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A nifty, lightweight travel pram can be the difference between a happy holiday and a disaster.
A decent travel stroller is generally compact, easy to fold and unfold and ideal for jetting off, whether on a long haul adventure or tackling a summer holiday to France with children. They also make getting around transport systems in big cities or pounding urban areas a breeze.
Travel prams can be one of the biggest investments globetrotting parents will make – and with dozens to choose from, whittling it down to just one is no easy task.
The most expensive can cost up to an eye-watering £1,500 – but there are plenty available in the low hundreds.
If you’re going to be travelling within the first six months of your baby’s life, it’s crucial to decipher whether your stroller is usable from birth. Most I looked at required a ‘newborn attachment/bassinet’, which require an extra cost and end up turning the once nifty pram into a bulky buy.
Here, we’ve reviewed some of the best travel prams on offer, from strollers that fold with one hand in a second to a car seat that seamlessly and silently transforms into a pram.
Above all, we sought sturdy but portable prams that will stand the test of time (and dozens of family holidays).
Best travel prams at a glance How we test
When testing travel products, we give them the sort of challenges they are likely to face on a typical journey.
For example, when analysing the strollers, we looked at how easily and quickly they could be folded and unfolded, and how easy they are to carry when, say, walking through the airport or moving between a car and a train.
We also tested across various terrains, from smooth terminal floors and bumpy roads, to muddy grass and wet footpaths, to ramps and staircases.
You can read more about our testing methodologies across all product categories.
The best travel prams to buy in 2026 1. Best overall lightweight travel pram: Stokke YOYO
This Stokke YOYO³ stroller is super lightweight, weighing just 6.2kg, folds down to the size of a backpack and can be easily carried thanks to the cover bag and carry strap included
Stokke YOYO³ stroller
‘The YOYO³ stroller from 6 months has double the agility with its signature folding and unfolding. Sturdy and super manoeuvrable, it has been designed to provide optimal daily comfort to your child – catch the subway, get on a bus, jump in a taxi or fly to the other side of the world!’
Review
By Harriet Sime
The original travel stroller, the YOYO was a game-changer when it was released in 2012 as a lightweight, cabin-approved pram that can fold down and be stored in the overhead bin when flying.
And it remains a market leader, beloved by globetrotting parents and celebrities from Keira Knightley to Kim Kardashian.
The pram is super lightweight, weighing just 6.2kg, folds down to the size of a backpack and can be easily carried thanks to the cover bag and carry strap included. It’s also widely known in the aviation industry, so you’re highly unlikely to encounter any problems when travelling, taking on board and placing it (with ease) in the overhead lockers.
Despite its lightweight, compact design and small wheels, the stroller feels sturdy and was able to handle pavements, grass, thick gravel and cobbled streets with ease when tested.
The YOYO is usable from birth with the newborn bundle (an additional £195) or six months without, and comes in 10 charming colourways and patterns, including leopard and zebra.
A new Dusty Pink colour was also recently launched – perfect for those with baby girls (or mums who simply can’t resist a pink alternative!)
I also loved the roomy under seat basket, handy zipped back pocket and UPF 50+ sun protection canopy.
2. Best pram for easy folding: Joolz Aer²
Joolz Aer2 Stroller is ultra-compact, lightweight and gives parents exactly what they need – an extra hand
Joolz Aer2 Stroller
‘Fold, steer, and adjust with just one hand, leaving the other hand free for whatever life throws at you. The Joolz Aer²: ultra-compact and lightweight—the ultimate buggy for effortless outings.’
What we love
Speedy handlingUnpacked and unfolded in seconds
SeamlessGlides smoothly and handles bumps well
EfficientImpressive one-handed fold and unfold
Review
By Harriet Sime
This ultra-compact and lightweight stroller gives parents exactly what they need – an extra hand. Joolz claims the pram can be totally controlled with just one hand, in seconds – whether it’s folding (into its self-standing mode), reclining (into lie flat mode ) or adjusting the integrated leg rest or harness. We put this to the test. The result? It genuinely does take a second to unpack and then fold back down – and, amazingly, with just one hand.
Weighing just 6.5kgs, the pram is airplane compatible so can fit in overhead lockers once on board and is perfect for pounding the city streets or heading off on a rural adventure. It comes straight out of the box ready to unfold and go and features a well-padded seat that fully reclines so babies can be strapped in comfortably for naps. I also loved the nifty extendable SPF50 sun hood with ventilation. When tested on gravel, grass and pavements, the wheels glided smoothly and took on bumps with surprising ease.
