The Best Strollers for Travel for 2023

We look at all the best strollers for travel to make life easier when you are on the move with the family. 

Queenstown walk with kids

One of the most common questions from travelling families is “what is the best stroller for travel?”

There are so many strollers on the market, each with their own redeeming features, that picking out the best strollers for travel can be a difficult task. But there are a few things that you should definitely bear in mind when choosing a good travel stroller.

Here we explore what to look for when finding the best travel stroller and share some personal experiences and reviews from other seasoned travellers who share what they think is the best buggy for travel. 

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Before we get to the nitty gritty, here is a quick look comparison of the travel stroller mentioned in this roundup:

Travel Stroller Comparison table

Different types of Travel Stroller

There are several options when it comes to travel strollers and what you need will depend on the age of your baby and the type of travel you are planning.

  • Travel system
  • Umbrellas stroller
  • Cabin size stroller
  • Other travel strollers

Let’s take a closer look at these options:

Travel system

A travel system combines a car seat with a stroller. It is great for traveling with babies as you can lift the baby out of the car or taxi and clip them straight onto the stroller with ease.

It also means you have the peace of mind of travelling with a car seat when you are travelling to and from the airport or while you are in a taxi or car away from home. If the car seat is FAA approved you can even use it on the plane. 

You can buy this as an entire travel system, or you can make your own stroller carseat combo by buying for example a Maxi-cosi car seat with the appropriate adaptors to add to your stroller (we did this with our Bugaboo Bee).

Umbrella Stroller

An umbrella stroller is your bare-bones option. They are lightweight and easy to fold, although they don’t fold up small enough to fit in the overhead locker like a cabin size stroller (see below).

They don’t have all the amenities that a travel stroller does, such as cup holders, but they should still hopefully have a sun canopy, some storage underneath and be able to recline for naps. 

They are good for older kids and for sightseeing day trips. They are also usually a good option for a cheap travel stroller.

Cabin size stroller

Cabin size strollers are perfect for plane travel as they fold up small enough to fit in the overhead locker on the plane.

This means that you can keep your child in the stroller all the way to the airplane, store it in the overhead locker on the plane and then have it immediately you leave the plane, without having to wait for it to returned from the hold.

They are a game changer when it comes to plane travel with kids. However you may have to compromise on some things due to the compact size – namely comfort, storage and wheel suspension.

You can read all our recommendations for a cabin size stroller here.

Other Travel Stroller

Not all travel strollers need to be able to fit in the overhead cabin on the plane and there are plenty of other good lightweight strollers that are perfect for travel. 

A good travel stroller will be lightweight but comfortable with good storage. A stroller with good suspension that can handle rough terrain or cobbles might be important. 

Read on to see what you should look for when choosing a travel stroller.

Bugaboo Bee

What to look for in a travel stroller

There are several factors that are important to consider when choosing a stroller for traveling and obviously one size does not fit all.

For some people a lightweight, easy to fold stroller that fits in the overhead bin on the plane is most important, while others will be looking for lots of storage and the ability to tackle all terrain. 

Here we look at the important things you most need to think about when choosing your stroller:

  • Lightweight
  • Easy to fold
  • Sun canopy
  • Comfortable
  • Reclinable
  • Car seat compatible
  • Storage
  • Wheels & suspension

Let’s take a closer look at these attributes.

Lightweight

It’s obvious but you want a lightweight stroller for travel. The big bulky stroller is fine when it is kept in your garage or downstairs cupboard, but when you are on the move you want it to be easy to carry and easy to transport.

However don’t overlook other factors in your quest for a small and light stroller.

Easy to fold

Having an easy folding mechanism is always a priority with strollers but particularly so with a travel stroller, when you are often getting on and off public transport or in and out of taxis. 

This is also true in the airport when you are going through security or needing to fold the stroller either to put in the overhead locker or to store in the hold. 

A one-handed folding mechanism is the ideal for ease of use when travelling with kids. 

Good sun canopy

A good sun canopy on a stroller is especially important when you are traveling as routines tend to get out of kilter and there is often a time when you want your kids to be napping on the go. So being able to provide good shade and block out distractions is important. 

