After spending your hard earned money on a stroller for flying, I’m pretty sure the last thing you would want is for it to get damaged while in transit. Even items like strollers and travel car seats that are labeled “fragile” and “handle with care” sometimes find themselves being carelessly thrown around by airport baggage handlers.
And while you can’t control what happens to your stroller once it’s out of your hands, you can pack it in a stroller travel bag that can help reduce the chance of it being damaged.
As a traveling parent, with extensive travel experience with babies and toddlers, I understand how much you need that stroller to show up at your destination undamaged!
In this article, I share the best stroller bags for travel available, how to determine if they are right for your travel stroller, as well as what features to look for in a stroller travel bag.
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Best Stroller Travel Bags
Whether you are looking for a travel stroller bag for a compact stroller or a large double stroller, you’ll find the best options in my list of the best stroller travel bags:
I like the Zohzo stroller bag for its balance of durability and size. The 600D polyester is water- and tear-resistant, and the bag publishes real-world dimensions at 41" x 21" x 13.5", which helps you check fit against your folded stroller.
The full zip opening makes loading easier than drawstring-only sacks, while the padded, removable shoulder strap and carry handles make airport transfers simpler.
For families gate checking a standard stroller or even many doubles, this is the stroller travel bag I recommend most.
Always measure your stroller’s folded size and remember that gate-check bags protect from grime and weather, not impact.
- Durable 600D fabric
- Easy to load with full zipper
- Fits many doubles within listed dimensions
- Padded shoulder strap aids carry
- Not a tight fit for extra-large joggers or side-by-side doubles
When you want a fast, lightweight cover at the gate for a single or many double strollers, this bright red JL Childress bag is the one airport staff instantly recognize. It uses a lockable drawstring, reinforced seams and dual carry handles.
This JL Childress stroller bag is ideal for keeping your stroller cleaner and drier in cargo, though it won’t add impact protection.
- Very quick to deploy at the gate
- High visibility for gate return
- Lightweight and compact pouch
- Budget friendly
- Drawstring load is harder with very large frames
For checking as luggage or longer walks through terminals, I prefer the JL Childress zippered stroller bag. The three-sided dual zipper makes loading easier, and the adjustable shoulder strap and carry handles distribute weight better.
Heavy-duty, water-resistant polyester helps with scuffs and rain. It’s still a soft stroller bag, so padding is limited, but it offers more structure than simple gate-check sacks.
- Easier top-zip loading
- Shoulder strap with pad
- Water-resistant, wipeable fabric
- ID pocket and strap storage
- Heavier than drawstring sacks
If you’re traveling with a side-by-side double or a large jogger, this is the roomy workhorse. The 47" x 24" x 18" size and two padded backpack straps make it more realistic to carry a big stroller hands-free. The twin drawstrings with flap closure are quick, and the fabric is water-resistant for tarmac conditions.
- True XL capacity for doubles
- Backpack straps keep hands free
- Quick to open and close
- Good value for capacity
- Drawstring closure is less protective than full-zip
A solid large-capacity stroller travel bag with very large 47" x 24" x 15" sizing and adjustable padded shoulder straps. The drawstring plus overlap flap closure helps keep dust and drizzle out, and it folds into an attached pouch. It’s a good budget pick when you need XL fit but don’t want to overspend. Measure first, and don’t expect impact protection from baggage drops.
- Large size fits many doubles and joggers
- Adjustable backpack straps
- Budget price point
- Folds into attached pouch
- Not as robust as zippered, luggage-grade bags
If you own a Vista or Cruz, this is the travel stroller bag I recommend. It’s a luggage-grade, wheeled case designed for the frame plus Toddler Seat or Bassinet, and when you register your bag, UPPAbaby’s TravelSafe program covers airline-caused damage during air travel. That coverage is the kicker and the reason Vista/Cruz families should pick this over generic stroller bags.
- TravelSafe coverage for airline damage
- Wheeled, luggage-style convenience
- Padded interior pockets and wheel bag
- Purpose-built Vista/Cruz fit
- Brand-specific and pricier
Same recognizability and quick drawstring as the classic red umbrella stroller bag, but with heavier-duty fabric and double-stitched seams for frequent flyers. Packs down small in your day bag.
- Heavier fabric and stitching
- Packs down very small
- Brand support and compatibility guide
- Costs more than the standard red bag
For GB Pockit families, a right-size stroller bag is easier than over-sized sacks. This compact 13.8" x 5.5" x 18.2" stroller bag is designed for the Pockit and Pockit Air All-Terrain strollers. It carries backpack-style and folds into its pouch for storage. Note it does not fit the Plus All-City/All-Terrain models.
- Sized for Pockit models
- Backpack carry straps
- Packs into attached pouch
- Not compatible with Pockit Plus All-City/All-Terrain
If you’re traveling with a Babyzen YOYO, this backpack-style ROMIRUS stroller bag is sized appropriately, with padded straps and a trolley sleeve for hands-free airport moves. It’s a practical alternative to generic sacks that swallow compact strollers.
- Right-size for YOYO strollers
- Backpack and trolley-sleeve carry
- Lighter than XL bags
- YOYO-specific; not for larger strollers
A value-priced XL 600D drawstring stroller bag that fits many doubles and travel systems. It’s a good budget alternative when you need sheer volume. As with all drawstring stroller bags, I recommend removing cup holders and accessories to reduce snag points.
- XL capacity at low price
- 600D oxford fabric
- Simple and quick to use
- Less structured than zippered designs
Types of Stroller Bags for Airplane Travel
Before buying an airplane stroller bag, it’s important to know the difference between them.
