Traveling through Europe with two young children presents unique and wonderful challenges. Cobblestone streets, bustling markets, and public transportation systems can feel overwhelming when you’re managing little ones. Finding the right stroller is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable family trip. After extensive research and real-world testing during our own European adventure, we believe we’ve found the Best Double Travel Stroller solution: the Thule Shine Stroller paired with the Rider Board attachment.
We opted for the Thule Shine Stroller combined with the Rider Board attachment, and it proved to be an exceptional choice for navigating Europe with our almost two-year-old and almost four-year-old. Let’s dive into why the Thule Shine stands out as an excellent travel companion for families exploring Europe and why this specific setup worked wonders for us. And if you’re curious about maximizing stroller utility, be sure to check out our guide on What We Keep In Our Travel Stroller for a day of European exploration!
Note: While this review is based on our genuine experience, please be aware that some links are affiliate links. This means if you make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, allowing us to continue providing valuable content.
Thule Shine stroller in use on European cobblestone streets, showcasing its compact size and maneuverability.
Top Features of the Thule Shine for Travel with Two Children
1. Compact and Lightweight Design: Essential for European Streets
European cities, especially their historic centers, are known for charming but often narrow and winding streets. The Thule Shine excels in this environment thanks to its compact design. It’s incredibly easy to maneuver through tight corners, navigate crowded sidewalks, and fit comfortably in smaller spaces. We found it to be a breeze on metro trains and in cozy European cafes and restaurants where space is often at a premium.
While not the absolute lightest stroller on the market, the Thule Shine strikes a perfect balance between weight and essential features that are invaluable when using it as a “double” stroller alternative with the rider board.
Key Features We Prioritized:
- Reversible Seat: The ability to switch the seat from forward-facing to parent-facing offers flexibility and is great for younger children who prefer to see their parents.
- Adjustable Handlebar Height: This was a game-changer for both myself and my husband. The adjustable handlebar ensured comfortable pushing for both of us, preventing us from accidentally stepping on the rider board when our older child was riding along.
- Generous Storage Basket: Compared to other compact strollers we considered, the Thule Shine’s under-seat storage basket is noticeably larger. This extra space was incredibly useful for carrying diaper bags, snacks, souvenirs, and other travel essentials.
Regarding public transport, the stroller’s width was just a tad too wide for the standard metro ticket gates. However, this was never a real obstacle. Metro systems are well-equipped with wider gates specifically designed for strollers and wheelchairs. In Paris, a simple push of a button summons an attendant to open the gate. In New York, these wider gates were often unlocked, with an alarm to deter fare evasion, but stroller passage is permitted.
2. Effortless One-Hand Fold: A Traveler’s Best Friend
Frequent transitions between locations are inherent to travel. Whether it’s boarding a plane, hopping on a bus, or navigating security checkpoints, the ability to quickly fold and unfold your stroller is invaluable. The Thule Shine features an incredibly easy one-hand fold mechanism. This was a lifesaver when we needed to collapse the stroller for airplane boarding, going up the Eiffel Tower, and passing through security checks at various attractions. It folds down to a compact, travel-friendly size that’s easy to carry or stow away.
The one-hand adjustability of the handlebar height also proved to be a surprising bonus in crowded public transport situations. Quickly shortening the handlebar made it easier to maneuver the stroller on packed buses and metros, preventing it from bumping into other passengers and allowing for tighter turns in confined spaces.
3. Comfortable for Children: Happy Kids, Happy Travels
Travel days can be long and tiring for young children. Ensuring their comfort is paramount, and the Thule Shine delivers in this aspect. The stroller boasts a well-padded seat and multiple recline positions, allowing for customized comfort whether your child wants to sit upright and see the sights or lie back for a nap. The extendable canopy provides excellent sun coverage, even when the seat is reclined, keeping the sun out of sensitive eyes. A convenient peek-a-boo window in the canopy allows you to keep an eye on your little one without disturbing them.
Reclining the seat is simple, thanks to an easy-to-use handle on the back. While it doesn’t recline completely flat, it comes very close, and both our children took comfortable and lengthy naps in the stroller. The adjustable footrest is another thoughtful feature that adds to overall comfort and accommodates growing legs.