If you have a child that will need to nap on the move, look for one that has a large, extendable canopy. A peekaboo window can be handy for checking on your child from behind too. 

Reclinable

There is always a time when a kid will need to take a nap in the buggy when you are traveling and so this is important to think about. 

Look for an easy reclining mechanism and a multi-level recline. Also consider if a flat or almost-flat recline is important to you.

Comfort

If you are taking a stroller on vacation with you, you need to make sure it is comfortable for your baby or toddler. Chances are you will need it while sightseeing and you may need it for naps either during the day or in restaurants at night. 

Car Seat Compatibility

Being able to attach an infant seat to your baby stroller to create a travel system is so handy when travelling with a baby.

This enables you to easily switch from car to stroller at the airport by taking the baby out of the car and clipping onto the stroller. It also means that you can use the stroller from birth, using the car seat capsule. 

Note in the majority of cases, you will need to purchase car seat adaptors separately. 

Storage

We all know that storage in strollers can be super useful for storing all those extra diapers, snacks, water bottles etc  this is especially useful when traveling with kids when you are often out and about more and out for longer periods of time.

Wheels & Suspension

This is a big one that is often overlooked in the quest to find a super lightweight stroller when traveling. 

You really need to consider what the terrain will be like at your destination when choosing your stroller. Many lightweight travel strollers just don’t have the suspension to handle anything more than a super smooth urban pavement.

If you are looking to tackle cobbles in Europe for instance, or a rough gravel path you will need something a bit more sturdy. This will not only make your life easier but will mean a more comfortable ride for your child too. 

Phil & Ted's Vibe

Travel Stroller Reviews

Here we highlight what we think are some of the best travel strollers on the market.

As well as highlighting all the features, I reached out to some frequent flying travel bloggers to get some real-life experience reviews from them and learn why they chose their travel stroller.

BabyZen YOYO2 Review

Carrie from Flying with a Baby recommends the BabyZen YOYO Plus as the best stroller for air travel.

This small folding stroller is renowned for its compact size and ease of use and is the perfect cabin sized stroller for flights.

Babyzen YOYO2 Stroller - Black Frame with Black Seat Cushion & Canopy

Features:

  • Lightweight at just 13.6 lbs (6.2kg)
  • Capacity up to 40 lbs
  • Suitable from birth with newborn pack, bassinet or car seat (sold separately)
  • Car seat compatible
  • One-hand fold
  • Sizeable sun canopy with peekaboo window
  • Multi-position reclining backrest
  • Good wheel suspension
  • Storage basket up to 5kg
  • Choice of 9 colours

Carrie’s Review:

“I haven’t been disappointed as it truly lives up to the hype. At the aircraft steps I can remove my daughter from the stroller and fold it up really quickly, sling it over my shoulder and march up the steps with her in my arms. It easily slots in with the other bags in the overhead lockers too.

Arriving into Faro was when the stroller REALLY came into its own for me.

As per normal, Matilda had fallen asleep on our final approach, but this time, I simply whipped the pushchair from the stowage, walked a few steps off the plane, used one hand to unfold the pram, and transported her into the YOYO.

I even had a fellow Mummy ask me on the way to baggage reclaim, where I had picked up my stroller!

BabyZen YOYO

I did need two hands to initially start the folding up process -the two white buttons near the hood need to be pressed at the same time, but the next stage of actually folding up mechanism can be done with one hand.

On holiday, the BabyZen YOYO was really put to the test with steep inclines and descents (the brake definitely works!). It easily reclines by releasing a strap at the back if you want your little one to have a nap.

The canopy comes with a UPF 50+ sun protection, giving extra peace of mind. If you are looking for a stroller that folds up small, I can definitely recommend this as an easy travel stroller.”

Read more and check prices for the BabyZen YOYO here.

Baby Jogger City Tour Review

Claire Hall from Tin Box Traveller recommends the Baby Jogger City Tour as the best folding stroller for travel.

The Baby Jogger City Tour has long been a favourite among traveling parents thanks to its lightweight frame, comfortable seat and ease of manoeuvring.

