Reader Question: What Stroller Do You Recommend for Europe?

This is a reader question from Audrey who will be traveling to Paris with her four and a half year old in Paris.

Hey, do you have a particular stroller that you would suggest for a four and half year old? We are going to Paris in Feb and I think that my daughter will not be able to handle the long walks. She is small for her age and I need one that will be easy to use in Train Stations and the like. Thanks, Audrey
Mom, Baby and Stroller at the Eiffel Tower
Mom, Baby and Stroller at the Eiffel Tower

For a trip to Paris, where the sidewalks are relatively even and stroller-friendly, many people would recommend buying an inexpensive umbrella stroller that you can leave behind if it breaks and wouldn't be disappointed to lose. I think that is a fine choice if you can push them comfortably, but I find that I am hunched over an uncomfortable using one.

I particularly like the Maclaren Strollers because they fold up easily and are relatively lightweight and very sturdy. Our Malaren has been a workhorse that has served us well through two children. We have often carried it up and down stairs with a sleeping child inside and rolled it over rough cobblestone streets. It does, however, have a couple of drawbacks: While it is lightweight, it is big enough that it usually doesn't make it onto the plane and must be gate checked, and because it doesn't have a sport suspension system, the ride can be rough.

The Quinny Zapp is another great choice for travel because it folds up small enough to stow in the overhead bin on an airplane.

Good luck on your trip!

Related Links
Strollers and Baby Carriers for Family Travel
Favorite Kids Travel Gear
Paris With Kids

Filed Under: family-travel-gear

3 comments | Posted on July 8, 2009 | Save to del.icio.us

 Subscribe to our feed

Subscribe by email:

Comments

  1. Victoria on July 9, 2009 at 5:48 a.m.

    Maclaren makes lots of different models. The smallest and lightest is the Volo, which is now our day to day buggy. I've never had a problem taking it to the plane door. They then put it in the hold and you collect it off the luggage carousel. That should be OK with a four year old. The bigger ones recline for babies and smaller toddlers. A great British product!

  2. pinkdove on July 12, 2009 at 1:50 p.m.

    we live in europe and have been to paris a few times. we always bring the quinny zapp. it doesn't recline but it's so nice to steer and fits overhead in the airplane and is quick to fold in trains. may be a little small for a 4 year old though. i would try it out first.

  3. Cat C. Schwartz on July 27, 2009 at 3:01 p.m.

    OK--learn from our mistake...we researched strollers forever before moving to Europe,bought one ( a chicco or combi) that folded easily and was about $150 and the wheel broke off within a month.

    Buy a MACLAREN! Actually, Quinnys are great, too if you don't have a child that is large for his age. You need a buggy that will collapse for the train/bus/metro and is lightweight, while having wheels that can take on European urban streets. The Maclaren comes with a rain cover, which is almost essential in London.