BoostApak can be used by children up to the ages of 12, which makes for a good long-term investment.

Trunki BoostApak Safety

After the changes in car seat legislation back in 2017, I’ve had many queries here to ask if the Trunki BoostApak still complies with law. The easy answer is yes,  the BoostApak conforms to UN standard ECE Regulation 44.04 and this is checked every two years by the independent European authority who originally issued the EC type-approval for this design. Of course, it is worth noting this Trunki BoostApak shouldn’t replace a full car seat with side protection, this is just a fantastic alternative for travelling.

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Review: Toddler travel booster seat – Trunki BoostApak

Angharad Paull

A nifty little travel booster seat that doubles as hand luggage and can be carried as a backpack, trust me, you need this is your jet-setting life. Here’s my review of the Trunki BoostApak…

* Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I have recommended. While clicking these links won’t cost you any extra money, they will help me keep this site up and running! 

Table of Contents

A toddler travel car seat that doubles as hand-luggage

11.1kg. That was the weight of my backpack when my husband and I left on our four-month honeymoon across Africa. Fast forward a couple of years, travelling with two kids in tow and we’re paying for oversized baggage, going ‘full adult’ by buying a Roof Box and packing our car until it’s rammed to the rafters. There’s no getting away from it, when kids are young, they need so much goddamn stuff!

One of the keys to making travelling with toddlers and babies easier is to make sure you have the right travel gear. Flying with kids is trickiest as there are heavy luggage restrictions and the actual physical task of transporting all the kiddy-paraphernalia through an airport. It’s pretty normal for airlines to offer two free pieces of baby equipment per child, but if you’ve got two little ones in bulky toddler car seats, plus a buggy and all your luggage to shift, it starts getting tricky.

Enter the Trunki Bookstapak ! A nifty little toddler travel car seat that doubles as hand luggage and can be carried as a backpack.

Review: Trunki BoostApak Booster Seat: toddler travel car seat

Image – Trunki BoostApak, credit www.trunki.co.uk

Trunki BoostApak: a toddler car seat that transforms into a rucksack!

The Trunki BoostApak looks just like a normal rucksack, if a little ‘boxier’. The boxy-ness is thanks to the hard shell design which helps transform the BoostApak into a secure car seat (and as an added bonus, works brilliantly for protecting delicate items, like cameras or squish-able snacks). So you can fill up the 8 litres of space for hand luggage as you would a normal rucksack, then pop it into the car and convert it straight into a toddler travel car seat with your kiddo sitting on top. This is done by un-velcro-ing the outer (wipe clean) flap back to create a comfy back pad, flipping down the fold-out seat belt guides and fixing the seat belt adjuster to the seat belt. Clever huh?

Review: Trunki BoostApak Booster Seat: toddler travel car seat

Is the BoostApak really safe to be used as a toddler travel car seat?

The Trunki BoostApak is designed for children aged 4-12 weighing between 15-36kg and has been safety certified to the highest standards. It is approved to ECE R44.04 for groups 2 and 3 which means it is approved to be used in the EU. For more information on the nittier gritty regulations details, check out the Trunki website .

Trunki BoostApak toddler travel car seat

Image – credit www.trunki.co.uk

Trunki BoostApak as a toddler travel car seat on holiday and beyond…

The Trunki BoostApak gets the thumbs up as hand luggage from most major airlines. The great thing about it is, as soon as you get off the plane, if you’re hiring a car at the other end, you can quickly make any vehicle child-friendly without the hassle of lugging a ginormous, heavy car seat around with you.

Review: Trunki BoostApak Booster Seat: toddler travel car seat

Is a Trunki BoostApak worth buying just for a holiday though?

As well as a great toddler travel car seat for holidays and hire cars, the Trunki BoostApak is also great if you’re carpooling with extra kids, visiting the grandparents (and don’t want the hassle of switching car seats), holiday coach transfers or just hopping in a taxi. Plus it’ll last them until they’re 12 years old, so you should get a lot of use out of it. Considering the engineering diplomas required to figure out most baby gear (or is that just me?), it’s a relief to find that it’s super easy to switch between the BoostApak in its rucksack form and car seat transformation – no equipment lessons required!

Will my toddler like the Trunki BoostApak?

I don’t see why not! I know toddlers can be funny old fish sometimes, but there’s really nothing not to like. The Trunki BoostApaks come in five designs (with neon touches – so always a winner in my book), plus a popular Hello Kitty version. You can also get funky animal accessories known as ‘Snoozihedz’ to make them extra appealing.

How much does a Trunki BoostApak cost?

The BoostApak costs around £49.99, which is cheaper than the cost of renting a car seat in a hire car and what price is piece of mind for your kid’s safety in a taxi? Plus you’re minimising the amount of stuff you’re taking on your travels by killing two birds with one stone – hand luggage bag AND toddler travel car seat. Winner! You can find out more information, check prices and order online at Amazon .

Are there any downsides to the Trunki BoostApak?

Because of it’s hard shell and need to be a seat, you or your toddler probably won’t use the BoostApak as a day-to-day bag.

Review: Trunki BoostApak Booster Seat: toddler travel car seat

Would I recommend getting the Trunki BoostApak?

Yes 100% yes. Especially if you have more than one child as it is SO much easier getting through an airport without having to worry about unbuckling or carrying big, heavy car seats around on top of all your luggage and buggy while your children run in different directions!

Click here to check price and availability of Trunki BoostApaks

Pin it for later:

Review: Toddler travel car seat Trunki BoostApak

Have you tried the Trunki BoostApak? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

Angharad Paull

Angharad Paull

Posts by Angharad Paull

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How to win at wine tasting in south africa, armchair travels: 7 family-friendly movies to inspire wanderlust, what do you think cancel reply.

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' data-src=

This looks amazing! Would also be useful for staying at Nanny and Grandad’s for a weekend, save us switching the car seats. *Opens the Amazon app…*

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Mama Travels Earth

Yes! Great for that – and if you’re a two car family too! xx

' data-src=

That definitely looks handy for parents! I love the design and the price is really affordable. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard

' data-src=

We also have one baby girl and another one on the way, and I could definitely relate to your words “they need so much goddamn stuff” lol! The Trunki BoostApak looks really handy and the price is quite affordable #TheWeeklyPostcard

Ha ha! Yes, how do tiny people need so many things!? Congrats on your next arrival!

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This car seat looks really cool! I should tell my daughter in law about it. Thanks for sharing this post on #TheWeeklyPostcard

Full Suitcase Travel Blog

5 Absolute Best Travel Booster Seats for 2024 (+Helpful Tips)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: January 23, 2024

5 Absolute Best Travel Booster Seats for 2024 (+Helpful Tips)

One of the most asked questions when it comes to road-tripping with kids is what kind of travel car seat is the best. The answer depends on so many different factors – how and where you travel, how old are your kids, and how light you want to travel. In my opinion, packing a high-back car seat on a plane is really not worth the hassle, so in this article, I will only focus on the best booster seats for travel – portable booster seats . Here’s why.

In my opinion, if you are traveling with a baby or a young child, you better just rent an appropriate car seat when you rent a car abroad.

Car seats for that age group cost a lot of money and are bulky to pack, while the price to rent one isn’t that high compared to what it costs.

Whereas if you travel with older kids who can use a booster car seat, it’s exactly the opposite. Travel booster seats are cheap to buy, easy to take with you, and renting one would often mean paying more.

TIP: At the moment of the last update, BubbleBum booster is the most popular travel booster seat choice among our readers in the USA. If I’m not mistaken, you now get an extra discount with this promo code on Amazon : 9DUCE9MT.

Ride Safer Vest is a distant second, on a much higher budget but also quite incomparable to any others safety-wise.

And now back to the best portable booster car seats . Below, you can see an overview of the information you can find in this article, including all the best travel boosters in our selection.

You can jump straight to the product information, but I strongly recommend that you also read practical tips and advice that should help you choose the right child booster seat for travel.

Update: We have done our best to update this article through the years. But there are so many changes all the time! Regulations change, products and companies disappear and new ones emerge. With the last update, we had to remove several products completely since they are not available anymore and there are no similar alternatives. So use this just as a guide to see what kind of different types of travel boosters there are, and be sure to always double-check the requirements and product specifications that are important to you!

Travel booster seats – overview:

  • Our Experience with Travel Booster Seats

Booster Seat Requirements

  • Other Things to Consider when Choosing Travel Booster Seat

1. The BubbleBum Booster Seat

2. ridesafer travel vest, 3. trunki boostapak, 4. hiccapop uberboost inflatable booster car seat, 5. belt-positioning backless booster, travel car seats & booster seats – our experience.

We have three kids and have traveled with them overseas ever since they were born. We always rented car seats for our kids when they were young. I just couldn’t imagine adding a big car seat to our travel luggage , not even to mention having to take two or three of them.

To us, traveling light is the best way to survive traveling with young kids.

LEARN MORE: Tips for Traveling with Kids

When our oldest was almost 5, we made a 5-week road trip in Australia . Twins were just 3 years old at that time. With three young children and multiple flights, there was just no way we would pack portable car seats for all of them. So we reserved car seats for the twins when we booked our rental car. With multiple rental cars at 4 different destinations in Australia, we spent a small fortune on those two car seats.

We, therefore, decided to at least look for an alternative solution for our 5-year-old. That’s when we started researching all available booster seats and realized that buying one would save us several hundreds of dollars.

But even a regular booster seat is not easy to pack with you. So we looked for the best travel booster seats – something that would fit all the safety requirements and at the same time would be easy to pack.

This was years ago and in the meantime, we have bought two more travel boosters for our twins as well. I am happy to say that we are still using the same travel booster seats today. We have used them on every single trip ever since and also on a daily basis at home. Buying a quality travel booster car seat was one of the best investments ever.

But before we talk about the specific travel booster seats, we should first cover some things you have to consider before buying a booster seat for your trip. Read on!

Trunki BoostApak is our choice for the best travel booster seat

Booster seats are generally suitable for kids from around 4 years of age when children are no longer required to use a car seat with a 5-point harness. A portable travel booster seat ensures your child’s safety whenever you rent a car or use a taxi away from home.

However, the rules for the use of car seats and booster seats vary significantly from one country to another. So it’s essential to consult an official source for the country that you are traveling to in order to make sure that you have the right car seat for your child. More information about this below.

In some parts of the world – particularly much of Asia and northern Africa, there are hardly any laws requiring car seats or boosters of any kind. However, I’d still advise to rent one or bring your own. After all, you should be more concerned with your child’s safety than the (lack of) local laws.

We have rented car seats in South Africa and in Namibia for our kids and most of the time they looked completely ok to us. If in doubt, ask to change a car seat – quality car rental agencies usually have plenty of them available.

As I said before, the moment our kids were old enough for a booster car seat, we just bought our own and never had to worry about it again. Bringing your own booster seat gives you complete peace of mind and ensures that your children can travel safely wherever you go.

Booster Seat Requirements differ from one country to another - complete travel booster seat guide

If you are traveling abroad, make sure to check the laws for booster seats in the country you are visiting.

Below you can find some links to the car seat and booster seat rules for a variety of destinations. Please note, however, that laws around car seat requirements change all the time , so it’s your responsibility to do proper research for the most up-to-date situation for the country you’re visiting.

Some countries require travel booster seats to carry specific labels in order to be legal for use, so it’s very important to read these regulations carefully.

