Flying With a Toddler and a Stroller: What Parents Need to Know

A stroller can feel like one more bulky thing to bring to the airport, but when you are flying with a toddler, it can also be one of the most useful pieces of travel gear you have.

Large airports involve a lot of walking. Toddlers get tired. Carry-on bags get heavy. Boarding gates change. Connections may involve moving from one terminal to another.

A stroller can make all of that easier, but you need to decide whether to check it with your luggage, take it through the airport and gate-check it, or use a compact stroller that may meet your airline's requirements for another form of transport or storage.

If you are preparing for the entire flight, start with our guide to flying with a toddler and our complete toddler carry-on checklist.

Is It Worth Bringing a Stroller?

For many families, yes.

Even toddlers who normally prefer to walk can become tired after navigating parking, check-in, security, the terminal, boarding, a flight, baggage claim, and ground transportation.

A stroller also gives you a place to contain your toddler when you need both hands for luggage or travel documents.

When You May Not Need a Stroller

A stroller is not automatically necessary on every trip.

You may decide to leave it home if:

• Your toddler comfortably walks long distances.
• You are traveling extremely light.
• You have very short airport connections.
• Your destination will not be stroller-friendly.
• You plan to use another appropriate method of carrying your child.
• You can rent or borrow a stroller at your destination.

Think about the entire trip rather than just the airport.

Using the Stroller Through the Airport

One of the biggest advantages of bringing a stroller is being able to use it between check-in and the boarding gate.

That can be especially helpful in a large airport.

It can also carry some lightweight items, although you should be careful not to turn the stroller into an overloaded luggage cart.

What Happens at Airport Security?

Security procedures vary depending on the airport, stroller, and circumstances.

Be prepared to remove your child and take belongings out of the stroller when instructed.

A compact stroller that folds easily can make this process much simpler.

Do not bury your passports, boarding passes, or other essentials underneath a mountain of stroller gear.

What Is Gate-Checking a Stroller?

Gate-checking generally means keeping the stroller with you through most of the airport and turning it over near the boarding area or aircraft.

This can give you the benefit of using the stroller throughout the terminal without necessarily taking it into the airplane cabin.

Exact procedures and permitted stroller sizes vary by airline, so check your airline's current policy before the trip.

Ask Where You Will Get the Stroller Back

This is easy to overlook.

Depending on the airport and airline, a checked or gate-checked stroller may be returned near the aircraft, on the jet bridge, at baggage claim, or at an oversized baggage area.

Ask when you hand it over so you know where to look after landing.

Remove Loose Accessories Before Checking It

Before handing over the stroller, remove anything that can easily fall off.

That may include:

• Cup holders
• Snack trays
• Clip-on toys
• Portable fans
• Blankets
• Stroller hooks
• Organizer bags

Loose accessories are much easier to lose during handling.

Empty the Storage Basket

Do a quick basket check before giving up the stroller.

Toddlers have a remarkable ability to leave toys, snacks, cups, socks, and random objects in stroller baskets.

You do not want your child's favorite stuffed animal disappearing somewhere in the baggage system.

Should You Use a Stroller Travel Bag?

A travel bag can help keep your stroller contained and may protect it from dirt and some scrapes during handling.

Some bags have handles or backpack-style straps that also make the folded stroller easier to carry.

A soft bag cannot guarantee that the stroller will not be damaged, but it can be useful protection.

Label the Stroller and Travel Bag

Put your contact information somewhere secure on the stroller or bag.

A luggage tag can make it easier to identify your stroller and can be useful if it becomes separated from you.

Take a Photo Before Checking It

A quick photo gives you a record of the stroller's condition before you hand it over.

You can also photograph the make, model, and any identifying information that might be useful later.

Should You Bring Your Expensive Everyday Stroller?

This is a personal decision.

Your everyday stroller may be incredibly comfortable and familiar, but it might also be heavy, large, and expensive.

For frequent travel, some families prefer a separate lightweight stroller that is easier to fold and carry.

Advantages of a Lightweight Travel Stroller

A smaller stroller can be easier to:

• Move through crowded terminals
• Fold quickly
• Carry when necessary
• Load into rental cars
• Store in hotel rooms
• Use on public transportation

The tradeoff is that compact travel strollers may have less storage, smaller wheels, or fewer comfort features than larger everyday models.

Practice Folding the Stroller Before Travel Day

This sounds obvious, but airports have a way of making simple tasks suddenly difficult.

Practice folding and unfolding the stroller until you can do it quickly.

If the stroller has removable wheels, locks, special latches, or a complicated folding mechanism, make sure you understand them before reaching the gate.

Do Not Pack Essential Items in the Stroller

Once the stroller is checked, you may not have access to it until after the flight.

Anything you may need onboard belongs in your carry-on.

