France, International services compared

[peteb]

Last week I travelled into France from Ventimiglia in Italy. I'd last done this in June 2024. I wasn't surprised that French border police boarded the train at Menton Garavan and, like last year, proceeded to interrogate a variety of passengers, requiring production of passport or ID. They turfed a couple of blokes off but it wasn't clear whether this was for immigration or lack of tickets.

This was in marked contrast to my journe between Nîmes Pont-du-Gard to Girona (Spain) a few days later. This was by TGV inoui. There were no ticket checks at Nîmes, none on the train and none on leaving the train at Girona. There were staff visible on the train but noone asked to see reservations or tickets. Indeed after Perpignan my carriage was less crowded and many people swapped seats.

The impression I got is that France is very protective of its borders despite Schengen whereas Spain doesn't seem at all bothered.........

 

[Austriantrain]

Last week I travelled into France from Ventimiglia in Italy. I'd last done this in June 2024. I wasn't surprised that French border police boarded the train at Menton Garavan and, like last year, proceeded to interrogate a variety of passengers, requiring production of passport or ID. They turfed a couple of blokes off but it wasn't clear whether this was for immigration or lack of tickets.

This was in marked contrast to my journe between Nîmes Pont-du-Gard to Girona (Spain) a few days later. This was by TGV inoui. There were no ticket checks at Nîmes, none on the train and none on leaving the train at Girona. There were staff visible on the train but noone asked to see reservations or tickets. Indeed after Perpignan my carriage was less crowded and many people swapped seats.

The impression I got is that France is very protective of its borders despite Schengen whereas Spain doesn't seem at all bothered.........

The French-Spanish border, coming from France, is low-risk where irregular migration is concerned. From Italy to France, it‘s not.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

If you are returning into France via Perpignan, the border police usually go through the train with sniffer dogs and ask for documents from 'selected' individuals. There will be ticket checks at Girona boarding a TGV, but France has always had open stations. The complete ticket check in France would have been on-board betwen Paris and Nimes. Spain is very protective of its borders where the North African ferries dock - Algeciras, Almería etc.

 

[Nigel]

Earlier this year, when I got off at Perpignan having come from Spain, there was a sole policeman at the end of the platform, who appeared to be asking for ID from a few people. Most, including me, were ignored.

 

[peteb]

Earlier this year, when I got off at Perpignan having come from Spain, there was a sole policeman at the end of the platform, who appeared to be asking for ID from a few people. Most, including me, were ignored.

Interesting that when we took a taxi to Italy from Menton, to visit Jardin Hanbury, there was no sign of any police at the border. It's quite likely that anyone could just walk over the border be that between Port Bou and Cerbere or Menton and Ventimiglia. I guess they can't police every access point so they go for the rail lines as it's likely more people will try that route.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 May 2025 ==

If you are returning into France via Perpignan, the border police usually go through the train with sniffer dogs and ask for documents from 'selected' individuals. There will be ticket checks at Girona boarding a TGV, but France has always had open stations. The complete ticket check in France would have been on-board betwen Paris and Nimes. Spain is very protective of its borders where the North African ferries dock - Algeciras, Almería etc.

Interestingly Nice Ville now has ticket gates, for both TER and TGV departures. Man at seat 61 has details:

Nice Ville - a brief station guide

An illustrated guide to Nice Ville station for travellers, with information on platforms, ticket office, left luggage.

www.seat61.com

Not sure why Nice has them but, say, Montpelier doesn't.

"TGV" stations such as Avignon TGV have ticket inspectors at entrances to the platforms. This is why I was surprised not to be checked at Nîmes Pont-du-Gard.

 

[StephenHunter]

When I went from Milan to Basel last year, they had a bunch of Italian police in the middle of the platform (as only the first unit was being used until Domodossola) checking passports. I opened my British passport to the photo page, held it out and was let through without any questions.

 

[nwales58]

At Hendaye, coming off Euskotren, the other day ... nothing.

 

[Nigel]

At Hendaye, coming off Euskotren, the other day ... nothing.

In 2022 I was checked by the French coming off the Euskotren at Hendaye.

