10 Best Cat Carriers for Long-Distance Travel in 2024 – Reviews &amp; Top Picks

Weight limit:	10 pounds, 20 pounds, 40 pounds
Washable pad:	Yes
Airline approved:	No

For the best overall cat carrier for your long-distance trip, the K&H Pet Products Travel Safety Pet Carrier is the best pick. It’s available in three sizes with weight limits up to 40 pounds and it includes a machine washable pad for maximum comfort. This carrier opens on the front, side, and top for easy access to get your cat in and out. This carrier has a strap that secures around a car’s headrest and a strap on the back that allows it to be buckled into place for safety. The shape of the carrier provides more space than traditional cat carriers and the mesh sides and top allow your cat to keep an eye on things while you travel. The included pad has a tendency to slip around, so it may need to be secured to keep it from slipping during the trip.

Pros

Three sizes available
Included pad is washable
Multiple access points to get your cat in and out
Secures to a car’s seat via two straps
Provides lots of space
Mesh sides make it breathable and creates visibility for your cat

Cons

Included pad may slip

2. Petmate Soft-Sided Cat Carrier Bag – Best Value

Weight limit:	10 pounds, 15 pounds
Washable pad:	No
Airline approved:	Yes

The best cat carrier for your long-distance trip for the money is the Petmate Soft-Sided Dog & Cat Carrier Bag. This carrier is available in two sizes for cats up to 10 pounds and 15 pounds. It is airline approved and allows you access from the front and the top. It has mesh walls to provide good airflow and visibility for your cat and a soft, padded bottom for comfort. It has a carry handle and shoulder strap, as well as a pocket that allows you to bring your cat’s essentials with you. Some cats may be able to unzip this carrier if they’re committed, so you may have to latch the zipper for safety.

Pros

Best value
Two sizes available
Multiple access points to get your cat in and out
Mesh sides make it breathable and creates visibility for your cat
Carry handle and shoulder strap make it easy to use
Pocket allows you to bring your cat’s essentials

Cons

May need to be latched to keep a cat from unzipping it

3. EliteField Airline-Approved Cat Carrier Bag – Premium Choice

Weight limit:	15 pounds, 20 pounds
Washable pad:	Yes
Airline approved:	Yes

[/su_table] If you’ve got extra to spend on your cat’s long-distance carrier, the premium pick is the EliteField Expandable Soft Airline-Approved Dog & Cat Carrier Bag. This carrier is available in two sizes up to 20 pounds and three colors. It includes a washable pad and expandable sides, allowing you to give your cat extra space to move around while you’re in the airport or at a rest stop. It’s waterproof and has carry handles and a shoulder strap. It also includes mesh panels for airflow and multiple openings for easy access to your cat. This is another carrier that may be unzipped by your cat from the inside, so investing in some type of latch or lock is safest.

Pros

Two sizes available
Three colors available
Included pad is washable
Expandable sides with breathable mesh
Carry handle and shoulder strap make it easy to use
Waterproof
Multiple access points to get your cat in and out

Cons

May need to be latched to keep a cat from unzipping it
Premium price

4. Pet Fit for Life Popup Cat Carrier – Best for Kittens

Weight limit:	20 pounds
Washable pad:	Yes
Airline approved:	No

If you have a kitten that isn’t used to being in a carrier, the Pet Fit for Life Popup Cat Carrier is the top pick. This cute gingham print carrier is only available in one size, but it is large enough to give your kitten plenty of space to move. It has multiple openings and mesh sides for breathability. It also has privacy coverings that can be rolled up and down, allowing you to give your kitten extra privacy and security when needed. It has a flexible steel frame to prevent collapse and four integrated loops that allow you to secure it into place outdoors. It also has a washable bed pad for maximum comfort. It includes a free collapsible bowl and cat teaser toy. This is larger than most carriers, so it may take up too much space during travel.

Pros

Multiple access points to get your cat in and out
Mesh sides make it breathable and creates visibility for your cat
Privacy screens give extra security
Flexible steel frame prevents collapse
Integrated loops allow it to be secured outdoors
Included pad is washable
Includes free bowl and toy

Cons

Only available in one size
May take up too much space

5. Pet Gear Signature Car Seat & Carrier Bag

Weight limit:	20 pounds
Washable pad:	Yes
Airline approved:	No

The Pet Gear Signature Car Seat & Carrier Bag includes a removable pad with washable fleece cover. It has multiple openings and front and top mesh windows for maximum breathability. This carrier can be secured in your car via the seatbelt, and it has an interior tether to keep your pet safe and secure. It has rear storage pouches and carry handles. This carrier is only available in one size for pets up to 20 pounds. The firm part of the base is made from hard cardboard, so if your kitty is prone to peeing in its kennel, this isn’t a good option. The pad is less padded than some, so it may not be as comfortable as some other options.

