The Best Travel Strollers and Travel Systems in 2023
Image courtesy of Joolz
Traveling with kids and trying to formulate your stroller strategy? Having the right stroller based on your trip type and the needs of your child(ren) can have an outsized impact on your travel experience. Trust us: as frequent-travel parents, we learned this the hard way. While your everyday stroller may be a great option to use on your travels, in other cases it might make sense to buy a stroller specifically for travel based on your needs.
When choosing a travel stroller, there are several decision factors to evaluate. Consider:
Do you intend to use the stroller for everyday use, or travel frequently while your child(ren) are stroller age?
Why this matters: How much — or even if — you decide to invest in a travel stroller may depend on this answer. Investing in a higher-quality travel stroller with more bells and whistles may make more sense if you intend to use it at home and away, or to travel frequently with your kids while they are young; otherwise, your normal stroller, or a budget travel stroller may suffice.
Will you mostly be using the travel stroller for flying/driving/train travel?
Why this matters: If your travel stroller will need to fit in an overhead compartment of a plane or train, or go through airport security screening, it might be beneficial to get a travel stroller or travel system that is International Air Transport Association (IATA) certified.
Where will you go when you travel?
Why this matters: The stroller that works best on pavement may not work well for cobblestone streets or hiking trails (and vice-versa). Additionally, if your travel plans include visiting places where you might need to leave your stroller unsecured and unattended, you might not want to bring a top-dollar stroller. Also, many kid-friendly attractions make strollers available for rent, so depending on your travel plans and children’s needs, it might make more sense to rent versus bring.
What are the age/height/weight/stability needs of your child(ren)?
Why this matters: You will want to buy a stroller that meets the requirements and needs of your child(ren) today, but possibly also for use on future travels.
How important is portability and maneuverability of the stroller?
Why this matters: Strollers that tend to perform best in these areas are often on the more expensive side. So, if these are important to you, be wary of budget strollers that may cause unnecessary stress/frustration while traveling.
How do you expect your child(ren) to use the stroller?
Why this matters: If your child(ren) use the stroller a lot and for different purposes (e.g., breaks, naps, pushing the stroller themselves), features designed for THEIR comfort may be key differentiators. If, however, your child(ren) use the stroller infrequently or only for short durations, features designed for YOUR comfort and convenience (e.g., portability, maneuverability, storage, parent-friendly accessories) may be key differentiators.
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There are four main categories of travel strollers and travel systems, each with different pros and cons:
Airplane Carry-On Strollers
Image courtesy of Bugaboo
Most portable option and can store these on airplane overhead bins; typically easy to collapse / open through airport security
Lightweight & Umbrella Strollers
Image courtesy of UPPAbaby
Convenient, highly portable, and can easily navigate crowded areas; easy to gate-check and to collapse / open through airport security; ideal for toddlers and young children
Travel Systems
Image courtesy of Nuna
The most multi-functional option, but also typically the heaviest and bulkiest, and difficult to collapse / open through airport security; need to gate-check; ideal for infants and toddlers
Jogging Strollers
Image courtesy of BOB Gear
Ideal for road trips to outdoor destinations, jogging strollers can navigate rugged terrain, but are typically much heavier, bigger, and bulkier than other travel strollers
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Below, find our complete round-up of the best travel strollers and travel systems in 2023 listed by stroller type.
Looking for more family travel gear recommendations? Check out our latest best-of guides for travel car booster seats, travel pillows, cozy travel sets, and travel backpacks.
Best of the Best
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Airplane Carry-On Strollers
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Best Overall Airplane Carry-On Stroller:
Best for Cities / European Travel:
Best Maneuverability:
Best Budget Airplane Carry-On Stroller:
Best Large Airplane Carry-On Stroller (Tie):
Best Large Airplane Carry-On Stroller (Tie):
Lightweight & Umbrella Strollers
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Best Overall Umbrella Stroller:
Best Umbrella Stroller for Infants:
Best Budget Umbrella Stroller:
Best Double Umbrella Stroller:
Best Double Umbrella Stroller for Cities / European Travel:
Best Budget Double Umbrella Stroller:
Travel
Systems
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Best Overall Travel System (Tie):
Best Overall Travel System (Tie):
Best Travel System for Cities / European Destinations:
Best Travel System for Warm Destinations:
Best Jogger Travel System:
Best Budget Travel System:
Best Double Travel System:
Jogging
Strollers
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Best Overall Jogging Stroller (Tie):
Best Overall Jogging Stroller (Tie):
Best Lightweight Jogging Stroller:
Best Budget Jogging Stroller:
Best Double Jogging Stroller:
What has your experience been with travel strollers and travel systems? Contact us — we’d love to hear from you and share your insights with our community of family travelers!
