The best travel strollers let families roll up to the gate (and sometimes right onto the plane) with fewer complications. These strollers are lightweight and compact enough to squeeze into an overhead bin with your carry-on luggage or diaper bag. Many fold with one hand and some are narrow enough to stroll the plane’s aisles. Others have car seats built into them or possess seamless click-in capabilities, meaning there’s no need to rent a seat when you arrive at your destination.
The best travel strollers help families go from the car to the gate with ease.
Nuna
I spoke with parents and parenting experts to find the best travel strollers depending on your needs, from compact travel strollers for toddlers to travel stroller systems for infant passengers. After a recent trip, we also revised our No. 1 best travel stroller pick to be the Nuna TRVL stroller, because of its ability to traverse all types of terrain, its ability to literally fold on its own and a slew of other neat features.
“Even when you travel with another adult who can help, traveling [with children] always feels hectic,” says Chelsea Stivers, mom, postpartum and motherhood expert and founder of The Balance After Baby. She opts to travel with a travel stroller because, as she says: “I need something lightweight that can fold up in one or two quick motions. You don’t realize how often you have to do this when traveling, but it’s a lifesaver.”
In general, you’ll want a lighter stroller than your everyday wheels or certainly more compact than a rugged jogging stroller. Read more about how to select the best travel strollers in our buying guide at the end of this article.
Best for: Those looking for a self-folding, top-of-the line travel stroller system.
The newly introduced Nuna TRVL travel stroller has quickly made a name for itself—and for good reason. The Nuna TRVL checks all the boxes in terms of the best travel strollers expected features. Its easy self-folding feature is a huge help to traveling parents juggling bags and kids. It also fits in the overhead bin, comes with a carrying case and accommodates children up to 50 pounds, making it a wonderful long-term stroller option. It connects directly to Nuna Pipa car seats with no adapter, which is a convenience for many overtired parents. I also like the one-touch break, adjustable leg support, customizable recline and the removable and adjustable push bar, all of which make it a great infant or toddler option. It’s lightweight and simple to push, even one-handed.
Emilie Kiser, content creator and mom of one, calls it “one of my most used purchases for my baby.” She went on to tell me, “I truly love it. It comes with a stroller bag, is seamless when it comes to opening and closing and is lightweight.”
Best for: Frequent travelers and social butterflies who need a lightweight solution to fit their busy lifestyle.
If you’re looking for a travel stroller to zip you through the airport and would prefer to avoid gate checking it, the gb Pockit+ All City is worth considering. This travel stroller folds up as small as a handbag in seconds, making it TSA carry-on compliant.
“I can’t imagine going anywhere without first putting our gb Pockit in my trunk,” says Alex Powers, mom of two and avid traveler. “It’s lightweight, so easy to break down and can fit into any overhead compartment. Plus—major bonus—you can also use it while walking down the airplane aisles.”
Not every car seat attaches to the Pockit, but a separate (included) adapter does make it baby-ready with any Cybex infant car seat. It also reclines, has an 11-pound capacity storage basket, removable and machine washable fabric and the sun canopy includes a 50+ UPF rating. The gb Pockit+ All City travel stroller holds children up to 55 pounds, so its weight limit is a bit higher than the Nuna.
Pros:
Extra compact fold
Higher weight limit
Cons:
Not durable enough for daily use
Limited car seat options
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Best Airport-Friendly Travel Stroller
Includes A Carrying Strap, Car Seat Compatibility And Easy Fold
Best For: This stroller is ideal for short vacations and road trips, but its lightweight build means urban parents also love it for zipping along sidewalks and into stores.
Poll any group of new parents, which I did, and many will tell you they absolutely love the Babyzen YoYo2. Anne Bransky, frequent cross-country traveler and mom of two, swears by the YoYo, because it’s easy to use and fits in the overhead bin. Given that it’s only 14 pounds, you won’t throw your back out lifting it up. It folds up compactly, so you can carry it like a tote, and it includes a board attachment, allowing another sibling to ride.
While it’s a bit lightweight for everyday use, the padded seat, four-wheel suspension and shock absorption make for a comfortable ride. It also has an adjustable leg rest, a secure back pocket for storage, a 50+ UPF solar screen and and is compatible with most car seats with the right adapter.
