Best Ukulele Case for Travel Protection: What to Look For

Traveling with a ukulele sounds simple until your instrument has to survive crowded airports, packed cars, overhead compartments, buses, hotel transfers, and unpredictable weather. A ukulele may be smaller than a guitar, but its wooden body, neck, bridge, tuners, and finish can still be damaged by pressure, drops, moisture, or careless baggage handling.

Choosing the best ukulele case for travel protection therefore involves more than finding a bag that looks attractive. The right case should fit your exact ukulele size, provide adequate padding or structural protection, stabilize the neck, close securely, and remain comfortable enough to carry through the type of journeys you actually take.

Not every traveler requires the same level of protection. Someone driving to a local beach may be perfectly comfortable with a high-quality padded gig bag, while a musician navigating busy airports may prefer a rigid hard-shell or hybrid case that offers stronger resistance against impact and compression.

The smartest choice balances protection, weight, portability, storage, weather resistance, and price. This guide explains the major ukulele case types, the features that matter most, how to choose for air or road travel, and the mistakes that can leave an otherwise well-protected instrument vulnerable.

Why Your Ukulele Needs a Proper Travel Case

A ukulele may look sturdy when you are playing it at home, but musical instruments are sensitive to forces they were never designed to withstand. A sharp impact against a doorframe, luggage cart, suitcase, or vehicle can damage the body even when no obvious problem is immediately visible.

The neck is another vulnerable area. If the instrument moves freely inside an oversized bag, sudden pressure or movement can place unnecessary stress around the neck and headstock. A properly fitted case helps limit that movement and supports the instrument more effectively during transportation.

Travel also exposes your ukulele to environmental changes. Moving between air-conditioned terminals, hot vehicles, humid destinations, cold streets, and hotel rooms can create very different conditions. A good case provides a useful barrier between the instrument and rapid environmental exposure, although it cannot eliminate every temperature or humidity risk.

Finally, a proper travel case makes the instrument easier to manage. Handles, shoulder straps, backpack straps, accessory pockets, reliable zippers, and balanced construction can make a major difference when you are also carrying a suitcase, passport, phone, and other travel essentials.

Hard Case vs Gig Bag: Which Protects a Ukulele Better?

A traditional hard-shell ukulele case generally offers stronger protection against crushing, heavy impacts, and objects pressing against the instrument. The rigid exterior creates a structural barrier that a conventional soft gig bag cannot provide, making hard cases especially attractive for demanding travel.

A padded ukulele gig bag has different advantages. It is lighter, easier to carry, and often includes comfortable backpack straps and large external storage pockets. For walking around cities, commuting to lessons, or carrying your instrument between accommodation and casual performances, those conveniences can matter significantly.

The trade-off is impact protection. Even a generously padded soft case can compress if another heavy piece of luggage lands on top of it. Padding absorbs bumps effectively, but it does not create the same rigid protective structure around the instrument as a well-designed hard case.

Neither type is automatically right for everyone. Think about your highest realistic travel risk. If your ukulele will remain beside you throughout the journey, portability may matter more. If it could experience heavy luggage pressure or unpredictable handling, structural protection should receive greater priority.

Why a Hard-Shell Ukulele Case Is Best for Maximum Protection

A hard-shell case surrounds the ukulele with a rigid structure designed to resist external force. Depending on the model, the shell may use wood, molded plastic, ABS, fiberglass, or another protective material combined with a padded or plush-lined interior.

This construction is valuable when traveling because not every impact comes from dropping the instrument. Cases can be squeezed between luggage, pushed against vehicle walls, struck while navigating narrow spaces, or accidentally placed beneath heavier bags. Rigidity helps prevent those forces from reaching the ukulele directly.

Inside the case, look for substantial padding and dedicated neck support. The goal is to keep the body and neck securely positioned without creating excessive pressure. A ukulele that slides around inside a hard case can still experience unnecessary stress despite the strong exterior.

The main disadvantage is weight and bulk. A hard case can be less comfortable during long walks and may consume more luggage space. For travelers prioritizing maximum protection over convenience, however, that extra structure is often a worthwhile compromise.

When a Padded Ukulele Gig Bag Makes More Sense

A quality gig bag can be an excellent travel choice when you expect to keep your ukulele with you rather than place it around heavy baggage. The soft construction makes the bag lighter, easier to store, and more comfortable to carry over longer distances.

