J and I always discuss this every trip, weighing the pros and the cons and it never feels like an easy decision – and each trip can have a different verdict! Hopefully, this guide will help you make this decision and find the best stroller for travel that fits in with your trip and your circumstances.
Should you travel with a stroller?
If you have young children that need a stroller regularly then ideally, yes, take one! There’s often more to it than that though. If you are travelling by car then you’re used to fitting your stroller in the trunk, thus it can be easy to take one. If you’re flying, however, it can be more complicated.Reasons for…
- Easy to transport the kids and push them around. Even when we travelled throughout Asia and visited many places where the footpaths were not suitable for strollers, we found it invaluable when we visited places like zoos and theme parks. They can even be handy just to go to lunch next door if you have a baby that needs a nap.
- If your child still naps, they can nap in the stroller. Again a feature that we found priceless.
- You can stay out for longer and spend more time walking around with young kids and babies if they have somewhere to sit.
- It saves your back from having to carry them.
- In hot places, using only a carrier can be tough.
- Travel is far less complicated when you can have your hands free.
Reasons against…
- Having to check in a stroller and deal with the stroller on top of ordinary luggage can be painful. We did not regret taking our stroller with us to Asia at all, but the extra piece of luggage made things more complicated and meant that we generally took taxis when we had to move around with all of our luggage. That extra piece of luggage did tip us over what we could comfortably manage.
- In Europe, we had to carry it around a lot. We stayed in many apartments with lots of stairs. Train stations, museums, etc often had lots of stairs as well.
- The worry of the stroller getting damaged while flying.
Z checks out Taipei Zoo in our Maclaren.
Do you need to buy a stroller especially for travel?
This really depends on if you already have a stroller that is suitable to be used as a lightweight stroller for travel. If at home you generally use a full featured, big stroller then you may want to think about buying a smaller, lighter stroller. Will you be taking public transport? Flying? If you are driving your own car, will your stroller fit along with all your other luggage?The other thing to consider is that if you are flying, your stroller can get damaged if you need to check it in. If you love your existing stroller and it came with a big price tag, it may also be worth considering buying a new stroller.
The best strollers for travelling are made to be lightweight and easy to take away. A 30 pound stroller may not bother you now, but it may if you have to keep carrying it up and down stairs, onto buses and store it in a small hotel room. My general recommendation would be that unless you bought your existing stroller in the first place with weight and ease of carrying in mind, then it is probably not suitable for travel.
Exploring Latvia with a stroller we bought in Riga
Conversely though, on our Europe trip, we also bought a stroller once we found we needed it. We had such limited choice, though, and ended up with a stroller that was bulkier than what is ideal and more expensive than what we would have paid for a similar stroller at home.
How to choose the best travel stroller
Surprisingly, there’s far less things to consider when choosing a travel stroller than a regular stroller. That’s because you can focus on you and your child’s needs during travelling, rather than for everyday life and everything that includes. Instead, when choosing a travel stroller think of the following things…1. Size and weight
This is the most important aspect when choosing a travel stroller. How much does it weight and how bulky is it? You really want it to be as small as possible while catering for all the other aspects that you need, such as a recline. You need to be comfortable lifting this stroller up stairs and you don’t want it to take up too much room in your hotel. As a general rule, an umbrella stroller can be the way to go since they fold up nice and compactly.2. Easy to fold with a carry strap
Being easy to fold and having a carry strap (or case) are not essential elements but very helpful. It is far easier to use and transport a stroller if you can fold it up quickly (preferably with one hand) and carry it easily. This isn’t such a big deal at home – you might only fold up your stroller when putting it in the car, when your child is already in their seat. When travelling, however, you’ll do it multiple times, possibly with your child or luggage in one arm. And then carry it.So having a carry strap and being easy to fold up makes any stroller far easier to use, and more useful, when travelling.
3. Storage basket
I like storage baskets – they’re a super handy place to put all the items that you’d end up with in your hands otherwise. However, the bigger the basket, the bigger the stroller. Have a think about how important the storage is. For security I like to keep anything important on me or in a backpack, lest someone try and steal something from the stoller. I tend not to use them that much when travelling.4. Recline
The final important feature is recline. Do you need a reclining seat or not? Strollers that feature a recline generally are bulkier and weigh more. This might be worth it if your child naps in a stroller. The bigger stroller might be a worth while trade-off so your kid can nap and you can go about your travels as they do. Otherwise, maybe consider a stroller with little or no recline to save on weight and space.
