I think that travel cots can double up really well as playpens.

Thanks everyone. I think I will buy one which can also be used as a travel cot and see how I get on with it. Thanks again.

There are strict regulations about safety on baby products- so both cots and playpens must be safe enough for the uses intended. No manufacturer would want- or take the chance of-being sued because baby was damaged. Cot/playpens are safe.
A playpen is a useful parking place for a mobile baby at times when you cannot watch- while cooking if the kitchen is small- while going to the door etc - but in my household they never got much use. Ditto a travel cot. Most hotels and holiday homes can provide cots- and friends and relatives often know someone who can lend you one. Although its nice for baby to have her own- these days thereis so much equipment for small babies that we are sometimres crowded out of house and home. Unless you have endless spare room I'd go for the multiuse cot/playpen.
Dorothy Einon

I had a travel cot for when my son was small, it was really handy for if I wanted somewhere safe for him to play while I had a shower or got some jobs done around the house, the only problem with using it for this purpose is that if you want them to have a nap in it during the day they might be confused as they are used to playing in it. My sister-in-law recently bought a pop-up travel cot for her son and got on really well with it, but I think it depends on how much your baby can move about and how big they are! As for sturdiness compared to wooden playpens, my first son was a real bruiser and not only did it survive him, but also my second son and now my nephew (who is huge!) Its also much more convienient to put away should you need the space.
Hope this helps!

I'm having the same problem at the moment as my little boy is coming up to 5 months. I've seen some travel cots advertised as "travel cot/playpen", but my husband worries that these may not be as sturdy as a wooden playpens.

Can anyone advise me on playpens. I am considering buying one shortly for my 4 month old but will also be travelling with her next month and will need somewhere to sleep. Are travel cots come playpens any use and if so, can anyone recommend a particular model? Any help will be appreciated. Thank you.