Backpack-style straps are particularly useful when moving through train stations, airports, or city streets. Wearing the ukulele on your back keeps your hands available for rolling luggage, opening doors, checking travel documents, or using your phone.

Good gig bags should still provide meaningful padding. Thin fabric sleeves offer little protection beyond preventing scratches, while better padded ukulele cases incorporate thicker foam around the body, edges, and neck. Reinforced areas can provide additional protection where accidental knocks are more likely.

A gig bag is therefore best viewed as portable protection rather than maximum protection. It works well for controlled travel conditions, but musicians expecting serious compression, repeated rough handling, or checked-baggage situations should consider a more rigid alternative.

Hybrid Ukulele Cases Offer a Useful Middle Ground

A hybrid ukulele case attempts to combine the structure of a hard case with the portability of a gig bag. These cases may use molded foam or semi-rigid construction underneath a fabric exterior, creating noticeably more shape and protection than an ordinary soft bag.

The biggest advantage is balance. You receive improved impact resistance without carrying the full weight of many traditional wooden or molded hard cases. Shoulder straps and backpack-style carrying systems are also more common on hybrid designs, making them attractive for frequent travelers.

Hybrid cases can be particularly useful for musicians who regularly use public transportation or fly while keeping the instrument close to them. The semi-rigid structure provides greater confidence in crowded environments while remaining manageable enough for long walks between terminals or stations.

However, “hybrid” does not guarantee a particular level of protection. Construction varies substantially between products, so examine shell stiffness, foam thickness, neck support, stitching, zipper quality, and interior fit rather than relying only on the marketing description.

Choose the Correct Case for Your Ukulele Size

Ukuleles are commonly available in soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone sizes, and the difference matters when choosing a case. A product designed for one size may leave another instrument dangerously loose or fail to close correctly around a larger body.

Soprano ukuleles are generally the smallest common option, making their cases especially compact and convenient for travel. Concert and tenor ukuleles require progressively more interior room, while baritone instruments are considerably larger and may need more careful attention to airline baggage dimensions.

Do not choose a case using overall instrument length alone. Body width, body depth, headstock shape, bridge location, and neck dimensions can also affect fit. Unusual ukulele designs may not match standard case interiors even when the advertised size category seems correct.

Whenever possible, compare your instrument’s measurements with the manufacturer’s published internal case dimensions. A snug but non-compressive fit is ideal: the ukulele should remain stable without requiring force to close the lid or pressing hard against the interior walls.

Why Interior Fit Matters More Than Many Buyers Realize

Travel protection begins with preventing the instrument from moving unnecessarily inside the case. If your ukulele can slide several centimeters in different directions, every sudden stop or impact allows the instrument to gain momentum before striking the interior padding.

A correctly fitted case should cradle the body and support the neck. Many quality cases use shaped interiors rather than one large empty compartment. This helps distribute support around the instrument instead of allowing the neck or headstock to carry excessive force.

At the same time, the fit should not be excessively tight. Pressing the instrument into a case or forcing the lid closed can create unwanted pressure on the bridge, tuners, body, or neck. Case protection should hold the instrument securely rather than squeeze it.

Measure before purchasing, especially when shopping online. Even instruments carrying the same soprano, concert, or tenor classification can differ slightly between manufacturers. Checking dimensions is far more reliable than assuming every case with the correct category name will fit perfectly.

Look for Strong Neck and Headstock Protection

The neck and headstock deserve particular attention because they extend away from the larger body of the instrument. A travel case that protects the body while allowing the neck to move freely is not providing complete protection.

A well-designed interior often includes a padded neck cradle. This supports the instrument at an additional point and reduces movement inside the case. Some designs also include a strap or shaped compartment that helps maintain the ukulele’s position during transportation.

Make sure there is enough clearance around the headstock and tuners. If tuning machines press firmly against the interior when the case closes, external pressure could transfer directly onto these components. A little protected clearance is preferable to constant contact.

Before traveling, place the ukulele inside the closed case and move it gently. You should not hear significant movement or feel the instrument shifting dramatically from end to end. Excessive movement suggests that the fit may not be secure enough for demanding travel.

How Much Padding Does a Travel Ukulele Case Need?

Padding absorbs energy from bumps and minor impacts before those forces reach the instrument. In soft and hybrid cases, padding thickness is particularly important because foam provides much of the protection that would otherwise come from a rigid shell.

