On our upcoming trip we take three train rides. From past experience I'm assuming we won't need nearly the pre-boarding time in the train station as is required at the airport - but I wanted to just check in case anything has changed due to new procedures or security checks. Our trains/stations are as follows:
- Amsterdam - Thalys to Paris
- Paris - TGV Lyria to Basel
- Salzburg - IC train to Linz

Any reason to arrive more than 30 minutes in advance for any of those?

Thanks

Thalys now has security checks but only when leaving Paris, not Amsterdam.

Little reason to arrive even 30 minutes ahead.

Just be on board when the brakes come off and they go...

Departure tracks in France and the Netherlands won't even be posted until about 20 minutes before the train leaves, so no reason to be there early. Not sure about Swiss trains, but I imagine it's similar.

The departure track for Thalys from Amsterdam is listed on the NSInternational website, and is normally 15a.
If you are chaging in Brussels and taking the IC from Amsterdam it normally leaves from 14a or 15a depending on the time. You don't need to be there 30 minutes before hand, but if it makes you feel more comfortable then do so.

https://www.nsinternational.nl/en/trains/thalys tells you about the trains, and finding your seats.

>Any reason to arrive more than 30 minutes in advance for any of those?<

Certainly not for the Salzburg - Linz train.

>Any reason to arrive more than 30 minutes in advance for any of those?<

No - doors close sometimes a minute before take off in some places but except for Thalys there is no boarding screening normally but with Thalys I'd get there 5-10 minutes before hand.

For lots of info on European trains check Man in Seat 61's commercial site www.seat61.com and www.ricksteves.com and www.budgeteuropetravel.com.

You should always IMO arrive several minutes beforehand in case there have been track or platform changes - not unusual in busy stations - always also see if the train you are boarding has placards on its outside of carriages as to what places that exact train car is heading.

Does this same timeframe apply on a Eurostar Paris to London? I read somewhere that it was 45 minutes for that train?

I understand Thalys has introduced a security check in Amsterdam as well.

Eurostar London-Brussels/Paris has had a 30-35 minutes show up early thing for a long time - you can show up later and probably get thru security but if lines are long there is no guarantee as there is if you enter the turnstiles within the prescribed time limit on the ticket - may have changed to 45 minutes in light of recent events.

I would assume that the Thalys has undercover cops on trains and in stations as well - especially in Belgium.

Thanks for all the feedback. We're two families that include 3 kids ages 12 to 15. We'll probably arrive a bit earlier than is require just to make sure we've got everyone accounted for and all luggage lined up. I just wanted to make sure there weren't any new security checks that would greatly alter what I've experienced in the past. Thanks

apersuader65: >>Does this same timeframe apply on a Eurostar Paris to London? I read somewhere that it was 45 minutes for that train?<<

No, the Eurostar is more like boarding a plane. There is security, and unlike trains on the Continent -- passport control. It is recommended one arrives 45 minutes in advance.

@tomtomfromleiden. if there is a security check in Amsterdam for Thalys, I didn't see it. Not at Schiphol either and there certainly is one at Rotterdam

isn't one at Rotterdam

Here are the ACTUAL Eurostar recommended check-in times as listed on the Eurostar website:

Standard Premier, Standard and carte classique travellers:

Check in at least 30 minutes before departure
Eurostar™ carte blanche holders and Business Premier travellers:

Check in at least 10 minutes before departure
Travellers needing assistance:

Allow yourself an extra 30 minutes on top of your normal check-in time
All travellers for Avignon or ski services:

Check in 1 hour before departure

We always show up with at least 45 minutes before the Eurostar, especially at peak time. I hate being stressed and this gives us time to calmly get through security and passport control and have a few minutes to relax before boarding the train.

I think 45 minutes on the Eurostar is the safe way to go for peace of mind. It's different from most trains in Europe, as mentioned, as there is security. Just went through Rotterdam a couple of weeks ago and no security check at all, though there were guards patrolling the station.

>>Here are the ACTUAL Eurostar recommended check-in times as listed on the Eurostar website:

Check in at least 30 minutes before departure<<

That is <u>Check in</u> at the Eurostar lounge -- St Pancras/Kings Cross is a very large complex. If one arrives <i>at the station</i> 30 mins before the train time -- good luck to you.

The official Eurostar check-in time in Paris is 30 minutes, but in Gare du Nord, you hear them still making the final call for check-in 15 minutes before departure.

As for security on general trains, France has just instituted a system of "train marshals" based on the system of "sky marshals" used in the air -- normal looking fake passengers with their finger on the trigger.