With the Easter holidays fast approaching, a popular topic of conversation amongst travelling families is always ; “Shall I bother taking the pushchair?”
As a holiday nanny, I have had the experience of travelling with a lot of families and can give you an honest answer. “Yes, absolutely!” Even if it only gets used at the airport, I would always recommend taking a travel buggy away with you, especially now with so many ‘z’ folding travel buggies available on the market.
Why should I take a travel buggy away with me?
- It makes travelling with small children less stressful
- No run away children!
- Some adapt to car seats.
- It will take up less room in your boot
- Your child can nap anywhere
- It will free up your hands when travelling
- Cooler than having them in a carrier/sling
- Some fit in the overhead locker
- You can take longer walks when exploring a new city
- Gives you the option of taking them out for a later dinner
- Avoids your day-to-day buggy getting full of sand!
- It can double up as a shopping trolley for much needed beverages!
Top tip:
If you are travelling to a ski resort, also pack a sling, or ask your chalet if they can arrange for an ‘all terrain’ buggy or child carrier to be hired or borrowed for the week. Travel pushchairs are a nightmare in a snowy ski resort! In resorts such as Avoriaz, ski shops also rent sledge buggies, making it easier (and fun) in the deep snow.
Travel buggy Review:
When choosing a travel buggy, budget, purpose and durability are some of the key factors to be considered. From personal use and research, I have compiled my top 4 travel buggies. If you have had the experience of using any of these, or have other recommendations, then I would love to hear from you.
Red Kite Push me cube stroller
- Light weight
- Easy to steer with a compact ‘z’ folding design
- Can be stored overhead on a plane and easily in the boot
- Great value for money, includes accessories such as a raincover, umbrella and carry bag
- Suitable from birth as it lies flat, allowing baby to sleep safely. *May need some extra padding
- Doesn’t have an adapter for a car seat or rear facing option
- Fabric and sun shade aren’t machine washable
- Fabric doesn’t have accredited sun protection
For a second buggy I would recommend the Red Kite, for value for money. If you travel a lot, have a house with limited storage, or enjoy city breaks then I would definitely recommend this pushchair. The Babyzen might be the ‘super yacht’ of travel buggies, but it does come with a price tag!
- Fantastic for high flying globetrotters!
- Easy ‘z’ fold design
- Fits down the plane aisle and stores in overhead locker
- Unfolds one-handed, as well as steers
- Washable fabric and SPF protected hood
- Can be used from birth, but at the added cost of adding the newborn pack
- Highly recommended by anyone who can afford the price!
- Very streamline, small wheels and shopping basket
Mountain Buggy Nano
- A well known durable brand
- Lightweight ‘Z’ fold design
- Great basket for shopping
- Durable foam tyres
- Compatible with most car seats, but you have to purchase the adapter kit
- Suitable from birth, when adapted
- Double check with airline if this buggy is allowed as hand luggage
- The mountain buggy has an innovative range of accessories, including winter ski adapters!
- Cheaper than the Babyzen, but expensive accessories.
Silver Cross Zest Pushchair
- Classic travel buggy folding system, if you don’t want to take the buggy on board.
- Suitable from birth with full lie back option
- Roomy seat
- Lightweight and compact
- Extendable hood with UPF50 sun protection
- Inclusive rain cover
- Long standing pushchair manufacturer!