What is the Legal Age to Travel Alone in the UK?

It doesn't seem like a minute since your kids couldn't cross the road without holding your hand. But before you know they are growing up and wanting greater independence. As then teen years come around you might be faced with this question - at what age can children safely and legally travel alone in the uk and abroad?

This article highlights the laws regulating solo travel for unaccompanied minors, offering clear and practical advice for parents and guardians of children and teenagers. We've also got some great tips and tools that can help give you peace of mind as your kids being to spread their wings.

What are the legal age limits for children on public transport

The perception of children traveling alone can vary widely. In some cultures, children traveling alone at a young age is common and socially acceptable, while in others, it may be frowned upon. The general safety of the community and the child’s familiarity with their surroundings can significantly impact the decision to allow them to travel alone.

In most countries parents of under-16-year-olds are legally responsible for making sure their child is safe and well. However parents are still legally responsible for their child until they reach 18 (or 21 in some US states.) This means that while there are no specific laws against children traveling alone, parents must ensure their child’s safety, and failure to do so could lead to prosecution for neglect.

Additionally most travel operators issue general guidance on unaccompanied children travelling. You'll find this information summarised below.

Can children travel alone on trains in the UK?

Train operators in the UK recommend that children should be at least 12 years old before they travel alone by train.

Unfortunately there are UK train operators do not offer a chaperone service, and if staff see a young child travelling alone or have concerns they are trained to contact the British Transport Police for advice and assistance.

At what age can a child travel alone on buses?

The guidance issued by different bus companies varies slightly, here is the guidance from the main national bus operators in the UK for children travelling alone.

National Express

Children under 14 years must be accompanied by an adult over 16 years old.

Daytime Travel Only

Kids between 14-16 years old may travel unaccompanied between 5am and 10pm. The scheduled arrival time must be before 10pm when the journey is booked.

Children may be asked to provide and ID and a signed letter of permission from their parent/guardian. Importantly the letter but a physical copy. Text messages, screenshots or a phone call from a parent will not be accepted.

Megabus UK

Daytime Travel

For travel between 5am until midnight, children under 15 years old must travel with another passenger who is over 16 years old. Young people between 15-17 years old may travel alone but must provide written confirmation from a parent or guardian using this form.

Overnight Travel

For travel between midnight and 5am young people aged 15 years or under must travel with a passenger who is 18 years old. Young people who are between 16-17 years old may travel alone but must provides written confirmation from a parent or guardian using the same form.

Young people must be under 18 to book journeys that involve changing coaches or international travel.

Transport for London (TfL)

Children aged 11-15 years old can travel alone on TfL services like buses, trams, the London Underground, the Overground, and the DLR. They need a Zip Oyster photocard, which will allow them free travel on buses and trams and at a discounted rate on other TfL services.

Young people who are 16+ years old can apply for a 16+ Zip Oyster photocard and also receive discounted travel.

TfL advise that parents should make sure their children are familiar with their routes, have important contact information, and understand how to ask TfL staff for help if needed.

Eurostar

The Eurostar connects the UK with mainland Europe. Children aged 12-15 years old can travel alone between the UK, France and Belgium between the hours of 06:00 and 17:00 local time. Children under 16 can't travel alone on the Eurostar between London and the Netherlands.

The young person must carry a completed unaccompanied minor form throughout their journey. This form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian in the presence of a Eurostar staff member at the departure station.

By signing the form, the parent or guardian agrees that the child will travel unaccompanied and be treated as an adult passenger, meaning no Eurostar staff supervision will be provided. Arrangements must also be made for the child to be met upon arrival.

Can children fly alone?

What is the Unaccompanied Minor Service?

Many airlines offer an unaccompanied minor service to ensure the safety of children flying alone. Policies and rules regarding unaccompanied minors flying alone vary among airlines; some provide escort or chaperone services, while others permit older children to fly independently. This service includes supervision by airline staff from the check-in desk to the boarding gate, through the flight, and until they are handed over to a responsible adult at the arrival airport.