However, thickness alone does not determine quality. Dense protective foam can perform differently from soft material that compresses almost immediately. Construction around the edges, base, neck, and zipper area also affects how effectively the case protects the ukulele.

Look for consistent padding rather than a thick front panel combined with weak sides. Travel damage does not always strike the broad face of a case. Corners, edges, and the bottom can receive frequent contact when the bag is placed on floors or moved through crowded areas.

For frequent travel, choose more protection than you think you will need rather than the minimum possible padding. The small increase in case size or weight can be worthwhile when compared with repairing a cracked instrument or damaged neck.

ABS and Molded Cases for Frequent Travelers

ABS is a rigid plastic commonly used in protective cases because it can create a strong exterior without requiring the construction of a traditional wooden shell. Molded cases can also follow the instrument’s outline closely, reducing unnecessary bulk around the body.

For travelers, the rigid exterior provides valuable resistance against everyday knocks and pressure. Molded surfaces are also relatively easy to wipe clean after airports, buses, vehicles, backstage areas, and other environments where luggage frequently contacts dirty surfaces.

Interior construction still matters. A strong ABS exterior paired with inadequate interior support does not automatically create an excellent ukulele case. Look for secure padding, neck support, sufficient headstock clearance, and durable hardware alongside the shell material.

Remember that a rigid case is not indestructible. Severe crushing, high falls, extreme temperatures, or aggressive baggage handling can still damage the case or instrument. Think of hard shells as reducing risk rather than making the ukulele immune to every possible travel accident.

Check the Latches, Zippers, and Closures Carefully

The protective shell becomes far less useful if the case unexpectedly opens. Hard cases should have sturdy latches that close positively and remain secure when the case is lifted, carried vertically, or moved through crowded environments.

Soft and hybrid cases usually depend on zippers. Look for substantial zipper tracks, strong pulls, and stitching that does not appear strained around corners. A weak zipper can eventually separate from the fabric or become difficult to operate after repeated travel.

Dual zipper pulls can make opening the case more convenient and may provide additional flexibility for securing the closure when appropriate. Avoid relying on tiny decorative zipper pulls that feel fragile compared with the weight of the packed instrument.

Inspect all closures periodically rather than waiting for failure. Travel places repeated stress on handles, zippers, straps, and latches. Catching loose stitching or damaged hardware before a trip is much easier than discovering the problem while standing inside an airport terminal.

Water Resistance Matters More Than You May Expect

Travel does not always happen between two dry indoor spaces. You may walk between an airport and taxi in heavy rain, wait outside a train station, cross a wet parking lot, or encounter sea spray while taking your ukulele to the beach.

A water-resistant exterior can prevent light rain and splashes from immediately reaching the instrument. Many fabric cases use synthetic outer materials that repel some moisture, while molded hard cases naturally provide a more substantial physical barrier across their main surfaces.

Water-resistant does not automatically mean waterproof. Zippers, seams, handle attachments, and other openings may still allow moisture inside during prolonged exposure. Unless a manufacturer specifically guarantees waterproof construction, avoid treating the case like a sealed dry box.

If the exterior becomes wet, dry it appropriately before long-term storage. Do not leave a damp fabric case closed around your ukulele for extended periods. Moisture management matters because wooden instruments can respond poorly to unsuitable environmental conditions.

Choose Comfortable Backpack Straps for Walking Travel

Protection matters, but a case you hate carrying quickly becomes inconvenient. If your travel involves walking between accommodations, bus stops, railway stations, campuses, or airports, comfortable backpack straps can make a substantial difference.

Look for broad adjustable straps rather than narrow webbing that concentrates pressure on your shoulders. Padding around the strap area can improve comfort, particularly with heavier tenor or baritone ukuleles and cases containing accessories.

Check where the straps attach to the bag. Reinforced stitching and strong hardware matter because attachment points carry the entire weight of the instrument while you walk. Weak construction can become a serious failure point over time.

Backpack straps are particularly valuable on gig bags and hybrid cases. Traditional hard-shell cases often rely more heavily on a side handle, which can become tiring during long transfers even though the case provides stronger structural protection.

Do Not Overlook the Carrying Handle

Even if you prefer backpack straps, you will repeatedly use the main carrying handle when lifting the case from vehicles, luggage racks, security areas, hotel rooms, and storage spaces. It needs to feel comfortable and securely attached.

