Is 18 too young for a month alone in Europe?
Jun 5th, 2010, 10:48 AM
#21
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I wouldn't let my 18 yr old go alone. I obviously don't know you, but I think 18 is too young for a solo trip. I remember when I was in army basic training at age 22 and thinking how young all the 18 yr olds were.
Two of my nieces did Contiki tours as others have mentioned and both enjoyed it. One went on a second tour with them.
I had a similar situation to you. I thought a friend was all set to bicycle Europe with me one summer, but apparently he never took it as a serious idea and finked out on me. I ended going with my brother for 6 weeks. It was less than a great trip.
Two of my nieces did Contiki tours as others have mentioned and both enjoyed it. One went on a second tour with them.
I had a similar situation to you. I thought a friend was all set to bicycle Europe with me one summer, but apparently he never took it as a serious idea and finked out on me. I ended going with my brother for 6 weeks. It was less than a great trip.
Jun 5th, 2010, 11:22 AM
#22
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A previous poster mentioned looking on the Lonely Planets Thorntree forums. It's a good suggestion. You'll get a lot more advice from people closer in age group to yourself, who have either done or are in the midst of planning what you want to do.
With the greatest of respect to my fellow Fodorites, you're likely to hear a lot of negatives based on their fears as parents or grandparents. Your parents, who I presume know you best, are already comfortable you can handle a trip like this. If you agree with them go for it but get as good an idea as you can of the real opportunities as well as the pitfalls. I hope you have a fabulous time whatever you decide.
With the greatest of respect to my fellow Fodorites, you're likely to hear a lot of negatives based on their fears as parents or grandparents. Your parents, who I presume know you best, are already comfortable you can handle a trip like this. If you agree with them go for it but get as good an idea as you can of the real opportunities as well as the pitfalls. I hope you have a fabulous time whatever you decide.
Jun 5th, 2010, 11:29 AM
#23
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It depends on you. How comfortable are you being in strange places without backup. Contiki makes a good point though...Youth Hostels. Staying is cheap and you can meet a lot of people to team up with. You only are alone if you push yourself to be alone.
For all of us oldies on the board...how old were you when you joined (or got drafted into) the military? For me, I just turned 17 and had never traveled anywhere alone. Boom- boot camp, boom- sub school, boom - ballistic missile submarine patrols. By my 18th birthday I had done more things than I could have imagined. How many 18 year olds found themselves in Viet Nam or Iraq- getting shot at? Kind of makes figuring out train schedules look like a piece of cake.
Oh, and I joined subs because I was a coward. I figured you can't shoot me if I'm under 800 feet of water with 6 inches of steel around me.
dave
For all of us oldies on the board...how old were you when you joined (or got drafted into) the military? For me, I just turned 17 and had never traveled anywhere alone. Boom- boot camp, boom- sub school, boom - ballistic missile submarine patrols. By my 18th birthday I had done more things than I could have imagined. How many 18 year olds found themselves in Viet Nam or Iraq- getting shot at? Kind of makes figuring out train schedules look like a piece of cake.
Oh, and I joined subs because I was a coward. I figured you can't shoot me if I'm under 800 feet of water with 6 inches of steel around me.
dave
Jun 5th, 2010, 11:50 AM
#24
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I wouldn't let my 18 yr old go alone. I obviously don't know you, but I think 18 is too young for a solo trip.>
18 is old enough to be drafted and to fight in places like Iraq - so why is 18 to young to travel Europe?
18 is old enough to be drafted and to fight in places like Iraq - so why is 18 to young to travel Europe?
Jun 5th, 2010, 12:14 PM
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I don't think you are too young and I think you could manage, but lots of the other suggestions also make sense to me (e.g. going another time, considering Contiki tours).
My son had a friend who planned to travel for several months in Europe with another friend right after high school graduation. The travel companion had to go home within a week for medical reasons and the friend who stayed had a great time and met lots of other students in hostels.
My son had a friend who planned to travel for several months in Europe with another friend right after high school graduation. The travel companion had to go home within a week for medical reasons and the friend who stayed had a great time and met lots of other students in hostels.
Jun 5th, 2010, 01:02 PM
#29
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Mostly depends how street smart you are and how well you can handle difficults situations..
I traveled by myself a lots when I was around 17 but I grew up in Europe and was used to foreign places , different people and also I knew some languages.
St.Cirq gave you good suggestions, be honest with yourself and see if you can answer with a Yes to all the questions.
Being alone and so far from your family can be overwhelming at times.
However,it can be also very exciting to visit different countries and learn new cultures and ways of life.
I traveled by myself a lots when I was around 17 but I grew up in Europe and was used to foreign places , different people and also I knew some languages.
