Teen DS to go on holiday alone?

[4andnotcounting]

I’m looking for some advice. My ds1 and ds2 will be 18 and 16 in July 2024 (both will have finished their yr 13 and yr 11 exams. )I have promised them a holiday abroad for years. None of us have ever been abroad. Despite planning, I’ve found I Cant afford for us to all go as a family. I didn’t want to let them down again and so suggested would they want to go on their own instead? (eldest child very mature - ds2 respects and listens to ds1. )
(I have previously asked family if someone would take them but always let down - to I think mainly because It’s chool hols it’s dearer. )
ds’s want to go but they don’t know where? They’ve suggest Australia and canada.😮 I said what do you want to do there and they said they don’t know and for me to plan something . I haven’t a clue I’ve never been abroad on holiday. I think it’s very far and very expensive.

Does anyone have any suggestions where they could go for a week and what kind of things they could do for that week? (Any country suggestions) It would be end of June July time )straight after exams finish) I want them to be safe and have a fun experience. I am really rubbish at this sort of thing. I never went on holiday as a child either . It feels a bit daunting but I really don’t want to let them down again.

any suggestions / advice appreciated . Thanks

At that age backpacking or inter railing would be great. And could keep costs down. I would stick to Europe as cheaper. Look at airlines that go out of local airport and see where tts low cost airlines fly to. EasyJet and Ryanair and take it from there.

I wouldn't let a 16yo go abroad on their own

I went inter-railing from age 16 after gcses with friends around Europe. My friend and I did it most years up until after Uni. Trains are reliable, quick and clean in Europe and the passes reasonable and take you all over.

You do realise that Australia is the other side of the world, you really wouldn't get a holiday in a week, most would be spent travelling!

If they're old enough and responsible enough to travel, then they're perfectly capable of using the internet and planning it themselves. I'd let them come up with a plan, costings etc and the negotiate who is going to pay for what!

I wonder if there are any restrictions on your 18 year old being legally responsible for a minor. Check that out.

What's your budget for them?

Can they both get part time work to contribute?

I wouldn’t let them go on their own if they never were abroad. I would work out budget and then work out what can be squeezed in that budget for 3 of you e.g city break or beach holiday depending on their preferences.

What about a city break - Amsterdam, Berlin, Krakow, Prague, even Palma or Madrid, plenty going on in all those places.

You can get some really cheap deals if you can be a bit flexible, what's your dates and your budget? Nearest airports?

TBH if they feel they are ready to travel abroad alone I would put the onus on them to come up with a realistic plan of what they would like to do. I would tell them a budget to work with. They have the whole of the Internet to help them with planning. Of they are unable to make a loose , sensible plan they may not be ready to do this holiday a lone.

Inferrailing around Europe, but they will have to plan and cost the trip themselves - they need to take responsibility for their choices. Sending someone to Canada or Australia for their first trip abroad will be expensive and far away if something goes wrong - I’d let them get a bit of experience in Europe first.

(Not suggesting they should pay for it, but they should be able to cost it for you)

I agree with others, my 17yo is busily planning an interrailing trip with a friend for next year. I'll be buying the train ticket, the rest is up to them - they're loving the responsibility and freedom of doing this themselves, and it means that they'll have a greater understanding of where they're going/staying etc, so less chance of them getting lost (or worse).

I wouldn't advise your DC go to another continent for a short period of time, the travel is exhausting and frustrating, and they won't have much time for an actual 'holiday' when they arrive. The whole of Europe is easily accessible (and easier get home from if something goes wrong)... I'd start there!

A week in Spain for all of you will be far cheaper than Australia or Canada!

A week self catering in Majorca in term time July will be less than £500 per person. I'd take them OP you deserve to share a holiday with them!

Interrailing and backpacking sound fun but need the traveller to plan it and budget its. They also have poorly defined budget and things can spiral.

If you can't afford a family holiday abroad, I'd be surprised if you can afford their flights to Australia? Nothing wrong with the two of them going away together but I'd definitely stick to Europe.

There maybe issues with accommodation with 16yo. I know when DS wanted to go to London with a mate when he was 17, we couldn’t find a hotel which would let them book a room even though his mate was 18.

Also, can’t imagine 2 going to Canada will be cheaper than 3 going to Europe. And Australia really isn’t feasible for a week.

Don’t forget to you need to factor in cost of passports

Do you actually want to go, OP? I wonder if you are being too quick to assume you can’t afford it , given that you haven’t worked out yet what sort of holiday it’s going to be and they are talking about Canada and Australia

There are plenty of holidays here it makes little difference whether you are 2 or 3 cost wise.Why not post your budget here and people can suggest what might be possible? Do you have a car?

At 18 they should be able to plan and budget a holiday, if that's beyond them then possibly they are not ready to take on the responsibility of foreign travel. Could you manage a short family break to say the Canaries? Or Majorca?

It might be marginally cheaper if you go straight after the A levels, GCSEs. Definitely check if places will take the under 18yr old without a parent. If you can afford Australia or Canada for two then you can probably afford a cheap holiday for three in Europe.

Yes I agree that sharing a budget will help us make useful suggestions.
Also some idea of their interests. Do they like theme parks? Sunbathing? History? Being active?

Flights to oz will be much more then a week for 3 in Spain /turkey etx

What is your budget for them/it

16 abroad alone isn't wise is never been

I get costs go up in holidays so maybe plans week before exams or wait till 2nd week sept and go the 3 of you

There’s plenty of info online about travelling under 18 without a parent or guardian. Depending on the country they are travelling to then rules will vary, but it’s usually wise to follow the below advice. Plenty of people travel without any of the below but if they did get pullled aside for extra checks then it’s better they’re over prepared.

Portugal is closer, cheaper, and everyone speaks English. Probably less rowdy than other European destinations as well.

You can afford for 2 adults to go to Australia or Canada but not 3 adults to go to Spain?!
rethink

So you can send them to Aus but can't afford 3 of you in Europe?

18 yes. 16 no.

Can't 18 YO go with his friends then 16 YO can in 2 years?

The eldest will be seen as his younger brothers guardian. It's too much responsibility for him. There are 2 years between mine. I wouldn't be able to settle.

Greek island hopping? They would probably need ten days or a fortnight to make it worthwhile, but I understand it can still be done cheaply using budget accommodation.