The new ultra compact model now makes it perfect for taking on board the plane too. 

Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Ultra-Compact Travel Stroller, Jet

Features:

  • Lightweight at 14 lbs (6.3kg)
  • Capacity up to 50 lbs
  • Suitable from birth with carry cot or car seat (sold separately)
  • Car seat compatible
  • Multi-position recline to near-flat
  • One-hand, one-step fold
  • Large sun canopy with peekaboo window
  • Storage basket up to 15lb
  • Choice of 5 colours
  • Carry bag included

Claire’s Review:

“One of the first things that struck me about the Baby Jogger City Tour was how light it was – nothing like the aged and sturdy stroller we had been using before. This makes it maneuverable and perfect for travel.

One of the best features has to be that it quickly folds down to hand luggage size and comes with its own rucksack. This is not only useful for plane travel but also road trips and visits to restaurants when space is at a premium.

Baby Jogger City Tour

The rucksack also allows you to have two free hands for handling other bags and the kids.

A minor niggle we have encountered with the City Tour is that the handle bar is not adjustable. So if you are taller than 5ft 6in – my height – you may find it less comfortable to push. But as a small folding stroller for travel, this one is great.”

Click here to check prices for the Baby Jogger City Tour.

Mountain Buggy Nano Review

Keri from Our Globetrotters recommends the Mountain Buggy Nano as a great option for the best lightweight stroller for travel.

Designed for travel the Mountain Buggy Nano is a long-term favourite with traveling families thanks to its lightweight frame, fully reclining seat and easy two-step compact fold system. 

Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller, Black

Features:

  • Lightweight at 13 lbs (6 kg)
  • Capacity up to 44 lbs
  • Suitable from birth with cocoon or car seat (sold separately)
  • Car seat compatible without need of additional adaptors 
  • Full recline
  • One-hand, two-step fold
  • Large sun canopy 
  • Travel bag included

Keri’s Review:

The Nano is an incredibly versatile and brilliant entrant to the ultra compact travel stroller market.

It is good-looking, sturdy and hard-working, as you’d expect from the NZ Mountain Buggy brand, but with that all-important edge of being small enough to fit in the overhead compartment of a plane.

You definitely need to practice the folding mechanism, but once you have it down pat it’s very easy to fold in three – no need to remove the wheels, just slip over the travel bag.

Mountain Buggy Nano

With a tall back it still easily and comfortably fits my 4 year old, yet you can use it from newborn with attachments, meaning it’s a great investment that will last your family for years.

It steers easily, but the real negative is the small wheels, which means it doesn’t like rough surfaces. However, there are few compact strollers that have this aspect solved; it’s just what you compromise on for the compact size.

All up, it’s now our go-to stroller any time we travel.”

Click here to check prices for the Mountain Buggy Nano.

Maclaren Quest Review

Marta from Learning Escapes recommends the Maclaren Quest as the best umbrella stroller for travel.

This lightweight umbrella stroller from favourite stroller brand Maclaren is compact yet full-featured and suitable from birth all the way up to 55 lbs (25kg).

Maclaren Quest Arc Stroller- ideal for newborns up to 55lb with extendable UPF 50+/waterproof hood, multi-position seat and 4-wheel suspension. Maclaren Carrycot compatible. Accessories in the box

Features:

  • Lightweight at just 12.2 lbs (5.5kg)
  • Capacity up to 55 lbs
  • Suitable from birth 
  • Compatible with Maclaren carry cot
  • Sizeable sun canopy with peekaboo window
  • Full recline 4-position seat
  • Rain cover included

Marta’s Review:

“Our favourite stroller for international travel is the Maclaren Quest. We got it when my son was 6 months old for daily use and since then, it has accompanied us on all of our adventures, from sightseeing in Europe to camping in Canada.

The main thing I love about it this Maclaren travel stroller that it strikes a good balance between being portable and sturdy. For the journey, I like how easy it is to fold and how compact it gets: it also comes with a handy shoulder strap that makes it easy to transport when closed.

Maclaren Quest

In use, I find it reclines nicely and there is a good size basket: this is a great help when travelling as it contains not just baby gear but also jackets, maps, snacks and pretty much anything you may need on a long day out.”