  • Children’s car seat rules in the USA (please note that the laws vary from state to state).
  • Car seat rules in the UK .
  • Car seat regulations in Canada .
  • Car seat rules in Australia .
  • While the rules about car seats and boosters for children are very relaxed across much of Asia , there are some countries that do have regulations. Our advice is to look up your specific destination and check the rules before you travel.
  • Car seat requirements are now a bit different all over Europe . While in the past you could use a booster car seat for kids from around 4 years, the new law requires a minimum height of 125 cm (4ft1) and weight of at least 22 kg (49 lbs) in order to use a backless booster seat. In most European countries, kids can use a regular adult seat from 135 cm (4ft4) height (e.g. France, UK, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg…). However, some other countries require that kids under 150 cm (4ft 9) or under 12 years use a booster seat as well (e.g. Germany, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Poland, Slovenia,…).

Since car seat requirements are different in every country and the situation might change again, I encourage you to research the laws of the specific country you’re planning to visit . You may also want to check if the booster you have is approved for use in the country you’re traveling to.

Other Things to Consider When Choosing Travel Booster Seat

In addition to local laws and regulations, there are a few other important things to consider when choosing the most suitable booster car seat for travel. Find out!

High-backed booster seats with ‘wings’ are the safest type, as they provide the best protection for your child’s head and neck in a side-impact crash. Unfortunately, though, it’s not always possible to carry this type of seat with you if you are traveling long distances.

The important thing to remember is that any approved booster seat is better than none at all.

Weight and Size

After safety, weight and size are probably the most important considerations when choosing the right (booster) car seat. Whilst some travel booster seats are ideal for local trips and days out and about, others are more suited to longer journeys where you are restricted on how much you can carry.

That being said, you might find that any extra baggage charges you incur from taking your own booster seat would be less than the cost of hiring a booster seat at your destination. Plus, of course, you will then have a portable booster seat for future use!

If you are traveling with 2-3 kids, consider if you can fit all the travel boosters next to each other (and hope they don’t fight all the time 😉 – see also our tips for how to handle long car rides with kids .

Versatility

Some seats are designed to serve more than one purpose, which is great if you have limited luggage space and want to get the most ‘bang for your buck’.

Important Tips

Wherever possible, we recommend sitting with your child and keeping an eye on them if using a backless booster, as it is a little easier for them to wriggle into an unsafe position.

Try to place your travel booster seat in the middle back seat if appropriate. Experts say that this is the safest position in the car.

Practice fitting the booster seat before you travel. While most boosters are pretty straightforward, some may need a little more expertise!

Complete guide to the best booster car seats for travel

Best Travel Booster Seats: Comparison & Review

There are several good options when it comes to booster car seats for travel. So in order to give you the most complete guide to the best travel booster seats available at this moment , I not only based it on our experience, but also consulted other family travelers, and did extended research.

In the end, I selected portable booster seats that I think are the best options for those looking for a lightweight travel booster that doesn’t compromise on safety. In addition, I also included one high-back foldable booster seat. It’s obviously not as easy to pack as the backless boosters, but if you are traveling with a smaller child and still rather pack a car seat of your own, it might be a good option.

Below is our selection of the best travel booster seats. You can find a short review of each booster seat and a list of the main features that we think make them so useful. Of course, we also included our personal favorite – the travel booster seat that our kids have been using for years. Find out!

Here are the best travel booster seats:

The award-winning BubbleBum Booster Seat is described as an inflatable booster seat. However, it actually contains more memory foam than air, meaning that it will protect your child even if punctured in an accident.

BubbleBum Booster Seat takes just 20 seconds to inflate for use, then deflates quickly and folds to a small size, perfect for popping into your hand luggage or backpack.

The booster is designed for use with a 3-point adult seat belt (not a lap belt). The shoulder belt positioning clip and side lap belt clips help keep your child safe and comfortable.

At just 1.2 lbs it is the lightest travel booster seat we reviewed and it’s also the cheapest. But because it is a little smaller than some other travel boosters, we feel it’s more suited to shorter journeys than long road trips.

Best travel booster seats - BubbleBum Booster Seat

BubbleBum booster seat features:

  • Suitable for children age 4-11 years, weighing from 40-100 lbs (18-45 kg).
  • Inflates and deflates quickly.
  • Lightweight and folds to a compact size and easy to store anywhere.
  • Comes with its own bag.
  • Made of a durable material.
  • Narrow design allows you to use 3 across the back seat.

The compact and lightweight RideSafer Travel Vest is a brilliant alternative to a travel booster seat, but it comes with a much steeper price card. Weighing only 1.5 lbs (800 gr), it takes up very little luggage space and is particularly ideal for small cars, where bulkier car seats and boosters can be a tight fit. Fitting three of these vests in a row on the back seat is no problem whatsoever!

While the RideSafer may seem to offer less protection than booster seats at first glance, it’s actually the opposite. This is one of the safest solutions available!

Its clever design means that it maintains the car’s seatbelt in the proper position at all times. The shoulder belt is held in place, but away from your child’s neck, making him feel much more comfortable. It also positions the lap belt below your child’s abdomen, which best protects the internal organs.

This is the most expensive of the travel boosters we have reviewed in this article, but for the convenience and safety of your child, the RideSafer Travel Vest is invaluable!

Ride Safer Delight Travel Vest is a lightweight alternative to children's travel booster seats

RideSafer travel vest features:

  • Available in 2 sizes, to fit children from 3-10 years, weighing from 30 to 80 lbs (15 to 36 kg).
  • Certified for use in cars in the US.
  • Small, lightweight, and easy to pack in hand luggage or backpack.
  • Maintains proper seatbelt positioning at all times.

Trunki BoostApak is the travel booster seat that we chose for our kids. We bought one for our oldest son when he was 4 and used it till he didn’t need it anymore (around the age of 8-9). Our twins got the same Trunki boosters when they were 4 and used them until the age of 10.

I can’t even start to count the number of flights and road trips we have taken them on. The kids also used Trunki BoostApak boosters for their daily commute to school. Our high-back booster seats were only in use when we traveled big distances with our own car here in Europe. Since the new law in some European countries requires that booster seats are used till the kids are 150 cm tall, we used Trunki BoostAPak for our twins until the age of 10.

When we mentioned versatility earlier in this article, Trunki BoostApak is the booster seat we had in mind! The Trunki BoostApak is not just a booster seat, it’s also a hand-luggage approved child’s bag, with padded straps for comfort and a generous 8-liter capacity.

This means that you can use it to easily pack your child’s toys, books, games, and snacks for them to carry, then quickly convert it into an EU-certified travel booster seat whenever needed. You don’t need to unpack the Trunki before using it as a seat, as its hard plastic internal shell protects the bag’s contents. The shell is also designed to provide maximum strength in an accident.

It’s very easy to convert Trunki from a backpack to a booster seat, but if you (like many of us!) find some kids’ accessories a little challenging, be sure to practice with it before leaving home!

In addition to using it as a backpack and a car booster seat, the Trunki Boostapak with its wipe-clean cover makes a great booster seat for the movies too! We once even took our kids’ Trunkis to a theater.

The only minor issue we’ve had with this booster seat/backpack is that it’s slightly too heavy for younger children to carry – an empty Trunki BoostApak weighs 3.8 pounds (1,7 kg). So when our kids were just 4-5 years old, we usually had to help them with it at the airport. It’s not a big deal since the Trunki usually stays in the car for the entire duration of our trip.

trunki boostapak is our best buy when it comes to kids travel gear

Trunki BoostAPak travel booster features:

  • Suitable for children age 4-11 years, weighing from 30 to 80 lbs (15 to 36 kg).
  • Converts from a backpack to a booster seat in seconds.
  • The fold-out seatbelt guides and seat belt adjuster help you ensure a perfect and safe fit.
  • Approved as hand luggage by most airlines.
  • EU certified for everyday car use.

Where to buy Trunki BoostApak. For some reason, Trunki BoostApak has always been a ‘European’ travel booster. Probably because it’s only been approved to be used in the EU and is not (yet) on the market in the USA. You can buy it on Amazon UK , but unfortunately, not on Amazon in the US.

Similar in principle to the Bubblebum, the Hiccapop Uberboost travel booster seat inflates and deflates quickly, so you can simply roll it up and pop it in your hand luggage, backpack, etc.

It’s cheaper than the BubbleBum, is made of a very thick, durable material and is comparable in weight.

The biggest difference is that – unlike the BubbleBum – there is no foam in the air bladder. Nevertheless, it feels as sturdy as a regular booster seat when inflated.

Travel booster seats - Hiccapop Uberboost Inflatable Booster Car Seat

Hiccapop Uberboost features:

  • Very compact and lightweight.
  • Positions seat belt over the lap, not the stomach.
  • Lifetime guarantee.

Update: The model reviewed below is not available during our last update, so check out these popular alternatives that offer pretty much the same functionality. Since this is the most popular portable booster design, there are so many brands selling similar models and they change the colors and the looks all the time.

Chicco GoFit Belt-Positioning Backless Booster is the only backless booster seat we reviewed that has dual cup holders, which are a huge plus on long journeys. The cup holders fold away, which is handy if you need to fit several car seats across the back seat. They can easily be removed and are dishwasher safe.

A little more expensive than other backless boosters, the Chicco GoFit feels very robust and well-made, whilst providing a lot more padding for your child’s comfort than many other seats of this type.

The seat has lap belt guides and a shoulder clip, which is attached to the back of the seat by a fabric strap. In some cars, you can fit three of these seats in the back – but you should only do this if you have a 3-point seat belt in the center seat, not a lap belt.

At 5 lbs it is heavier than the other travel booster seats in this selection and would also take up more luggage space. Nevertheless, it is still light enough to carry around and easy to move from one vehicle to another.

The only downside to this seat is that it doesn’t have latch connectors. Whilst this is a bonus in terms of travel, as it can quickly be moved to any vehicle, it does mean that it may shift a little during your journey and will also need to be stowed safely away when not in use.

Best travel booster car seats - Chicco GoFit backless booster

Chicco GoFit booster seat features:

  • Suitable for children age 4 and up, weighing from 40-110 lbs (18-45 kg).
  • Double foam padding.
  • Armrest covers and seat pad are machine-washable.
  • Built-in carry handle.
  • Smooth underside to protect vehicle seats.

So this is our complete guide to the best lightweight portable travel booster seats. I hope it helps you to find the best-suitable travel car seat for your kids.

Have you used any of these lightweight booster seats or have a favorite portable travel booster? Feel free to share your experience – you can leave a reply below.

READ ALSO : Best travel bags for kids

More tips for traveling with kids:

  • Family travel: Tips for Travelling with Kids & Benefits of Family Travel
  • Gear & luggage: Best Travel Gear for Kids & Best Kids Luggage
  • Gift ideas: Travel Gifts for Kids (That They’ll Actually Use)
  • Footwear: Best Travel Shoes for Kids
  • Books: Travel Books and Destination Guides for Kids

If you found this post useful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends who might be looking for a travel booster seat for their children. Are you on Pinterest? Pin this image!

