These compact, travel-friendly strollers for toddlers stood up to rigorous testing.
Today's Parent
Becoming a parent means quickly realizing you need a different stroller for every possible scenario, travel included. Because the big, bulky, beautiful pram you have to disassemble just to squeeze into your trunk legit won’t fit on road trips, much less the airplane. That’s where the best travel strollers for toddlers come in.
They’re lightweight with ample storage space (for all the snacks), easy to fold, steer, and get your wiggly kiddo in and out of. Ideally, they can also be stashed in the overhead bin compartment on planes or beneath your kiddo’s feet in the car to save even more space.
From ultra-popular umbrella strollers that won’t break the bank to super compact options you’ll want to push every single day, we’ve rounded up the best travel strollers for every adventure, including a nice, narrow double stroller for twins and siblings.
According to Sarah Huff, baby gear expert and senior manager, customer and community, at BabyQuip, travel strollers should be light, easy to maneuver, and easy to fold. “A one-handed fold is a must for me,” she says.
"When you're traveling, you have one million things to carry, kids on one arm, and about 10 seconds to get everyone in and out of the car, plane, or hotel room, so the last thing you want to worry about is getting a bulky and complicated stroller to close or disassemble.”
Other features that are nice to have are a storage area for snacks, parent items, and other necessities, a large canopy for shade, and reclining seats for on-the-go naps, she notes. “I love compact strollers that come with a carry bag, which keeps them super secure in the overhead storage compartment of a plane or in a trunk. These storage bags can also be used for other items, like diapers, a change of clothes, toys, or toiletries when not holding the stroller.”
The other thing she looks for is a five-point harness to keep toddlers securely buckled in. “Travel strollers can be lightweight and sometimes less sturdy than their full-sized counterparts, making them easier to tip if a wiggly toddler isn't securely fastened,” she warns.
If you want a premium quality travel stroller that can truly go the distance, the Joolz AER+ is our top pick. It was designed with both toddlers and parents' comfort in mind. At only 13.2 pounds, it's incredibly lightweight, ultra-compact, and features a one-second, one-handed fold. This is a game changer when you're sweating in the airplane aisle trying to swiftly get your stroller stowed away in the overhead bin, which yes, the Joolz fits.
Kiddos love the reclinable, ergonomic seat featuring the ultimate neck and back support for on-the-go naps or just chilling when they're too tired to walk (or you need them to sit and chill TF out). Frankly, if the brand made an adult version of this travel stroller, we would be inclined to buy one for ourselves.
We especially love the built-in shoulder strap for easy transport when your toddler isn't riding. The generous UPF 50+ sun canopy with ventilation keeps them cool and protected on hot days. The storage basket can be accessed from the front or back and holds up to 11 pounds of water bottles, diapers, snacks or whatever else.
Bring along your best sunreens, toddler water shoes and all sorts of other kid-friendly gear.
Made out of 100% recycled fabric, the AER+ is one of the sleeker, more sophisticated travel strollers on the market design-wise. It is beautiful in both a visual and a performance sense. Choose from one of seven chic and modern colors, including a gorgeous ocean blue or on-trend taupe.
If you're looking for a reliable umbrella travel stroller to get you from point A to point B without blowing your budget, the Summer Infant 3D Mini Convenience Stroller is a solid choice. It is extremely lightweight, weighing in at just 11 pounds. Afull-size seat with a padded seat back and ffive-point safety harness, plus multi-recline positions, ensure your toddler's comfort and safety.
While it won't fit in the overhead bin of airplanes, it does take up minimal space in the trunk of a car and is quite simple to fold (and unfold) and maneuver in busy spaces as well. Many parents note how easy this stroller is to haul up and down a flight of stairs and can even be done one-handed while toting a screaming toddler in the other if need be because that's reality.
It comes with a basic storage basket, a rear storage pouch with a zipper pocket to hold the essentials, and a couple of cup holders to bring your coffee on the go and a sippy cup for them. There's a canopy with a flip-out sun visor, however, it doesn't provide a ton of protection with the seat in the upright position. The bottom line is this is a bare-bones travel stroller that offers a ton of value for the price point.
The UPPAbaby G-Link is the functional, stylish side-by-side double travel stroller you'll want in your life if you have multiple kiddos. It features independent reclining seats perfect for accommodating different nap schedules, as well as adjustable, multi-paneled canopies with UPF 50+ sunshades that extend down so they're always comfortable and shaded.
It pushes like a dream, is narrow enough to fit through doors, easy to fold, and comes equipped with a convenient carry handle for loading the stroller in and out of the car or gate-checking it at the airport. Fans of the Uppababy Minu v2 call this model a, "travel-friendly gem for two."
Suitable for little ones from 3 months old up to 55 pounds, this double travel stroller has one of the highest weight capacities of any on our list, which is especially nice if you have older children who tend to get jealous of younger siblings riding in the stroller. There's also a sizeable and easily accessible storage basket underneath that can hold up to ten pounds and easily fit a packed diaper bag.
Several Today's Parent team members have either owned or had this top-rated toddler travel stroller, commenting on how simple it is to use.
"I used this travel stroller when I lived in Manhattan. My middle two children are only a few months apart in age, so they were raised like twins and required double strollers till they were about five," writes Today's Parent Commerce Director, Bryce Gruber.
"This fit neatly in taxis and Ubers and was a dream to push. It also wiped down without much effort and that was important."
