I’m firmly of the belief that you should bring a stroller when you’re traveling with baby. Getting around can be one of the more complicated things to do when you’ve got your hands full with an infant or toddler (and all of their stuff)!
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What Is the Best Travel Stroller?
The best travel stroller is one that is lightweight, easy to push, and is easy to fold and unfold. But, a lot of other factors often come into play. Ultimately it depends on your destination and the type of trip you are taking to determine if bringing a stroller is worth it and, if so, what kind?
I don’t necessarily believe you have to purchase a second, smaller or umbrella stroller for travel. However, if you have the budget for it, you may as well.
If you think you will be doing a great deal of travel with baby, it may be worth it to splurge on a good full-sized stroller that travels well, rather than two strollers of varying quality.
A Travel Stroller for a Young Baby?
The type of travel stroller you need can also depend on the age of your baby. Traveling with a newborn is a very different experience than travel with toddlers. With a sturdy toddler you can get away with a less rugged stroller. If your younger baby will be spending a great deal of time in the stroller when you’re out and about–and this is the best time to travel like that–you want to make sure they are safe and comfortable.
Best Travel Stroller Options for Young Babies – Full-Size:
UPPAbaby Vista V2:
While most airlines are amenable to gate checking a stroller in two pieces, the fact that you can fold this full-size stroller in one piece is a big help. We traveled with our UPPAbaby Vista A LOT, and rarely was its size or weight an issue. We became quite used to the ginormous basket, however, so transitioning down to an umbrella stroller was a little tough for us! Young babies are safe and very comfortable in this stroller. And if you’re going to invest in one good stroller that you will use for everyday AND for travel, this is a great choice.
Baby Jogger City Mini GT:
We’ve been seeing a lot of these around for a long time, and for good reason. The Baby Jogger City Mini GT offers a sweet, comfy, and apparently full-sized ride. It’s also incredibly light and the fold mechanism is super-duper easy.
Best Travel Stroller Options for Young Babies – Umbrella:
UPPAbaby G-Luxe:
We went the umbrella stroller route for our first cruise, and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to travel with an umbrella stroller. Granted, by then my kiddos were bigger and also seasoned travelers. However, a light stroller that didn’t take up much room made it a lot easier to manoeuvre through the airport and our various transit routes. We loved the G-Luxe. Read our review of travel with UPPAbaby G-Luxe to find out more.
Maclaren Triumph:
The Maclaren is kind of the creme de la creme of the umbrella stroller world. Many of my fellow city-dweller moms opt to just babywear until baby is big enough to ride in the Maclaren. With prices venturing into the full-size stroller territory, they are certainly an investment. But, a Maclaren is a worthwhile splurge if you plan to do a lot of traveling.
JOOVY New Groove:
I had a giant JOOVY Caboose which served me well on Kindergarten runs when I had a Bub in a car seat and then when he could sit upright and enjoy the ride. I loved the fact that my daughter could stand or kneel or sit down when she was tired. But it was heavy and awkward and I would nevery consider traveling with it in a million years!
However, I love how much JOOVY has expanded their product line, and the New Groove looks like an ideal umbreller stroller for travel that’s on the affordable side to boot. The JOOVY New Groove is just over 15lbs and reclines almost flat for babies and toddlers up to 55lbs. It has a carry strap and a zippered pocket to keep your keys and phone safe.
Can you recommend a favourite travel stroller? Please share in the comments below!
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See Also:
- 5 Reasons to Love Travel with a Stroller
- How to Gate Check Your Stroller + Airline Stroller Policies
- Legal & Safe Car Seat and Stroller Alternatives for Travel
- A Complete Guide to Buying & Using Travel Car Seats
- Baby Travel Gear
- Tips for Airport Security with Babies & Toddlers
- Best FAA-Approved Car Seats for Travel
- Best Travel Cribs & Safe Sleep Accessories
- Toddler Tech & Baby Headphones
- Tips for Traveling with a Newborn Baby
- Travel After COVID with Babies & Young Children
Thanks for this post! As an expat living in a big city with 3 small kids we travel a lot. Do you have any recommendations for a good for travel double stroller?
Hi Kacie!
The Baby Jogger City Mini Double is also receiving raves in the Facebook stream of this post. Check it out! https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153895563915720&set=a.10151326045705720.811102.97004735719&type=1&theater¬if_t=like
Hello Corinne,
Thank you for this great blog! It’s very helpful! Question: any specific reason you chose Uppababy’s Vista over Cruz model?
At the time the Cruz was not an option, but now knowing both strollers I still would have gone with the Vista because I like the bigger wheels. I feel it’s easier to get around with them. Best of luck with your decision!