Which travel booster seat to choose - 7 best packable booster car seats

Some travel inspiration for families:

  • Best Family Travel Destinations
  • Best USA National Parks to Visit with Kids
  • Lesser-known US National Parks for Families
  • Top USA Spring Break Destinations
  • Top Spring Break Destinations in Europe
  • Yellowstone with Kids
  • Arches National Park with Kids

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Wednesday 24th of January 2024

Hi Jurga, I really appreciate your blog - it's been so helpful! I was looking to buy the Trunki BoostApak for our trip to Portugal and Spain later this year as our kids will be 6.5 and 4.5 years old. I noticed that the boosters are no longer available to ship via Amazon to the USA when logged under Amazon UK. I also tried their website which doesn't ship to the USA. It's not urgent since we don't travel until the Fall, but I was hoping to to buy the boosters ahead of time instead of trying to buy something when we arrive. Do you know if something has recently changed or if this is just a temporary thing with Amazon shipping? Thanks much! Kaylee

Thursday 25th of January 2024

Hi Kaylee, unfortunately, I don't know which products Amazon ships where and there might be tons of reasons why a specific product isn't shipped internationally. It might also depend on who the seller is - Amazon itself or some third party. Here in Europe, we use various Amazon websites from all different countries and it's very random what we can buy from which website, and what can be sent to one country is often not possible to another, plus, it changes all the time too. Indeed, the official USA website of Trunki doesn't even show this product, and the ones from Europe don't seem to ship to the USA. It's likely because they never asked for an official approval of this car seat in the US. So I really don't know what to tell you. Maybe try an alternative booster, or rent with a car. You may also want to check what the current rules in Portugal and Spain are depending on your kids' height/weight. I think that they might still be required to use a booster with back/head support at that age (depending on how tall they are and also on the country).

Tuesday 2nd of January 2024

Hi Jurga, happy New Year! I know from your blog your family has been to Portugal a few times including the islands and mainland but don't recall reading specifically on boosters for kids. We will be going to mainland Portugal this July and have 2 kids (both turns 7 & 9 this August). We are not sure what the best options on regarding booster seats for them and wanted to hear your insights. We are debating on renting the boosters with the car rental company but they seem to cost anwhere from $80 to $110 per booster seat which we can save. If we bring our own (backless boosters from the U.S.), we might not be able to use them right? Any suggestions? Thanks!

@Jurga, thanks so much for taking the time to reply to my inquiry! Yes the booster we use in the U.S. is sturdy (Chicco KitFit 2-in-1 Belt Positioning Booster Car Seat). We would bring just the bottom section w/o the back support and that's why I asked if that would meeting Portugal's guideline or law? You rented a car for ONLY 144 euro for 12 days?!?!?! I'm assuming it's manual? Unfortunately we need an automatic and the price seems to just a lot due to that. Thanks for the car rental site. Will check it out using your link!

Hi Athan, indeed, kids that age are officially required to use a booster in Portugal. And yes, some car rental companies charge ridiculous amounts for them - that's also why we always packed our own when our kids needed them... You have several options. Buy a booster at a local store once you get to Portugal (you should be able to find them at all major supermarkets) or bring one with you. Depending on the booster that you use at home, it might be EU certified - just check online. Also, if it's a sturdy, quality booster, it's likely going to be better quality than what you get from some car rental agencies... And normally nobody will care what you use - it's your kids and you want to make sure that they are safe. The only issue is if something happens and police checks car seats. But I can't imagine anyone would make an issue about them not being certified in the EU if they are safe and certified in the USA. But it's your decision. Yet another option is to order a EU-certified booster from Amazon UK or Amazon Germany/France/Spain... (if they deliver in the US) and bring it with you. Just check if it's not going to become more expensive that way. If you want to avoid all the hassle, renting one together with your car is the safest option. Just a thought - car rental is usually so cheap in Portugal that it may not be such a big deal to pay extra for the boosters. P.S. We always rent our cars via RentalCars website. In fact, we are here in Portugal at the moment and we have a nice, family-size car for about 144 euro for 12 days including full insurance. If we had rented the same car directly with the company (and paid insurance at the counter), it would have been over 700 euros...

Wednesday 31st of May 2023

I love this post! I actually read it years ago, then when I was looking at booster seats recently, I was so happy to find it back. I saw that it now has the comfiGO booster-type seat by ClypX. I was very interested in that seat, but when I started doing more research on it I found that US child passenger safety news site called Safe Ride News had an article stating that the booster is not actually classified as a booster in the US, so safety regulations don’t apply to it. Since it claims it complies with the regulations (deceptive), and because of how it is designed, I would be hesitant to use it or recommend it to anyone, whether or not they are in the US.

Tuesday 6th of June 2023

Hi Nanika, based on everything I find online, this seat is certified in the US at this moment, but they were asked not to call it a 'booster' anymore.

Saturday 27th of May 2023

Do you have any information on when and why mifold went out of business? Have their booster seats been recalled? When I purchased our mifold years ago, it was considered very safe, approved for use in the UK (which is where we mostly need to use it) and we have loved it, but I know that ratings can change with more information. Thanks!

Hi Lindsey, it happened rather recently and I haven't heard anything about recalls. The company just stopped from one day to the other; I don't think it had anything to do with the product safety. Maybe try searching online - I wasn't able to find much info when I checked when updating this article last time.

Saturday 3rd of December 2022

On February 1, 2022, very shortly after you updated this for “2022 & Beyond” (Jan. 24), IIHS actually removed their “Best Bet” rating from both the BubbleBum and Hiccapop UberBoost inflatable boosters. This conclusion was made after new studies (using computer modeling vs. static dummies that were previously used) discovered the high potential for “submarining” in the event of a collision due to the lack of rigidity with an inflatable booster. Since they’ve determined more research/studies need to be performed with inflatable boosters, they have changed their previous “Best Bet” determinations to now “Unrated”. I just wanted to comment because you had mentioned the IIHS ratings in your article, so if that rating is a deciding factor for someone, they may want to choose another option. If someone is in need of a compact travel booster that does not inflate, your recommendation of the Mi-Fold would meet that criteria but again, that’s another option that is not rated by IIHS. Nonetheless, I found your article very helpful, thank you, and wish that the Trunki option you decided on was available here in the US!

Hi Cortnie, thank you for this update. It's difficult to keep up with all the changes, isn't it... I'll see when I can find the time to update this again. PS If you like Trunki Boostapak, I think you can just order it from Amazon.co.uk. We sometimes order products from Amazon in the US and they get shipped to Europe without any problems. They usually add some extra costs for shipping and customs duties, but sometimes it's still worth it. I'm just not sure if the Trunki is officially approved in the US and what that means if you'd use it there. I'm sure they are just fine safety-wise since whatever passes European standards could probably pass any others, but I don't know about the legal side of this. We took ours all over the world and in the last years, we see more and more families here in Europe traveling with these Trunki boosters/backpacks.

Best Travel Booster Seats: For Kids Of All Ages

Are you planning a trip with your child, and need a good booster seat? Preferably one that’s portable and that doesn’t weigh 25 lbs? Lucky for you, you’re in the right place! You’ll only see the best travel booster seats here.

Ones that are used for travel by hundreds of parents just like yourself. All of the booster seats featured in this review are lightweight, portable, and most importantly, safe for your child.

At A Glance: Our Top 3 Picks for Travel Booster Car Seats

  • Best With Harness Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat Jump To Review
  • Best With High-Back Evenflo Big Kid High Back Booster Car Seat Jump To Review
  • Best With Backless BubbleBum Inflatable Backless Booster Car Seat Jump To Review

I found several different types of boosters, which are suitable for children of different ages. Including travel harness seats that are perfectly safe for babies and young toddlers. So, I am pretty sure you will be able to find something that’s a good fit for your child in our detailed review!

Top Product Overview

The best travel booster seats for kids of all ages, best harness booster seats.

Harness booster seats are best suitable for babies and young toddlers. If you’re traveling with a child that is 2 or younger, we recommend one of these travel booster seats.

Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat

This Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat  is definitely one of our favorite harness boosters. It is very lightweight, so it’s fairly easy to carry around the airport. Also , it’s FAA-approved, so you won’t have any issues using it on the plane  – so long as you purchased a booster seat for your child. If you didn’t, you can just check it with the rest of your luggage.

This car seat  comes with a cup holder, which is pretty convenient for a bottle . But it is also removable, in case you don’t need it, or if it takes up too much space.

You can use this as both a forward-facing and a rear-facing booster car seat. However, if you use it as a rear-facing seat on an airplane, the seat in front of it won’t be able to recline, which might be an issue. But if your child weighs less than 22 lbs, the manufacturer strongly recommends that you use this as a rear-facing booster car seat.

Another thing I have to mention is  the price point – this is without a doubt one of the more affordable harness boosters you can find.  Because of that, even if you only use it 2 times, you will pretty much get your money’s worth.

We wouldn’t really recommend this as an everyday booster seat – the harness is nowhere near as elaborate as it should be, and the booster car seat is not too comfortable. There’s not a lot of padding on the seat, and that could be an issue with prolonged use. But it is a really good option as a lightweight and portable seat.

  • Very affordable
  • Lightweight and small
  • FAA approved
  • Not a lot of padding in the seat
  • Doesn’t restrict movement as well as a regular car seat

Product Information

  • Recommended Age Range: Less than 18 months
  • Min/Max Weight Recommended: Up to 40 lbs
  • Product Weight: 10.4 lbs

Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat

Evenflo Tribute LX 2-in-1 Lightweight Convertible Car Seat, Travel Friendly (Saturn Gray)

The Evenflo car seat is a good choice for traveling with babies and young toddlers. It is FAA-approved, so you can use it in an airplane if you have purchased a seat for your child. It can be used both as a rear-facing and forward-facing seat. But, if your child weighs less than 30 lbs, it can only be used as a rear-facing seat.

This is one of the lightest high back seats in our review, at only 9.29 lbs. It is also one of the more affordable options, so it’s great for parents on a budget. You’ll get good value for your money, but don’t expect too much for some $55.

The straps on this booster seat are not the best, and that’s one downside. They don’t feature any pads, and there’s a good chance they’ll cut into your child’s skin – not the most comfortable feature of the chair. However, you can contact the manufacturer and ask them to send you shoulder pads – several customers did this.

This booster car seat is suitable for children that weigh 5-40 lbs, which is about 4 years old max. And it is a very safe booster seat – it meets all applicable Federal Safety Standards, which is one of the main reasons why we recommend it in the first place. Plus, it has a detachable cup holder, which is always convenient in a travel booster seat.

  • Lightweight and affordable
  • Detachable cup holder
  • Harness doesn’t have pads
  • Plastic edges are somewhat harsh
  • Min/Max Weight Recommended: 5-40 lbs
  • Product Weight: Approximately 9.29 lbs

Chicco MyFit Harness + Booster Car Seat

Chicco MyFit Harness + Booster Car Seat, 5-Point Harness and High Back Seat, For children 25-100 lbs. | Fathom/Grey/Blue

This Chicco car seat is definitely one of the best options out there. It is extremely versatile – it is a harness seat that transforms into a regular high-back booster car seat, so your child shouldn’t outgrow it for several years. And it’s also a really good option for an everyday seat, and not just for travels.

There is a slight issue of weight – this is one of the heavier travel car seats. But not by too much –  it weighs 12 lbs , which I think is still lightweight enough that you can use it for family travel. And the extra weight means extra features and more ways to use the booster seat. Perhaps the main reason for the extra weight is the steel frame inside the side, which significantly improves its impact resistance.

