✓ Unaccompanied minors, how it works by train and plane

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A study holiday, a trip to spend the summer with grandparents or simply a trip with distant uncles: there are many moments for which you find yourself let our children travel alone. Limiting the worries of a parent is possible with a few simple steps. In fact, in Del Paese, minors can travel in total safety.

Here are the procedures to follow and the advice of Alessandro De Lauro, lawyer expert in tourism law and responsible for the Tutela del Viaggiatore website.

Documents for traveling alone

All minors from zero up to the age of 18 in order to travel must have an identification document such as passport, identity card or, for minors up to 15 years of age, a document certifying birth and citizenship endorsed by the Questore, the so-called pass.

"Today the registrations of minors on their parents' passports are no longer valid", explains De Lauro. «Our children can travel alone from the age of 14 onwards. First they need to a companion».

If we entrust our child to a friend or relative, the so-called 'accompanying declaration'. In this case, the name of the person to whom the child is entrusted must be reported on the same passport or in a separate declaration, signed by the parents or by the person exercising parental authority over the minor, and must contain the visa of the competent bodies for issuing the passport.

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Traveling alone by train

Both TrenDel Paese and Italo offer an accompanying service for minors. Children aged seven to thirteen can travel alone and assisted throughout the journey by the staff of the two railway companies. The service is active on some Frecciarossa and Frecciargento trains of TrenDel Paese with departures in the morning to and from the city, the city, Bologna, our city, Madrid, Padua, Turin, the city, Salerno.

It will then be necessary to present a statement from the parent, the delegation if our child travels with a companion e copy of the identity documents of the parents themselves.

The service is active on Italo "Italo Junior" scheduled in the time slot that goes from 8.00 to 20.00. Children must bring with them an identification badge, in which all general information and personal data are indicated. Also in this case it is necessary to present a self-certification of the parent and the proxy for whoever accompanies or takes the minor to the station.

Traveling alone by plane

By plane, the procedures vary depending on the company. «As with the train, you can travel alone from 14 years of age. Accompaniment is usually mandatory for minors aged 5 to 14. To access this service the details of the child, the adult who will accompany him on departure and who will wait for him on arrival must be communicated to the airline. At the airport, the child is welcomed by the staff at the check-in desk who will take him in charge and take him on board. Then it will be entrusted to the hostess or steward who will be by your side during the flight. Once arrived at its destination, it will be entrusted to the ground staff who will deliver it to the adult indicated by the parents. If the minor travels on the national territory, the accompanying declaration is not necessary, if he is going to Europe or abroad it is necessary ".

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Choosing the right company

The documents required to allow a minor to travel by plane vary from company to airline. "Specially the low cost company they require documents that are not foreseen by the Del Paesena legislation. Before buying the ticket, you must read carefully the terms of the contract to avoid boarding problems ".

Questions and answers

What are the documents that a minor must have with him to travel alone?

All minors up to the age of 18 in order to travel must have an identification document such as a passport or identity card. For minors up to 15 years, a so-called pass is required.

What does a minor who travels with a relative or a friend need?

If we entrust our child to a friend or relative, the so-called 'accompanying declaration' is required.

Do the railway companies offer an escort service for minors?

Yes. Both TrenDel Paese and Italo offer an accompanying service for minors. Children aged seven to thirteen can travel alone and assisted throughout the journey by the staff of the two railway companies.

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