Look for a handle that distributes weight across your fingers instead of using a thin strip of hard material. Padded or shaped handles can make repeated short carries noticeably more comfortable, particularly when the case itself is relatively heavy.

Attachment quality matters more than appearance. The handle should connect securely to reinforced areas of the case rather than pulling against light fabric alone. Hard cases should use equally dependable hardware around handle mounting points.

Test the balance if possible. A badly positioned handle can cause the ukulele case to tilt awkwardly while walking, making it more likely to strike walls or objects. Balanced carrying makes travel easier while reducing unnecessary accidental impacts.

Accessory Storage Is Helpful, but Do Not Overpack

A useful travel ukulele case often includes space for picks, a tuner, spare strings, a strap, cleaning cloth, capo, small notebook, or other lightweight accessories. Keeping essentials together can simplify packing and reduce the chance of forgetting something.

External pockets are especially common on padded and hybrid cases. Hard cases may use a smaller internal compartment instead. Consider how much storage you genuinely need rather than choosing an oversized case simply because it offers numerous pockets.

Avoid stuffing heavy objects around the instrument. Chargers, large power banks, bottles, metal accessories, or other dense objects can add unnecessary weight and potentially create pressure points if the pocket lies directly against the ukulele.

Keep delicate accessories organized as well. Loose metal items should not be able to enter the instrument compartment and move against the finish. A dedicated zipped pocket or internal accessory compartment is much safer than allowing small objects to float around the case.

Best Ukulele Case for Air Travel

For air travel, prioritize secure fit, structural protection, dependable closures, manageable exterior dimensions, and an easy carrying system. A hard or sturdy hybrid case is often a strong choice when you expect busy airports and crowded overhead storage.

Before leaving for the airport, check your airline’s current baggage policy rather than assuming every carrier handles musical instruments identically. Aircraft type, fare class, cabin space, route, and baggage rules can affect what you can bring into the cabin.

Measure the complete exterior case, including protruding handles, wheels, or thick pockets when relevant. A compact soprano case naturally has an advantage over larger tenor or baritone cases, but airline acceptance ultimately depends on the carrier’s applicable rules and available space.

Whenever you can keep the ukulele with you under permitted cabin arrangements, you maintain more control over how it is handled. If circumstances may require other baggage arrangements, stronger structural protection becomes increasingly important.

Should You Check a Ukulele on a Plane?

Checking a delicate musical instrument introduces additional uncertainty because you no longer control how the case is moved, stacked, transported, or loaded. Whenever your airline permits an appropriate cabin option, many musicians naturally prefer keeping the instrument closer.

If checking becomes unavoidable, a thin padded gig bag should not be treated as equivalent to a strong protective case. The case may encounter compression from larger luggage and significantly harder impacts than it would experience during ordinary hand carrying.

Use a rigid, properly fitted case designed for meaningful transport protection and remove loose objects from around the instrument. Make sure every latch or zipper is functioning properly before handing the case over.

Even a strong case cannot guarantee zero damage during baggage handling. Check your airline’s current requirements before departure and consider the value, fragility, and replaceability of your ukulele when deciding whether checked transportation is an acceptable risk.

Best Ukulele Case for Road Trips

Road trips offer more control than air travel, but instruments can still be damaged inside vehicles. A ukulele placed underneath heavy suitcases may experience substantial pressure whenever the car turns, stops, or travels over uneven roads.

A padded gig bag can work well when the instrument remains in the passenger area and is protected from heavy objects. A hybrid or hard-shell case provides greater reassurance when the ukulele must travel inside a packed luggage compartment.

Position the case so that it cannot slide around freely. Avoid placing large rigid suitcases directly on top of a soft ukulele bag, even if the bag contains thick padding. Pressure over a long journey can be just as concerning as a sudden impact.

Do not leave a wooden ukulele inside a parked vehicle for extended periods during extreme heat or cold. A protective case reduces direct exposure but does not turn a hot or freezing vehicle into a safe climate-controlled storage environment.

Best Ukulele Case for Public Transportation

Public transportation creates a different type of risk. Your ukulele may remain physically close to you, but crowded trains, buses, platforms, escalators, and narrow doors increase the likelihood of accidental bumps.

A hybrid case is often particularly convenient in this environment. It provides greater structure than a conventional gig bag while retaining backpack straps and relatively low weight, making it easier to maneuver through busy stations.

