BEST TRAVEL STROLLERS FOR TODDLERS 2023

Capucci Memento Stroller Lightweight folds effortlessly into an ultra-compact, self-standing package (so small that it fits most airline overhead compartments) making it the optimal travel companion.

Picture your little one resting comfortably on premium fabrics in one of 3 ergonomically optimal seating positions (including a full recline position), shielded by a large, ventilated extendable UPF50+ canopy, on a sleek lightweight 3D aluminum tubing frame with stylish leatherette accents.

• Adjustable Recline: Easy to adjust, 3 position mechanical recline, including a lay-flat full recline position that makes naps on the go so much more enjoyable.
• Features a 5-pt quick-release safety harness with padded covers, an extendable ventilated canopy with peek-a-boo window, an easy to use one-touch foot brake for quick stopping and going, a pivoting quick-release leatherette wrapped arm bar, and a convenient adjustable leg rest for tired little feet.

This lightweight foldable stroller is ideal for those short trips to the park, beach, or around the neighborhood. Perfectly sized for babies and toddlers alike, this umbrella stroller supports children up to 33 pounds. The Pamo Babe is one of the smallest folding strollers on the market and is destined to become your favorite travelling companion.

Open Size: 19.5 L*13.2 W*37.6 H inches

Folded Size: 36.2*6.1 inches

Applicable age: 6-36 months

Applicable weight: Up to 33lbs

This hand luggage sized pushchair is currently the world's smallest and most compact stroller for travel and can fit into a backpack! It weighs a mere 9.5 lbs making it the lightest stroller for travel.

Its narrow width means it easily passes through narrow door ways and small turnstiles at train stations. However, with this version that's where a lot of the benefits stop.

Infants cannot use this extra small stroller as it does not recline fully and toddlers needing a nap may find this uncomfortable for long periods. This original GB Pockit foldable baby strollers collapses down to a 11.8 inches x 7 inches x 13.8 inches.  

The sunshade lacks any sort of proper coverage, so you wouldn't want to be out in prolonged sunshine without some sort of CoziGo or Snoozeshade protector which is airy.

There is a mini storage area at the bottom for small items.

With all this in mind, the original GB Pockit collapsible stroller is definitely a good contender for the best stroller for airplane travel as it meets most cabin baggage sizes. This cabin size stroller really comes into its own for plane travel, due to its compact size and those waits in passport control.

This probably wouldn't be your every day stroller but for travel it has some clear advantages. There are several newer models out now, including the the Pockit Air Terrain 2019 model which is making this original model slightly cheaper.

Pros

• A small, lightweight compact stroller
• Can be used as cabin baggage. It will even fit under the seat.
• Front wheels can be locked to a stationary position or left to swivel
• It's really small and a very collapsible stroller!
• Did I mention how small it is?

Cons

Only suitable for babies aged 6 months plus.

• Sun canopy does not offer a great deal of protection
• There is no recline option (unless you purchase the Pockit Plus)

What other readers of Flying With A Baby Say:

"Easy to fold, a super light stroller and comfy as much as it can be for the size. We only use it when travelling by subway, bus and airplane."

• Weight: 9.5lbs
• Dimensions when folded: 11.8 inches x 7 inches x 13.8 inches.
• Recline: No
• Storage Basket: Yes
• Travel Bag: Yes
• Sun Canopy: Yes, but not effective
• Max Weight Capacity:
• Compatible with Infant Car Seat: No

The GB Pockit + All Terrain is an upgrade from the original GB Pockit and tweaks have it made it stronger, more robust, and even more practical for travel.

This newer version benefits from a recline function, a UV50 sun canopy whilst still folding up incredibly compactly, making it a fully collapsible stroller

It folds down in 2 simple steps and can be carried via the attached handle. It is considerably heavier at 12.3lbs/5.6kgs than its predecessor, but it is still a very lightweight travel stroller, which can be moved with one hand.

Although there is no travel bag or straps with the compact stroller, some people have bought backpack straps and carabiners to attach to the stroller and wear it as a backpack, as it is so lightweight.