4. Rugged and Durable Design: Built for Adventure
Beyond its sleek and stylish appearance, the Thule Shine is built to withstand the rigors of travel. Its all-wheel suspension system is a standout feature, providing a smooth ride even on uneven surfaces. We put this rugged design to the test, pushing it over countless cobblestone streets, grassy parks, dirt paths, and even some hills. The stroller handled varied terrains with impressive ease, ensuring our children remained comfortable throughout our adventures.
Thule Shine stroller on cobblestone streets in Europe, highlighting its rugged wheels and suspension system.
Why We Avoided a Double-Wide Stroller for European Travel
The thought of navigating Europe with a traditional double-wide stroller was quickly dismissed. Frankly, bringing a double-wide stroller to Europe felt impractical. The narrow streets and sidewalks, frequent use of public transportation, and smaller doorways in shops and buildings simply aren’t designed to accommodate the width of a standard double stroller. We wanted to avoid the constant hassle of folding and unfolding a bulky stroller, which would likely become more of a burden than a help.
Our older child, being almost four, enjoys walking and has good stamina. We anticipated he would only need to ride in the stroller part of the time, perhaps half as much as our younger child. Therefore, our primary need was a solution to carry both children for shorter periods, rather than a full-time double stroller.
To supplement our stroller setup, we also packed our Ergobaby soft carrier. This provided additional flexibility. If our older child needed to ride in the stroller for longer stretches, we could carry our baby in the carrier, or even have my husband carry our older child in the carrier if both children needed a break from walking.
Two young children, one standing on a rider board attached to a stroller, the other seated in the stroller, demonstrating a practical double stroller alternative for travel.
The Rider Board Attachment: Transforming a Single into a Double Travel Stroller
The Rider Board attachment proved to be the ideal solution for transforming our Thule Shine single stroller into a functional double. It clips on effortlessly and, when not in use, conveniently folds up and secures with a sturdy elastic strap provided by Thule. Our almost four-year-old loved riding on the board, easily seeing over the stroller seat (despite being shorter for his age group).
Beyond standing, we discovered our toddler also enjoyed sitting on the rider board. He would rest his legs on the attachment bar or stretch them out into the under-seat basket. We often placed our soft carrier or a jacket on his lap to create a more comfortable seat, and he happily played with small toys like magnetic blocks while riding.
One unexpected benefit was that when our older child was particularly tired and wanted to lie down, he could comfortably rest underneath the stroller, in the storage basket, with his legs extended onto the rider board. This was especially useful when our baby was already occupying the stroller seat. While the maximum weight capacity for the under-seat storage isn’t officially specified, it seemed robust enough to handle this temporary use without any strain. (Note: use this at your own discretion!).
It’s worth mentioning that we had tried rider board attachments with other strollers in the past and found them uncomfortable to push, often resulting in us accidentally kicking the board. However, the Thule Shine’s adjustable handlebar solves this problem. By extending the handlebar to its full length, you create ample walking space, preventing you from stepping on the board. As someone who is 5’3”, I had no issues pushing the stroller comfortably even with my toddler riding on the board.
A parent pushing a Thule Shine stroller with a child standing on the rider board attachment, showcasing the stroller as a double travel stroller solution.
The Verdict: The Best Travel Stroller for Two Kids is a Flexible Solution
The Thule Shine single stroller, combined with the Rider Board, was an invaluable asset to our European family adventure. Its adjustable seat, handlebar, and footrest, coupled with the rider board for our older child, allowed us to confidently navigate the charmingly narrow streets and cobblestone paths of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands. For families seeking the best double travel stroller solution for European travel, we highly recommend considering this versatile and adaptable setup.
For more insights into maximizing your travel stroller, don’t forget to explore this post detailing what essentials we packed in our stroller for our European days!
Stay tuned for more travel tips and stories from our European trip! For further advice on traveling with kids, be sure to check out our other blog posts and our curated list of favorite Travel Essential products on our Amazon Storefront.
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