17 year olds travelling alone

[LaBelleSauvage123]

DS1 wants to travel to the Netherlands in the summer with his gf, staying in Utrecht. They’ll both be 17 by then. Will hostels or cheap hotels allow them to stay at that age? Will there be any restrictions on them travelling? He’s doing his own research and is sensible bit has never been on holiday independently. What are the things I need to guide him to think about?

Condoms

Not. Helpful.

DS went interrailling with friends after A-levels when he was still 17 and didn't have any problems staying in back-packer style hostels. He also had a few days in Paris on his own earlier that year, staying in a basic sort of hotel, also no problems.

Official YHA youth hostels (at least in the UK) now seem to have a 'no under 18s travelling alone' policy, but non-official hostels seem fine.

Other things to think about: make sure they have EHICs and proper travel insurance, have a list of emergency contact numbers written down somewhere (not just on their phones), and work out budgets plus the safest and cheapest ways of getting/carrying around Euros.

Thanks all. For probably obvious reasons the Amsterdam hostels don’t allow under 18s but Utrecht hostels just want a letter of permission from us.

When DS was 17 (and a half) he and 3 mates flew into Poland and got the train to various cities and countries before flying home from Paris. They stayed in back packing hostels. Surprisingly the lads actually did visit tourists and culture attractions. It is fair to say they partied hard as well!
I think 5 were meant to go, one lost his passport so there four, one lost his nerve so 3 went. One decided to stay away a bit longer so two came home!