The adjustable recline feature makes it possible for toddlers to sleep in but it does not go completely flat.

Included are adapters to click onto a CYBEX infant car seat.

Pros

• Really compact, perfect for immigration queues or day trips with a toddler
• Reclines

Cons

• It may be hard at times on cobblestones in Europe
• Canopy could be better

What other readers of Flying With A Baby Say:

"So useful for plane travel. We can fit it in our backpack as carryon"

Weight: 12.3lbs/5.6kgs

Dimensions when folded: 20 x 34 x 42 cm

Recline: Yes

Storage Basket: Yes

Travel Bag: No

Sun Canopy: Yes,

Max Weight Capacity: 55lbs

Age: 6 months up to approx. 4 years

Compatible with Infant Car Seat: Yes - gb and CYBEX

The UPPAbaby MINU V2 is very easy to use with one step and one hand fold - meaning you can hold baby and easily open up this pushchair. The shock-absorbing, all-wheel suspension is helpful for uneven terrain.

• Spacious seat suitable for children from 3 months up to 50lbs, One-hand, one-step compact fold
• Suitable from birth with bassinet accessory or infant car seat with use of adapters (not included)
• Deeper, easy access basket with 20lbs weight limit
• Zip out extendable canopy for increased sun protection and One handed, adjustable leg rest
• Deeper, easy access basket with 20lbs weight limit

Pros

• Multi-position recline
• Extendable, pop out UPF 50+ sunshade
• Vented peekaboo window

Cons

• It may be hard at times on cobblestones in Europe
• Canopy could be better

What other readers of Flying With A Baby Say:

"I needed two hands for the lock but otherwise easy to use."

Weight: 16.9 lbs

Dimensions when folded:12″ L x 20.3″ W x 23″ H 

Storage Basket: Yes

Travel Bag: Yes

Sun Canopy: Yes, pop out UPF 50+ sunshade

Max Weight Capacity: 50lbs

Age: 3 months to 50 lbs with a maximum child height of 40"

Compatible with Infant Car Seat: Yes - MESA Infant Car Seat or select Maxi-Cosi®, Nuna® and Cybex infant car seats.

The updated version of the popular G-Lite travel pushchair is now reclinable and even lighter at 11lbs. It has lost the function to stand up by itself, but for the lightness that's not a huge inconvenience. This umbrella stroller (with convenient carry strap) has dual wheels.

The seat has a breathable mesh for those hot days and the basket is very reasonably sized for a reclining umbrella stroller. The large UPF canopy is an improvement with an additional pop out sun visor. However, some readers have said the seat doesn't offer enough support for a younger baby, making it more suitable for a toddler.

A cup holder comes as standard (yay!) The price is also very reasonable for all the functions making it one of the best umbrella strollers and a great all rounder.  

Pros

• Very light
• Large, extendable sun canopy, pop out UPF 50+ sunshade
• Can hold up to 55lbs
• Price

Cons

• A smaller recline than some.

What other readers of Flying With A Baby Say:

"Easy to use and the carry strap is handy. Good but others fold up more compactly now."

Weight: 11.2lbs/5.08kgs

Dimensions when folded: 20 x 34 x 42 cm/ 12.5″ L x 10.7″ W x 42″ H

Recline: Yes

Storage Basket: Yes, holds up to 20lbs

Travel Bag: No, has a carry strap

Sun Canopy: Yes, pop out UPF 50+

Max Weight Capacity: 55lbs

Age: 6 months up to approx. 4 years

Compatible with Infant Car Seat: No

This is a popular mid way budget lightweight stroller for travel (13lbs/6.2kg).  An appealing feature is it reclines to a nearly flat position and is easy to manoeuvre on flat surfaces - it can be clunky on cobblestones.

A carry strap and compact fold helps make it easy to transport. It can be used until your little one reaches 50lbs - making it a good lightweight stroller for toddlers and beyond. The sun protection is average, but the pop out bit offers more than other budget strollers.

Additionally, a CoziGo UV stroller cover (and airline bassinet cover) or Snoozeshade can easily be attached to offer more protection, so this is not a deal breaker.

