Traveling Alone: Eurostar Rules For Unaccompanied Children

can a child travel alone on eurostar

Travelling with children can be challenging, but it can also be a rewarding experience for both the child and the adult. One of the most popular ways to travel with children is by train, and one of the most popular train services in Europe is the Eurostar. The Eurostar offers a unique opportunity to explore different countries and cultures, but can children travel alone on the Eurostar?

Characteristics Values
Age limit for children to travel alone on Eurostar 12-15 years old
Age limit for children to travel with an adult on Eurostar Under 12 years old
Age limit for children to travel alone on Eurostar to/from Netherlands Over 16 years old
Required documents for unaccompanied minors Eurostar unaccompanied minor form, passport, Autorisation de sortie de territoire (AST) form, photocopy of the parent's passport
Eurostar unaccompanied minor form requirements Must be signed by a parent or legal guardian at the station in the presence of a Eurostar team member
Responsibility for minors Parents or guardians
Additional requirements for French residents Autorisation de sortie de territoire (AST) form

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Children under 12 cannot travel alone on Eurostar

Children under the age of 12 cannot travel alone on the Eurostar. This is a common rule among many train companies, and it is in place for the safety of the children. If an unaccompanied child under 12 is found on a train, the transport authorities will be notified immediately.

Children under 12 must travel with a responsible adult who is aged 16 or older. This responsible adult can be a parent or legal guardian, or another person authorised by the parent or legal guardian to accompany the child. The adult must possess written permission from the child's parent or legal guardian and ensure that the child has all the required travel documents, including a valid passport.

When travelling with a child under 12, it is important to book a ticket for the child. Children under 4 can travel for free if they sit on an adult's lap, but they will need a child ticket if they require their own seat. Children aged 4 to 11 travel at a discounted rate, and it is important to book a child ticket for them.

If you are planning for a child aged 12 to 15 to travel alone on the Eurostar, there are specific requirements that must be met. The child must have a fully completed and signed Eurostar unaccompanied minor form, and they can only travel on trains departing between 06:00 and 17:00 local time. The form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian in the presence of a Eurostar team member, and the child must keep it with them throughout the journey. It is important to note that children under 16 cannot travel unaccompanied on direct trains between London and the Netherlands.

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Eurostar allows children from 12 to 15 years old to travel unaccompanied on some routes. However, there are specific requirements that must be met for this to happen, and certain restrictions apply.

Firstly, the child must have a fully completed Eurostar unaccompanied minor form, which can be downloaded from the Eurostar website. This form must be signed by their parent or legal guardian, or by a responsible adult given consent by the parent or guardian, at the station in the presence of a Eurostar team member. The child should keep this form with them throughout their journey and be able to show it to the onboard team if asked.

When giving written consent for the child to travel alone, the parent or guardian agrees that the child will travel unaccompanied and be treated as an adult passenger for the entire trip. This means that the child will not be supervised by a member of the Eurostar staff. The parent or guardian must also ensure that arrangements are in place for the child to be met upon arrival at their destination.

In addition to the Eurostar form, there are other documents that the child may need to carry, depending on their citizenship and the countries they are travelling through. For example, French citizens and foreigners living in France under the age of 18 must complete an Autorisation de sortie de territoire (AST) form before travelling alone or without their parents. This applies to journeys from France, and they will also need to carry a photocopy of the passport of the parent who signed the AST form.

It is important to note that there are restrictions on the routes that 12 to 15-year-olds can travel alone on Eurostar. They are only permitted to travel unaccompanied between London and Paris, Lille, or Brussels, and only on trains departing between 06:00 and 17:00 local time. Additionally, children under 16 cannot travel unaccompanied on direct trains between London and the Netherlands. Therefore, it is essential to check the specific route restrictions before planning travel for a child in this age group.

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Children under 4 travel free on Eurostar

Children under the age of four can travel on Eurostar for free, provided they sit on an adult's lap for the duration of the journey. If you are travelling with more than one child under four, each additional child will need their own seat, and you will need to purchase a child ticket for them.

If your child under four would prefer to have their own seat, or if you are travelling alone with more than one child under four, you will need to purchase a child ticket for them. Child tickets are available to purchase alongside an adult ticket on eurostar.com. If you need to book a standalone child ticket, you can do so by contacting Eurostar's customer support.

All children, regardless of age, require a valid passport to travel on Eurostar. If you are travelling with children who are not your own, you must present written evidence that their parents give consent for the journey.

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4-11-year-olds can travel with a child ticket

Children between the ages of 4 and 11 can travel on Eurostar with a child ticket. This is a discounted ticket, with fares approximately 30% to 50% cheaper than adult tickets in Standard and Plus classes during peak and off-peak travel periods. Child tickets are not available in the Premier class.

Children under 4 travel for free but must sit on an adult's lap. If you are travelling with more than one child under 4, you must purchase a child ticket for each additional child. If you are travelling with two or more children under 4 alone, one can sit on your lap, and you must purchase child tickets for the others.

Children of any age need their own passport to travel. Children under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult aged 16 or older.

Child tickets include a luggage allowance of one piece of luggage (up to 85cm long) and one piece of hand luggage.

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16-17-year-olds can travel alone with regular documents

16 and 17-year-olds can travel alone on Eurostar with regular documents. This age group is considered unaccompanied minors, and they must carry the necessary documents to cross any national border.

If the minor is a French citizen or a foreigner living in France and leaving from France, they must have an Autorisation de sortie de territoire (AST) form signed by their parent or legal guardian, along with a photocopy of the parent's passport. These documents are mandatory for all French citizens and foreigners residing in France, regardless of the destination.

All passengers, including children, require passports for international travel. Additionally, children travelling alone or with an adult who is not their parent or legal guardian must present written evidence that their parents consent to the journey. This can be done by filling out the Eurostar unaccompanied minor form, which must be signed by the parent or legal guardian at the station in the presence of a Eurostar team member. The child should keep this form with them during the trip and show it to the onboard team if asked.

It is important to note that children under 16 cannot travel unaccompanied on direct trains between London and the Netherlands. The responsible adult must also ensure that arrangements are in place for the minor to be met upon arrival.

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