Solo international travel for an under-18yo?

[Gwen in VA]

My son received the surprise email of the year this morning -- an offer of an expenses-paid trip to India. (yes, it's for real -- long story behind the invitation)

 

From the logistics stance -- are minors allowed to travel internationally alone? (He would be meeting people in India; we would probably arrange to have him fly over with another American)

 

Besides the safety issues, what other issues might come up with an unaccompanied minor traveling to a remote country?

[Matryoshka]

Good question. I'm not sure when the cut-off for kids flying unaccompanied alone is, but I'm not sure it's 18. I admit my anecdotes are ancient and the rules may have changed completely, but I flew to Mexico alone when I was 15 (even changed planes myself), and we had relatives from Germany visit us alone when they were 15 and 16 years old.

 

In Mexico they almost put me on a plane back home because my mom hadn't notarized a letter giving permission for me to be there... so correct paperwork is a must.

[KAR120C]

My son received the surprise email of the year this morning -- an offer of an expenses-paid trip to India. (yes, it's for real -- long story behind the invitation)

 

From the logistics stance -- are minors allowed to travel internationally alone? (He would be meeting people in India; we would probably arrange to have him fly over with another American)

 

Besides the safety issues, what other issues might come up with an unaccompanied minor traveling to a remote country?

I'm sure the age limits have changed since I was a kid, but my one big contribution -- make sure he's crystal clear on the security procedures. Teenagers traveling alone (and probably male teenagers more than female) can be a red flag for security. It doesn't mean they can't go - just that it's doubly-important that they not do anything silly like forgetting they have a pocket knife or something. Also, if he doesn't have a drivers license he should definitely consider a state ID card. First because it's "proof of address" (which we needed even for DS when we applied for the visa to go to India) and because official cards are very comforting to the security guys.

[Laura Corin]

Calvin travelled from London to Hong Kong alone when he was about eleven. Because of his age, we needed to pay extra for the airline to keep an eye on him. We filled out paperwork with details of exactly who would drop him off and pick him up.

 

Is it a direct flight? Has he flown a lot? How would he cope if delayed in a foreign airport? Has he travelled overseas before? How does he feel about it?

 

Laura

[Gwen in VA]

He'll be 17 3/4 at the time of the trip. He has only flown once before ever, and he's never been out of the country, but he's an independent sort -- he's done solo long-distance bicycling and backpacking trips. 150 years ago, at this point in his life he would be working on a clipper ship -- with my dh's and my blessing! This offer stems from the kind of kid he is.

 

He is very enthusiastic about it. Given how resourceful he is, I'm honestly not that worried about HIM; I'm worried about the legalities of the whole process.

[J-rap]

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Edited February 19, 2023 by J-rap

[Ester Maria]

There is such a thing as "unaccompanied minor" status, and really, you can be a lot younger than 18 to fly in that status. They charge an additional fee to keep an eye on the kid, and if you have two kids in that status, sometimes they charge only one; the problems might occur on long flights and connecting flights with very young children (very young as in 9-10, not 16-17). I don't know what's the age limit though; it's important to agree on everything in advance though, especially with children who have not flown internationally on their own before.

 

If a minor is flying with somebody else who is not a relative, it's always good to have a written statement that you as parents agree with that, bla bla. Sometimes even if a child is flying with one parent with a different last name or something that's good to have.

 

At his age, though, there should be perfectly no problems whatsoever.

[Teachin'Mine]

Unless the rules have recently changed, there is no problem for a teenager to travel alone internationally. I hope he has an awesome trip!!! :)

[Nan in Mass]

We always made a packet of papers for them. In it we put copies of their traveller's checks, copies of their insurance information, a record of their vaccinations, emergency contact information, copies of their flight information (both ways), copies of their passport, contact information for anybody that they are meeting, and a notorized piece of paper with their name, address, birthday, our phone numbers, and a brief statement saying that our son had permission to travel alone and with (names of anyone he might be with) both inside and outside the USA signed by both parents. We then make copies of this. A notorized copy of the permission goes in the child's passport. The full packet goes in their carry-on luggage. We have a copy. We make a copy for whoever the child is travelling with if the child is under about 15. We give a copy to my parents (an emergency contact). My parents and I put our packets near the phone where it can be grabbed easily in case there is a long-distance fuzzy payphone call (not the time to say just a minute dear while I go try to find your information).

 

For the places we've flown, the escorted travel fee had to be paid if the child was under 14. Many airports have websites, so we pull up a map and make sure the child knows how to make all the connections. We emphasize and reemphasize that the first thing one does when changing planes it go to the gate, then one can go to the bathroom, find something to eat, walk about a bit, or whatever. That way, if finding the gate involves a shuttle or a long walk or security, you aren't caught by surprise. We also tell them to go up to the gate attendent when they first arrive and ask if they are in the right place.

 

We've never had a problem, but we have only dealt with Japan and Europe.

 

I make sure mine have anything essential for their trip in their carryon. In my children's case, that means rain gear, several sets of spare socks, toothbrush, hat, sunglasses, an extra shirt and underpants, and boots. They could conceivably do their entire trip with just that, provided someone gave them one of their extra blankets and a cup and bowl. Anyway, the point is, if they are doing anything scheduled when they arrive, they need to have enough of their gear with them that they can leave right away, even if their checked luggage doesn't arrive. I label everything with their name. This turns out to be important enough that my children, even as older teens, think it is a good idea. Group travel is rather communal and they like being able to reclaim their "borrowed" nice wool socks. When my son went to Northern Ireland, I got an Irish contact number for him, someone who would come bail him out if need be, and wrote it into the hem of his shirts. If the child is on the young side, I make sure their in-country contact information is written on cards so they can put one in their pocket or bag easily. Your son, being older, should be able to deal with that himself. I send ibuprophen and imodium and tums with them so they can deal with any minor medical issues themselves, and a spare toothbrush. We make sure they have a map and a journal. We try to make sure they know about any local hazards, like potable water, chiggers, stinging nettles, prejudism, landslides, recent current events, political climate, etc. We make sure to emphasize that they will be targeted by security people as young males and make sure they know to watch their stuff, be polite and respectful, and try to look cleancut (difficult when you have just been on what amounts to an extensive camping trip). For example, we have sent knives, but I've insisted they be Swiss army knives, not anything scary-looking. We send button-up shirts, not teeshirts, and khakis, not jeans. Teeshirts and jeans take forever to dry, anyway, are heavy, hot, and pack large. Their pj's double as long underware and their bathing suit doubles as shorts. But you can figure all that part out.

 

I hope he comes home safe and sound, has just enough adventures to have some fun stories but not enough to discourage future travel, meets some wonderful people, learns a ton, and generally finds the trip worthwhile.

 

I approve of your clipper ship example : ).

 

-Nan

[Gwen in VA]

Thank you all. You have been so encouraging, and it is great to hear that others have done this.

 

I also appreciate all the concrete suggestions. I will be organizing and printing them out!

 

I haven't traveled much since my college days, so your words of wisdom and experience are really appreciated.