Padded Stroller Travel Bag
Padded stroller travel bags are best used when you are checking your stroller with your luggage. They’ll offer your stroller the best protection when flying with a stroller. They also take up more space when folded and will be bulky to carry around when you are using your stroller when getting to and from the airport or in your hotel room.
Gate Check Stroller Bag
Gate check stroller bags are typically smaller and lighter. They can be easily packed up and carried in your carry-on for use right before gate checking your stroller. They won’t offer much protection with no padding, but your stroller is at less risk of being damaged when you gate check it.
Universal Stroller Travel Bag
Universal stroller bags for travel will fit a large range of strollers. They will be specific to types of strollers: Single, Compact Strollers, Umbrella, Double strollers
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You’ve got a flight planned! Don’t miss our Ultimate Guide to Flying with a Baby.
What Features to Look for in a Stroller Bag for Flying
Since a stroller is where your baby spends most of their time outdoors on a trip, keeping it safe and clean is of utmost importance. A stroller travel bag is a must-have stroller accessory for travel, especially when flying with a stroller.
Unfortunately, you can’t just choose a stroller travel bag at random! That’s why learning about these factors will help you make your selection and decide on the airplane stroller bag that’s perfect for you and your travel stroller.
Size
What happens to the stroller bag when it’s not in use? Well, if you pick the right one, it’ll fold into a compact size that is easy to carry around with you everywhere you go.
Some stroller bags for air travel come with a zippered pouch that is discretely attached to the bag to make it small enough to easily slip into your diaper bag, while others fold securely to make a pouch for themselves. So, keep an eye out for a stroller gate check bag that is easy and convenient to store after use.
Stroller Compatibility
The first thing to confirm when buying stroller carry bags is whether the space inside the bag is large enough to accommodate the stroller you’re going to be carrying in it.
In fact, I prefer to travel with a stroller airplane bag with a little extra room vs. one that fits just right. This extra space will be useful for carrying other baby stuff like diapers, toys, and wipes when you are on the go.
Ease of Carrying
The type of straps and handles on the stroller bag you choose matter because they determine how easy or difficult it will be to lug your stroller around. Many agree that stroller bags with backpack-style straps are the best because they allow parents to keep their hands free for carrying their little one or other pieces of luggage.
But really, it’s all about picking a style that feels right for you and your carrying needs. Some bags have side handles which allow you to carry them around like handbags, while others have single straps that allow you to only carry them on one shoulder. These styles might work better if you are already carrying a travel diaper bag backpack on your back.
Apart from carrying positions, you also want to look for stroller bags that feature handles and straps with extra padding. You will find that these are way more comfortable than non-padded ones because they reduce pressure while carrying them.
Durability
Opt for stroller bags that are made of sturdy, tear-resistant fabric. Remember that bags made of high-grade polyester are stiffer and last longer than nylon bags. Nylon bags are more prone to punctures due to being thin and are often considered not sturdy enough to hold heavy strollers.
Another thing you want to keep in mind when it comes to durability is the quality of the stitching around straps and handles. There’s nothing worse than your brand new bag ripping and falling as soon as you load your stroller in it. Make sure the stitching is intact and strong enough for the bag to hold even when it is tossed around in the cargo of the plane.
Lastly, look for a stroller bag for airplane travel that is water-resistant or waterproof so that your stroller stays protected from rainfall, snowfall, and other types of liquids.
Ease of Use
Ensure that the closure mechanism of your stroller cover for travel is convenient to use for loading and unloading your stroller quickly. And since it is likely you will be packing and unpacking your stroller often, make sure the zipper of the bag is strong, easy to maneuver, and highly durable as well.
FAQs on Stroller Travel Bags
Are gate checked bags necessary for stroller?
While gate check bags aren’t necessary and you’ll see plenty of parents gate checking their stroller without one, a good gate check stroller bag will over your stroller some added protection. Just keep in mind, you’ll need to have time to collapse your stroller and put it in the stroller travel bag before boarding the plane. Plan to board early if this is your plan.
How do I protect my stroller at the gate check?
The best way to protect your stroller at the gate check before boarding a plane is to use a stroller gate check bag. A stroller gate check bag will help protect your stroller from getting dirty or damaged.
Do I need a bag to gate check my stroller?
You do not need a gate check bag for your stroller, however a stroller gate check bag can help to protect your stroller from damage as it’s loaded on to the airplane.
Do you need a bag for stroller on plane?
With strollers that collapse small enough to fit in the overhead compartment on the airplane, it’s best to pack your stroller in a travel bag. This helps to keep it protected and makes it easier to carry on the plane.
How do you pack a stroller for check in?
If you plan to check your stroller with your luggage, then we recommend a padded stroller travel bag to offer your stroller the best possible protection against damage. If you aren’t using a stroller travel bag, make sure your stroller is fully collapsed with any straps tucked in and there’s no risk of losing any loose parts (i.e. canopies or trays that may be removable).
Do airlines provide bags for strollers?
Airlines do not provide bags for strollers. If you want your stroller protected, whether you are gate checking your stroller or checking it with your luggage, then a stroller travel bag is your best option.
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This post was written & edited by:
Celine Brewer is the owner of Baby Can Travel. Not only does she have years of experience traveling with babies & toddlers, but she's helped millions of new parents travel with their babies and toddlers for over a decade. In addition to writing on her baby travel blog, she has shared her expertise on traveling with a baby or toddler by contributing to articles about traveling with a baby with the Washington Post, USA Today, the Lonely Planet magazine and Pregnancy & Newborn magazine.
Celine also writes about family travel on the site FamilyCanTravel.com, which she co-owns with her husband. Being from the Canadian Rockies, she shares her passion about her home and travel to Banff National Park and area on their site TravelBanffCanada.com.