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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

Original poster

Teen DS to go on holiday alone?

109 replies

4andnotcounting · 01/11/2023 22:30

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

OP posts:
EarringsandLipstick · 02/11/2023 07:49

Mum5net · 02/11/2023 07:45

When they book flights, look at the times of day they will arrive and depart.
If they have very early flights you need to factor in check in times of up to 3 hrs before flying.
There can be hidden costs like a hotel for very late or early checking in.
I would consider sending them on a flight to Malaga for 3 nights.
it’s a safe city with close airport and a beach. Trains from the airport to the city are short and cheap.

Why? Why would anyone pay for their 2 teens to have a mini break abroad when they can't, as adults, afford to have a similar holiday?

I'll do everything in my power to support my DC educational opportunities, and this has included school trips abroad for example.

I cannot imagine saving up to send two teens away for a holiday on their own.

Mazuslongtoenail · 02/11/2023 07:51

I went on holiday abroad for a fortnight with friends when I was 16 - it was a great experience. You know your kids, don’t be out off by everyone saying they shouldn’t be going.

cheezncrackers · 02/11/2023 07:53

You can't afford a family holiday, but you can afford to send two members of the family off to Canada or Australia in June/July???? That doesn't make any sense OP. What's the budget? That will help people to advise you.

If your DC have never been anywhere abroad before and only have a week then Europe is the obvious choice. Interrailing is a good trip, but they won't get very far or see very much in a week. The whole point of interrailing is to explore lots of countries and travel for a longer period of time on a budget, so it is an option, but would be better if they had longer. For their first ever week away and with no knowledge of overseas travel at all, I'd be tempted to book a package with maybe breakfast included. Somewhere like Spain or Portugal would be good, unless they've studied another language at school and would feel more comfortable in e.g. France.

saraclara · 02/11/2023 07:53

I said what do you want to do there and they said they don’t know and for me to plan something

They aren't remotely ready to travel abroad alone if they can't even plan the trip and are relying on you to do it.

Traveling independently requires a lot of thinking on your feet and rapid decision making and problem solving when things don't go as planned. They can't even make the simplest decision while sitting on their sofa at home.

cheezncrackers · 02/11/2023 07:56

They aren't remotely ready to travel abroad alone if they can't even plan the trip and are relying on you to do it.

I have to agree with this tbh. If they were really interested and actually wanted to do it, as opposed to YOU wanting them to do it, they'd be eagerly getting involved with the planning and have some opinions.

WeighDownOnMe · 02/11/2023 07:57

Bloody hell, so they also want the moon on a stick!!? They want the holiday of a lifetime but don't really know why and want you to plan it for them.

Cheeky wee shits. They can stay in youth hostels round Europe like everyone else, and plan it too if they want to go.

3WildOnes · 02/11/2023 07:57

What is your budget OP?

Spacemoon · 02/11/2023 07:57

Australia or Canada is doable for 2, but a holiday 2 Europe for the 3 of you isn't affordable? What? Makes no sense. OP it is quite clear neither you or your kids have the foggiest about holidays abroad and their costs. So why don't you all pop along to a travel agents and tell them a few options for holidays as a family and then a few options for a holiday for the boys alone? That way you will all have the reality of the prices and be able to work out what exactly is and isn't doable. The travel agent will be able.to offer lots of advice. You won't have to book directly with them if you don't want to, as you can often find your own deals much cheaper online, but use them as a starting point and for gaining more info!

I went on my first ever abroad holiday at 17 (turned 18 whilst there) I went with friends and I was fine. It was however only Europe and one of my friends had been abroad before at least, so the rest of us kind of followed her lead. I still think we'd have been perfectly fine without her, but it did make things a lot easier until we all found our feet. I don't think them going abroad at that age is an issue at all, but perhaps they need to have a clearer understanding of the costs and planning involved first? Expecting you to do it all isn't going to make for an easy experience once they're out there on their own. Make sure they are involved in all the organising and planning - oh and bonus if they have part time jobs, make sure they are financially contributing!!

theleafandnotthetree · 02/11/2023 08:01

To be honest, they sound a bit clueless and you are all inexperienced. You could end up spending precious money and it all be a bit of a disaster or just not worth it. A girl I know came into money recently in her 40s, she had never been abroad before either and her first forays weren't great at all. I would go all three of you and keep it really simple and firmly based atound something you all enjoy to maximise the chances of having a positive experience and not wasting your money. So, if you're all in to football, maybe you go see a match in somewhere like Barcelona or Rome or Munich and base a few days around that. Or I you like outdoorsy stuff, maybe go to the lakes/mountains in Austria combined with a night or two in a city. You get the idea. Your lads should definitely be involved in planning so they are invested in it too and there's less chance of moaning when you get there. When people are out of their comfort zone, they can act like dicks. My own 16 year old has this propensity. So don't expect it all to be wonderful, just take it as it comes.

