Backpack on Trains

Sr.Bigote · Mar 9, 2017

When travelling on Renfe trains in Spain with a larger backpack (45 liters), is it required to "check" the pack or can the pack travel with you in the railcar?

Tincatinker · Mar 9, 2017

Dunno where you would 'check' a pack anyways, haven't seen a Guards Van/ Baggage Car in years. There are luggage storage areas in each carriage as well as overhead racks.

Bradypus · Mar 9, 2017

As @Tincatinker says there are overhead luggage racks on RENFE trains and they are big enough for a 45L pack.

Sr.Bigote · Mar 9, 2017

Bradypus said:
As @Tincatinker says there are overhead luggage racks on RENFE trains and they are big enough for a 45L pack.

Thank you (both).

Texas Walker · Mar 9, 2017

The racks are lovely but they don't have anything like the little cupboard doors we're used to seeing on airplanes. When we rode on a train in 2014 another party on the train car placed their pack and (unsecured) poles on the rack. The poles then promptly fell and hit the man next to me on the head! Knocked his glasses off, even. Please, please, secure your loose items against cascades.

Felipe · Mar 9, 2017

According to the official site of RENFE, you can carry three pieces of luggage, with maximum size of 85x55x35 cm. I suppose your backpack is not so big...

november_moon · Mar 9, 2017

Yes, lots and lots of people travel with luggage on Spanish trains, so no problem with a pack. Essentially, if you can get it onto the train yourself, you can take it.

Kitsambler · Mar 10, 2017

The situation described above works for the trains in France and Germany as well. You'll have to handle the baggage lifting yourself (and there can be a big step up from the platform). In addition to the overhead racks, there is usually a baggage rack area near the car entry/exit, for larger pieces.

grayland · Mar 10, 2017

I do not leave my pack (or luggage) on the rack by the doors. I have seen luggage taken on a quick grab and go at a stop. They are right near the exit.
Keep your pack near you.

Peter Fransiscus · Mar 10, 2017

Kitsambler said:
The situation described above works for the trains in France and Germany as well. You'll have to handle the baggage lifting yourself (and there can be a big step up from the platform). In addition to the overhead racks, there is usually a baggage rack area near the car entry/exit, for larger pieces.

My / Our pack is always in the overhead rack in what ever train we are .
Absolutely not in the rack beside the entrance of the train .
Wish you well,Peter.

Barbara · Mar 10, 2017

If you can get it on your back it will go in the rack on a normal train.
On the narrow gauge lines it might have to be by your feet as there is less luggage space. Also not very full trains, usually.

HeidiL · Mar 10, 2017

If I leave my pack on the rack by the door, I fasten the waist strap to the nearest metal bar - and often strap my husband's pack to mine. I'm not paranoid, but if someone wants to steal our stuff, it will take a bit more than just grabbing and running.

spursfan · Mar 10, 2017

You should also appreciate that on fast inter-city trains all luggage is put through airport-style security machines; a sad legacy of the 2004 Madrid train station bombing

FLEUR · Mar 10, 2017

Noticed this at SDC.
At Irun and Palencia they carefully checked names against a list and then let you on to the platform to wait for the train. Ticket inspectors on trains seemed to circulate and tick names on their lists so they checked tickets.

Bradypus · Mar 10, 2017

FLEUR said:
Noticed this at SDC.
At Irun and Palencia they carefully checked names against a list and then let you on to the platform to wait for the train. Ticket inspectors on trains seemed to circulate and tick names on their lists so they checked tickets.

Seems to apply at major stations but not smaller halts. In February I took a train from Madrid Chamartin to A Gudina at the start of a walk along the Sanabres. Ticket check and luggage scanned on entering the platform at Chamartin. No barriers or security at all at smaller stations along the route where people boarded freely. Made me wonder quite what the rationale for these checks is.

FLEUR · Mar 10, 2017

I suspect terrorists would choose a major station or train service because this will have more impact on more people and cause major disruption

grayland · Mar 10, 2017

I have never noticed any security or identity check of any type on any train in Spain.

I have encountered drug sniffing dogs at many train stops and stations in Italy.

naplesdon · Mar 10, 2017

I always chuck my pack in the storage unit at the end of car. At some stations I will stand up and cast a wary eye on my bag before the train departs.
The only story I have ever heard about problems of this sort, was a young American pilgrim and her mother leaving from the Madrid Airport headed to Porto to start their Camino on a weekend. They mentioned there were was lots of unsavory youth hanging around. The young girl put her bag in the area at the end of the car and watched in horror as the train pulled away from an local stop and her bags was being carried off by one of the youth at one of the first stops. I doubt this is a common event but don't be stupid especially in your jet lagged state of mind.

grayland · Mar 10, 2017

Don...I have actually seen that happen. Once the evil doers got on the stop before and then just grabbed bags at next stop and ran off. Another time, in France, they jumped on at the stop grabbed a bag and ran off.
Most people hardly noticed.
It happens...I just don't leave my pack on the luggage rack.

FLEUR · Mar 10, 2017

Security was very noticeable at SDC last October. All luggage was screened before we went to the platform and boarded the train to Palencia.

Sr.Bigote · Mar 10, 2017

spursfan said:
You should also appreciate that on fast inter-city trains all luggage is put through airport-style security machines; a sad legacy of the 2004 Madrid train station bombing

Any issue with carrying small "multitool" type knifes through security (that wouldn't pass through airport security)?

Dinkumdigger · Mar 10, 2017

Sr.Bigote said:
Any issue with carrying small "multitool" type knifes through security (that wouldn't pass through airport security)?

Put it in the bottom of your pack if you are worried about carrying it on your belt or in your pocket.

bernhugo · Mar 10, 2017

No security checks were made at Pamplona or Burgos a couple of years ago. There is plenty of room on those trains. I cannot speak for trains from Barcelona or Madrid.
The underground lines were very tight, not allowing photographs to be taken.

Dylan Price · Mar 13, 2017

grayland said:
I do not leave my pack (or luggage) on the rack by the doors. I have seen luggage taken on a quick grab and go at a stop. They are right near the exit.
Keep your pack near you.

we did use these racks but always secured our packs together with a cable lock - so good luck tyrying to quickly make off with 30kgs !

We still always made sure they were secure though - or put them in the seat above us if we could

november_moon · Mar 28, 2017

Sr.Bigote said:
Any issue with carrying small "multitool" type knifes through security (that wouldn't pass through airport security)?

We went through security a couple times at Madrid Atocha station with knives in our packs and no one said anything about them. Security definitely isn't as tight as at airports.

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