Planning a trip to Europe with a little one in tow is exciting, but it also comes with its own set of logistical considerations. One of the biggest questions for parents is often: “What’s the Best Travel Pram to bring?” Navigating cobblestone streets, fitting through narrow doorways, and hopping on and off public transport demands a pram that’s both robust and convenient. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the choices, you’re not alone!
Before my own family trip to Europe with my then two-year-old, I turned to the collective wisdom of online parenting communities. I asked for recommendations on the best travel prams for Europe, and the response was incredible – pages upon pages of advice from seasoned travelers and European locals alike! Now, I’m sharing all of that invaluable insight with you, right here.
This guide is packed with information to help you choose the perfect travel pram for your European adventure. To make it easy to navigate, here’s a quick overview of what we’ll cover:
How to Choose the Perfect Travel Pram for Europe
It quickly became clear from the community feedback that there isn’t a single “best travel pram” for every European trip. The ideal choice truly depends on your destination, travel style, and what features are most important to you. For instance, I learned that larger prams are more commonly seen in places like Denmark and Germany, while smaller, more compact options tend to be favored in cities like London and Paris.
My own experience highlighted this perfectly. When my daughter was younger, we took our large Thule jogging stroller to Spain. While it was fantastic for smooth strolling and comfortable naps, it felt overwhelmingly large in crowded city centers. Navigating tight hotel elevators became a comical challenge! However, when we were strolling through Barcelona’s Gothic Quarter, the Thule’s large wheels handled the cobblestones beautifully, and my daughter slept soundly. That trip made me realize I needed something more compact and lightweight for future travels, but still capable of tackling uneven surfaces.
As someone who focuses on baby and toddler travel, I had already done a fair amount of research on travel prams. But I was specifically keen to understand what the best travel pram for Europe meant in practical terms, especially considering those infamous cobblestone streets! Here’s what experienced parents recommended, based on their travels across various European countries.
Please note: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission, which helps support this website and allows me to continue providing helpful content. Thank you for your support!
Top Travel Pram Recommendations: Overall Rankings
The Most Popular Choice: Babyzen Yoyo²
Babyzen Yoyo²: Time and again, the Babyzen Yoyo² emerged as a top recommendation. Parents rave about its incredibly compact fold, which allows it to fit in the overhead bin of most airplanes – a huge plus for avoiding gate checking! The one-hand fold is another major selling point, and the shoulder strap makes it easy to carry when not in use. While the price point is higher and accessories like a leg rest are sold separately, the Yoyo²’s popularity speaks volumes about its travel-friendliness.
Many parents who contributed feedback mentioned the Babyzen Yoyo² specifically, emphasizing its convenience for navigating European cities and public transport. Its lightweight design and compact fold were repeatedly praised, making it a clear frontrunner as a best travel pram contender.
For parents already owning a similar compact pram, like the Ergobaby Metro+ (which we already have and love), investing in a Yoyo² might seem less essential. However, if you’re starting fresh in your search for the best travel pram, the Babyzen Yoyo² is definitely worth considering, especially given its widespread acclaim and suitability for European travel.
Choosing a Travel Pram Based on Your Specific Trip Needs
Sometimes, making the pram you already own work is the most practical approach, or perhaps your European itinerary includes diverse destinations. Breaking down travel prams by size can be helpful in this case.
For Ultimate Compactness and Airplane Overhead Bin Compatibility
If your priority is a pram that absolutely must fit in the airplane overhead bin and be as compact as possible, these travel prams are excellent options (or similar models – there are many fantastic compact prams available):
-
Ergobaby Metro+: This is our family’s current travel pram, and we’re big fans! We appreciate its near-full recline, adjustable leg rest and handlebar, and comfortable padding. Our daughter naps soundly in it, and it fits easily into overhead bins. My main hesitation about taking it to Europe was the wheel size and cobblestones, a common concern with all ultra-compact travel prams. However, for its price point compared to other compact options, the Ergobaby Metro+ offers excellent value.