Ylvamoon · 02/11/2023 08:02

Are your DC familiar with train stations, bus stations or airports?
Are they able to budget?
Can they confidently find their way around an unknown place/ city?
Can DS1 drive?

I'd start there.... and maybe re consider going abroad. There are some lovely places for teens in the uk to practice spreading their wings.
(London, Manchester, Portsmouth Edinburgh, wild camping in Scotland, ...)

Or try and book a city / weekend break for 3 in Europe. (We did Lisbon at Easter last year, EasyJet 3 nights + flights & B&B 240.- pp)

Mum5net · 02/11/2023 08:03

Travel is education in my book and hastens a sense of responsibility and widens horizons. OP's DC may choose different career paths after being abroad.

My DC both flew independently at 15 albeit within UK and with a specific purpose.
OP is seeking opportunity for her DC, possibly ones she has not experienced.
She's not saying she's definitely going to go ahead with this scheme. She's just asking for advice.

obje · 02/11/2023 08:05

xyz111 · 01/11/2023 23:05

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

They wouldn't be going on their own

Gobimanchurian · 02/11/2023 08:13

I would go all together to a cheap European destination, early July in term time. Bulgaria and Albania are up and coming cheaper sun destinations. Look at holiday packages on travel republic /on the beach, then see if you can book separately with flights and hotel/apartment /hostels even. If they've never been abroad before I'd be hesitant to send them alone.

SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 02/11/2023 08:17

Start with your budget. What is it?

TheaBrandt · 02/11/2023 08:32

That’s so true about the planning. My teen and her friend planned it all and initiated it themselves too. We sense checked it of course and paid but this it s is all back to front. Do they even want to go?

Snowdayplease · 02/11/2023 08:37

If they've never been abroad a package holiday where they are collected from the airport etc would be a good first step.
You could work out your budget and go to a travel agent - even just to get an idea what is possible.

ForfarFourEastFifeFive · 02/11/2023 08:46

They don’t really know where they want to go or what they want to do. They’ve suggested two English speaking countries because they are wary of going somewhere that there might be a language issue. They want you to do all the planning for them. They’ve never been abroad so will have no idea how to navigate airports and travel hubs.

The idea of them going alone and making the best use of your limited budget is therefore ridiculous.

Book a modest hotel holiday in Europe for all three of you.

FrenchandSaunders · 02/11/2023 19:27

I’d prefer a 16 year old going abroad with a sensible older brother than the Leeds/reading/boardmasters drug and booze fest that most of them do.

applebee33 · 02/11/2023 19:52

Sorry Op I think 16 is way to young to go off alone with only an 18 yr old to supervise him, 18 yr old is only a young in himself .and most definitely wouldn't be letting them go somewhere so far . Maybe if they went to Spain , why can't you go and make it a family trip

3WildOnes · 02/11/2023 19:57

I don't think 16 is too young at all. I went abroad, as did most of my friends, after our GCSEs. Some went interailing, others to foreign festivals and some just on city breaks or beach holidays. I do think if they are going to travel independently then they should be planning the trip though.

Tinytigertail · 02/11/2023 20:01

16 is fine to travel alone. Don't feel restricted to package holidays OP. interrailing is a great way of seeing Europe and the hotels are usually great too. They will meet other people and have some great experiences. Let them go!

coxesorangepippin · 02/11/2023 20:06

If you are the one researching this, then as a pp said, they ain't ready to go abroad alone

Planning a trip, booking the hotels, getting the visas or whatever is part of being an adult

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 02/11/2023 20:07

OP, if you come back, share what your budget is and people will be able to help find something. Do you think you really can't afford for the three of you to go, or are you just put off by your lack of experience?

There are lots of options for city breaks, maybe a long weekend might be doable? Lisbon has a nice climate and can be pretty reasonable for flights and airbnb.

jlpth · 02/11/2023 20:11

The exams finish way before summer holidays.

The three of you could go on a cheap city break in Europe towards the end of June. A cheap package to Majorca would be lovely at the end of June.

Australia is a crazy suggestion, sorry.

jlpth · 02/11/2023 20:13

For £38 per person you could get an easy jet to Munich or Madrid in June 2024.