Teen Travel to Europe

Teens can travel to Europe on their own or with an organized tour.

As children become teenagers, their world view begins to expand and they want to see more beyond the place they grew up. Many parents send their teenagers to Europe, where they can learn about other cultures in a relatively safe environment.

Types of Travel

While some parents trust their mature teens to travel on their own in Europe, many others opt for an organized tour. There are countless tour operators that specialize in teen travel. Some of these companies offer tours that take in main attractions, while others are honed for a specific interest such as theater or learning a language.

Benefits

For people 25 years old and younger, Eurail offers youth passes that are 35 percent cheaper than an adult ticket. These passes come in different tiers that offer different access, but most give your teenager the freedom to travel throughout various countries in the European Union.

Considerations

For most of the early 2000s, the Euro performed better than the weak dollar, making travel to Europe somewhat expensive for Americans. However, during 2010, the Euro's value tumbled 17 percent, making travel to Europe cheaper for Americans, according to CNN.com.

References

• Eurail: Eurail Youth Passes
• CNN: Bad News for Europe, Good News for U.S. Tourists

Resources

• Allen's Guide: Teen Travel to Europe