Travelling - Is a carrier enough?

[Mi2]

We will be heading to Hawaii next week, and have just bought an Ergo for carrying DD around.

We want to pack lightly; but, we are not sure if a carrier only will be enough. DD hasn't learnt how to walk yet, so will need to be carried a lot. Would we need a stroller, too? We plan on hiking up Diamond Head, sightseeing around Oahu, going to the beaches, and exploring the Big Island's volcanoes.

[mmomosedc]

As long as you have tried the Ergo and you and your baby are comfortable with it, I say, go for it. We just made an 8 hour car trip to PA for Thanksgiving and it was wonderful to leave the stroller home. With two kids, there was lots of luggage even without the stroller. The only reason I can think of for bringing it would be if you want to load up your bags into it to make transferring them from point a to point b easier.

[rzberrymom]

We travel a ton and don't own a stroller. Our Ergo has always been enough, but then we pack really light (large, backpacking-size backpack on DH, DD in Ergo with me, maybe one of us carrying carrying a small tote).

[KathinJapan]

Ergo only should be enough. Pack light, really if you find you are totally desprate for something you can always pick it up in Hawaii. I traveled from Japan to the states and back with no stroller. The flight attendants were all like *where is your stroller? didn`t you gate check it??* I said I didn`t need one and breezed past all the other familes overloaded with stuff.
Have a great trip.]
Kathryn

[RidentMama]

We have never used a stroller in our travels, and in the last year, I've travelled from Oklahoma to Washington and back 4 times, plus a trip to Omaha and back. Watching the stroller-using parents try to get through security quickly or cart all of their luggage plus a stroller or try to set up their stroller after disembarking the plane and get to their next gate while being jostled by the other disembarking passengers...well, it was so much easier to toss a kiddo in the sling and go!

[an_aurora]

We always take the stroller, and put her carseat & diaper bag in it! I wear DD and push the stroller, and DH wears the backpack and pulls the suitcase if we brought one. It's easier taking the stroller so we don't have to lug around the carseat as well.

[Mi2]

Thanks for all the replies. I think that we will try just bringing the Ergo only.

As for the car seat, I read that some parents extend the straps and carry them like a backpack through the airport. I'm going to have to try out that technique to see if it's possible.

Thanks again!

[RidentMama]

Originally Posted by Mi2

As for the car seat, I read that some parents extend the straps and carry them like a backpack through the airport. I'm going to have to try out that technique to see if it's possible.

I bought one of those small, foldable luggage carts and bungee'd my DDs carseat to it and used it to haul the backpack/diaperbag around the airport. It took some figuring on how to make it work, but work it did, which is good since I packed for 2 kids (snacks, diapers, wipes, books, etc) & myself (book, music, etc.).

[yitlan]

With only one child, I never travelled with a stroller. And in the airport, we rented the luggage carts. Best money ever spent! Esp. in the honolulu airport with the looooong lines through security. A stroller won't help you much in Diamond Head, beaches or volcanos. Maybe at the parks (cultural center, Sea Life, etc), but to me it wouldn't be worth the hassle!

[samantha546]

Originally Posted by yitlan

A stroller won't help you much in Diamond Head, beaches or volcanos. Maybe at the parks (cultural center, Sea Life, etc), but to me it wouldn't be worth the hassle!

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