PP: That is pretty extreme! How did that come about? Were you in school? Parents approved? Signed: Adventurous solo world traveler.

At 15, I spent a year travelling alone in Costa Rica. As long as you have done a good job teaching life skills, this shouldn't be a problem. But, of course, the overprotected child may run into troubles for which they aren't prepared.

Anonymous wrote:actually they can, according to this policy.

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Content_C&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1241245658491

My DC traveled alone on Amtrak at age 15 and we didn't even know about this policy.

I didn't know about this either. My 15-year-old took the train to NYC to visit a camp friend a couple of months ago - no problem.

When I was 15, I hitchhiked all around New Zealand with a friend. This was in 1986.

I would allow my 15 year old to take Amtrak alone under certain circumstances, but agree that it's riskier than a plane. I let him fly unaccompanied at 7 and there's no way I would have put him on the train at that age. There's no one supervising in the cabins, no one checking that they're getting off at the right spot, seats aren't assigned so anyone could end up sitting next to him.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Runaways.

Seriously? Train travel is way too expensive these days for that. It cost me $94 one way to go from DC-Philadelphia on the frickin regional train, not Acela, this week.

It depends on what time you travel...there are several times of day that the ticket to PHL is only $49.

Anonymous wrote:Runaways.

Seriously? Train travel is way too expensive these days for that. It cost me $94 one way to go from DC-Philadelphia on the frickin regional train, not Acela, this week.

Runaways.

Anonymous wrote:More stops on the train, less secure - I wouldn't let my 15 y/o travel on the train alone.

Then you've done a poor job of raising your child to be independent and responsible, and to problem solve and decision make. Fifteen yr olds are more than old enough to travel alone unless they have developmentally delayed in some area.

I doubt anyone would even know. Buy him a ticket and put him on the train. As long as you aren't sending him across an international border you should be fine.

See link above. 12 and under can not travel unaccompanied. 13-15 can wit certain conditions. 16 and over no conditions.

actually they can, according to this policy.

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Content_C&pagename=am%2FLayout&cid=1241245658491

My DC traveled alone on Amtrak at age 15 and we didn't even know about this policy.

....and yet in 6 months, you'll let him take the car keys and hit the road.

More stops on the train, less secure - I wouldn't let my 15 y/o travel on the train alone.

....this is allowed on airlines.
But it is NOT allowed on Amtrak.
Can someone explain the logic of this to me?!?!?