I remember with strange clarity, a family of four spilling onto a Corfu-bound flight with every toddler gadget going sprouting from their limbs, as if they were in a comedy sketch… though the parents weren’t finding it remotely funny. Having lugged all their items on board and held onto energetic sprogs with the only finger left hooked in the label of their stretched jumpers, the parents were then told that their pram was too large for the cabin and needed to go in the hold. The mother was on the brink of tears and a near tangible wave of sympathy for her swept the plane. As a travel writer, I have done my utmost to avoid the same fate, to smooth over the pain points of travelling with tinies in tow and to get savvy on all the gadgets worth the investment.
I soon realised that it all starts with the pram (buggy or stroller). Whether travelling by train, plane or car with a pocket-sized boot, the pram needs to fold like origami and perform like a zippy Mini Cooper. It’s hard for the brands to tick all the boxes: a petite, nifty thing in its element on Parisian pavements will struggle with Milanese cobblestone or anything remotely rural; some can be a challenge to fold one-handed (a prerequisite when travelling with the baby and toddler ensemble or as single parents); others can be the dream folders but not robust enough for the newborn phase. The thing to look out for is if the pram is IATA (International Air Transport Authority) compatible – if it’s compact enough to be classed as carry on luggage on all major airlines.
Like anything with children, it’s such a personal thing – but to avoid being that sobbing, Corfu-bound parent who’s had it with the whole holiday palaver before even leaving home turf, here’s our expert opinion on the best travel prams.
Best travel pram for flying
Stokke® YOYO³ stroller from 6 months
Pros: Fits into a plane’s overhead locker, one-handed fold, suitable from newborn to four years, comes in eight different colours, newborn car seat adaptors and sibling ride-on board available.
Cons: Wheels are not suitable for off road, newborn bassinet option needs to be checked-in for a flight, the foot muff option must be removed in order to fold the stroller up.
Weight: 6.2kg
Folded Dimensions: 44 x 18 x 52cm
‘YOYO’ is the word airlines are really looking for when checking if your pram complies with cabin baggage regulations. It’s the secret password to a land of hassle-free air travel and (as most parents will have gleefully discovered), is narrow enough to scoot up the aisles of most trains. Only weighing 6.2kg, the buggy is easily folded and unfolded using one hand, and can be thrown over your shoulder with a strap (airport security with children never looked so easy). You’d be hard-pressed to walk down a street in London and Paris and not spot at least a dozen YOYOs, with their distinct curved frame and smooth hoods in various subdued shades. Living in London, I myself am one of these city-dwelling, frequent-flying YOYO parents, and will admit that while the YOYO2’s notable downside was its rickety wheels, Stokke’s latest iteration – the YOYO3 – offers a notably smoother ride, especially on cobblestone streets. It’s worth noting though that it’s still not one to be taken off road onto bumpy terrain. My favourite element of the new model though is the increased basket space – large enough to comfortably store an underseat cabin bag, travel potty or even a decent supermarket haul. There’s also a zip-up storage compartment at the back for keeping valuables, small toys and snacks within easy reach. For summer travel, the extended canopy is ideal for daytime naps, and avoids having to fiddle with an additional shade attachment. For trips in winter, the foot muff accessory is incredibly cosy but note that it can’t be folded into the pram – one to remove as soon as you enter the airport. Lauren Burvill
Best travel pram for basket space
Bugaboo Butterfly Seat Pushchair
Pros: Large basket, cushioned seat and ready for any of the Bugaboo extras; long warranty.
Cons: Not suitable for under 6 months, clackety plastic wheels.