That’s the way we stroll in St Augustine, USA
Best Travel Stroller Comparison Chart
Below is a comparison chart of all the best travel strollers mentioned in this article. Simply click on whatever criteria is most important to you to sort the table. You can then read my travel stroller reviews below featuring the best travel strollers 2016 has to offer.| UPPABaby G-Lite Stroller |  |
11 | No | $$ | 4.5 |
| UPPABaby G-Luxe Stroller |  |
15 | Yes | $$ | 4.2 |
| ZOE XL1 BEST Xtra Lightweight Stroller |  |
10 | Yes | $$ | 4.7 |
| Maclaren Volo Stroller |  |
9.5 | No | $$ | 4.5 |
| Quinny Yezz Stroller |  |
17.5 | No | $$ | 3.5 |
| Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller |  |
15.9 | Yes | $ | 4.5 |
| Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller |  |
13 | Yes | $$ | 4.5 |
| Baby Jogger Vue Lite Umbrella Stroller |  |
14 | Yes | $$ | 4.7 |
| BabyZen YOYO Stroller |  |
12.8 | Yes | $$$ | 4.4 |
| ZOE XL2 BEST Xtra Lightweight Double Stroller |  |
16 | Yes | $$ | 4.7 |
| UPPABaby G-Link Stroller |  |
24.5 | Yes | $$$ | 5.0 |
| Maclaren Twin Techno Stroller |  |
27 | Yes | $$$ | 3.2 |
| Delta Children City Street Side by Side Stroller |  |
19 | No | $ | 4.3 |
| Chicco Echo Twin Stroller |  |
34.5 | Yes | $$ | 4.6 |
Best lightweight travel strollers 2016
If you’ve decided you need to find the best travel strollers, you have come to the right section! Here I share the most travel-friendly options for the best lightweight stroller 2016.UPPABaby G-Lite Stroller Review
This would have to be the best lightweight travel stroller. It not
only weighs in at an amazing 11 pounds, but is easy to fold up and down
and has a carry handle making this stroller absolutely ideal for when
you are travelling and need to quickly fold up the stroller to hop on a
bus or to climb up stairs. The weight makes it easy to carry both the
stroller and your baby. It also has a standing fold meaning it will
stand up by itself which makes it far easier to store.It features high performing wheels and 4 wheel suspension making it one of the easiest strollers to push around that are this lightweight. It also has a decent storage basket and a mesh seat to keep baby cool at hot destinations.
The only drawback with this stroller is that it doesn’t recline. If recline is important to you, look for another stroller. Otherwise this would have to be one of the easiest and best travel strollers for toddlers.
Click here to check out the latest price, more details and reviews.
UPPABaby G-Luxe Stroller Review
If you would love the UPPABaby G-Lite but need a stroller that reclines,
then this may be the best travel umbrella stroller for you. It has
basically the same features as the G-Lite with an easy standing fold,
high performance wheels and is a lightweight stroller at only 15 pounds.
The UPPABaby G-Luxe also has a great storage basket, sun canopy and a
removable, washable seat pad. It is not quite as easy to transport as
the G-Lite, but that’s the price you pay for the good, one hand, 3
position seat recline. If you have a kid that still needs to nap, this
is a great choice.Click here to see the latest price, read more details and more reviews.
Maclaren Volo Stroller Review
Maclaren are well know for making the best umbrella strollers and the
Volo is no exception. This incredibly light travel stroller is a great
pick for travel. I am a big fan of Maclaren strollers and this one is a
winner.
Like the G-Lite, it is easy to fold and has a carry handle making
this very easy to transport while travelling. It also has a storage
basket and good sun canopy. The weight and size make it a very compact
travel stroller.It does not recline, so unfortunately is not suitable for families who need this feature. It is suitable to up to 55 pounds though, so it should easily accommodate your child until they no longer need a stroller. It meets the highest safety standards worldwide and would have to be the best option for anyone who wants the lightest stroller possible.
