Carry-on Essentials: Best Travel-Friendly Strollers & Car Seats for 2025

Travel light, travel safe: What this guide covers

If you travel with a baby or toddler, choosing a carry-on–friendly stroller and the right car seat can save hours and headaches. This guide walks through the best travel strollers and travel-ready car seats for 2025, explains airline and FAA guidance you need to know, and gives registry and packing recommendations for new parents.

Selections here are based on recent hands-on reviews and compact-travel roundups from reputable family-gear testers and parenting outlets, plus current U.S. aviation guidance about using child restraints on airplanes. Use the quick checklist at the end to compare what matters most for your trips: weight, folded dimensions, FAA/airline compatibility, newborn support, and everyday use.

Sources for model recommendations and product testing include BabyGearNerd, Parents, Verywell Family, and Fatherly.

Best carry-on travel strollers for 2025 (compact & overhead-bin friendly)

Below are travel stroller picks across price points. For each, prioritize the actual folded dimensions (airline overhead bins vary), real-world weight (not just manufacturer claims), and whether a stroller stands when folded — that makes boarding and gate-checking easier.

• Cybex Libelle — ultra-compact, one of the smallest folded footprints among travel strollers; often cited for overhead-bin fit and easy car-seat adapters on select models. Ideal when absolute compactness is the priority.
• Babyzen YOYO / YOYO2 — long-time favorite for city travel: very compact fold, lightweight, and simple one-hand operation; widely recommended for plane travel when you need easy boarding and carrying.
• UPPAbaby MINU — balances a roomy seat with a compact fold; slightly heavier than the smallest ultralights but praised for ride quality and storage for everyday use. Good middle-ground pick.
• Bugaboo Butterfly — premium travel option that combines a compact fold with more seat comfort; often recommended if you want a small footprint without sacrificing a deeper recline.
• Ergobaby Metro / Metro+ — travel-friendly with nearly-flat recline options and a built-in bassinet option on some models; heavier but excellent newborn support for longer trips.

Practical tip: measure your airline’s overhead bin height (some domestic jets have surprisingly small bins) and compare to each stroller’s folded dimensions listed by independent reviewers — a stroller that ‘‘looks small’’ can still be a tight fit.

Travel car seats, FAA guidance, and registry recommendations

Why bring a car seat on a plane? The FAA strongly encourages using an approved child restraint on board when a separate seat is purchased — it’s the safest option for infants and toddlers in turbulence or an accident. Approved car seats for aircraft are those certified to U.S. motor-vehicle standards and labeled for aircraft use; check your car seat for the required markings before travel.

Top travel car seats to consider

• UPPAbaby Mesa (infant seat) — frequently recommended for travel due to a light carrier weight and easy, secure install without a base when used on an airplane; fits many UPPAbaby strollers.
• WayB Pico — ultralight convertible-style travel seat frequently listed as a best-in-class travel option because of low weight and portable design.
• Cosco Scenera NEXT — budget travel convertible noted for light weight and wide airline acceptance (affordable backup or rental set).
• Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller — integrated car seat + stroller is a major convenience for short trips and airports because it converts to a stroller; however, independent reviews caution about limited longevity for larger babies and raise concerns about crash-test performance versus dedicated infant seats — weigh convenience against the latest safety testing and your family’s needs.

Airline and FAA practicalities

• Buy a seat for your child if you plan to use a car seat on board — the airline will require a ticket to assign a seat. The FAA and child-safety experts recommend using a certified CRS in its own airplane seat whenever possible.
• Look for the car seat label that states the restraint is certified for use in motor vehicles and aircraft; without that label, many airlines will not permit aircraft use.
• Some airlines restrict seats that block exit rows or can’t properly secure to the aircraft seat; always check airline policy before you travel and call customer service if in doubt.

Registry and buying checklist

When adding travel gear to a registry, include:

• A compact umbrella or travel stroller (note folded dimensions and weight)
• An FAA-approved infant car seat (if you plan to use one on flights)
• Car-seat travel bag or protector (for checked travel when necessary)
• Gate-check straps and a lightweight travel blanket for airport naps
• An AMSEAT/CARES harness for children who meet weight requirements and when your airline allows it (check compatibility).

Final safety reminder: independent crash-test performance, correct installation, and manufacturer expiration dates matter as much as convenience. If safety and crash performance are your priority, compare independent test results and certified labeling before you buy.