8 Best Strollers for Travel
Easily take your baby along on your trip with one of these lightweight, compact strollers.
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A stroller is pretty much a must when it comes to getting around with your infant or toddler, and vacation is no exception. Whether you’re headed to Disney or traveling to see grandma, you’ll want to pack a compact, lightweight stroller that folds in a matter of seconds so you can squeeze it into your car’s trunk or on an airplane.
Many travel strollers feature nearly flat recline angles as well as spacious underseat basket storage for all your travel essentials—just don’t expect quite as much roominess as you would with a full-size stroller.
Our top picks:
- Best Overall: The Bugaboo Butterfly 2
- Best Value: Ingenuity 3D Mini Convenience Stroller
- Best from Birth: Joolz Aer2
- Best for Flying: Colugo Compact Stroller+
The parenting pros and experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test all types of strollers and baby essentials throughout the year. In the past five years, we’ve reviewed more than 50 strollers, including 19 in the past six months as part of our most recent Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards evaluations. We review feedback from parent testers as well as our engineers and analysts. These are the best travel strollers for your next adventure, including affordable options.
Best Deal
Pros
- Glides easily
- Stands up when folded
- Fits in many airplane overheads
- High-quality fabric
- "One-second fold" claim is not far off
- Carry strap
Cons
- No travel bag included
Best for: A stylish travel stroller
Why we love it: The pros at the Good Housekeeping Institute already loved the Butterfly, describing it as a "first-rate folding stroller." The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 is even better for infants and toddlers on the go, featuring larger wheels for a smoother ride. It stands when folded and fits into most overhead compartments.
This doesn't sacrifice comfort for compactness, so expect the usual Bugaboo high-quality fabric, deep seat, real sunshade (no skimping on sun protection here!), and extendable leg rest, just in a more tiny, adorable form that's easy to take along on trips. We gave it one of our most recent Family Travel Awards.
While it does indeed unfold in an instant, the move takes some finesse and practice, says Senior Reviews Writer and Analyst Olivia Lipski, who travels internationally using the Butterfly 2 with her 1-year-old. You shake the stroller out and lock in place before you set your kid inside.
The carry handle lets you sling the folded stroller over your shoulder, but the Butterfly 2 does not come with a travel bag.
Tester notes: Parent testers gave it top scores across the board, raving about how compact, sleek, and lightweight it is. "The stroller is so simple, which is key when your hands are full and you're trying to navigate with your little one," said one. “It has all the features of a full-size stroller, but it's just compact,” said another.
The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 in Reykjavik, Iceland.
Pros
- Bargain under $100
- Only 11 pounds, most lightweight stroller on our list
- Parent cupholders and zippered console
- Thousands of five-star reviews
Cons
- Umbrella-style fold cannot stand on its own
- No carry strap or bag
Best for: An under-$100 travel option
Why we love it: If you don't travel often, it makes sense to buy a no-drama lightweight stroller that's priced under $100. The 3D Mini might cost less than checking a piece of luggage each way, and at just 11 pounds it's easy to handle.
The basket is small—most diaper bags are too big to fit down there—but there's a zippered parent console that holds two drinks. It's got a reasonable sunshade, and the seat can lean back a bit. There's little padding or suspension for the five-inch plastic wheels. It's built for the convenience of getting toddlers and preschoolers around flat pedestrian areas, and it does that just fine.
This folds long, to the size of a traditional umbrella. (Get it? That's why they call this style an "umbrella stroller.") It doesn't stand when folded. Like with an umbrella, you have to prop it against a wall or a car, lay it down, or carry it in one hand, which is made easy by its light weight. There's no carry strap or bag.
Tester notes: This stroller has been a reliable run-around option for years, with thousands of five-star reviews. It used to be made by a brand called Summer Infant, which was acquired by Kids2. Our Contributing Writer used it with her kids, but it has not been recently tested with Good Housekeeping consumer families.
Pros
- Built for babies from birth through toddlerhood
- Push-button fold
- Storage bag included
- Ready to go out of the box
Cons
- Not everyone likes the elastic carry strap
Best for: Use starting from birth thanks to the near-flat recline
Why we love it: We've put this luxe travel stroller to the test and it has won two Family Travel Awards, in addition to one of this year's Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards. Because the seat goes back nearly flat and the backrest is extra long, it's one of the few compacts you can use from birth through toddlerhood.