Click here to see the latest price, read more details and more reviews.
Quinny Yezz Stroller Review
The Quinny Yezz Stroller has an innovative design perfect for travel.
Many parents declare this the best stroller for air travel thanks to
its crazy compact fold.It is a lightweight stroller option which, when folded, has a shoulder strap meaning that you can carry it around like a shoulder bag. You should be able to board the plane with this stroller. Despite its compact size, it has great maneuverability and fits kids up to 40 pounds.
On the downside, there is no recline, not much storage and no cup holder, although there is a pocket that would hold a phone. It is the best compact stroller for parents where size matters more than features.
Click here to see the latest price and read more details and reviews.
Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller Review
The Mountain Buggy Nano has one massive advantage as a travel stroller:
it folds up small enough to carry into an airplane’s cabin. This is
incredibly useful as you are no longer relying on the airline to get
your stroller to you as soon as you land. It’s ready to go as soon as
you’re down the stairs or on the air bridge.
We’ve often checked in our stroller at the door, but it doesn’t
always meet us when we’re getting off. With the Nano, we wouldn’t need
to worry.It’s a great stroller in its own right, too. With a reclining seat, cargo space underneath and a quick and easy fold and unfold mechanism its easy to use. The maximum carrying weight of 44 pounds means kids won’t grow out of it quickly.
The stroller can be used with the Nano travel system by Mountain Buggy, too. There’s a built in car seat adapter.
The only slight drawback is that this stroller is heavier than some other options. That said its compact size makes it an ideal travel stroller. It could be the best stroller for air travel 2016 will see. Thanks to commenter Kate Comer for the tip!
See more reviews and the latest prices for the Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller.
Babyzen YOYO Stroller Review
The Babyzen YOYO is another stroller that folds up so small you can
carry it onto – and stow it on – a flight. It even folds up (slightly)
smaller than the Mountain Buggy Nano, which is pretty small.There’s support for carrying things under the seat, but it’s not a basket. More like a place to rest things that won’t fall out. It makes getting things in and out easier but does restrict what you’d put there.
The seat does recline, but not completely flat and so it isn’t perfect for newborns. It’s recommended only for kids 6 months and up. Additionally the YOYO can only support 33 pounds, meaning its age range is restricted compared to alternatives. That said, it is still a great option for a lightweight, easy to carry and store, travel stroller.
Thanks to reader Joe for the recommendation to look at Babyzen strollers!
Click here for more information and the latest prices for the Babyzen YOYO Stroller.
Baby Jogger Vue Lite Stroller Review
The Baby Jogger Vue Lite may be the best umbrella stroller for travel
for parents who want a full featured stroller. This stroller has plenty
of features while still weighing in at only 14 pounds.
It is also a great option for parents who are travelling with a
newborn. The Vue Lite features a full recline and is suitable from birth
until 55 pounds meaning you should never need another stroller. It can
also hold an infant car seat.A great feature of the Vue is that the seat is also reversible meaning you can have your child facing you while you push them. It is great to maneuver and easy to fold. The front wheels can lock into place for long distance walking on your trip. The sun canopy is fantastic. This really is a stroller you could love both while travelling and at home. The only downside is that the storage basket is not easy to access.
If you can stand a couple of extra pounds while travelling, the Baby Jogger Vue is an excellent choice that you will enjoy at home as well as while away. In my opinion, it is definitely the best stroller to travel with for parents of young babies.
Click here to read more reviews, more details and to see the latest price.
Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Review
This is a great new stroller that came out in 2015. Despite being a
light weight of under 16 lbs, it handles a lot – it can carry 50 lbs
worth of weight and will be a contender for the best umbrella stroller
2016.
It has a lot of the features of much larger, heavier strollers such
as four recline positions, a cargo net underneath, good brakes and easy
to fold up. One of the nicer aspects is its handle height. This is
something J has trouble with: strollers with low handles meaning he has
to bend over to push. No fun at all.Although it doesn’t fold up to carry-on size, it is still compact when collapsed. It’ll be easy to stow on a bus, train or taxi. And when it is collapsed it isn’t too hard to carry, even one handed.
