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Do they check passports on trains in Europe?

Passport checks used to be carried on the international Eurostar train, but all formalities are now carried out before boarding. At some border crossings, the train stops twice. First on one side of the border for checks and then on the other side for a second set of checks.



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ID Documents To travel on Eurostar you need either a valid passport or a national identity card (EEA citizens and Swiss nationals). Babies and children must have their own valid travel documents.

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Renfe-SNCF security checks If you're European, your identity card is sufficient. If you're a non-European citizen, you'll need to travel with your passport. Baggage checks are carried out at all Spanish stations before boarding the train.

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You enter Switzerland when going into the main building. The passport check, if it takes place at all, takes anything between 5-15 min. If you are on a direct train from France into Switzerland, the passport checks take place in the train. The procedure shouldn't last more than a few minutes.

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The Schengen area comprises 27 European countries. There is normally no passport control on the borders between these countries. If you have a valid visa or residence permit in one of these countries, you can also visit the other Schengen countries.

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You won't get a stamp when crossing internal borders, no matter whether it's train, plane or car. There is simply no one to give it to you. It's equal with crossing border from New York to New Jersey (for example).

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Passport records do not include evidence of travel such as entrance or exit stamps, visas, or residence permits.

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Why were you flagged?
  • Booking a one-way ticket.
  • Paying for a ticket with cash.
  • Making flight reservations on short notice.
  • Recent travel to certain countries.
  • Holding a passport from a country that the U.S. does not have a good relationship with.


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You must validate (composter) all French train tickets before you board a train unless you have printed your ticket off at home or downloaded it on your mobile phone. Tickets that are bought or exchanged at a station self-service machine in the hour before you travel may be validated automatically, according to SNCF.

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Following federal Transportation Security Administration (TSA) guidelines, we regularly conduct random ticket verification checks onboard trains to ensure that passengers are properly ticketed. Please be prepared to show valid photo identification to a member of the onboard crew upon request.

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