Countrywise boarding information

Train Boarding Rules & Procedures

What to expect at the station and platform, by country

Boarding procedures vary a lot across Europe — from airport-style security screening on Spain's Renfe AVE to the open, no-gate boarding common on Swiss and Austrian trains. Some services require a mandatory seat reservation and a strict cutoff time before departure; others let you simply walk onto the platform and find a seat. Use the tabs below to see what to expect for each country and train type.

  • International (Eurostar)
  • France
  • Switzerland
  • Germany
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Austria
  • Netherlands
  • Belgium

Eurostar (to and from London)

Best for: routes via the Channel Tunnel to/from London St Pancras

  • Arrival time: 75–90 minutes before departure at most stations (St Pancras, Paris, Amsterdam); 45–60 minutes at Brussels, Lille and Rotterdam. Premier class: 30–60 minutes. Ticket/security gates close 30 minutes before departure (15 minutes for Premier).
  • ID & documents: A valid passport is required — UK border control does not accept national ID cards. Passport should be issued within the last 10 years and valid at least 3 months beyond the return date. All travellers must submit Advance Passenger Information (API) before collecting tickets. Non-UK/non-EU citizens may need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA); non-EU nationals also complete the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) biometric registration on the day of travel.
  • Security & border control: Airport-style luggage X-ray screening, plus juxtaposed French/Belgian exit control and UK entry control (or the reverse), all completed before boarding — there are no checks on arrival.
  • Ticket & reservation: Ticket is checked at the gate, before the security/border area (e-ticket via app or printed). Seats are pre-assigned on the ticket.
  • Luggage: Standard/Plus: 2 pieces + 1 hand bag (each up to 85cm, no weight limit). Premier: 3 pieces + 1 hand bag. Excess luggage can be booked in advance (£35–£60) or paid for at the station (€30).
  • Other: Premier passengers get priority check-in and boarding; contactless/e-gate check-in is available at St Pancras.

Eurostar (within European mainland)

Best for: routes that don't touch the UK (e.g. Paris–Brussels–Amsterdam)

  • Arrival time: About 20 minutes before departure — there's no separate check-in step, so head straight to the platform. Be ready to board 5 minutes before departure (10 minutes at Paris Gare du Nord).
  • ID & documents: No formal travel-document requirement between France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany, but carrying a passport or ID card is recommended in case of random spot checks.
  • Security & border control: No security screening and no passport control on these mainland-only routes.
  • Ticket & reservation: No gate check before boarding; tickets are scanned at station gates (e.g. in Dutch stations) or checked on board by the train manager.
  • Luggage: Same per-class piece allowance as London routes, but each item is limited to 75cm (vs. 85cm on London routes).
  • Other: Since the Thalys/Eurostar merger, these journeys are treated as standard high-speed rail travel, without any airport-style processing.

TGV — Domestic and international

Best for: SNCF's high-speed TGV inOui and international TGV routes

  • Arrival time: Around 20 minutes before departure is recommended; platform/gate access is only guaranteed until 2 minutes before departure (a strict 2-minute cutoff applies on routes to Spain).
  • Reservation: Mandatory on all TGV inOui and international services — the seat number is printed on the ticket.
  • Ticket & gate check: About 20 major stations (Paris Gare de Lyon, Gare du Nord, Gare de l'Est, Montparnasse, Lille Flandres, Lyon Part-Dieu/Perrache, Rennes, Nantes, Aix TGV, Marseille, and others) use automated gates that scan e-tickets/QR codes to control platform access. Elsewhere, tickets are checked on board by the conductor.
  • ID: Photo ID (national ID, passport, or EU driving licence) is required to board. Carry a passport for international journeys, per the destination country's rules.
  • Platform display: Gate/platform information is generally shown around 20 minutes before departure.
  • Luggage: 2 suitcases + 1 carry-on (or 1 suitcase + 1 special item + 1 carry-on). Bags must be self-carried and labelled; fines of €50–150 apply for excess luggage.

French Intercity — day and night

Best for: Intercités day trains and Intercités de Nuit overnight services

  • Arrival time: Same general 20-minute guidance as TGV inOui applies.
  • Reservation: Mandatory — seat or berth is assigned at booking. On night trains, you choose your berth position (upper/middle/lower) or can book a private or women-only compartment.
  • Ticket check: A mix of automated gates at major hubs and onboard conductor checks, the same system used for TGV.
  • Night-train specifics: A complimentary night kit (mask, earplugs, wipes) is provided; the conductor can give a personalised wake-up call; first-class passengers get shower access on arrival at some stations (e.g. Paris-Austerlitz, Toulouse). Travelling light is recommended since luggage is stored within the cabin/compartment.
  • Luggage: Same allowance and rules as TGV.