Unaccompanied Minor Age Requirements?

Unaccompanied minor services are typically mandatory for children aged 5 to 11 traveling on flights without an adult, ensuring they receive assistance from check-in to arrival. For children aged 12 to 17, the service is usually optional, though parents may still opt for it to ensure additional supervision. Most airlines require that children under 5 travel with an adult, while those aged 15 and older can generally fly alone without any special arrangements, although support can be requested in case of flight disruptions. Specific age requirements and policies can vary, so it's important to check with the airline before booking.

Children Travelling on Domestic Flights

Some UK airlines allow young people under 16 travel on domestic flights and offer specific guidance for minors flying unaccompanied.

Children travelling alone usually require an adult fare. It is also worth noting that children under 16 are exempt from Air Passenger Duty tax and you should check that this has been deducted from the ticket price.

Most airlines require an adult to arrive at the airport and remain in the terminal until the flight is airborne. Additionally, some airlines have restrictions or do not accept unaccompanied minors on routes that require a connecting flight or stopover.

British Airways

British Airways offer domestic flights across the UK and international flights worldwide.

Children aged 14 or older can travel alone on all British Airways flights. Those under 16 must carry a completed parental consent form and a copy of their parent or guardian's identification as well as their own.

British Airways no longer offer their Solo Traveller service for children under 14 years old, and children below this age must be accompanied by someone aged 16 or older.

Sun Air

Sun Air, a partner airline of British Airways, allows young children travelling without a parent or legal guardian and at the age of 5-11 years to travel as an unaccompanied minor. There is limited capacity for unaccompanied minors, and you must contact the airline before making a booking.

Before the flight a parent or guarding needs to complete Handling Advice for Unaccompanied Minor form.

EasyJet

EasyJet operates numerous domestic routes across the UK, including connections between London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, and Bristol. EasyJet does not allow children under 16 to travel alone.

Ryanair

Ryanair provides domestic flights including connections between London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Belfast, and Bristol. Ryanair does not allow children under 16 to travel alone.

Eastern Airways

Eastern Airways offers flights across the United Kingdom, with connections to selected international destinations like Italy, France and Norway.

Children between 12-15 years old can travel unaccompanied on UK domestic routes only if the parent/guardian confirms in writing the child is capable and willing to travel alone and understands assistance is not provided.

Children need to be booked as an adult on the website. Once confirmed you'll need to email to provide consent as a parent or legal guarding, the booking reference, child's date of birth and the names and contact details of the adults at departure and arrival.

Children under sixteen years can travel with their birth certificate if they do not hold a passport on UK domestic services. For travel to and from Ireland, however, requires a passport.

Loganair

Loganair offers regional flights within Scotland and connections to other UK cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and London.

Young people between 12-16 years old may travel with Loganair. Young people must pay the adult fare, and the booking should be made via Loganair's call centre.

A youth is exempt from paying the Government's Air Passenger Duty.

Can children travelling on an international flight alone?

Children and young people can travel on international flights with airlines that offer an unaccompanied minors service, which includes varying age ranges and requirements for these services. Here are the details for major airlines who offer this.

Lufthansa

Lufthansa offers Lufthansa care service for children between 5-11 who are travelling alone. The service is mandatory for children under 12, but can also be booked by parents for unaccompanied children from the age of 12 up to a maximum of 17 years.

The service costs between £75-£130 (€85-€150, $95-$170) depending on the destination and length of the journey.

The Lufthansa care service ensures that the children and their relatives feel they are in good hands before take-off, during the flight and after landing. On arrival, the flight crew will hand your child over to a member of staff who will then take your child to meet the person who is collecting them.

Air France

Provides a service called Kids Solo, available for children aged between 4 and 17 years old. This service includes special lounges in some airports and dedicated staff to accompany the child.