The harness mode is suitable for children that are at least 2 years old or weigh at least 25 lbs. This travel booster seat is also FAA-approved, but only in harness mode. As your child grows, you can easily transform the booster car seat to accommodate them.

Chicco MyFit features two dishwasher-safe cup holders, EPS energy foam around the head and torso, latches, dual-density padding, and a contoured design. It is comfortable, safe, easy to install, easy to clean, and pretty lightweight for everything it has to offer. But all of that Chicco goodness comes at a price – and it’s the highest one in this entire review.

  • Very comfortable and secure
  • Versatile – harness mode and booster mode
  • FAA approved (in harness mode)
  • Pretty expensive
  • On the heavier side
  • Recommended Age Range: 2y+ (harness) / 4y+ (booster)
  • Min/Max Weight Recommended: 25-100 lbs
  • Product Weight: 12.1 lbs

Best High Back Boosters (No Harness)

One thing to keep in mind about these boosters is that they are not FAA-approved. They don’t have a harness and airplane seats don’t have lap-shoulder straps that will keep your child safe. These boosters are a good option if you plan to check them at an airport, and not use them during the flight.

Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 Belt-Positioning Booster

Chicco KidFit 2-in-1 Belt Positioning Booster Car Seat

One thing that’s pretty cool about this travel booster seat is that it transforms into a backless booster easily. So, maybe you can use it as a full booster at home, and as a backless booster when you travel.

But because of its lightweight, it’s also perfectly fine as a high-back booster for travel. It is a bit bulky, so we recommend it only if you’re renting a car, and not hopping in and out of taxis and Ubers.

This booster features DuoZone side impact protection (head and shoulder) and latches attachment for the safety of your children. It can also be adjusted in 10 different positions, to accommodate for the growth of your child. The booster car seat is Ergo Boost with double foam padding, and it is actually very soft and comfortable.

There are two cup holders on the booster seat, which are removable, flexible, and dishwasher safe – just like on the Chicco backless booster I’ll show you a bit later. This booster seat is very easy to maintain since both the arm covers and the seat pad are machine washable.

The manufacturer recommends this booster car seat for children that are at least 4 years old. But, we don’t recommend this for younger children that move around a lot, because this type of booster doesn’t restrict their movement, as well as a harness, does. If you’ve only used harness car seats so far, consider whether or not your child is ready to graduate to this type of booster.

  • Comfortable and safe
  • Can be used as both a high back and a backless booster
  • Machine washable
  • Not FAA approved – no harness
  • On the pricier side
  • Recommended Age Range: 4y+
  • Min/Max Weight 30/40-110 lbs
  • Product Weight 10.2 lbs (high back mode)

Evenflo Big Kid High Back Booster Car Seat

Big Kid LX High Back Booster, Denver

If you’re looking for a budget high-back booster,  consider getting this one . It costs less than $40, and it weighs about 8.5 lbs. This is why it’s a good booster for travels – you will easily get your money’s worth even if you only use this on one trip. And it is light enough that you can carry it for hours without dislocating your shoulder.

This is not an FAA-approved high back booster, because it does not have a harness. So, you cannot use this during the flight, and you will need to check it at the airport because it is pretty bulky.

The height of this booster car seat is adjustable to 6 positions – as your child grows, the booster adjusts to accommodate them. And when they get really big, you can remove the back and transform this into a backless booster.

This booster seat has two elastic cup holders, but they don’t make it too wide. In fact, this is a pretty narrow seat (about 15”), and it is a great option for smaller cars. The booster also features seat belt guides on both sides, to ensure the safety of your children.

But the padding in this seat is pretty disappointing. Also, there’s no padding in the armrests – they’re just plastic. The booster is not comfortable enough for really long rides, and that’s why we don’t recommend this as an everyday car seat.

  • Very lightweight and affordable
  • Transforms into a backless booster
  • Height adjustable to 6 positions
  • Not FAA approved
  • No padding in armrests
  • Seat has little padding
  • Min/Max Weight Recommended: 30-110 lbs
  • Product Weight: 8.45 lbs

Graco Highback Turbobooster Car Seat

If you want a reliable brand, Graco is always a great option . The Graco Highback Turbobooster Car Seat features seat belt guides on each side, for the safety of your kids. It doesn’t have a latch system – the seat belt keeps it in place.

And that makes it super portable – there’s no messing around with buckles and latches. Just grab the seat and go. Which will be pretty easy, since the seat weighs only 9 lbs.

The booster seat is not padded too thickly, but it’s still pretty soft. And it should be comfortable for your kids even on longer rides. The adjustable headrest also helps keep your kids comfy.

There are dual cup holders on the booster seat, and they are great for regular bottles. Not so much for water bottles – the cup holders are a little shallow, and the water bottle might fall out when you’re turning.

The seat converts into a backless booster seat for longer use. But also for better portability and versatility. Actually, this is one of the few booster seats that is suitable both for traveling and for daily use. And it’s also pretty cheap, so you will get great value for money with this car seat.

But it’s not FAA approved, so you won’t be able to use the high back version inside an actual airplane. You can use the backless version though, provided that your child is old enough for it.

  • Comfortable for the kids
  • Lightweight and portable
  • No latch system
  • Recommended Age Range: 3-10 years old
  • Min/Max Weight Recommended: 30-100 lbs
  • Product Weight: 9 lbs

Trunki BoostAPak

Surely there’s a way to trick your child into being delighted to carry around their booster seat? Yes, there is, and it is called the Trunki BoostAPak .

It is a children’s backpack that doubles as a booster seat. So, even though it’s not FAA-approved as a travel car seat, you can still bring it on a plane as personal luggage. The backpack part of it has a capacity of 8 liters, which is enough to hold some of your kid’s favorite in-flight toys!

Just remember to take out any snacks or toys your child will need during transport. Once you strap them in this travel car seat, you don’t have access to the backpack.

The internal shell of the BoostAPak is hard, for maximum safety. It also protects the contents of the backpack part, and it is light enough that children can comfortably carry it. Trunki also has armrests and backrests, as well as seat belt guides. In terms of functionality, it does the exact same thing that a regular booster seat does. But it’s about 10 times more fun for the kids.

A downside to the Trunki booster seat is that it is not padded too much, so it won’t be comfortable on long rides. Also, it’s a little bit when it is in backpack mode. Consider the dimensions of the pack, to see whether or not it will be too big for your child.

  • It can be your kid’s personal item on an airplane
  • Fun for the children
  • Versatile and portable
  • A bit big in backpack mode
  • Not heavily padded
  • Recommended Age Range: 4-11 years
  • Dimensions: 15.75” x 14.17” x 6.3”
  • Product Weight: 3.75 lbs

Best Backless Booster Seats

A backless booster seat is without a doubt the most portable option. They’re a lot smaller than high-back car seats, and a lot lighter. But they only work with kids who are a bit older – at least 4-5 years.

Backless booster seats don’t do a lot, in terms of restricting the movement of your children, so they are not a good option for kids that move around a lot. But if your child is able to sit still, then this might be the best travel car seat option for you.

Chicco GoFit Belt-Positioning Backless Booster

Chicco GoFit Backless Booster Car Seat, Travel, Portable Car Booster Seat for children 40-110 lbs. | Shark/Black/Grey

This Chicco backless booster is  a very comfortable option.  The seat is very padded, and your children will stay comfortable even on longer rides. Actually, it features an Ergo Boost countered seat with double padding. Therefore, I think that this is a decent option not just as a travel seat, but also as an everyday seat.

This travel car seat is suitable for children that are older than 4, and weigh between 40 and 110 lbs. At least, that is what the manufacturer recommends.

It features armrests with pop-out armrest covers. The covers are machine washable, as are all the other fabrics on the car seat. And the cup holders are also dishwasher safe, so the entire booster seat is very easy to maintain.

One thing I really like about this portable booster seat is that the cup holders are flexible and removable. So, in case you’re a little bit tight on space, you don’t have to stress about the cups poking out.

As for portability, I’m a little bit torn. On the one hand, it’s definitely more portable than a high-back booster. It is lighter, it has a carry handle and it is fairly small. But then again it’s still a little bulky, and it’s nowhere near as portable as the inflatable booster I’ll show you a bit later. So, this one is up to you.

  • Double foam padding
  • Flexible and removable cup holders
  • Easy to maintain (machine washable)
  • Not the most portable option
  • No latch connectors
  • Min/Max Weight Recommended: 40-110 lbs
  • Product Weight: 5 lbs

BubbleBum Inflatable Backless Booster Car Seat

bubblebum Inflatable Booster Car Seat - Blow Up Narrow Backless Booster Car Seat for Travel. Portable Booster Seat for Toddlers, Kids, Child - Black

As far as portability goes, this is a great booster car seat .  When deflated, this can easily fit into your purse or backpack, and that’s pretty great . That’s why  we recommend this for taxi rides and Uber – you don’t have to carry a booster seat in your hand when you’re walking around the town with your little one . Just deflate it and put it in your purse!

This inflatable booster seat is suitable for children that are 4-11 years old and weighs from 40 to 100 lbs. However, we do not recommend this booster seat if your child moves around a lot even in a high back booster seat – there is the issue of safety.

Another thing worth mentioning is that you can easily fit three of these in the back seat of pretty much any car. They don’t have plastic edges, so that makes it easy to fit three travel car seats even in some really narrow cars.

The booster seat has a valve that’s covered with plastic, and it inflates somewhat when you unscrew the valve. You only need a few breaths to fully inflate it, which is great. And when you are not using the travel car seat, you should always close the valve – unless you want it to partially inflate inside your bag.

This booster seat is great for short uses, or as a backup seat for impromptu playdates. But it’s not something your child will want to sit in every day, because it’s not too comfortable. It is lightweight, portable, and very affordable, so it’s worth trying out for your upcoming trip.

  • Exceptionally portable – fits in your purse
  • Fits in small and narrow spaces
  • Easy to inflate and install
  • Not comfortable for long car rides
  • Some safety concerns
  • Min/Max Weight Recommended: 40-100 lbs
  • Product Weight: 1.2 lbs

mifold Grab-and-Go Car Booster Seat

mifold Original Grab-and-go Car Booster Seat, Perfect Pink – Compact and Portable Booster for Travel, Carpooling and More – Foldable Child Booster Seat Fits into Glove Box and Backpack

Curiosity won me over with this one –  a car seat that folds into a wallet-sized pouch? And that fits into your kid’s backpack?  Sign me up!

Seriously though, the mifold seat is so  innovative and practical  that everyone should try it out. Because, if it turns out your child likes this, it could actually change your life.

In terms of portability, this is the best booster seat available . It’s  lightweight, small, and fits into every carry-on bag . This is also a great seat for narrow spaces since you can easily fit three of them on the back seat of a car. It is also good as an extra seat to have in your car, just in case.

But how does it work, since it is so thin and small? Well, a regular booster seat lifts your child to the position of an adult, so that the seat belt is safe for them. The mifold does the opposite – it lowers the seat belt with the belt guides on each side so that it accommodates the size of your child. And it’s just as safe as a regular booster.

There’s one downside to that – a plain booster seat allows your child to see out the window. This one does not. Also, this is a very thin seat, so it’s not too comfortable. Because of that, I wouldn’t really recommend it for longer rides. But for running around the town on a trip, in and out of taxis and Uber’s with your little one, this is one of the best things you can spend your money on.

