Can a 17 year old american travel alone on a train from Rome to Venice?
Oct 16th, 2011, 04:09 PM
#1
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Can a 17 year old american travel alone on a train from Rome to Venice?
I will be in Europe with my grandparents, however I have been invited to go on a Greek Isles cruise with my friend that leaves from Venice. Is it possible for my grandparents to drop me off at the train station and then have my friend and his parents pick me up at the train station? What would happen when my grandparents try to fly home without me? will the airline let them on even though I wont be with them? So is it allowed and is it safe? I will be 17 almost 18 and am a guy if it makes a difference
Oct 16th, 2011, 04:16 PM
#5
Yes.
I would let my daughter who is 17 do this. Of course she has lived in Europe and is good at getting around and knowing what to do. But, she is a cute, tiny thing and so probably more of a target then a young man like you.
Just keep your luggage in sight, your wallet and passport on your person and don't fall asleep.
I'm betting you'll meet some nice people on the train.
It is perfectly acceptable to bring snacks and drinks on board.
A quick check I did said the cost is 124 USD and about 4 hours train time.
regarding your grandparents flying home - check with your airline on that...
Have a great time in Rome, on the Greek Isles and try to see a bit of Venice!
I would let my daughter who is 17 do this. Of course she has lived in Europe and is good at getting around and knowing what to do. But, she is a cute, tiny thing and so probably more of a target then a young man like you.
Just keep your luggage in sight, your wallet and passport on your person and don't fall asleep.
I'm betting you'll meet some nice people on the train.
It is perfectly acceptable to bring snacks and drinks on board.
A quick check I did said the cost is 124 USD and about 4 hours train time.
regarding your grandparents flying home - check with your airline on that...
Have a great time in Rome, on the Greek Isles and try to see a bit of Venice!
Oct 16th, 2011, 04:30 PM
#6
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I think you are asking two questions.
1. riding train alone to Venice, which you have already received many replies.
2. Grandparents are flying home without you. You have not elaborated the details, but is it the case that you and your grandparents have round trip tickets to and from Rome. The grandparents will finish using up their tickets by flying home on the return leg. I think there is a larger issue. Will you be postponing your return flight home until after the cruise? If the tickets are non refundable tickets, I think you will likely to incur hefty change fee plus the difference between the new (nearly always considerably more expensive) and the old are to fly home.
1. riding train alone to Venice, which you have already received many replies.
2. Grandparents are flying home without you. You have not elaborated the details, but is it the case that you and your grandparents have round trip tickets to and from Rome. The grandparents will finish using up their tickets by flying home on the return leg. I think there is a larger issue. Will you be postponing your return flight home until after the cruise? If the tickets are non refundable tickets, I think you will likely to incur hefty change fee plus the difference between the new (nearly always considerably more expensive) and the old are to fly home.
Oct 16th, 2011, 04:58 PM
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Um - no railroad cares about your exact age - as long as you don;t look as if you were 8 or 9 years old and lost. (Do you think someone would stop you taking a train in the US?) European teens frequently travel between countries - either alone or with friends - take public transit and stay in hostels and no one cares at all.
As for you grandparents leaving without you - it's not like you're an infant. You entered europe as an individual - not an object in their care You are old enough to travel alone - and no one will ask if they have abandoned you on the door of a foundling hospital.
Your own plane ticket home is another issue. As long as you have been ticketed properly to begin with - into rome and out of Athens - you should be fine. And yes, you are allowed to fly by yourself - and reenter the US. What do you think kids that spend a semester abroad in high school or college do?
and just so you know in europe you will automatically be served wine if it is ordered for the table - unless you refuse it. Get used to being an adult!
As for you grandparents leaving without you - it's not like you're an infant. You entered europe as an individual - not an object in their care You are old enough to travel alone - and no one will ask if they have abandoned you on the door of a foundling hospital.
Your own plane ticket home is another issue. As long as you have been ticketed properly to begin with - into rome and out of Athens - you should be fine. And yes, you are allowed to fly by yourself - and reenter the US. What do you think kids that spend a semester abroad in high school or college do?
and just so you know in europe you will automatically be served wine if it is ordered for the table - unless you refuse it. Get used to being an adult!
Oct 16th, 2011, 04:59 PM
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Well what we are planning on doing now is flying open jaw into london and then out of Vencie, they will fly out after they drop me off and then I will book my ticket separately but on the same flight
Oct 16th, 2011, 06:10 PM
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I travelled by train extensively when just a year older than you and then again throughout my college years. I'm a female and the only attention I got from Italian men on that first trip was to lift my luggage for me... I recall being a bit disappointed ;-) But I digress. You've received good trips from gruezi. The train from Rome to Venice should take about 4 hours and I think you'll enjoy the ride and scenery.
Oct 17th, 2011, 04:23 AM
#11
Each airlines has a policy about minors traveling internationally. You must check with your airline for any requirements/restrictions. Some airlines will use the unaccompanied minor requirements until age 17 for international flights.
Oct 17th, 2011, 06:27 AM
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There was a young American girl, maybe 16, sitting across from me on my Eurostar train from Florence to Rome. She seemed very nervous, checking on her luggage in the doorway every five minutes. I asked her if this was her first time in Italy and she said yes. I told her not to worry about her luggage. I had my eye on it, and since my bags were next to hers, she had nothing to worry about. Her body language indicated she welcomed that news. The fear of stolen luggage on Eurostar trains is overrated.
Train travel in Italy is fabulous. Friends bought me a Mini fare in 2nd class, I was aghast, but found the experience absolutely delightful. Reserved seats, a new train, sparkling interior, on-time arrival, what's not to love.
If you forfeit your return flight with your grandparents, nothing will happen, except it will probably cost you more for another ticket, to travel at another time. I would call the airline and let them know you won't be making that flight. They will appreciate knowing your seat will be available.
Train travel in Italy is fabulous. Friends bought me a Mini fare in 2nd class, I was aghast, but found the experience absolutely delightful. Reserved seats, a new train, sparkling interior, on-time arrival, what's not to love.
If you forfeit your return flight with your grandparents, nothing will happen, except it will probably cost you more for another ticket, to travel at another time. I would call the airline and let them know you won't be making that flight. They will appreciate knowing your seat will be available.
Oct 17th, 2011, 09:14 AM
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no need to make fun or be saracstic, it was a good thing to ask. They have rules in the US for minors on airplanes, I suppose that was why the concern. There are sometimes weird laws in foreign countries that it pays to know.
Oct 17th, 2011, 05:39 PM
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I'm not aware that minors have trouble traveling in the US. I have traveled on local transit (bus and subway) alone from the age of 11. And traveled by train and plane from the age of 14 without any problems. Naturally small children can't wander around alone - but plenty of teens travel alone. What do you think college kids of 16 or 17 do?
Oct 17th, 2011, 07:27 PM
#19
I honestly don't know why some people frequent this board. No need for meanness or sarcasm. If you're not going to be helpful, why post? Is it a superiority complex?
The OP was asking legitimate questions and received some very good answers from most people.
The OP was asking legitimate questions and received some very good answers from most people.
