The best travel stroller suits your child's age, the way you travel and where you'll push it. Compare fold, weight, recline and wheels, and check the safety standard where you live. Brands below are alphabetical, not ranked.
A travel stroller has one job that a full-size pushchair can't do: fold small and light enough to carry through airports, onto trains and into the boot of a hire car without a fight. Parents who travel often end up owning one alongside their everyday pram, and some use it as their only stroller once the baby is a little older. Because every family's trips are different, this guide doesn't name a single best travel stroller. I haven't pushed a fleet of them through departure lounges for this page. Instead, you'll find the questions to answer before you shop, the features that matter most, the safety checks to make and the brands you'll find on most shortlists, listed alphabetically rather than ranked.
Answer these four questions first
How old is your child?
Newborns need to lie flat. Many travel strollers suit babies from around six months, when they can sit with support, while others accept younger babies only with a newborn pack, cocoon or a car seat that clips on. Check the manufacturer's age guidance and whether the seat reclines fully.
How will you travel?
If you fly often, you'll want a stroller that folds quickly with one hand and, ideally, fits the airline's cabin rules, though those vary by airline and you may still be asked to check it at the gate. If you mostly take trains, buses or city breaks, a light weight and a simple carry strap matter more. If you drive, boot space and how easily it lifts in are the tests.
Where will you push it?
Small wheels glide on airport floors and shopping centres but struggle on cobbles, gravel and grass. If your holidays involve old towns or countryside, look for bigger wheels or better suspension, and accept that the fold may be slightly larger.
Is this your only stroller?
If it will be used every day at home as well as on holiday, comfort, a decent basket and a good canopy matter as much as the fold. If it's only for trips, you can trade some comfort for a smaller, lighter package.
The features that matter most
| Feature | Why it matters | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Fold | Decides how easy airports and taxis are | One-hand fold, whether it stands up folded, and the folded size |
| Weight | You'll carry it up steps and onto transport | Lift it with a bag on your shoulder, as you would on a trip |
| Recline | Lets a tired child nap on the move | How flat it goes and how easy the recline is to adjust |
| Harness | Keeps your child secure | A five-point harness that's simple to adjust and fasten |
| Canopy | Shade and shelter on sunny or windy days | Size, sun protection and whether it has a peek window |
| Basket | Holds the nappy bag and shopping | Capacity and whether you can reach it when the seat reclines |
| Wheels and brakes | Control on slopes and rough ground | Wheel size, suspension and a foot brake that's easy to use |
| Carry strap | Frees your hands when folded | A shoulder strap or a travel bag included or available |
Safety checks worth making
- Look for a stroller that meets the safety standard where you live, such as the ASTM standard in the US or EN 1888 in the UK and Europe.
- Check that the brakes lock both rear wheels firmly.
- Make sure the harness can't be undone easily by a curious child.
- Never hang heavy bags from the handlebar, because the stroller can tip backwards.
- Read the weight limit for the seat and the basket, and stick to them.
- Register the product with the maker so you hear about any recall.
If you're buying second-hand, check the model hasn't been recalled and that the frame, brakes and harness are undamaged. Ask for the manual too, because the fold and recline instructions matter more on a compact stroller than on a bigger one.
Flying with a travel stroller
Airlines have their own rules on strollers, and they change. Some let compact strollers into the cabin if they fit the cabin bag size, others ask you to leave them at the aircraft door to be returned when you land and some send them to the hold. Before you fly, read your airline's rules for strollers and car seats, and pack a cover or travel bag to protect the frame. Keep the stroller with you until the gate, because a long walk through the airport with a tired child is exactly when you'll want it. For older children, a few Google games that work offline on a phone can rescue a long delay. If you're travelling light yourself, my guide to the best carry-on luggage covers the bag that goes overhead while the stroller goes under the plane.
A test you can do in the shop
- Fold and unfold it three times, once using only one hand.
- Lift it folded with one hand and hold it for a minute.
- Put it in a car boot or a space the size of an overhead locker if you can.
- Push it with some weight in the seat over a doorstep or kerb.
- Recline the seat and check you can still reach the basket.
- Adjust the harness and the canopy as you would with a wriggling child.
A stroller that feels fine on a smooth shop floor can be a struggle on a hotel's gravel drive. If you can, test it outside.
Brands you'll see on most shortlists
These brands appear in most travel stroller guides. They're listed in alphabetical order to help your research and are not a ranking. Check each model's age range, folded size and safety information before you buy.
- Babyzen, now part of Stokke: the YOYO compact stroller.
- Bugaboo: the Butterfly compact stroller.
- Cybex: compact strollers including the Libelle and Orfeo.
- gb: the Pockit range of very small folding strollers.
- Joie: travel strollers for families on a range of budgets.
- Joolz: the Aer compact stroller.
- Silver Cross: compact strollers including the Jet.
- UPPAbaby: the Minu compact stroller.
Accessories that make trips easier
- A rain cover sized for your model.
- A padded travel bag for checking it in.
- A clip-on fan or sunshade for hot destinations.
- A cup holder or organiser for the handlebar, within the weight limit.
- A footmuff or liner for colder trips.
Check which accessories are made for your model, because universal ones don't always fit well. It's also worth checking whether the maker sells spare wheels, covers and parts, because a stroller you can repair after a rough trip will last far longer than one you have to replace.
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At home between trips
A travel stroller lives a hard life, so give it a quick check after each trip. Wipe the frame, wash the seat fabric if the maker allows it, check the wheels for hair and grit and make sure the fold still clicks into place. Store it dry and out of direct sunlight. While you're thinking about safety at home, my guide to the best baby monitor covers the other piece of kit many parents rely on every night.
Questions to ask before you buy
- From what age can my child use it, and do I need a newborn pack?
- How much does it weigh, and can I carry it folded for a while?
- Does it fold with one hand, and does it stand up on its own when folded?
- What's the seat's weight limit, and how long will my child fit in it?
- Is there a travel bag, and is it included?
- What does the warranty cover?
Make a stroller or family travel brand? See how to get it featured on this list.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best travel stroller?
The best travel stroller suits your child's age, the way you travel and where you'll push it. Compare fold size, weight, recline and wheels, and check the safety standard for your country.
Can I take a travel stroller on a plane?
It depends on the airline. Some allow compact strollers in the cabin, some return them at the aircraft door and some send them to the hold. Check your airline's rules before you fly.
Are travel strollers suitable for newborns?
Some are, usually with a newborn pack, cocoon or a compatible car seat that lets the baby lie flat. Others suit babies only once they can sit with support. Check the manufacturer's guidance.
How heavy should a travel stroller be?
Light enough that you can carry it folded with one hand while holding a bag. Lift it in a shop or at home before you commit.
Do I need a travel stroller as well as a pram?
Many families buy one for trips and keep a full-size pram for daily use. Others use a travel stroller as their only stroller once the baby is older.
What safety standard should a stroller meet?
In the US look for the ASTM stroller standard, and in the UK and Europe look for EN 1888. Register the product so you hear about recalls.
