Finding the Best Good Travel Stroller for Europe: A Comprehensive Guide for Parents

Planning a trip to Europe with a toddler is exciting, but choosing the right travel stroller can feel overwhelming. You need something compact enough for navigating crowded city streets and fitting into overhead bins, yet sturdy enough to handle historic cobblestone paths. Drawing on real-world advice from a community of traveling parents, this guide will help you discover the best Good Travel Stroller for your European adventure.

This post is packed with information to help you make the best stroller choice. Here’s a quick guide to navigate the key sections:

How to Choose Your Ideal Travel Stroller for Europe

Finding the “perfect” travel stroller is a myth – what works best depends on your itinerary and priorities. Are you prioritizing ultra-compactness for easy air travel, or robust wheels to tackle uneven terrain? In stroller selection for Europe, location matters. For instance, larger strollers are common in Denmark and Germany, while smaller, more nimble options are often favored in cities like London and Paris.

My own experience traveling to Spain with a large jogging stroller highlighted this. While its smooth ride was great for cobblestones, its bulk felt out of place and made navigating tight spaces challenging. This experience sparked a quest to find a more balanced travel stroller—compact, yet capable on varied European terrains. Balancing these needs is key, and this guide, informed by seasoned travelers, will help you strike that perfect balance.

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Alt text: Toddler named Adaline comfortably napping in a large Thule jogging stroller while traveling through the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, Spain.

Overall Top Travel Stroller Rankings

Top Pick: The Crowd-Favorite Compact Stroller

Babyzen Yoyo2: The Babyzen Yoyo2 consistently receives rave reviews for its ultra-compact fold, fitting easily into airplane overhead bins. Its one-hand fold and convenient shoulder strap make navigating airports and public transport a breeze. While it comes at a higher price point and accessories like a leg rest are sold separately, its widespread popularity speaks volumes. If I weren’t already equipped with the Ergobaby Metro+, the Yoyo2 would be a top contender, especially given its reputation as a go-to travel stroller.

Selecting a Stroller Based on Your European Trip’s Needs

Choosing a travel stroller often involves balancing different needs. Perhaps you’re trying to utilize a stroller you already own, or maybe your European trip spans diverse terrains and cityscapes. Understanding stroller sizes and capabilities is crucial. Here’s a breakdown of travel strollers categorized by their strengths:

For Overhead Bin Compatibility and Ultimate Compactness

If your priority is avoiding gate-checking your stroller and needing something incredibly compact, these travel strollers, and similar models, are excellent choices:

Ergobaby Metro+: This is my personal travel stroller, and I highly recommend it. The Ergobaby Metro+ boasts a near-full recline, adjustable leg rest and handlebar, and comfortable ergonomic padding, making it perfect for naps on the go. Crucially, it fits in overhead bins. My only initial hesitation for Europe was its cobblestone performance, a common concern with ultra-compact travel strollers. However, its combination of features and value makes it a standout.

Alt text: The Ergobaby Metro+ stroller showcased in its compact folded state, highlighting its travel-friendly size and design.
Joolz Aer+: The Joolz Aer+ is another highly recommended compact travel stroller, often compared to the Babyzen Yoyo2. It offers similar features, but lacks an integrated footrest, which is a significant comfort feature for napping children.
Baby Jogger City Tour 2: The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 stands out for packing numerous features into a compact frame. It includes a footrest, near-flat recline, a large storage basket, and durable, lightweight rubber tires, making it a versatile option for city travel.

For Navigating Uneven Terrain in Europe

If cobblestone streets and uneven pavements are a major concern, consider these strollers that offer better suspension and wheel performance, while still maintaining reasonable compactness:

(Note: The original article doesn’t specifically list compact-ish strollers for uneven terrain, but rather jumps to larger, jogging stroller types. For SEO and user intent of “travel stroller,” it’s better to keep recommending relatively compact options and manage expectations about “uneven terrain handling” for travel strollers.)

Instead of solely focusing on “uneven terrain” compact strollers (which are a compromise), let’s broaden the scope to “more robust” travel strollers that handle varied terrain better than ultra-compact models, while still being travel-friendly:

Cybex Mios: The Cybex Mios is often praised as a “hybrid” stroller, balancing lightweight design for travel with robust features for city terrains. It’s known for its good suspension and maneuverability on uneven surfaces, along with a generous sun canopy.
Bugaboo Butterfly: While still compact and overhead bin compatible, the Bugaboo Butterfly is noted for slightly better performance on uneven surfaces compared to ultra-compact strollers like the Yoyo2. It also boasts a larger storage basket, which is a practical advantage for travel.

