Wooden hiking pole in TGV / Eurostar? Allowed / forbidden?

[good_old_shoes]

Sorry for the stupid question.

Usually I travel by bus and never had problems bringing my wooden hiking pole. It went down into the luggage compartment.

Now for the first time I'll travel with the Eurostar (not from UK but via Belgium) and TGV (via Paris and Bordeaux to St. Jean). That's all new to me.

I'd love to bring my hiking pole with me. It's a classic wooden one with a metal tip.

I've heard that the Eurostar and TGV have more strict security rules than our German high speed trains, and am a bit worried that they won't allow my stick in the train?

Have had it for many years now and leaving it behind at the train station in case they do not allow it is no option.

Has anyone experience with this?

(I know I could just bring "modern" poles and put them into my pack, or buy a new stick in St. Jean. But I love the one I have and would prefer to use that one, if possible).

Thanks in advance!

 

[DirtAmy]

How long is it?
In theory, the Eurostars that cross the channel won't allow anything longer than 0.85m (0.75mx0.53mx0.3m elsewhere). I don't think that restriction is on the Eurostars that used to be Thalys and I've seen plenty of luggage longer than 0.85m crossing the channel anyway. But length might be your first consideration.

Edit to add: https://help.eurostar.com/faq/uk-en/question/How-much-luggage-can-I-take

 

[Kathar1na]

Eurostar (not from UK but via Belgium)

Just for info and @DirtAmy indicated it already: Although it says now Eurostar on these trains, they are the old Thalys trains, and there's no room to swing a cat in there. I always try to travel on an ICE or TGV instead.

Like @DirtAmy, I think that size is the main concern. I checked the TGV website - they explicitly allow a pair of skis for example. Il n’y a aucune limite de taille pour les skis, toutefois, chaque voyageur, ne peut voyager qu’avec une seule paire. So no limit on size for this kind of sports baggage.

 

[good_old_shoes]

Just for info and @DirtAmy indicated it already: Although it says now Eurostar on these trains, they are the old Thalys trains, and there's no room to swing a cat in there. I always try to travel on an ICE or TGV instead.

Like @DirtAmy, I think that size is the main concern. I checked the TGV website - they explicitly allow a pair of skis for example. Il n’y a aucune limite de taille pour les skis, toutefois, chaque voyageur, ne peut voyager qu’avec une seule paire. So no limit on size for this kind of sports baggage.

I think my concern is that they might say it is a weapon, and therefore not allowed. Regarding size - I mean, it's a stick, it doesn't need much room, even though it's longer than 85 cm. In the ICE and regional trains I usually hang it from the coat hanger next to the seats at the windows.

I read on the website that ski are allowed. With ski usually come ski poles, which are not much different to hiking poles? So it might be okay, maybe...

I guess I am simply worried they won't allow me in the train with my trusted stick and I'll be left behind in the train station and we need to take the 24hr (one way) bus instead .

Maybe taking off the metal tip makes a difference...? Then it's not much different from an ordinary walking cane.

It would be reassuring to hear from someone who has done it.

But thank you for your replies!

 

[Kathar1na]

I think my concern is that they might say it is a weapon, and therefore not allowed

I understand that. I guess that we can have the same discussion thread as we have about poles in airplanes.

My main point was really pointing out that the Thalys is now a Thalys with Eurostar written on it.

Bon voyage!

 

[limescene]

I’ve travelled through Paris several times (also to Bayonne/Hendaye) and never saw anyone checking the travellers belongings. Sure you will need to scan your ticket before being allowed onto the platform at Montparnasse but that should be all.

I have never travelled on the Thalys so I don’t know if there is any kind of enforced regulations. But since it sounds you’re going to board the train in Germany I wouldn’t expect anyone to check your belongings when boarding either.