March 29, 2025

Top Features to Look for in a Travel Stroller

Let’s be real—traveling with kids is basically a full-contact sport. Between juggling snacks, diapers, and tiny humans, the last thing you need is a clunky full-size stroller slowing you down. That’s why finding the best travel stroller can totally save your sanity (and your back).

Lightweight, compact strollers like the Nuna TRIV™, Nuna TRVL, Bugaboo Butterfly, or UPPAbaby Minu make it way easier to zip through busy airports, cobblestone streets, or crowded theme parks without breaking a sweat. These are strollers designed for travel—some are small enough to fit in the overhead compartment of an airplane and even come with a travel bag.

But what kind of stroller should you actually buy? With so many strollers available, it’s all about finding the best travel stroller for your family. Let’s break it down with stroller reviews, tips, and stroller testing insights so you can choose the right stroller and make travel easier.

Must-Have Features in the Best Travel Stroller for Families

Before you hit “buy now” on a stroller, here are the top priorities that make or break:

Lightweight design:
A best lightweight feature is key when you want a stroller that’s easy to carry. Parents who travel frequently say a lightweight travel stroller is a great option.

Compact fold:
A compact fold stroller can be easily folded with a one-handed fold, making it small enough to fit into trunks, closets, or the overhead compartment.

Solid safety features:
Harnesses, brakes, and bumpers make sure your toddler is secure. Because every stroller also needs to give peace of mind.

Storage space:
A good travel stroller can hold toys, snacks, and your diaper bag.

Recline and canopy:
A seat that can recline and a wide canopy mean your child can nap or stay shaded during family travel.

Best Travel System Strollers with Car Seat Options for Infants and Toddlers

When traveling with infants or toddlers, a travel system is a true travel stroller solution. These strollers connect with an infant car seat and grow with your child:

1. Nuna TRIV™:

Perfect for air travel, with a design technically a travel stroller, but durable enough for daily use.

2. UPPAbaby MUNA V2:

Stylish, compact, and ideal travel stroller for urban families.

3. Graco Modes 3 Lite DLX:

The best budget travel system stroller that adapts to three modes.

Each one is a great stroller for both short trips and long-haul journeys. They’re strollers that fit in overhead bins (depending on the airline), making them one of the best overall choices for parents.

Compact and Lightweight Strollers for Easy Transport

If you want a stroller that doesn’t weigh you down, compact travel strollers are your best stroller for airplane travel.

Top picks:

Babyzen YOYO+

An ideal travel stroller that folds so small it can fit in the overhead compartment of an airplane. Many parents say they love this stroller because it comes with a travel bag and is a small stroller in perfection.

Silver Cross Jet 4:

Another compact, lightweight design, like this stroller, is a great option if you want a stroller that’s easy to fold and small enough to fit anywhere.

Why parents love them:

Easy to carry, sometimes one-handed.
The stroller folds quickly, which helps during air travel.
A stroller that fits busy city streets and tight spaces.

These are strollers that fit in overhead compartments and can make travel easier for parents.

Stylish and Functional Options for Urban Families

For city life, you want strollers that are lightweight, portable, and stylish.

Baby Jogger City Tour 2:

A small stroller that’s a great option for grocery runs and subway rides.

Chicco Bravo Quick-Fold:
A stroller that’s both practical and sleek. Many parents say they want a stroller that works as an everyday stroller and a secondary stroller, and this one delivers.

Mamas & Papas Ocarro:

Mamas & Papas Ocarro

A full-size stroller with luxury fabrics, but designed for travel as well.

Urban families agree that this kind of stroller is a great stroller for style and function.

Tips for Choosing the Best Travel Stroller for Your Needs

When it comes to choosing a stroller that works, here’s a checklist to discover the best one:

Travel frequency: If you travel frequently, invest in the best overall or best lightweight stroller.
Kids’ needs: Have twins? Look at a stroller for twins or the best double stroller option. Need something smaller? A secondary stroller or traditional travel umbrella stroller could be a great option.
Budget: Stroller reviews help you find the best budget travel stroller to buy, or even two travel strollers if you want both a full-size stroller and a secondary stroller.
Design: Look for stroller folds that are easy to fold, compact, lightweight, and small enough to fit overhead.
Stroller testing: Check travel strollers we tested to see how each one performs.

Remember: choosing a stroller that works means matching it to your lifestyle. Sometimes you just need one stroller, but if you do a lot of travel, it might make sense to bring a stroller designed only for trips while keeping a traditional stroller at home.

Whether you need a best double stroller, a secondary stroller, or a new travel stroller, the key is to choose the best one for your family. The right stroller can make or break your trip, and parents everywhere say they love this stroller when they find the ideal travel stroller.