Broken pavements, jungle paths, beach boardwalks and long airport walks—Bali throws a bit of everything at parents. This guide helps you decide whether to bring a stroller, a carrier or both, based on your child’s age, your neighborhoods and the kind of days you actually want to have.
Quick tools while you decide what to bring
- ✈️ Check airline stroller rules and dimensions: compare routes and baggage policies in this Bali flight search before buying new gear.
- 🏨 See if your base is stroller-friendly: look at maps and photos in this Bali family stays search—boardwalks, paths and lifts matter.
- đźš— Decide if you’ll rely on a driver or car rental: use this Bali car comparison to see if you’ll have trunk space for a stroller.
- 🎟️ Check your activity mix: skim tours and day trips on Bali family experiences—rice terraces and temples favor carriers, malls and promenades favor strollers.
- 🛡️ Cover the “what if” scenarios: once you’ve chosen your gear, protect the trip with flexible coverage from SafetyWing so delays, illness or lost luggage don’t derail everything.
Read this alongside Getting Around Bali With Kids (Taxi, Scooter, Driver), the Bali Packing List for Families and the Ultimate Bali Logistics & Planning Guide.
Quick answer: stroller, carrier or both in Bali?
For most families, the sweet spot is:
- Compact travel stroller for airports, malls, boardwalks and smoother resort areas.
- Soft carrier or toddler carrier for rice terraces, temples, markets and stairs.
If you have to pick just one:
Stroller vs baby carrier in Bali: pros, cons & real-life use
Both options can work beautifully in Bali. The key is understanding where each shines, and where it becomes a hassle.
When a stroller shines
- Long walks along flat paths or boardwalks (Sanur, Nusa Dua).
- Airport connections and immigration queues after a long-haul flight.
- Malls, cafés and smoother streets in Seminyak, Kuta and Legian.
- Evening strolls where your child might fall asleep while you eat or wander.
A stroller also carries snacks, water, towels and “just in case” layers, which takes the load off your shoulders in the heat.
When a stroller struggles
- Broken pavements, narrow paths and surprise steps.
- Rice terraces and village lanes from Best Bali Rice Terraces With Kids.
- Traditional markets from Best Markets & Shopping With Kids in Bali.
- Temples with lots of stairs or uneven stone paths.
In these places, the stroller often ends up being something you carry instead of something that carries your child.
When a carrier wins
- Stairs, steps and narrow paths (common in Ubud, Sidemen, Uluwatu).
- Crowded markets and busy sidewalks where you want your child close.
- Waterfall walks from Best Bali Waterfalls With Kids.
- Temples and cultural nights from Best Bali Temples for Kids and Best Cultural Experiences for Families.
Carriers also help when kids get overwhelmed—they can tuck in close, see from adult height and feel calmer.
When a carrier is hard
- Long, hot stretches in full sun, especially in the middle of the day.
- Parents with back or shoulder issues, or older toddlers who are getting heavy.
- Times when everyone is tired and you’re carrying bags as well as a child.
If you’re relying mostly on a carrier, plan more breaks, more shade and earlier starts, especially in the months outlined in the Bali Weather & Seasons Guide for Families.
Stroller vs carrier by Bali neighborhood
Your base has a huge impact on whether a stroller or carrier earns its place in your luggage. Use this alongside the Bali Neighborhood Guide for Families to build a kid-friendly plan.
Sanur & Nusa Dua
These are the most stroller-friendly areas thanks to promenades, resort paths and relatively flat terrain.
- Sanur: beach path, calm pace, lots of cafés and easy scooter-free stretches.
- Nusa Dua: wide resort walkways, manicured grounds and family resorts.
See: Sanur Family Guide and Nusa Dua Family Guide.
Seminyak, Legian & Kuta
Mixed. You’ll find flat stretches, malls and beachfront paths, but also broken pavement, curbs and traffic.
- Stroller works well for malls, beachfront areas and some resort zones.
- Carrier is easier for busy streets, shortcuts and nighttime crowds.
Canggu & Uluwatu
More hills, more steps, more uneven surfaces. Think beach clubs, viewpoints and some steeper paths.
- Stroller is fine inside some resorts and cafés.
- Carrier is strongly recommended for cliff views, temples and beach access with stairs.
Ubud & Sidemen
Beautiful, green and full of steps, slopes and narrow paths.
- Carriers are usually the easiest choice.
- Some villas and cafés have lots of stairs; check photos and reviews via your Bali stays search.
Amed, Lovina & North Bali
Quieter, more local feeling, sometimes with narrower village lanes and simple footpaths.
- Carrier is best for walking through villages and to the beach in Amed.
- Stroller can work on some seafront promenades in Lovina if paths are smooth near your stay.
Nusa Penida & nearby islands
Nusa Penida is usually not stroller-friendly: steep paths, uneven ground and view points with steps.
- Carrier recommended for most lookouts and paths.
- Stroller only useful if you’re mostly in a very flat, resort-style area or staying with very young babies.
Check: Nusa Penida Family Guide.
Strollers, carriers & getting around Bali
Your transport style will change how often you bless your stroller—or wish you’d packed a carrier instead. Read this together with Getting Around Bali With Kids (Taxi, Scooter, Driver).
Taxis & private drivers
- Compact travel strollers fold easily into car trunks.
- Carriers help you move quickly in and out of vehicles, especially at busy attractions.
- For longer day trips, consider a driver-based tour from Bali family driver tours where you can leave the stroller in the car between stops.
Car rentals
If you’re driving yourself, a stroller is easier to justify—especially if you’re staying in flatter areas and doing your own beach and market runs.
- Use the car comparison tool to check trunk sizes and see how much gear you can bring comfortably.
- Remember that car seats and boosters are a separate decision—this guide focuses on how to move once you’re out of the car.
