Minors Traveling Alone in Germay and Possibly Beyond

Hi Janet, my personal take; just the fact that kids under 18 are not allowed to stay in hostels on their own and that it may require a notarized letter, etc. should tell you it's probably NOT a good idea. In general, I just think it has a lot to do w/ the particular child; some 17 yr olds ARE very mature.......others, DEFINITELY not! I have a 17 yr old niece I love to pieces.....but I don't think she's mature enough at all to embark on such a trip. While I'm sure he's a good kid, you trust him, etc., and that all would go smoothly, it does seem sort of young to travel to foreign countries w/o an adult. I also think it has a lot to do with how savvy/street smart a kid is and if they've already spent a lot of time away from home/on their own (say, at summer camp far from home). Kids who live in large cities generally tend to be more savvy in this regard, which I think helps them in cities abroad (again, totally my opinion only!.....although I'd wager that I'm not too far-off on this point!) Once a kid IS 18, in college (maybe in college far from home, so used to living on his own, etc.) or even a few yrs older, I think it's fine. But, of course, you know your son (and yourself!) best, so you have to do what YOU feel most comfortable with. Good luck.

First you need to understand the concept of minor': Most countries have three key ages: drinking, consent, and maturity. There is not much dependable uniformtiy between countries and the age for all three is not always the same in any one country. Seventeen is probably above the mark for most, but is also probably below the mark for a few. You can probably google tables. Hostels set their own age limits which vary. I've stayed in some rural ones that had kids in there under the limit, but they were pretty decent kids and they said nobody had checked. I haven't stayed in a urban hostel in europe in years. This question is asked here periodically and I've never seen a definite answer, mostly wild guesses, the need for some form, and the ever-constant enjoiners to 'exercise the usual precatuions' (whatever they are) and to wear a money belt. I've known kids that went with a form, but never had to show it. Here's my anecdotal information: My younger daughter moved herself to France for her junior year of high school when she was fifteen. She made all the arrangements, I gave her money and took her to the airport. She had no form. She came home for a year, then moved herself to Paris for four years of college - - no form, more money and a credit card, small cell phones hadn't been invented. I don't understand the insurance questions except to say that during the twerp's first trip she had her appendix taken out and we found out about it when she mentioned it in a letter a few weeks later. I've forgotten how the payment was resolved.

Janet,, kids in Europe travel around alot younger then they do here. My neices are german and we sent my 14 yr daughter over to spend month with them last year. Aunt bought her a train pass and off the girls went( one was 14 one was 15) to visit towns around them,, go to pools etc.. ( they live in a very small town) My neices were taking 45 minute train rides to school on regular trains alone,, from about age 10. Have you talked to friends parents, you may be surprised that they will be surprised by your concerns. I get it, it made me nervous that my dd was training about on her own, but kids there cannot rely on mom and dad taxis the way they do here,, they are taking public trains much younger then you think. If son is level headed I would consider it .. perhaps a cell phone so he can check in with you,, and I will also assume the local boys may know of plans they can stay, its not actually illegal for 17 yr olds to travel around, . Remember , a year from now boys his age can be sent to wartorn foreign countries,, he is going to a peaceful country..

GREAT suggestion re: cell phone! In my 40s here, so WELL recall the days of traveling to Europe and elsewhere before we all had cell phones attached to our hands. When I was in college, I spent a semester of my Jr year abroad in the early 90s (was at Tel Aviv University in Israel), so would have to go down to the local pay-phone to call home, say, once a week or so. And remember also calling in to my parents, also around once a week or so, when I back-packed in Europe after my sr yr. But today, of course, it's much easier for parents to stay in touch (through cell phones, Facebook/other social media, etc.) w/ they're kids when they are far from home (unlike in the "dark ages!" of 1992!). So, if you do allow him to go, you could certainly be in constant/semi-constant communication w/ him. Something I didn't factor in in my response above. I STILL DO think it's a tad young, but, again, IF you think he's mature enough........

Janet,, its nerve wracking I know, but when you think,, in one year he could do this without your permission,, and then perhaps refuse to keep in touch,, maybe its better now where by being agreeable you can set limits and condtions that he will follow because he's thrilled you gave him the trust .
My daughter had her cousins are planning a similar trip as your son, after high school,, for a few months, she still has two and a half years left, but she will only turn 18 one month before her trip! I do trust her , and I know my neices are very good (straight A's no drugs etc) girls and they are very experienced at being on their own, but its hard to let go.. I have to say, I also have two sons,, and frankly, at almost 22 I would hate my eldest to do same trip,, hes too flakey,, so , it really does depend on child. Good luck

My daughter was still 17 whe she went on her trip to Europe with her 18 year old friends. She slept in hostels and hotels (with the other girls), got on the plane and through immigration with only her own passport (no letters from me), and did at least one "pub crawl" that was organized by her hostel in Rome. The only time she got turned away was in one or two "clubs" (I think both were in London) where she had to be 18 to enter. We have also taken my goddaughter on two European trips before she was 18 without any legal papers and she was never questioned about traveling "alone". And if you are talking about health insurance, we've never done anything extra even when my daughter spent a year in France.

I would get extra medical insurance, we did for my daugher when she visited relatives last year, and I always do when I go.. your home coverage likely does not cover repatriation ,, etc,, its cheap, less then 100-150 bucks and worth everything if you need it!

I would have let my son do this trip at 17. He's 22 now, has grown up traveling around Europe with me, and is very mature. I moved to Paris on my own when I was 18 and lived and worked there for a year. But I don't think that was your question... I think talking to his friends parents is a very good idea. I think they will probably be able to answer a lot of your specific questions. And I agree with Pat, I would definitely get travel insurance for him. Insuremytrip.com is a good website for that.

Not answering directly the questions - I have no kids so don't have an opinion - but just to mention (from your OP) that since the Velvet Revolution (Czech: sametová revoluce) or Gentle Revolution (Slovak: nežná revolúcia) there has been no Czechoslovakia. That was in 1989, longer than your lad has been alive.

Thanks, Nigel. Sometimes my pre-1990 education leads me astray. I should have said Czech Republic.