Click here to check prices for the Maclaren Quest.

Bob Gear Revolution Review

Christine from Tapped Out Travellers recommends the Bob Gear Revolution as the best stroller for all-terrain travelling.

The Bob Gear Revolution 

BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 Jogging Stroller, Graphite Black

Features:

  • Weight: 28 lbs (12.7 kg)
  • Capacity up to 75 lbs
  • Smooth ride with good suspension and air filled tires
  • Good storage with large storage basket and 6 extra pockets
  • Adjustable handlebar
  • Suitable from birth 
  • Car seat compatible  
  • Full recline
  • Extra large sun canopy with peekaboo window

Christine’s Review:

“The ‘Bob’ has been with us for 5 years now and he still has plenty of life left in him.

We had originally purchased a “normal” stroller from Walmart but found we couldn’t jog, take the shortcut through the woods to the grocery store or pack it up nice and tight into our tiny new car.

‘Bob’ was a great alternative; not only am I able to push it with one hand (coffee break or hand holding), the shocks mean my child will have a smooth ride – very important especially during nap time.

The swivel front wheel means I can practically turn on a dime, the solid frame allows me to take this jogging stroller off-roading while traveling in new countries, and the air filled tires means I can easily replace an inner tube when I get a flat tire – just like my bike.

Bob Revolution

There are an endless number of accessories available to customize the Bob Revolution stroller, from Handlebar console (cup storage) with tire pump, to car seat adapter and snack tray.

There is custom fit wind/rain cover, as well as sun shield. Inner tubes and tires are easily purchased online and just as easily swapped or repaired at home.”

Click here to check prices for the Bob Gear Revolution.

Britax B Free Review

Lisa from Travel Loving Family recommends the Britax B Free as a great choice for a lightweight travel stroller.

Although not super lightweight, the Britax B Free has it all for traveling families. It offers a smooth ride, lots of storage, a one-hand quick fold system and an adjustable handlebar. 

Britax B-Free Premium Stroller, Black Shimmer - Includes Adapters for Britax, Maxi Cosi, Cybex and Nuna Car Seats

Features:

  • Weight: 22 lbs (10 kg)
  • Capacity up to 65 lbs
  • Smooth ride with good suspension and all terrain tires
  • Good storage with large storage basket and 7 extra storage pockets
  • One-hand quick fold
  • Adjustable handlebar
  • Suitable from birth 
  • Car seat compatible  
  • Full recline
  • Extra large canopy with peekaboo window

Lisa’s Review:

“We are huge fans of Britax pushchairs as they are so sturdy and well made. We had the Britax B-Ready pushchair for five years; it was used for three years with my eldest son and then for a couple of years with my youngest.

It accompanied us on many flights (I lost count after the first 18 flights we took during my eldest sons first year of travel) and survived many trips around conveyor belts at airports around the world!

We were recently asked to review the Britax B Free, a smaller more compact version of the B Ready.

We have been using it for several months now and I love how easy it is to put up, the fairly good sized basket underneath (which is a must when travelling with kids) and the large cover to block the sun from my sons eyes.

It’s also great for older kids. My son who is nearly three is tall for his age and yet he still finds this pushchair comfortable enough to stretch out and have a good nap (another ESSENTIAL capability for a pushchair for when travelling with kids!)”

Click here to check prices for the Britax B Free.

Chicco C6 Review

Cristin from Smart Mouse Travel recommends the Chicco C6 as the best cheap umbrella stroller for travel.

The Chicco C6 stroller is a light, slim stroller that folds compactly and works in a city environment. This is the lightest stroller in our list and can be yours for under $100!

Chicco C6 Stroller, Black

Features:

  • Cheap at under $100
  • Lightweight at just 11 lbs (5 kg)
  • Capacity up to 37 lbs
  • Removable sun canopy 
  • Multi-position reclining seat
  • Carry bag and carry strap included

Cristin’s Review:

“This affordable stroller is extremely lightweight at only 11 pounds, and comes with a nylon carrying cases and built-in shoulder strap to allow you to carry it easily.

