Adding a baby or child to the mix adds a?whole new level of complexity to your travel gear set up, especially when you need to consider taking along a travel stroller.
Of course, you can bring your?everyday stroller?along for your travels, but a big and bulky stroller isn’t ideal for getting through the airport, stowing away on the airplane and fitting it in the trunk of a rental car.
Fortunately, there are many travel strollers — and travel system strollers — available that make the process much more stress-free. Many of these travel strollers even have similar functions to a high-end stroller, such as large sun canopies, multi-position recline, undercarriage storage baskets and even the option to attach a car seat or bassinet. But they are significantly lighter weight, more portable and compact and often easier to close. In fact, some strollers fold down enough to be stored in an airplane’s overhead bin.
If you’re a frequent traveler or just want a stroller that’s easier to take on the go, here are 17 of our favorites, with many recommendations taken from baby gear expert Eli Gurock at?MagicBeans.
Travel strollers for airplanes
Having a stroller that folds down small enough so it fits in an airplane’s overhead bin means you don’t have to worry about gate-checking your stroller and inheriting the risk of it coming back broken — or even worse, missing.
Although these strollers are on the pricier side, some can actually serve as your main stroller at home, eliminating the need for having multiple strollers for different purposes. Many even offer the option to attach a car seat or bassinet, allowing you to use the stroller from your child’s birth.
The Uppababy Minu V2 is a top travel stroller, as it combines the features of a full-size stroller with the portability of an umbrella stroller. Its trifold design allows it to fit in most (although not all) airplane overhead bins. With all-wheel suspension, a large sun canopy and a multi-position recline, it offers a smooth ride and comfort for your child, whether at a beach resort or on European cobblestone streets. You can also add a piggyback for your toddler to ride along.
The Yoyo was one of the first strollers truly compact enough for an airplane’s overhead storage bin. The Stokke Yoyo3 offers a large (and now even extended) canopy, four suspension wheels and machine-washable fabric, and at just 13.6 pounds, it’s one of the lightest compact strollers available. However, it has a two-handed fold, meaning folding this stroller while also holding a baby in your arms can be complicated.
The Mountain Buggy Nano can be used right from your child’s birth, thanks to its unique universal car seat adapter, which allows you to use any infant car seat. The Nano also offers a?Freerider Stroller board attachment?to make travel even easier with an older child in tow as well. However, the two-handed fold makes the stroller more difficult to close.
At just 13.2 pounds, this easy-to-use one-step fold is ideal for the?traveling family. In addition to its four-wheel suspension and ventilation on both the canopy and seat back, the Joolz Aer offers a lifetime warranty.
Known for its extra-large canopy and oversized wheels, this one-handed fold stroller will fit in the overhead bin of most airplanes. Unfortunately, though, the stroller is not car seat compatible.
Unlike most other compact strollers, the seat on the Cybex Eezy S Twist 2 rotates a full 360 degrees, which allows your child to be forward-facing or parent-facing with ease. The stroller is car seat compatible, however, you need to take off the built-in seat to add your own. And while the stroller is compact enough to fit on most airplanes, it’s not as lightweight as others, weighing 18.9 pounds.
The gb Pockit Air All Terrain, weighing just 10.4 pounds, is one of the world's most compact strollers. It fits in an airplane's overhead bin, under the seat or even in a large purse. However, its small size means it has a tiny basket, a small canopy, no recline and isn't car seat compatible.
The Bugaboo Butterfly offers many bells and whistles, and with an impressive 22-inch seat height, the stroller is perfect for those with taller children. The stroller also features an expandable canopy, integrated footrest and rain cover. The stroller is incredibly easy to open and close, while offering a smooth ride.
At just 13 pounds, the compact design fits into most overhead airplane compartments. The stroller offers a multi-position recline, adjustable leg rest and an expandable hood. When folded, the stroller also stands on its own.
Lightweight travel strollers
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option but you still want a stroller that’s easy to take on the go, umbrella strollers offer a great solution. While most of them do not offer the same bells and whistles as the above compact travel strollers, they’re still great for traveling — especially when used for short distances.
Umbrella strollers are also incredibly compact, although they don’t have the trifold technology as some of the newer, airplane-compatible strollers, so many of them can’t be stored in an airplane’s overhead bin. But since they are still lightweight, they can often be carried on your shoulder for easy, on-the-go transportation.
Most umbrella strollers also require a two-handed push and don’t hold up as well on rocky terrain. But for getting through an airport or in and out of a taxi, an umbrella stroller might be all you need.
The Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller is not as compact as some of the others, but it’s still lightweight at less than 13 pounds. The stroller offers a one-handed fold, an expandable canopy with peekaboo windows, a parent tray with two drink holders and a large storage basket. Unfortunately, however, the stroller doesn’t recline completely flat.
Double travel stroller
If you have twins or two children close in age, you might want to consider a double stroller for your travel needs. This will allow both children to be securely buckled while trying to get through a congested airport or a crowded amusement park.
Weighing only 18 pounds, the Delta Children Jeep Scout Double Stroller fits through standard 30-inch doorways. It features front swivel wheels, suspension for a smooth ride and a multi-position recline for each seat. However, it has a total weight limit of 70 pounds.
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