A parent pushing an Ergobaby Metro+ pram in an airport, highlighting its compact size and travel-friendly design.
-
Joolz Aer: The Joolz Aer is another highly recommended compact travel pram, frequently mentioned alongside the Babyzen Yoyo². It boasts similar features, but one potential drawback is the lack of an integrated footrest, which can be a valuable feature for napping toddlers.
-
Baby Jogger City Tour 2: This pram offers a great balance of features in a compact package. It includes a footrest, near-flat seat recline, a surprisingly large storage basket, and lightweight yet durable rubber tires. The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is a strong contender for those seeking a best travel pram that’s both compact and functional.
For Handling Uneven Terrain in Europe
If navigating cobblestones and uneven pavements is a major concern, you might want to consider prams with slightly larger wheels and better suspension. While these may not be as ultra-compact as the overhead-bin options, they’ll provide a smoother ride for your little one and be easier to maneuver on challenging surfaces:
(Note: The original article transitions to “less worried about size” here, implying larger strollers. For SEO purposes focusing on “best travel pram”, we can still include slightly larger ‘travel prams’ that prioritize terrain, but keep them within a reasonable travel-friendly size range).
-
Cybex Mios: The Cybex Mios is often described as a “hybrid” pram, offering a good balance between lightness for travel and robustness for uneven streets. Its compact footprint makes it city-friendly, while still providing a comfortable ride. The Cybex brand was also mentioned by several European parents, suggesting its popularity and suitability for European conditions.
-
Bugaboo Butterfly: While still compact and cabin-friendly, the Bugaboo Butterfly is praised for its sturdier feel compared to some ultra-lightweight options. It reclines well for naps, is lightweight for carrying, and folds easily with one hand. European parents specifically recommended the Bugaboo Butterfly for travel within Europe, even mentioning its suitability for countries with rougher streets.
-
Silver Cross Clic: The Silver Cross Clic is another compact option that stands out for its small fold and ease of use. Parents who have used it in Europe, including Italy, praised its portability and suitability for travel.
Considering Larger Prams for Maximum Comfort and Terrain Capability
For those less concerned about extreme compactness and prioritizing all-terrain handling and maximum baby comfort, larger jogging strollers or full-sized prams can be considered. While these may not be ideal for navigating crowded public transport or fitting into overhead bins, they excel at providing a smooth ride over cobblestones and rougher terrain.
-
BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 or similar Jogging Strollers: Jogging strollers like BOB models are known for their excellent suspension and large, air-filled tires, making them glide over uneven surfaces. While bulkier when folded, they offer unparalleled comfort on rough terrain. Several parents mentioned using BOB strollers in Europe, particularly in cities with cobblestones like Athens and Amsterdam, and appreciating their maneuverability.
-
Uppababy Vista or Uppababy Cruz: The Uppababy Vista and Cruz are popular full-sized prams known for their robust construction, large storage baskets, and comfortable rides. While larger than travel prams, they are still manageable for city use, especially if comfort and storage are top priorities. Numerous parents in Europe, particularly in countries like Germany, Sweden, Ireland, and Switzerland, reported using and loving their Uppababy Vista prams. One parent even mentioned using the Uppababy Cruz specifically in Portugal due to the cobblestones.
An Uppababy Vista pram being used in a European city, demonstrating its suitability for urban environments while offering comfort and storage.
Travel Pram Suggestions by European Destination
To provide even more tailored advice, here’s a summary of travel pram recommendations categorized by specific European countries, drawing directly from the community feedback:
(Condensed and reorganized from the original article for better readability and SEO focus on “best travel pram”):
-
For City Travel in General (Paris, London, Rome, etc.):
- Babyzen Yoyo²: Consistently the top recommendation for compact city travel, fitting on public transport and in restaurants.
- Joolz Aer: A close second, offering similar compactness and ease of use for city environments.