It's easy to roll with the punches, including rain, in the popular UPPAbaby G-Luxe. This agile umbrella stroller is packed with plenty of features. Enjoy a large, easy-access storage basket and convenient carry strap to a one-handed recline. We especially love the adjustable footrest, which makes going places with toddlers and younger kids a breeze.
Other standout features include an extendable, pop-out UPF 50+ sunshade and custom rain shield. These keep your toddler protected from the elements when out and about, plus add a bit of shade when it's time to nap. We love that it goes head-to-head with the Bugaboo Butterfly, only at a better price.
As parents ourselves, we especially love how easy the G-Luxe is to clean. Simply remove the fabric and wash it when your stroller looks crusty from milk spills and snack mishaps. At just 15 pounds, carrying this bad boy won't break your back either. And it stands when folded, taking up minimal space in your garage or front entryway.
"I love how easy it is to fold and carry," shares Marissa, a friend of the Today's Parent team who has owned and used the G-Luxe for over a year. "I take it everywhere with me, and that's saying a lot because we travel monthly."
It's our favorite umbrella stroller on the market right now, and an overall versatile pick you'll use for everyday life with ease. Take it to the playground, amusement parks, airport or just about anywhere else you want to go with a hassle-free travel stroller.
If you're looking for a luxe travel stroller that turns heads and turns on a dime, the Babyzen YOYO² is it. Not only is it gorgeous, but it's one of the most lightweight, compact, and comfortable travel strollers out there with a multi-position reclining backrest, canopy extensions with excellent coverage, a padded seat cushion, and a genius shoulder strap for transporting it when not in use.
It folds and unfolds in a couple of quick steps and is so compact you can stash it beneath your baby's car seat, leaving your entire trunk space free to put groceries, suitcases, or more kid stuff. It also easily fits in the overhead bin and down most plane aisles and comes with a storage bag for extra protection when traveling.
We love that you can customize it to suit your taste, with two frame styles and six trendy color options to choose from. Hold up to 11 pounds of stuff in the storage basket below. Parents praise its impressive maneuvering, noting it can easily be pushed with one hand. This stroller for travel is an absolute joy to push, too.
"It has been two years and our Babyzen yo-yo stroller has been the best investment we have made," writes one thrilled Amazon reviewer. "It is incredibly easy to travel with, folds single-handedly, and can be placed in the overhead compartment on a flight. It is so popular that even the airlines recognize it and don’t even stop us from taking it onto the flight."
We've found this model to be one of the most popular among parents we interviewed as well, with many saying it's the "easiest" stroller to "pack and go in under a minute." We love the stylish design and compact fold that fits in an overhead bin or on the floor below a baby's car seat.
The best travel strollers for toddlers can be folded with one hand fast for everyone's sake. Huff is a fan of the Colugo Compact Stroller for this reason and many, many more. "It fits right into an included backpack-style carrying bag, has an amazing one-handed fold, and goes in the overhead compartment of an airplane," she says.
"This stroller doesn't sacrifice comfort or helpful features to be smaller, as it has a full recline and a great extended canopy for naps on the go, great storage for all kid and parent necessities, and a magnetic harness for secure buckling. It also comes in some unique and stylish colors, helping set your stroller apart from the crowd, which I love!"
Another thing that makes the Cologo a must-have, aside from its elevated design, is its super smooth push and excellent maneuvering, which feels utterly effortless. It can hold toddlers and preschoolers up to 55 pounds so you'll get plenty of use out of it. It's also JMPA Certified for safety with machine washable layers so you don't have to stress about messes.
https://colugo.com/products/the-compact-stroller-olive
We love a good travel-friendly, collapsible wagon like the Ever Advanced because you can fit a couple of toddlers and all the bags, towels, gear, and snacks you need to hit the beach, pool, or wherever you're headed. This modestly-priced wagon folds and unfolds in five seconds and is lightweight (for a wagon), weighing in at 33 pounds, which is basically the size of a toddler.
Lifting and loading it are also easy. There's a fold-away stroller push handle on the back and a 3-section telescopic lockable pull handle on the front, both of which are adjustable to suit your height. Be sure to read our guides to the best wagon stroller and best kids' wagons while you're researching.
A detachable canopy provides shade for kids on a sunny day, but can also be removed for better views when not needed. Each seat features a 5-point harness for safety and three adjustable shoulder heights for the perfect fit. There's also ample storage all around the sides of the wagon, including a backpack storage pocket.
We love the cover pocket, cup bag, and a detachable snack tray for munching on the go. Many parents mention how easy it is to gate check and that it comes in handy at the airport. Plus, kids are obsessed with it and much prefer it over their stroller.
"It is so worth the money, and I am a cheapskate," writes one five-star Amazon reviewer. "My husband is 6’3” and I am 5’3”. The handle bars are so easy to adjust when we take turns pushing the kids."
They continue, "We hardly ever use the pull lever because the push bar is so easy. But the pull-lever adjusts high for my tall husband."
We did our best to focus on strollers accepted by all major theme parks. Each park has a different set of size standards, with Disney saying, "Strollers larger than 31” (79 cm) in width and 52” (132cm) in length are not permitted."
Stroller wagons are also not permitted at Disney parks, which renders only one of our picks unable to enter Disney.
That's a conversation to have with your doctor, and it depends on the model you choose. Newborns can use Doona models with ease because they're designed to cradle the youngest bodies. Umbrella strollers are best for about six months and older.
Experts:
This article contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.
Keep up with your baby's development, get the latest parenting content and receive special offers from our partners