Scooters
For families, scooters are a personal comfort/safety choice. Many parents of young children skip scooters entirely and rely on taxis or drivers. If you do ride:
- You won’t be using a stroller while on scooters.
- Carriers can help for short walks before or after rides.
Best choice by age: newborns, toddlers & bigger kids
Different ages need different support. Use this as a shortcut overlay to your own child’s personality and energy level.
Newborns & under 1
- Carrier is essential. You’ll want your baby close in markets, transfers and naps on the move.
- A lightweight, lie-flat stroller can be helpful in stroller-friendly areas (Sanur, Nusa Dua) and at airports.
- If you’re moving around a lot and staying inland, prioritize the carrier and consider skipping the stroller.
Toddlers (1–3)
- This age group often does best with both stroller and carrier.
- Carrier for rice terraces, temples, markets and stairs in Ubud, Sidemen and similar areas.
- Stroller for evening walks, naps on the move and long days in resort zones or malls.
Preschoolers (3–5)
- Many parents lean on a compact stroller for long days out, even if their child “doesn’t use one at home.”
- For shorter trips or mainly inland stays, some families choose a toddler carrier instead.
- Think about your specific plans: temple-heavy and nature-heavy = carrier; resort and mall-heavy = stroller.
Older kids & up
- Usually no stroller or carrier needed if your itinerary is realistic for their fitness level.
- Focus more on good walking shoes, enough water and breaks planned into your days from the Ultimate Bali Family Attractions Guide.
Sample “real-life” days with stroller, carrier or both
Sometimes the easiest way to decide is to imagine a full day from breakfast to bedtime. Here are a few common scenarios.
Sanur beach day with toddlers (stroller + carrier)
Morning walk along the beachfront path with the stroller, kids hopping in and out. Midday nap in the stroller while you sit at a café. Evening carrier time for a market visit where the path is crowded and narrow.
Ubud rice terrace & temple day (carrier-focused)
Morning rice terrace walk with lots of steps and narrow paths, baby or toddler in a carrier. Midday rest at a café. Afternoon temple visit where you want your child close and hands free for steps and sarongs.
Base: Ubud + Best Bali Rice Terraces With Kids + Best Bali Temples for Kids.
Nusa Dua pool club & mall day (stroller-heavy)
Stroller from your resort to a family-friendly pool club, naps under the shade, then on to a nearby mall for dinner and easy shopping with escalators and lifts.
Base: Nusa Dua Family Guide + Best Bali Pools & Pool Clubs for Kids.
Waterfall & village day (carrier essential)
Driver collects you from your stay; stroller stays in the car. You use a carrier on the path down to the waterfall, and again in a nearby village where paths and drains make stroller use tricky.
Use: Best Bali Waterfalls With Kids and flexible tours on Viator.
How to choose, pack and set up your stroller or carrier
Once you know what type of gear you want, a few small decisions make it easier to live with every day.
Choosing a stroller for Bali
- Prioritize light and compact over large and plush—think travel stroller that fits through narrow gaps and folds quickly.
- Good sunshade helps for naps at the pool or during walks.
- Decent wheels for uneven pavements and the odd pothole.
- One-hand fold is a gift when managing taxis, drivers and arrivals halls.
Choosing a carrier for Bali
- Look for breathable fabric—it will be warm and humid, especially in certain months from the weather guide.
- Test fit at home with real wear-time before you fly.
- Consider toddler carriers for bigger kids who can’t walk all day but are out of baby-size carriers.
Packing tips
- Gate-check your stroller when possible so you have it in big airports.
- Pack your carrier in your hand luggage so you can use it immediately on arrival.
- Use your Bali Packing List for Families to build around your chosen gear, not on top of it.
Safety, comfort & staying calm with little ones
Stroller vs carrier is really about how safe, calm and supported everyone feels on real days, in real heat, with real crowds.
Heat & hydration
- Make sure kids in carriers aren’t overheating—check back, chest and neck temperatures regularly.
- Use stroller sunshades and lightweight blankets thoughtfully so airflow stays good.
- Keep water within easy reach in both setups; Bali is warm year-round.
Traffic & pavements
- Sidewalks can be narrow or broken—keep one adult on the “traffic side” whenever possible.
- In crowded or road-adjacent areas, carriers can feel safer than a stroller that sticks out.
Backup & peace of mind
Even with perfect gear choices, kids can become unwell or plans can change. A simple travel policy through SafetyWing gives you backup when you need to change bookings, see a doctor or shift flights around tired little bodies.
What to plan after you choose stroller, carrier or both
Once you’ve decided how you’ll move with your little one, the rest of your Bali planning can fall into place. These guides connect the dots:
- See how terrain and vibes change around the island: Bali Neighborhood Guide for Families
- Map your “big” days out with the right gear in mind: Ultimate Family Guide to Bali Attractions
- Choose timing that matches your child’s heat tolerance: Bali Weather & Seasons Guide for Families and Best Time To Visit Bali For Families
- Fill your bags around your decision: Bali Packing List for Families
- Tie all the logistics together: Getting Around Bali With Kids and the Ultimate Bali Logistics & Planning Guide.
- Zoom out and see how this fits into the whole trip: Ultimate Bali Family Travel Guide.
If this helped you decide what to bring, it will absolutely help another parent staring at an open suitcase.
Share it into your group chat or pin it to your planning board so everyone stops guessing and starts planning around real days, real streets and real naps.
When you get back from Bali, drop a quick “we brought ___ and it worked/didn’t” in the comments. Those tiny notes quietly sharpen this guide for the next family.
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© 2025 Stay Here, Do That — Family Travel Guides. Written for the parents who carry the passports, the snacks and the tiny humans through every airport corridor.
