Is it just me, or does having a baby come with a need for an arsenal of strollers? Do you really need a travel stroller? And if you do, should you invest in a travel bag for both it and your regular stroller? What is the best travel stroller anyways?
These were the questions swirling in my mind as I prepared for our first family trip. We went back and forth about whether to get a travel stroller right up until the *very* last minute. With so many logistics and options to consider, I sought advice from friends with multiple kids to gather their insights on the investment. I’m nothing if not practical!
So, what’s the verdict? The short answer is: no, you don’t have to get a travel stroller. You can absolutely use any stroller you already own and check or gate-check it if it doesn’t fit in overhead storage.
HOWEVER, there are many reasons why you might want to have a travel stroller for your little one. In this guide, I’m sharing all about the pros and cons of travel strollers, features to look for, and my personal experiences traveling with both our travel stroller and regular stroller. I hope to help you determine what will work best for your family and your lifestyle.
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Benefits of a Travel Stroller
There are many pros to having a travel stroller. While it may not be necessary for every trip, they come in handy for European destinations or long air travel days.
On our first trip with our 2.5 month old, we took the regular stroller to Utah with us. Since it was a domestic trip and I was going to wear her through airports, it was not a big deal. We bought the fancy stroller bag and checked it.
However, when we went to Europe at 11 months old, we caved and got the travel stroller. It was worth every penny in my opinion for a big trip to that type of destination at her age.
Here are some key benefits and pros to having a travel stroller:
1. Travel Strollers can fit in Airplane Overhead Storage | If you would like to carry your stroller on the plane and have it fit in overhead storage, then you need to get a compact travel stroller or umbrella stroller. Thankfully, it does not count as part of your carry-on allotment so it’s like a free bonus item on most airlines. However, if there is not room or it does not fit on say smaller airplanes, you’ll have to gate check it (still free).
2. It Can Serve as Your Main Stroller | If you prefer a more lightweight option, a nice travel stroller can definitely serve as your main stroller. In hindsight, while I love our main stroller, it’s very heavy and I’ll probably want a side by side when we have two kids. It may have been best to go with a travel stroller at first then switch to a double stroller if we have another child.
3. Lightweight and Easy to Fold Up One Handed | A travel stroller is compact and lightweight making it much easier to move from car to hotel to airport (and up/down stairs). They can usually be folded up using one hand and picked up with a shoulder strap. When you are carrying luggage and a child, this is huge.
4. It is nice to have a travel stroller in the airport for international trips | On long travel days or flights with layovers, it is SO nice to have a place to put your baby. I wear my child often, but after a while it’s probably not good for her (or my back).
5. Worth investment for frequent travelers | If you travel often, you will definitely get your money’s worth and it is worth the investment. If you only travel once every couple years, it may not be worth it.
6. Fits easily in small European cars and restaurants | If you are traveling to Europe, the small cars, hotels, and spaces are not conducive for a big stroller. After spending time in Greece, Copenhagen, and Munich, I was so glad we got a travel stroller.
7. A place to put your child for naps, etc. | It is great to have a place to put your child for naps on the go or if a restaurant doesn’t have a high chair.
8. Can Accommodate an Infant Car Seat | Many travel strollers can adapt to have an infant car seat attached to it. When using taxis, this is amazing so you have a place to put the carseat while out exploring!
9. Free to check or gate check on most airlines | A travel stroller is free to check or gate check on most airlines. Some of the smaller airlines in Europe will not let you gate check a stroller if it is too big, meaning you wouldn’t be able to take it through security.
Cons of a Travel Stroller
1. Expensive | Like me, you are probably on the fence because a travel stroller will set you back a few hundred dollars.
2. Storage | You lose some storage with a travel stroller like having space underneath for diaper bags, cooler, etc.
3. Durability | Some travel strollers are not quite durable and not able to handle rough terrain (like cobblestone streets in Europe). I will say our travel stroller handled the Euro streets quite well!
4. Having multiple strollers | Most people don’t need to have multiple strollers for everyday life. It’s a pain to find storage for them at home.
5. If gate checked, you have to wait for it | If you gate check the stroller, you will have to wait for it. This is not ideal if you have a tight connection to make.
Key Features to Look for in a Travel Stroller
When it comes to choosing the perfect travel stroller, there are a few essential features that can make your family adventures smoother and more enjoyable. Here’s some important features that we love:
1. Lightweight and Compact Design
Travel strollers should be easy to carry and store. Look for a model that’s lightweight—ideally under 15 pounds—and can fold up compactly. This makes it a breeze to lift into a car or carry onto public transport.
2. Easy Folding Mechanism
A stroller that folds with one hand is a game changer, especially when you’re juggling bags and a little one. Check out strollers with a simple, intuitive folding mechanism to streamline your travel experience.