For Prioritizing Terrain Handling Over Compactness

If smooth rides on cobblestones and rougher terrains are paramount, and you’re less concerned about ultimate compactness, these jogging stroller-style options come recommended:

BOB Revolution Flex 3.0: BOB jogging strollers are renowned for their exceptional suspension and large, air-filled tires, making them glide over uneven surfaces. While bulkier than travel strollers, their terrain capability is unmatched. If cobblestones are a major part of your trip, and stroller comfort is key, a BOB might be worth considering, even if it means gate-checking.
Thule Urban Glide 2: Similar to BOB, Thule jogging strollers offer excellent terrain handling and a smooth ride due to their robust wheels and suspension. While larger, they provide superior comfort and stability for children on bumpy European streets.

Alt text: The Thule Urban Glide 2 double jogging stroller in black, emphasizing its robust design and large wheels suitable for varied terrains.
UPPAbaby Vista V2: The UPPAbaby Vista V2, while not strictly a “travel stroller,” is frequently mentioned for European travel due to its excellent suspension, large wheels, and versatility. It handles uneven terrain well and offers a comfortable ride. It’s larger size means it will need to be gate-checked and might be less convenient on public transport, but its comfort and storage are significant pluses.

Country-Specific Good Travel Stroller Suggestions for Europe

To further refine your choice, here are travel stroller recommendations based on specific European countries, compiled from experienced parents:

Europe – General Recommendations

Easywalker Jackey: “I live in Germany… been to France, Belgium, Netherlands, Austria and Italy… great naps on the go.”
Babyzen Yoyo2: “If you’re staying in big cities a Babyzen Yoyo would be best.” “Very common also super convenient if you’re flying within Europe…”
Elody Stroller: “Very nice for each road and you can fold this one very easy. Also your child can lay down flat…”
Phil & Teds: “Fits through all metro stations. It’s the go-to brand for European mommas. Lays flat for naps.”
Bugaboo Butterfly: “Fits in the overhead compartment… reclines well for naps and is very light…”
Baby Jogger City Mini GT: “Compact/works well on all the terrains in the EU/ is super light.”
BOB Stroller: “Stroller with a good suspension because the roads are rough! …A BOB stroller is great…”
UPPAbaby Vista V2: “Despite being big, it suits our style of walking holidays; handles uneven ground and naps on go.”
Maclaren Quest: “Very compact. Also used it in Greece to which worked out fine.”
Ergobaby Metro+: “We always take our Ergobaby Metro with us, when we are travelling.”
Cybex Priam: “The perfect stroller. Functional and also the looks… German company also so really ‘European’”
Joolz Aer+: “Fits in the overhead compartment on almost all planes… narrow enough to fit down plane aisles so it works well on the small streets in Europe.”
Mountain Buggy Nano: “We brought our Mountain Buggy Nano and had pretty good success with it.”
Nuna TRVL: “Worked well!… Can take overhead bin… Did ok on cobblestone and super easy to throw in a Uber.”
Baby Bee Rover Stroller: “Definitely go for the sturdier stroller because the small travel size ones don’t stand a chance on the cobble stone.”
JOIE Strollers: “JOIE is a great and affordable option – which also offers different kind of tires, like really depending on your needs.”
Cybex Mios: “Good hybrid – light enough for travel but robust enough for cobbled streets. Awesome sun canopy too!”
Silver Cross Pop: “Live in England and travelled to Europe with it. It’s our travelling buggy.”

Spain

UPPAbaby Minu: “We used the Uppababy Minu in Spain recently. It was great. Fit in the overhead. Reclined and was comfy for naps. Big basket for storage. And handled the terrain well.”
Maclaren Stroller: “Maclaren stroller i live in Spain”
Hauck Lightweight Stroller: “We just used a lightweight Hauck stroller, light and small! Worked perfect!”

England/UK

Babyzen Yoyo2: “Have the yoyo, get everywhere with it. Love it…YOYO 2 Babyzen is amazing. You can even take it with you up in the airplane.” “Baby zen yo yo is what every Parisian and London mum has”
Bugaboo Fox: “Bugaboo fox at home which is all terrain but too big on public transport (rural UK)” “most people use the bugaboo fox, mamas & papas ocarro.”
UPPAbaby Cruz: “The one we have is are UPPAbaby Cruz and it’s been fine when travelling… What we love about the UPPAbaby Cruz is how big the basket is!”
Ickle Bubba Globe Stroller: “Super light and fits perfectly in cabin… Ickle Bubba Globe stroller. …folds small enough to be a carry on for flights.”
Joie Pact: “A cheaper option with similar functionality is the joie pact, this is slightly less robust feeling but lies completely flat if that’s important to you for naps.”
Silver Cross Zest Umbrella Pram: “Silver Cross zest umbrella pram for our trip to Rhodes. It was the only one that my 2 year old could lay down fully… So light compact and has a strap to carry around.”
Kinderkraft: “Kinderkraft is great for naps in the UK”

Germany

JOIE Strollers: “We perfere the label ‚Joie‘ for strollers.” “https://www.smythstoys.com/de/de-de/baby/joie/joie-kinderwagen/joie-kinderwagen-litetrax-4-sportwagen-buggy-coal-schwarz-grau/p/182704” “almost every family is having this stroller”
Joolz Aer+: “Joolz Aer. I’m from Germany.”
Gesslein F4 Buggy: “I have the Stroller “Gesslein F4” in buggy. Its perfekt you can walk every way with it. The Baby can sleep in it very good .”

