Planning a trip to Europe with a toddler is exciting, but choosing the right travel stroller can feel overwhelming. You want something compact and lightweight, yet sturdy enough to handle European streets. If you’re looking for the perfect blend of portability and functionality, the Yoyo Travel Stroller is a popular choice among globetrotting parents. This guide, based on insights from experienced travelers and European locals, will help you determine if a yoyo stroller or a similar compact model is the best fit for your European adventure.
Understanding Your Stroller Needs for Europe
Choosing a stroller for Europe isn’t a one-size-fits-all decision. The “best” stroller truly depends on your specific itinerary and priorities. Factors to consider include:
- Destination: Are you visiting bustling cities with public transport, charming cobblestone streets, or a mix of both? Different cities and regions in Europe have varying terrains and transportation systems.
- Travel Style: Will you be primarily using public transportation (trains, buses, metros), taxis, or walking? Compact strollers are ideal for navigating public transport, while more robust strollers might be better for extensive walking on uneven surfaces.
- Child’s Comfort: Consider your child’s age and napping habits. A comfortable recline and leg rest are essential for on-the-go naps.
- Luggage Space: Especially if flying between European cities, a stroller that fits in the overhead bin can save time and hassle at the gate.
- Terrain: Europe boasts diverse terrains, from smooth city sidewalks to ancient cobblestone streets. Think about how well your stroller will handle uneven surfaces.
Why the Yoyo Travel Stroller is a Top Pick for Europe
The Babyzen Yoyo (now Yoyo²) travel stroller consistently emerges as a favorite for European travel, and for good reason. Here’s why it’s so highly recommended:
- Ultra-Compact Fold: The Yoyo stroller’s standout feature is its incredibly compact fold. It’s designed to meet airline carry-on size restrictions, fitting comfortably in overhead bins. This eliminates gate-checking hassles and keeps your stroller readily available during layovers.
- Lightweight Design: Weighing in at around 13-14 pounds, the Yoyo is easy to carry, especially when navigating stairs or public transportation. Many models also come with a shoulder strap for hands-free carrying.
- One-Handed Fold and Unfold: Parents rave about the Yoyo’s easy one-handed fold and unfold mechanism. This is a game-changer when you’re juggling a toddler, luggage, and navigating unfamiliar places.
- Maneuverability: While it’s a compact stroller, the Yoyo is surprisingly maneuverable on city streets. It handles smooth pavements and sidewalks well, making it ideal for urban exploration.
- Popularity in Europe: As many travelers and European residents confirm, the Yoyo stroller is a common sight in European cities like Paris and London. Its prevalence speaks to its suitability for the European travel environment.
“If you’re staying in big cities a babyzen yoyo would be best.”
“Babyzen Yoyo is very common also super convenient if you’re flying within Europe and want a practical solution that fits in the overhead locker on a plane. Anything similar to this will work!”
“As a full time traveler and European, I would definitely recommend the Yoyo stroller. It is kind of expensive but so worth it! It’s light, compact, very good quality and fits in the overhead compartment on the plane. Most airline know about so no fuss at the airport.”
“Baby zen yo yo is what every Parisian and London mum has”
Considerations and Potential Downsides of the Yoyo Stroller
While the Yoyo travel stroller is highly praised, it’s important to be aware of potential drawbacks:
- Price Point: The Babyzen Yoyo is a premium travel stroller and comes with a higher price tag compared to some other compact options.
- Cobblestone Performance: While manageable, the Yoyo’s smaller wheels are not ideal for very rough cobblestones. For extremely uneven terrain, larger-wheeled strollers might offer a smoother ride.
- Limited Storage: Compact strollers generally have smaller storage baskets. The Yoyo’s basket is adequate for essentials but might not accommodate large diaper bags or shopping hauls.
- Accessories Sold Separately: Features like a leg rest or bumper bar are often sold separately, adding to the overall cost.
Despite these points, many users find the Yoyo’s benefits outweigh the drawbacks, especially for city-centric European trips.
Yoyo Alternatives and Other Top Travel Strollers for Europe
If the Babyzen Yoyo doesn’t perfectly fit your needs or budget, several excellent alternatives offer similar compact convenience and travel-friendly features:
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Joolz Aer: The Joolz Aer is another highly recommended compact travel stroller that rivals the Yoyo in terms of size and features. It also fits in overhead bins and offers a comfortable recline. Some users appreciate its easy fold and sleek design.
“I use the joolz aer. It’s not going to be as cushioned as a normal stroller (I have the uppababy) but my son sleeps in it pretty well anyway. The best but is it fits in the overhead compartment on almost all planes so it is small and is such a help when you are alone on the flight.”