It comes in seven charming colours (I went for the stone grey), can be used from birth (when purchasing the carry cot £229) to up to four-years-old (or children weighing up to 22kg).
3. Best travel pram and car seat hybrid: Doona X
This Doona X Car Seat & Stroller turns into a pram silently and in an instant at the push of a button thanks to a ‘soft release system’
Doona X Car Seat & Stroller
‘Doona X effortlessly transforms from a car seat to a stroller within seconds. The revolutionary and innovative design features three adjustable recline positions. It smoothly transitions from an upright sitting posture to a near flat lie (or full recline) mode. This adaptable design serves as an all-in-one solution, functioning as both a car seat and stroller for newborns, streamlining the parenting journey.’
What we love
Two products in oneGame-changing two-in-one system (car seat and buggy)
QuickUnboxed and usable in seconds
Seamless transitionChanges between car seat and stroller easily, silently and in seconds
Review
By Harriet Sime
Bought and beloved by many of my mum friends (as well as celebrities including Ed Sheeran, Gigi Hadid and Novak Djokavic), the Doona X is unique in allowing families to move from car seat to stroller in seconds. The car seat turns into a pram silently and in an instant at the push of a button thanks to a ‘soft release system’, meaning a sleeping child in a car seat can remain in the land of nod when transformed into buggy mode.
The Doona, which is usable from birth, is TUV Aircraft approved and can either be brought on board and used on the plane seat or checked in as luggage.
The Doona really comes into its own, however, when used by parents planning to rent a car and not spend hundreds on a car seat, or those wishing to take Ubers or taxis between cities or hotels.
In my many years as The Mail’s travel editor, I’ve seen countless couples get in and out of rental cars or taxis with their babies in Doonas – so it was a joy to test it out myself.
The Doona is fixed in place with a seatbelt and features three recline positions – sit, relax, and lay back. But it is heavier than other strollers on the market, weighing 8kgs when empty. Its wheels are also on the smaller side, so not the best when navigating cobbled streets or rural terrain. However, it’s a brilliant bit of kit.
The Bugaboo Butterfly 2, now available in a Dusky Pink colourway, is ultra-compact and cabin-approved – and it comes with a generous 8kg under-seat basket
Bugaboo Butterfly 2
‘From world trips to local strolls, the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 makes every journey effortless. It folds into an ultra-compact, cabin-approved stroller — for smooth journeys, near or far.’
What we love
Lots of storageGenerous 8kg storage basket
Great designLie-flat recline and upright position
Fit to flyCabin approved for travel
Review
By Harriet Sime
This ultra-compact stroller folds in one second into an ultra-compact and durable package that’s cabin-approved and compatible with overhead plane lockers.
The pram’s comfortable, well-padded seat transforms seamlessly from a fully upright position to a lay-flat recline for restful naps.
However, it really shines when it comes to storage, featuring a generous 8kg under-seat basket which I made good use of during testing, as well as an additional storage pocket on the back of the seat. The pram doesn’t fold down quite as small as the YOYO, but is compact enough to fit into overhead luggage compartments on planes, in taxis, or the car boot.
The pram, which is usable from birth, folds down in seconds (it took us four seconds) and features a handy shoulder strap. Meanwhile, the slightly larger wheels and four-wheel suspension meant the pram was able to navigate all terrains with ease, including one very bumpy cobbled lane.
It’s also now available in a Dusky Pink colourway – perfect for ‘girl mums’ – or mothers who simply can’t resist a bit of pink!
5. Best travel pram for all terrains: Thule Spring 2
The Thule Spring 2 is a sturdy three-wheeler that navigates smoothly on grass, gravel, cobbled lanes and uneven pavements
Thule Spring 2
‘Things to see, things to do – and so much to experience! Enjoy it all with Thule Spring 2, the compact all-terrain pushchair that’s flexible and functional, making your daily life a breeze.’
What we love
Can travel virtually anywhereSturdy and able to handle all terrains
Lots of roomSpacious storage basket
Nifty aid for parentsBuilt-in leg rest
Review
By Harriet Sime
If you’re keen on active family adventures, the Thule Spring 2 is the one for you. The incredibly sturdy three-wheeler features large foam-filled flat tyres and suspension that means it can handle any terrain.
