How does it work taking a buggy on holiday!

[ChloMorgs1]

Going away on Friday to Mexico for 2 weeks with DD that is 3, we want to take the buggy with us but have never taken it with us before. When does it get taken from us? Do I need to let the airline know before hand? Can I keep her nappies and bits in the basket or does it need to be empty?

Sorry for all the questions

Generally you take it to the gate, where its put in the hold. Nothing loose, but if you have a bag for it that can be stuffed! You then either get it back at the gate or at baggage reclaim (sometimes special luggage).

It will need to be xrayed/searched at security.

Most airlines will let you have extra items for an infant, it’s usually 2 out of

Buggy
Car Seat
Travel Cot
Backpack Carrier.

When you check in you tell them you’re taking the buggy. You can either put it in the hold at that point or take it to the gate. If you’re going to take it to the gate they’ll put a tag on it, you leave it before you board and they put it in the hold. It varies at what point it comes out at the other end!

You can’t leave loose items in it but if there are bits that can be secure when it’s folded down then you probably could. Or if you have a bag to store the folded buggy in then you could stash a few extras into that I’m sure.

You can choose at bag drop if you want it to be taken then or at the gate. You might get it back at the plane steps so don’t forget to look but much much more likely it will be at baggage reclaim so be prepared to carry/ have her walk through passport control.
for a 3 yr old unless the flight is v late /early I’d probably choose to drop it at bag drop and not have the extra faff at security.

Generally you can take it to the gate, but some airlines insist it needs to be the umbrella fold sort not a travel system etc. Basket will need to be empty as it will be folded and put in the hold. Depending on airline and destination you'll either get it back at the gate or luggage reclaim.

Buy a buggy bag! They protect your buggy from scuffs, but also you can stick your wipes and nappies in there and save yourself some luggage space. Ours was only about £10 from Amazon.

Okay perfect, we are travelling really early in the morning so want to try and keep hold of it for as long as possible so hopefully DD can nap. I will just bring a bag and keep it in the basket for her.

We always bought a cheap stroller to take as they get pretty bashed about. Although I'd never heard of a buggy bag so that might be an idea.

Thankfully we are using an umbrella fold so it should be okay

We got a 2nd hand My Babiiee one from Gumtree for like £30 so not too bothered if it gets bashed about, we mainly bought it because we know what DD can be like at night.

Will definitely look at this!! Thankfully she's not a young baby so doesn't need as much stuff but still would be handy to save space.

We bought really cheap Mothercare strollers purely for holidays, after my lovely Mamas and Papas expensive one came back from Spain in about 30 pieces. Thank god it was wrecked on the way back and not the way out. We also learned to take them to the gate, as it can be murderous trying to keep hold of an active toddler if your flight gets delayed.

I think I am defiantly going to try and keep hold of it for the gate, I know DD is going to be extremely tired so would rather have the buggy.

If it's a buggy where the wheels detatch then make sure you tie the wheels onto the frame somehow! They lost one of ours on the way home and I was on my own! Very kind strangers helped us back to the car.

We take the babyzen yo-yo. It’s hand luggage dimension so we take on board as Ds piece of hand luggage. It goes in bag at gate so looks just like normal luggage. I can fit blanket inside bag with it. Means as soon as off the plane I can put Ds in for the often long walk and security, and he fell asleep ( was 90 min faff at standsted recently)

Usually it's tagged at the bag drop but you keep it until the gate. If it's an umbrella style buggy they sometimes store them onboard on long haul flights (result!)