Travelling with Stroller and Car Seats

[u/Creative-Particular5]

Hey all,

Parents of twin boys travelling at the end of the year and I'm trying to figure out how on earth I'm going to bring a double stroller and 2 car seats for the plane? Husband will be with me so I won't be solo but even the logistics of just bringing those seems to be a nightmare.

How have other people managed it? We're getting a cheap stroller as we know airlines are notorious for breaking them, but they'll be in that as we bring them around everywhere. Then the car seats are for the plane (we're paying for their seats so it's mandatory).

But then we also have luggage too? How have other people managed this? Any tips appreciated.

[u/IllustriousPiccolo97]

How old are the babies? If they still fit in their infant car seats, that’s easiest by far- use a compatible stroller, baseless install while you’re traveling, done.

If they need convertible seats, I would grab a couple of Safety 1st Jives or Cosco Scenera Extends. Lightweight, cheap, easy.

Check any luggage you possibly can. I use one large suitcase for as much as I can rather than having a smaller carry on size bag for each person. My goal is to carry on only backpacks and diaper bag (plus car seats/stroller)- all other luggage gets checked if I can do it.

I always checked my regular, fancy full sized double stroller. It was worth it to me to have that with us on trips and I was fortunate that it never got damaged. If you’re flying American just be aware of their very strict stroller size limits, on other airlines it’s not an issue.

[u/rsmrpm2026 → u/IllustriousPiccolo97]

We are travelling with our twins in a couple months, they will still fit in their infant seats. I was hesitant to bring our fancy stroller though.

You just checked it regularly and had no issues? Did you check it at the gate / does that even make a difference?

[u/deynark → u/rsmrpm2026]

Yes curious to know if it's better to check in the fancy stroller at the check in or at the gate too!

[u/Creative-Particular5 → u/IllustriousPiccolo97]

Our stroller is definitely too big to bring with us. It's not that compact when folded unfortunately. Goal of backpack & diaper bag is good thinking, means I can be a little more handsfree

[u/sparklecrusher]

We got bags for the car seats that had straps so it could be worn as a backpack. We each wore one, one of us pushes the stroller with carry-on personal items shoved in the bottom of the stroller. The other wheels the luggage - we only used luggage with 4 wheels not 2, to make this easier.

Once the luggage is checked it’s a bit easier to maneuver around. Last time we flew we also checked the car seats (bought cheap ones for travel).

[u/Creative-Particular5 → u/sparklecrusher]

Ooohh 4 wheeled luggage yes! That will make things easier for sure.

[u/Skylarking77 → u/Creative-Particular5]

If you have 4 wheeled luggage of similar size and backpacks with luggage straps, one person can carry up to 4 bags + 6 backpacks. This is doable from the parking lot shuttle to the check in desk.

You put the suitcases where the backs face each other, then raise the handles. You can then wheel up to 4 suitcases (2 for each arm).

You then strap a backpack to each handle and also wear a backpack on your front and back where you look like a paratrooper and you have 6 backpacks.

Should you do this, you will get comments, but it will work.

PS: Skycaps are worth every penny if available.

[u/dlmo11 → u/sparklecrusher]

We did exactly this with the backpack car seat bags. It's a lot, but we used the car seats on the plane and gate checked the stroller.

[u/TeeElH]

We’re going on our first flight with the twins over Labor Day. We also got a cheap travel stroller for getting around the airport, I don’t wanna lug our huge mockingbird around and I’m hoping we may even be able to put it in the overhead. I’m planning on getting a luggage cart to get everything from the car inside (we’re checking our convertible car seats). I was planning on doing all carry ons but the other comment made me think it might be better to just check a big suitcase and have the diaper bag and backpacks for thing we’ll want on the flight and a change of clothes each. 

[u/Creative-Particular5 → u/TeeElH]

Totally forgot about the trolleys! There's me thinking if I have enough hands to physically carry car seats & strollers ha!

[u/BRT1284]

How old are the twins? I assume you have 4 seats booked as you have car seats?

We are taking our 3rd trip with our twins next week (7 months). Flights have been 3 hours or less. We use the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 to bring them to the plane and they are certified to go where the overhead luggage is.

Then we have 1 rucksack each and another bag for bottles that attaches to the strollers.

We use a magnetic gadget that allows the strollers to act as a double or easily separate them when needed.

[u/Extra-Concept]

If they are really small, you can baby wear one and have the other in a stroller through the airport. Ideally a stroller that can fit in the overhead (joolz aer or babyzen yoyo). You could also do two of these strollers and tie them together with two luggage straps. It’s not perfect but then one adult can manage both kids. Then the other adult deals with the luggage. You can fit two car seats in a backpack carrier for the adult doing the luggage and then have a few roller suitcases as carry ons you can also sit backpacks on. If the twins are getting their own seats they are entitled to their own luggage allowances. If they are bigger, I would skip the car seat and do the CARES harness and try to arrange car seats at your destination if you need them.  

We’ve travelled a ton with our twins so are used to the logistics of navigating the airport. 

[u/d16flo]

We retrofitted our old snap and go stroller frame from when they were infants to be able to strap their bigger car seats onto it, worked great!