It seems the million dollar question when traveling with babies and toddlers is:
“What do I do with my stroller once I get to the airport?”
Well, you have two options. What you choose really comes down to whether you want to have it with you while in the airport.
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Option 1: Check it with the rest of your luggage when you check in
If you’d rather hold baby or use a carrier through the airport, don’t need a spot to put your bags or car seat, and are okay with holding baby the entire time in the airport, then go with this option.
On our earlier trips, I preferred to carry our son in the carrier, but we still kept the stroller with us sometimes in the airport.
I liked having our little guy in the carrier to go through security. You can leave baby in the carrier, but if you have a stroller you have to take them out of it, and put it through security (they may or may not have you fold it depending on the airport).
You can check the stroller at the terminal when you check in with your luggage. Most major airlines allow you to check a stroller for free when flying with an infant or child, but check beforehand to be sure.
Always use a stroller bag, like this one.
This bag has shoulder straps so we carried the stroller on our back at times. When I say “we” I mean Jeff, my sweet, helpful husband.
That was not our best idea ever. He is 6’4″ and that travel umbrella stroller kept hitting the back of his legs when he walked. I can’t imagine anyone shorter carrying it like that. Not to mention the good laughs. Especially when his mother in law (ya, my mum), had him carry two giant umbrellas in the bag. Ha!
So then we started carrying at our side using the handle. That wasn’t easy either because the length of the stroller could clock someone if “we” weren’t paying attention.
Even if you don’t plan on lugging the stroller around in a bag (I mean, why did you bring the stroller if you aren’t going to put baby in it? Actually sometimes it was just easier keeping the baby happy next to mama in the carrier) I would still recommend the stroller bag to use at the airport.
If you don’t have the convenience of being dropped off at the airport terminal (isn’t that nice?!), then don’t forget you’ll be hopping on and off a shuttle. The bag comes in handy then too so you don’t have to pull baby out of the stroller, fold it up, etc.
When you land, you may have to pick up the stroller from a specially designated area, usually “large luggage item” pickup. This could be an area separate from the typical baggage claim belt.
Depending on the airport, this is where the hunt might begin.
Our first flight with baby was to Rome when he was 6 months. Our flight was late, and we had to board a different connecting flight from our layover destination. Thank goodness angry mom pulling the “baby card” worked and they put us on the next flight instead of bumping us to the next day like they were doing to other passengers!
Luckily we still arrived in Rome late that night. But of course our stroller didn’t make it. We waited in line for an hour – ya, a new meaning to the saying “when in Rome”. I love Italy, but their systems and work ethic are nothing like America’s. We gave them our info and finally our stroller arrived at our hotel 3 days later.
Good thing Rome is full of cobblestone and we didn’t need the stroller right away. But for this reason, I recommend keeping your stroller with you, You don’t want to go through what we did.
If you aren’t crazy about checking your stroller at the terminal when you check in for your flight (and why would you be after that story? ha) then forego that option, save your back from the carrier, and consider…
Option 2: Keep it with you until you board (my recommended option)
Our oldest child, now three years old, has always been taller than average. And with that height, comes weight. Haha. So it didn’t take long to to convert over to this option.
The stroller is a great place to throw all your crap, ahem, luggage, jackets, and backpacks onto. Especially once you have a second child and have more things to carry.
Side note: if you have one smaller child who can walk and a little one still in the stroller, consider using a sit and stand stroller. You may want the option to keep the kiddo strapped in or at least standing on the back of the stroller. Anywhere but running through the crowded airport yelling “I don’t wanna wear a mask!!!!”.
And no, that wasn’t my kid. Honest. But easily could have been.
See my post ‘Maybe Time For a Sit and Stand Stroller?‘ for more info and recommendations for the best sit and stand strollers out there.
And if you are now realizing your kid may rebel against the mask, be sure to read my ideas for avoiding that – How To Get Your Two Year Old To Wear a Mask.
Ok. Where was I? Sorry, the baby brain will get the best of me sometimes.
Oh right – like I mentioned earlier, you’ll have to take baby out of the stroller when you go through security. You probably will have to remove everything and fold it up if able, depending on the airport.
It’s not a big deal – you’ll just be holding baby until you get the stroller back. If you are by yourself, keep baby in the carrier so your hands are free.
Once an attendant arrives at the gate counter, go to the counter and notify them that you need to check your stroller before boarding. They will give you a ticket to fill out (usually just your name and flight number) and attach to the stroller (or to the stroller bag). Or they will just do it for you if you need a second hand or aren’t sure what to do.
No later than 15 minutes before boarding time, start putting your stroller in its bag. I do this earlier than you’d think because you’ll usually want to board early since you are with kids. Sometimes airlines will board earlier than the time listed on your ticket. No complaints there, right?
So don’t wander off at the last minute to change baby or let your toddler jump the seats while your husband is stuck with all the luggage, anxiously waiting to board. We can laugh about it now, don’t worry. Right honey?
When you board the plane, bring your bagged, tagged stroller and place it in the corner on the outside of the plane right before you step on (also where they put the wheelchairs). Double check with staff that this is where to place it and pick it up at landing (it could be different in certain countries).
Ok. Now you survived the flight with your little one(s). Yay! You made it. Now run off that plane, but don’t forget to pick up your stroller. Again, this is usually at the door right when you step off the plane. It won’t always be there right away.
Even if this is a layover and not your final destination, make sure you wait for your stroller right by the plane exit door (typically).
Option 3: Bring your stroller onto the plane
Wait what?! Yes, some people prefer this option. Make sure that the stroller is certified to be carry-on size and is able to fit in the overhead storage above your seat.
I don’t like this option because I really don’t see the difference in loading it on the plane versus gate checking. Our stroller is typically waiting for us when we get off the plane.
I also have enough to hold getting on and off the plane. I don’t need one more gosh darn thing that may accidentally swipe someone in the knee as I shimmy down the aisle with a curious baby, giant diaper backpack, purse, kitchen sink…
I have yet to find a stroller that is carry-on size, but also has the other features I need (tall, deep recline, and larger storage capacity). But if you do prefer this option, I recommend one of the gb Pockit Strollers.
Ok, now that you know what to do with the stroller, go get a good travel one! My favorite one that doesn’t break the bank has been the Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller. It’s held up surprisingly well after miles and miles on cobblestone, dirt fields, you name it.
If you are anything like I was before my first trip with baby and aren’t sure what else you need, then check out my list of travel gear recs, Baby and Toddler Travel Gear (2021).
Happy and safe travels!