Can unaccompanied minors travel alone, and what are the exact policies?
British TV presenter Kirstie Allsopp faced scrutiny after sharing that her 15-year-old son, Oscar Hercules, embarked on a three-week European tour without adult supervision. Traveling with a 16-year-old friend, Oscar visited major cities by train, including Paris, Brussels, Berlin, and Amsterdam. Allsopp confirmed that he returned home safely.
However, the post did not sit well with some social media users, who expressed concerns about his age and the appropriateness of traveling alone. Subsequently, the Kensington and Chelsea Council notified Allsopp that the matter had been referred to social services. A council spokesperson emphasized the importance of child safeguarding, stating, “We take any referral we have very seriously and we have a statutory responsibility for children under 18 years of age.”
Allsopp was surprised by the referral to social services and stated she was unaware of who made the complaint. She defended her decision, asserting that she had not violated any laws and that allowing her son to travel through Europe was not neglectful.
In the U.K., social services operate similarly to child and family services departments in the U.S. While regulations can vary, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services suggests using discretion and avoiding baseless complaints. It is generally acceptable for minors to travel alone with parental consent, though it is important to be aware of specific policies set by hotels, airlines, and train services to ensure smooth travel for young individuals.
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Hotel Policies
Most hotels maintain a policy that only individuals aged 18 and older can make reservations and check in. Even when a guardian or parent books a room, a minor may still require a consent letter to check in.
Policies such as these made headlines last November when an unaccompanied was left stranded at an airport due to weather conditions. As the minor did not meet hotel age requirements, she was unable to secure a room. Her mother eventually intervened and booked a hotel room.
The German hospitality brand Meininger Hotels permits 16- and 17-year-olds to stay with parental consent. Similarly, Generator Hostels in Europe also allow minors to stay if they have a parental consent form. Marriott indicates that age limits can vary by location, but encourages contacting the hotel directly to arrange accommodations for young adults. Conversely, Hyatt generally requires guests to be at least 21 years old, though this age requirement can differ depending on the location.
Additionally, some hotels enforce a policy that prohibits minors from staying without an adult. For instance, Scandic Hotels specifies that its properties, including Scandic Continental in Stockholm, Scandic Triangeln in Malmo, and Scandic Nørreport in Copenhagen, do not allow guests under 18 to stay, even with a permission letter. Yotel goes even further with its policy: “Children are not permitted to stay alone in a hotel; they must be accompanied by an adult (minimum age of 18 and in some locations 21 years of age).”
Airline Policies
Different U.S. carriers have different policies for unaccompanied minors. American Airlines offers unaccompanied minor services for children aged 5-14, charging a fee of $150 plus taxes for each one-way trip. They generally prohibit unaccompanied minors from taking connecting flights or the last flight of the day. For teenagers aged 15 to 17, the unaccompanied minor service is optional. For international flights, a letter of consent and additional requirements are necessary. Delta Air Lines implements similar policies for unaccompanied minors.
In contrast, Allegiant Air does not provide unaccompanied minor services, requiring children under 15 to travel with a guardian or parent.
For those arranging flights for minors, it is advisable to consult the guidelines provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation, and consult directly with the airline.
Related: Everything You Need to Know About Sending Your Child on Their First Solo Flight
Train Policies
Young adults are allowed to travel alone both within the U.S. and internationally, but it is crucial for parents or guardians to verify all relevant policies and ensure all necessary documents are prepared before travel.
Amtrak permits children over 12 to travel alone using their unaccompanied minor services, with specific conditions: tickets cannot be purchased online, travel must occur on the same day (not earlier than 5:30 a.m. or later than 9:30 p.m.), there are no transfers, travel is restricted within the U.S., and a release form is required along with pick-up at the destination station. Children over 16 face no travel restrictions.
The European railway operator Eurostar has distinct policies for minors. Children under 12 cannot travel alone and must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or older. Those aged 12 to 15 can travel alone on trains between London and Paris, Lille, or Brussels, provided the trains depart between 6:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. local time. However, this does not apply to routes between London and the Netherlands, where an unaccompanied minor form is required. Minors aged 16 to 18 are permitted to travel independently on the trains.