not sure if this is a good idea ?

RadoJo

I lived in London at that age adn felt quite safe travelling around on the Tubes and trains - familiarity is the real key as it can be a bit intimidating when there are hundreds of commuters thrashing past you, but once you know where you are going it is much easier. Once she has done it with you a couple of times I am sure she will feel happy about it and prove to you that there is nothing to fear but fear itself!

This could be an opportunity to show your daughter how an independent young woman can take care of herself without being intimidated - maybe if you think of it like that it won't be so daunting!

tanith

I think the main thing is how your almost 14yr old feels about tackling this journey on her own? I must admit I lived in London all my life but haven't often travelled on the tube but I find it daunting finding my way around some of the underground stations whenever I have used them and I am an older grownup. I asked my daughter about letting her 14yr old travel around central London alone and she said it would be ok if there were someone with her but she would defo find it worrying if she were alone.... a difficult decision and only one you can make....

silvercar

I wonder if the school organises transport to the station; she can't be the first pupil travelling out of London.

To be honest Kings Cross is large and sprawling, very easy to get lost - there is more than one main line station, major upheavel at the moment as they improve the area and is known as a red light area.

Could she travel from a suburban stop like Watford or Stevenage?

melancholly

i bet she will visit london a lot while she's at the school and will find the whole tube thing easy after the first few times! she'll be an expert compared to you in no time!

she could always ring when she leaves the school, ring again when she arrives in london, then ring once she's on the train. then you have peace of mind.

i was happy to go up to london on my own at 14/15 - and my parents were happy to let me! bad things can happen anywhere, and as long as she's not travelling late at night or anything, it should be relatively safe. if you do it with her the first few times, then it should be fine.