If you use a soft case, wear it carefully and remain aware of the extra length behind you. It is surprisingly easy to turn quickly and strike the headstock end of the bag against a wall, pole, doorway, or another passenger.

Avoid leaving the case unattended or leaning it somewhere unstable. A ukulele standing against a train seat or station wall can fall easily when people move around it. Keeping direct control of the instrument remains one of the simplest forms of travel protection.

How to Protect a Ukulele From Heat and Humidity While Traveling

A case provides physical protection, but wooden instruments also respond to environmental conditions. Rapid changes in temperature or humidity can affect wood, tuning stability, and other parts of the instrument, particularly during long or repeated journeys.

Avoid leaving the ukulele in direct sunlight, beside strong heating systems, or inside extremely hot vehicles. A case can slow environmental changes somewhat, but it cannot indefinitely protect an instrument from extreme conditions surrounding the entire case.

After moving between significantly different environments, allowing the closed case some time to adjust before immediately opening it can sometimes reduce abrupt exposure. Be especially thoughtful when traveling between very cold outdoor conditions and warm indoor spaces.

Travelers visiting particularly dry or humid climates may want appropriate humidity-management guidance for their specific instrument. The ideal approach depends on the ukulele’s construction, materials, destination, and duration of exposure rather than one universal rule for every player.

Should a Ukulele Travel Case Have a Lock?

A lock can prevent casual opening, but it should not be confused with complete theft protection. Many lightweight instrument cases can still be carried away regardless of whether the zipper or latch itself is locked.

For general road and local travel, secure closures are often more important than a sophisticated lock. A latch that stays shut reliably provides immediate physical protection whenever the case is moved or accidentally tipped.

Air travel introduces additional considerations because security authorities and airlines may have procedures affecting locked baggage. Always check applicable travel requirements before locking any case that may need inspection during your journey.

Treat a lock as one small security feature rather than the entire solution. Keep valuable instruments within your control whenever practical, label the case appropriately, maintain identifying information for the ukulele, and avoid leaving it unattended in public places.

Lightweight vs Heavy-Duty Cases: Which Is Better?

A heavy case is not automatically the best protective case. Modern molded plastics and structural foam can provide useful protection without the weight associated with some traditional wooden designs, which is especially valuable for frequent travelers.

Weight becomes increasingly important on trips involving long walks, public transport, or strict baggage limits. Carrying an unnecessarily heavy case across several airports can make an otherwise simple ukulele inconvenient to travel with.

However, reducing weight should not come at the expense of essential protection. An ultralight fabric sleeve may be comfortable but provide almost no resistance against crushing. Evaluate what the case actually protects against rather than choosing solely by its listed weight.

The ideal balance depends on your travel style. Daily commuters may prioritize lightweight portability, frequent flyers may favor a sturdy hybrid, and travelers facing unpredictable baggage handling may accept additional weight for a rigid protective shell.

Signs of a High-Quality Ukulele Travel Case

A good case feels structurally consistent. The exterior should not have obvious weak zones, loose seams, poorly mounted handles, or hardware that flexes excessively when the loaded case is lifted.

Inside, padding should support the instrument rather than merely look soft. Check the neck cradle, headstock clearance, body fit, interior lining, and edge protection. Your ukulele should remain stable without being pressed uncomfortably against the case.

Inspect every moving component. Zippers should operate smoothly, latches should close securely, straps should adjust reliably, and attachment points should appear reinforced. Small hardware failures can make an otherwise excellent case frustrating or unsafe to use.

Finally, the case should match your real instrument and travel needs. An expensive case with impressive specifications is still a poor purchase if your ukulele does not fit correctly or the case is too cumbersome for the journeys you routinely make.

Cheap Ukulele Case vs Premium Case

Budget cases can be perfectly adequate for storage and light local transportation when the ukulele remains under your control. A beginner carrying an inexpensive instrument between home and weekly lessons may not need the strongest case available.

The difference becomes more important as travel conditions become demanding. Premium construction may offer stronger shells, better foam, more durable fabric, reinforced stitching, higher-quality closures, improved neck support, and more comfortable carrying systems.

Consider the value of the ukulele as well. Spending almost as much on the case as the instrument may not always make practical sense for an inexpensive starter model, while an expensive handmade ukulele may justify significantly stronger protection.

