Having a stroller is essential with a baby so you can still see and explore your destination. Toddler in tow? Strollers are great when their little feet inevitably get tired while exploring, or when they need to have a snack on the go.
Depending your destination and how you’ll get around, you will likely need a car seat for your baby or toddler.
When flying with strollers and car seats, you can check your car seat and stroller for free with most major airlines, either at the gate or at the ticket counter. Ask your travel agent about your specific airline’s policy.
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Traveling with an infant car seat
Infants younger than 2 do not require their own seat in flight and can fly as a lap infant. Check their car seat at the ticket counter, so you don’t have to lug it around the airport. Make sure you use a padded car seat bag when checking your car seat to protect it during baggage handling.
Optionally, you may want to purchase a seat for your baby on the flight. This will allow you more space for all your carry-on items. If your infant has a seat on the plane, they’ll need to be in their car seat when you’re not holding them.
Some parents feel safer when their baby is in their car seat, especially during turbulence. Your baby will also be familiar with and comfortable in their own car seat, so will *hopefully* sleep.
Read more: Best vacations with babies and toddlers
Traveling with convertible car seats
Toddlers 2 or older will need their own seat in flight. Bring their car seat on the plane until they weigh at least 40 lbs – that’s the minimum weight that airline seatbelts are rated for.
Some frequent traveling parents opt to have a specific car seat for traveling. It should be light-weight and easy to carry through the airport. This car seat is highly rated and perfect for traveling. The convertible car seat we use at home rotates, which I love, but I would absolutely not want to haul that heavy thing through the airport!
If you end up checking your car seat, make sure you have a padded travel bag to protect it during baggage handling.
Traveling with strollers
If you want to use your stroller in the airport, check it at the gate when boarding. Otherwise, check it at the ticket counter. Either way, get a padded bag (that fits snuggly) with wheels for your stroller when checking it to prevent damage.
Some people say that if you check your stroller at the gate, there’s less opportunity for it to be damaged, but we’ve never had an issue. Invest in a travel stroller if you’ve got a luxury stroller that is just perfect and you would be devastated if it was damaged. Traveling with a toddler and a baby? Try this travel-ready double stroller.
I like a hands-free way to carry my toddler through the airport and always use a baby carrier. I check my stroller in at the ticket counter.
Read more: Best tips for flying with a toddler
Renting strollers and car seats while traveling
You may also be able to rent strollers and car seats (and other baby gear) in your destination! Sometimes it’s nice to not have to worry about your own gear getting damaged in transit. Plus, it’s less you have to worry about in the airport.
Check out BabyQuip for rentals in your destination, but confirm if your hotel has a stroller to use first. Some kid-focused hotels offer rentals!
Travel Insurance
I highly recommend family travel insurance for every vacation. This gives you peace of mind should anything go wrong before or during your trip. Getting a blanket policy to cover every aspect of your trip means you only have to contact a single company, rather than one for each trip component (flights, hotels, tours, etc.).
I use Arch RoamRight for my family insurance when traveling. Get your personalized quote here!
Are you ready to start planning your next family vacation? Contact me today to get started!
Travel Resources
- Activities: Viator or GetYourGuide
- Baby Gear Rentals: BabyQuip
- Data Packages: Airalo
- Flights: Trip.com
- Hotels: Trip.com
- Insurance: Arch RoamRight
- Luggage Storage: Radical Storage
- Trains: Trip.com
You might also like:
- Essential gear for flying with a toddler
- Best tips for flying with a toddler
- Best vacations with babies and toddlers
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While I don’t have any kids and don’t often travel with kids, this guide is sooooo helpful for those whom will be. I myself learned a lot from it! I’m going to share this with my family travel friends.
Yes, please do! Thank you! 🙏
Great advice… I never bring my “good” stroller on a trip in case it is lost of stolen.
We use our old stroller when we travel for that reason, too!
I don’t have children but I’ll pass on this good info to my friends that do!
I appreciate that! Thanks! 🙏
Sharing with all my mom friends!
Thank you! 🙏
We always check our stroller at the gate because we also use it to hold our bags for us throughout the airport. We’ve used the same stroller for over 6 years and it’s lasted us well!
Stroller storage baskets are seriously so convenient. Clearly you’ve got a great stroller if it’s lasted that long with traveling!
Thanks for sharing the tip! I’ve never heard of BabyQuip – glad to learn about it! Our stroller stage was impacted by the pandemic when we traveled internationally less, but car seats are still quite essential for us on the go!
BabyQuip makes it soo easy! I’m all about efficiency in the airport.
Thanks! This will come in handy when we travel with our niece!
Good! I’m glad it’s useful. 🙂
So glad the stroller phase of my life is over, but I do miss the many things you could stash in your car seat when you gate checked it!
The sneaky way to check items for free! 😉
This is so useful to know! Not something you think about until the time comes
No, then you’re scrambling to find all the info you need! So here it is, all in one easy spot. 🙂
This is such useful info, thanks so much for sharing!
Glad you liked it!