Pros:
Shoulder strap for carrying
Board attachment for siblings to ride along
Compatible with most car seats (with adapter)
Cons:
Pricey
Seat and canopy require separate purchase
Best Budget Travel Stroller
This Cost-Efficient Stroller Is Easy To Use And Lightweight
Weight: 15 pounds | Car seat compatible: Yes | Carry-on potential: No | One-handed fold: No | Weight limit: 50 pounds
Best for: Families on the hunt for a budget-friendly option that has most of the bells and whistles of more expensive options.
Travel strollers can get really expensive. Leave it to Graco to craft an option that’s budget friendly and versatile. Aside from the price, parents love this travel stroller because it attaches to Graco infant car seats in seconds so you don’t have to wake baby to transfer them. It folds compactly in one step and includes a parent tray with cupholder and a child’s belly bar with cup holders so snacks are easily accessible. The reclining seat includes a 5-point harness for optimal safety and the storage basket is more than adequate. Two downsides to note: The fabric of the stroller can’t be removed, so you’ll have to spot clean with soap and water. And while lightweight at 15 pounds, the Graco NimbleLite won’t fit in the overhead bin, so you’ll need to gate-check it.
Pros:
Affordable
Lightweight
Simple folding mechanism
Cons:
Spot clean only
Cannot stroll onto plane
Best Toddler Travel Stroller
Lightweight But Sturdy Enough For City Trips And Big Kids
Best For: Those who take long and short trips frequently or who need a lightweight option for daily use.
The Colugo Compact stroller is another mom-favorite because of its features and low(er) price. The one-handed two-second fold and carrier backpack are very handy, as are the foam filled tires and 5-point magnetic harness buckle. Additionally, it accommodates kids 6 months all the way up to 55 pounds with a full-seat flat recline option.
Jane Sung, the senior beauty editor at Forbes Vetted, called the Colugo “indispensable” for her family vacations. “The stroller is really well designed, lightweight yet sturdy enough to withstand the bumps of strolling in various locales,” she says. “It folds down in seconds and fits in an airplane overhead bin, and the best part is that it can roll down the aisle to your seats—perfect for the gate-check-averse like me.”
Best for: City dwellers who need an option they can use for errands and when traveling.
Like other greats in the travel stroller game, the Maxi-Cosi Lara has a one-hand-fold option, and it fits in the overhead bin. This umbrella travel stroller is best for toddlers and will last up to 50 pounds. There is no car seat attachment option, so that may be a dealbreaker for some.
However, the Lara stands out for a few reasons, including its lightweight feel and price point. We also like its extended umbrella canopy. It covers most of your child’s trunk so you can explore the great outdoors without worrying about them overheating or getting wet from a mid-day sprinkle. It also creates a cozy nap environment for tired kids.
Best for: Families of twins or two children close in age.
The Joovy KooperX2 double stroller is about as compact as you can go with a double stroller. It fits babies from 3 months old up to 50 pounds in each seat. I love the recline, standing fold and additional perks, such as the lockable front wheels and the adjustable leg rests. If you have to take a double stroller along on your trip, this Joovy double travel stroller is worth considering. It’s machine-washable, includes two snack trays, matching canopies with peekaboo window, under-carriage storage and a linked rear break for quick stopping. I also prefer the single handlebar for pushing significant weight, such as two children.
Pros:
Standing fold
Machine washable
Recline and foot rests offer multiple positions
Cons:
Pricey
No car seat option
Best Travel System
Your Wheels And Car Seat All Tied Into One Package
Weight: 17pounds | Car seat compatible: Yes | Carry-on potential: Yes | One-handed fold: No | Weight limit: 35 pounds
Best for: Parents with children under 2 years old who want to simplify travel—or even trips to the pediatrician.
The Doona is a favorite of parents with infants and younger toddlers because it allows for a seamless transition between your gate, the plane and the car after your flight. The stroller folds down to become a car seat so you don’t have to remove your sleeping child in order to get them sorted out in the car. The large wheels allow for a smooth ride. “It eliminates the headache of renting a car seat at your destination,” says fashion designer and mom Lindsay Lorente. She adds that it’s a game changer for those who live in major cities where many families lack a family car and rely on taxis and public transportation. “It allows for the ability to take your infant on a cab ride.” The downside, however, is that the weight limit maxes out at 35 pounds, so it’s really only of use during the first year or two, depending on how large your child is. I would also note the frame is set a bit low, so if you’re tall, the push handle and general frame might feel uncomfortable for long periods.
Best for: Adventurous parents looking for a long-term solution.