  • Innovative design
  • Extremely portable and practical
  • Just as safe as a regular booster
  • No lift – kids can’t see out the window
  • Recommended Age Range: 4-12 years
  • Min/Max Weight Recommended: 40-120 lbs
  • Product Weight: 1.7 lbs

Finding The Right Travel Booster Car Seat

If this is your first trip with your child, you probably need some guidance. And we some tips on how to choose the right booster car seat for travel!

Why Not Your Everyday Booster?

Because they are heavy. When you have to manage your child, a stroller, a diaper bag, your own bag, and a booster seat, weight plays a big part.

That’s why you want to get a booster seat designed specifically for travel. It is much easier to move around the airport with a 10lb booster than one that weighs two or three times more.

Backless booster seats would be the obvious choice if we were concerned only about the weight. But, we are also concerned about your child’s comfort, safety and age – you can’t really put a 3-year-old in a backless booster seat.

So, we found some lightweight high-back booster seats that you’ll love. Most of them are pretty affordable, weigh 10 lbs or less and you can bring them on an airplane without any issues.

And then we’ll also show you several backless, foldable, and even inflatable booster seats that can pretty much fit in your carry-on.

How Will You Use The Booster Seat?

Do you need a seat just for the airplane ride, or do you plan to use it multiple times a day while you’re traveling? While you are in and out of taxis or do you plan to rent a car? Do you expect your kid to carry their booster seat, or will you do that?

Those are all questions you need to consider if you’re not sure which type is right for you. If you’re renting a car and you’ll be driving around a lot, then I think you will be fine with a high-back booster seat. But if you’re going to take taxis, then definitely consider a backless booster seat – think of going sightseeing with your little one, and lugging around a high-back booster seat while trying to take cute photos.

Obviously,  that only applies to children that are actually ready for backless boosters. And that is really an individual thing – most manufacturers recommend their backless booster seats for children that are at least 4 years old.

But is your 4-year-old really capable of sitting still and not fidgeting around while you drive? That’s another question that should help you choose between high back and backless travel car seats.

Car Safety Laws

Most countries have pretty different car safety laws. That’s something you should always check before you travel.  Maybe the country you are going to requires a specific type of car seat, and maybe they don’t require children your age to be in car seats at all.

Did you know that the European Union prohibits rear-facing car seats in the passenger seat unless the airbag is deactivated? While only two US states have the same law. Anyway, here are som e useful links that could help you prepare yourself for your next trip:

  • UK Car Seats Laws
  • European Union Car Seats Laws
  • USA Car Seats Laws (For Different States)
  • Australia Car Seats Laws

And if you’re traveling to a completely different country, Google is your best friend! :>

Travel Booster Car Seats: Our Favorite Choices

All of the car seats featured in this review have very high ratings and are highly recommended. You’ll be okay whichever one you get. But, I still loved some more than the others, so here are my top three recommendations – one in each booster category.

For a booster seat  with a harness, it was either the Chicco MyFit or the Cosco . I decided to go with the Cosco Scenera because it is the lighter and more affordable option . And ultimately, better for travel. This car seat is FAA-approved, meaning you can use it inside the cabin.

It is suitable for children that weigh up to 40 lbs, so you could get several years of use out of it. Especially because you can use it with babies as a rear-facing seat as well .

When you’re considering if an object is portable, its weight is one of the first things you look at. The Evenflo Booster Car Seat is the lightest high-back booster we featured, and so it is our favorite . It’s also the cheapest one, and it actually costs less than some backless travel car seats .

The affordability, portability, and ease of use are definitely reasons enough to get this car seat for your upcoming trip. And it will keep your child safe in case of a crash, which is more important than everything else .

  • 2 seats in 1 removable back for easy transition to a no-back booster
  • One-hand, 6 position height adjustment to accommodate growing children longer

For me, it was a close call between the mifold and the BubbleBum boosters . But I think the BubbleBum is the better option because it is much more comfortable to sit on. It is an inflatable booster, so it’s super portable.

When you deflate it, it can easily fit in your purse, and you can carry it everywhere. And it inflates super quickly when you want to use it. It is definitely one of the best options for children that are old enough for backless booster seats.

  • The Ultimate Travel Booster Car Seat - Unlock the convenience of the USA’s Original backless inflatable booster seat. BubbleBum is the only inflatable childrens booster seat for your car with a patented system to guarantee stability and comfort on every journey.
  • Safety You Can Count On – BubbleBums patented ComfortMax technology exceeds all US federal car safety standards (FMVSS213) for booster car seats 40 lbs and up to 100 lbs. Your car booster seat comes with a seat belt positioning clip for optimal seat belt fit and comfort.

Head over to Amazon to see what other traveling parents are saying about these booster car seats, and check out their prices!

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The 6 Best Travel Booster Car Seats 2022 and How to Choose a Travel Booster Seat

  • January 4, 2021 September 14, 2022
  • by Natalie Mak

Whenever and wherever you travel, your kid’s security, comfort, and safety are above all. And a travel booster car seat will provide that all. The good news for you would be to hear that whether you are planning to rent a car or going to keep your kid secure on a flight, you don’t need to take the car seat you use every day in your car or spend additional sums of money on a rented car seat. Just buy the best travel booster seat and enjoy your family vacation.

So here goes the question: How to choose the best travel booster car seat for my child? While cupholders, play trays, and car seat hooks for toys are great accessories for your everyday car trips at home, you should look for other features in travel booster car seats. And ease of installation in any vehicle and security are the most important here.

As usual, we are providing your with our deep insight after consulting a number of experts, analyzing all the specifications and characteristics of the most popular travel booster car seats, reading hundreds of reviews and consumer reports, communicating with families about their own experience of using travel boosters, and, finally, testing them ourselves. And this has brought us to the point where we are ready to share our list of top travel booster car seats for children.

Top 6  Portable Travel Booster Car Seats for Toddlers

#1. best travel booster car seat for safe family travels: trunki boostapak.

The 6 Best Travel Booster Car Seats 2022 and How to Choose a Travel Booster Seat

Trunki BoostApak

The Trunki booster seat is the best choice for children to use on a trip. Besides being a travel booster, it is also a cool backpack that can be taken on a plane as hand luggage.

The   Trunki BoostApak is not just some mere booster travel car seat; it’s also a hand luggage approved child’s bag! It is equipped with padded straps for your child’s comfort and a capacity of 8 liters. This allows packing the child’s stuff such as toys, snacks, games, books, and other vital things, and when needed, the BoostApak is converted into an EU-certified booster. And the most amazing thing is that you don’t even need to unpack it before converting it into a seat. The internal shell made from hard plastic protects all the contents and provides the maximum strength in a car accident.

It is extremely easy to turn it from a backpack into a booster, but we advise you to practice it once or twice before leaving.

For some reason, the Trunki car seat is considered to be the ‘European’ booster. Perhaps, this is due to the fact that it was approved for use in the EU and isn’t yet present on the US market. Therefore, you can buy it on Amazon UK only, not on Amazon US.

  • Suitable for kids aged 4-11 and weighing 30-80 lbs;
  • Easy to use in a booster mode;
  • Safe thanks to seat belt adjuster and fold-out seatbelt guides;
  • Approved as hand luggage by many airlines;

The Not So Good:

  • May be heavy to carry for younger children (the empty Trunki BoostApak weighs 3.8 lbs).

#2. Best Compact and Easy-to-Use Travel Booster Car Seat: MiFold Grab-and-Go

MiFold Grab-and-Go

The MiFold Grab-and-Go is an amazing option for families who pack large suitcases and take lots of stuff on family trips. This model has all the features you’d want to see in a travel booster.

Lightweight. Compact. Foldable. Very small! The MiFold Grab-and-Go is actually 10 times smaller than a regular booster. Can you imagine that?

Its small size (10 in long and 2 in thick) makes it easy to travel with this booster just keeping it in your handbag, backpack, or your kid’s bag. The three of these can be easily fitted in the backseat row even if your vehicle is rather small and narrow. It meets or exceeds the safety standards by fitting the seatbelt of the car to your kid. The only disadvantage may be noticed during long car trips as the Mifold travel booster car seat won’t ‘boost’ the height of your child so the view may be a bit restricted. Younger children will need some help to get buckled up.

If you find the Mifold concept pretty good, we recommend that you check out the Mifold One The Non-Folding Grab-and-Go Booster. It is similar in features and size, but the only difference is that it is flat.

  • Suitable for kids aged 4-12 and weighing 40-100 lbs;
  • Perfect fit thanks to the lap belt clip and shoulder positioning guides;
  • Strong metal chassis ensure durability;
  • Extremely compact and great for use in small cars;
  • Incredibly easy to carry and clean.
  • May provide a restricted view for some kids.

#3. Best Lightweight, Compact, and… Inflatable Travel Booster Car Seat: BubbleBum

The BubbleBum inflatable travel booster car seat is a lifesaver for families who are planning to travel for a long time.

The BubbleBum is positioned as an inflatable booster seat, but in reality, it has more memory foam than air. And this means that it is safe enough to protect your kid even if it is punctured during a car accident.

It takes around 20 seconds to inflate the Bubble booster seat to start using it. When needed, it quickly deflates and can be folded and placed in hand luggage or usual bag. The seat is designed to be used with a 3-point adult seat belt, and the side lap belt clips and shoulder positioning belt clip will keep the little passenger comfortable and safe.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has rated it as the “Best Bet” booster seat 8 times in a row. The BubbleBum car seat is the lightest and cheapest travel booster car seat for 4-year-old and older children we have reviewed. However, due to its small size, we cannot be sure it will suit longer journeys.

  • Lightweight and easy to store;
  • Inflates and deflates fast and folds to a very compact size;
  • Has its own storage bag;
  • Made from durable materials.
  • May not be convenient for long rides.

#4. Best  Foldable Travel Booster Car Seat : Hifold Fit-and-Fold by Mifold

Hifold Fit-and-Fold

The Hifold Fit-and-Fold High-Back Booster has an amazing concept and is great looking travel booster seat which is also very comfortable and safe.

Named the world’s most adjustable high-back booster, Hifold has 243 individual settings implemented which help keep your kid comfortable and safe. It can be adjusted in four areas: body width, head width, seat width, and height. This means the Hifold grows with your kid and, despite the shape and size of your child, it ensures optimal comfort and seatbelt fit.

This high-back travel booster car seat meets or exceeds the NHTSA safety standards and has 6 impact-protection zones and a 4-layer design for the best level of protection. It is also very easy to unfold and fold, which is done in 4 simple steps. When folded down, it is extremely easy to store it and carry using a convenient shoulder strap.

The manufacturer recommends that children use a 5-point harness for as long as possible.

  • Suitable for kids aged 4-12 and weighing 33-100 lbs;
  • Has 243 settings and grows with your child;
  • Easy to fold and unfold;
  • Easy to carry;
  • Good seat belt fit.
  • Might take longer to set up.

#5. Best Travel Booster Car Seat for Any Journey: WAYB Pico

Though it is the most expensive car seat we have reviewed here, the WAYB Pico is a top portable booster seat for travel as it does everything it is designed to do.

The WAYB Pico is just the best match for any type of trip you’re up to. Whether it’s a long journey by the car or a flight, this travel booster car seat will definitely make your life easier. Being one of the most innovative and compact children’s seats on the modern market, it folds and unfolds in one simple movement. The carrying bag allows wearing the travel car seat as a tote or backpack, or just hang it on the luggage.

