How to Travel with a Baby in a Small Car
The thought of travelling with a baby is enough to make any parent sweat, but when you have a small car, and A LOT to pack, it truly is a terrifying thought. There's so much to consider when travelling with a baby, you must remember feeding supplies, sleeping supplies, toys, clothes, pushchairs, carriers, nappies, changing supplies, the list goes on and on…and on.
In this blog, we are going to go over some of our travel top tips for how to travel with a baby or toddler with a small car and limited space. From compact strollers, to travel cots, to car seats, we have considered every space-saving solution to help you travel smarter and – relatively - stress free.
Space-saving travel tips
Compact Pushchairs
A pushchair is a must-have item that will always take up a large amount of boot space. If you’re a family with a small car, you’re going to want a compact stroller that folds up neatly, and one that is compatible with a full travel system, so you can use a carrycot and car seat all on one chassis. To save you some time as well as space, let’s go through a few of our favourite compact strollers:
The Joolz Aer+ Pushchair is ultra compact, designed to make travel as light and easy as possible. Weighing in at only 6kg and featuring a handy shoulder strap, the Joolz Aer+ allows you to be hands free so you can carry your baby. This stroller is airline approved and fits easily into an overhead compartment on an aeroplane, it also folds up effortlessly, so you are always only seconds away from getting on the move. The Joolz Aer+ is suitable from birth with a secure lie-flat function and is also compatible with the Joolz Aer+ carrycot.
Shop the Joolz Aer+ Pushchair and Cot travel bundle here.
The BABYZEN YOYO2 6+ Stroller is the ultimate compact and versatile stroller both for travelling and daily use. This lightweight and durable pushchair can be folded, unfolded and manoeuvred with just one hand, and can be carried on your shoulder giving you the option of hands-free.
Small and travel friendly, the YOYO2 is IATA approved carry on baggage size, and, when folded, fits nicely in the footwell of a small car making it the perfect tiny travel buddy. This pushchair can also be used from birth when paired with a carrycot and is compatible with a variety of car seats
Finally, the Thule Spring City Complete Pushchair is made for those stylish city-dwelling parents and thrives in urban environments. Its large wheels and no-punture tires, combined with a compact design, makes it perfect the perfect companion for a smooth family stroll around the city.
The Thule Spring is also lightweight, and features a simple one-hand fold mechanism so you can easily carry it around. When folded, this compact stroller has a self-standing capacity - perfect for storage in small spaces.
If it’s space-saving strollers you are looking for, the Joolz Aer+ Pushchair, BABYZEN YOYO2 and Thule Spring are all great options for compact strollers that can be used as a complete travel system with compatible car seats and adapters, and can be folded small enough to fit in the footwells of your car.
Browse our full collection of compact strollers.
Car Seats
Car seats are absolutely an essential when travelling with a baby, and it’s important to remember that while you may be wanting to save space, you should never compromise on the safety or comfort of your little passenger. Here are a couple of safe and high-quality car seat options perfect for smaller cars and families who are often on the move.
The Nuna Pippa URBN is a great travel car seat for stylish mums looking to save a little space – and time! This car seat does not require an ISOFIX base, as it already has the ISOFIX connectors attached to the car seat. This is super useful when out and about in taxis and other transport while on holiday or family days out and is perfect for space saving in a smaller car.
The CYBEX Cloud G is another car seat we’d recommend to families with a smaller car, or those who travel often. This lightweight and comfortable car seat has an innovative 180° rotation and a one-click rotate and release system so getting your little one safely in and out of your car is stress free. This car seat can also be used with a seatbelt instead of a base for space saving and ease.
The CYBEX Cloud G can be purchased as part of the CYBEX EOS Luxury Bundle which includes the EOS Lux 2 in 1 pushchair, the Cloud G car seat and base with an optional footmuff. This bundle answers all your travel needs from your baby’s first day until their first steps.
Some other fantastic options for compact car seats are the Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro, and the UPPAbaby MESA. The great news is, all of the car seats mentioned above are also all TUV approved for use in aircrafts – the ideal car seat travel companions from road to sky.
Travel Cots
If you’re in need of a space-saving and safe sleep solution for your little one, we have a range of travel cots that can easily be folded up and packed neatly in your car. A travel cot gives you the peace of mind that wherever you may go, you’ll always have a trusted and safe space for your baby from nap to nighttime.
The Bugaboo Stardust is a fantastic travel cot option. The light weight, easy fold and compact design is perfect for fitting in your boot or footwell, and it also comes with a carry case making it convenient for travelling. A great feature of the Bugaboo Stardust is that it always stays in one piece, even with the mattress inside, so wherever you are, it requires no assembly or hassle – just simply pop it open and it’s ready for naptime or playtime.
We are pleased to announce the launch of a brand-new colour of the Bugaboo Stardust - a stunning Desert Taupe!
The Nuna SENA Aire is another great travel cot perfect for families who are often travelling and staying over at relatives or friends’ houses. The clever zigzag leg design pops open easily into a soft and secure dreamland for your little one, it then folds down with just one hand ready to get going again in the morning. To make it the ultimate packing solution, the Nuna SENA Aire comes with a handy strap and travel bag included.
Pack smarter, not lighter
The key to travelling with a baby in a small car, is to travel smarter, not lighter. With an organised travel bag, you won’t need to restrict the amount you are packing.
The KAOS Ransel Weekend Bag is a comfy, convenient and spacious bag that carries like a backpack so you can keep your hands free. The smaller compartments make organisation simple, and there’s plenty of room to pack everything you need for a day out, or weekend stay. The KAOS Ransel is made from recycled PET bottles with details in vegan leather – making it the perfect eco-conscious travel choice. This bag is also cabin size and stylish.
Check out our full weekend bag collection.
Travelling with your family is an exciting (but stressful) time. There’s plenty to remember and too much to bring but once you’re all packed up, safe and on your way with everything you need, the stress will melt away and you can focus on making lasting memories. We hope this blog helps you find some space-saving solutions if you’re planning to travel with your little one in a small car.
If you are looking for a checklist of travel essentials, check out this blog post to find out the must-have essentials for your baby’s first summer holiday.
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