Do you need a passport to travel from Paris to Amsterdam by train?
You don't need a passport if you're travelling between cities in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. It's worth bringing an identity document though, as customs do random spot checks from time to time. Don't forget your ticket, too.
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ID DocumentsTo 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.
Your ticket will be requested during inspections before boarding and once on board. An identity document may be requested to check the accuracy of your ticket or during a random customs inspection.
In its terms and conditions, SNCF makes it clear that “the passenger in whose name the e-ticket is issued must be able to present a valid identity document with a photo: either an identity card, a passport or a carte de séjour (residence permit)”.
There are random checks on both buses and trains. I've had my passport checked when traveling by train from Germany to France and when traveling by bus from Austria to Germany. I also had my passport checked almost every time when traveling to Switzerland, but the last time I went there was 8 years ago.
Passports are required for all passengers travelling to the UK, including children. Your passport doesn't need to be valid for a minimum number of months to travel, as long as it's valid for the length of your stay in the UK.
Paris. At Paris Nord, there are security gates at the entrance of the Thalys platforms. Before boarding the train, each passenger will have to cross these checkpoints and have his luggage scanned.
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.
In the rest of Europe, only Spain and Italy are known to have security checks for long-distance trains, or the occasional random inspection upon boarding. Lock systems have been rejected in order not to threaten the freedom of movement. Only more intense luggage checks are to be carried out.
Renfe-SNCF security checksIf 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.
VIA Rail is committed to ensure the security of its passengers and may request to validate identification. It is your responsibility to verify that you have the necessary valid photo identification when you travel with VIA Rail.
In Paris, the train stations can be much larger and somewhat confusing. If you're unfamiliar with the station in Paris, you should arrive from 45 – 60 minutes before departure time. Just like in an airport, there are arrival and departure boards.