- Bugaboo Butterfly: Another excellent compact option, praised for its slightly larger storage and sturdy feel.
- Ergobaby Metro+: A budget-friendly compact choice that performs well in cities.
- Baby Jogger City Tour 2: Balances compactness with features like a footrest and storage.
-
For Cobblestone Streets and Uneven Terrain (Italy, Greece, older city centers):
- BOB Jogging Stroller: Ideal for rough terrain, providing a smooth ride over cobblestones.
- Uppababy Vista/Cruz: Larger prams with good suspension that handle uneven surfaces well.
- Cybex Mios: A hybrid option that’s light enough for travel but robust enough for cobblestones.
- Mountain Buggy Nano: Lightweight yet surprisingly capable on uneven terrain, according to user feedback.
-
For Specific Countries (and local preferences):
- Germany: Larger prams are common; Joie, Cybex Priam, Uppababy Vista, and Ergobaby Metro+ were mentioned.
- UK (England, Scotland): Mix of compact and larger prams; Babyzen Yoyo², Bugaboo Fox, Uppababy Cruz, Ergobaby Metro+, Silver Cross Pop/Zest are popular.
- Spain: Lightweight and compact prams are favored; Uppababy Minu, Maclaren, Hauck mentioned.
- Netherlands: Sturdier prams recommended for cobblestones; Baby Bee Rover, Maclaren Quest, Ergobaby Metro+ mentioned.
- France: Babyzen Yoyo² dominates, especially in Paris.
- Scandinavia (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland): Larger, robust prams are common; Uppababy Vista, Bugaboo Fox, Britax Smile 3, Thule jogging strollers are popular.
- Italy: Compact and easy-to-fold prams are essential for public transport; Babyzen Yoyo², Joolz Aer, Silver Cross Clic, Inglesina Electa mentioned, with warnings against Kinderkraft.
- Ireland: Uppababy Vista and Summer Infant 3DLite mentioned.
- Greece: BOB Jogging Stroller and Joolz Aer recommended for terrain.
- Switzerland: Larger prams like Uppababy Vista and Thule are common.
This destination-specific advice emphasizes that the best travel pram choice is not universal. Considering your itinerary and the typical terrain in each location is crucial for making the right decision.
Choosing the Right Travel Pram for Your European Adventure: Key Takeaways
Selecting the best travel pram for your European adventure doesn’t have to be daunting. Here’s a simplified guide to help you make the perfect choice:
-
Consider Your Destinations and Activities: Will you be mainly in major cities with smooth pavements, or exploring historic towns with cobblestone streets and uneven terrain? Will you be using public transport frequently? Knowing your itinerary will narrow down your pram needs significantly.
-
Prioritize Key Features: Decide what’s most important to you:
- Compactness: For overhead bin compatibility and easy navigation on public transport.
- Terrain Capability: For comfort and maneuverability on cobblestones and uneven surfaces.
- Weight: For carrying the pram when folded, especially when traveling solo.
- Fold: One-hand fold is incredibly convenient for busy parents.
- Recline: Essential for comfortable naps on the go.
- Storage: Consider basket size for carrying essentials.
-
Read Reviews and Community Feedback: Real-parent reviews, like the recommendations shared in this guide, offer invaluable insights into the practical aspects of using different travel prams in Europe.
Ultimately, the best travel pram is the one that best suits your individual needs and travel plans. Don’t be afraid to prioritize features that are most important to you, whether it’s ultra-compactness, all-terrain capability, or a balance of both.
Have a Fantastic European Trip!
I hope this guide has helped you navigate the world of travel prams and feel more confident in choosing the perfect one for your European adventure. Remember to also check out resources like step-by-step guides for flying with a baby and social media communities for more travel tips and inspiration!
Safe travels, and please share in the comments below which travel pram you decide to bring on your European trip – your experiences can help other parents too!
Happy travels!
Xoxo,
Kiersten