The Pico is able to fit practically anywhere be it a backseat in a narrow car or a plane seat. The seatbelt installation is quite easy, and you can use the lower anchors all the time as they are very easy to install. The materials it is made from are eco-friendly and recyclable. The travel bag is included!

  • Suitable for kids aged 2 and older and weighing 22-50 lbs;
  • Aluminum frame;
  • Compact, foldable, and lightweight;
  • Removable shoulder strap covers;
  • Eco-friendly materials;
  • Tether might be short for some vehicles.

#6. Best Portable and Easy to Set Up Travel Booster Car Seat: RideSafer Travel Vest

RideSafer Travel Vest

The RideSafer travel vest is the second most expensive piece reviewed by us, but it’s totally worth its price due to its amazing functions, convenience, and safety.

The RideSafer Travel Vest is a great alternative to travel boosters as it is lightweight and compact. Also, it can be named the top travel car seat for 3-year-old kids. However, if compared to travel boosters available on the market, its price is quite high. The vest takes minimum luggage space and is perfect for small and narrow cars so fitting the three of these in a row is no problem at all.

Though the RideSafer might seem to provide less protection to the child than any other travel booster car seat, it’s smartly designed to maintain the seatbelt of the vehicle in a proper position. The shoulder belt is kept away from the kid’s neck but is held strictly in place, and this makes the little passenger feel more comfortable during the car trip. The lap belt is positioned below the abdomen of the kid, thus, providing better protection to the internal organs.

  • 2 sizes to be a great fit for kids aged 3-10 weighing 30-80 lbs;
  • Lightweight, small, and easy to pack and carry with you in a backpack or hand luggage;
  • Perfect seatbelt positioning;
  • Certified for use in the USA.

Buyer’s Guide

When looking for the best travel booster car seat for your child and the type of trip you are going to take, you need to keep in mind some tips. We at Caring Parents’ Choice have analyzed and pointed out the most important factors to pay your attention to.

How to Find the Right Travel Booster Car Seat?

no travel booster car seat

Let us assume it will be your first trip with your child and you need some guidance, and let us answer the most popular question here: Cannot I use our everyday booster ? The answer is: You definitely wouldn’t want that! Just imagine it. You need to manage your kid, the stroller, the diaper bag, your bag, and a weighty booster. What if just one member of your family is traveling with the child?

This gets us to the point where you will come up with the decision to find and buy a special travel booster car seat that was designed for travels. It is much easier to move around with a lightweight booster or the one that folds and fits into a small bag or child’s luggage. Also, it should be packed with some other important things.

The safest type of travel boosters is considered to be a high-back booster with ‘wings’ because this one provides the best side-impact protection to neck and head. However, it isn’t convenient to carry ‘high-backers’ when traveling long distances. 

Versatility

There are booster seats that were designed to serve a handful of purposes, and this is a great option if your luggage space is limited.

Size and Weight

Some travel booster car seats are perfect for days out and local journeys, while others suit longer family trips where you won’t be able to carry much of the luggage. You can find some good lightweight and compact options of travel booster car seats.

Mind Local Laws

It is important to check the laws for booster car seats in the country you are planning to visit. Below we have compiled some links on the car seat rules for a number of destinations. Please be informed that car seat requirements and laws may change frequently, so it is your own responsibility to do good research before setting out on a journey.

  • Car seat rules in the United States of America  (different states have different laws!).
  • Car seat rules in the United Kingdom of Great Britain .
  • Car seat rules in Australia .
  • Car seat rules in Canada .
  • Car seat requirements differ for European countries. The law requires children to be of minimum height 4 ft 1 (125 cm) and weigh at least 49 lbs (22 kg) to use a backless booster. In many countries across Europe (for instance, in the UK, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Sweden, Denmark, etc.), children are allowed to use a regular seat starting with the height of 4 ft 4 (135 cm). But other countries, such as Germany, Poland, Italy, Slovenia, Switzerland, Austria, Portugal, require children under 12 years old and under 4 ft 9 (150 cm) to stay in a booster seat.
  • Across many Asian countries, car seat requirements are somewhat relaxed. However, Singapore has different regulations. 

We encourage you to look into the laws of the country you are willing to visit to avoid unpleasant surprises on the road.  

We recommend that you sit with your child if possible and watch him/her when using a backless booster seat because children can change their position in the car seat and it may be unsafe.

Install the travel booster car seat in the middle backseat of your vehicle. Professionals state that in the middle is the safest position for a child in a car seat.

Before you set out on a trip, practice to fit the travel child car seat into the motor vehicle. Some models are easy to install while others may need a bit more effort.

Using a Travel Booster Seat on an Airplane

When looking for a portable car booster seat, you have to remember that boosters are not approved by the FAA, and this means you cannot use one on a plane. For safety reasons, this is okay as your kid is over 40 lbs and the plane seatbelt will properly secure him/her.

So if you travel to another place and need to bring a travel booster car seat with you and you don’t want it to be lost or damaged (these are pretty common problems), you should opt for a booster that would fold. We have already reviewed them, and they are awesome. Not only do these boosters look great but they are also small to fit the overhead bin of the airplane or your kid’s carry-on backpack.

To ensure the travel booster car seat you’ve chosen will be perfect for your trip, check the following requirements:

  • Your kid has to meet the minimum age and size requirements to use the booster (and every seat has its standards so don’t hesitate to check them out);
  • Your kid has to be grown-up enough to use the booster seat correctly and sit straight;
  • If you’re traveling outside the USA, make sure your kid meets the booster seat requirements of the country you are visiting. Some have stricter rules.

When can my child start using a travel booster car seat?

Most children start using the booster correctly only after they reach the age of 5. However, some kids can handle this responsibility at the age of 7 or 8. Our advice would be not to rush them into the seat. Remember, it’s all about safety! If your kid cannot sit properly in the travel booster, it may not keep him/her safe in a car crash.

Should I check the car seat before I fly?

You can check the travel booster car seat for free, and most airlines provide this opportunity. However, think twice whether it is a good idea to bring the car seat with you as it may be handled as roughly as other luggage, be damaged when tossed, or lost. If safety on the plane is your consideration, the  FAA recommends  that the littles use car seats on the plane, which is safer than parents’ arms.

Will I need a booster seat bag?

If your portable child car seat doesn’t come with a special bag for its storage, you can buy one separately. Whether you really need it is a matter of preference and convenience. Some find it convenient to carry the travel booster car seat in a bag with a shoulder strap or put the booster seat bag on the wheeled luggage.

What’s the best travel booster car seat?

We cannot name one as the best variant for you as you need to evaluate all the options yourself choosing the booster for the needs of your child that would also match the height/weight requirements and the type of a journey your family is willing to set out on.

Final Words

Traveling is fun, and safe travels have to be a #1 issue for every responsible parent. If you are considering the option of buying and using a travel booster car seat, you should definitely do that without hesitation. When choosing the best model for your needs and the type of trip, you can be sure you’ll enjoy your safe family vacation to the fullest.

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Natalie Mak

Natalie has helped many families and children. Now she is a mom to a smart little girl and also a dedicated writer. She is a real expert in everything that concerns baby psychology and development. Natalie adores sports, traveling, and Indian cuisine and loves being useful and helping people to make this world a better place.

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The Best Travel Car Seats

Three of our top picks for the best travel car seats, shown side by side.

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

travel car seat trunki

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

travel car seat trunki

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.

travel car seat trunki

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.

travel car seat trunki

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.

travel car seat trunki

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.

travel car seat trunki

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.

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.

A person pushing a Doona stroller.

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.

Our pick for the best infant car seat for travel, the Chicco KeyFit 35.

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.

The KeyFit 35 strapped into the backseat of a car with a seatbelt threaded across the lap of the car seat.

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.

An infant sitting inside the Doona secured in car rear seating.

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.

The canopy of the Doona extended over the head of the smiling infant sitting inside the stroller.

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.

Our pick for the best convertible car seat for travel, the Cosco Scenera Next.

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 Cosco 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 Coscos and one infant car seat) across in her family’s car.

The Cosco car seat secured in rear car seating.

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, our pick for best harness booster seat for travel.

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) 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.

A closeup showing the five-point harness of the Cosco Finale 2-in-1.

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.

The Britax Travel Cart.

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.

A person pulling the Britax Travel Cart with a bulky convertible car seat on it.

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.

Our pick for the best booster seat for travel, the Cosco Rise.

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.

A view of the Cosco Rise booster seat showing the strap that attaches to the vehicle's shoulder belt.

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 very 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 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 recently 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 $25 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

A headshot of Christina Szalinski

Christina Szalinski

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

travel car seat trunki

Rebecca Gale

Further reading

Our three picks for the best booster car seat, arranged in a row.

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.

Two infant car seats side by side, with baby toys.

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 two travel strollers we recommend, the Uppababy Minu V2 and the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Stroller, standing next to each other.

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.

Highway sign indicating meltdown ahead in half mile.

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.

  • Planning a First Family Vacation
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Best Travel Booster Seat Models

Last update: January 9th, 2024 at 02:59 pm

Best Travel Booster Seats

We travel frequently as a family and I cannot tell you how happy it made me when my kids finally graduated to a travel booster seat. In fact, all of those milestones where we could shed some gear or luggage were momentous occasions. Goodbye suitcase full of special organic baby food ! Goodbye bulky travel car seat ! Goodbye travel stroller ! Still, finding the right travel booster car seat was not without its challenges. If you, too, are on the search for the best travel booster seat, I will share with you here my top picks.

Important Disclaimer:  I intend for the information on this website to serve as a general overview on matters of interest derived from my experience traveling with my own children. I am not an expert on the subject and safety of travel booster seats. I attempt to ensure that the content is current and accurate but I do not guarantee its currency and accuracy.

Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Table of Contents

Travel Booster Seat Comparison Chart

In this post, I have tried to outline everything you should consider when purchasing a travel booster car seat. Some of you, however, may just be interested in getting straight to the list of the best ones. If so, please see the following comparison chart.

What You Should Know About Travel Booster Seats

Travel booster seat safety.

A child that has out-grown their car seat (40+ lbs and 4+ years old) is safest in a booster seat. The primary job of a booster seat (whether a high back or backless version) is to correctly position a car’s seatbelt over a child’s chest, shoulders and hips. It is generally agreed upon by experts that a child is safest when secured in a high back booster seat because of the extra support and protection it provides for a child’s head and neck. Quite frankly, however, a high back booster seat is not the most practical to travel with and therefore most portable booster seats for travel are backless (=smaller and lighter). I want to be clear, however, that this list of the best travel car booster seats does not compromise on safety as it only contains booster seats that meet or exceed safety standards in the markets where they are sold. *

*Please note: Occasionally, you can find a travel car booster seat listed through an online seller that is not approved for use in your country. I know, because I once really wanted a travel booster seat I had seen in Europe (the Trunki BoostAPak) and I was able to find it from a local online seller, despite it not having Canadian safety approval (where I live). I ended up buying it at Heathrow Airport and using it for a driving trip around Europe (where it was approved). I just never used it at home (I am a rigorous rule follower by nature.)

