Touring Europe as a minor

Elena, The first question that comes to mind is "what do both of your parents think of the idea"? Possibly that will be the first thing to address. I don't have any information on the legalities of travelling in Europe at that age, but I'm sure someone on the HelpLine will be able to offer some tips. At the least, you may have to have a letter from your parents stating that you have permission to travel on your own. You may be able to stay in Hostels. According to the HI Hostels website, age limits do apply in some cases, but these vary from country-to-country. There is an issue in some cases with "unaccompanied minors". You might also consider budget Hotels - the Guidebooks have good reliable listings. In terms of "safety issues", Europe is generally safe for travellers, but it's important to "do your homework" so that you're well aware of potential problems. As this appears to be your first trip to Europe, I'd highly recommend that both of you read Europe Through The Back Door before you get into the planning. Good luck!

Your best source of information for your age is the "Let's Go" travel series. These books are specifically written for young people with more spare time than money (Rick Steves' books are more suited to adults with a steady income). The key to being safe as a young adult in Europe is avoiding the situations where some of the more reptilian members of society would take advantage of you. Mainly... keep yourself sober.

Let's to to the legal issues: - you will need some documents authorizing to travel on your own out of US and to/from Europe. Easy, just papers and stuff. Your both parents need to agree with the trip and sign the form. - almost all hostels, for legal reasons, forbid minors, no matter if they are 17 or 7, to stay in dorms if not accompanied by a parent or relative. Some hostels ban minors from dorms altogether because of liability concerns. It is unlikely they would let your 18y.o. friend being the person responsible for you, so at most you would have to say in private rooms. Lodging would be your major hurdle - you can try check hostel policies on a case-by-case basis emailing them. - for that matter, most hotels are very strict about not allowing unaccompanied minors alone in a room, but it is easier to be allowed to do so with a friend over 18 than in hostels. - in certain countries, minimum age to enter certain places/parties is 20 ou 21. Safety is not an issue of a trip to Europe more than it would be in a trip from your city to New York, for instance. If you could postpone the trip one year, these hassles would go away.

Elena, Just a note of advice that you shouldn't plan on just telling the hostels that you are 18 when you are 17. Hotels, hostels, etc are required to keep note of who has been staying there, and they will make copies of your passport and/or write down information. They may not catch it, but they also may. Like someone else said, you may have to email hostels one by one and check what their standards are, if they would waive it for you. For example, one hostel I've stayed in said 21+, I asked if I could stay even though I was 20 and they said yes. However, I was legally of age at 20. The 17 vs 18 difference is likely to be a much bigger issue. I have no idea of your financial situation, and you don't need to share it of course--but want to make sure you are budgeting enough money for a month in Europe. I remember in high school I would constantly make little plans like the ones you are. I didn't end up going to Europe until college when I had more funds. Traveling is unfortunately very expensive! Best of luck on your plans. You may decide to delay it one year to avoid complications with being 17. You also may get more out of the travels after your first year of college.

I have just checked the websites for two hostels in the U.K. One was for the Youth Hostels Association (www.yha.org.uk), which runs hostels throughout the U.K. and one was a private backpackers hostel. Both indicated a minimum age of 16, except that the YHA took younger children when staying as part of an organised group. I don't know how about the situation in other European countries, but I would be very surprised if there is an age limit of 18. It is obviously something to check. Lots of European teenagers travel internationally on their own throughout the continent, and it would be considered a normal thing for an 18 year old to do. However, as a much older person, I would make the following comments. Have either of you been to Europe before? Have you travelled on your own in your own country? Have you ever been away from home for four continuous weeks? How well do you know your friend, and do you think you will remain friends if things get tough? You might find a two-week visit less stressful, and you should plan to return in future years. Can you make arrangements to have credit and atm cards? They can sometimes be age-dependent. You could ask your parents for a credit card on their account, which would ensure that you would always have access to funds. Unless you look very young, no-one is going to question your right to be out and about on your own. You may need to carry your passport to prove your age to get into clubs or buy alcohol. Other forms of ID may not be accepted. As to safety, the best advice is to stay together, avoid too much drink and any drugs, and just be sensible.

I think it's great that you considering this trip. I would think the first thing you need to do is create a "working" itinerary: What countries would you like to visit. Once you figure that out, you would then need to look into the laws regarding age requirements for hostels (internet searches and/or a good guidebook, such as the Let's Go ones would help with this). To help with this part, go to your local library and check out the most up to date version of a guidebook geared towards hosteling. Contact the hostels if need be. You can easily purchase an international calling card as a 7-Eleven type store and keep in mind the time difference. Only with this beginning step of research will you be able to figure out whether you can stay at places and whether to go ahead with further planning. I would also look into requirements for airlines regarding minors flying without adults. They may give you more problems. It may be as simple as getting a notarized letters with parent signature stating that they allow you to travel.
Regarding safety, do what you do here. Be responsible about drug and alcohol use, ignore and don't go off with strangers, stay together, and be aware of surroundings.

If you're going to college in the fall, you should consider that schedule, and maybe move the trip closer to/into June. There are orientations, paperwork, packing, etc that will fill up the weeks before you go away.

Elena - it is easier than you think. No problems flying (minors fly all the time without their parents), most hostels state if there is an age limit (so you can check this out ahead of time), Europe is easier and safer (imo) than road tripping around the U.S. My daughter also went to Europe when she was not quite 18. She was not able to get into certain clubs but most pubs, bars, etc. did not have an age limit. She even signed up for a "pub crawl" that was held at one of the hostels they stayed at in Rome. My one piece of advice though is to plan out as many of the stays and your transportation ahead of time. The good hostels in safe areas are often booked ahead of time just like regular hotels. My daughter and friends did stay in a not so nice one in the Red Light district of Amsterdam (the better ones were booked) and they didn't enjoy being a young female in that area. And come back to this board for more tips once you have an idea of what you want to see and do - you'll get lots of help!