Pros

Included pad has a washable fleece cover
Multiple access points to get your cat in and out
Mesh sides make it breathable and creates visibility for your cat
Secures to a car’s seat and has interior tether
Rear storage pouches
Carry handles make it easy to use

Cons

Only one size available
Cardboard base isn’t water resistant
Not as padded as some other options

6. Cool Runners Pet Tube Soft Kennel Car Crate

Weight limit:	20 pounds
Washable pad:	No
Airline approved:	No

The Cool Runners Pet Tube Soft Kennel Car Crate is a unique option for vehicle travel. This carrier is essentially a large cat tunnel that zips closed, allowing your cat to have 47 inches of space to move around. It is not padded or washable, but it is waterproof and does collapse into a very manageable size. This is one of the few carrier options that allows you to keep more than one cat in the same carrier. It features adjustable straps that allow you to use the car’s headrests to secure it, as well as mesh sides for maximum airflow. It only opens on one end and takes up quite a bit of space.

Pros

Largest option
Waterproof
Collapses into a manageable size
Allows you to have more than one cat in the carrier
Adjustable straps allow you to secure it to the car’s headrests
Mesh sides make it breathable and creates visibility for your cat

Cons

Not padded or washable
Only available in one size
Only opens on one end

7. KOPEKS Deluxe Backpack Cat Carrier

Weight limit:	18 pounds
Washable pad:	No
Airline approved:	Yes

The KOPEKS Deluxe Backpack Dog & Cat Carrier is a good option for airline travel. It can be used as a carrier, backpack, or rolling bag, and it is airline-approved. This carrier is available in three color options, but it is only available in one size. It only opens in one spot, but it has three mesh panels to allow for breathability. This isn’t the best option for vehicle travel since it doesn’t provide a lot of space, but it is a great option for airplanes. Although it is typically airline-approved, some people have reported it being too large to comfortably fit on the airplane.

Pros

Can be used three ways
Three color options available
Usually a good option for airline travel
Mesh sides make it breathable and creates visibility for your cat

Cons

Only available in one size
Only opens in one place
Doesn’t provide much space for vehicle travel
May not comfortably fit on all airplane

8. Frisco Two Door Top Load Plastic Cat Kennel

Weight limit:	Unlisted
Washable pad:	No
Airline approved:	Yes

The Frisco Two Door Top Load Plastic Dog & Cat Kennel is available in two sizes and two colors. It is a hard-sided kennel that can be opened from the front and the top. The top and front have metal grating and the sides have cutouts for airflow. The weight limit for this product is not listed, but the manufacturer does provide recommendations on the size of pet that can fit based on the pet’s length and height. Although airline-approved, it may not be the correct size for airline cabin travel. It doesn’t include a pad, but it is made to be very secure. Hard-sided kennels can be difficult to manage and carry.

Pros

Two sizes available
Two colors available
Opens from the front and the top
Grating and cutouts make it breathable and create visibility for your cat

Cons

Weight limit isn’t listed
May not be the correct size for airline cabin travel
No pad included
May be too bulky and difficult to manage

9. EliteField Deluxe Airline-Approved Cat Carrier Bag

Weight limit:	15 pounds, 20 pounds
Washable pad:	Yes
Airline approved:	Yes

The EliteField Deluxe Soft Airline-Approved Dog & Cat Carrier Bag is available in two sizes and six colors. It includes a cardboard bottom with a washable cover. It has a built-in leash to keep your cat secure inside of the bag. It has a pocket to keep your cat’s items together and a carry handle and shoulder strap. It has mesh netting in the front and sides, but it does have less mesh than most other options. It also only opens in one place. This is not a good option for long-distance vehicle travel because it allows your cat minimal space to move around.

Pros

Two sizes available
Six colors available
Built-in leash keeps your cat secure
Carry handle and shoulder strap make it easy to use

Cons

Cardboard base isn’t water resistant
Less mesh than most other carriers
Doesn’t provide much space to move around
Only opens in one place

10. Pet Fit for Life Cat Carrier Backpack