Weight: 7.3kg
Folded Dimensions: 45 x 23 x 54cm
Noticeably more plush for tots, with a cushioned, cocoon-like seat that isn’t sore on the eyes, the Bugaboo Butterfly has been cleverly designed with a basket big enough for the baby bag or tote that other foldable prams never seem to have the space for. And, while already winning, having freed up a limb or two for parents navigating airports and stations with babies and toddlers, the Butterfly is also compatible with all the Bugaboo-branded accoutrements, such as the shade and mosquito covers and the footmuffs. While there is a strap to tip the chair back for queue snoozes or outdoor siestas while on the move, it’s very much tipped and not fully flat. This may not bother some parents though as the pram is designed for six months plus and doesn’t click onto any bassinet (so one to avoid if you’re travelling with an infant). Another common issue for travel prams is the clackety-clack plastic wheels that are no match for Europe’s cobbled streets and with seemingly limited suspension. Ultimately though, it’s an agile travel pram despite being foldable, that children up to four years old will easily nod off in while on the move.
The best travel pram and car seat in one
Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller
Pros: Converts from pram to car seat, can also be strapped into a plane seat, suitable from birth, adjustable handlebar.
Cons: Rear-facing only, likely to only last for up to 12 months / 13kg.
Weight: 7.5kg
Folded dimensions: 60 x 44 x 66cm
The pint-sized Doona is a great option for tiny tots weighing up to 13kgs as it converts from a pram to a car seat in seconds, perfect for airport transfers and taxi rides abroad. If you’re not paying for an extra plane seat for a child under two, it’s small enough to fit in the overhead compartment of most planes. However, if you do decide to put your little one in their own seat, the Doona in the car seat position is TUV and FAA aircraft-approved and can be strapped to the plane seat – a more comfortable and safe way for little ones to travel. As it's rear-facing it will probably only last you up to a year at the most, but I personally found it well worth it. Jessica Rach, Global Content Manager
The best compact travel pram
Cybex COYA Compact Pushchair
Pros: Robust yet easily folding flat without any fiddly levers; a smart-sized basket and spacious, cushioned seat that works for newborns through to 4-year-olds.
Cons: The style isn’t for everyone, but we’re scraping the barrel for cons here.
Weight: 6.6kg
Folded Dimensions: 44 x 18 x 52cm
Move over Babyzen Yoyo, Cybex’s new COYA could be the ultimate travel companion. This cabin baggage-compatible pram folds flat as a pancake with remarkable ease (one-handed) and somehow feels more sturdy than its main competitor. It also lies completely flat so can be used from birth – though the jury’s out on whether the harder bassinets are safer for travelling with newborns, as they feel more encased if anything bashes into the pram fabric –the newborn nest Cybex offers is a great solution as it keeps them cushioned in and not rolling about as you move. There’s an impressive mix of fabric shades and frame colours, some even patterned (should anyone wish to tie in their pram with luggage hues), and the zip at the back is ideal as a temporary spot for your passports, phone or a bottle/beaker. A particularly neat feature is the scoop of the pram basket underneath, ensuring no items fall out while weaving through crowds. Its wheels also feel less rickety than other travel prams, and the pulley strap at the back is straightforward (and crucially quiet) when your little one looks as though they’re about to nod off. There’s also the added bonus of being able to attach Cybex’s car seats to the pram if you’re travelling with one – a smooth way to transfer the baby without waking them up. The double metallic legs may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we’re struggling to find a negative point for this new travel pram which, so far, ticks all the right boxes.
The best lightweight travel pram
Joolz Aer+ Pushchair
Pros: An impressive 10-year warranty; incredibly light and easy to fold; a smoother ride with rubber wheels.
Cons: 6 months plus, with no newborn function.
Weight: 6kg
Folded Dimensions: 45 x 21.5 x 53.5cm
The Joolz AER+ is a much smoother ride than the others on the list, with a squishy handle and foam-rubber wheels that prevent the baby from bouncing around inside (and save your and any fellow walkers’ ears from the racket of plastic-wheeled travel prams). This impressive model only requires a one-handed click to fold like a dream and flicks out from this compact position as if a wizard just muttered a spell. It’s also one of the lightest travel prams going at just 6kg (lighter than the mighty Babyzen Yoyo), which is a great accolade considering it’s constructed from recycled bottles; a nod to the notion that sustainability doesn’t chip away at quality or function. One feature that’s particularly useful for hot countries is the hood, which folds down to cover tots’ faces in fierce sunshine, without having to pull out an extra shade cover or clip on a muslin cloth, shifting it as the sun moves (we’ve all been there). Its fold when going through airport security or once onboard is smooth-as-butter – the sort that can be done with seasoned traveller flair. The fully flat recline is useful for snoozing, though it’s worth noting that the pram is for 6 months + and without any newborn function or additions.