Think in terms of replacement risk rather than price alone. A sentimental instrument may be financially inexpensive yet impossible to replace emotionally. In that situation, paying more for dependable travel protection can still be entirely reasonable.

Common Mistakes When Buying a Ukulele Travel Case

One of the biggest mistakes is buying by appearance instead of fit. A beautifully designed case does little good if your ukulele slides around internally, presses against the lid, or does not receive adequate neck support.

Another mistake is assuming thick-looking padding guarantees protection. Soft foam can provide useful cushioning, but it cannot necessarily prevent crushing from heavy luggage. Match the case construction to the forces your instrument may realistically encounter.

Travelers also sometimes forget to examine exterior measurements. A case may fit the ukulele perfectly while becoming inconvenient for a particular airline, luggage arrangement, or transportation method because its exterior dimensions are larger than expected.

Finally, do not assume any case makes careless handling acceptable. Even premium cases have limits. Thoughtful packing, controlled carrying, sensible environmental protection, and checking current transportation policies remain part of protecting the instrument.

How to Pack Your Ukulele Case Before a Trip

Begin by checking the ukulele itself. Make sure there are no loose accessories resting against the body and verify that nothing inside the case can shift into the instrument during movement.

Place lightweight accessories inside their dedicated compartments. Spare strings, a tuner, picks, and a soft cloth generally make more sense than heavy objects that can create unnecessary load or impact risk.

Close the case and check every latch or zipper before lifting it. If your case uses backpack straps, confirm that their clips and adjustment hardware are secure. A pre-trip inspection takes only a minute and can reveal developing problems early.

Finally, attach appropriate identification information in case the instrument becomes separated from you. Avoid displaying more personal information than necessary, but provide a reasonable way for legitimate travel staff or a finder to help return the case.

How to Choose the Best Ukulele Case for Your Trip

Start with the type of travel you do most often. If you mainly drive locally and personally handle the instrument, a quality padded gig bag may provide all the protection and convenience you need.

For airports, train stations, frequent touring, or crowded public transport, consider upgrading to a semi-rigid hybrid or strong hard-shell case. The additional structure becomes more valuable as the environment around the ukulele becomes less predictable.

Next, confirm exact fit, carrying comfort, construction quality, and environmental protection. The best travel case is one you can confidently carry for extended periods while knowing that the instrument remains stable inside.

Finally, consider your instrument’s financial and sentimental value. Spending slightly more for reliable protection can be worthwhile when repairing or replacing your ukulele would cost significantly more than choosing a better case in the first place.

Final Thoughts: What Is the Best Ukulele Case for Travel Protection?

The best ukulele case for travel protection is one that matches both your instrument and the risks of your journey. There is no single case type that is automatically perfect for every player, destination, and transportation method.

For maximum structural protection, a well-fitted hard-shell case is usually the strongest option. For lightweight local travel, a heavily padded gig bag can be more convenient, while hybrid cases provide an attractive balance between portability and impact resistance.

Whatever style you choose, prioritize secure fit, neck support, durable closures, adequate padding, strong handles or straps, and sensible weather protection. Check interior dimensions carefully rather than assuming that every case labeled soprano, concert, tenor, or baritone will fit identically.

Your ukulele is meant to travel, play music, and create memories rather than remain permanently at home. The right protective case lets you take it farther with considerably less worry while keeping the instrument ready to play when you reach your destination.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of ukulele case is best for air travel?

A properly fitted hard-shell or sturdy hybrid case usually provides stronger travel protection. Always check your specific airline’s current baggage dimensions and musical-instrument policy before flying.

Is a gig bag enough protection for a ukulele?

A well-padded gig bag can be suitable for light travel when you control the instrument. For heavy luggage pressure, rough transportation, or more demanding journeys, a rigid case provides better structural protection.

Can I carry a ukulele on a plane?

It may be possible depending on the airline, route, aircraft, available cabin storage, case dimensions, and applicable rules. Confirm the carrier’s current policy before arriving at the airport.

Should a ukulele fit tightly inside its case?

The instrument should fit securely enough that it does not slide around, but the case should not place excessive pressure on the body, bridge, neck, headstock, or tuning machines.

Are hard ukulele cases waterproof?

Not necessarily. A hard shell can provide useful protection from light rain and splashes, but waterproof performance depends on the complete case design, including seams, latches, and openings.