That includes:

• Diapers
• Wipes
• Medication
• Snacks
• Extra clothes
• Comfort items
• Tablet
• Travel documents

Use our toddler carry-on packing checklist so nothing important disappears with the stroller.

A Stroller Can Be Helpful During Long Layovers

If you have a long connection, having a stroller available can make a major difference.

Your toddler may nap in it, rest between gates, or simply avoid having to walk across another enormous terminal.

This is one reason families often prefer keeping the stroller until the gate rather than checking it at the ticket counter.

But Think About Tight Connections Too

Gate-checking is convenient, but retrieving an item can sometimes take time.

If you have a very short connection, consider how the stroller-return process could affect your ability to reach the next gate.

There is no universal answer because airports and airline procedures differ.

Should You Put Your Toddler in the Stroller During Boarding?

You will generally need to fold or surrender the stroller before entering the aircraft if it is being checked.

That means there may be a point where you suddenly have:

• A toddler
• A folded stroller
• A carry-on
• A personal item
• Possibly a car seat

Plan for that moment before the trip.

If Two Adults Are Traveling, Divide the Jobs

One adult can handle the toddler while the other folds and tags the stroller.

That small division of responsibility can make boarding much smoother.

If you are also bringing a car seat, our guide to flying with a toddler and a car seat covers those additional logistics.

If You Are Traveling Alone

Practice your setup at home.

Can you fold the stroller while keeping control of your toddler and carry-on?

Can you carry everything from the point where you surrender the stroller to your airplane seat?

If not, simplify.

A smaller stroller, backpack-style carry-on, or lighter luggage setup may help considerably.

Do Not Overload the Stroller Handles

Hanging heavy bags from stroller handles can make a stroller unstable, particularly after the child gets out.

Use the stroller according to the manufacturer's instructions and avoid turning it into a luggage system it was not designed to be.

Think About Your Destination Before Choosing a Stroller

The airport is only one part of the trip.

Ask yourself what the stroller will encounter after you land.

City Vacation

You may want something easy to maneuver on sidewalks and public transportation.

Theme Park Trip

Comfort and storage may matter more because your toddler could spend many hours in the stroller.

Beach Vacation

A stroller that works beautifully in an airport may be much less useful on sand.

Road Trip After Flying

Make sure the folded stroller fits comfortably with your luggage in the rental vehicle.

Do You Need Both a Car Seat and a Stroller?

Many families do, especially when renting a car at the destination.

But carrying both through an airport can become cumbersome.

Think separately about what you need:

During the airport: Is the stroller useful?

During the flight: Are you using a child restraint?

At the destination: Will you need a stroller, car seat, or both?

Planning each stage can help you avoid bringing equipment you will barely use.

A Stroller Can Help With Airport Naps

If your toddler sleeps well in a stroller, a long layover may become much easier.

A familiar stroller can provide a reasonably comfortable place to nap while you wait for the next flight.

If airplane sleep is your bigger concern, read our guide to helping a toddler sleep on a plane.

Keep One Small Activity Accessible

Once your toddler leaves the stroller and you are waiting to board, it can help to have one compact activity within easy reach.

A sticker book, small toy, or downloaded show can fill the gap between surrendering the stroller and getting settled onboard.

Our guide to the best airplane activities for toddlers has plenty of compact options.

Bring Snacks Where You Can Reach Them

The boarding process is not the time to discover your toddler's snacks are beneath three bags in the stroller basket you just handed to an airline employee.

Keep a few snacks in an easy-access pocket of your carry-on.

For ideas, see our list of travel-friendly airplane snacks for toddlers.

Stroller Travel Checklist

What I Would Look for in a Travel Stroller

If I were choosing a stroller specifically for family travel, I would prioritize practical features over extras.

I would look for:

• Reasonably lightweight construction
• Easy folding
• Compact folded dimensions
• A comfortable seat
• A useful sun canopy
• Enough storage for basic toddler items
• Wheels suitable for the destination
• A design I can carry when necessary

The smallest stroller is not automatically the best stroller. You still need something that works for your child and your trip.

Final Thoughts

Taking a stroller on a flight adds another piece of equipment to manage, but it can also make the airport portion of traveling with a toddler considerably easier.

The key is deciding in advance how you will use it. Know whether you plan to check it or keep it until the gate, remove anything loose before handing it over, keep essential supplies in your carry-on, and make sure you understand where the stroller will be returned after landing.

If you travel frequently, a lightweight stroller that folds easily may be worth considering. But if your everyday stroller works well for your destination and you are comfortable traveling with it, there is no requirement to buy something new just for the airport.

For the rest of your trip planning, read our guides to flying with a toddler, traveling with a toddler and car seat, handling a long flight with a toddler, and packing your toddler's carry-on.

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