Different Countries Have Different Rules

The laws surrounding the use of booster car seats can differ greatly by country (and sometimes by state or province). In Canada for example, most provinces require that a child from 40-80lbs and under 4’9″ (145cm) use a booster seat. In Costa Rica, however, children 4-12 years are required to use a booster seat (and a  high back booster if they are 4-6 years old). In contrast, many developing countries have few, if any, rules surrounding the use of car seats and booster seats. I encourage you to research your destination ahead of time. (See, for example, booster seat rules for the U.S.A and Canada  here.)

It should also be noted that in many cities taxis are exempt from the typical booster seat laws. In Sydney, Australia, for example, you are not required to use a booster or travel car seat for 4 year olds when traveling by taxi, but they would need to be secured in an approved restraint or booster seat when using a car service or ride share service such as Uber.

Booster Seat Approval is Not Universal

Different countries have different standards and regulations when it comes to the sale and use of booster seats. For example, my favorite portable booster car seat for travel (The Trunki BoostAPak) is approved for use in most countries in Europe, but not in Canada or the U.S. The inflatable BubbleBum booster seat, which I am also quite fond of, is approved for use in the U.S. and most of Europe, but not in Canada. The very popular mifold booster seat is approved for use in Canada, the USA, and Europe, but they have different models depending on the regulatory requirements for each market (a mifold booster sold in the USA is meant for use in the USA).

Australia presents some unique challenges for family travelers as the sale of backless booster seats is no longer permitted. I fully understand that this can create quite a conundrum for traveling parents as I have lived it ! This is also one of the reasons I ended up owning 4 different lightweight booster seats for travel. (Did I mention that I am a rigorous rule follower?)  Hopefully, you can get away with just one.

Is there a High Back Travel Booster Seat?

In October 2019, a high back booster seat with hit the market (from the people who make the mifold ). The hifold booster seat will be a foldable high back travel booster seat, designed to meet the regulatory requirement of counties around the world, including Australia ! Take a quick peek at the video or see our full post on the hifold travel booster seat . I can’t wait  !

Is There a Single Booster Solution?

I would love if this list included the perfect compact booster seat for travel that could also be used as your go-to car booster at home. As mentioned earlier, I owned 4 different travel booster car seats over the years, but none of them replaced my children’s car boosters at home. The thing is, when you are dealing with a lightweight booster seat for travel, there are some features that you are giving up in favor of portability. What a travel booster seat offers in terms of convenience, it often gives up in comfort, because comfort  (as well as added features such as drink and snack holders), increases bulk and weight. That said, I do realize that a portable booster car seat can be a great solution at home for carpooling, taxis, and ride sharing services such as Lyft and Uber.

When Should You Consider a Travel Booster Car Seat?

I think you should consider purchasing a travel booster seat in the following situations:

  • If you will be driving around with family or friends at your travel destination who don’t own, or have access to an approved booster seat.
  • If you are worried about the availability, cleanliness or the quality of a booster seat offered by your chosen car rental company. There is some comfort in not having to leave this to chance.
  • If you will be using a taxi, ride sharing or car service at your destination that does not offer booster seats (most don’t). Local laws may not require that your child ride in a booster seat in a taxi even though they would obviously be safer that way.* Drivers for ride sharing services such as Uber and Lyft, however, usually have to adhere to the regular car and booster seat regulations for the region. While both companies are testing a fee based car seat service options (+$10/ride) in select cities, in most places, you risk having your ride canceled if you don’t have your own age/size appropriate booster seat.

*Note: I can recall one harrowing taxi ride from JFK into Manhattan where we had our baby secured in a travel car seat, but our 3 year old son was in a regular seatbelt where he was sliding back and forth in the car as the driver erratically changed lanes on the highway. It wasn’t my proudest parenting moment. By the time our next trip came around, I had discovered the BubbleBum inflatable booster seat that became a travel essential for us.

When Might You Pass on a Travel Booster Seat?

  • If you can make use of Uber or Lyft car seat service – available in New York City, Washington (D.C.), Philadelphia, and Orlando (Lyft is currently New York only). As a user, you are charged an extra $10 per ride and the service includes 1 car seat. When this service is available, it will show up in the app, although I would research it prior to your trip to see if your child will fit in the seat. For example, at the time of this post (Feb. 2019)  Uber Car Seat New York states that their seats are suitable for a child who is at least (a) 12 months old AND (b) 22-47 lbs AND (c) 31-52 inches.
  • If you can find a reputable car service that will provide a travel booster seat (such as Kidmoto in NYC). I have also sometimes used the help of my hotel and TripAdvisor travel forums to find a suitable car service.

Booster Seat on Airplane – Not Allowed

Although of course it is great to know that you will not need to bring a bulky car seat with you once your child has graduated to a travel booster car seat, you should be aware that you cannot use a booster seat on a plane. The reason for this is that for use on an airplane, a travel car seat must be designed for use with a lap seat belt only. All the best travel car booster seats are designed to be used with a 3 point lap and shoulder belt. Your options on an airplane with a child of 2 years or more, is to seat them in the regular airplane seat, use an FAA certified car seat or a Child Airplane Travel Harness . It should be noted that the Cares Airplane Safety Harness is only suitable for children up to 44 lbs and is not for use in vehicles.

Where Things Go Sideways

I want to mention one other thing. On occasion, despite my best efforts to keep my kids safe in vehicles while traveling, my plans have been foiled. I have very inconveniently dragged travel car seats and travel boosters seats to distant lands (generally developing countries or remote islands) only to discover that seat belts just weren’t a thing . Sometimes back seats weren’t even a thing. While writing this post, I discussed this subject with a globetrotting and safety-conscious friend who had just returned from a trip to Bali with her husband and 4 children. She described the fact that she had toted along a booster seat for their youngest as “ridiculous” since the cars they rode in did not have seatbelts. While I am big on safety, sometimes your best efforts will be thwarted. If you are traveling to a developing country, do keep this in mind.*

*Note: In such places, you can still usually find a car service that will have a decent car with seatbelts. You will just have to pay a premium for it.

Best Travel Booster Seat Options

1. mifold grab and go booster.

The mifold Grab-and-Go booster seat is the most compact booster seat for travel currently available on the market. At 10x smaller than a regular child’s car booster, its compact design makes getting around easier for school carpools, holidays and taxi rides – while providing the safety of a traditional booster seat. Take a peek at it in this video :

  • Suitable for children 4 years and up that are 40 to 100 lbs, and 40 to 57 inches tall.
  • Dimensions are 1 x 13 x 7 inches.
  • Made from aircraft grade aluminum and super tough plastic for superior impact resistance.
  • Designed for occasions when a traditional booster seat is not available or practical.
  • Folds up to fit into a child’s backpack, glove compartment or bag. 
  • Easy to clean with soap and water (air dry).
  • For regulatory reasons, there are different versions of this product for different geographical markets. Please see mifold’s regulatory requirements by country so you can select the appropriate model.
  • Read reviews and check prices for the U.S.A. , Canada and Europe .
  • Can easily fit in a backpack or suitcase.
  • Can fit in even very small car back seats.
  • It is not the most comfortable. Some kids say it is like sitting on a board.
  • The child is not “boosted” up meaning they can’t see out the windows of a car as well as with a traditional booster seat.

mifold Original grab-and-go Car Booster Seat, Slate Gray, Compact and Portable Booster for Travel, Carpooling and More, Foldable Child Seat Fits into Glove Box and Backpack, Slate Grey

2. Hifold Travel Booster Seat

Taking pre-orders as of October, 2019, the hifold portable booster seat looks like it is going to big a big hit.

hifold by mifold

hifold Travel Booster Features:

  • Weighs only 10.3 lbs.
  • Suitable for children weighing 33-100 lbs. and 36″ to 59″ tall.
  • It’s unique “multi-fit” technology can be adjusted to 243 individual settings.
  • Can be adjusted in 4 areas (the seat, body, head width, and height).
  • hifold grows with the child and ensures optimal seatbelt fit and comfort.
  • hifold folds down to a compact and convenient size for storage.
  • Carry strap make hifold great for taking on vacation, moving from car to car or for carpooling and taxis. 
  • Meets or exceeds NHTSA standard FMVSS 213 and is regulated for global use almost everywhere around the world.
  • Read reviews and check availably for the hifold booster here .

mifold hifold fit-and-fold Highback Booster Seat, – Adjustable Narrow, Foldable Booster Car Seat for Everyday, Travel, Carpooling and More – Racing Red

3. The BubbleBum Booster Car Seat

The BubbleBum booster seat is a pretty good travel booster seat solution. It is very compact and you simply need to inflate it, attach it, and go. It is really quite comfortable for kids and also gives them that extra “boost” so they can easily see out the vehicle windows. Take a peek at the BubbleBum inflatable seat in this video :

  • Suitable for children 4-11 years and 40–100 lbs.
  • Dimensions are 12 x 6 x 4 inches (when stored).
  • Perfect for vacations, car rentals, car pools and tight “three across” fits because of the small, narrow and light design.
  • When deflated, it easily fits in your backpack or tote bag making family life easier!
  • Read reviews and check prices for the  BubbleBum Booster here.
  • Very compact size for travel. Can easily fit in a suitcase or backpack.
  • Quite comfortable to sit on.
  • Seat area size is a bit small for older children.
  • You have to blow it up (extra time at your destination).

bubblebum Inflatable Booster Car Seat - Blow Up Narrow Backless Booster Car Seat for Travel. Portable Booster Seat for Toddlers, Kids, Child - Black

4. The Ride Safer Travel Vest

Like I said, we tried them all ! We used an earlier model of the RideSafter Travel Vest on a trip to Barbados. While it definitely provided a solution, quite frankly it was not my favorite. It was nice because it could lay flat on the top of our carry-on bag without taking up too much room. That said, my daughter never seemed comfortable in it and she sat quite low in the car which didn’t allow her to see very well out the window. That said, I want to make sure you see all the options in this post !

Take a peek at the RideSafer Travel Vest in this video :

  • Suitable and recommended for use with children 30 pounds to 60 pounds.
  • Dimensions are 15 x 9 x 5 inches.
  • An alternative to booster seats and car seats. Certified for use in motor vehicles in the USA. 
  • Tested with lap only seatbelts plus tether and lap/shoulder belt to meet certification and performance standards according to FMVSS 213.\
  • Read and check prices for the  Ride Safer Travel Vest here.
  • Doesn’t take up much room in a suitcase
  • Can take more time to secure your child in than some other booster seats*.

*Tip: One user said she would put her child in the vest before hailing a cab so it wouldn’t take so long to get them into the car.

Ride Safer Delight Travel Vest, Small Black – Includes Tether and Neck Pillow

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  • Best Travel Baby Carrier
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Trunki BoostApak Booster Seat - Pink 326089

(202)

Trunki BoostApak Booster Seat - Pink

  • Dual Functionality Backpack : Yes
  • Weight of Child : 15 to 36kg

1 Select Product Options

2 book child seat demo.

Please Note: One of our trained colleagues will demonstrate to you how to correctly fit and remove your chosen seat. Giving you the confidence to fit yourself 

3 Check Availability

Trunki BoostApak Booster Seat - Pink

Description

Trunki boostapak booster seat.

