HKG: Child backpack or stroller for toddler?

[8803]

G'day,

Mrs 8803 & I taking 18 month old mini-8803 to HKG soon. 22 year gap since I was last there a few too many years too long!

A question for parents - would you recommend a backpack child carrier as a safer option for getting around HKG, or would you consider a stroller a better option?

Many thanks!

 

[NM]

It really depends on what you want to do in Hong Kong.

In my experience, a stroller is generally better for a young child to sleep than a back-pack. So if planning to be out-and-about when the mini is likely to be sleeping, then stroller is probably better for the child. But if planning lots of on-off public transport (especially trams and buses, or MRT in peak times) then backpack may be easier for you.

There are plenty of locals using strollers around Hong Kong to show that its quite a practical option.

 

[congee]

Did this a year a go when my son was 18 months. The pram wass a bit of a hasssle since we used a lot of public transport.....not all MTR stations have lifts that get you to where you want to go.... so there can be some stairs to navigate. We also had the pram in and out of numerous taxis with no issues.

We stayed at the grand hyatt and took the pram everywhere, had a great time becasue little congee was able to sleep whenever he wanted and meant my wife and I could enjoy ourselves. Congee Jnr ended up getting a little sick with the flu and having he pram was just excellent.

I would take the pram over a backpack. The flexibility to enjoy your yum cha or shopping or drinks at stanley, etc will much more enhanced if the child is safely sleeping in the pram. And havinga pram is a great way of getting people to move out of the way.

Hope that helps

- Congee

ps If you fly cathay, keep in mind that they will deliver the pram to the plane on arrival in hong kong, so much easier than managing a cranky kid in a back pack.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Well I travelled widely with all 3 of my daughters both domesically as well as internationally (though not to Hong Kong) and I would never dream of using a stroller for such travel.

I always found a backpack to be superior on balance with many advantages....and often saw parents on my travels "stuck" with strollers.

I hopped on and off cable cars in San Francisco with eaze...

I enjoyed many walks along beaches...and along bush trails etc

Had my hands free for all sorts of things...

Kids seem to enjoy being up high and the walking seems to relax them more. That is they all liked it..and happy kids = happy parents and moreso when travelling!!

When at zoos etc they have a good view..

Walking in crowds is a breeze comapred to navigating a stroller

My Macpac folded flat meaning that Toddlers 1 to 3 could be carried from Hotel to aircraft seat..

Your speed of travel is much improved as you can walk at normal pace.

 

[11sjw]

We used a stroller with recline last July. Just had to make sure we parked up in aircon for a couple of hours (1-3) to enable a comfy nap.

We'll be taking it again in March.

A hassle on the trams as they're very narrow but no real dramas on escalators (MTR), Ferries or wandering the streets/markets.

 

[edman]

Went to HK in December with a 2 year old and stroller, invaluable as you would inevitably be out for the day, s not only for the kid but also for shopping etc.

I have a big Bugaboo, but for travel had a little $100 job from Big W that folds up into a little space around 500x500, and extremely light at a few kgs. Forget the brand but can find out if you are interested. Would not suggest anything large for getting around HK.

Bit difficult in MTR's (stairs, have to find the stroller/wheelchair gate) and the usual same problems around shops that you would have in Australia, but the young fella weighing 14kg I would not be able to think how we would have survived for a week without it.

We flew Upper Class on Virgin Atlantic and they gave us the option of delivering the stroller to you when you got off the plane, and checking it in at the boarding gate, but I think a few others offer this option too.

Some of the nicer hotels also give you the option of lending you a stroller, depends on how you feel about communal strollers I guess. Or you can buy the equivalent of the cheap $30 ones you get in Australia for about $150 HKD there and just leave it there when you come home.