Pocket knives on trains

[Mar Oregon]

I think I read that the train systems in Spain require passengers to go through security check points before boarding a train. Correct? And I think I also read somewhere that you may bring a folding knife on board a train as long as you declare it before your bags are scanned/checked. Otherwise it can be confiscated. Is this correct?

Can anyone tell me if there are restrictions on the length of blades that are allowed on trains or other locations. I’m not planning to bring a Crocodile Dundee version nor one with a locking blade but I was given a small Swiss knife and would rather not lose it. I just want to be able to slice an apple or cut some cheese.

 

[Albertagirl]

I don't think that I have always gone through a security scan when boarding a train in Spain, but I certainly did when boarding the high-speed train from Madrid to Seville. I had a knife, a mid-size one, to be able to slice bread with. The security person was, however, preoccupied with making me take my shirt off (it was a long-sleeved shirt undone over a t-shirt, so he saw it as a jacket). He was not looking at my bag when it went through the scanner, so I guess that he did not see the knife. If it had been confiscated, I would just have bought another in a hardware store in Seville. In my experience trains generally stop in locations which contain a hardware store. Actually, I think that I bought my knife, very cheap, in a China store (like a dollar store, and even more ubiquitous than hardware stores). Good luck with this, as I cannot give you any precise information about the regulations for scanning, except that you might have to take your shirt off.

 

[Davey Boyd]

Never had a problem with a pocket knife on any trains in Europe. Though sometimes checked, never stopped. Same with ferries. I think, if you have a pocket knife with a rucksack and gear they don't bother. I think it would be different if you were wearing say jeans, had a skinhead, and drinking super strength lager. My point is that they 'understand' why you have the knife and let it go. The UK chunnel (channel tunnel) does the same. Keep it in your rucksack not in your pocket.

As Albertagirl says above, if you lose it, just get another one.

Davey

 

[C clearly]

I've been through train station scanning in Spain with pocket knives and had no problem.

 

[Ant]

Definitely no knives on Eurostar trains

 

[Deana]

I went through the scanner at Barcelona to Pamplona had a Swiss army knife and a small pairing knife all was ok nobody said anything

 

[chinacat]

Definitely no knives on Eurostar trains

Is this new?

I’ve never had a problem with a small Swiss Army knife

 

[Tincatinker]

2 Answers. Carriage Prohibited: Flick knives/gravity knives, lock knives and daggers, any kniveswith a blade over 3 inches/75mm in length (note that standard folding knives with a blade no greater than 3 inches/75mm long are permitted to be carried).29 May 2014
uk - Eurostar security control: Taking pocket knife for camping ...

 

[Caminogoat]

Last year, my daughter carried a small utility knife in her backpack. We were on the highspeed train 8 times (Praha, Berlin, Paris, and the rest in Spain). Passed the security scan each time but never had a problem.

 

[Deleted member 43780]

The higher security check point for Spanish trains is the AVE runs. But, of course can have security checks anywhere these days.

Never had a problem taking small knife, including recently a gift steak knife, on any Spanish train or bus.

If catching the AVE recommend showing up little earlier for departure.

The departure point for all trains out of, I know Seville and Madrid, is a point for that particular train. Regardless of type of train. Must show ticket to go towards the train for boarding.

But the scanning of bags, packs, purses, etc is done for the AVE.

 

[Geodoc]

Definitely no knives on Eurostar trains

We rode the Eurostar from London to Paris - I had my Swiss Army Knife, and they were absolutely cool with it (I guess they just don't want fixed/locking blades).

 

[Delphinoula]

Depending on the current thread situation they may they may not. Kitchen knifes are easily to get in Spain. Never had a problem with a small light swiss Army knife one blade a corkscrew a srew driver.

 

[chinacat]

@Tincatinker

Diolch yn fawr!