The Baby Jogger City Mini came recommended by a number of parents and after giving it a test-drive of my own I could see why. Sure, it has similar selling points as some other options, like a one-hand fold, adjustable leg support, intuitive steering, a 50+ UV sun shade and undercarriage storage. But it also has features others don’t. For one, it can be used until your child reaches 65 pounds (the highest weight limit I’ve encountered). It also reclines nearly flat and, thanks to the forever-air tires and sporty three wheel system, it takes on uneven terrain with ease. I tried it on rocky ground and was surprised at how simple it was to steer. I also love that it folds so compactly with little fuss and that it can be modified to become a travel system that’s compatible with a number of best-selling car seats. You also have the option to add on a glider board, child tray, or bassinet, which makes it exceptionally versatile. The one thing I noted, as a 5’8 person, was that the push bar is a bit lower than I’d like, but it’s nothing extremely detrimental to the experience and the handlebar is adjustable.
Pros:
Suited to all sorts of terrain
Quick and compact fold
Lightweight and easy to maneuver
Cons:
A little low if you’re tall
How We Chose The Best Travel Strollers
As with everything we choose to highlight on Forbes Vetted, we put in a great deal of research. Through personal use, recommendations from real parents both at Forbes and elsewhere, as well as a plethora of written reviews, we ultimately decide which travel strollers are worth your money. I’ve tested a great deal of these strollers with my own child or taken friends’ for a spin during park runs. This article is updated regularly (most recently in August 2022) to ensure the products and prices are still accurate and that we still love these strollers just as much.
Personal test runs and reviews by parents
Extensive research and product comparisons
Frequent updating to ensure accuracy
How To Choose The Best Travel Stroller For You
Katie Long, director of strategy at The Mom Complex and mom of two under 5 (the equivalent of a parental PhD), explains that when it comes to purchasing a travel stroller, there are several key factors to keep in mind: “Look for one that packs down really small. Can it go in another bag or be worn by a strap? This is crucial for when a child needs to be carried. Parents often need both hands.”
What Are The Top Travel Stroller Features?
Overhead bin friendly? Long says it’s especially helpful if the travel stroller fits in the overhead compartment to ease the transition from airport to airplane and back again.
Recline? A travel stroller that reclines is a boon for kids who might just nap on the go but also in determining if it can transport an infant or not. If the stroller seat doesn’t recline flat, you’ll need a car seat attachment to use it with an infant that requires full recline.
One-handed fold? When it’s time to head to your seat, you’ll want an easy, one-handed fold option in your travel stroller to save you time and frustration, especially while balancing a bunch of bags, kids and snacks or drinks. It also comes in handy when jumping onto a bus, trolley or into a cab.
Storage space: Stivers recommends a travel stroller with storage space underneath. “It’s always a huge plus to not have to have a diaper bag or carry-on strapped to you constantly,” she says. “It’s worth the investment, and your back will thank you later.”
Weight limit: Even after a toddler outgrows the need for a daily stroller, they still might appreciate a travel stroller. A travel stroller with a higher weight limit can give big kids’ legs a quick rest while exploring all day and can even act as a bag trolley while in the airport! Check out the weight limit of your stroller to see how long it’ll last you. Through kindergarten and all those Disney trips or just while they are a baby?
Do Travel Strollers Work Well Enough For Daily Use?
Yes and no. While most travel strollers are optimal for travel, which means not everyday use, there are a few (like the Nuna TRVL) that work for errands and daily use. For the most part, however, the allure of travel strollers is that they’re lightweight and compact, which doesn’t always suit parents’ needs on a daily basis.
Frequently Asked Questions On Stroller Travel
How Do You Go Through TSA With A Stroller?
Per the TSA’s rules: You should place your carry-on items, as well as your child’s items, on the X-ray belt to be screened. Your stroller, travel system, baby carrier, booster and car seats must go through the X-ray machine, too. If you can place it on the belt, great, but if not, they will direct you to stroll through with it. Place any items from your stroller onto the X-ray belt to avoid complications.
You’ll also need to remove your child from the stroller and carry them through the walk-through X-ray machine, so be sure to prepare for that. Some airports will allow parents and young children through a separate scanner.
Are Strollers A Carry-On Item?
Many travel strollers are carry-on approved but are not classified as your carry-on, which means you can still bring your diaper bag. Before planning your trip, check with your airline to ensure your travel stroller is carry-on approved.
Can You Check Strollers For Free?
Again, ask the airline that your family is flying, but for the most part, airlines recognize children’s strollers and car seats as essential and not part of the standard baggage fees, so you are often able to check these child travel items for free at the gate, ticket counter or curbside. Some strollers outlined above are even small enough to stroll right onto the plane.
