5 Tips for Teen Travel (Updated October 2025)
Whether your teenager is flying back to boarding school, visiting family abroad, or embarking on their first solo trip, preparing them for safe, independent travel has never been more important. In 2025, student travel has rebounded strongly since the pandemic, with the U.S. Department of Transportation reporting record-high youth air travel during summer months. As more parents entrust teens to travel independently, equipping them with practical safety habits is essential.
Below are five updated teen travel tips for 2025—covering everything from airport navigation to digital safety—so your child can travel with confidence while giving you peace of mind.
1. Stay Alert in Every Setting
The number one rule for teen travelers is situational awareness. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), distracted passengers account for many missed flights and security complications. Teens, in particular, are prone to distractions from smartphones and earbuds.
Encourage your child to:
Keep devices at low volume and glance up frequently.
Listen for gate changes, which are often announced only once or via push notifications.
Avoid napping at the gate, where unattended belongings can also be vulnerable.
Pay attention during transit transfers (train, bus, rideshare pick-ups), where scams or misdirections may occur.
As parenting expert Dr. Lisa Damour notes in The Wall Street Journal, “Solo teen travel is a crash course in independence—but readiness depends on their ability to stay alert and make small but critical decisions in real time.”
2. Don’t Accept Anything from Strangers—or Friends
Airports and train stations remain prime targets for smuggling attempts. While most teens understand not to accept packages from strangers, they may be tempted to help a friend or acquaintance. The TSA warns that even well-meaning favors can land travelers in legal trouble if the item violates security regulations.
Teach your teen that:
No exceptions apply—even if a trusted peer asks them to carry food, liquids, or packages.
Expensive jewelry or flashy electronics should be left at home to avoid theft risks, particularly when traveling internationally (as noted by International Citizens Insurance).
Confidence matters: Teens should feel empowered to politely refuse requests and walk away from uncomfortable interactions.
3. Carry a Credit Card (and Backup Options)
A reliable payment method is crucial for teens traveling alone. In 2025, credit cards remain the safest and most widely accepted option for emergencies, as they offer fraud protection and parental monitoring.
Best practices include:
Providing a low-limit credit card for emergencies, with real-time alerts enabled.
Teaching ATM safety—only use machines inside banks or in well-lit areas.
Setting up Apple Pay, Google Pay, or CashApp as backups, though these are not universally accepted.
Carrying cash in small denominations, stored separately from their wallet.
Lauren Juliff’s TripSavvy guide on money safety for travelers remains a valuable resource for parents to share with teens.
4. Sit Near the Gate and Verify Details
With airlines relying more heavily on app-based notifications, important updates may be missed if a teen is distracted. Encourage your child to:
Arrive early and sit directly at the assigned gate, not a nearby café or lounge.
Double-check with gate agents that their boarding pass is correct.
Stay within earshot for boarding group calls, especially during peak travel seasons.
This simple precaution reduces stress, prevents missed flights, and teaches teens to self-advocate in public spaces.
5. Streamline Security with TSA PreCheck®
Airport security remains one of the most stressful parts of travel. Enrolling your teen in TSA PreCheck® (currently $78 for a five-year membership) significantly reduces hassle. Most major U.S. airports support PreCheck lanes, which allow travelers to keep shoes and jackets on and shorten wait times.
According to TSA’s 2025 data, 94% of PreCheck passengers waited less than five minutes in security lines—a major confidence booster for first-time solo flyers. Parents should also remind teens that:
International arrivals still require standard re-screening.
Global Entry may be worthwhile if your child frequently travels abroad.
More details are available on the TSA website.
Bonus: Transportation to and from Airports
Boarding schools and summer programs often arrange shuttles to airports at semester breaks. Confirm details in advance, and make sure your teen has a backup plan. If rideshares like Uber or Lyft are necessary, instruct your teen to:
Share trip details in real-time with you or a trusted contact.
Check driver credentials carefully before entering.
Wait in designated, well-lit pickup zones.
If severe weather disrupts travel, ensure your teen knows how to book a hotel near the airport. Many chains offer mobile booking apps and loyalty programs that parents can control remotely.
Final Thoughts
As the parent of four children who traveled frequently for school, I’ve seen firsthand how unpredictable travel can be—from canceled flights to lightning-struck planes. While smartphones and digital tools have changed the logistics, the core principles of safe travel remain the same: stay alert, be prepared, and have a backup plan.
By teaching your teen these five essential travel tips, you’ll give them the confidence to navigate modern travel challenges independently—whether heading back to boarding school, visiting relatives, or exploring new opportunities abroad.
Safe, well-prepared travel experiences aren’t just about reaching a destination. They’re about building resilience, independence, and the confidence teens carry into every aspect of their education and life.
