Are they old enough?

[chaplin1409]

Is 15 and 16 old enough to travel on the train for 5 hours with 2 changes together with no adult?

Yep.

Yes do the route with them online and they have phones. Should be fine

Yes

Absolutely.

Yes of course!

Definitely!

Yes, assuming no SN.

Are they sensible 15 and 16 year olds? It all depends on their maturity.

I'd allow my 11 year old, if my 7 year old wasn't 7 years old, I'd allow it now as he's the most mature kid I know (he would love it, he could honestly do it, but of course I wouldn't allow it purely because he's 7)

No SN. They would be picked up from train station at the other end and would both have phones. Maybe I am just worrying too much.

What, specifically, are you worried about?

Where are the changes?

Of course

I'm at the idea that a 15 and 16 year old wouldn't be able to do that, assuming no SN. They should be capable of looking up journey online, seeing where they have to change, etc. 16 yr old needs to be preparing for adulthood, possibly living away from home, going on holiday with mates, all of which s/he might be doing next year.

I think it's fine and I have 16 and 15 year olds :)

Questions I'd ask though are:

Are they familiar with train travel in general i.e. do they know to look at boards and check platforms etc.
Do they know the ultimate destination of each train as usually that's what is displayed and the other stations can be on the scrolling bit.
Do they have a decent time between changes
Do they get on well enough that they can be trusted to look out for each other.
Will they go and ask if they are stuck.

Yes - my two would From about 14

One would certainly hope so!

Well considering you can get married at 16, I should hope they could manage that.

My daughter managed something a little shorter, still involving changes at unfamiliar stations, on her own at 13. They'll be fine. Probably a good experience for them!

I would worry for the future of they weren't. They'll be out in the world making their own way soon.

Of course. People can get married/legally have sex/babies at 16. They can catch a train.

A lot of young people have no experience of having travelled on public transport nowadays so it's not as simple a question as it seems. Most have been in cars most of their lives. It was different when I was a child as car ownership was a lot lower and I'd get the bus into the city with my friends from primary school age.

We don't use trains very often but I've spent the last few times actually showing my teenagers what to do and getting them to look at the boards and listen to announcements - did the same at the airport the last couple of years. It's not something we do often but it's a good experience for them to learn.

If you have 16 and 15 years olds who haven't taken a train before, then its important that they are prepared.

15 and 16? Of course it is!

I moved countries at 17, alone, if a 16 year old can't manage a train with a sibling I'd be pretty worried.

If they are average for their age then yes. All they need to do is manage a small amount of money, not lose their tickets, be able to read the platform notice board (or an app on their phone) and have the sense/confidence to ask for help if something goes wrong.

If they aren't used to train travel, now is the opportunity for them to learn. I am assuming you will be taking them to the first station. Once they are on their way Google national rail live departures and find the platform their next train is departing from. It might just put your mind at rest

Sounds fine to me if they are together and it's not late at night.