Pros:

• Price
• Near flat recline
• Has  a variety of storage: A cup holder, pocket on the back, and storage underneath
• Provides more shade than cheaper umbrella strollers

Cons:

• Legs can dangle a bit if child is tall.

What other readers of Flying With A Baby Say:

"Easy to use and the carry strap is handy. Good but others fold up more compactly now."

Weight: 13lbs/6.2kg

Dimensions when folded: 42" X 14.75" X 12.5".

Recline: Yes

Storage Basket: Yes

Travel Bag: No, has a carry strap

Sun Canopy: Yes,

Max Weight Capacity: 50lbs

Age: no taller than 43"

Compatible with Infant Car Seat: No

Although the newer Mountain Buggy Nano V3 is out, the original has many decent features and a good price point.

At 13lbs, this lightweight stroller has a full-size, padded seat with an adjustable leg rest and multi-position recline.

The seat can almost go into a lie-flat mode, making it one of the best reclining strollers for travel. However there is a newborn cocoon available as an extra, if you need.

Like the BabyZen YoYo Plus, this compact stroller comes with a carry handle and carry strap plus a travel bag. For most airline hand baggage rules, the Nano is too big to be considered as hand luggage, despite it being very compact.

The rain cover does need to be bought separately. It cannot fold one handed but feels sturdy.

Pros

• The narrow frame  is good for narrow streets  and doorways.
• Can be pushed one-handed easily.
• A good lightweight reclining stroller.
• Fits into overhead storage compartments (if permitted.)

Cons 

• Cannot be folded with one hand.
• Can be a bit tricky down a set of steps due to the small wheels.

What other readers of Flying With A Baby Say:

"We would be lost without our Mountain Buggy Nano. It has been on almost 50 flights in 18 months and is still in the best condition. Great recline too."

• Weight: 13lbs/6kg
• Dimensions when folded: 12 x 22 x 20 inches 
• Recline: Yes
• Storage Basket: Yes
• Travel Bag: Yes
• Sun Canopy: Yes,
• Max Weight Capacity: 44lbs
• Age: up to 4/ 44lbs
• Compatible with Infant Car Seat: Yes

The Maclaren Techo XT specifies that it suitable for children from birth. Although it is meant to fully recline, it is not completely flat, but it is near enough horizontal and certainly comfortable enough for the baby to sleep for many hours.

There is also an extendable foot rest for older babies which allows their legs to be fully elevated. The clasp to secure the straps can be a little fiddly as to unlock as you have to squeeze the buttons on the front and back at the same time making it difficult if you have long nails or weak fingers.

The straps do not adjust properly for newborns as they rub against their ears, the strap covers are definitely required but at an extra cost and for complete comfort you would need a headrest.

The XT is a compact umbrella stroller that is easy to fold away and open, and the handle at the side makes it easy to lift onto a trolley or put into the back of a car. The XT is the heaviest of the Maclarens but its benefits outweigh the extra two kgs that have to be lugged.

It is compact enough that on many occasions the Purser/CSD of the flight has allowed me to bring it on board to be stored in a cupboard. It can be a little heavy to push, but the swivel wheels to help it to easily glide around corners and manoeuvre through complicated spaces.

The Maclaren comes with a rain cover, which is great if you are travelling to tropical countries but investing in a mosquito net that fits securely is a must.

The hood has a handy clear window so you can see your child even when it is open but you will need a CoziGo or Snoozeshade draped over it if you want to completely block out the sun. The seat cover does get very dirty on the baggage belt and my hood did get slightly damaged on one occasion, so do invest in a canvas cover if you want to keep the buggy in pristine condition.

The pockets at the back of the XT are really handy for keeping water, sun cream and a hat at the ready: the storage beneath the buggy is ample for a few bags of shopping if the seat is not reclined.

One thing which always catches me by surprise is how the pushchair will topple over once to take the baby out if you have shopping bags on the handles, the buggy can also topple over when the baby is in the seat if there is too much weight on the handles.

