18 year old solo traveler. Would you allow this?

If he's never even been on holiday before I would start with a long weekend in Rome, treat him to a holiday, maybe him and his girlfriend, straight after exams - the phrase "travelling," carries different connotations than just going on holiday. People go away all the time, he can just go away without it being summer plans and overthought.

The lack of travel isn't his only limitation. A great summer to prepare for Uni could also include working in a bar or something to widen his social circle and skills and life experience. So a month working in a bar then two weeks in Denmark and Sweden - that sort of balance.

I think going from a very sheltered life with no holidays at all, to trying to navigate three months backpacking will be overwhelming and a bit lonely - the groundwork has not been laid for him to really get into it.

Hi OP. I went travelling after uni for a few months before starting proper working life, my friends had already done their gap year or summer travelling before uni or some didn't want to travel so I booked with a group called kumuka. I would really recommend an organised trip as it took the worry away from me booking accommodation and feeling stranded or getting lost ! It suited me. It also meant I saw a lot more and travelled further than had I been doing it alone as the itinerary was packed. I made good friends and loved the social side of it.

We travelled through Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru on an old army truck. I loved it all.

Kumuka don't exist anymore, but there are lots of companies that do group travel trips.

It's perfectly safe. He can stay at hostels and make travelling friends that way. I did it throughout my late teens and 20s, it was great. I hope he has a good time 😁

What are his plans OP? Obviously you can veto it all, by just not paying. It's sounds like a good idea though, if he is sensible.
If he plans to go interailing -fab. If he plans motorbiking through Iran, keep your money well away from him.

My daughter was 18. Travelled to the other side of the world and toured around. When she first raised her interest in travelling (on her own, but meeting with friends for a few weeks of the 3 months), I was so worried, But, she had to start living her adult life, not as my minor child. So we spoke (lots of times) about safety and I waved her off. She had a great time, she returned safely - and I did what my parents didn’t do, encouraged her to experience life not just be a spectator.

I'd allow it. I think organised tours this age are very boozy. If he stays in youth hostels he will meet people and get into groups. He is starting out in very safe countries so will be fine. Like pp said I'd let him go but would get him to do an itinerary and a back up plan so he knows what to do if he looses his cash, phone, wallet, passport etc, knows what number to call in an emergency etc. There will be plenty of tips online

I would second the suggestion to start off with Rome and find a hostel to stay in - that way he’s likely to meet other young travellers. Tickets for travel in Italy can be booked online ( ie Trainline) and entry into museums etc can be bought on apps like Get Your Guide although obviously he might just prefer to wing it rather than pre booking. The joy of modern banking is the knowledge you can send money to him easily should it ever be an issue. No having to hang around western Union offices.

If you're financing it I'd steer him towards organised trips. If he's been really sheltered and has no friends I'd be concerned that he might be quite naive/easily taken advantage of.

There are organised backpacking trips specifically geared towards younger people that he might enjoy? He'd be unlikely to be the only solo traveler and could make friends with others on the trip.

You need to let him go - the more you restrict and control, the more harm you will do - both to him as a person and to your relationship with him as a young adult.

He's eighteen years old - you have to let him be.

This sounds brilliant. They are all safe countries less than 2 hours flight from here. Many teenagers go backpacking around Thailand etc. After the structure of school it's good for them to have some freedom to help them discover more about themselves.
Saying that, it can be lonely at times, so depends on his personality, is he happy doing his own thing, or does he like being with others much of the time? If the later, I wouod suggest he signs up for a short tour, and then may meet people to carry on travelling with. There are loads of companies, I used GAP, Intrepid traveller, but there are loads. Try to avoid Contiki.

Nowadays, it's so easy to keep in contact, when I was travelling in 2004-2008 (6 months travel, 6 months home to work and then travel....) my parents had to make do with an email every few days from an Internet cafe, calls home were incredibly expensive from India, Nepal, psrts of Africa, Australia, new Zealand, south America, all over SE Asia. I'm sure they worried but they never tried to hold me back, which I am grateful for. Seeing the world is really important.

Maybe have a look at this: ▷ Volunteer Abroad | Projects Abroad 2025 | Volunteer World

You could Google "young person tour groups" or something? There are lots out there.

I went backpacking for the first time in my 40s. Even as an "oldie", I found it comforting to discover that nearly everyone looks out for each other and will share tips and hints on places; where to pre-book, where to avoid, off the beaten track places to explore etc.. He won't be alone for all of it unless he really wants to be.

He’s an adult so you don’t really get a say. If you don’t want him to go, don’t give him the money but he might just save up and go anyway.

If you are worried, the best way to manage that anxiety will be to support him - you could get out a map and plan a route together, help him look into interrail passes etc.

I wouldn't make firm plans for too long ahead or book things. Part of the joy of this type of travel is to with the flow. If he has never been abroad before I would suggest planning three weeks in a couple of countries. Italy and France gives a good range. Then towards the end he can plan the next couple of weeks and maybe choose to come home for a few days. If it's all planned and booked and he doesn't like it or doesn't like where he is and can't move on it may put him off travel for life.

instead of going it alone, could he do it via a charity - where he goes with a group of people. I did a Kibbutz in Israel when I was 19 (obviously that is out of the question now! but there will be other things) and I loved it. i did it specifically because I was a lone female and didnt want to be. So I did get to see a part of the world but in a safer way.

Let him go. He's 18 and wanting to explore the world. I travelled at 18 and it was the absolute making of me.

As you're financing him you have the right to know what exactly his plans are out of courtesy to you but I would pat him on the back and applaud his spirit of adventure.

When is he planning this travel and for how long? Does he really not have any friends he could go with?

I'd be recommending that he start with a long weekend. Eg, perhaps he books a trip to Rome in the next month or two. Think ina dvance about what he wants to do (roughly) and where would be good to stay etc. You can both use that as an opportunity to practice the planning necessary. Then off he goes to Rome for his weekend, and he'll learn afew things long the way, then back home. Then he's got some lessons and he can decide what to do for his Scandanavian trip.

If he wants to travel for longer alone, I would recommend ideally at least booking in some activities etc as it can get lonely. I don't know much about Scandanavia but i imagine if he was going in Spring/summer, he could probably book himself onto some kind of sailing or boat-related group activity. Or some other outdoor activity he enjoys. Not for the entire time, but as an anchor for his trip, possibly as an opportunity to meet people - to make friends or even just to benefit from the knowledge and thoughts of other travellers.

Tell him to get a job and fund it himself. He'll hopefully gain some life experience and confidence while working that will help with the travel.

If it were me handing my money over I'd want to know what the plan was - how long for etc. If he can make a plan and discuss it with you then that's all good

Scandinavia and Rome are first world countries and safe.

Don't put any restrictions on it.

Many people his age do a gap year and travel the world alone. Sounds like he has been quite restricted - let him spread his wings.

I wouldn't impose restrictions because you'll only be stifling him further than you already have I'm afraid.
If you're prepared to gift him this experience then it's his choice where he wants to go.
You don't give a gift with limitations.
But do advise him, help him research.

It’s a big world to be out in all alone

No it's bloody not. He's planning to be a tourist in the same bloody continent as he lives. Seriously stop.

Those saying he's an adult and it's his choice - yes but OP is considering financing it so that changes things.

I'm sure he'd be fine but if he's not travelled before then perhaps an organised thing would be good first. Or working and saving for it? Funding his unstructured travels won't teach him financial responsibility.

Lots of companies offering volunteering abroad schemes, maybe one of those?