To let two 17 year olds stay in a hotel in London on their own

Hi my son is this age too and in Scotland also. I think they have a lot more freedom here so it’s odd to have these restrictions. That being said it is what it is.
check out national express there is a bus to Edinburgh overnight 11.30pm or worst case 2am I would be hesitant about 2am bus but if they can uber stay in the venue until 1am maybe?
it’s a difficult one sorry

The Youth hostel read really oddly like if there was a single 16 year old they could stay unaccompanied but if there were two there had to be an over 18 with them. If this is right, maybe I read it wrong though, they probably need to book their own single rooms separately

Op have you read this right? The amber warning on the page says under the age of 16 need to be accompanied by an adult not under 18s need to be accompanied by an adult

It's big and it's scary. I grew up there. Your instinct is correct.

I was born in London and lived there. I managed, if you count repeated sexual abuse as managing.

@Susieblue18 it's already been said upthread, but if they are over 16 they can stay at yha. Thameside is £80 for a private room. Check the t&cs before booking but I would say if you feel they are mature enough than absolutely

You are completely reasonable to trust your under 18 year old to visit London, go to a planned event, and sort themselves out. There are all sorts of reasons why a savvy, mobile phone charged up, back up charger, tracked young person with a friend who is there for a reason, who has no easy access to drink (due to being age checked (although my 4 would have dodged this and there are shops that do not give a hoot) and your son is likely to plan pretty well because it is a big adventure is far safer than many others. Unfortunately, unless some of the valid YHA options work out, you are unreasonable to expect them to be able to stay there legally, or be able to get themselves out of a tricky situation (transport getting cancelled etc.) because most forms of accommodation will simply not tolerate anyone under 18 checking in, and yes, they will check their ID. And no, they won't help out in an emergency because if they do they will lose their job. Lots of places stay open late stations, McD etc. and open early with the first trains starting very early - and your son and friend would probably be OK if push came to shove, but it isn't what you would want, and a nervous "up all night" night all round. Check out YHA though...

The Caledonian Sleeper leaves from Euston, departs 23.45. They'd go from Greenwich to London Bridge and change to Northern Line.

Hmmm, maybe I'm mistaken and actually you have to have an adult with you in an airbnb.
Not sure.

I would explore AirBnBs - you can ask the host questions before booking, so you can be completely honest about it being 2 (sensible) teenagers needing a bed for the night after a show.

From the airbnb site: For experiences that allow guests under 18: Although only people 18 or over can make reservations, a child’s parent or legal guardian can book additional spots for children who meet your minimum age requirement. If guests book an experience on behalf of a minor, they represent that they are the legal guardian of that minor.

Can’t they just head to airport after event and snooze at airport and get early flight home next morning. Would be cheaper too

Even for the sleeper?

I went with my DS and his friend and did the same. I am doing the same again in a few weeks then they turn 18 a few weeks after so they'll be ok

In one London hotel they refused to let us check in until I had an email from his friends mum to say I was allowed to bring him. They can be so strict.

Smarthostel

Hoy is it different. Train in then transport across London to wherever.?

Came on also to say YHA. You are allowed to stay unaccompanied at 16 - I stayed in one myself in the last month and asked the same specific question. Book a private room as PPs have said.

Sorry if I've read the situation wrong, but letting a 16/17 year old from Essex travel into London on their own just feels different to letting a 16/17 year old from Scotland do the same. Maybe it is not that different, I'm just trying to help OP with her dilemma.

Nope I dislike London immensely and tend to avoid it.

And why are you assuming that I even drive,?

Essex is close to London though so did you daughter have regular trips into the city as a child so she was familiar with the transport network? I know lots of Scottish teenagers who have never been to London. I also think it would also be easier to let a young person do that knowing that you are within driving distance if something went wrong.

Be very careful with the coach, FlixBus etc. My DD and friends (18 & 19) booked a return on FlixBus for a gig in London from NE Scotland. They took the overnight down then mooched around London for the day before attending the gig, then were taking the overnight bus back up here. All well planned by them to avoid hotel costs.

it was a nightmare as the sleeper train was cancelled and the FlixBuses were pulled fir train passengers. So DD and friends came out of their gig to an email saying the bus was cancelled and they needed to go online and book another bus. By this time all sensible buses were fully booked and there was nothing until the morning.

So the 3 of them were stranded in London in the early hours and totally freaking out. They went to hotels and couldn’t get a room anywhere. I tried to find something online from home, but as it was after midnight, it kept wanting to book them in for the next night….V stressful. They eventually got into a hostel after a good 3+ hours or so, but the whole thing was very traumatic for them all and she is very reluctant to return to London anytime soon!

By ensuring they can't stay and might end up sleeping at the bus station? Warped logic

Youth hostel or sleeper train from Kings Cross? (I'd love to do the sleeper train, but guessing it's very expensive - though you're saving on the hotel cost)

I live in a small town in Essex. My daughter at 16/17 managed to navigate on trains to and across London to see All Time Low . She didn't grow up in a city

My daughter was asked for ID. She was 31 but looked much younger. Her partner asked if they wanted his ID. They said his partner was old enough to look after him. He was 32. 😂They do check.

When he goes in to Edinburgh does he use public transport to get there? And once he's there does he use the bus or tram network to get about? If he does then I think he could be ok in London. If you tend to drive him into town, or he gets the train in but tends to stay within walking distance of the station then I think he needs to build up his city skills before he gets to travel to London without an adult.