When you’re a mom of three, you learn very quickly that the “perfect” full-size stroller for your everyday walks is often your worst enemy at an airport gate. After years of traveling with our kids, I’ve realized that the best travel stroller isn’t just the lightest one: It’s the one that doesn’t make you want to cry when you’re trying to fold it while holding a toddler and a diaper bag, trying to get through security at an airport.
I’ve tested my fair share of compact strollers, but there is one that consistently wins for our family. If you just want to know which stroller, it’s this stroller. If you want the full details, read on!
Check out my favorite travel strollerIf you want the deep dive, you can read my full Ergobaby Metro+ review here, but today I’m breaking down why this is my top pick for a travel stroller in 2026 and how it stacks up against the other big names like the UPPAbaby Minu and the Babyzen YOYO.
What to Look for in a Travel Stroller
When shopping for a travel stroller, I prioritize three things:
- The Fold: Can I do it with one hand?
- The Size: Does it actually fit in an airplane overhead bin?
- The Comfort: Does it recline enough for a nap? (Because a nap-less vacation is not a vacation).
Last summer I bought (and returned) at least 5 strollers before finding the one that I loved the best. And that one stroller came with us on our 3 week European trip. AND – it’s still my favorite (single) stroller!
My Top Pick: The Ergobaby Metro+ (and Metro 3)
The Ergobaby Metro+ has been our “ride or die” for over a year a few reasons. Unlike many other ultra-compact strollers, it actually has plush padding. Most travel strollers feel like a piece of fabric stretched over a frame, but this feels like a real seat.
Check out my favorite travel strollerWhy I love it:
- Newborn Ready: It has a true lie-flat recline, which means you don’t need a separate bassinet attachment for travel.
- Adjustable Handlebar: This is a game-changer if you and your partner are different heights (I’m 5’7”, and I never feel like I’m hunching).
- CushionRide™ Suspension: It handles cobblestones and uneven city sidewalks way better than the cheaper umbrella strollers.
- Overhead Bin Compatible: It fits in most major airline overhead compartments, meaning no waiting at the jet bridge for a gate-checked stroller.
- Folds with one hand!
How It Compares: The Best Travel Strollers of 2026
While the Ergobaby is my personal favorite, I know every family has different needs. Here is how it compares to the other “big hitters” in the travel gear world:
The Luxury Choice: UPPAbaby Minu V3
The Minu is a beautiful travel stroller and pushes like a dream (very similar to the UPPAbaby Vista).
Shop the UPPAbaby Minu V3- Pros: Huge storage basket for a travel stroller and very sturdy.
- Cons: It’s heavier than the Metro+ and doesn’t always fit in the smaller overhead bins (especially on European flights).
The Iconic Choice: Stokke YOYO3 (formerly Babyzen)
The YOYO is the “original” overhead bin stroller. It’s all you see around Europe, and parents actually stopped me to ask what my stroller was because it didn’t have the YOYO’s white wheels. I actually bought a YOYO a couple of years ago and ended up returning it. I just didn’t think it was worth the price at the time, especially since every accessory for this compact travel stroller has to be purchased separately. (Plus, it doesn’t fold with one hand which was a deal breaker for me!)
Shop the Stokke YOYO3- Pros: It is incredibly light and most flight attendants at the airport recognize this one as fitting in the plane’s overhead compartment.
- Cons: You have to buy every accessory separately (the bumper bar, the leg rest, etc.), and the fold requires two hands, which I find tricky when traveling solo.
The Quickest Fold: Bugaboo Butterfly 2
If you want a one-second, one-hand fold, the Butterfly is the winner.
Shop the Bugaboo Butterfly 2- Pros: The easiest fold on the market and a very tall seat back for older toddlers but also works as an infant travel stroller.
- Cons: It’s on the pricier side and doesn’t recline as flat as the Ergobaby Metro+.
Quick Comparison: Best Travel Strollers at a Glance
One of my must haves was a travel stroller that can fold with one hand, which is why I didn’t buy the YOYO even though it’s one of the lightest on the market!
| Feature | Ergobaby Metro+ | UPPAbaby Minu V3 | Bugaboo Butterfly 2 | Stokke YOYO3 |
| Best For | Overall Comfort | Sturdiness | Easiest Fold | Ultra-Lightweight |
| Weight | ~17 lbs | 16.7 lbs | 16.1 lbs | 13.6 lbs |
| Folded size | 21 x 18 x 10 in | 21.5 x 18 x 10 in | 21.3 x 17.7 x 9.1 in | 20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1 in |
| One-hand fold | Yes | Yes | Yes (1-second) | No (2-handed) |
| Newborn ready | Yes (Lie-flat) | Yes (Carriage mode) | No (6+ months) | No (Needs pack) |
| Handlebar | Adjustable | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed |
| Included extras | Leg rest, Bumper bar | Varies | Leg rest, Rain cover | Carry strap |
| Fits in airplane overhead compartment | Yes | Yes, though not always on European flights | Yes | Yes |
| Check price | on Amazon (Metro+) on Amazon (Metro3) on REBEL | on Amazon on REBEL | on Amazon on REBEL | on Amazon on REBEL |
If you don’t know about REBEL yet, you’ll want to read my review of REBEL for baby gear. Spoiler: It’s a great website to find open box items for steep discounts (like a new Metro+ stroller for 25% off)!
Common Questions About Flying with a Stroller
Does the Ergobaby Metro+ fit in the overhead bin?
Yes! I have taken this on multiple flights, and as long as you aren’t on a tiny regional “puddle jumper,” it fits perfectly. This saves so much time (and prevents the airline from breaking your stroller during gate-checking). Here we are pushing the Metro+ down the aisle on an airplane:
Can I use a travel stroller for everyday use?
For city living or quick errands, yes, you can definitely use a travel stroller for your everyday errands. If you’re doing long walks on gravel paths or through snow, you’ll still want your full-size stroller. But for the mall, the airport, or Disney? The Metro+ is all you need.
Do I need a lightweight travel stroller?
It’s totally up to you, but personally I like traveling with a lightweight travel stroller (or I guess you call it a travel pushchair across the pond!) because it makes everything so much easier! A light travel stroller that you can fold with one hand is a game changer.
Is a travel stroller worth it?
If you travel even once or twice a year, 100% yes. It makes navigating security and tight restaurant spaces so much easier. You can use a travel stroller as your everyday stroller, as long as you aren’t navigating gravel paths frequently.
You might also want to see my tips on flying with a baby or tips on flying with a toddler! And if you need a stroller that has seats for 2 children, this is my favorite double stroller. We’ve flown with it before and loved it!
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