Buying a Travel Pushchair

When you are shopping for a travel pushchair look at things such as the fold and storage space, recline and canopy. You should also consider additional features like a footmuff, cup holder, and rain cover.

If you're jet-setting often, choose a model that's approved for cabin use and folds down compactly. Our test with parents says that the Joie Tourist is a great choice for this. Its one-handed mechanism makes it easy to fold when you are juggling toddlers.

Lightweight

A travel pushchair can be folded easily and compactly to fit into luggage or the boot of a car. These strollers are designed to be used with infants from birth. They usually have the option of attaching an infant car seat, however adaptors are required. Some are suitable for toddlers and can be used for day trips or during holidays.

There are a variety of travel pushchairs available, so you need to pick the one that is suitable for your family. For instance, if you have an infant, you may prefer to get a buggy that has a removable leg rest to ensure that the child's feet won't hang. When selecting a stroller, it is essential to think about how much storage space you'll require.

If you're an avid traveler and require a compact buggy to fit in your allowance for cabin baggage, choose a model which folds down to a size of 48cm by 43cm by 21.5cm. This is smaller than most hand luggage. If you pick a model that has an innovative, dynamic folding mechanism, it will be much easier to carry around, since the buggy can be snapped into itself, much like an old book.

A vehicle seat bundle is a different alternative. This will save time and money by allowing you to focus on the components that are compatible. Brand bundles typically include a pushchair along with car seats that are specifically designed to match in terms of design and fit. There are also other options such as a parent organizer or cup holder, which could be useful when traveling.

Certain brands offer additional accessories such as a newborn baby bassinet or rain cover to transform your travel running pushchair into twin pushchairs or a double buggy. These are particularly helpful for families with older children and want them to have a comfortable seat while travelling.

Easy to fold

A travel pushchair must be easy to fold and manoeuvre especially if you'll be required to do it in tight spaces, like the cabin of a plane or train. The Joie Pact Pro, which features a one-handed folding mechanism that our test with parents found to be extremely easy to use, is a great example. This makes it ideal for parents who want to take their baby on day trips, local excursions and even air travel.

A travel system bundle is an alternative option. It is a combination of the car seat and pushchair from the same manufacturer. You can be certain that the car seat will fit inside your pushchair, and will work with the chassis that you've selected for your child. These kinds of bundles can be more affordable than buying the items separately, but it's important to check that the items you're planning to buy work together before making the purchase.

If you're planning to take your travel pushchair on rough terrain, look for one with a sturdy base with wide and large wheels that can withstand bumps and lumps. Smaller wheels can be difficult to manage on anything other than smooth pavements. Reversible seats are handy, so that your baby can face you to start with and then turn to explore the world around them as they grow older.

You'll have to determine whether your stroller can offer the protection you need according to the time of the year you plan to travel. A sunshade can protect your baby from harmful UV rays and a raincover will prevent snow or water from getting into the pushchair. You should buy a raincover specifically designed for your model of pushchair and not an ordinary one.

Finally, a lightweight and compact design are the primary requirements for any pushchair - but this is especially relevant to travel twin pushchairs which must be able fold up quickly to a small size. The Bugaboo Butterfly is one of the smallest pushchairs on the market. It can also be stored in the overhead luggage compartments (but not all) of certain airlines. The Bugaboo Butterfly was a comfortable ride for our parent tester and her toddler. It offers reclining seats that are spacious and high-quality.

Easy to maneuver

It's essential to be able fold and maneuver the pushchair easily and quickly in busy train or bus stations with a child sleeping. This allows you to get in and out of the vehicle without disturbing your infant. Look for models with smooth pivoting front wheels that allow you to turn and move your buggy effortlessly.

Typically they have smaller wheels than other types of strollers to keep their weight and size down, but if you want something to take on rough terrain or a trek to the beach, select one with larger, more robust wheels to take on this type of terrain.

Some brands and retailers offer travel system bundles which include the pushchair, car seat and triple pram any additional accessories you might need. This is an excellent option if you already know what you're looking for and don't have time looking for the right parts. Make sure the components you are buying are compatible before purchasing a travel bundle. You can find this information on websites of some brands or consult the retailer.

Easy to store

A travel pushchair that folds down small and compact pushchair is crucial if you're looking for something to put in the boot or easily fit in an overhead bin on the plane. It's also helpful if your pushchair is equipped with a harness for the shoulder so that you can carry it with one hand - especially in the event that your child gets sleepy!

Consider how often you'll use the pushchair and what terrain you will be covering when selecting one. Some travel buggies, for example, are only suitable for city walks on smooth pavements. They won't work well on the beach or off-road. If you're planning on going off-road and need an extra sturdy buggy, check that it has suspension as well as more wheels that are able to handle rougher terrain.

Another thing to consider is whether you'll need it from birth - if so, look for a travel buggy with baby's pack or bassinet. The Babyzen Yoyo2 is a great model, featuring a brilliant one-hand fold, and a variety of add-ons including a newborn bassinet with a rain cover as well as the most comfortable foot muff.

Alternatively, if you know you'll only be using it for holidays and short shopping trips, go for a pushchair that has a car seat adaptor that is attached to the chassis, so you can keep your child in their snug car seat throughout the journey. A lot of travel system bundles come with a car seat that is already fitted however, you can build your own custom bundle if that's what you prefer.

When choosing a travel system, bear in mind that it will often cost more than if you purchase the separate items separately, so consider how much use you'll get from each piece. It is also important to consider the cost of a base for your car seat and any adaptors you might need to fix it to your pushchair. You can find these all online or in store Some brands even offer bundles that include all of them making it easier to design your ideal travel system!