CARES or Sit n Stroll?
 

Hello, apologies to those who have already read my other rambling thread!

I'm travelling alone from UK to Australia with my 20 month-old son in just over 2 weeks (I must be mad). He has his own seat and we are going via Seoul with Korean but need to get domestic connecting flights in both England and Australia. I have invested in a Sit n Stroll but I am concerned that it won't be substantial enough as a stroller when we arrive in Australia (no lie-back facility, rickety wheels, no sun parasol etc). I know we could pick up a cheap stroller over there but it would just add to already mounting costs!

I am now leaning towards the CARES as it is cheaper (I would put the Sit n Stroll on Ebay) and would allow me to take my reliable and much-loved collapsible stroller. The friend I am visiting in Australia already has a car seat I can use.

SO - Is it the Sit n Stroll or the CARES? Please help me decide!

Many thanks

Emily.

Hi Leosmum!

That's a long way to fly solo with a 20 month old!

I would go with the Sit and Stroll. One part of the equation for me would be all those airports that you'll be going through. With the Sit and Stroll, your son will be in a stroller as you move through the various airports; with the CARES + portable stroller, you'll have to either be resigned to holding his hand through the airports (a scenario that would give me the shivers with a rambunctious boy toddler!) or cross your fingers that no one makes you check your stroller for any of your segments (I have had mixed success with carry-on strollers, even on planes where there was room and the posted policies on the web have said collapsible strollers can come on the plane as carry-on luggage).

The core downside with the Sit and Stroll is the lack of carrying space under the seat. That can be rectified if you have a backpack or other bag that can hang from the handle of the Sit and Stroll.

You could also plan on checking your stroller at your departure airport, and picking it up with other luggage when you arrive at your destination.

Good luck in your travels!

For flights of that length, the car seat may be best to help him sleep. But if you go with the CARES straps, how about the Ride On Carry On seat for your transfers/connections in the airports?

The Sit and Stroll is not a good choice for use as a stroller anywhere other than smooth indoor floors.

The wheels are small and will get stuck in sidewalk cracks, cobbles, etc. Using it outside also puts your child directly into vehicle exhaust streams b/c it's so low to the ground.

Thanks for your replies guys, I have decided to take along and check in my regular stroller as well as taking the Sit n Stroll on board. As I am going to stay with a friend, I won't be needing towels, toileteries etc in my hold luggage so it will be pretty light.