At the end of your trip the seat cover can be removed and washed in the washing machine though refitting it can take time and is a little complicated.

Pros:

• A Compact reclining stroller
• Lighter than a travel system. Weighs 13.8lbs
• Has handy pockets.
• Suitable from birth.
• Easy fold umbrella stroller due to its one handed fold

Cons:

• Need to buy extra pieces for complete comfort.
• Can tip over if shopping bags are on the handle, with or without baby inside

What other readers of Flying With A Baby Say:

In general, I have been pleased with the Maclaren Techno XT and four and a half years later it is still going strong.

I am now using it for my 11 week old baby and although it is a little worn and torn, the functions work just as well as they did when I purchased it. I would recommend the Maclaren Techno XT to any travelling family and can assure you that the Maclaren brand has lived up to its long trusted name. For me, this has been the best umbrella stroller for travel.

Weight: 13.8lbs

Dimensions when folded:

Recline: Yes

Storage Basket: Yes

Travel Bag: No

Sun Canopy: Yes,

Max Weight Capacity: 25kg/55lbs

Age: up to 25kg

Compatible with Infant Car Seat: No

Another incredibly popular stroller, one that ALWAYS comes up on Disney World and Disneyland posts as well as my Flying With A Baby Facebook page.

The new Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is heavier than the ones mentioned above, but versatile from birth to older toddler, and is compatible with car seats seats. One hand fold, multiple recline positions, a UV extendable hood, swivel wheels make it a great all rounder. It fits in with some airline cabin baggage allowances, such as JetBlue, Turkish Airlines etc but is otherwise generally over these requirements.

Weight: 14lbs/6.5kgs

Dimensions when folded: 59.5cm x 49.5cm x 9cm (21.6" X16.9" X 6.8")

Recline: Yes

Storage Basket: Yes

Travel Bag: No

Sun Canopy: Yes,

Max Weight Capacity: Up to 45lbs/22kg

Age: Up to 45lbs/22kg

Compatible with Infant Car Seat: Yes

The stroller has an easy one handed fold using two buttons pressed together and it can be done with one hand. As you flick it open it often goes straight into place, but other times I have to push the back of the seat to click it all into place (I can use my knee so still one handed).

Folding it down is also done with the same two buttons pressed together and pushing down on the handle.

It doesn’t lie flat and therefore is only suitable from 6 months but it lies back enough to look comfortable for longer sleeps (111°-145°). There are two positions, upright and reclined and it can be changed one handed between the two. The seat is only forward facing.

This Bugaboo stroller is designed for children up to 22kg/around 4 years which is bigger than most in the travel stroller category. My petite 6 year old (21.5kg) has ridden in it on some longer days and it is still easy to push and tall enough in the seat to handle her. At 5 foot 9, I often struggle with stroller’s that don’t have a height adjustable bar, but I find the Butterfly is still comfortable to push.

The basket is a reasonable size and I can fit our changing bag under there.

Once folded, the stroller is a very compact 45 x 23 x 54 cm which means it fits in most car boots (we have a Ford S Max 7 seater and with all 7 seats up I could fit in several folded Butterflys).

It it also approved as cabin luggage and can slide into the overhead lockers easily..

We have tried it so far on Air India, British Airways and Vietnam Airlines and it was a comfortable fit in the lockers – something that made a stopover much more comfortable for all of us! It is unusual to be given your pushchair or stroller back for stopovers as you will usually collect any stroller at your final destination. Being able to use a super compact foldable stroller in-between connecting flights was incredibly useful! Read more on the Bugaboo Butterfly here.

• Weight: 7.3 kg
• Dimensions when folded: 45 x 23 x 54 cm
• Recline: Yes
• Storage Basket: Yes
• Travel Bag?: No
• Sun Canopy: Yes
• Max Weight Capacity: 22kg
• Age suitable for: 6 months – 4 years
• Compatible with Infant Car Seat: Yes - with adaptors available separately. Compatible with Bugaboo Turtle One and Air by Nuna & other Maxi-Cosi® infant car seats.
• Dimensions unfolded 92.5 x 45 x 102.4 cm

I know a buggy is an incredibly personal choice but I really have great things to say about the Baby Jogger City Mini when flying with a toddler

We bought a Maclaren run around when we started travelling with our son but when that broke we replaced it with the Baby Jogger and three years and another little one down the line and it's still going strong, in spite of all sorts of rough treatment from the baggage handlers.

