When is a teenager old enough to go on the train alone?

daisiegg

Ok, I just wanted to get some outside opinions to kind of help me decide whether it's worth me pushing an issue or not.

Do you think a 15 and a half year old is old enough to travel on a train from Manchester to London on their own, if they are put on by a parent at one end and met by a parent at the other, and have an assigned seat in a first class carriage? The train only stops once along the way.

Said teenager regularly uses public transport in and out of Manchester including going to gigs late at night with no adult supervision, riding buses at midnight (which I personally would NOT let a 15 yr old do!) etc, and has done the Manchester-London journey multiple times before with an adult.

FBaby

My answer is to say of course and am actually amazed that this isn't obvious at that age, but then it totally depends on the child so really, only those knowing the teenager can really answer.

My DD is 12 and 9 and soon, I will be arranging for them to take a 1/2 train ride every week to see their dad. It will mean putting them on the train, but possibly them walking to their dad (station only around the corner). However, my kids are VERY mature for their age, so although it could shock people here it doesn't shock those who know them.

daisiegg

FBaby, I am totally with you (and in fact have thought it would be ok for about a year and a half). Just wanted to know if I'm being unreasonable.

Nicki

Yes. In another 6 months said child could legally (with parental consent) be living independently, be married and be having a child of their own. A fairly safe journey such as the one you describe should be fine.

My parents used to get me to do a 25 mile bus journey from a small village in Ireland to a major city on my own aged 10 each week. I would leave school unaccompanied and get the bus, and be met at the other end by my 15 year old brother. There were many stops in different towns en route. I personally wouldn't allow my own 12 year old son to do that, but on the other hand I never came to any harm and wasn't in the least traumatised by the experience and grew up to be an independent and confident adult.

HappyMJ

Why first class? I've ridden an overnight train, taken an overnight bus and also flown the same route in standard at 12 yrs old alone (actually it was with my sister who is 3 years younger than me so she would have been 9). It depends on the child but 15...definitely. Of the 3 methods of transport the train was by far the safest and easiest.

MrsAckroyd

My son is 11 & did this journey last summer to visit some friends. I put him on the train at Stockport & he was met off the train at Euston. He was sat in the carriage where the staff were based & had his mobile with him, so I called him every 30 mins or so to make sure he was ok.

There were no stops between stations, so he couldn't get lost. He's also sensible enough to know not to talk to strangers etc.

I think it's good for kids to have a bit of independence.

My son had a fab time & now has the confidence to know that he can do it again if he wants to.

So, in answer to your question, I would say, as long as the 15 year old is sensible, then yes, they are old enough to make the journey alone.

daisiegg

Thanks everyone.. Now I suppose the question is, do I push it or just grit my teeth and leave it alone?!

Taadaa

I think as he has experience of using public transport on his own, I think this would be fine. My son will be 14 in the summer, and towards the end of the year I am considering allowing him to make a 45 minute journey, being put on and met at the other end as you describe.

On a seperate note, reading people's experiences of what they were allowed to do when they were kids - with respect, we live in a different world now and we aren't going back to those halcyon days any time soon.

daisiegg

HappyMJ wrote: »

Why first class? I've ridden an overnight train, taken an overnight bus and also flown the same route in standard at 12 yrs old alone (actually it was with my sister who is 3 years younger than me so she would have been 9). It depends on the child but 15...definitely. Of the 3 methods of transport the train was by far the safest and easiest.

First class just I suppose to make it more palatable to the person who doesn't want it to happen. And because, if you book far enough in advance, it's virtually the same price.

fluffnutter

daisiegg wrote: »

Do you think a 15 and a half year old is old enough to travel on a train from Manchester to London on their own.

Yes.

What do people think is going to happen on a train fgs?! That said teenager falls off it? That they have a mental breakdown and confuse Stockport with London and get off after ten minutes. That they can't read the sign that says 'Euston' and stay on the train wondering why it's not going anywhere? That they get murdered by the driver? Honestly, it's a train, not war-torn Afghanistan.

And who buys a teenager a first class ticket??! They can slum it in standard, surely

zaksmum

Yes, I think at fifteen and a half the teenager will be fine. And you have to give them a bit of independence at that age. They don't want a parent hanging over them all the time.