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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Would you let a 16-year-old travel to Gibraltar with a friend?

53 replies

Burgundyleaf · 30/05/2026 21:40

My 16 year old DS wants to go to Gibraltar with his friend this summer, just the two of them. Are we crazy to let him go?

OP posts:
THATsummergirlera · 30/05/2026 21:40

Absolutely fucking not

Whataflippincircus · 30/05/2026 21:41

It’s a hard no from me.

LizzieSiddal · 30/05/2026 21:41

No I would not let a 16 yo go on holiday with their friend. Especially not abroad. Not a chance in hell.

NeedSleepNowPls · 30/05/2026 21:41

Not a chance! I do swing towards being overprotective but 16 is young

UhOhRatPoo · 30/05/2026 21:41

What a random place. No, but also, why?

FKAT · 30/05/2026 21:42

It's normal for 16 year olds to travel or go on holiday with friends after GCSEs. Mine went to Spain. Just make sure you know the address and travel details and that they have their GHIC and a letter confirming that you have approved them travelling alone (it won't be checked but just in case) - templates are on travel sites.

ETA - I see I am a lone voice on this thread. 😂

LizzieSiddal · 30/05/2026 21:45

FKAT · 30/05/2026 21:42

It's normal for 16 year olds to travel or go on holiday with friends after GCSEs. Mine went to Spain. Just make sure you know the address and travel details and that they have their GHIC and a letter confirming that you have approved them travelling alone (it won't be checked but just in case) - templates are on travel sites.

ETA - I see I am a lone voice on this thread. 😂

Edited

It’s not “normal”. Some may do it but in my experience it’s very much a minority.

Original poster
Burgundyleaf · 30/05/2026 21:46

FKAT · 30/05/2026 21:42

It's normal for 16 year olds to travel or go on holiday with friends after GCSEs. Mine went to Spain. Just make sure you know the address and travel details and that they have their GHIC and a letter confirming that you have approved them travelling alone (it won't be checked but just in case) - templates are on travel sites.

ETA - I see I am a lone voice on this thread. 😂

Edited

Thank you for your post, I’m a bit shocked at the previous posts. My DS is already doing detailed research and has contacted campsites to make sure unaccompanied 16 years olds are allowed. His friend has been to Gibraltar before so it seemed a possible choice.

OP posts:
Roomgigi · 30/05/2026 21:47

depends on the child - but probably yes

FKAT · 30/05/2026 21:59

LizzieSiddal · 30/05/2026 21:45

It’s not “normal”. Some may do it but in my experience it’s very much a minority.

Show quote history

OK, in my experience it's normal. My niece travelled round Europe for 6 weeks with her boyfriend after GCSEs. My friend's August born DD went to Barcelona with a group of girls when she was 15.

I guess it does depend on the child's level of maturity though.

Seagulldancing · 30/05/2026 22:05

Gibraltar is very random for a 16 yo. I worked there for a bit and it was very staid and old fashioned. Not that Id let my 16 yo leave the country without an adult anyway, they won't be able to stay alone in a hotel Id imagine. There are monkeys though, they are fun.
Edited to say are there any campsites? Gibraltar is a small town.

Trackstar · 30/05/2026 22:05

FKAT · 30/05/2026 21:59

OK, in my experience it's normal. My niece travelled round Europe for 6 weeks with her boyfriend after GCSEs. My friend's August born DD went to Barcelona with a group of girls when she was 15.

I guess it does depend on the child's level of maturity though.

Show quote history

I have never heard of the likes of this before. A group of 15 year olds holidaying abroad with no adults? I'm I'm Ireland so maybe a bit of different culture but that would be a solid no way no how from me. My dd has not long turned 16 and went to Italy with her class and then on Erasmus to Germany again with her class and teacher supervision there is no way I would let her go alone.

You say it depends on the child's maturity but at 15 they are still very much children and I see nothing to be gained from them going abroad without adult supervision that cannot be achieved with teachers or parents supervising from afar.

herbalteabag · 30/05/2026 22:11

I think I would have let mine as he is sensible and clued up on travelling and how to plan it. I don't think I'd have worried unduly. A couple of years ago when he was 16 he did go away with friends in this country, doing hiking and stuff and if he'd said he wanted to go abroad I'd have been ok with it. I don't think he'd have chosen Gibraltar though.

