We will be traveling in Spain later this month and using train transportation between cities. This is our first trip to Europe and we are wondering how soon before departure time should we plan to arrive at the station? Is there a security process we go through similar to TSA in the U.S.? Will baggage be screened; liquids in gallon bag, etc? If so, about how long does all that take? I have already purchased our tickets so we won't need to stand in line to buy them.
Thank you for your advice!
How early depends on which station. But yes, your baggage will go through a screening (load it onto the belt, it goes through the machine and you grab it on the other side - nothing comes out). The process itself isn’t long but the line can make it long. I always like to be sure I know where my track is and give myself extra minutes to scope out a new station. 30 minutes early is my minimum comfort level when the station is new to me - a little longer if it’s a large station.
Since the 2004 terror attack in Madrid, baggage is screened at most major train stations (e.g. Madrid to Barcelona, Madrid to Cordoba, Cordoba to Seville) in Spain but it is not as extensive as TSA. We usually arrive 30 minutes before departure for long distance trains.
We will be using stations in Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada and Madrid.
Hi from Wisconsin,
My wife and I are risk averse. At least abut catching transportation. We arrive at the train station an hour ahead of time. It makes the whole event much more relaxed. Much better to sit and wait, than run to catch a train.
Our experience has been: Our bags might get scanned. We might get wanded. It has always a very quick line. But you know how life goes, if you are running late...the line will be slow.
It is nice to get the lay of the land concerning the rail station. So once your train and (gosh I can't come up with the word) docking station (line) are identified so you know where to go. Getting to the train a bit early, in the first wave, helps assure a good place for your luggage.
Cutting things close is stressful. I have a friend who cuts every connection to the last minute. He always wants to visit one more place, get one more photo. His wife is a nervous reck, he is thrilled by the stress.
wayne iNWI
One issue is that if you arrive early your train may not be posted to the departure board. That generally happens around the 30 minutes or later time when the platform for your train is posted. Our experience is that all of Spain has a light screening of luggage. No 3 in 1 bags or anything of that type. You are not allow in the platform area until 30 prior to departure. Also there is no check-in procedure like the US airlines. No checked luggage.
In Spain you will need to put your suitcase through an x-ray machine which takes two minutes. Nothing like TSA and plastic bags. Then you stand on the platform and get on the train. 30 minutes ahead is more than enough time. One hour is way to long to wait.
Awesome, thanks everyone. We also hate to be rushed so we will probably arrive in plenty of time to find our way around the station and find our gate/platform/dock. I'd rather be early than running late. Appreciate all the input!
We just returned from Spain ( literally just landed in US and on ourway home) and took trains from Cordoba, Granada and Madrid
They won’t let you thru the security screen til about 20 min before train so arriving at station 30 min is fine- 45 min if you need a snack or a pit stop
Both Granada and Cordoba are rather small stations, very easy to navigate.
Madrid Atocha is huge- give it more time
Enjoy your trip- I hope it’s not as hot for you as it was for us! Whew!
Thanks, ChristineH! I've been following the weather there and it has been toasty for sure!
It was brutal and unexpected
In the 50s now on east coast and feels so nice!
We will be using stations in Sevilla, Cordoba, Granada and Madrid.
Madrid is the only of these stations where you'll go through security before even the waiting area, and with people catching other trains. I always target arriving at Atocha 30 minutes before departure.
Your other three stations will have the security right before accessing the platform, and won't begin screening until the train is ready to board. You can cut the time closer getting to these three.
Compared to TSA the screenings are cursory.