Upgrades from the previous version include a larger basket for storage and an adjustable footrest. This comes with an elastic carry strap (one tester found the elastic "weird," another liked that it helped the stroller hang lower) plus a travel bag in case you want to easily gate-check it.
Tester notes: This comes ready to go out of the box. "The one-handed push-button fold is a notable feature—it’s a game-changer!" a tester told us. “Arguably the best part is that you can fold and unfold it with one hand,” another parent said.
All testers praised the overall quality. “It’s very upscale, well-made, and chic,” one said. And finally, one parent said, “Traveling with this stroller was a dream.”
New from the brand: The Joolz Dot stroller, a couple of pounds lighter and less expensive for ages 6 months to 4 years.
RELATED: The Strollers and Car Seats That Make Parenthood Easier
| Ages | Birth to 4 years |
| Weight limit | 50 lbs. |
| Stroller weight | 14.4 lbs. |
| Unfolded dimensions | 33.5" x 17.5" x 42" |
| Folded dimensions | 21 "x 17." x 9.2 inch |
Assessing the Joolz Aer2 at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Pros
- Use the carry strap or included backpack
- Fits in many airplane overheads
- Comes with a rain cover and other accessories
- Auto-fold doesn't require a latch
Cons
- Not for use from birth but good for 4 months+
Best for: Frequent fliers
Why we love it: Many choices on our list are great for airplane trips because of their foldable and compact size. But if you fly often—as in to and from grandparents four or five times a year—we like that The Compact+ can be carted around several ways.
Use the carry strap to sling this over your shoulder when you're on a moving walkway, with one arm holding your kid. Put the stroller in the included backpack so it's easy to carry your kid and wear the stroller on your back as you step onto the plane, where the stroller can fit in most overhead bins. (If the flight crew says the overheads are full, the bag makes it easy to gate-check.)
The Compact was named a Good Housekeeping Parenting Award winner for its great features, including a more generous basket than most; a parent cupholder (because caffeine); and a rain cover in case it's pouring when you step outside. The Compact+ still comes with all of those perks, but with an even easier auto-fold that doesn't require a latch, a quick-release recline, plus this can stand while folded.
Though this has a deep recline, it doesn't lay flat and is best for ages 4 months+.
Tester notes: One mom zeroed in on what she called a Florida-friendly feature: “I love that the back canopy opens up; it’s amazing for airflow when you live somewhere hot,” she said.
Another told us, “It is lightweight, folds and stores easily, and was easy to maneuver." And despite its small size, a parent said the 10-pound capacity basket was “all that we needed, especially when traveling.”
The Colugo The Compact+ folded up.
Pros
- Features like a bumper bar and rain cover
- Can be used with a newborn
- Comfortably fits big babies up to 55 pounds
- Stores easily
Cons
- Like most travel strollers, not for rough terrain or uphill climbs
Best for: Parents who want a bumper bar for toys and to help keep kids inside the stroller
Why we love it: For a travel stroller under $300, the BabbleRoo comes with a lot of features, including a bumper bar, a rain cover, and a cup holder. It reclines nearly flat and has a flip-up footwall, so you can use it from birth until your child weighs 55 pounds.
Tester notes: Parents reported features that they didn't expect from a compact stroller, giving it perfect scores for comfort (both for the baby and of the handlebar) and being easy to store. “I have a large baby, and he seemed very comfortable and had enough room to stretch out,” one said. Another told us, “It easily stores in a trunk; it was easy to travel with.”
The wheels can't handle rough terrain, testers said, though that can be expected with most lightweight strollers. Another said it was a bit hard to push uphill. Despite that, the tester reported getting rid of a higher-end compact stroller (now off the market) in favor of the Hoplite.
Pros
- Smooth and easy to maneuver, according to parents
- Stands when folded
- Newborn friendly
- Good in stores and on mass transit
Cons
- Fold can be finicky at times
Best for: Traveling in urban areas
Why we love it: A former Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards winner, both GH experts and parents were impressed with this stroller's size and agility. The stroller stands while folded and can fit in many overhead travel bins, and it's easy to carry onto a bus, train, and other forms of mass transit.
This can fully recline so it's suitable for newborns with the integrated newborn nest (and perfect for stroller naps). For an even more comfortable experience, it includes an adjustable leg rest.
