How We Travel in Destinations That Aren’t Stroller Friendly
- Feb 25
- 3 min read
From a Family Exploring 65+ Countries with Babies & Toddlers
One of the most common things we hear is:
“But isn’t that destination impossible with a stroller?”
And honestly?
Sometimes yes.
From cobblestone streets in Europe to sandy paths in Thailand, from endless stairs in Japan to uneven terrain in beach towns — some of the places that love babies the most are not stroller-friendly at all.
But here’s what we’ve learned traveling with Gisele (Oct 2023) and now baby George:
You don’t need a perfect sidewalk to travel well.
You need the right mindset — and the right gear.
1. The Baby Carrier Is Your Best Friend
If strollers are city cars, baby carriers are 4x4 adventure vehicles.
We’ve used carriers in:
Thailand (sand + stairs)
Italy (cobblestone streets)
Smaller European towns
Airports with endless escalators
Beach towns where sidewalks barely exist
With George (under 1), a soft structured carrier is our go-to.With Gisele as a toddler, we still bring a toddler carrier everywhere.
Why we love it:
✔ Hands Free
Coffee? Passport control? Carry-on chaos?You’re mobile.
✔ Instant Nap Mode
Babies fall asleep quickly when close to your body.We’ve had snowy winter naps and tropical beach naps — all in the carrier.
✔ Tight Spaces Become Easy
Markets. Stairs. Temples. Ferries.No folding. No lifting. No stress.
Hot climate tip: Choose breathable cotton or mesh. Thailand heat + baby carrier = you want airflow.
2. Hiking Backpack Carriers (For 9 Months+ / Toddlers)
For longer walks, viewpoints, nature trails, or safari-style trips — this is gold.
We love structured backpack carriers because:
Weight is distributed properly
Toddlers get a “viewing seat”
Storage compartments hold snacks + diapers
Built-in sunshade = huge win
If you’re heading somewhere like Norway, Australia, Oman, or Kenya-style terrain — this is far more practical than any stroller.
Pro tip: Adjust it at home first. Don’t learn on a mountain path.
3. The Right Travel Stroller (Used Strategically)
We’re not anti-stroller.
We’re anti-wrong-stroller-for-the-terrain.
In stroller-unfriendly destinations, we:
Use carrier for tricky areas
Switch to stroller for smooth stretches
Always bring it for airports
We prefer compact, one-hand-fold travel strollers like:
Joolz Aer
Why?
Fits overhead
Easy gate check
Lightweight
Quick fold (critical when holding a toddler)
But cobblestone + sand?No compact stroller will win that battle.
In those moments, carrier > stroller.
4. Ask Yourself: Do We Even Need a Stroller?
Sometimes the answer is no.
In Thailand or Bali-style destinations where:
Private drivers are affordable
Resorts are self-contained
Walking distances are short
We often rely mostly on carrier + short transfers.
Compare that to:
European city hopping
5 cities in 7 days
Constant public transport
That’s much harder with little ones.
Choose your destination wisely for the season of life you’re in.
5. Plan More Breaks (For Everyone)
When kids aren’t walking long distances yet, you must slow down.
We plan days like this:
1 main activity
1 flexible backup
Long lunch
Early return to accommodation
Break ideas:
Playgrounds
Café stops
Ferry rides
Cable cars
Resort downtime
Sometimes the pool becomes the highlight.
And that’s okay.
6. Resorts Are Not “Giving Up” — They’re Smart
Before kids, we were never “resort people.”
Now?
Resorts can be genius with toddlers.
Why?
Safe walking areas
Pools
Space to move
On-site restaurants
Less logistics
It reduces stroller stress significantly.
You don’t have to backpack five Mediterranean cities with a toddler to prove anything.
Travel evolves.
7. Locals Love Babies (More Than You Think)
One of our favorite surprises:
In many countries, babies open doors.
We’ve experienced:
Restaurant staff playing with Gisele
Locals offering help
Extra patience
Warm conversations
Children create connection.
And connection makes travel easier.
8. Adjust Expectations (This Is Key)
Traveling with babies is not pre-baby travel.
You will:
Walk slower
Skip some museums
Leave dinners early
Repeat snacks constantly
But you will also:
See the world differently
Notice small details
Bond deeply
Build resilient little humans
You don’t need perfect sidewalks to raise adaptable children.
You need flexibility.
Final Thoughts from Our Family
Not every destination is stroller-friendly.
But almost every destination is baby-friendly — if you adapt.
Carrier for the hard parts.Stroller for the smooth parts.Slow rhythm.Lower expectations.More snacks.
And suddenly?
The world feels open again.
And that’s exactly why we keep going 🤍🌍
Need more info or want us to book for you? Just contact us!
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