Expert post: When are your children old enough to travel alone?

When I was about eight or nine my parents fancied a holiday on their own. Myself and my step-sister, the same age as me, were put on a train at Reading and met by my grandmother in Crewe at the other end - a journey of a few hours. We had some sandwiches, crisps, drinks, puzzle books, a little money "for emergencies" and a list of the stations the train would be stopping at. This was in the days before mobile phones, so no-one could keep track of us. I think the guard may have been asked informally to keep an eye on us, but that was it.

For us, this was hugely exciting and we rose to the challenge admirably. We behaved sensibly, didn't do anything stupid and met my grandmother safe and sound at the other end.

When I look back, this seems reckless almost to the point of neglect but I guess things were viewed differently then! Similarly, in rural France where I live it is common for three-year-olds to take the school bus without a parent and I often see children of five or six walking to school.

There is no legal minimum age at which a child can travel alone in the UK and the age at which each child is going to be ready will vary greatly. However, there are certain things you can do to prepare your child. Once they start secondary school, many children will be using public transport every day.

Preparing your child for travelling alone

• Show your child how to read a timetable, both online and and the bus stop or train station.
• Get your child to ask for and pay for your tickets.
• If you know they are going to be travelling a particular route (perhaps to school, to a friend's house or into town), practise it together.
• Make sure your child knows the name of the bus/train stop they will be getting off at and point out some landmarks they can look out for to make sure they don't miss it.
• Tell them to sit in a busy carriage on a train or near the driver on a bus.
• If they are worried about anyone sitting close to them, tell them they should not be frightened to move and, if necessary, seek help from another adult.
• Make their first journey alone one where they can be met by an adult at the other end - perhaps a friend's parent or a relative.
• Get your child in the habit of texting or calling to let you know they have arrived safely, at least the first few times.

Planes

Some airlines will accept children aged around five to 14 (the age range changes slightly between airlines) travelling as "unaccompanied minors." Staff will see them through the airport and onto the plane and onboard, cabin staff will be aware they are flying solo and will keep an eye on them. Some also provide special lone traveller kids packs. Airlines charge for this this service according to length of flight.

I'm not ready to let my children travel on public transport alone (not that there is any where I live anyway!) but I'd be really interested to hear your thoughts about it.

Further reading

Governnment advice about children and lone travel.