Tester notes: One parent called it "a very smooth ride," while others found it easy to maneuver and simple to navigate. Testers also liked its lightweight frame and effortless fold. “Its compact size made it easy to push into small stores without blocking aisles," said one parent.
Some parents found the fold a bit finicky at times, and the travel bag is sold separately.
Features at a Glance
| Ages | Birth+ |
| Weight limit | 50 lbs. |
| Stroller weight | 17 lbs. |
| Folded dimensions | 22" x 17.3" x 8.8" |
| Unfolded dimensions | 22" x 18" x 9" |
Evaluating the Ergobaby Metro 3 at the Good Housekeeping Institute.
Pros
- Great for giving preschoolers a rest
- Low price
- Mesh sides for airflow
- Long, slim fold is easy to stash in your trunk
Cons
- 40-pound weight limit
Best for: Little travelers who are beyond the baby stage
Why we love it: This gives toddlers a place to sit when they need a break and it does not cost much cash. Mesh sides provide airflow when you're visiting warm places and rear suspension provides a smoother ride than the truly cheap sling-style models that are built more like toys. Because it's got such a lightweight aluminum frame the weight limit for the Liteway is 40 pounds while others on this list go up to 50 pounds or more.
The handle is two grab handles versus one long bar. Because this is umbrella-style, it has a long, thin fold that has to be rested on the ground or against something. You engage the fold with your foot rather than your hand, kicking up near the basket and stepping down on a lever at the side.
Tester notes: The seat cushion is machine washable and it comes with a parent cupholder. Testers say it's ideal for preschoolers, including 4- and 5-year-olds. It's not for a baby younger than 6 months and does not take an infant car seat.
| Ages | 6 months+ |
| Weight limit | 40 lbs. |
| Stroller weight | 17.2 lbs. |
| Unfolded dimensions | 35" x 19" x 40" |
| Folded dimensions | 46" x 10" x 11.75" |
Pros
- Meets Disney size requirements
- Each seat reclines separately
- Separate, large canopies
- Can carry two kids weighing up to 60 pounds each
- At 25 pounds, it's reasonably light for a travel-worthy double
Cons
- A little hard to reach the basket
Best for: Taking two on the road
Why we love it: We've called this stroller "the best double stroller for Disney" based on testers' real-world experiences. It meets the Disney park size requirements but weighs 25 pounds so it's not too tough to schlep on and off transport, plus it stands up when folded so it's easy to set it down and pick it up again without having to lean the stroller on something.
Each seat has a large canopy (so important for long, sunny outings!), separate reclines so either kid can lean back when needed, and bumper bars for toys (or a Mickey balloon). The handle height works for tall parents. The brand sells travel-savvy accessories, such as an organizer, separately.
Tester notes: A parent of twins told us, "I'm deeply obsessed with our Zoe Twin and would not have survived transporting my twins around without it."
Like others, this stroller's wheels are not great on rough terrain, and the basket is on the small side and a little hard to reach. But testers appreciate the adjustable handlebar. "It is so light and easy to manage on your own," a tester said. "This fits in my trunk and still leaves me plenty of space for other items."
RELATED: The Best Double Strollers
Other travel strollers we recommend
Aside from our picks above, these performed well in our Lab tests and with our consumer testers:
✔️ Car seat-stroller combo: Doona
Nothing else comes close to being an ideal car seat and stroller combo for travel with a baby. The Doona is an infant car seat for a vehicle, then you pop the wheels out and stroll with it. No need to travel with both a car seat and a stroller since this is a two-in-one. "Now I tell every mama that she needs this," said one tester who started traveling with her baby in the Doona at 2 months old. Because it's only for toddlers up to 35 pounds and 32 inches tall, most families outgrow it by their child's second birthday.
✔️ The original square-fold travel stroller: Cybex Libelle
Cybex pushed the travel-stroller category when it came out with a Pockit stroller that folds into a neat square. The latest version is the Libelle, which, when folded, is just 12.6" x 7.8" x 18.9" and weighs 13.7 pounds. Yet, unfolded, it can hold a Cybex infant car seat, sold separately. It comes in an array of cute colors and holds a kid up to 55 pounds. There's barely any basket though!