3. Maneuverability
Wheels are crucial! Look for strollers with swivel front wheels for easy navigation in crowded places. Additionally, sturdy rear wheels help on uneven terrain, ensuring a smooth ride whether you’re exploring city streets or park paths.
4. Safety Features
Safety is non-negotiable. Ensure the stroller has a reliable harness system and a strong brake system.
5. Comfort for Your Child
Your child will spend a good amount of time in the stroller, so comfort matters. Look for a well-padded seat with multiple recline positions, a good canopy for sun protection, and plenty of legroom. Truly recline is key for taking naps on the go!
6. Storage Options
Traveling often means carrying extra gear. Choose a stroller with a good storage basket to hold essentials like diapers, snacks, and toys. Some models even have additional pockets for smaller items. I love that ours has a storage basket plus a pocket behind the seat that can hold phones or other small items.
7. Durability
Investing in a travel stroller means you want it to last. Look for high-quality materials and a robust build that can withstand the wear and tear of travel. You get what you pay for!
8. Car Seat Compatibility
If you have an infant, consider a stroller that can adapt to fit your car seat. This feature allows you to seamlessly transfer your baby from the car to the stroller without disturbing their sleep. It’s also a place to store the car seat when out and about!
My Experience Traveling with a Regular Stroller and Travel Stroller
TRAVEL WITH OUR REGULAR STROLLER:
We have the Uppababy Vista Stroller which we decided on because it can eventually accommodate two children and we hope to keep growing our family. On our first trip at 2.5 months old, we decided to take the Vista instead of purchasing a second stroller right away.
You CAN check it either at the check-in counter or gate. I suggest doing so before security since you have to remove the wheels, get it in the travel bag, etc. It’s a process. We did all of that at home for ease and efficiency. Since this is quite an expensive stroller, we did invest in the Uppababy Travel Bag for it and definitely placed an Apple Air tag inside.
I decided it would be best to wear my baby through the airport so I just didn’t need a stroller until I reached my destination. When they are that small, it’s best to wear them anyways for germs, etc. Quite frankly, I wore her most of the time on our trip and rarely used the stroller anyways. It’s really about your preference, destination, baby’s age, and what your baby likes.
TRAVELING WITH OUR TRAVEL STROLLER:
We did get a travel stroller for our first international trip when our child was 11 months old and I recommend just going for it. Our travel stroller is the Uppababy MINU. We decided on it because (with an adapter) it can accommodate the Mesa infant carseat which was amazing traveling with our baby. The streets, cars, shops, hotels, etc in Europe are all so small so it was much easier to take a compact stroller.
I’ve also heard rave reviews from the Cybex and YOYO travel strollers.
We also looked at renting a smaller stroller in our destination and may try that in the future as well! Such a great idea.
Lastly, let’s answer a few of the top questions we’ve all had about traveling with a stroller.
Do I need another stroller for multiple kids?
Yes, with multiple kids you will likely want to get another stroller. Many people like a side by side stroller for multiple kids.
Wow, I’m glad I can learn from friends! Our friends with 2 kids eventually got and loved a side by side stroller. The favorite is the Zoe because it is small, lightweight, and the only one that can get through a doorway. They travel with this one now. The problem is, this does not accommodate 2 kids if one is an infant because they can not sit up yet. If we do travel with two kids one day, I will likely wear the baby and have the toddler in a stroller. Then, I’ll get a side by side for them.
Overall, I am learning that the stroller game is quite intense. What most people seem to do is rotate through strollers. You just get what you need and then resell it when you are done. Facebook Marketplace has TONS of strollers and travel strollers available. There is a great market for stroller resale.
Does it cost extra to bring a stroller on a plane?
It does not usually cost extra to bring a stroller on a plane. Most airlines allow you to check or gate check a stroller for free. If your stroller is small enough to fit in the overhead compartment, you are allowed to carry it on board.
Do you have to have a stroller bag when flying? Is a stroller bag worth it?
You are not required to use a stroller bag when flying. However, it is worth it to use a stroller bag to protect from any damage. Most stroller companies guarantee it won’t get damaged in the bag and will cover the cost if it does.
I highly recommend using a stroller bag. We gate checked our (brand new) travel stroller without a bag and it was damaged. They accidentally checked the stroller all the way through instead of giving it back to us at the gate which is how it even happened. I could tell someone opened the stroller (forcefully) without knowing how to work it. The canopy was completely broken and while that’s replaceable, it broke the part that clips to the frame which is not fixable.
If it had been in even the cheaper stroller bag, it would have been fine. I will use that bag in the future for gate checking the travel stroller. We do have the Uppababy stroller bag for the Vista since it’s a $1,000 stroller and is something we would check before security.
Strollers and baby travel gear mentioned in this post
We personally use the Uppababy Vista V2 and MINU V2, the Travel Bag for it, and this Amazon carseat cover. We love them all! The travel bag is really nice and it’s covered by Uppababy if any damage occurs.
*click any image link to shop our exact ones*