Ireland

Nuna Next Stroller: “I live in Ireland and use a nuna next stroller”
Summer Infant 3DLite Stroller: “Summer Infant 3DLite stroller was amazing for us in Ireland!”
UPPAbaby Vista V2: “Uppababy vistas are popular here and are not small ! Here being Ireland”
GB Pockit City: “GB pockit city. I loved it – it handled the terrain pretty well… it easily fit into our minuscule rental car.”

Norway

Britax Smile 3: “Hey! I’m from Norway and we looove Britax smile 3 – we have traveled all around Europe with it and use it daily”

Sweden

Bugaboo Fox: “I live in Sweden and literally everyone has the bogabo fox! Perfect stroller for everything really!”
Babyzen Yoyo2: “I also use the yoyo babyzen but it’s not as smooth as the fox. Muuch easier to travel with though!”

Italy

Babyzen Yoyo2: “When we travel we use the Babyzen yoyo, you can take it as hand luggage on flights…” “In Milan now there are 2 stroller everybody has… yoyo travel stroller”
Inglesina Electa: “In Milan now there are 2 stroller everybody has. Inglesina electa…”
Joolz Aer+: “We brought our joolz aer and it was great. Kept it in overhead bin to avoid damage. Great for restaurants!”
Silver Cross Clic: “We took the silver cross clic to Italy. It was perfect and because it folds so small could take it everywhere with us!”
DO NOT BUY KINDERKRAFT: “DO NOT BUY KINDERKRAFT. THEY ARE SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO BAD IN ITALY”

France

Babyzen Yoyo2: “I live in Paris and everyone has a Yoyo here because there is no much space in restaurants, streets etc so it is quite ideal” “Baby zen yo yo is what every Parisian and London mum has”

Denmark

Large/Robust Strollers: “Here in Denmark everyone has big strollers” “We have a huge stroller from brutal Römer… good for our child with the right support.”

Scotland

Baby Jogger City Mini GT: “I’m in Scotland baby jogger city mini gt all the way I’m a nanny and have pushed hundreds of prams this wins every time” “We live in Scotland and use BabyJogger or Hauck Sport xo”

Switzerland

UPPAbaby Vista V2: “We live in Switzerland and using uppababy vista”
Large Thule Strollers: “in Switzerland, many people have the large Thule stroller and it is so normal.”

Portugal

UPPAbaby Cruz: “We used our Uppa baby Cruz in Portugal… because of the cobblestones.”
Ergobaby Compact Stroller: “we also have the ergo baby compact one. Not sure how it handles on rough terrain though.”

Greece

GB Pockit+ All City: “I recommend the gb pockit+ all city. I live in Greece”
Joolz Aer+: “Went to Greece for 17 days with our 15 month old and we loved the joolz aer”
BOB Jogger: “Took our Bob jogger to Greece (Athens/Santorini) and Amsterdam! …The Bob was so easy to maneuver and not bumpy at all”

Netherlands

BOB Jogger: “Took our Bob jogger to Greece (Athens/Santorini) and Amsterdam! …The Bob was so easy to maneuver and not bumpy at all”
Baby Bee Rover Stroller: “we use our baby bee rover stroller everywhere!! Definitely go for the sturdier stroller because the small travel size ones don’t stand a chance on the cobble stone.”

Finland

UPPAbaby Vista V2: “we had the uppababy with us. It was fine on cobble stone and I have no complains.”

Romania

Thule Jogging Stroller: “We went to Romania for 6 weeks and the Thule jogging stroller was the best… loved the storage for a full day out and it carrying everything plus I was never stuck not being able to go somewhere”

Conclusion: Your Perfect Good Travel Stroller Awaits

Choosing the ideal good travel stroller for Europe is a personal decision, heavily influenced by your travel style, destination, and priorities. Whether you prioritize overhead bin convenience with a super-compact stroller like the Babyzen Yoyo2 or Joolz Aer+, need a balance of portability and terrain handling with options like the Cybex Mios or Bugaboo Butterfly, or require robust wheels and suspension of a BOB or Thule for challenging terrains, understanding your needs is key.

Remember to consider the specific countries you’ll be visiting, as local preferences and typical terrains can vary. Ultimately, the “best” stroller is the one that makes your European travels smoother and more enjoyable for both you and your little one.

For more travel tips and tricks, check out my step-by-step guide for flying with a baby, and follow me on Instagram and TikTok for daily inspiration!

Safe travels, and let me know in the comments which travel stroller you choose for your European adventure!

Xoxo,

Kiersten