In my last post, I raved about the dream set up for babies under one: that gorgeous car seat clicking straight onto your travel stroller. Sadly, that all goes completely out the window once they graduate to their big toddler seats (sob).

We absolutely love our Silver Cross Motion 2 seat for everyday life. It’s basically a first-class throne. But for jetting off abroad? Absolutely not. Massive. Cumbersome. Needs ISOFIX. I simply cannot face dragging that beast through departure gates! If you’re after a practical, lightweight car seat for travel that keeps your little one safe and comfortable, you’ve landed in exactly the right spot.

Why I Never Rent Car Seats on Holiday (And Why You Might Want to Reconsider Too)

When Roman was tiny, we had a pretty stressful experience with a car hire company providing an unsafe baby car seat – not what you need in the middle of August in sweltering Mallorca with a brand new baby. We were handed the very last car seat they had, and to be honest, it was not safe enough for a newborn – you know the cheap kind with one fixed position that leaves baby slumped in an unsafe posture? Yep, one of those.

From then on I decided against ever renting a car seat – you have no idea whether it’s been in an accident and you can’t even guarantee they will have one available, never mind the quality.

The Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus Review: Love at First Sight (But Read This First!)

So there I was, hunting for the perfect toddler car seat, when I stumbled across the Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus – and my heart did a little happy dance. Lightweight. Travel-friendly. Folds up teeny tiny in a bag!!! It’s literally about a third of the weight of a regular toddler seat, which means lugging it through airports without breaking a sweat. PERFECT, I thought. Finally a car seat that actually gets with life on the move!

Fast forward to our holiday in France, and… we didn’t take it. I’m not here to rubbish it – we kept it. It has a purpose. And we will 100% be taking this on some trips with us. But I think it completely depends on your trip whether this car seat will do.

Initially, I planned to just go to France with the Nomad Plus. But as the trip got closer, I started thinking… “we’re doing a lot of driving, will this little fold-up seat hold up?” We tried it at home, and Roman simply couldn’t nap in it because it’s so upright. I was not ready to deal with a baby who couldn’t sleep in the car all holiday! The Nomad Plus is brilliant for short trips and taxi rides, but that’s about where its magic ends.

Perfect for:

• Weekend city breaks
• Airport taxi transfers
• Short car journeys (under an hour)
• Families prioritising ultra-compact packing
• Backup car seat for occasional use

Not ideal for:

• Road trip holidays
• Daily long drives
• Toddlers who nap in the car
• Multi-hour journeys

The Joie Stages R44 Review: My Unexpected Holiday Hero

Two days before leaving, I Amazon-primed the Joie Stages R44, and I am officially obsessed.

Seatbelt install means no ISOFIX to lug about and 3 recline modes – perfect for sleep!

Oh and before I forget – if you’re hiring a car abroad, make sure it’s big enough!!! Toddler seats are deceptively chunky, and your luggage still has to fit!

Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus vs Joie Stages R44: Which Travel Car Seat Wins?

Here’s the honest breakdown of these portable car seats for toddlers:

Maxi-Cosi Nomad Plus:

• Weight: Super lightweight (~3kg)
• Recline: One position (upright)
• Installation: Seatbelt
• Folds: Tiny in travel bag
• Best for: Short trips, taxis, city breaks
• Price: Around £150

Joie Stages R44:

• Weight: Moderate (~8kg)
• Recline: Three positions including sleep mode
• Installation: Seatbelt (no ISOFIX needed)
• Folds: Doesn’t fold, but lighter than everyday seats
• Best for: Long holidays, road trips, car nappers
• Price: Around £130

Before You Buy a Toddler Travel Car Seat: Essential Questions Every Parent Should Ask

Does Trip Style Actually Matter?

YES! This is absolutely crucial for choosing travel-friendly car seats for toddlers.

Short city breaks with taxi transfers? The Nomad Plus is perfect- lightweight, compact, easy to chuck in overhead lockers.

Week-long road trips with daily driving? The Joie Stages wins hands down—proper recline, comfortable for hours, nap-friendly.

Will Your Toddler Need to Sleep in the Car?

This was the dealbreaker for us. Roman naps brilliantly in the car at home, and I wasn’t prepared to lose that on holiday. If your little one needs car naps, you absolutely need a travel car seat with recline positions.

Have You Practiced Installation?

Seatbelt installations look deceptively simple until you’re sweaty and stressed in a Spanish car park or rushing to catch a taxi at arrivals. Practice at home first! Time yourself. Get confident with the belt routing. Future you will be incredibly grateful.

Is Your Rental Car Actually Big Enough?

Not all dinky rental cars accommodate toddler thrones gracefully. If you’re unsure, book a size up! Remember, you’ll have suitcases, pushchairs, and all that other holiday crap to squeeze in too.

Top Tips for Travelling with Toddler Car Seats

Check airline policies – Some airlines let you gate-check car seats for free; others charge. Know before you go!

Get a protective travel bag – Protects your seat from baggage handlers and keeps it clean. Worth every penny for flying with car seats.

Register your car seat – Get notified of any safety recalls, especially important for seats you’re not using daily.

Test before you travel – Set it up at home multiple times so you’re not fumbling in foreign car parks.

Bring installation instructions – Screenshot them on your phone in case the manual goes missing.