It's just as travel-friendly - folds down super easily, is nippy and light - but feels much more solid and comfortable for the little ones. It feels more like a flight-friendly regular buggy than a buggy you buy specifically for flights. 

Pros

• Light - weighs 17.8 lbs
• Can fold with one hand.
• Easy to manoeuvre.
• Seat tilts back to flat for nap time on the go.

Cons

• I can’t think of any!

Weight: 17.8lbs

Dimensions when folded: 55 x 38 x 23 cm (9.03 x 14.96 x 21.65 inch)

Recline: Yes

Storage Basket: Yes

Travel Bag: No

Sun Canopy: Yes,

Max Weight Capacity: from birth to 50lbs

Age: 50lbs

Compatible with Infant Car Seat: Yes. Britax, Chicco, Clek, Cybex, Graco, Maxi Cosi, Nuna, Peg Perego, and UPPAbaby infant car seats (adapters for other brands' infant car seats sold separately)

• 3 strollers in 1: Infant Car Seat Carrier, Infant Pramette, and Toddler Stroller to stroll from infant to toddler (infant car seat sold separately)
• Reversible stroller seat can face parent or the world, for just the right ride as baby grows
• Toddler seat converts to an infant pramette, for comfortable strolls with baby
• Stroller accepts all Graco Infant Car Seats, for an easy transition from car to stroller and use from birth as a car seat carrier (infant car seat sold separately)
• One-hand stroller fold for easy storage and transportation

Pros

• Light - weighs under 14 lbs
• Can fold with one hand.
• Good recline
• Generous storage space
• Has a bar for little one to hold

Weight: 22 lbs

Recline: Yes

Storage Basket: Yes

Travel Bag: No

Sun Canopy: Yes

Max Weight Capacity: 50lbs

Age:

Compatible with Infant Car Seat: Yes:

Graco Modes Pramette Stroller is compatible with any Graco SnugRide Click Connect or SnugRide SnugLock infant car seat.

The Ergobaby is sleek, lightweight and compact and makes a great cabin sized stroller as it folds down to fit into most overhead airplane bins with a folded size of 21x17x9 inches.

Rare for a compact travel stroller, it features an adjustable handlebar height and has a good recline function. This travel includes a rain shield and has a UV 50+ sun canopy.

Weight: 21.6lbs

Dimensions when folded: 21x17x9 "

Recline: Yes

Storage Basket: Yes

Travel Bag: Available separately here

Sun Canopy: Yes

Max Weight Capacity: 50lbs

Age: Newborn (with the newborn nest) to toddler Metro+ is usable from birth up to 22 kg, or 4 years, whichever comes first.

Compatible with Infant Car Seat: Yes comes with Graco/Chicco adaptors.

The Joovy Kooper comes with a snack tray (it can still be folded with this on) and as well as a storage basket below, it also comes with extra storage with a zippered pocket and mesh cup holder.

The recline makes it suitable for 3 months and older.

Whilst it doesn't come with a bag or carry straps, you can buy stroller travel bags if needed for the airplane.

Weight: 16lbs

Dimensions when folded: 29.3” L x 21” W x 12.5” H

Recline: Yes

Storage Basket: Yes, 15lbs worth of storage

Travel Bag: No, but it has an automatic folding lock

Sun Canopy: Yes

Max Weight Capacity: 50lbs

Age: 3 months + to approx 5 years old

Compatible with Infant Car Seat: Yes

• Easy Fold Compact Toddler Stroller and Baby Stroller for Travel, Large Storage Basket, Multi-Position Recline, Convenient One-hand Fold, - Slate Gray
• Weight: 13 lbs
• Travel bag: No
• Storage basket: Yes
• Recline: Yes
• Sun canopy: Yes