Teenage Travel Problem

[Jbird]

My sixteen year old daughter and her female friend want to go Berlin for a couple of days for a first little trip. We have been told by the high st. operators and air port/ferry/train/hotel operators that they wont accept their payments and bookings as they are not 18, can it be the case that teenagers cannot travel?

Any help or tips much appreciated

JB.

[ChillDoubt]

Probably that at that age they're not deemed an adult.

Berlin is a fantastic city but I'm not sure I'd like my 16 year old going that sort of distance as a 'first trip' away. It would be a very confident and street-wise person who travels there as their first trip abroad without parents.

[sara3]

I wouldn't let my 16 yr old go anywhere without a responsible adult!

[hc4361]

British Airways allow over 12s to fly alone.

Have you tried Thomas Cook? Give them a ring.
Thomas Cook lets 16- and 17-year-olds book some of its trips, depending on the brand. "In general, for parties that are under 18, written authority is required from a parent or legal guardian, who must sign the booking form in the presence of one of our sales consultants," said a spokeswoman. "The consultant may ask the parent/guardian to produce a copy of their passport showing their name and signature to prove their identity."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/jun/12/independent-teenage-holidays

I see nothing wrong with 16 year olds going to Berlin on their own.

[atalanta]

I traipsed across Europe on trains at the age of 15, ( and back again) and nobody batted an eyelid.
Did the same, different destination, at 19, and those were the days when you didn't get to be considered an adult until 21. Trains still run, they are probably cheaper, so why not try them ? Eurostar to Paris or Brussels, and change there for Berlin.

[Buenchico]

People under the age of 18 years can't enter into a legal contract, so it's unsurprising that 16-year-olds experience difficulties. Package deals are likely to be very difficult, if not impossible, to book. However booking each element individually should present no problems.

Ryanair carry unaccompanied 16 year-olds:
http://www.ryanair.com/en/terms-and-conditions#regulations-childreninfantsyoung
(They serve Berlin Schönefeld from East Midlands & Stansted).

easyJet is another possibility:
http://easyjet.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/4300
(easyJet serves Berlin Schönefeld from Edinburgh, Liverpoool, Luton, Gatwick, Manchester and, from June 17, Southend).

Jet2 is yet another option:
http://www.jet2.com/new/answers/travelling-with-children-and-animals
(Jet2 serves Berlin Schönefeld from Leeds/Bradford).

There are also no problems with BA:
http://www.britishairways.com/travel/childinfo/public/en_gb
(BA serves Berlin Tegel from Heathrow).

Lufthansa is OK as well:
http://www.lufthansa.com/online/portal/lh/uk/info_and_services/travel_preparation?nodeid=1770716&l=en
(Lufthansa fly to Berlin Tegel from Heathrow and, using Eurowings, from Birmingham).

There should also be no problems with Air Berlin:
http://www.airberlin.com/en-GB/site/faq.php?et_cid=128&et_lid=183&et_sub=eng_header_faq
(Air Berlin serve Berlin Tegel from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London City, Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester & Newcastle).

There are 89 hostels, 31 budget hotels and 10 B&Bs here
http://www.hostelworld.com/
all of which should accept young travellers.

The links here can provide information about bus and rail services, from both airports, into the city:
http://www.berlin-airport.de/EN/ReisendeUndBesucher/AnUndAbreise/AnfahrtBusUndBahn/SXF/OeffentlicheSXF.html

Chris

[livfromasuitcase]

If it is their first trip away on their own why not go for somewhere in the same country - that way you have less problems about accepting payments, you as a parent might have fewer worries, they will already know the culture and how to get around and there are really great youth hostels around that will take young people. When I was a teenager I wanted to travel with some friends and we looked into booking a holiday apartment so we could have our own space too. I don't know how many owners allow teenagers to book (we never went in the end as our parents decided they didn't want us to) but if they are sensible and if the owners can have contact with the parents first I imagine some might accept younger guests! I normally use this website when book holiday apartments: www.arivigo.com - I don't know what they have in England but they have lots of great ones in places like Berlin and Barcelona so maybe there would be some in other top destinations too.

[EvianBaby]

My Dad booked me on a flight to Cyrpus on my own to see a friend who lived there when I was 14. On the morning of travel the airline informed us I was too young to travel alone and wouldn't accept me. He then had to book an alternative flight with BA who had one of the flight attendants act as chaperone. .

[Sharingan]

I travel a lot alone and I'm 15. What I suggest is that you book for them in terms of travel arrangements and also book them into a hostel in Berlin, lots of really good ones especially the Generator Hostel which is cheap and super fun because it has a club on the ground floor and all the staff speak impeccable English and are very nice. They can drink beer and wine whilst there quite legally but not smoke legally or drink spirits. Berlin is fun and friendly,the underground runs really frequently and Taxi fares are reasonable. Be aware though if you call them on their mobiles it will eat their credit if they are on payg. Hope they have a great time xx

[friedgreentomato]

Sharingan, do you travel alone or go travelling alone?

[Sharingan]

I travel from the UK to Germany frequently and have also travelled with people of a similar age to me for weekends away and festivals etc.

[friedgreentomato]

ok thank you

[Sharingan]

No probs xx