The Air France Kids Solo service is compulsory and included in the price of the ticket for unaccompanied children between 4 to 11 years old on flights within France and for those between 5 and 14 years old on international flights. Children are able to travel traveling alone without the Kids Solo service if they are over 12 years for domestic flights within France, or over 15 years old for international flights.

The price for the Kids Solo service ranges from €40 to €100 depending on whether the journey is domestic, international and requires connections or is direct.

Delta Air Lines

Delta Air Lines offers a comprehensive unaccompanied minor program for children between 5 - 17 years, offering features such as trackable wristbands, access to the Sky Zone lounge, and a personal escort throughout their journey. For children aged 5 to 7, travel is restricted to non-stop flights only, while those aged 8 to 14 may travel on connecting flights.

Teenagers aged 15 to 17 have the option to travel as standard passengers or as unaccompanied minors.

Bookings must be made by phone through the To determine eligibility and book a reservation for an unaccompanied minor, you must contact the Reservations team 800-325-8847.

The program requires an accompanying adult to manage check-in and pick-up processes. Delta charges a fee of $150 each way for up to 4 children travelling together.

American Airlines

American Airlines offer an unaccompanied minor service for children over 5 years old and over. This includes early boarding, access to kids-only lounges in hub cities, and complimentary activity kits for children aged 5-10. Flight attendants check on your child periodically, but continuous monitoring isn't provided. It's important for your child to know how to seek help by pressing the call button if needed.

Those aged 5-7 must travel on nonstop flights with our service, while those 8-14 can travel on nonstop or connecting flights. The service is optional for young adults aged 15-17 but comes with a fee, and they can also travel on nonstop or connecting flights.

Booking for an unaccompanied minor requires contacting the reservations team by phone. An unaccompanied minor form must be completed at check in along with a passport or birth certificate. At the airport, you'll receive a security pass to accompany your child to the gate. The cost for the unaccompanied minor service is $150 each way.

United Airlines

United Airlines offers an unaccompanied minor program for children traveling alone, ensuring their safety and comfort. The service is mandatory for kids aged 5-14 and optional for those 15-17.

During booking you’ll tell us who’s dropping your kids off and picking them up from the airport. If you need to change this info later, call us. You can buy unaccompanied minor tickets on united.com. Just make sure you select the right traveler age group. At the airport, children must check in at the ticket counter, receive a wristband, and be escorted through security.

On the plane, a flight attendant will check on them regularly, and provide assistance. It's recommended that parents provide their own snacks and entertainment. The fees each way are $150 for 1-2 children, $300 for 3-4 children, and $450 for 5+ children.

Qantas

Qantas provides a service for children aged 5-11 years old traveling alone. Children under 12 must be registered as unaccompanied minors if traveling without someone aged 15 or older. Children aged 12-17 can also travel as Unaccompanied Minors or Young Passengers, with limited assistance.

For domestic and short international routes, children aged 5-11 can travel alone on selected routes. For longer international flights, children aged 6-11 can travel alone on selected routes. Restrictions include no long or overnight connections. Children must carry a completed copy of the Quantas consent form.

Quantas specifies that children must manage eating, drinking, toilet use, and medication independently.

The fees are $55 for domestic and $90 for international flights. Bookings for domestic flights can be made online or via Qantas offices; for international flights, you'll need to contact Qantas by email or phone.

Young Passengers receive minimal assistance unless there's a flight disruption. For details, contact Qantas or a travel agent.

Virgin Atlantic

Virgin Atlantic requires passengers to be at least 14 years old to travel alone, with children aged 13 and under not permitted to travel unaccompanied. Those aged 14 to 15 must have a parent or guardian complete a consent form and provide a copy of their photo ID.

Young travelers need to check in at the airport with a parent or guardian and will be escorted through Customs and Immigration at specific destinations. They must carry all necessary travel documents, medications, and means of payment. Parents or guardians must wait at the airport until the flight departs and ensure the child does not leave the airport until meeting the designated adult.

