This page contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclosure here.
Why trust this guide? This page is built around real, daily experience. My daughter and her partner use buses and trains with their pushchair almost every day in West Yorkshire. Their honest feedback — including the things that infuriate them — runs through every recommendation on this page. This isn’t theory. It’s what actually happens on UK public transport in 2026.
Best Pushchairs for Public Transport — At a Glance
- Best overall for buses: Stokke YOYO³ — 44cm wide, slim, highly manoeuvrable past the driver’s cab choke point. Top recommendation for daily bus users. Read our full Stokke assessment →
- Best budget: Joie Pact Pro — just 47.1cm wide and 6.3kg. Lightweight, slim enough for bus aisles, one-handed fold for when you need to move fast.
- Best lightweight: Cybex Libelle — featherlight at 6.0kg and 52cm wide. Slides through tight spots where larger pushchairs struggle.
- Best for trains: Bugaboo Butterfly 2 — comfortable enough for longer journeys, compact enough for station lifts and crowded platforms. Trains are considerably easier than buses — see our full train section below.
- Double pushchairs on buses: Not recommended as a regular choice — trains are a much better option for double pushchair users. See below.
My daughter and her partner use buses and trains with their children almost every day. They know every route, every driver, every frustration — and every platform gap. When I asked them for their honest feedback on pushchairs and public transport, they didn’t hold back. This guide is built entirely around their experience.
Buses and pushchairs — the honest truth
Space is the problem. It always has been — but it’s getting worse. On many newer buses, the pushchair area can feel surprisingly restricted — less space than parents expect and less than older buses often provided. Add to this the fact that the pushchair area is often adjacent to disabled seating — which means pensioners with shopping trolleys frequently occupy it — and you have a situation where the designated space for pushchairs is rarely fully available when you need it.
Drivers have occasionally set off before the pushchair is safely secured — a safety issue that has been formally complained about more than once. Some drivers let other passengers take up pushchair space that should be kept clear. The general level of assistance from bus drivers is inconsistent at best.
None of this is a reason not to use buses. It’s a reason to choose your pushchair very carefully before you do.
The choke point nobody talks about
Most pushchairs can fit through standard bus doors — even wider ones. The real problem comes after the door. There’s a choke point getting past the driver’s cab to the seating and pushchair area. This is where wider pushchairs — particularly doubles with swivel wheels — can genuinely struggle. A pushchair that fits through the door may still not make it past the cab without significant manoeuvring, with everyone on the bus watching and waiting.
This is why slim, compact pushchairs matter for bus use. The Joie Pact Pro at 47.1cm and the Stokke YOYO³ at 44cm both slip through this point without difficulty. Wider pushchairs can be a genuinely stressful experience.
When will you need to fold on the bus?
- The pushchair area is already taken — by another pushchair, a wheelchair, or a shopping trolley. If you can fold and find a spare seat, the driver may let you on. If you can’t, you may be left at the stop.
- A wheelchair user needs the space — wheelchair users are generally given priority in the designated space. Secure your child first, apply the brake, then fold. Practice doing this quickly.
Honest advice: if the bus looks full and the pushchair area is occupied, consider waiting for the next one rather than trying to force your way on.
The pet peeve that drives regular bus users mad
The single biggest frustration: parents who bring a pushchair onto the bus only to take their child out and sit down, leaving the pushchair unfolded and occupying the entire pram space. If you sit down with your child, fold your pushchair. It takes thirty seconds and means the space remains available for someone who actually needs it.
Double pushchairs and buses — the honest verdict
Not recommended as a regular choice. If there’s already one pushchair in the designated area, a double has no chance of fitting alongside it. If you have two children and regularly use public transport, the train is a far better option — more space, more flexibility, and far less stress. Read our best double pushchairs guide → for more.
Trains — a completely different experience
Here’s the thing nobody tells you: trains are considerably easier than buses for pushchair users. The experience is so different it’s worth covering separately — and the advice that comes from daily real-world use on Northern trains in West Yorkshire is genuinely useful. For the fuller picture, including a real incident worth knowing about, see our dedicated Pushchairs on Trains guide →.
Do you need to fold on a train?
Usually not. Northern trains are large enough that if the dedicated area is occupied, you can simply position the pushchair at the opposite set of doors — the ones that won’t open at the platform. There’s more than enough space there for a pushchair, even a double. Folding on a train is rarely necessary.
