18 year old solo traveler. Would you allow this?

[Pippyls67]

My Ds wants to travel. I’ve never traveled with him. Budget constraints and I’m a very nervous person who has chronic depression and avoids new things . All rather sad for him but I’m glad to say he wants to break out and do it anyway. I have some money saved now and can afford to finance him. AI B U tho to let him go alone. He doesn’t have friends who want to travel at all. Would you say yes or do you think I should insist he goes on an organised young persons type thing instead. I don’t know if any at all though. Does anyone out there have any suggestions? He wants to see and experience things as he’s been terribly sheltered and constrained by me I’m ashamed to say. I’m proud and pleased he wants to grow in confidence himself and live a lot more. What do people think? Any and all advice and suggestions welcome. He loves the idea of Scandinavian countries and also really wants to go to Rome.

Could he not start small- weekend in Rome- flights cheap with Ryanair- then build up confidence?
Be sure he is security aware without spooking him- pick pockets and not waving phone around in busy places
Help him research it before- things to see how to use the metro, how to get a terravision from the airport, how to book tickets to colliseum etc.
That might also help your anxiety about this too.
He could meet some similar age people at John Cabot just by hanging around in Trastevere
John Cabot | Study Abroad and Degree Programs in Rome, Italy

Group tours
Best 18 to 35s tours 2025/2026 | Intrepid Travel UK

I would allow it. My daughter spent a few weeks in south east Asia, albeit with her boyfriend rather than solo and had the best time. She met lots of solo travellers and made loads of new friends while out there.

How about Interrailing for something with more of an itinerary - depends on your budget but something like this https://www.byway.travel/inspiration/interrail?utm_campaign=22027105331&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAAoT3GJprbauF0GAgrT7rI3yvsrTV5&gclid=Cj0KCQjwm7q-BhDRARIsACD6-fW1RbxAc_vZvOq3xPjqtR9Y77rcmpsnKgfBmlWcoFi4I1XuJSyXY2MaAuHDEALw_wcB

DD looked at it originally but it was much, much cheaper to go to south east Asia in the end.

My ds at 18 went to Iceland as his introduction to solo travelling. He did himself proud. Had a great time and was much more confident and capable than I would have been. He did go on a couple of organised trips which I think as a first go was a good idea but mainly because there are lots of tours in Iceland. We did help him out a little but I think at 18 they should at least be contributing to costs. You’ve got to give him the freedom for him to learn and grow in confidence

My ds did some European travel (Inter-railing) this year, he was 17. He went with a friend but they both travelled alone to the meeting point (friend was already in Europe, so there were some sections of travel that they both did alone).

They planned the itinerary in advance, but made a few tweaks while on it. It was fine and he was very good at keeping in touch, messaging every morning and evening and we could see his whereabouts on the Find My Friends app.

I think the question of travelling solo or with someone probably depends on what kinds of things your son would like to do. My ds and his friend did a few hikes and I would have been more worried if he had been alone on those, for example. Your son may well meet people along the way that he can do sections of travel with. Or perhaps he could book certain experiences along the way with an organised group (another great way to meet people to perhaps travel part of the way with).

One really good tip that I read on here is to make sure he has packed a photocopy of his passport (in case his loses the original). Also write your phone number down (in case he loses his phone).

It's great that your ds wants to do this. I was very anxious before he left but that turned to excitement for him once he was travelling. I hope your son has a great time, OP.

I think it would be best to start in this country and make sure he knows how to use public transport etc. You can't just drop him off at the airport and expect him to know what he's doing.

I just don't think it's helpful to listen to everyone saying that you should let him go and he'll have a great time and make friends etc. There are loads of 18 year olds who would not have a great time and would not make friends. It totally depends on what sort of person he is...I know he's shy but shyness can be debilitating or it can just mean it takes a bit longer to get to know people.

And stop beating yourself up...you're not responsible for your DS's personality. It's not as if going on days out and holidays would have changed his experience of school is it? He's not been completely isolated.

Would I allow it? I’d be worried, of course but I wouldn’t be controlling and not allow it, they are 18 so they can go traveling if they want

My DD travelled alone round Australia after uni, ended up au pairing in Melbourne for a few months. She’s quite introverted and wanted to do it alone, she booked Airbnb’s and did a lot of long train journeys. Had a fantastic time and as she is single by choice does a lot of travelling around the UK alone now. She has never had any problems here or abroad.

Scandinavia and Italy all sound quite safe and close to home relatively. I travelled and worked abroad from the age of 19. I think just ensuring he reads up on safety of any region he's travelling to (whether that be road or common crime to watch out for) as there are different norms everywhere.

Even an unusually naive 18-year-old will be okay alone in Sweden, Denmark etc. Everyone speaks amazing English in the major cities and everything is really easy. It’s just like travelling in the UK. He should try to stay in hostels with a young customer base so he will meet other young people.

He will also be fine in Italy, but it’s harder to navigate. Could he start with Scandinavia and then see how he feels about more challenging travel based on that?

Well done for owning your issues and encouraging him out into the world, OP - I know it can’t be easy.

I have travelled independently, but I always wish I had done something like this for the companionship too. Going on your own is a bit tougher. It woudl be such a wodnerful way to see a bit of the world, with ready made friends, and the safety net of it being organised for him.

https://www.topdeck.travel/tours/europe/delve-deep-denmark-norway-sweden

Topdeck offer some fab trips, I would love to do the Croatia sailing one! Sadly I'm 40 and too told for this kind of thing now.