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Ergobaby Metro+: The Ergobaby Metro+ is often cited as a more budget-friendly alternative to the Yoyo, offering many similar features like a compact fold, overhead bin compatibility, and comfortable padding. It’s a solid all-around travel stroller.
“Ergobaby metro + This is the travel stroller we have and love! We love that it almost fully reclines, has an adjustable legrest and handle bar, and has soft, ergonomic padding. She naps well in it and it fits in the overhead bin of the plane. “
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Bugaboo Butterfly: The Bugaboo Butterfly is a newer entrant in the compact travel stroller market, known for its one-second fold, lightweight design, and slightly larger storage basket compared to the Yoyo.
“The bugaboo butterfly without a doubt! It fits in the overhead compartment on planes so is super useful if you’re planning to fly between countries. It reclines well for naps and is very light so good for carrying up and down stairs if needed. And yes it’s super easy to fold up with one hand.”
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Baby Jogger City Tour 2: The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is another compact option that provides good value. It features a near-flat recline, footrest, and a decent-sized storage basket.
“Baby jogger city stroller and love it. It is compact/works well on all the terrains in the EU/ is super light.”
Stroller Recommendations Based on European Destinations
Travelers shared their experiences and stroller recommendations for specific European countries and regions, further highlighting the suitability of yoyo-style strollers and other options:
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General Europe/Big Cities: For general travel across Europe and navigating major cities, compact and lightweight strollers like the Babyzen Yoyo, Joolz Aer, and Ergobaby Metro+ are consistently recommended due to their portability and maneuverability on public transport and city streets.
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UK (London): London is stroller-friendly, and compact options like the Yoyo are popular. However, some also use larger strollers like the Bugaboo Fox or UPPAbaby Cruz. The key is ease of folding for public transport.
“Baby zen yo yo is what every Parisian and London mum has”
“Live in London and brought the silver Cross zest umbrella pram for our trip to Rhodes. It was the only one that my 2 year old could lay down fully as he is so tall and I loved it. So light compact and has a strap to carry around.”
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France (Paris): Paris, with its narrow streets and smaller spaces, is where the Babyzen Yoyo truly shines. It’s incredibly popular among Parisian parents for its compact size and ease of use in the city.
“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”
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Italy (Rome, Milan): Italy presents a mix of terrains. For cities like Milan with good public transport, the Yoyo and similar compact strollers are favored. For Rome and areas with more cobblestones, some recommend strollers with better suspension, but compact models are still manageable.
“In Milan now there are 2 stroller everybody has. Inglesina electa and yoyo travel stroller“
“Rome can be tricky too, it’s a bumpy ride no matter what but the mountain buggy worked ok. So you want something light you can fold up and carry.”
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Germany: Germany sees a wider range of strollers. While larger, more robust strollers are common, compact travel strollers like the Ergobaby Metro and Joolz Aer are also well-suited for city travel and public transport.
“Live in Germany, Munich, we always take our Ergobaby Metro with us, when we are travelling”
“Joolz Aer. I’m from Germany.”
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Spain: Similar to other European countries, lightweight and compact strollers are practical for Spain. The UPPAbaby Minu and lightweight Hauck strollers were mentioned as successful options.
“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.”
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Greece: For Greece, especially islands with uneven terrain like Santorini, strollers with better suspension like the BOB Jogger were recommended to handle rougher roads. However, for city areas, compact strollers can still be useful.
“Took our Bob jogger to Greece (Athens/Santorini) and Amsterdam! Didn’t even think about if I looked stupid with it lol I can’t imagine trying to bring a different stroller on the roads there. The Bob was so easy to maneuver and not bumpy at all”
“Joolz AER has worked great for us. … My daughter naps well in it, even over the cobblestones in Santorini (it was very bumpy but didn’t seem to bother her).”
Making Your Final Stroller Choice
Ultimately, the best travel stroller for your European trip is the one that aligns with your specific needs and travel style. If you prioritize:
- Ultimate portability and overhead bin convenience: The Babyzen Yoyo or similar ultra-compact strollers are excellent choices.
- A balance of compactness and features: The Joolz Aer, Ergobaby Metro+, and Bugaboo Butterfly offer a great mix of travel-friendliness and comfort.
- Rough terrain capability: For destinations with significant cobblestones or uneven surfaces, consider strollers with larger wheels and better suspension, though these will be less compact.
The yoyo travel stroller and its alternatives offer a fantastic solution for navigating Europe with a toddler, providing a blend of convenience, portability, and functionality that many traveling parents find invaluable. Consider your itinerary, prioritize your needs, and choose the stroller that will make your European adventure as smooth and enjoyable as possible.
Happy travels!