St.Cirq gave you good suggestions, be honest with yourself and see if you can answer with a Yes to all the questions.
Being alone and so far from your family can be overwhelming at times.
However,it can be also very exciting to visit different countries and learn new cultures and ways of life.
Jun 5th, 2010, 01:05 PM
#30
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wiletraveler,
You should just do whatever you feel like doing. It isn't really about your maturity. If you decide you no longer want to go, don't! If you decide you do, do! If you go and mid-way you change your mind, change your mind! (If you don't go, ask your folks for a rain check. ;-) )
You should just do whatever you feel like doing. It isn't really about your maturity. If you decide you no longer want to go, don't! If you decide you do, do! If you go and mid-way you change your mind, change your mind! (If you don't go, ask your folks for a rain check. ;-) )
Jun 5th, 2010, 05:41 PM
#31
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A lot really depends on the person, how much traveling they have done, how much time they have spend in large cities, how sophisticated they are etc.
But if an 18 year old can join the army or go away to live at college I can;t see that a trip to europe is really that much of a challenge. My stepdaughters both went at 18/19, granted with 1 or more friends - but they were used to dealing with NYC, spoke French and some Spanish and had traveled to europe with us several times (but they went off on their own for the day from the time they were 14 and 11).
If an 18 year old is very naive, has never spent time in a city and is very shy and helpless it might be a problem. But I don;t think that's true of a lot of kids. And there's nothing wrong with meeting other students in the clubs or bars they frequent (which typically are not the big budget ones that scammers specialize in. Kids don;t have enough money to interest them in general.)
But if an 18 year old can join the army or go away to live at college I can;t see that a trip to europe is really that much of a challenge. My stepdaughters both went at 18/19, granted with 1 or more friends - but they were used to dealing with NYC, spoke French and some Spanish and had traveled to europe with us several times (but they went off on their own for the day from the time they were 14 and 11).
If an 18 year old is very naive, has never spent time in a city and is very shy and helpless it might be a problem. But I don;t think that's true of a lot of kids. And there's nothing wrong with meeting other students in the clubs or bars they frequent (which typically are not the big budget ones that scammers specialize in. Kids don;t have enough money to interest them in general.)
Jun 5th, 2010, 09:59 PM
#32
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I'm not at all sure where all these "you can always change you mind" ideas are coming from.
Are these people suggesting you ask your parents to fork out for overpriced fully-flexible tickets because you're indecisive? Do they think you're so devoid of self-respect you'll pick up the phone and ask them to pay the (very substantial) cost of the new transatlantic flight you'll have to buy if you change you mind? Or that they'll be so over-indulgent as to agree to pay for bailing you out of a bit of homesickness?
You're old enough to fight and vote: you're old enough to live with the consequences of your decisions.
Personally I think being abroad is irrelevant to your problem. If you're not comfortable being alone for four weeks, hostelling in foreign countries is a great way to learn to deal with it, as a tourist you're inevitably in something of an English-language bubble anyway and there's an easy camerarderie among younger travellers. Being alone in a strange part of your own country is a great deal tougher.
Which said, the interesting thing is that you're asking the question. Personally I can't imagine looking this particular gift horse in the mouth at your age, so if you have got doubts it's probably safe to say the prospect of the holiday isn't exciting you. If it worries you now, it's likely to worry you more the closer you get to actually going.
In other words: views here are irrelevant to your problem. Millions of children substantially younger than you wander round Europe by themselves and have a great time. If you're worried - don't do it.
But at least be a man about it. If you go - go. If you don't - don't. But don't accept the argument that you can always go crying to mummy to fly you home if you're missing her.
Are these people suggesting you ask your parents to fork out for overpriced fully-flexible tickets because you're indecisive? Do they think you're so devoid of self-respect you'll pick up the phone and ask them to pay the (very substantial) cost of the new transatlantic flight you'll have to buy if you change you mind? Or that they'll be so over-indulgent as to agree to pay for bailing you out of a bit of homesickness?
You're old enough to fight and vote: you're old enough to live with the consequences of your decisions.
Personally I think being abroad is irrelevant to your problem. If you're not comfortable being alone for four weeks, hostelling in foreign countries is a great way to learn to deal with it, as a tourist you're inevitably in something of an English-language bubble anyway and there's an easy camerarderie among younger travellers. Being alone in a strange part of your own country is a great deal tougher.
Which said, the interesting thing is that you're asking the question. Personally I can't imagine looking this particular gift horse in the mouth at your age, so if you have got doubts it's probably safe to say the prospect of the holiday isn't exciting you. If it worries you now, it's likely to worry you more the closer you get to actually going.
