By the Travel Gear Content Team. Updated 27 October 2026.
Quick answer: A good travel stroller is lightweight, folds small and is tough enough to be checked as luggage. Aim for under about 6kg if portability matters most, check the folded size against your airline's rules, and protect it with a travel bag. Browse our stroller and pram gear.
Travelling with kids comes with its own challenges, and the right stroller can save a lot of stress, whether you're moving through airports or exploring the great outdoors. Here's what to look for.
This guide covers travel strollers. For broader family travel gear advice, also read our ultimate guide to choosing the right luggage and bags and our guide to keeping healthy when travelling.
What Makes a Stroller Travel-Friendly?
A travel-friendly stroller needs to tick several boxes that a standard pram doesn't:
Lightweight Design
Every kilogram counts in airports, train stations and on cobblestone streets. Look for a lightweight stroller. Pair it with lightweight luggage to keep your total load manageable. See our Lightweight Foldable Baby Stroller, a compact travel pram.
Compact Folding
A stroller that folds small enough to fit in an overhead bin or the boot of a small hire car makes travel easier. One-handed fold mechanisms help when you're holding a child with the other hand. Check your airline's rules on stroller size.
Durability
Travel puts more stress on a stroller than everyday use. Look for reinforced frames, quality wheel bearings and robust fabric that can handle being checked as luggage.
Types of Travel Strollers
Umbrella Strollers
The classic travel stroller. Lightweight, folds to a slim profile and is easy to carry. Best for children who can sit upright independently, typically from about six months, but check the manufacturer's guidance.
Compact Fold Strollers
More feature-rich than umbrella strollers, with better recline and suspension. Slightly heavier but still travel-friendly. Ideal for longer trips where comfort matters.
All-Terrain Travel Strollers
For families who want to explore beyond city streets, such as beaches, national parks and uneven terrain. Heavier, but useful for adventure-focused families.
What to Look for When Buying
- Weight: lighter is easier to carry. Compare weights on each product page.
- Fold size: check it against your airline's rules and your car boot.
- Recline: full recline is important for infants, while partial recline is fine for toddlers.
- Canopy coverage: Australia's sun is strong, so look for a sun-protective canopy.
- Storage basket: you'll need room for your packing cubes and day bag essentials.
Stroller Gear Worth Packing
- Pram Travel Bag: protects your stroller in the hold.
- Travel Backpack Carrying Case for Compact Stroller or Pram: carry a compact stroller when you need to.
- Universal Travel Pram Rain Cover: for wet-weather days.
- Baby Pram and Stroller Cup Holder: a handy extra.
See the full Stroller / Pram Gear and Pram and Car Seat Bags collections.
Tips for Flying with a Stroller
- Gate-check your stroller so you have it right up to the plane door and again on arrival, if your airline allows this.
- Use a stroller travel bag to protect it from damage in the hold.
- Attach a luggage tag with your contact details in case it gets separated.
- Check your airline's specific stroller policy before you fly, because rules vary.
Tips for Public Transport with a Stroller
- Practise the fold and unfold before your trip so you can do it quickly under pressure.
- Keep a small bag of essentials (nappies, snacks, wipes) accessible without opening the main luggage.
- In busy cities, consider a baby carrier as a backup for crowded trains and buses.
Conclusion
The right travel stroller makes family adventures easier. Prioritise lightweight construction, compact folding and durability. Browse our travel baby and infant portacots and travel essentials for more family travel gear.
Related guides: