If you’ve ever tried to steer a stroller around the cobbled streets of London, you’ll know that some cities aren’t designed for smooth stroller travel. Baby carriers are life-savers in these destinations, where there are steep hills, wonky steps, uneven sidewalks or crowded streets.
Even the travelling TO your destination calls for a great baby carrier: the endless escalators in airports are enough to deter you from a stroller and being hands free is so much easier when it comes to grabbing your passports or snacks.
Whether you’re looking for a home or away baby carrier, for newborns or toddlers, you’ll never regret buying one. Here is our pick of the best baby carriers for city breaks, so you can keep moving and exploring with your baby in tow.
1. Best All-Rounder: Ergobaby Away Baby Carrier, $119
A lightweight, portable, just-in-case baby carrier with multiple ways to store compactly, so you can take it with you wherever you want to travel or store it in your luggage easily.
- Weighs just over 1lb for easy transportation
- 2 storage areas
- For babies 12-35 lbs, or 4-36 months
2. Best for Packing Light: Tula Explore Baby Carrier, $192
Designed for ergonomic positioning in every position, it can be worn 3 ways: facing inward, front facing out, or with baby on the back – great for sharing with your partner throughout your trip for different adventures.
- Matching sun hood, lumbar support and storage
- Different seat settings for growing legs
- For babies 7-45lbs
3. Best for Adventures: BabyBjorn Baby Carrier Free, $174.99
High comfort and an easy-to-use design, this lightweight mesh carrier is perfect for an active vacation with lots of walking.
- 0–15 months, or 7–26 lbs
- 3 carrying positions
- Out-and-about support with extra back support
4. Best for Long Days Out: Colugo Baby Carrier , $145
This lightweight and breathable baby carrier adapts as your baby grows (from newborn to 33 lbs), so you won’t need an infant insert. It comes with a removable fanny pack pouch and a UPF50 sunshade so you can spend all day outside exploring the city.
- For babies weighing 7-33 lbs
- Wear 3 ways: inward, outward and on your back
- Lightweight and washable, weighs 1.5lbs
5. Best for subtle style: Wildbird Aerial Carrier, $178
A sleek, monochrome design and easy-to-use buckles, this is a timeless baby carrier for travels or at home.
- For babies 7 to 45 lbs.
- Wear 2 ways: on the front facing inward or on the back
- Padded waist belt and shoulder straps for comfort
6. Best for newborns: Konny Baby Carrier Flex, $59.99
Lightweight, exceptionally stretchy, soft and gentle. This the perfect starter baby carrier for new parents and newborns, to use at home or on away on vacation.
- Easy to use, wrap, store and transport
- For newborns up to 44lbs
- Detaches easily for transferring to cribs or strollers
7. Best for older toddlers: Lille CarryOn Airflow DX, $109.99
Specifically designed for toddlers and growing children, this is perfect for when you need to stay on the move and a stroller isn’t going to cut it.
- Breezy, breathable mesh fabric
- For toddlers and children from 25 to 60 lbs
- Wear 3 ways: inward facing, on the hip, or on the back
8. Best for Gifting New Parents: Boba Bliss Baby Wrap, $68.99
This wrap combines the convenience of a buckle baby carrier with a wrap style: no tying required, just click and go! This printed design is a great gift for new parents and can be used together wtih their stroller or as a secondary travel carrier.
- For birth to 18 months (7-35 lbs / 3.2-16kg)
- One size fits all, perfect for all parents and caregivers
- Lightweight and easy to transport
Check out our review of the best travel strollers, best diaper bags, and all our Travel Tips for families on the move.