Best Travel Pram for 2026: Which Should You Hire?

Travelling with a baby or toddler should be about having fun and making memories, not wrestling a bulky pushchair through airports, across the beach or through busy city streets.

If you're planning a family holiday in 2026, choosing the right travel pram can make all the difference. The best travel prams are lightweight, compact enough for travel, easy to fold, comfortable for your child and practical for parents.

At Thursday's Child, we know that every family has different needs. That's why we offer a range of premium travel prams to hire, allowing you to try the best models without spending hundreds of pounds buying one you'll only use a few times.

Here's our guide to the best travel prams available in 2026.

What Makes a Great Travel Pram?

When choosing a travel buggy, look for:

• Lightweight design (ideally under 7kg)
• One-handed fold
• Cabin-friendly size (always check your airline's policy)
• Comfortable seat with good recline
• Large sun canopy
• Good suspension
• Decent storage basket
• Easy to carry

Not every family needs exactly the same features, so we've broken down the strengths and weaknesses of each model.

1. Joolz Aer2 – Best Overall Travel Pram

The Joolz Aer2 is widely regarded as one of the best premium travel prams available in 2026 thanks to its combination of comfort, lightweight design and incredibly easy one-handed fold. It consistently ranks among the top travel strollers in independent testing.

Pros

✔ Exceptionally smooth one-handed fold & self-standing

✔ Lightweight (6.5kg)

✔ Excellent suspension for a compact buggy

✔ Comfortable upright seat with Lie-flat recline

✔ Large extendable hood

✔ Parent Facing Nest to Seat option for younger babies

Cons

✘ Premium price to buy

✘ No peekaboo window

Best for:

• Parents wanting premium quality
• Everyday use as well as holidays abroad
• Frequent flyers
• City breaks

2. Bugaboo Butterfly 2

The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 has become one of the UK's most popular travel prams thanks to its generous seat, quality build and surprisingly roomy storage basket. The wheels are larger than competitors, offering a smoother ride on uneven surfaces such as cobbles, or during city break exploring.

Pros

✔ Very spacious seat

✔ One-second fold

✔ Lie-flat recline

✔ Excellent storage basket

✔ Comfortable for older toddlers

✔ Premium build quality

Cons

✘ Slightly heavier than some competitors

✘ Premium purchase price

✘ Accessories can add to the overall cost

Best for:

• Growing toddlers
• City breaks & longer days out
• Families wanting lots of storage

3. Stokke YOYO3

Previously known as the Babyzen YOYO, the Stokke YOYO3 remains one of the world's most recognisable travel prams.

Its ultra-compact fold, and being the most lightweight of all the travel prams, has made it a favourite with travelling families for years.

Pros

 ✔ Extremely compact fold (52 x 44 x 18cm)

✔ Lightweight (6.2kg)

✔ Huge range of accessories

✔ Excellent airline compatibility

✔ Easy to carry

Cons

✘ Recline isn’t full lie-flat

✘ Smaller storage basket

✘ Seat isn't as roomy as some competitors

✘ Can feel less cushioned on rougher ground

Best for:

• Air travel
• Families with limited luggage space
• Public transport

4. Silver Cross Clic 2

For families looking for excellent value, the Silver Cross Clic 2 offers impressive quality and features at a lower price point than many premium competitors.

Independent reviewers particularly praise its compact fold, lightweight design and ease of use for holidays.

Pros

✔ Lightweight (6.5kg)

✔ One-handed fold

✔ Lie-flat seat

✔ Great value

Cons

✘ Small shopping basket

✘ Not ideal on rough terrain

✘ No car seat compatibility

Best for:

• UK holidays
• Weekend trips
• All-inclusive holidays

5. Maxi-Cosi Lara²

The Maxi-Cosi Lara² is at the budget end of the travel pram market, with fantastic features to match the premium options, making it an excellent choice for families who want something compact and practical without breaking the bank. With its lightweight frame and compact fold, it doesn't feel as premium as other options, but is ideal for holidays, public transport and days out.

Pros

✔ Lightweight (6.4kg)

✔ Comfortable seat with multiple recline positions, including lie-flat.

✔ Large sun canopy with UPF protection

✔ Bumper bar included

✔ Two shopping baskets for added storage

✔ Excellent value for money

Cons

✘ Fold has a manual clip

✘ Slightly larger folded dimensions than competitors.

✘ Not as premium in feel as some higher-end models

Best for:

• Families on a budget
  
• UK Travel

Quick Comparison

Travel Pram	Weight	Best For	Fold
Joolz Aer2	6.5kg	Overall performance	★★★★★
Bugaboo Butterfly 2	7.3kg	Toddlers & storage	★★★★★
Stokke YOYO3	6.2kg	Air travel	★★★★☆
Silver Cross Clic 2	6.5kg	Value for money	★★★★★
Maxi-Cosi Lara²	6.4kg	Practical on a budget	★★★★☆

Which Travel Pram Is Right for You?

Choose the Joolz Aer2 if…

You want the best all-round premium travel buggy.

Choose the Bugaboo Butterfly if…

Your toddler needs extra comfort and you want a generous storage basket.

Choose the Stokke YOYO3 if…

Your priority is flying and packing as light as possible.

Choose the Silver Cross Clic 2 if…

You want excellent value without compromising on quality.

Choose the Maxi-Cosi Lara² if…

You want one of the lightest travel prams available, offering excellent value with practical features.

Should You Buy or Hire a Travel Pram?

Premium travel prams typically cost between £300 and £500+, and many families only use them for one or two holidays each year.

Hiring a travel pram can be a smarter choice because you can:

• Save money
• Avoid storing another buggy at home
• Try different models before buying
• Use a premium pram without the premium price tag
• Help the environment by re-using
• Travel with equipment that's clean, safety checked and holiday-ready

For many families, hiring offers the flexibility to choose the right pram for each trip rather than committing to one model.

Hire Your Travel Pram from Thursday's Child

Whether you're flying abroad, heading on a UK staycation or simply need a lightweight buggy for a family day out, hiring can be the easiest way to travel.

At Thursday's Child, we offer professionally cleaned, safety-checked premium travel prams from leading brands, ready for your next adventure. We deliver straight to your door on your chosen date, and you simply arrange your free return with a home collection or local drop off.

If you're unsure which model is right for your family, we're always happy to help you choose the perfect travel companion.

Happy travels!