 

[08536]

Got train on Tuesday from Elne to Portbou. Spent 4 hours there and got the return back. No sign of authority figures when we arrived. Had our passports with us just in case. 2 Spanish police were walking around the station waiting area when we arrived for the return. The only action they took was to tell a smoker to go outside the building.

 

[Ant1966]

My experiences:
(also last week)
FR>CH On Lyria TGV to Lausanne - no checks or police
CH>IT via local train Lugano > Milano - no checks or police
Ventimiglia - All passengers leaving the IT RV train had to exit the platform filing past 3 border police, but they didnt actually stop anyone so it moved at normal pace
On the FR TER, several police got on at first stop (Menton) but again, didnt see them stop anyone

(last Summer and Summer 23) Hendaye - Used Euskotren to San Seb and back several times, no border check of any sort. You wouldnt know you'd crossed a border.
In fact the only border check Ive had in the last 3 years wasnt on train at all, but on a Flixbus Salzburg>Munich at ATE border. Bus pulled over, all had to get off, then full passport check to reboard.

 

[nineteenninety]

I've travelled on the TGV InOui Paris - Milan service twice (September 22') & earlier this week (Milan - Paris)
On both occasions they had police come on board at Modane, in the Alps on the French/Italian border. They turfed a few people off for some reason on both legs but didn't undertake a passport check.
Although when i first travelled on it in September 22' they had armed police in Milan Garibaldi doing quick passport checks before leaving the station.

 

[SephenWorceste]

I have done Nimes and Paris to Spain many times and never had anything other than a ticket check on the train. That includes the Renfe and SNCF services.

On the return at Barcelona I have always had ticket checks and luggage scans at Barcelona. They do that for internal long distance trains also.

I had a question this year boarding a German cruise ship in Palma Majorca. The cruise company could not find a Schengen entry stamp at Palma airport. I made the point they needed to look two weeks earlier at St Pancras. My passport was kept for a day for further checks.

The only other passport checks I have had in the Venice to Paris sleeper. I believe that was in Switzerland though. I was barely awake. Oddly once onboard Eurostar back to the UK but it was a time of increased security for a royal jubilee. A stop was also made at Calais for the staff to disembark. If I remember it was also checked at St Pancras on arrival.

Otherwise once I am in Schengan it has been borderless for me. France, Austria, Spain, Italy, Belgium and Germany.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Not rail related, but it looks as if Gibraltar will become part of Schengen - the treaty is apparently close to being signed. This will remove the frontier posts with Spain and the current 'performance' that often occurs with long delays. It should also help to spread prosperity to La Linea on the Spanish side.

A railway was built to La Linea in the Franco era but never fully completed or opened to passengers - maybe it could be revived?

 

[nw1]

had a question this year boarding a German cruise ship in Palma Majorca. The cruise company could not find a Schengen entry stamp at Palma airport. I made the point they needed to look two weeks earlier at St Pancras. My passport was kept for a day for further checks.

Seems a bit strange, why would they do that? Could they not just have looked two weeks earlier, as you suggested?

 

[coupwotcoup]

I have done Nimes and Paris to Spain many times and never had anything other than a ticket check on the train. That includes the Renfe and SNCF services.

On the return at Barcelona I have always had ticket checks and luggage scans at Barcelona. They do that for internal long distance trains also.

I had a question this year boarding a German cruise ship in Palma Majorca. The cruise company could not find a Schengen entry stamp at Palma airport. I made the point they needed to look two weeks earlier at St Pancras. My passport was kept for a day for further checks.

The only other passport checks I have had in the Venice to Paris sleeper. I believe that was in Switzerland though. I was barely awake. Oddly once onboard Eurostar back to the UK but it was a time of increased security for a royal jubilee. A stop was also made at Calais for the staff to disembark. If I remember it was also checked at St Pancras on arrival.

Otherwise once I am in Schengan it has been borderless for me. France, Austria, Spain, Italy, Belgium and Germany.

I did many a trip to Spain pre-international link and every so often, there was
a shed load of customs guys at Portbou - despite the usual tight connections.