In other words: views here are irrelevant to your problem. Millions of children substantially younger than you wander round Europe by themselves and have a great time. If you're worried - don't do it.
But at least be a man about it. If you go - go. If you don't - don't. But don't accept the argument that you can always go crying to mummy to fly you home if you're missing her.
Jun 6th, 2010, 01:18 AM
#33
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Go! My gosh it's only a month and not nearly as scary as some make out. American kids tend to be waaaay to over protected, thus take a long time to grow up.
If you go the hostel or camping route it will be basically pretty easy. Most will speak English or have English speakers or literature near by. Pack VERY light to make it easier. Use your head and don't get drunk and party the whole time.
Read Maya Frost's New Global Student and learn the science about how great it will be for your brain and maturity.
http://www.mayafrost.com/new-global-student-book.htm
Yes, you may have some difficulty and you may feel blue in a few moments or out of sync as you blast out of your tight little world, but that is a GOOD thing and part of the joy of travel. You will feel more alive and gain great confidence.
Every kid should do such a right of passage and I'd spend even MORE time away.
Go and have a great time, don't listen to the naysayers.
If you go the hostel or camping route it will be basically pretty easy. Most will speak English or have English speakers or literature near by. Pack VERY light to make it easier. Use your head and don't get drunk and party the whole time.
Read Maya Frost's New Global Student and learn the science about how great it will be for your brain and maturity.
http://www.mayafrost.com/new-global-student-book.htm
Yes, you may have some difficulty and you may feel blue in a few moments or out of sync as you blast out of your tight little world, but that is a GOOD thing and part of the joy of travel. You will feel more alive and gain great confidence.
Every kid should do such a right of passage and I'd spend even MORE time away.
Go and have a great time, don't listen to the naysayers.
Jun 6th, 2010, 09:08 AM
#35
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It can cost a whole lot more than 200 dollars to change an air ticket, I can't imagine what that is a reference to. The change fee alone is 200 dollars, but buying a ticket on short notice (say the next day or week) is what costs a fortune, not the change fee. The difference in flight costs from a cheap one that you booked months ahead versus whatever is left for tomorrow could be hundreds or a thousand dollars.
I think lots of people would not leap at the chance to travel to Europe alone at age 18. There are tons of posts on Fodors alone about people (always women, I'll admit) who are scared to death by the idea of eating dinner alone or traveling alone, and they are grown adults. Most kids 18 years old want to do things in a group, anything, they aren't used to doing anything alone. Most of the grown men I know never do anything alone, either, they can't deal with it. They don't vacation alone, go out to dinner alone, even go to a museum alone. And I'm talking about men who are not married, at any age.
I do wonder about the statement above about all the Japanese traveling around Europe alone at age 18. My experience is Japanese love to travel in groups, and even take group honeymoons.
I think lots of people would not leap at the chance to travel to Europe alone at age 18. There are tons of posts on Fodors alone about people (always women, I'll admit) who are scared to death by the idea of eating dinner alone or traveling alone, and they are grown adults. Most kids 18 years old want to do things in a group, anything, they aren't used to doing anything alone. Most of the grown men I know never do anything alone, either, they can't deal with it. They don't vacation alone, go out to dinner alone, even go to a museum alone. And I'm talking about men who are not married, at any age.
I do wonder about the statement above about all the Japanese traveling around Europe alone at age 18. My experience is Japanese love to travel in groups, and even take group honeymoons.
Jun 7th, 2010, 12:54 PM
#36
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Shoot, sometimes even older people post on here about traveling alone. I don't think asking means this person isn't up to the task.
I don't think it depends on your having travel experience. I think it depends on (1) your desire to go, (2) your willingness to do some research so you know what to expect, and (3) your personal qualities. if you are shy and timid, if it's really hard for you to acclimate to new situations, maybe traveling alone isn't a good idea. If you are someone who is pretty confident and outgoing, you'll be fine. If you're in between - someone who takes a bit of time to warm up to new circumstances/people, but doesn't get too stressed out and then gets comfortable pretty quickly, you'll have the same kind of experience - initially you'll be a bit uneasy and unsure, and then you'll figure it out and you'll do fine.
I don't think I have known any normal 18-year-olds who were not perfectly capable of flying to another US city, checking into a hotel, finding places to eat, figuring out how the city bus works, and going to museums. It's really not all that much harder in Europe. Not all Europeans speak English, but a surprising number do, so it's not like you need to have much of a grasp of a foreign language to manage. In general I don't think there's any problem with an 18-year-old first-time traveler going to Europe as long as the person in question is reasonably level-headed. I'm guessing you are, or your parents wouldn't have offered this trip.
