Look, as a mom who packed enough Goldfish crackers to feed a small army, I can tell you this: traveling with kids isn’t a vacation, it’s a contact sport. The stroller? This is your MVP. You need one that’s light enough to climb airport stairs, sturdy enough to survive on cobbled streets, and compact enough to fit in the trunk of a rental car already filled with luggage, a pack ‘n play, and your partner’s extra “essential” sneakers. So let’s talk about the strollers that will make family travel feasible in 2025.
1. Babyzen YOYO2
Every traveling parent knows that the Babyzen YOYO2 is basically the Beyoncé of strollers – compact, stylish and always in style. Weighing just 13 pounds, it folds with one hand (because your other hand is obviously holding a juice box, boarding pass, and your little one’s stuffed giraffe). It’s airline cabin approved, which means you won’t be checking it at the gate and praying it survives the baggage crew.
The suspension is incredibly soft for something so small, and the fabric comes in chic enough colors that you’ll almost forget you smeared applesauce on your shirt. Almost.
2. UPPAbaby Minu V2
This stroller is intended for parents who want lightness but refuse to sacrifice “the good life”. Weighing just under 17 pounds, the Minu V2 folds flat and fits into most overhead compartments, while still giving you a full recline for naps. Translation: you don’t have to push a cranky, tired child through Rome.
The basket underneath is surprisingly roomy (yes, it can hold your diaper bag and maybe even that forgotten souvenir snow globe). Plus, the UPPAbaby sunshade is so massive that it doubles as SPF 50 for your whole family. Who needs sunscreen when you have a stroller like this?
3. Bugaboo Papillon
The Bugaboo Butterfly is not just a stroller, it’s a magic trick. With one hand, you can shrink it into a sleek little cube, throw it over your shoulder while keeping one arm free to keep your child from licking the treadmill. It weighs just over 16 pounds, but it feels sturdy, almost like a full-size stroller shrunk in the dryer.
The storage basket is huge for its class and the canopy is so big you’ll want to crawl inside it yourself. It’s also approved for overhead bins, which means less time for gate screening and more time for actual gate screening (your kids).
4. Cybex Libelle 2025
If you’ve ever tried to fold a stroller in a crowded security line with strangers looking on, this one is for you. The Cybex Libelle folds into something that essentially looks like a laptop bag – seriously, it’s that small. At just 14 pounds, it’s one of the lightest in the game, but it still handles bumpy sidewalks without making your child shake like a dice.
It’s the ultimate “throw in and go” stroller for parents who hate baggage claim (so for all of us). Plus, it’s stylish enough that you’ll feel like you have your whole life together, even when you don’t.
5. Joolz Aer+
If the Joolz Aer+ were a person, it would be this mom who somehow looks great even after a red-eye flight. Weighing just 13 pounds, it feels light as a feather but still manages to provide serious comfort with a wide seat and good padding. The line is ridiculously quick – like “I just avoided a child having a tantrum at customs” quickly.
It even has a shoulder strap so you can carry it hands-free when your child inevitably decides to walk… for five minutes. Bonus: It’s sustainably made, so you can feel good while bribing your kids with airport M&Ms.
