TV star Kirstie Allsopp has sparked debate about the age at which children should go on holiday alone when she revealed that her 15-year-old son went on an Interrail trip around Europe with his 16-year-old friend this summer.
Earlier this week, she revealed on X that her son had recently returned from his travels. “My little boy has returned from a three-week Interrail trip. He turns 16 on Wednesday. Due to hostel and travel restrictions, he travelled with a friend who is already 16.”
“They organized the whole thing: Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin, Munich, Marseille, Toulouse, Barcelona and Madrid,” she wrote.
“For obvious budgetary reasons, Interrail is not an option for everyone, but in this increasingly risk-averse world, it is important that we find all possible ways to give our children the confidence that only trusting in them comes.
“Of course I missed the summer with our son, but I am so proud of him and my loss is nothing compared to his gain and the encyclopedic knowledge he now has about the differences between one McDonald’s and another. If we are afraid, our children will be afraid too. If we let go, they will flee.”
The Location, Location, Location presenter also appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme to talk about her decision to let him go.
“He’s a very sensible young man,” she said. “He’s never been in trouble at school, so when he said he wanted to do this, I thought, ‘Good, OK, well done.'”
While some expressed concerns about whether Allsopp’s son was old enough for such an adventure without adult supervision, others praised the TV presenter for encouraging her teenager’s independence.
So how do parents know when the right time is to let their children travel alone?
“When is the right time to let your child go on holiday alone is a nuanced decision that requires a deep understanding of your child’s psychological and emotional development,” says psychologist and relationship counselor Barbara Santini.
“It is a great challenge for parents to reconcile their child’s natural protective instinct with their need for independence.”
Santini says the key to navigating this complex decision-making process is to focus on maturity markers and individual readiness rather than set age milestones.
“One of the fundamental aspects that needs to be assessed is the child’s ability to cope with unexpected situations,” she says.
“Unlike adults, children and adolescents may not have the cognitive abilities to handle emergencies or complex social interactions independently. Therefore, their readiness for a solo vacation depends largely on their problem-solving skills, their experience in dealing with unfamiliar environments, and their ability to follow safety guidelines without direct supervision.”
In addition, emotional maturity plays a crucial role.
“A child who can regulate his emotions well, communicate his needs clearly and maintain self-discipline in different situations may be better prepared to travel independently,” Santini continues.
“Parents can assess these characteristics through everyday observations and by granting gradually increasing responsibilities that simulate the demands of traveling alone.”
How to tell if your child is ready to go on holiday alone
Santini has put together some guidelines and tips for parents considering this step.
Start with structured settings
Before allowing your children to go on a completely solo vacation, test their readiness through supervised trips, such as school trips or short stays with family members in different cities. “These experiences can serve as a safe trial run,” explains Santini.
Assess decision-making competence
Involve your child in planning family activities or managing certain aspects of home life to observe their decision-making skills. “This approach provides practical insight into their ability to take on greater responsibilities,” adds Santini.
Implement a security and communications strategy
Discuss and practice what to do in different situations, from losing a wallet to dealing with health issues. “Make sure your child is familiar with communication tools and set clear guidelines about how often and in what ways to reach out,” says Santini.
Cultural and legal considerations
If the vacation includes travel to another country, it is important to educate children about the cultural norms and legal expectations there, which may differ significantly from those at home.
“By addressing these areas, you can better assess when your child is ready to take the step of vacationing alone and ensure they do so safely and confidently,” adds Santini.
Children travelling alone: the facts
If your child is travelling abroad, different laws apply depending on the destination country. For example, according to Gov.UK, children aged 17 and under travelling to Portugal alone must: be met at the airport or entry point by their parent or guardian, or carry a travel authorisation from their parent or guardian.
In other countries, such as Spain and Greece, they are more generous, but it is still advisable to check with the embassy of the respective country before booking.
If your child wants to travel by plane, you should check with the airline, as different rules apply for travelers under 18 years of age without parents.
