I've taken the trains in Spain and the train attendents do walk around checking the tickets. Only once did the train attendant held my ticket and give it back to me before my departure. I was staying in a litera. But is it true that the attendants also take and hold your passports and then give it back to you? I'm very uncomfortable of that idea.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
That may be true in certain areas or for overnight sleeping compartments.
In my experience, 2nd class day time trains in multiple countries, I have never even been asked for a passport. I have been asked for my ticket on almost every train. I always have a ticket and it's always validated. Maybe I look honest so they don't look at my passport to see if the ticket really belongs to me.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
I have only encountered that situation leaving Russia by rail to Lithuania. With all the other red-tape requirements in Russia, I didn't even think twice about it (who knows, maybe I now have a file in the FSB?)
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
We were asked for our passport a few times in Switzerland to confirm that we matched the name on our 1/2 price tickets. The conductors returned the passport immediately upon indentification. The 1/2 price tickets are good for 30 days and I guess it would be easy to give them away after a short visit. They do check.
Posted by
OH, OH, USA
1158 posts
They are supposed to ask you for a passport if you travel from a country that is not in the EU and go to one that is in the EU, or vice versa.
There are no borders now between Schengen countries, and EU countries.
If you come by air , yes you need to show your passport, but by train or car, no.
I heard that train attendents might hold you passport, but not sure in which countries. I guess it's because if you are in an overnight train for exemple, they don't want to wake you up. You might not even hear them knocking on your door. I think you can opt not to give them yoour passport. Se if you can find something about it on their web page.