Hosteling is an excellent idea. As others have said, you will quickly and easily meet others to hang out with, go sightseeing with, possibly even travel around with for part of your trip. Often those who have been on the road longer (or before) will have lots of useful tips and can show you the ropes so you don't have to figure everything out yourself. This is one of those strategies that ensures that even someone fairly reserved will quickly come to feel at home.
I don't think it depends on your having travel experience. I think it depends on (1) your desire to go, (2) your willingness to do some research so you know what to expect, and (3) your personal qualities. if you are shy and timid, if it's really hard for you to acclimate to new situations, maybe traveling alone isn't a good idea. If you are someone who is pretty confident and outgoing, you'll be fine. If you're in between - someone who takes a bit of time to warm up to new circumstances/people, but doesn't get too stressed out and then gets comfortable pretty quickly, you'll have the same kind of experience - initially you'll be a bit uneasy and unsure, and then you'll figure it out and you'll do fine.
I don't think I have known any normal 18-year-olds who were not perfectly capable of flying to another US city, checking into a hotel, finding places to eat, figuring out how the city bus works, and going to museums. It's really not all that much harder in Europe. Not all Europeans speak English, but a surprising number do, so it's not like you need to have much of a grasp of a foreign language to manage. In general I don't think there's any problem with an 18-year-old first-time traveler going to Europe as long as the person in question is reasonably level-headed. I'm guessing you are, or your parents wouldn't have offered this trip.
Hosteling is an excellent idea. As others have said, you will quickly and easily meet others to hang out with, go sightseeing with, possibly even travel around with for part of your trip. Often those who have been on the road longer (or before) will have lots of useful tips and can show you the ropes so you don't have to figure everything out yourself. This is one of those strategies that ensures that even someone fairly reserved will quickly come to feel at home.
Jun 7th, 2010, 01:32 PM
#37
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Another vote for staying in hostels. Get the YHA membership card. You will meet many young solo travellers there and easily find company for a chat or a tour or even a longer period of travel.
I agree 100% with artsnletters! This is a great chance, even more so if your parents encourage you to go, which means they think you are capable of doing this. Go for it.
Three and a half weeks are no eternity. Even if you have some moments of homesickness now and then, these pass. You will have the time of your life. There will be some problems to cope with but that is when you learn and grow.
I agree 100% with artsnletters! This is a great chance, even more so if your parents encourage you to go, which means they think you are capable of doing this. Go for it.
Three and a half weeks are no eternity. Even if you have some moments of homesickness now and then, these pass. You will have the time of your life. There will be some problems to cope with but that is when you learn and grow.
Jun 7th, 2010, 02:15 PM
#38
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Christina, have you ever changed a ticket, personally? What did it cost you and when? I've never had to buy a new ticket when I changed mine, and I almost always fly last-minute transatlantic, and quite often the prices are quite favorable!
But I would encourage anybody looking for flexibility in their travel arrangements to check it out for themselves with the airline.
Flanneruk,
The original poster hasn't come back, but he said that his parents were willing to pay for the trip. If he wanted to come back early, he should pay for the change costs. Hope that's clear now. If he parents will only fund the trip on the condition he stay the entire time whether he's having a good time or not, he should find new parents.
(and christina, you need to find some new "grown" men for acquaintances)
But I would encourage anybody looking for flexibility in their travel arrangements to check it out for themselves with the airline.
Flanneruk,
The original poster hasn't come back, but he said that his parents were willing to pay for the trip. If he wanted to come back early, he should pay for the change costs. Hope that's clear now. If he parents will only fund the trip on the condition he stay the entire time whether he's having a good time or not, he should find new parents.
(and christina, you need to find some new "grown" men for acquaintances)
Jun 7th, 2010, 03:09 PM
#39
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I had to change a KLM ticket once as I had to leave Italy some days earlier than my original return ticket was booked for and the only cost I had was a $150.00 charge for the change of dates. I have no idea what the situation would be now however.
Jun 7th, 2010, 03:39 PM
#40
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this is two separate questions: 1. is 18 years too young to travel alone. the easy answer is 'no.' but it depends on the person, their maturity level, and level of independance.
2. do you enjoy traveling alone? personally, I dont enjoy it. I would rather share the experience with someone. I can and have traveled alone for short stints and am not nervous to do it, I just don't find it fun.
Sounds like the OP doesn't have a problem with #2, so go for it. As was mentioned above, if you find you don't like it, head home.
2. do you enjoy traveling alone? personally, I dont enjoy it. I would rather share the experience with someone. I can and have traveled alone for short stints and am not nervous to do it, I just don't find it fun.
Sounds like the OP doesn't have a problem with #2, so go for it. As was mentioned above, if you find you don't like it, head home.
