Language courses abroad for under-18s travelling on their own 2027: ages, accommodation and transfers

Updated 2 November 2026 · Prices from each school's official 2027 price list

Not every language school takes under-18s on their own, and those that do usually ask for three things: a minimum age, accommodation with supervision (a host family or a residence that accepts minors) and an airport transfer. With 2027 prices we have 8 junior programmes at 4 schools for teenagers, 19 schools whose regular course accepts students from 12-15 and that have a host family for that age, and 107 schools in 16 countries for 16 and 17 year olds.

This guide is for students who travel on their own, alone or with one or two friends, not for school groups. We update it every week with the 2027 prices that schools send us.

Junior programmes for teenagers 2027

Courses designed for young people, with classes of their age and, often, activities. Price of one week with the LanguageBookings discount; accommodation is "included" when the programme is a package, otherwise the cheapest host family for that age, per week. Transfer: one way (and return) from the school's nearest airport.

Your price is what you pay when you book on LanguageBookings: the school's price minus our discount (and the school's own offer, where there is one). Registration fees are not included; the course page shows them.

Regular courses that accept 12-15 year olds, with a host family for their age

At these 19 schools a younger teenager can join the regular course (with students of all ages, by level) and stay with a host family that accepts their age. Course price for 2 weeks with our discount; host family per week.

16 and 17 year olds: where they can go, country by country

From 16 the choice is much wider: 107 schools in 16 countries accept 16 or 17 year olds on the regular course and have a host family for them. The cheapest in each country: 2 weeks of course with our discount + 2 weeks of host family + placement fee.

The minimum ages are the ones each school has given us for the course and for the accommodation. Registration fees are not included.

Travelling with one or two friends

Friends can book the same course and the same weeks and ask for a twin or shared room in the same host family: 65 host family options at 34 of our schools are twin, double or shared rooms that accept under-18s, from €150 a week per person (Accademia Italiana - Salerno, Salerno).

Each student is booked separately (each with their own consent form); tell us in the comments that you are travelling together and we will ask the school to put you in the same family.

What to check before booking

• Supervision. Ask the school who looks after the student outside class, what time they have to be home, which activities are supervised and the 24-hour emergency number. We ask for you if you prefer.
• Airport transfer. In 14 of the 447 accommodation options for minors in our database the transfer is compulsory. For a minor travelling alone we recommend booking it even when it is not.
• School consent form. Schools usually ask for their own form signed by a parent or guardian, with medical, allergy and diet information and an emergency contact. We pass everything on to the school when you book.
• Travel authorisation and documents. Many countries ask minors travelling without their parents to carry a letter or form signed by them, and some have an official procedure. Requirements depend on the country of departure and the destination: check the official websites of both (police, foreign ministry, embassy) well in advance, including whether a visa is needed.
• Flight. Airlines have their own rules for minors flying alone (ages, escort service and its price): check them before buying the ticket and give the school the flight details so the transfer can meet the student.
• Insurance. Health and travel insurance for the whole stay; some schools require it.
• Book through LanguageBookings: you get our discount on the course, you pay nothing upfront (your card is only authorised for the deposit, which is charged when the school confirms; the rest you pay to the school), and if you find the same course cheaper under the same conditions, we match the price.

General guidance only, not legal or immigration advice. The requirements for minors travelling alone (authorisations, documents, visas) depend on the countries involved and the airline and can change: check them with the official sources of each country and with the airline, and the school's conditions with the school.

More guides

• Language courses for families 2027

Frequently asked questions

From what age can a teenager go to a language school abroad on their own?

Junior programmes accept students from age 10, depending on the school. On regular courses, 19 of our schools accept 12-15 year olds and have a host family for that age, and 107 accept 16-17 year olds.

Does a minor need a parental authorisation to travel alone?

Often yes, but it depends on the country of departure, the destination and the airline. Check the official websites of both countries and the airline; the school will also ask for its own consent form. This is general information, not legal advice.

Is the airport transfer compulsory for minors?

In 14 accommodation options for minors in our database it is, and our booking form will not let you skip it. Where it is optional, we still recommend it for anyone under 18 travelling alone.

Tell us the student's age, the course and the weeks, and we will check with the school the accommodation, the transfer and everything it needs for a minor.