Where does the pushchair go?
Use the carriage with the toilet and disabled area — this is where the most usable floor space is. If that space is needed by a wheelchair user or mobility aid user, you simply move to the door space described above. If for any reason you do need to fold a single pushchair, it will fit on the luggage rack above the seats.
Are train staff helpful?
Generally yes — a very different experience to buses. Staff on trains will usually offer help getting on, getting off, or finding space. During busy periods they may not reach you before your stop, but the attitude is consistently more helpful than bus drivers in our experience.
The platform gap — the real challenge on trains
The biggest practical challenge with trains isn’t space inside — it’s the gap between the train and the platform edge. Some stations have almost no gap at all. Others have a gap large enough to genuinely worry about. At some local stations the gap is significant enough that you could lose a phone down it trying to get on.
If the gap looks too large to manage safely, ask a staff member for the boarding ramp — staffed stations will normally have one available — or ask for assistance lifting the pushchair on. Don’t attempt a large gap alone with a pushchair and a child.
The single most important train tip — exit backwards
Always exit the train backwards. Turn the pushchair around so the back wheels touch the platform first. Most of the time you can get off the train without any assistance at all — even with one working arm — if you exit backwards. This one tip will make every train journey significantly easier and it’s something most parents are never told.
Do you need to book assistance in advance?
In our experience we’ve never needed to pre-book assistance — just buy your ticket and turn up. Staff help when they can, and the exit-backwards technique handles most situations independently.
Single or double — does it matter on trains?
Remarkably little. The extra door space on trains means a double pushchair is genuinely manageable in a way it simply isn’t on buses. If you regularly travel with two children and need to use public transport, trains should be your default choice over buses. Read our best double pushchairs guide →
One of the biggest surprises was how much easier trains turned out to be compared to buses. The expectation going in was that trains would be the harder option — bigger, more complicated, more formal. The reality was the opposite. Space was easier to find, staff were more consistently helpful, and folding the pushchair was almost never necessary. After months of regular travel on both, trains win convincingly.
Bus vs train — a quick comparison
| Factor | Bus | Train |
|---|---|---|
| Space for pushchair | ⚠️ Limited — often occupied | ✅ More flexible |
| Need to fold | ⚠️ Sometimes | ✅ Rarely |
| Staff helpfulness | ❌ Inconsistent | ✅ Generally helpful |
| Double pushchairs | ❌ Not recommended | ✅ Manageable |
| Biggest challenge | Driver’s cab choke point | Platform gap |
| Book assistance? | N/A | ✅ Not needed in our experience |
| Overall verdict | Harder — choose pushchair carefully | ✅ Easier overall |
What to look for in a pushchair for public transport
Slim width. The bus choke point past the driver’s cab is the real test. Aim for under 50cm wide where possible — the YOYO³ at 44cm and Joie Pact Pro at 47.1cm are both excellent at this.
Quick fold. You need to be able to fold it fast — ideally one-handed — when a wheelchair user needs the space or the bus is full. Practice until it’s automatic.
Lightweight. You may need to lift it, carry it, or hold it while standing on a moving vehicle. Every kilogram matters.
Manoeuvrable. Swivel front wheels that turn easily make navigating tight bus spaces significantly easier.
Be ready to ask. Be prepared to politely ask other passengers to move or make room. Most will — but you may need to ask.
Pushchairs worth considering for public transport
| Pushchair | Width | Weight | One-hand fold | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stokke YOYO³ | 44cm | 6.2kg | ✅ Yes | Best overall |
| Joie Pact Pro | 47.1cm | 6.3kg | ✅ Yes | Best budget |
| Cybex Libelle | 52cm | 6.0kg | ✅ Yes | Best lightweight |
| Bugaboo Butterfly 2 | 45cm | 7.3kg | ✅ Yes | Best for trains |
Stokke YOYO³ — the daily commuter’s choice
At just 44cm wide the YOYO³ slips past the driver’s cab choke point without difficulty. Highly manoeuvrable, quick to fold, and at 6.2kg light enough to lift without strain. The top recommendation for regular bus users.
Check the current price of the Stokke YOYO³ on Amazon →
Read our full Stokke assessment →
Joie Pact Pro — best budget option
At just 47.1cm wide and 6.3kg, the Joie Pact Pro is one of the most effective pushchairs for bus aisles at any price point. Lightweight, slim, and folds with one hand. Everything you need for regular public transport use at around £150. Suitable from birth up to 22kg.