French TER (regional)

Best for: SNCF's regional network

  • Arrival time: No fixed minute recommendation from SNCF — general "arrive with time to spare" guidance only.
  • Reservation: Not needed or available on most TER lines; mandatory only on two specific Fluo lines (Paris–Strasbourg via Épernay, and Paris–Mulhouse via Troyes).
  • Ticket check: Onboard conductor only — there are no station gates. If presenting a ticket as a PDF on a smartphone, ID may be requested.
  • Luggage: No published size/quantity limit, but bags must be self-handled and must not block aisles or doors.

Swiss SBB trains

Best for: standard SBB domestic and international services

  • Boarding: No fixed check-in window — Switzerland uses an open, trust-based system with no gates or barriers at platforms. Board any time before scheduled departure.
  • Reservation: Not mandatory on standard SBB trains (optional reservations exist on some routes).
  • Ticket check: No gates — conductors check tickets on board during the journey. A valid ticket must be in hand (or checked in via app) before departure, with no grace period; digital-ticket holders may be asked for ID to match the ticket.
  • Other: No assigned carriage or seat unless separately reserved; luggage is stored on overhead racks or between seats.

Glacier Express

Best for: the panoramic route between Zermatt and St. Moritz

  • Reservation: Mandatory for every passenger, separate from the ticket, and bookable up to 93 days ahead. Demand is high, so book early — individual seats are assigned at online booking, with final train/carriage/seat numbers confirmed closer to travel.
  • Boarding: No published minimum arrival time, but allow a buffer since seating is pre-assigned.
  • Luggage: On-board racks at the end of each carriage (plan for one large piece beyond your hand luggage). Skis, golf bags, oversized luggage, bikes and e-scooters are not permitted on board. An advance luggage transport service is available for larger bags (via a dedicated mobility service for individuals, or SBB's transport service for groups of 10+).

Bernina Express

Best for: the panoramic route between Chur/St. Moritz and Tirano, Italy

  • Reservation: Mandatory on the Bernina Express panorama cars (a seasonal seat-reservation fee applies), separate from unreserved regional trains that cover the same line.
  • Boarding: No official minimum arrival time published; arrive with time to spare for your seat/carriage assignment, as with the Glacier Express.
  • Luggage: Racks near the carriage doors are sized for large suitcases, with small wardrobes for coats near the doors; smaller items stay at your seat.
  • ID & border: The route crosses into Italy at Tirano. Both countries are in the Schengen Area, so there's no routine passport control, but carry a passport or ID for this leg.

DB ICE — German (domestic)

Best for: Deutsche Bahn's domestic high-speed network

  • Arrival time: DB doesn't publish a fixed "arrive X minutes early" rule (there's no airline-style check-in) — arrive with enough buffer to check the platform display and coach sequence before the train arrives.
  • Reservation: Optional (small fee), and included free with Flexpreis 1st class and group tickets. The ticket is valid with or without one. The "Wagenstandanzeige" (coach-sequence display) on the platform and in the DB Navigator app shows which lettered platform section (A–F) each coach will stop at, so you can position yourself in advance.
  • Ticket check: No gates or turnstiles — conductors check tickets on board after departure. DB's "Komfort Check-in" (via app) lets passengers self-check-in and skip the physical check.
  • ID: For online/digital tickets, an official photo ID must be shown alongside the ticket during checks. There's no border/passport control domestically.
  • Luggage: No strict limit — one large item per person is free, provided it can be carried by one person alone, and stored in overhead racks, floor racks, or between seats.

DB ICE — international

Best for: ICE routes crossing into neighbouring countries (Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Basel/Zurich, Vienna)

  • Arrival time: Earlier arrival is recommended than for domestic ICE, to allow time for possible border-police spot checks and to locate your coach on a longer, often busier train.
  • Reservation: Compulsory (free) on many cross-border routes — notably to Paris and on select Swiss crossings — and DB has at times extended mandatory reservations to nearly all international long-distance connections during high-demand periods.
  • Ticket check: Same onboard conductor model as domestic ICE, plus photo ID. Some partner-carrier legs (ÖBB, Trenitalia, Eurostar) recommend extra digital check-in or printed documents.
  • ID & border: Within the Schengen Area (Netherlands, Belgium, France, Switzerland, Austria) there's generally no routine passport control, but DB advises having a passport/ID ready — Federal Police carry out spot checks either between border stops or at designated border stations, which can add 5–15 minutes.
  • Luggage: Same DB rules as domestic apply on the German-operated legs.

