Look, as a mom who has packed enough Goldfish crackers to feed a small army, I can tell you this: traveling with kids is not a vacation – it’s a full-contact sport. The stroller? That’s your MVP. You need one that’s light enough to haul up airport stairs, sturdy enough to survive cobblestone streets, and compact enough to fit in a rental car trunk already stuffed with luggage, a pack ‘n play, and your partner’s “essential” extra sneakers. So, let’s talk about the strollers that actually make family travel doable in 2025.
1. Babyzen YOYO2
Every traveling parent knows the Babyzen YOYO2 is basically the Beyoncé of strollers – compact, stylish, and somehow always on point. At just 13 pounds, it folds with one hand (because your other hand is obviously holding a juice box, a boarding pass, and your toddler’s stuffed giraffe). It’s airline cabin–approved, meaning you won’t be gate-checking it and praying it survives the baggage crew.
The suspension is shockingly smooth for something so tiny, and the fabric comes in colors chic enough that you’ll almost forget you have applesauce smeared on your shirt. Almost.
2. UPPAbaby Minu V2
This stroller is for parents who want lightweight but refuse to sacrifice “the good life.” At just under 17 pounds, the Minu V2 folds flat and fits in most overhead bins, but still gives you a full recline for naps. Translation: you don’t have to push a cranky, overtired kid through Rome.
The basket underneath is surprisingly roomy (yes, it fits your diaper bag and maybe even the forgotten souvenir snow globe). Plus, UPPAbaby’s sunshade is so massive it basically doubles as SPF 50 for your entire family. Who needs sunscreen when you’ve got stroller real estate like this?
3. Bugaboo Butterfly
The Bugaboo Butterfly isn’t just a stroller – it’s a magic trick. With one hand, you can collapse it into a sleek little cube, toss it over your shoulder, and still have an arm free to stop your child from licking the moving walkway. It weighs just over 16 pounds, but it feels solid, 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 under it yourself. It’s also approved for overhead bins, which means less time gate-checking and more time for actual gate-checking (your kids).
4. Cybex Libelle 2025
If you’ve ever tried to fold a stroller in a crowded security line while strangers glare, this one’s for you. The Cybex Libelle folds down into something that basically 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 rattling your kid like dice.
It’s the ultimate “throw in the overhead and go” stroller for parents who hate baggage claim (so, all of us). Plus, it’s sleek enough that you’ll look like you have your life together – even when you don’t.
5. Joolz Aer+
If the Joolz Aer+ were a person, it’d be that mom who somehow looks amazing even after a red-eye flight. At only 13 pounds, it feels featherlight but still manages to offer serious comfort with a wide seat and good padding. The fold is ridiculously quick – like, “I just avoided a toddler tantrum in customs” quick.
It even has a shoulder strap so you can carry it hands-free when your child inevitably decides they want to walk… for five minutes. Bonus: it’s sustainably made, so you can feel good while bribing your kids with airport M&Ms.
