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Original poster

Would you allow your 16yo to travel in Europe independently?

100 replies

TreacherousPissFlap · 08/02/2020 21:08

We've somehow managed to get to the stage where GCSE's will soon be over. I'm aware the traditional "thing" would be Reading Festival etc but DS would rather chew his own foot off than go there. Smug DH and I congratulated ourselves on raising such a well rounded and sensible boy, for him to then mention he and a couple of friends would like to go interrailing in Europe instead Shock

Broadly I'm up for the idea and I've suggested things like age limits, whether his friends would be as dependable as he hoped and how much it would cost. Normally if my concerns were fully addressed I would say ok BUT they will be only 16.

At this point I'm not sure the idea will even take off but he's a determined bugger and at least one of his friends parents is likely to agree (or at least be in our position)

Are we insane to consider it?

OP posts:
Mrskeats · 08/02/2020 21:17

I personally think it's a bit young

CorneliusBeefington · 08/02/2020 21:24

Not a cat in hell's chance Grin

GiantKitten · 08/02/2020 21:27

No

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16 year olds
Tellingitlikeitisnt · 08/02/2020 21:27

No not in a month of Sundays

ElodieJoy · 08/02/2020 21:28

Yes you are insane.

Why don’t you suggest something similar in the Uk ( assuming that’s where you live)?

If they like cities - Edinburgh, York, Durham.

Walking in the Lake District .

Cycling in Suffolk or Norfolk .

Stay in youth hostels .

Willowkins · 08/02/2020 21:28

Nope.

Oly4 · 08/02/2020 21:29

I went after A levels aged 18 with a bunch of girls. It was great fun. It depends on how sensible your son is. But maybe pay for them to go on a UK holiday this time.. with the promise of interailing after A Levels?

GiantKitten · 08/02/2020 21:31

That’s no, I wouldn’t allow
Not no, you aren’t insane!

I had to have my arm twisted to let my 15-yr-old go to V with his older sisters, & was still wary of Leeds the following year.

Far too much could go wrong on an interrailing trip & you’d then be having to sort it out.

Couldn’t they just go camping in the UK? (Somewhere not too far from home?)

BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 08/02/2020 21:31

Nope.
And I did it.

GiantKitten · 08/02/2020 21:32

Or do I mean yes, you are insane Grin

ncqtime · 08/02/2020 21:32

18+, yes. At 16, no.

99problemsandthecatis1 · 08/02/2020 21:37

I did it. With 3 friends. Would I let my kids now? I'm not sure. Probably though. Although "let" is relative at 16. I guess "fund" is probably more it! As they can do it without your permission!

TrophyCat · 08/02/2020 21:38

It depends on their personalities, maturity and how holiday experienced they are. If they are sensible, have travelled abroad before, etc then yes. And it will be a great experience for them.

If cost is an issue could they maybe do a short week in italy ? So fly into Venice, spend 2 days there, train to florence, 2 days there and then go and fly out of pisa. Ryanair and easyjet often have really cheap flights (around £20) and there are campsites with cabins they could stay in....

Just make sure they have good travel insurance, bank cards that work abroad and set a daily budget.

Blackberrybunnet · 08/02/2020 21:45

Def NO. Too young. maybe at 19?

Stompythedinosaur · 08/02/2020 21:47

My dc aren't that age yet, but I hope they would be ok to travel then. I spent a month in Malaysia doing voluntary work at 16 and it was a good experience.

gracepoolesrum · 08/02/2020 21:48

I did this with my boyfriend at 17 after 1st year of a levels and honestly it was fine. If your son is sensible I'd let him go.

wonderstuff · 08/02/2020 21:50

I don't know. My mum let me go to London and stay at a youth hostel at 16, it was a really good experience, I'm not sure how much more difficult/risky Europe would be. I think I'd be happier with that than Reading Festival tbh (I love a festival but Reading is grim). Full disclosure, my eldest is 12 so I'm a few years off this sort of decision.

wonderstuff · 08/02/2020 21:53

Blackberrybunnet surely once they hit 18 they can do as they please?

BackforGood · 08/02/2020 21:53

There is a BIG change between 16 and 18....... including the opportunity to have worked part time and earned the money to do this.

Itsagrandoldteam · 08/02/2020 21:53

Not a chance in hell. My son turned 16 during his GCSE's last year, he still isn't ready to even go on a UK holiday with his mates.

But all kids are different, my son isn't very streetwise at all, in fact most of his friends aren't. Don't worry he goes out with his mates a lot but he's just not ready to go holiday by himself.

PleaseNoFortnite · 08/02/2020 21:55

Depends on his personality/maturity. I did it at 16 together with a friend and it was fine (and as two girls together we got a LOT of attention that he probably wouldn't have). But we had an address book full of ours and our parents' European friends to call if we needed to, and we visited a couple of people on the way.

Stillabitemo · 08/02/2020 21:55

Can you even book a hotel room for an under 18?

Aureum · 08/02/2020 21:57

Absolutely not. It’s not safe.

HarrietSchulenberg · 08/02/2020 21:58

I'd've let mine go when he finished GCSEs last year but it would have depended on how long for, which countries they planned to visit and who else was going. Sensible kids and 3 countries for 7-10 days would be fine. 2 months with a bunch of wild kids that he barely knew, no.

Original poster
TreacherousPissFlap · 08/02/2020 21:59

DS is an Explorer Scout and has already done several "big" trips with minimal supervision (albeit there was supervision there)
His friends, not so sure TBH Wink

OP posts: