How to Choose a Travel Stroller 6


It is the end of our family holiday to Penang with a toddler.  As I pack up our hotel room I glance over at the pram sitting patiently in the corner – where it has been all holiday – waiting to be used.  I wondered, “Do we still need to bring a pram on holiday?”

If you are planning to travel with your baby or toddler, one of the things you will be asking yourself is should I take a pram or stroller?  And if so, do I need to buy a special travel stroller?

Travel tips for choosing a travel stroller

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Criteria for a Travel Stroller

When taking your baby or toddler on a family holiday ask yourself these questions in relation to whether you need a travel stroller.

Age of baby or toddler

How old will your child be when you travel.  At under 6 months, your baby cannot sit up, so possibly still requires the bassinet mode of your pram.  At this point, you may find it easier to take your pram when you travel.  The only thing I would suggest is that you purchase a bag to place your pram into if flying with your baby.  Luggage holds get dirty, a stroller bag will help keep your pram clean.

Routine of baby or toddler

After 6 months your baby will be sitting up, yet babies and toddlers will continue to thrive on routine.  This means allowing for meal and nap times even though you’re travelling.  Having the right travel stroller to fit your needs will make all the difference in the success of your family holiday.

Consider whether your child can easily sleep in a stroller or would your child prefer a larger pram.  Also, think about whether you can carry all the extras packed for a day out with kids.

The last thing you’ll want to do is return to your accommodation for a scheduled nap or dash off to find food when you are happily exploring.

Preference

You may also find your toddler has a mind of its own 😉 refusing to use the stroller.  If that’s the case, you may not want the stroller.  Or perhaps something more lightweight that you can fold and carry, ready for when the need arises.

Another benefit of the small lightweight travel stroller is – they are small.  They can be taken onboard the aeroplane – meaning you have them to use throughout the airport.  Will fit into small boot spaces or the back of a car.  Plus are handy when you travel where there is limited space like on trains, ferries, or even in your accommodation.

Activities planned on your family holiday

But it’s not just the modes of transport where you will be taking your stroller – you will also be pushing the stroller around your travel destination.  For example, if plan to walk around cities like Rome that are filled with cobbled stone streets then you may prefer a more robust travel stroller.  Something that doesn’t tip or get caught in small potholes.

Many all-terrain strollers are 3-wheelers, so if you choose to go with this option please be mindful of holding the pram in rough terrain as the pram could easily tip to the side at the front.

Personally, I prefer four wheels, air types for a smoother ride and a five-point harness for safety. Another point about all-terrain strollers 4 or 3 wheel is that they are bulkier to take travelling.  If flying with baby, you are usually allowed at least one piece of baby equipment – size and weight is not counted.  However, the bulkier travel pram will still take up space in transfer vehicles and at your accommodation.

How many times will you use the travel pram?

Lastly, when considering to purchase a travel pram, think how often you will use this purpose bought stroller?  Could you make do with your own stroller?  Maybe you just need a few accessories.

Or have you decided that on your family holiday with the activities you have planned, the age and temperament of your child, it’s just not worth taking a travel stroller?

Trave tips on choosing a travel stroller

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Let me know your thoughts on taking a travel stroller on a family holiday.

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About Sally-Ann Brown

I am Sally-Ann the author of Toddlers on Tour. I am a wife and mother who has always had a passion for travel. I love sharing my experiences and lessons learned to help you have a better family holiday or day trip. Read "All About Me" under the "Home" tab to discover my story and what lead me to here.

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6 thoughts on “How to Choose a Travel Stroller

  • Corinne

    Sally, What great info for those who are in the market. Thankfully, I’m past that stage of life…lol!

    Thanks for linking up with #wkendtravelinspiration! We’ll see you next week!

    • Sally-Ann Brown Post author

      Thanks for the positive feedback Corinne. We are now passed the travel stroller as well, I so miss having the stroller when we travel – it was a such a fantastic way to carry all those extras bits and pieces you take when heading out for day trips.

  • eileen g

    i carried a stroller on vacation passed the point where we were using it much at home. You walk more on vacation — and you get lost — so it helps to be able to let your child climb in when they need to. Also, if you are lucky they will fall asleep and you can go have a coffee or afternoon beer and consider it a vacation “mini-date.” My rule for a travel stroller was that i had to be able to fold and unfold it with one hand. But travel stroller technology has come a long way. it’s amazing how compact they are these days!

  • Michele {Malaysian Meanders}

    Penang is not a very stroller-friendly place unless you are walking in one of the malls. Exploring the historic area with a stroller seems like it would be a nightmare. I was rather glad to be past the stroller stage when we lived there! Back when we first started traveling with all three kids, we took a rather bulky double stroller with us. We had to rent a bigger car than expected just to fit it and all our luggage (plus 3 car seats). Although I breathed a sigh of relief when the youngest was finally able to get through a day on her own two feet, I did miss having a place to stash my bag and other belongings. #WkendTravelInspiration

    • Sally-Ann Brown Post author

      I hear you on all points, Michele. Penang has been the most unfriendly stroller destination – but one of my favourite holiday destinations. I too always had to ensure the car was big enough for the stroller, then really missed it when my son outgrew the stage.