We tested it on grass, gravel, cobbled lanes and uneven pavements and it navigated all smoothly and with ease and was able to squeeze between parked cars and hop over curbs. But despite its robust design, the stroller is surprisingly compact, folding flat with one hand via a handle hidden beneath the child’s seat, which can then be used when carrying onto an airplane, up a flight of stairs, or placing in the boot of a car. I also loved its self-standing capability and one-hand adjustable sliding handlebar. Other handy features include the ventilated canopy with see-through mesh offering UPF 50+ UV protection , and built-in leg rest.
The stroller, which comes in four charming colours (I went for ‘mist green’) is usable from six months, or birth with the bassinet adaptor.
smarTrike’s Traveler Active Stroller cleverly transforms from a foldable pram to an independent trike at the push of a button
smarTrike Traveler Active Stroller
‘The smarTrike Traveler is the first active stroller designed to keep little ones engaged from an early age—whether you’re out for a walk, shopping, or travelling abroad.
Perfect for little adventurers from 6 months to 4 years, it combines comfort with interactive fun. The trike-style handlebars are perfectly sized for little hands, so your child can “steer” along with you—keeping them active, curious, and entertained on every outing.’
What we love
Best of both worlds2-in-1 pram and trike
Easy to manoeuvreDual parent/child control
Can be used beyond newborn stageGrows and evolves with the child
Review
By Harriet Sime
This clever stroller transforms from a lightweight (7.6kg), foldable pram, to an independent trike at the push of a button for everyday adventures when the toddler is ready.
The pram, which evolves with the child, is sturdy and handled bumps and different terrains well thanks to its oversized 360° front wheel – but required some effort when switching between the trike and pram modes. Usable from six months to four years, the pram gives toddlers an independent riding experience and features trike-style handlebars so they feel they are actively ‘steering’ along when it’s in pram mode — keeping them entertained on every outing.
When in trike mode, it allows parents to have partial control in the guided trike mode (where toddlers can learn to pedal and steer) and then full trike mode where the Traveler becomes a standalone trike with just one click of a button.
The pram can be folded but can cumbersome and the two smaller wheels need to be removed to fit into the carry bag (which is included in the pack). However, the stroller also offers good storage, both under the seat and via a zipped-back pocket. I also loved the extendable seat, integrated leg rest, and removable pedals.
Verdict
If there’s one travel pram I find myself recommending time and time again, it’s the Stokke YOYO.
It strikes the sweet spot between ultra-lightweight design, everyday comfort and true travel convenience, folding compactly enough for overhead lockers while still feeling sturdy and well-built. It’s an excellent choice for frequent flyers or city breaks where space and portability matter most.
For families who need something a little more robust, particularly for outdoor adventures or mixed terrain, the Thule Spring 2 really stands out.
With its larger wheels, excellent suspension and one-handed fold, it’s ideal for parents who don’t want to compromise on manoeuvrability or comfort while travelling beyond smooth pavements.
Why trust us
Our team of travel writers and editors has been testing products and writing reviews for many years, covering a wide range of products. With a focus on travel equipment, such as suitcases, we provide expertise on what travellers need on their journeys.
Our reviews are honest, impartial and based on real-world testing. We take into consideration all budgets and lifestyles when reviewing products to ensure you have all the information you need to make an informed buying decision.
FAQsWhat do I need when travelling with my baby?
The absolute essentials when travelling with a baby include a reliable travel pram, a comfortable carrier and, if it isn’t provided by your accommodation, a lightweight travel cot.
A compact, easy-to-fold stroller like the Stokke YOYO can make navigating airports and public transport far less stressful, while a sturdier option such as the Thule Spring 2 is ideal for destinations with uneven surfaces.
Alongside this, don’t forget nappies, wipes, spare clothes, feeding supplies and, of course, passports.
What can make travelling with a baby easier?
Travelling with a baby becomes far more enjoyable when you plan ahead and pack smartly.
A pram that suits your destination – whether that’s a lightweight cabin-friendly model or an all-terrain option – can make a huge difference day to day.
Bringing along familiar comforts, such as a favourite toy or pacifier, can help keep little ones settled, while a new book or small toy is useful for distractions during take-off, landing or long journeys.
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