Best Travel Prams Australia 2020

What makes a good travel pram/stroller*?

*Please note I will use pram and stroller intermittently throughout this article with no particular rhyme or reason. I’ll apologise in advance for that. Travel pram or travel stroller – same thing.

Arguably any pram or stroller could be a travel pram. There’s no rules to say that you can’t take a big pram with you when you travel. In fact, I’d say there’s some arguments for the idea of taking your full sized everyday pram with you when you travel. Sure, you’ll have to check it into luggage, so you won’t have it with you when you’re actually in the airport, but the pay off at the other end is having a decent pram at the other end. 

Because the fact is a super light, compact, easy to fold “overhead luggage” sized pram or stroller is not going to have the big wheels and suspension to handle all terrains. So give some thought to the destination, and the kids of roads and paths you’ll be pushing your pram around on, and set realistic expectations for how well a teeny tiny little pram will handle it.

To The Gate VS Carry-On

Also give some thought to how much do you REALLY want to be able to carry your travel stroller onto the plane with you? Given that you can’t exactly use your stroller ON the plane, there’s no real advantage to carrying it on with you compared to handing it off to the flight crew at the gate. 

If your pram is compact enough not need to be checked in as oversized luggage, then you have the option to wheel it to the gate, hand it to the flight crew as your board, they will hand it back to you after you disembark, and so you would even have it in the airport for any flight transfers. So I’m going to recommend not getting too caught up on which pram is the absolute most compact, lightest weight, most airline compliant. Because the airport is such a small part of the overall trip. Think about how else you’ll be using the pram while on holiday, and also what might be useful to you back home as well.

Steelcraft Stroll Lite – RRP $169

The Steelcraft Stroll Lite is a sweet and simple, no frills, but incredibly budget friendly little stroller. The Stroll Lite offers a newborn flat recline, easy one handed fold, and a large weight capacity of 20kgs. Which is impressive for such a compact and inexpensive stroller. The total weight is just 6.6kgs and folds down to a moderate compact. Though the Stroll Lite is a little bulkier than some other compact travel strollers, so it’s worth double checking with your airline if you’ll be able to take the Stroll Lite to the gate when you’re flying to avoid disappointment or confusion when you arrive at the airport. 

• Suitable for newborns – Yes
• Weight capacity – 20kgs
• Pram weight – 6.6 kgs
• Folded dimensions – 64cm x 46.5cm x 26cm (approx.)
• Carry Bag Included –  No, and none is available.
• Travel system compatible – No

Maxi Cosi Lara RRP $349

The Maxi Cosi Lara is my favourite travel pram for someone on a tight budget, while still offering some great extra features. Keep in mind with the price it can be often found on sale for under $300.  

Like the Stroll Lite, the Maxi Cosi Lara has a simple one handed fold, is suitable for a newborn, a good sized seat with a reasonable weight capacity of 17kgs. However it also has the bellybar and travel bag included, as well as an adjustable footrest and all round nicer finishes on the fabric and frame. The other thing I love about the Maxi Cosi Lara is it has a second “shelf” inside the basket that is still accessible when the pram is folded. So it’s perfect for storing essential items when you’re on the go – like a drink bottle, comforter, baby wipes etc. Items that you want accessible at all times. 

Though please note that even though this is a Maxi Cosi pram it is not compatible with Maxi Cosi (or any other) car capsules. 

• Suitable for newborns – Yes
• Weight capacity – 17kgs
• Pram weight – 6.8kgs
• Folded dimensions – 50 x 50 x 25cm
• Carry Bag Included – Yes
• Travel system compatible – No

GB Pockit Air All-Terrain – RRP $349

Firstly, don’t let the name fool you. This pram isn’t an all-terrain pram. The only way the GB Pockit could be considered “All-terrain” is the fact that it is so light and compact if you do hit some rough terrain you could fold it down, carry the pram in one arm and the baby in the other. Perhaps that what they mean!

The GB Pockit Air All-Terrain is the world’s most compact pram. It’s completely ridiculously compact. It folds down small enough it could fit into a canvas shopping bag. It is the one pram I would very confidently say is carry on luggage compatible without suggesting you contact the airline first, because it truly is smaller than most carry on luggage bags. 

However the GB Pockit is a bit of a one-trick pony. It has it’s world record breaking compact fold and not a lot else going for it. The seat doesn’t recline, the hood is only for decorations, as implied above it’s only really suitable for flat surfaces – shopping centres, airports, footpaths etc. So while it’s absolutely ideal for occasions where your number one concern is space, it’s not the stroller for everyone as it’s really only suitable for older babies and toddlers.

You can also check out my video review of the older version of this pram.

• Suitable for newborns – No
• Weight capacity – 22kgs
• Pram weight – 4.6kgs
• Folded dimensions – 35 x 30 x 18cm
• Carry Bag Included – No, sold Separately. 
• Travel system compatible – No

GB Pockit + – RRP $429

Firstly the GB Pockit and GB Pockit + are very very similar. So there’s not a lot of point talking about the GB Pockit + as a separate stroller to the GB Pockit. Just how they are different. Which I go through in a lot of detail in this article here : GB Pockit VS GB Pockit +

Mainly the GB Pockit + has a semi recline, so your baby or toddler can have a nap. The GB Pockit + also has the option of attaching a capsule or bassinet for a newborn (sold separately). Also the GB Pockit + is slightly wider, meaning the seat is wider and also the basket is wider. So you’ll fit a little bit bigger child and a little bit more stuff in the basket. 

Additionally the GB Pockit + has a bit better coverage with the hood. Though neither hood is particularly large.

Otherwise there’s no real difference between them.

