Any Tips for Teenager Travelling Alone to Australia?

Q.

My daughter wants to go to Australia for 3 weeks in the summer to stay with a friend at her parents' house - she will be 19 by then. I am concerned about her travelling all that way on her own as she is not the most confident person.

Any travel tips or advise on the best airlines to fly with?

A.

All teenagers can benefit from becoming more travel aware. Whether they are travelling within the UK, or much further afield, being confident in their own ability to negotiate transportation, currency and any emergency that may arise will encourage your son or daughter to become much more independent.

Teaching Your Child Travel Awareness

When planning the trip allow your teenager to take charge of booking arrangements. Encourage them to go online and shop around for the best deals, before finalising details and drawing up an itinerary.

It is also useful to ensure your son or daughter has sufficient funds available on a credit card, which are to be used in emergencies only. Providing them with all the relevant telephone contact details they may require, for instance relatives they are visiting, airline information and other travel related sources, is also important.

It is also worth explaining how travel connections work, particularly if they will encounter a stopover on a long trip, or need to catch a connecting flight. Outlining how to handle flight delays and lost luggage will also mean your teen is a well-informed traveller.

Check Airline Procedures

Airline procedures are variable so make sure you always have the latest information. Make sure your son or daughter is at the airport at least two hours before their flight departure time. Allow at least 90 minutes for checking in and going through security. Being prepared to wait in long queues, and to have bags searched, also enables your teenager to confidently handle situations as they arise.

How to Stay Safe

Staying safe when travelling is about more than just ensuring you reach your destination safely. Attracting the wrong sort of attention – because you are wearing too much jewellery or carrying too many duty-free shopping purchases – can be a worrying problem which is easily avoided. Dressing sensibly and carrying money and other valuables in a responsible manner will boost travel confidence and personal awareness.

It is also important to stress that minding or carrying bags on behalf of another person is not recommended behaviour. Ignoring this advice could mean your teenager experiences detaining procedures at the hands of airport security.

Although travelling solo for the first time can be a little scary it can also be an enjoyable and liberating experience.