  • Eliminates the need for you to hire a second hand car seat when renting a vehicle on holiday
  • Prevents you finding yourself short of a booster seat when going to school
  • Ergonomically designed to protect growing spines and encourage better posture
  • Hard plastic shell makes the BoostApak ultra durable
  • Unique patented fold-out seat belt guides for ease of use
  • Hi-visibility horns and reflective trim for added visibility
  • Removable cover for cleaning
  • BoostApak is certified to regulation ECE R44.04
  • Suitable for ages 4 -11 yrs
  • ID tag included for your child to write their own name on

The pink Trunki BoostApak is a superb child's rucksack that doubles up as a booster seat. The law requires that all children under 12 years old or 135cm in height must use a booster seat and the BoostApack allows you to always have one with you.The pink BoostApak has space for your child to store their belongings in and then can be folded out to create a trendy booster seat. The seat is designed to help to protect your child's growing spine as well as helping to encourage better posture. With hi-visibility horns and a reflective trim the Trunki BoostApak not only looks trendy it creates added visibility helping your child to be noticed when out and about with their back pack on. The cover can be removed for cleaning to ensure it stays looking clean and smelling fresh.

Specification

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Free fitting demonstration

Free fitting demonstration

Get a free fitting demonstration by one of our RoSPA accreddited experts in over 400 stores nationwide when you purchase a car seat through Halfords.

Price match promise

Price match promise

We price match leading retailers daily. If you find a cheaper price, we'll match it!

Click and Collect in only 1 hour

Click and Collect in only 1 hour

Through our Click & Collect service, you can order an item online for collection in any of our stores and choose a collection day that suits you - and you can often collect your product within one hour!

Expert advice to help find the perfect seat

Expert advice to help find the perfect seat

Get expert advice in store or online via our handy buyer's guides.

Free safety checks for the lifetime of your seat

Free safety checks for the lifetime of your seat

Benefit from free safety checks by one of our experts in over 400 stores nationwide. Simply pop into store as often as you want for that added peace of mind.

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travel car seat trunki

3 tips on how to travel with a baby in the car

Setting off on a road trip with little ones is thrilling but also comes with worries about their safety and comfort. let's discuss why a reliable baby car seat is a must for every family..

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3 tips on how to travel with a baby in the car

As parents, setting on a road trip with our little ones can be both exciting and daunting. The anticipation of creating lasting memories together is often accompanied by concerns about keeping our precious kids and companions safe and comfortable throughout the journey. One essential aspect of ensuring a smooth and worry-free ride is investing in a reliable baby car seat.

Let's talk about why baby car seats are not just an optional accessory, but a crucial safety measure for every family. Picture this: you're driving along a busy highway, and suddenly, you need to hit the brakes hard. With a properly installed car seat, you can manoeuvre and put the brakes on with that added peace of mind. Baby car seats provide a secure and snug environment for your little one, giving you that extra bit of cushion while driving, afterall you know that your baby is protected with the right mechanism, and additional safety measures deployed around baby car seats.

1. SAFETY FIRST

travel car seat trunki

IMAGES

  1. Boostapak

    travel car seat trunki

  2. Trunki BoostApak Travel Backpack Booster Car Seat (Green): Amazon.co.uk

    travel car seat trunki

  3. Trunki Boostapak Group 2/3 Car Booster Seat, Black Stars at John Lewis

    travel car seat trunki

  4. Trunki BoostApak Travel Backpack Booster Car Seat (Green): Amazon.co.uk

    travel car seat trunki

  5. Trunki Boost-a-Pak :: The ultimate travel car seat.

    travel car seat trunki

  6. Best Travel Booster Car Seats 2020 And How To Choose A Travel Booster

    travel car seat trunki

VIDEO

  1. 🚗🧳 #1 Travel Car Seat! #youtubeshorts #shorts

  2. Looking for the travel car seat? The WAYB Pico has you covered! Shop on Strolleria.com #waybpico

  3. Britax Cypress™ infant car seat and Alpine™ base

  4. 1 Second Everyday 2024

  5. Travel Smarter with Aerotrunk: Best Value Suitcases!

  6. Trunki Boostapak vs Mifold

COMMENTS

  1. uy Portable Car Seat Backpacks Car Seat Backpacks

    Regular priceSale price£5.99. Unit price/ per. A cosy pink seatbelt pad to match Trunki's Boostapak 2-in-1 car seat backpack. This seatbelt pad is ideal for making long journeys more comfortable for... Sold out. Quick View. SnooziHedz Seatbelt Pad Pink. SnooziHedz Seatbelt Pad Pink. Regular price£5.99.

  2. Amazon.com: Trunki BoostApak

    Bubble Bum Inflatable Travel Portable Booster Seat, for Kids 40-100 lbs - for Car - Backless, Foldable & Narrow Slim Fit - Perfect for 4-11yrs Old - Black. 1 Count (Pack of 1) 5,828. 2K+ bought in past month. $3999. Save $5.00 with coupon. FREE delivery Wed, Feb 21.

  3. Boostapak

    This innovative car seat has won 10 prestigious design awards including Mumsnet Best Award, Practical Parenting & Innovation Award and the LBP Best Travel Invention Award. BoostApak is a ECE44.04 approved car seat for group 2 & 3, certified to European Union safety standards, recommended for children under 135cm weighing between 15 and 36 kg ...

  4. Trunki BoostApak

    Trunki Seat Belt Pads for Kids | Comfy Childrens Seatbelt Cover | for Car Seats and Pram - SnooziHedz Dudley Dino (Green) ... 4 Years, 67-105cm, Portable Travel Car Seat, Ultra-Compact & Lightweight, Side Impact Protection, Fits any Car, Travel Bag, Authentic Black. 3.9 out of 5 stars ...

  5. Trunki BoostApak review

    The Trunki BoostApak is a Group 2/3 booster cushion combined with a practical rucksack to make travelling with children easier. Featuring children's travel brand Trunki's distinctive, kid-friendly style and weighing less than 2kg, it provides a truly portable safety boost when you don't have a traditional car seat.

  6. American Express

    Germany. Collection: Car Seat Backpacks. BoostApak 2-in-1 Car Seat Backpacks. BoostApak is the car booster seat that doubles as a backpack! It's perfect for ride-sharing, hire cars, and taxis or keep it at the Grandparents' house as a spare. This innovative car seat has won 10 prestigious design awards including Mumsnet Best Award, Practical ...

  7. Travel Essentials: Our Trunki Boostapak Review

    You can also read our full guide to the best travel car seats and booster seats for your kids. Trunki gave us this product in exchange for an honest review. Where's Sharon is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by ...

  8. Reviewed: The Trunki BoostApak Booster Seat

    Trunki BoostApak Features. Its features include ergonomic back support, with seat belt guides and adjusters as your child grows. There's also the wipe-clean removable cover and the bag section includes an ID tag and high visibility reflective trim. We let Monkey pack his toys inside the 8-litre storage capacity - as well as adding his ...

  9. Review: Toddler travel booster seat

    The Trunki BoostApak looks just like a normal rucksack, if a little 'boxier'. The boxy-ness is thanks to the hard shell design which helps transform the BoostApak into a secure car seat (and as an added bonus, works brilliantly for protecting delicate items, like cameras or squish-able snacks). So you can fill up the 8 litres of space for ...

  10. 5 Absolute Best Travel Booster Seats for 2024 (+Helpful Tips)

    Trunki BoostAPak travel booster features: Suitable for children age 4-11 years, weighing from 30 to 80 lbs (15 to 36 kg). Converts from a backpack to a booster seat in seconds. The fold-out seatbelt guides and seat belt adjuster help you ensure a perfect and safe fit.

  11. Trunki BoostApak

    Check out the video to see the results of our mini product test and review of these handy travel car seats. You could save a fortune in hiring car seats from...

  12. Best Travel Booster Seats: For Kids Of All Ages

    Trunki also has armrests and backrests, as well as seat belt guides. In terms of functionality, it does the exact same thing that a regular booster seat does. But it's about 10 times more fun for the kids. ... This travel car seat is suitable for children that are older than 4, and weigh between 40 and 110 lbs. At least, that is what the ...

  13. The 6 Best Travel Booster Car Seats 2021 and How to Choose a Travel

    The Trunki BoostApak is not just some mere booster travel car seat; it's also a hand luggage approved child's bag!It is equipped with padded straps for your child's comfort and a capacity of 8 liters. This allows packing the child's stuff such as toys, snacks, games, books, and other vital things, and when needed, the BoostApak is converted into an EU-certified booster.

  14. The 5 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024

    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. $184 from Amazon. The Chicco ...

  15. The Best Car Booster Seats for Travel

    The BubbleBum is an award-winning inflatable booster seat suitable for children aged 4 to 11 (40 to 100 lbs), and many people swear by it as the best booster seat for travel. This backless booster seat can be inflated in just 20 seconds and is just as easily deflated and folded to fit into any handbag or kids backpack.

  16. Travel Booster Seat Picks for 2020

    The reason for this is that for use on an airplane, a travel car seat must be designed for use with a lap seat belt only. All the best travel car booster seats are designed to be used with a 3 point lap and shoulder belt. Your options on an airplane with a child of 2 years or more, is to seat them in the regular airplane seat, use an FAA ...

  17. Trunki BoostApak Booster Seat

    Extra 10% off Motoring*. When you spend £30. Use code: HOLIDAY10 in basket. *Online exclusive. Exclusions apply. Spread the cost from £2.74 per month. Only £52.24 with Motoring Club premium. Dual Functionality Backpack : Yes. Weight of Child : 15 to 36kg.

  18. The Best Travel Car Booster Seats in 2023

    Diono Solana 2 Booster Car Seat. This lightweight (6.2 lb.) travel car booster seat features an ergonomic base, energy absorbing EPE foam lining, 2-in-1 integrated lap and shoulder belt path guide and armrests, along with 2 cupholders. Conforms to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS 213).

  19. 4 ways to travel via train, plane, car, and bus

    Find the travel option that best suits you. The cheapest way to get from Harbin to Khabarovsk costs only RUB 12156, and the quickest way takes just 2¼ hours. ... The best way to get from Harbin to Khabarovsk without a car is to train and bus via Shenyang which takes 42h 21m and costs . ... 2nd Class Seat RUB 3000 - RUB 3300 1st Class Seat RUB ...

  20. Khabarovsk to Seoul

    Find the travel option that best suits you. The cheapest way to get from Khabarovsk to Seoul costs only ₩408,649, and the quickest way takes just 10¾ hours. Find the travel option that best suits you. ... There are 5 ways to get from Khabarovsk to Seoul by car, plane, train, ferry or bus ... Non-reserved Seat ₩26,600 Train from Donghae ...

  21. 5 ways to travel via train, car, plane, and bus

    Find the travel option that best suits you. Rome2Rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. By proceeding, ... There are 7 ways to get from Khabarovsk to Beijing by car, plane, train or bus ... 2nd Class Seat ¥170 - ¥190 1st Class Seat ¥280 - ¥310 Business Class Seat

  22. 3 tips on how to travel with a baby in the car

    Therefore, you should always buy car seats of expert brands with thorough experience in making baby car safety seats. They are properly tested and certified. It's recommended to buy iSize car seats as they have improved safety and greater compatibility with new cars (most of the new cars come with iSize compatibility (check vehicle manual). 2.

  23. Khabarovsk to Qingdao

    Find the travel option that best suits you. Rome2Rio uses cookies to help personalize content and show you personalised ads. By proceeding, ... There are 6 ways to get from Khabarovsk to Qingdao by car, plane, train, taxi or bus ... 2nd Class Seat ¥170 - ¥190 1st Class Seat ¥280 - ¥310 Business Class Seat