Renfe AVE

Best for: Spain's flagship high-speed service

  • Arrival time: About 30 minutes before departure (airport-style guidance). The access-control checkpoint closes 2 minutes before departure — a strict cutoff.
  • Security: Mandatory X-ray screening of all bags, plus an ID check matched to the name on the ticket.
  • Luggage: 3 pieces per traveller, combined weight up to 25kg and combined size up to 290cm; maximum single piece 85×55×35cm.
  • Boarding: Validate your ticket and ID at the access-control checkpoint, then proceed to the platform/coach shown on the ticket.

Renfe Alvia

Best for: hybrid high-speed/conventional routes

  • Arrival time: 10–15 minutes per Renfe's general guidance, though 30 minutes is commonly advised at major high-speed hubs. Same 2-minute pre-departure cutoff applies.
  • Security: Same X-ray screening and ID-matching as AVE where departing from high-speed terminals.
  • Luggage: Same general Renfe limits as AVE (3 pieces, 25kg/290cm combined).

Renfe Euromed

Best for: the Barcelona–Valencia–Alicante high-speed corridor

  • Arrival time: Same profile as AVE/Alvia — about 30 minutes recommended, 2-minute pre-departure gate cutoff.
  • Security: Mandatory X-ray/ID check, shared Adif high-speed station infrastructure.
  • Luggage: Standard Renfe baggage limits (3 items, 25kg/290cm combined).

Renfe Intercity

Best for: Renfe's conventional long-distance service

  • Arrival time: More relaxed — 10–15 minutes is typical, with no published hard security-linked cutoff.
  • Security: No airport-style X-ray screening; standard ticket/ID inspection by onboard staff (photo ID to match the ticket).
  • Luggage: General Renfe allowance applies.

Renfe MD (Media Distancia)

Best for: medium-distance regional-type routes

  • Arrival time: About 10 minutes is typical — no security/X-ray requirement, so you can walk straight to the platform.
  • Ticket & ID: Checked on board by the conductor.
  • Luggage: Standard Renfe limits apply.

Iryo

Best for: premium high-speed alternative on the Madrid–Barcelona and other corridors

  • Boarding window: Opens 30 minutes before departure and closes 2 minutes before scheduled departure — the gate does not reopen after that.
  • Security: Ticket control and ID checks take place before reaching the platform — allow extra time.
  • Luggage: Hand bag up to 36×27×15cm; cabin bag up to 55×35×25cm; large bag up to 80×55×35cm (large bag only on premium fares). Weapons, sharp objects and flammable items are prohibited.

Ouigo Spain

Best for: low-cost high-speed travel

  • Arrival time: Uses the same Adif high-speed stations and checkpoints as AVE, so similar ~30-minute arrival guidance and X-ray/ID screening apply. Checked bags must be dropped off at the station at least 30 minutes before departure.
  • Luggage: 1 cabin bag (55×35×25cm, no weight limit) + 1 small bag (40×30×15cm) included. An oversized bag (up to 130×90×50cm/30kg) can be added for a small fee. Baggage size/count is verified before boarding.

Trenitalia Frecciarossa

Best for: Trenitalia's flagship high-speed service

  • Arrival time: 20–30 minutes recommended, given named-seat ticketing.
  • Reservation: Mandatory — the ticket is tied to a specific date, time and seat; there's no walk-up open fare.
  • Boarding cutoff: Station/platform access is permitted only up to 1 minute before scheduled departure, per the conditions of carriage.
  • Ticket check: Checked on board by the conductor; ID may be requested since the ticket is name-bound.
  • Platform: Shown on departure boards/the app shortly before departure (commonly 10–20 minutes, though not an officially fixed figure).
  • Luggage: A "reasonable amount" is free, provided it doesn't obstruct the aisles. (Note: a 2024 rule limiting passengers to 2 bags with size limits was suspended in March 2026 and is not currently enforced.)

Trenitalia Frecciargento

Best for: high-speed/tilting hybrid routes

  • Same procedure as Frecciarossa: mandatory named-seat reservation, no separate validation required, conductor check plus possible ID request, and the same suspended baggage rule and ~20–30 minute arrival guidance.

Trenitalia Frecciabianca

Best for: conventional fast intercity service

  • Identical procedure to the other Frecce services: mandatory reservation, no validation needed, conductor ticket check with possible ID request, and the same 1-minute boarding cutoff and baggage policy.

Trenitalia Intercity — day and night

Best for: Intercity day trains and Intercity Notte overnight services

  • Reservation: Mandatory (named ticket) for both day Intercity and overnight Intercity Notte.
  • Ticket check: Checked on board by the conductor/attendant; ID may be requested for the name-bound ticket.
  • Intercity Notte specifics: Cabin (cuccetta/comfort) is assigned at booking; the carriage attendant manages the cabin and checks tickets/ID at boarding. Arrive with extra buffer (30–45 minutes recommended) to locate the correct carriage and cabin, since overnight trains often have complex compositions. Luggage is stored within the cabin.