The best travel pram for travelling solo
Cybex Orfeo Stroller
Pros: Pram can be collapsed using only one hand, folds up flat, has two seat-back options, and straps can be adjusted with just one pull.
Cons: Small storage compartment.
Weight: 6.3kg
Folded Dimensions: 47.5 x 15.5 x 52.5cm
This pram is a nifty little option for flights, especially if you're travelling without another adult. You can fold the pram down to be completely flat using just one hand. And it fits neatly in the boxes at airport security as well as in the overhead lockers on the plane – also handy if you’re going to be hopping in and out of taxis. It’s super lightweight – I’ve carried it in one hand, with baby in the other, through airports and even across beaches as my toddler trundles towards the water. The storage is great, with one big canopy shelf that will do you for a day out and about, as well as sneaking extra stuff on the plane (it doesn't count as a ‘bag’). Despite its streamlined design, it’s still very sturdy (other travel prams have been noticeably flimsy) and has two seat-back options for upright or snooze mode, as well as good coverage from the sun on the hood. The safety strap is also noteworthy – much better than my usual, fussier pram which has loops for the arm straps – the design makes it wiggle-proof, which is also helpful if you’re running to catch a transfer (which I also have, unfortunately) had experience with. Charlotte Davey, fashion and lifestyle editor
The best affordable travel pram
Ergo Baby Metro+ Classic Stroller
Pros: Incredibly good value for money; an adjustable handle for parent height and a newborn nest feature that doubles up as a toddler footrest.
Cons: Heavier than other travel prams and maybe not as chic.
Weight: 7.8kg
Folded Dimensions: 45 x 24 x 54cm
Taller parents rejoice! Those whose feet routinely catch the bottom of the lower prams can finally walk without a hunch with the Ergo Baby Metro + Classic Stroller’s adjustable handle. These perks do mean it’s that little bit heavier than competitor prams, with a sturdier frame, but it’s worth that smidgen of extra weight for not needing to carry an extra attachable bassinet (the footrest for toddlers can be folded into a newborn ‘nest’ - in a similar style to Cybex’ new COYA. It’s also kinder on wallets and still easy on the eye. Toddlers can easily snooze in the well-cushioned seat, and not flinch when being thrown around on bumpy terrain –though another key pro of the Ergo is its rubber wheels, avoiding that clackety plastic that only really works on flat pavement or a smooth airport floor. Despite feeling heavier, it folds down really tightly (and easily) when on the move.
The best travel pram for the first year
Chicco Goody Plus Pushchair
Pros: Affordable; newborn onwards; adaptable to Chicco’s carrycot and car seat (so particularly great for travelling in the first year of a baby’s life).
Cons: Plastic wheels aren’t good for negotiating curbs or anything other than a smooth surface.
Weight: 6.9kg
Folded Dimensions: 46.5 x 25 x 56cm
A lightweight travel pram from Chicco that really grows with your child, the Goody+ has a glorious ‘one-touch’ fold, where it collapses into a tote-sized square. From newborn to 4 years, its seat feels unusually wide and spacious (despite its compact collapsed size) and can be cleverly attached with Chicco’s soft carrycots and car seats –so consider this before buying all that baby clobber too. If you’re planning to travel lots with a baby in the first year of its life, this could be the 3-in-one combination that will see you through, and without costing a fortune. It’s easier to ‘build’ than most prams – no manic 2am YouTube How-To videos with an early flight time – and looks chic, despite its more reasonable price point. An immediately obvious down side of this nimble and incredibly popular travel pram is its wheels and general manoeuvrability over anything that isn’t a polished station floor. You’d have serious trouble negotiating the historic mule paths of a Greek village with this pram. This is also something to note if your baby doesn’t sleep well with too much jiggling about.