✔️ Everyday stroller you could use for trips: Bellini Juno Compact Everyday & Travel Stroller
Sleek, compact, and comfy, it's no wonder this new travel stroller from Bellini won a previous Good Housekeeping Parenting Award. Featuring a one-handed fold and a built-in carrying handle, our analysts found it to be among the easiest strollers to open and close, while parents were impressed by its compact form, which fit into an overhead compartment on a plane. Other testers found the Bellini a smooth ride with great suspension. "The wheels felt like they were gliding,” said one parent.
✔️ Another great value: Joie Nutmeg Compact Travel Stroller
This Good Housekeeping Parenting Award winner stood out for its under-15-pound design and minimal footprint, priced under $250. “It’s so easy to use, good-looking, and light,” said one parent. Other useful features include its one-handed folding capability, a spacious underseat basket, and the ability to stand upright.
How we test the best travel strollers
We test strollers both in the Good Housekeeping Institute Labs and in real-world conditions. For travel strollers, we ask consumer testers to take a model on a trip and report back on how easy the stroller made their journey.
In the past five years we've tested more than 50 strollers, looking at a dozen factors including stroller weight, ease of fold, size of stroller when folded, whether it comes with a travel bag, size of the sunshade and basket, whether the seat can recline for rest, and more. We roll strollers along varied terrain and time how long it takes to assemble strollers out of the box.
What to consider when shopping for a travel stroller
✔️ Just how tiny do you need it to fold? If you want to roll your stroller right onto the plane and throw it in the overhead bin, look for a travel stroller that promises to fit up there. The International Air Transport Association suggests that carry-on luggage not be larger than 22'' x 18'' x 10".
✔️ A carry bag makes a nice backup plan if you're flying. If your stroller is supposed to fit in the overhead but the plane is too full, having a carry bag lets you easily gate-check it. Plenty of families, including many of our Lab experts, actually prefer to gate-check their stroller. You roll your child to the gate, wait until boarding, then fold and bag the stroller and have airline personnel put a tag on it so you can pick it up on the jet bridge when the plane lands, allowing you to stroll your child to baggage claim.
✔️ Check the Disney Park requirements, if you're going there. Unfolded, your stroller should be no larger than 31 inches wide and 52 inches long for a day at one of the parks. No stroller wagons allowed!
✔️ Pay attention to age grading. If your infant is still only a few months old, they will be potentially unsafe in a stroller for ages 6 months+. If you'll be traveling with a newborn, look for a travel stroller that works from birth or that accommodates your infant car seat riding on top of it. At any age, know your child's current weight and height, and read the requirements specific to your stroller to ensure it's appropriate.
✔️ What happens when it folds? We like a stroller that can stand while folded, because you can set it and forget it while you deal with other travel and packing hassles. However, sometimes an umbrella fold, which is long and skinny, is nice for road trips when you have a tightly packed car. You can almost always wedge an umbrella stroller in there! Watch videos online to see how travel strollers fold and how you are expected to carry one in its folded position.
✔️ We like a canopy. We're nuts about sun protection and that's why all of our picks have at least some sunshade. We do not recommend one of the ultra-cheap sling-type strollers lacking any sun visor. But not all canopies are equal: Some extend far out, some have mesh panels for ventilation, and many large canopies have peekaboo windows that let you easily peer down and see how your kid is doing. Some sunshades make noise as you move them in and out and some are silent. Finally, some are made of UPF 50+ sun-blocking fabric, which is preferable.
There are many things you will not get in a travel stroller that you would get in a big, full-size stroller. A compact travel stroller won't have a huge basket because it must fold down into a small size. It won't have large, heavy wheels either, which means it will not roll as smoothly as a stroller with robust tires. However, if you're using the travel stroller with a toddler or preschooler, their weight will help anchor the stroller to the ground and make it less jumpy as you push it over bumps. A travel stroller is essentially small, nimble wheels on a compact frame—something that's easy to take on vacations.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
This list was written by Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn, who has followed the juvenile-products industry for decades, most recently for American Baby magazine and Parents magazine. She's a mother of two now-grown kids, so she leans heavily on current parents to test strollers in real-world conditions and report back.
This story has been updated by Senior Reviews Writer & Analyst Olivia Lipski, who covers everything from tech to travel, baby gear, home, and more. An avid traveler and mother of a 1-year-old, she has been hands-on with more than a dozen travel strollers in the past year.
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