There’s a few reported drawbacks with this stroller. The canopy coverage isn’t fantastic and some people complained it wasn’t great for taller kids. Bigger bodies weren’t as comfortable in the 3D Convenience Stroller.
See the latest prices for the Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller.
Best double stroller for travel
If you are travelling with two young ones, then you might need a double stroller. Thankfully there are some great lightweight, double umbrella stroller choices which will make traveling easier. I recommend a double umbrella stroller configuration as they are the lightest and most compact to store.Maclaren Twin Techno Stroller Review
The Maclaren Twin Techno Stroller is a great travel stroller choice.
In fact, if you need to travel with baby twins, it may be the best
double travel stroller. This is because this stroller features a full
recline meaning it is suitable from birth. This feature in a double
umbrella stroller is very rare.In addition to a full recline, this stroller has full safety features, a good storage basket, front and rear suspension, extendable leg rests, height adjustable handles (perfect for taller parents), a rain cover and much more. The front wheels can also lock into place making this great for long distance walking.
The downside is the weight and the price. While relatively lightweight for a double stroller, it is a heavier double umbrella stroller option coming in at 27 pounds. It is also a pricier option. It really comes down to whether the extra features are worth the extra weight and price tag for your situation.
Click here to read more reviews, more details and to see the latest price.
ZOE XL2 BEST Xtra Lightweight Double Stroller Review
I love the ZOE XL2 BEST Xtra Lightweight Double Stroller for travel.
This stroller is a great option if you are looking for a lightweight
double stroller that also reclines.Coming in at only 16 pounds, this is as lightweight as double strollers come. It has a handy and compact umbrella fold and the seats recline to 135 degrees. If this isn’t enough, it also comes with a carry bag making it even easier for your travel.
The canopies are quite large and should block out most direct sunlight. The storage basket is also a great size. What’s even better, though, is that this stroller is quite narrow and fits through typical 30″ doorways. It also comes with two cup holders and a snack holder.
The one drawback is that the seat backs can be a little low when reclined for bigger kids. This aside though, this is a fabulous option for a lightweight double stroller with all the important features.
There is also a single version of this stroller.
Click here to see the latest prices and more information.
UPPABaby G-Link Stroller Review
The UPPABaby G-Link is another stroller that I love from UPPABaby.
It’s a great side by side double umbrella option especially if you are
about to go traveling.At 24.5 pounds, it does not compare to the Zoe in weight. However, it is a compact stroller that still has many features – one of the best being that it has a deep recline. This means this option will work from birth, even for twins. It also works well for tall toddlers.
The large canopies are individually adjustable and the leg rests are also adjustable. There is a great size basket and the stroller is only 30 inches wide – which means you should have no problems with any doorway.
This stroller features a compact fold and while it won’t win a prize for being the smallest on the market, it does come with many features and should fit your kids from birth to preschool age.
Click here to see the latest prices and more information.
Delta Children City Street Side by Side Stroller Review
The Delta Children City Street Side by Side Stroller is a fabulous
option for parents who want the cheapest double stroller option suitable
for travel and do not care about extra features.
This stroller has a lightweight frame and a compact fold. It weighs
in at only 19 pounds. It has good, shock absorbing front wheels and
comes with a cup holder and two hanging storage bags. It is a bargain at
well under the $100 mark meaning its also a good option if you want to
travel with a stroller which won’t devastate you if it is damaged.On the downside the seats do not recline, it only feature 3 point harnesses and it is only suitable for kids up to 35 pounds meaning it won’t suit bigger toddlers.
Click here to see the latest price, more reviews and more details.
Chicco Echo Twin Stroller Review
This is a great choice for parents who want to adapt the stroller for
their kids. There is a 4 position, near flat recline as well as
adjustable leg support and individually adjustable sun canopies. It is
also compact when folded making storing it in your hotel room or car
trunk that much easier. It has a carry handle.The Chicco Twin Echo also features padded seats, 5 point safety harnesses and under-the-seat storage basket. It has great suspension and maneuverability.
The downside is that the stroller is a heavier option at 34.5 pounds. Ensure you are happy with this weight before purchasing.