• Suitable for newborns – Yes
• Weight capacity – 22kgs
• Pram weight –5.6kgs
• Folded dimensions – 38 x 32 x 20cm
• Carry Bag Included – No – can be purchased separately.
• Travel system compatible – Yes. Maxi Cosi Capsule adapters sold separately. 

Baby Jogger City Tour 2 – RRP $499

I know I show blatant favouritism for Baby Jogger as a brand in all my “best pram lists”– and this recommendation is no exception. The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is my personal favourite travel stroller. I love it because it does everything you need from a travel stroller as well as being a perfect lightweight everyday stroller! You can read my full written review of the Baby Jogger City Tour 2.

The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is suitable from birth without needing extra accessories (though it has the option of adding a car capsule or bassinet, which are sold separately). It has a very tall seat (I was able to fit my tall six year old into the City Tour) and a high weight limit to match. It also offers a good sized adjustable footrest which is a feature you don’t often see on these super light travel strollers. Lastly, I do love the super easy one handed fold. It wouldn’t be a Baby Jogger without an incredibly easy fold.

Overall I think it’s a very practical, sturdy and easy to use compact pram that would be perfect not just for travel, but everyday use as well. 

• Suitable for newborns – Yes 
• Weight capacity – 22kgs
• Pram weight – 5.6kgs
• Folded dimensions – 56 x 43.5 x 18cm
• Carry Bag Included – Yes
• Travel system compatible – Yes

Joolz Aer – RRP $749

I have to admit I wasn’t entirely sold on the Joolz Aer straight away – however it’s now one of my favourite travel strollers. My initial hesitation with the Joolz Aer is the recline is a little unusual and fiddly; there’s a panel at the back that needs to be zipped out, then a strap to recline it further. It’s also not a fully flat recline, so the seat is suitable from 6 months onward. Though you can make the Joolz Aer suitable for a newborn by turning it into a travel system with capsule and adapters (sold separately).

What I love about the Joolz Aer is it weighs a teeny tiny 6kgs and has a super easy one handed fold. It has a standing fold, and carry-strap, so it’s comfortable for folding and lifting on the go. The Joolz Aer also has one of the biggest seats on the market. It’s the widest, deepest and tallest seat for a travel pram. 

Personally I found the Joolz Aer the best travel stroller to push. It feels very substantial and solid, despite the incredibly low weight. Also it just has a refined style and quality you don’t see in travel prams.

Also – and it’s a small feature, however very usable for those busy moments on a move – the 5 point harness buckle is extremely easy to buckle up. Which is one thing a lot of travel strollers don’t offer. 

• Suitable for newborns – Yes, with Maxi Cosi capsule (sold separately)
• Weight capacity – 18kgs
• Pram weight – 6kgs
• Folded dimensions – 53 x 45 x 21cms
• Carry Bag Included – Yes (and quite a substantial bag too) 
• Travel system compatible – Yes. 

Babyzen Yoyo2 – RRP $829

The Babyzen Yoyo has been the most popular travel stroller, and compact everyday pram, for so many parents. I would say that the Babyzen Yoyo 2 isn’t exactly a completely new pram, but more a refinement of the previous model. Overall the Babyzen Yoyo is incredibly light and compact, easy to push, comfortable little stroller that offers parents a huge range of colours and accessories to customise their stroller just the way they like it. The fold does take some practice, but it’s quick and easy when you get the hang of it. It’s easy to see why the Babyzen Yoyo + has been such a popular brand. 

Babyzen Yoyo + VS 2020 Babyzen Yoyo 2:

Babyzen Yoyo 2 has a leatherette handlebar, which does feel a lot nicer than the foam handlebar on the previous models.

The buckle on the 5 point harness of the Babyzen Yoyo 2 now completely comes apart – which will make safety conscious parents happier. However it will be a little trickier to buckle up a squirming toddler than the previous model.

Also the suspension has been improved on the Babyzen Yoyo 2 for a smoother ride.

• Suitable for newborns – Yes, with a newborn nest or capsule adapters sold separately. 
• Weight capacity – 22kgs
• Pram weight –  6.2kg
• Folded dimensions – 52 x 44 x 18 cm
• Carry Bag Included – Yes
• Travel system compatible – Yes

Bugaboo Ant – RRP $849

“There’s nothing like a Bugaboo” – has been the Bugaboo slogan for years, and there really is nothing like a Bugaboo Ant. The Bugaboo Ant is the smallest pram that has a modular seat – meaning parents can have their baby turned world or parent facing. The seat also lays back completely flat, so it’s suitable for newborns.

In some ways the Bugaboo Ant is more like a miniature everyday pram than a travel stroller. However it’s very cleverly designed to pack down to look like a hard luggage case, which can be towed along through the airport with ease. 

As expected, the Bugaboo Ant can be styled to the parent’s unique taste, by choosing the chassis colour and fabric colours. And of course loads of accessories to choose from as well.

The seat on the Bugaboo Ant is a little on the smaller side and it is the heaviest pram on this list. So while it’s an amazing pram for travelling with a newborn or younger baby, it may be less suitable for a larger toddler or preschooler. That said, it does also have a great ride on toddler board option for travelling with two.

Overall the Bugaboo Ant feels exceptionally sturdy and well made. I imagine it could be the perfect everyday pram for inner city living as well as a perfect travel pram. 

• Suitable for newborns – Yes
• Weight capacity – 22kgs
• Pram weight – 7.9kgs
• Folded dimensions – 55 x 38 x 23cms
• Carry Bag Included – No, sold separately.
• Travel system compatible – Yes

Still Haven’t Found The Perfect Travel Pram?

Feel free to get in touch with us directly and we’ll be more than happy to help you work out which travel stroller is perfect for your family. Also check out all our Pram Reviews and our Product Directory.