how old have you got to be to travel abroad on your own from uk?

Answer 1

Hard to give specific info as would need to know how you were travelling, who with and where you were going.

If you're under 18 you need consent from your parent or guardian - they can prevent you travelling.

If you're under 18 you may have difficulty booking as some booking and travel agencies require reservations to be booked by adults. Automated payments such as online ones require a credit or debit card which are only available to people aged 18 or over. It's all to do with contract law - a person under 18 can't enter into a contract and no carrier is going to want to transport anyone or anything that can't be governed by their terms and conditions.

Assuming you have permission and the tickets to travel than any age limits are as set by the company themselves. Travel companies are private businesses and as such can impose whateve rules and regulations they like (within reason). You may find that one company refuses to let you travel with them but another one allows it.

Some airlines have a rule that any child must be accompanied by an adult - not necessarily a parent or gaurdian, it could be a fellow passenger who is prepared to accept responsibility for the child.

You need to check in advance with the travel company and ask what their policy is. You also need to consider entry into the country of destination. Again, each country is free to set it's own rules and there are minimum age limits and other requirements that need to be met before you'll be permitted to enter. A good travel agency should be able to advise on these matters as will the embassy or consulate of the country you're visiting.

If you want a more specific answer please post another question stating how you intend to travel (plane, train, ferry, coach etc), which country or countries you're visiting and ideally which company you're travelling with.

Answer 2

over 14... nope... i just found this.

Airline Regulations

No airline will allow a child under the age of 5 to travel alone, although some will allow a child under 5 to travel with a companion as young as 12. Most airlines will not allow a child under the age of 8 to take a flight that requires changing planes to make a connection. Any child under 12 who has to make a connecting flight will be escorted by an employee of the airline. Southwest Airlines does not allow any child under the age of 12 to take connecting flights. Although children between the ages of 12 and 15 are not automatically escorted, the parent or GUARDIAN making the travel arrangements can ask the airline to assist the child.

Accompanied minors usually pay half or reduced fare when flying. Unaccompanied minors are required to pay full fare, as well as an additional service fee of between $30 and $75 each way (the price is higher when the child has to make a connection). On most airlines, that fee will cover more than one minor traveling within the same party.

Airlines usually require that a parent or guardian fill out a form with all relevant information about the child. While the airline does not generally take actual guardianship of the child during the flight, one of the personnel is generally assigned to look after the child. Solo child travelers usually have to wear a button or badge to make them easy to identify by airline staffers.

Some children are required to take medication. Airline personnel will not dispense medication to the child, but if the child is able to administer his or her own medication, the airline will allow the child to carry that medicine. The form that parents and guardians fill out asks for a list of medications or other medical issues that may be important for staffers to know.

Most airlines will not allow minors to take the last flight of the day. The reason is that, air travel being subject to such unforeseen circumstances as weather, there is always a chance of delay. If a late evening flight is delayed, it means passengers will probably have to wait until the next morning to catch another flight. A stranded child clearly presents more difficulties to the airline than a stranded adult.

Answer 3

You MUST be at least 16. The Cabin Crew REFUSE to accept responsibility for any one younger travelling on there own.

My Aunt had to come back from different parts of Africa to collect her daughters from boarding school for the summer holidays as the Airlines wouldn't let them travel without someone who was over 16.

Answer 4

We used to travel as unaccompanied minors a lot but never on a connecting flight trip. I wouldn't risk that with child snatchers these days (although the direct ones I am sure are fine). Check airline policy on their websites.

Answer 5

I beleive the age is 16 however, you may be able to get a chaperone on some flights for 13 - 16 yr olds - it depends on who the airline is and there is a charge I beleive

Answer 6

my brother was 7, I think I was 5 and he was 8 the first time I went. we used to visit my grandparents in Spain every year.
You speak to the airline and get escorted by staff everywhere you go. Actually on your own, without staff escort was 12 when I was a kid.

Answer 7

if you are talking package holidays with friends you need a written letter from parents if under 18.

Answer 8

With parents permission anyage, without parents permission you must be 16.