Trenitalia Regionale and Regionale Veloce

Best for: Italy's regional network

  • Reservation: None — open, unassigned ticketing.
  • Validation: Mandatory for paper tickets without a pre-printed date/time — these must be stamped at the green/white validation machines on the platform before boarding. Unvalidated tickets are fined as if travelling without a valid ticket. The newer digital regional ticket auto-validates at the train's scheduled departure time (no manual stamping needed) but must still be shown with ID to the conductor.
  • Arrival time: 10–15 minutes is typically sufficient, since there are no assigned seats.
  • Luggage: Same free/reasonable-amount rule as the Frecce services.

Railjet

Best for: ÖBB's flagship long-distance and international service

  • Arrival time: ÖBB doesn't publish a fixed minutes-before-departure rule. Platform departure monitors use a blinking-dot system (white = train at platform, green = 5 minutes to departure, yellow = 2 minutes to departure) — arrive early enough to find your platform/sector before the yellow signal.
  • Reservation: Optional (not mandatory) across Business, 1st and 2nd class; worth booking if you want to guarantee your preferred train or seat. Bookable up to 180 days ahead via app, Ticketshop or counter.
  • Ticket check: No station gates — the conductor checks tickets on board.
  • ID & border: No ID needed for domestic travel. On international Railjet routes (Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Czechia — all Schengen states), routine passport checks aren't standard, but carrying a valid passport/ID is recommended since spot checks can occur.
  • Luggage: No fixed piece/weight limit — you must be able to carry your own bags without blocking aisles or doors. Bikes need a reservation plus a bike ticket.
  • Platform/car position: ÖBB posts a "Wagenreihungsplan" in the platform information zone at long-distance stations, showing which lettered platform sector each carriage will stop in.

OBB regional

Best for: ÖBB's regional and S-Bahn-type services

  • Arrival time: Same platform monitor/dot-signal system as Railjet; since there's no reservation to plan around, a shorter buffer generally suffices.
  • Reservation: Generally not available or needed — only group journeys can be booked, not an individual binding seat reservation.
  • Ticket check: No gates; onboard conductor check (or none at all on some lines).
  • ID & border: None required for domestic regional trips.
  • Luggage: Same free, carry-it-yourself policy as Railjet; bikes allowed space-permitting, with no advance reservation.

NL trains (NS)

Best for: Nederlandse Spoorwegen's domestic Dutch network

  • Arrival time: NS doesn't publish a strict "arrive X minutes early" domestic rule; arrive with enough time to check in before your platform's departure, since the check-in step is required before boarding.
  • Reservation: Not required or available on standard NS domestic trains (unlike NS International services).
  • Ticket process — check-in/check-out (CICO): Domestic NS travel uses a mandatory tap-in/tap-out system. Tap your OV-chipkaart, contactless bank/debit card, or OVpay-linked device against the yellow readers/gates when starting your journey (one beep, gate opens on a green arrow), and again at the end (two beeps confirm checkout), within up to six hours. This does not apply to NS International tickets, which use a separate gate-opening process.
  • ID: Not required for domestic travel.
  • Luggage: No published domestic weight/size limits — passengers carry their own bags; bikes need a bike ticket.

SNCB trains

Best for: SNCB/NMBS's domestic Belgian network

  • Arrival time: Be on the platform at least 1 minute before departure — doors close automatically 30 seconds to a minute before scheduled departure, and boarding isn't possible after that.
  • Reservation: Not required or available on standard domestic trains (open seating); only Group Tickets guarantee a reserved seat.
  • Ticket process: No gates — an onboard conductor checks paper or electronic tickets during the journey; present your ticket immediately when asked. Travelling without a valid ticket incurs the fare plus a supplement, or a larger irregularity fee if declined (refundable if a valid ticket is later shown).
  • ID: Not required for standard domestic tickets.
  • Luggage: Store bags in overhead racks, under seats, or between seats without blocking aisles; non-folding bikes go in designated bike spaces with conductor assistance.
  • Platform: Stay behind the marked safety line as trains approach.

Boarding rules, arrival-time recommendations, and baggage policies are set by each rail operator and can change — always check the operator's current official guidance before travel. Content compiled from official operator help pages (Eurostar, SNCF Connect, SBB, Deutsche Bahn, Renfe, Iryo, Trenitalia, ÖBB, NS, SNCB) as of August 2026.

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