Check the current price of the Joie Pact Pro on Amazon →
Cybex Libelle — featherlight option
At 6.0kg and 52cm wide, the Cybex Libelle is one of the lightest options available. Suitable from 6 months to 22kg. For parents who need something they can genuinely manage alone on a busy bus or train — possibly while holding a child — the Libelle’s weight is a genuine advantage.
Check the current price of the Cybex Libelle on Amazon →
Bugaboo Butterfly 2 — best for trains
At 45cm wide the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 is narrow enough for bus aisles and premium enough for longer train journeys. Comfortable, well-built, and compact enough for station lifts and crowded platforms. It features premium build quality and was updated in 2025. Suitable from 6 months up to 22kg, or from birth with separate car seat adapters. If you split your time between buses and trains and want one pushchair that handles both confidently, this is it.
Check the current price of the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 on Amazon →
Bugaboo Dragonfly — premium, but built for city life first
The Dragonfly is a strong choice if your journeys are mostly pavements and stations rather than rough terrain, with a generous 10kg basket and a flat one-handed fold once you’ve learned it. It’s designed primarily for city life, so it’s a comfortable fit alongside regular public transport use. Read our full Bugaboo Dragonfly review → for the complete picture, including the fold and what to expect with a small car boot.
Check the current price of the Bugaboo Dragonfly on Amazon →
Mamas & Papas Airo — best for folding on the go
The Mamas & Papas Airo folds with one hand and — crucially — stands upright on its own wheels when folded, keeping the fabric off dirty bus floors while you sort yourself out. At 7.6kg it’s light enough to lift easily, and compact enough not to block the aisle. If you’re on buses or trains daily, this is one of the most practical options at this price point.
Read our full Mamas & Papas Airo review →
Graco Near2Me — one to think twice about for regular transport use
The Near2Me is a genuinely good-value, solidly built pushchair, but it’s a big one, and independent testing found it cumbersome to manoeuvre into the dedicated pushchair space on a bus. If buses or trains are a big part of your routine, it’s worth reading our full Graco Near2Me review → before committing, since this isn’t the pushchair we’d point regular public transport users toward.
Check the current price of the Graco Near2Me on Amazon →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to fold my pushchair on a bus?
Not automatically — but you may be asked to if the pushchair area is needed by a wheelchair user, who is generally given priority. Always secure your child first, then apply the brake, then fold.
Can a bus driver refuse a pushchair?
Yes — if the designated pushchair area is already occupied and there is no space to fold and sit, a driver can refuse to let you board. This is why a compact, quick-fold pushchair matters so much for regular bus users.
Do buses have to make room for pushchairs?
Not legally — wheelchair users take priority and bus operators are not required to guarantee pushchair access. Plan for flexibility rather than certainty.
Can I take a pushchair on a train?
Yes — and it’s considerably easier than buses. On Northern trains you don’t usually need to fold at all. Use the carriage with the disabled area and toilet for the most space, or position the pushchair at the non-opening doors. Staff are generally helpful and you don’t need to book assistance in advance.
Can I take a pushchair on Northern trains?
Yes — and in our daily experience Northern trains are one of the more pushchair-friendly options available. The carriages are large enough to accommodate pushchairs at the non-opening door spaces without folding. Staff are generally helpful and no advance booking is needed. The main thing to watch for is the platform gap at smaller stations — ask for a ramp if needed.
What’s the best way to get off a train with a pushchair?
Always exit backwards — turn the pushchair around so the back wheels touch the platform first. This gives you control, reduces the risk of tipping, and means most of the time you can get off without any assistance at all, even with one working arm. This single tip makes train travel with a pushchair significantly easier.
What about the gap between the train and the platform?
This varies enormously by station. Some platforms have almost no gap. Others have a gap large enough to be genuinely concerning — large enough to lose a phone down. If the gap looks too large to manage safely, ask a staff member for the boarding ramp or assistance lifting the pushchair on. Don’t attempt a large gap alone with a pushchair and a child.
Can I take a double pushchair on a train?
Yes — and unlike buses, it makes very little practical difference. The extra door space on trains means a double pushchair is genuinely manageable. If you regularly travel with two children and need to use public transport, trains should be your default choice over buses.
Have a question about using a specific pushchair on public transport? Get in touch — I’m happy to help.