I’m rather surprised that the BOB Revolution isn’t on this list. It’s definitely our go-to. It’s incredibly robust – carries many times beyond it’s rated weight in kids and cargo. The large inflatable tires are great on stairs, cobblestones, city streets, and overland. And it has turn-on-a-dime fingertip handling, even fully loaded.
(No, I’m not a spokesperson for BOB. I only wish. 😛 )
We modified ours with footrests so it could be a “double.” Here’s a pic: https://scontent-b-sjc.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t1.0-9/1962711_707387059311414_1681298461_n.jpg
Great pick – Amy! I’ll update the list this weekend 🙂
While I love my BOB Revolution, no way on earth would I ever call that a travel stroller!!
Of course not, but it’s a great everyday stroller that can be utilized well on trips. Thanks for your feedback!
I have to sing the praises of the Cybex Onyx. It’s the nicest umbrella stroller I’ve ever seen, with a near-flat recline and a truly awesome sun shade. I’ve traveled to Spain and around the US with it and it was perfect. We also have the Uppababy Vista, and now that we are expecting #2, the plan is to travel with the Vista and a rumble seat in case our oldest needs to rest. I’m a stroller geek….
Ooh – will have to check that one out. Love to ‘meet’ a fellow stroller geek, I’m only sad now my youngest is getting too big!
Hi There! I am new to the site and already love it! We travel a great deal with our now 17-month-old daughter. I just purchased the Mountain Buggy Nano for our recent trip to California and I couldn’t be happier with it! Very durable, light and folds up to carry-on size. The true test will be when we take it to Europe in June. I’ll let you know how it goes!! Thanks for all of the great tips!
That is awesome, Natalie – thanks so much for sharing!
Just wondering how it went with the Nano? I live in Europe and am expecting my first in November – I’ve been leaning towards buying the nano but would love to hear feedback first.
Oyster zero is great for travel.
Extendable hood with UVA protection. And lies completely flat.
Best buggy I’ve ever had and used abroad.
Thanks for the tip, Rachel! I will add the Oyster Zero when I update the post 🙂
Great post! UppaBaby’s G-Luxe is always a good choice for traveling. I also like to use it because not only is it lightweight but it also has good reclining features and adjustable footrest to let my baby sleep comfortably.
We use the Baby Jogger City Mini and personally, I cant recomend it enough. It is compact and solid at the same time.
Hi! I, too, have the Baby Jogger City Mini and will be flying with our 6 month old for the first time this week. Was debating if I should bring our City Mini or pick up something else. When you travel with your City Mini, do you check your stroller? Or gate check it?
Thanks!
Hi Megan! Probably much easier just to gate check it. And it should be waiting for you as you deplane once you arrive. Have a great trip!!
hi, this list is amazing. I have heard a lot about BOB Revolution, haven’t seen it here.
I love the Mountain Buggy Nano 🙂
Hi.. Thanks for your informational article.
We are soon about to travel with my first who will be 3 and a half months when we travel.
Which travel stroller would you recommend? I would not like to buy a car seat. Want to get away with only buying a stroller that last both infant-hood and toddler-hood 🙂
Thanks!
Hi Ajita–I would definitely recommend the City Mini!
hello,
nice article you shared.
I actually love Hot Mom 3 in 1 stroller. but i also like UPPABaby vista. Bumbleride is costly any other jogging strollers.
but any one mind it before buying a stroller –
1. Cost
2. Portability
3. Easy folding
4. Canopy
5. Storage
6. Buggies
7. Swing wheels facility
8. Available parts
9. Add other seat facility
10. Strong frame
thanks from
pickbabystroller.com
I think you should add more options available about baby stroller. You left many good stroller in this list. Thank you for spending your time.
Wow, what a cool blog post. Thanks for the useful info, I’ll definitely share this with my mom friends 🙂
I find the Cybex Mios great for traveling. It’s really sturdy and light and compact. It can also lay completely flat and has a huge canopy.
Thanks for the recommendation!
Nice article. Also useful and informative for all mothers. The strollers are quite attractive and I hope of best quality so that babies stay safe every time. Thanks for sharing this informative article.
Thanks “Corinne McDermott ” for sharing best travel stroller review. Your recommended all strollers are really good. But I think you can also add world’s smallest folding GB pockit stroller to your list.
I’m surprised that GB Pockit or GB Pockit Plus isn’t in the list.
Have you travelled to London or Switzerland with the vista? I’m worried about getting on and off public transport? Is it worth purchasing a travel specific stroller?
It is a bigger stroller however it folds pretty easily and is super versatile for travel. Beware not to overload the basket — it’s easy to do when you’re out and about however I HAVE folded it with a full-ish basket in a pinch.