Contiki offer similar https://www.contiki.com/en-gb/destinations/europe

Id make sure they know the basics

Get on the man in seat 61 and look at train travel through Europe - easy to get about and some magnificent places Rome, Florence, Denmark, Sweden etc

Get him to order himself a GHIC and get decent health insurance
Explain no drugs whilst travelling, don't let himself get into the position of helping someone - often these two go hand in hand.
Never ever tell anyone that you are travelling alone, have an imaginary mate...
Have two forms of payment - never keep them together

others can come up with some sensible safety advice

In some ways he will be solo and people will ignore him as most tourists and traveller are in groups - ive travelled solo and found people talk to me in broken English or the native language of the country I'm in, expecting me to be local as I'm on my own. This I see as a good thing as people aren't looking to scam me.

I went on several coach trips including Scandinavia, western and eastern Europe and new Zealand with a company called top deck as a solo traveller. Very safe as you're with a group, great for meeting new people all over the world - still in touch with many after 15 years since travelling together. Great way of seeing as much as possible with an efficient use of time and money. The tours I went on ranged from 2 weeks to 3 months and I ran some of my trips back to back so was away travelling longer. To me it was the safest way of me going travelling on my own without actually being on my own. Top deck seems to be aimed a younger crowd, we were all in our early to mid twenties and mostly students or on gap years.

Loads of great tour companies out there if that’s what he prefers, but this is one I have experience of so can recommend - and they do 18-30 tours G Adventures European 18-30 tours

I would try to let the tour/solo travel decision be led by him if you can though.

How street smart is he? Is he used to navigating public transport, booking his own tickets etc for things - is he good at personal budgeting to make his ££ last while he’s away etc?

What about a group volunteering trip? My DD went to Thailand when she was 19 for four weeks on an organised trip where they helped sea turtles. It was an amazing experience and she met so many new friends from all over the world. Everyone there was between 18 and 23 I think and the vast majority travelled alone. She shared a room with a girl from the US and they are still friends today.

I didn't read it all but I think you could do one step at a time. If he isn't keen on an organised trip (I never was!) then do a weekend somewhere - give him a budget and be there to help him think things through but then leave him to it for say a 3-4 night trip to anywhere in Europe he fancies. Do you have any friends or family who travel often who can help him (just occurred to me that you might not be able to help in a practical sense as you don't travel yourself)?

Things like - how will he get from place to place? Does he need plugs, different cash, etc?

Do something easy for a first time traveller - basically a larger city in Europe, they all have great public transport etc. Rome would be fab :-)

Then go up to a longer trip once he has some confidence and experience?

It's really lovely that you're encouraging him to do this - I know it's so hard to push your kids to have a different life than you have yourself.

I think it’s fine. I travelled alone at just turned 19 and it was great. It’s not for everyone, some people don’t like traveling alone at any age, but for many it’s great. He won’t be ‘alone’ in the world at all. He isn’t going to be in an uninhabited wilderness. There are always people around who will help if he needs it. If he has a bank card and a phone that work where he is, then he should be fine.

I’m sorry to hear about your depression. Raising a child feeling awful is hard. You’ve obviously done pretty well to save up and raise a young man who has an excited about travelling.
Perhaps you can plan some of the travelling together. I love watching YouTube videos of places I’d like to go and get lots of local tips. Compile a folder of where to go, how to get there etc.
All the best!

No restrictions from myself !

At 18 he is an adult
He can marry, fight for his country, travel the world !

I would recommend

Investigate the post Brexit rules for the maximum 180 days for staying in European countries.

Get passport

Buy travel insurance

Investigate what he will be charged to use mobile phone data abroad. He can ask his mobile phone provider.

Get a Revolute card or credit card that charges zero to use it abroad or to take cash out of ATMs

I recommend visit Edinburgh as a city or Liverpool or London

Also suggest
Fly to Denmark Copenhagen
Or
Fly to Schipol Netherlands /Amsterdam or ferry
Train s straight to city centre
Book accommodation before going
You can buy an "I am Amsterdam card" which gives cheap publlic transport & reduced price entry to some museums.
Walk round or find walking tours.
Food & drink is expensive, but there are supermarkets

I also recommend Iceland, expensive but worth visiting & he can join group tours

Turkey is much cheaper, because not in Europe

Look at Youth Hostels

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When I was young
I travelled for a month round Europe on the train
I slept overnight on the train & saved paying for accommodation between cities
He should Investigate travel via trains

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Suggest that he joins "Extreme Dat Trips" group on Facebook for plenty of ideas * he can meet people

Sky scanner to look at cheap flights, book direct with each airline (not via a 3rd party)

Morocco is also cheaper than Europe

Buy international plug adapter to plug mobile phone charging cable into socket on the wall

(Some sockets are only 2 pin or other shapes)

Should say

Extreme Day Trips

He can stay longer, but great place for ideas

I would want him with another person or in a group He is inexperienced and would thank you in hindsight when he is older, he’ll be the same with his own dc if he has them! He is only 18. It’s just safer all round. Someone in a medical emergency or just to be less of a target than a solo traveler. It depends on the country and exactly what he is doing but personally I would insist and frame it as
safety related. You cannot stop him, but I would give it a good go! it’s hard being a mum, you are not being unreasonable x

I went travelling a few years older than that. On my own, financed by myself, started in Nairobi and did Africa, India, the far east etc. And this was even before smart phones. There were loads of others in my position, and absolutely nothing catastrophic went wrong. The things that do go wrong (think missing your train or something) forces you to problem solve and figure something out.

If you’re going to finance him going it is so he can have the experience of a life time, not so you can stifle him further and make it as ‘safe’ as possible.

Hi i hav travelled to Italy solo and had no problem, it was Florence. Rome is a good start, i have been 3 times and i love it so much to do. Rome does have problems with petty theft, but if you keep money and phone safe and use common sense no problem and i have never had any. It is jubilee year in Rome and will be very busy but lots of activies. I get a lonely planet guide book for all my travels as written by locals. They cover everything from how to get there, places to stay and visit, health, security etc...