This nylon carrying case also protects the stroller when you check it at the gate, which is another bonus.

It maneuvers easily on paved surfaces and its slim design lets you get through narrow spaces. We also like that the handles are higher than most umbrella strollers, so there is no hunching over while you push it.

It is also extremely durable – it has lasted 7 years for us, and will be passed on as travel stroller for my niece.

Chicco Capri

The main downside of this light stroller for travel is that it does not work well on unpaved surfaces – so great for a city streets, but no good for off-roading.

The other main downside is that it does not fully recline – there are only two positions for the back: upright and slightly reclined.

Other minor niggles are that there is no cup holder and the basket under the seat is small. We also found that the sun canopy pops off easily, especially when you fold the stroller.”

Click here to check prices for the Chicco C6 stroller.

Do you have a favourite travel stroller? Share what you think is the best stroller for travel with us!

Looking for other travel product recommendations? Check out our articles about the best travel bassinets and cots, best backpack diaper bags and best travel car booster seats!

12 thoughts on “The Best Strollers for Travel for 2023”

  1. I wish I had read a post like this when deciding on our first stroller! Some really practical advice here from travelling parents

    Reply
  2. We usually bring our Baby Jogger City Mini for travel. The wheels are more substantial than on the Tour, so they make for a smoother ride on cobbled streets in Europe. That fast, one-handed fold can’t be beat. And it’s so light that I once jumped off a train with the stroller’s handle suspended from my pinky!

    Reply
  3. Wow! That is an exhaustive list of stroller options. Thanks. I always look for some big, sturdy wheels, because it makes the whole job of pushing my little one around so much easier. But there are some beauties there.

    Reply
    • Thanks Pat! Yes I think stroller buying is one of the most overwhelming choices to have to make when you are baby shopping! I agree with the sturdy wheels – I loved my Bugaboo Bee but the wheels drove me crazy on uneven surfaces!

      Reply
  4. I think stroller purchasing is a standout amongst the most overpowering decisions to need to make when you are infant shopping! I concur with the strong wheels – I cherished my Bugaboo Bee however the wheels made me insane on uneven surfaces!

    Much obliged to you

    Reply
  5. +1 for the Maclaren .

    We were given a second-hand one when we were expecting Son #1 and was too hard up, and it served him well, then we handed it on to another family, for whom it served for one kid, then it came back to us for two more.

    It may be dented (it was hit by a car once while in the care of that other family), scratched and probably rather stained though I don’t notice it.

    Our need for it is long gone but it’s in the storage as a souvenier of our life as parents!

    Reply
    • Thanks for the feedback Raymond – so true, Maclarens are so well made and last ages. You often see old battered ones still doing their job! So rare these days when things seem to only be built to last a couple of years…

      Reply
  6. If you’re looking for a system for just getting in and out of your own car, the Bravo Trio Car Seat Stroller Combo by Chicco is a really good option.

    Reply
  7. I live in NYC although after a year might move to the suburbs. I am so torn between the baby zen yoyo and the QUEST. How do I decide!?

    Reply
  8. Bob Revolution is one of the best strollers I’ve ever tested. It can handle any terrain, literally. It’s a great thing for a person like me who doesn’t like to sit at home, just loves to travel, walk, run.

    Reply
  9. I was founding a lightweight stroller for my baby. Because I travel so much for that I need a stroller which I can carry easily. I think Britax B is perfect for my baby. Thanks for the review.

    Reply
  10. Chicco C6 was easy to assemble, and we enjoyed using it. The device to fold it can be done with one hand, however, it is a bit too heavy to lift into the car’s trunk with one hand. The design is smooth. We’re between using the car seat and sitting in the stroller. The harness system is the only negative so far. It does not stay together easily and is a bit of a struggle between holding a wiggly, perhaps not happy baby, and piecing together the five point harness- each time. It may not be a big deal once we do not have to use the five points and can just use the lap harness. Still looks new after months of dirt road walks. Lots of room for water bottles for all involved and the storage basket below is large. I often use it instead of a cart at the grocery store. Overall, I am pleased with the purchase and would buy it again.

    Reply

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