ConstitutionHill · 30/05/2026 22:11

LOL at "campsites"! There are definitely no campsites on Gib.

PrincessofWills · 30/05/2026 22:17

There are definitely no campsites in Gibraltar. There is one about 4 miles away in La Linea.

Besafeeatcake · 30/05/2026 22:20

Hell the fuck no.

This is crazy. Why on earth would you allow this?

Original poster
Burgundyleaf · 30/05/2026 22:20

ConstitutionHill · 30/05/2026 22:11

LOL at "campsites"! There are definitely no campsites on Gib.

Sorry maybe I used campsite incorrectly , I don’t mean tent etc but cabins not a hotel. I think I asked the wrong demographic of people this question!

OP posts:
CombatBarbie · 30/05/2026 22:36

Burgundyleaf · 30/05/2026 21:46

Thank you for your post, I’m a bit shocked at the previous posts. My DS is already doing detailed research and has contacted campsites to make sure unaccompanied 16 years olds are allowed. His friend has been to Gibraltar before so it seemed a possible choice.

Show quote history

There are no campsites in Gibraltar and they would need to be 18 to book a hotel. I cant think of any "cabins" oh actualy yes I can.....Catalan Bay side.....they are likely Air BnBs so not regulated

In fact id be surprised if they got through passport control.

Lived there for 4 yrs, no way would I have let my DD at 16 go solo even though she knows it.

Anonanonanonagain · 30/05/2026 22:56

16 absolutely not. 17 I would be on the fence. Technically 18 and they are legally an adult but 16 is a ridiculously young age for this. Do parents not want to parent anymore?

chalkpaint · 30/05/2026 23:16

Gib is incredibly safe I would feel fine walking round there in the middle of the night on my own and I would let my 16 year old do the same. Everyone knows everyone very little happens there ! Tbh it’s a bit boring for a 16 year old. Deffo no campsites or youth hostels or anything like that though as far as I know ! It’s a tiny place and the flights are expensive and so is accommodation. Incredibly random I would be worried they intend to cross the border to Spain and I would have a huge problem with my 16 year old doing that !! especially as La Línea the first town you come to is incredibly bad for crime and drug trafficking it’s a very dodgy area. So I think not unless he’s planing on staying in gib in a lovely hotel and he’s got a couple of grand to throw at a holiday that he will be bored with in a day !

TimeToStopLurking · 30/05/2026 23:32

Well I went to Spain as a 16 year old with my 15 year old friend. Pre mobile phones and Internet. We survived. And I've loved travel ever since. Depends on the child.

There are people on Mumsnet who won't even go to the cinema on their own. I imagine the horror of even suggesting this to them.

If the friend has been to Gibraltar before they'll likely have their bearings. It's tiny, and basically the UK in the sun... with monkeys (Barbary macaques). Why not.

JaneOfGaunt · 30/05/2026 23:36

Personally, I wouldn’t worry about this if your DS is sensible. My DS (16) is going interrailing for 2 weeks this summer with his friends - mostly 16, some 17. He’s found hostels they can stay in everywhere they’re going. A lot of places dont accept unaccompanied under 18s so you have to hunt a bit, but there seem to be quite a lot that are fine with it. He went away with friends to a hostel in the UK with friends at 14.

MamaMumMama · 30/05/2026 23:41

Yes - I would. Gibraltar is incredibly safe and the airport is small. There are no campsites or cabins here though. I don’t think you’ll find a hotel or airbnb that will take under 18’s travelling alone but the Emile youth hostel might be an option.

Conchiglie · 30/05/2026 23:42

My 16yo DS is going to Ireland this summer with four of his friends. They're staying in his friend's parent's caravan (but they won't be there).

soundsys · 30/05/2026 23:46

And people wonder why young adults are so lacking in confidence and the ability to talk to people 🤣

I think a couple of sensible 16-year-olds going away after exams is a normal thing to do. Agree Gibraltar seems an odd choice but it takes all sorts! As long as they have a plan for emergencies (which tbh is much easier now that they can contact you/you can send them money if there’s some sort of absolute disaster…)