KLM

KLM offers an Unaccompanied Minor service to ensure the safety and comfort of little ones traveling alone. For children aged 5 to 14, the service is mandatory if they are not accompanied by an adult aged 18 or older, or if traveling in a different class from the accompanying adult. For those aged 15 to 17, the service is optional.

To use the service, book the ticket and Unaccompanied Minor service via the KLM website at least 24 hours before departure. Provide details of the individuals bringing and picking up your child in My Trip. On the day of travel, bring your child to the check-in desk 2.5 hours before departure with valid identification and four signed copies of the pick-up form.

During the trip, KLM staff will accompany and monitor your child. Upon arrival, they will escort your child to the authorised pick-up person. The service costs an adult ticket price plus a surcharge: EUR 100-150 for direct flights and €200-300 for flights with transfers.

Emirates

Emirates offers an Unaccompanied Minor service for children traveling alone to ensure their safety and comfort throughout their journey. Children aged 5 to 11 traveling without an adult are required to use this service, which includes assistance from check-in to being handed over to the authorized pick-up person at their destination.

For young people aged 12-15, the service is optional but recommended. The cost for the Unaccompanied Minor service is $50 per child, per sector for direct flights, and $75 per child, per sector for connecting flights.

For safety and security, a legal parent or guardian will need to complete and sign a Declaration of Indemnity form before your child can fly. These are found at Emirates airport offices within the airport. It is essential to book the Unaccompanied Minor service in advance and provide all necessary details about the individuals bringing and picking up the child.

Singapore Airlines

Singapore Airlines offers an Unaccompanied Minor (UM) service for children traveling alone, ensuring their safety and comfort throughout the journey. This service is mandatory for children aged 5-12 traveling without an adult, and optional for those aged 12-17.

The service provides assistance from check-in, through the airport, and during the flight, with staff escorting the child at every step until they meet the designated guardian at the destination.

A parent or legal guardian must complete a  Unaccompanied Minors Handling Service Form and provide identification at check-in. The service fees vary based on the route and type of ticket, with specific costs provided at the time of booking. Bookings can be made directly with Singapore Airlines up to 24 hours before departure, through their website, customer service, or local offices.

For young people aged 12-18 years old travelling alone a parent or guarding must sign a different Unaccompanied Minors Waiver Form. The service is free for those under 12 years old and $50 for the optional service for 12-18 year olds.

Practical Safety Tips

As well as organising the booking you'll want to prepare your kids with the right documents, knowledge, and tools to make their journey smooth and stress-free. Here are some key steps to help prepare your child for their solo trip. Teaching them to navigate passport control and recognise airline staff, including ground and cabin crew is important. Here's a helpful checklist you can use before travel:

• Ensure your child has a valid passport and all necessary travel documents.

• Talk with your child about the process of check-in, security checks, and boarding procedures and how to recognise airline staff and cabin crew.

• Provide a mobile phone with emergency contact details.

• Use airline apps for real-time flight updates and ensure the pick-up adult is also informed.

• Evaluate your child's maturity and ability to handle unexpected situations.

• Build confidence through gradual steps if your child has traveled with family before.

• Pack necessary medications, snacks, and water, and ensure your child knows how to manage their health.

• Use apps like TripIt for planning and GPS trackers like Life360 for monitoring location.

Take Homes

As children grow up and seek independence, parents often wonder at what age they can safely and legally travel alone in the UK and abroad. This guide explains the laws and provides practical advice for parents of young travelers.

In the UK, children should be at least 12 years old to travel alone on trains. National Express allows children aged 14-16 to travel alone during the day with a signed permission letter, while Megabus permits unaccompanied travel for those aged 15-17 with written consent. For London public transport, children aged 11-15 can travel alone with a Zip Oyster photocard.

For flying, many airlines offer unaccompanied minor services. Virgin Atlantic requires travelers to be at least 14 to fly alone and mandates a consent form for those under 16. Other airlines, like British Airways and Emirates, have similar policies with specific age requirements and fees. Always check with the airline for detailed policies and ensure your child is well-prepared with all necessary documents and emergency contact information.