Children travelling by train without an adult

[northender]

Ds is 14 (15 in 4 weeks), dd is 11 (12 in Nov). They are both used to rail travel and are very sensible. We feel happy for them to travel together without us on a direct journey. We would see them off at this end and relatives would meet them at the other end. Are there any rules or laws around this? The train company is First Great Western if that makes any difference.

Not sure if there are rules as such bit having seen a brother and sister have the most awful argument which nearly turned into a physical fight on a train (I was really not sure at what point it would have been appropriate to intervene) I would be worried about my two doing it. Sorry, I realise that's not helpful. Perhaps just ask at a ticket office.

Check with the company,iirc it's over 12 travelling alone but I'd do what your suggesting as they're together.

Info from the British Transport Police. My concern would be whether they could handle any problems arising from the journey being disrupted, i.e. if they were decanted on to a replacement bus part way through.

Sounds fine to me. Ds was travelling all over the country alone from 14.

Would also be fine our DD registry does longish journeys on her own or with a friend. Shouldn't be a problem

It will be fine, children travel on the tube and on the trains into school in central London on their own from 11 or even 10 in some cases

How long is the journey?

Children take the train to school so there are no problems with their age - it's not like a flight. I would book them seats though.

Thanks for the replies. Having just looked in more detail it seems there aren't any direct trains on the days we are looking at. I'd be happy with ds doing that on his own but not with dd.

DS went to his GPs alone a bit younger than your youngest (10). No rules but I let the train manager (guard!) know, so he kept an eye on him. And this was when his mobile was a godsend as we texted back and forth.

I think the rules are for flying.

My children each travelled to school by train every day from age 11 and so did a lot of their friends.

My 12 year old DS recently travelled for an hour alone on a train to his GP

He's very sensible though which helps!!

I was travelling alone by train at 14 and finding my own way at the other end. I don't see a problem with what you're suggesting.

I think I took my sister to GP at that age (transfer in London) - I was certainly doing it myself at 14 (travelled to school by train from 11).

These days there's mobile phones too, so it's not even like you need ever be out of contact unlike when I was a kid.

You know how responsible they are though, whether you think they'd do well or panic.

Not sure but you could look in to booking assistance. I know it is available for disabled travelers not sure for children but worth a phone call.

If it is available someone will meet them from one train and take them to the other.

No, assistance is not for children .

A nearly 15 year old and a nearly 12 year old? Yes, I would, even with a change.

When I was 15, I was travelling an hour each way - with 3 changes - to a full time holiday job as a chambermaid in my nearest big city.