 

[Theresa Brandon]

I was carrying daggers from Toledo and tried a tip I read online - I wrapped them up in a gift box with wrapping paper (I used a map!). I also put my pocket knives/leathermen in with them. Didn't have a problem running it through the scanner. I told myself that I wasn't going to get upset if they did get confiscated, even if they were intended as souvenirs.

 

[HikingGeo]

Wow, so they finally started running people through security in Europe for trains? I guess I haven't been on a European train since 2015, but I was always amazed that there were no security checks whatsoever on any train journey I ever took anywhere in Europe. I assume the incident in I believe France changed all of that?

 

[gerardcarey]

Security took my little Opinel knife off me before boarding the Channel tunnel train in London.
They kindly offered to post it to me in Paris at cost of €18.
Very generous of them as it had only cost €6 in St Jean the previous year.
I left it with them and bought another in Paris.
Regards
Gerard

 

[Kathor1]

I think I read that the train systems in Spain require passengers to go through security check points before boarding a train. Correct? And I think I also read somewhere that you may bring a folding knife on board a train as long as you declare it before your bags are scanned/checked. Otherwise it can be confiscated. Is this correct?

Can anyone tell me if there are restrictions on the length of blades that are allowed on trains or other locations. I’m not planning to bring a Crocodile Dundee version nor one with a locking blade but I was given a small Swiss knife and would rather not lose it. I just want to be able to slice an apple or cut some cheese.

Your question is about pocket knives: knives that are foldable and cannot be locked. I don’t know the actual rules in Spain. I frequently travel with a Swiss Army knife with a 5 cm blade which are also allowed in cabine luggage on planes in Europe. I’ve passed through security checks at train stations in Spain a few times in recent years and there was never an issue.

Eurostar has a limit of 7,5 cm for foldable and not lockable pocket knives.

In France, knives must be wrapped up and remain in the luggage as I understand the rules. I wouldn’t dare to take out my pocket knife on a French train to cut my baguette fromage et jambon.

No security checks on German long distance fast trains as far as I know.

Rules about carrying knives in general are different from country to country.

It‘s my understanding that the security checks at Spanish train stations were introduced because of what happened in 2004.

 

[cbacino]

I think I read that the train systems in Spain require passengers to go through security check points before boarding a train. Correct? And I think I also read somewhere that you may bring a folding knife on board a train as long as you declare it before your bags are scanned/checked. Otherwise it can be confiscated. Is this correct?

Can anyone tell me if there are restrictions on the length of blades that are allowed on trains or other locations. I’m not planning to bring a Crocodile Dundee version nor one with a locking blade but I was given a small Swiss knife and would rather not lose it. I just want to be able to slice an apple or cut some cheese.

Took the train Santiago to Madrid; no security check.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Took the train Santiago to Madrid; no security check.

Took the train from Santiago to Ferrol last May. Arrived at the station - no security staff so went and sat on platform with several others. 15 minutes before the train was due we were all turfed off the platform and our luggage scanned before we were allowed back again. I've also been scanned at Palencia but never had my Opinel confiscated.

 

[peregrino_tom]

I was carrying daggers from Toledo

*Raises eyebrow*

 

[mikebet]

No problem on Renfe. Like Theresa, I bought a pretty lethal-looking souvenir dagger in Toledo -- they sell them everywhere there, swords, too -- and put it in my carry-on bag. No problem. I had asked at a shop if there were any restrictions, and was told that as long as it was in the original box and obviously a souvenir nobody would care. My Swiss Army knife also passed on the train X-ray from Madrid to Ourense and back, and from Madrid to Toledo and back.

 

[Delphinoula]

Took the train from Seville to Jerez no controls.

 

[David Tallan]

No problem on Renfe. Like Theresa, I bought a pretty lethal-looking souvenir dagger in Toledo -- they sell them everywhere there, swords, too -- and put it in my carry-on bag. No problem. I had asked at a shop if there were any restrictions, and was told that as long as it was in the original box and obviously a souvenir nobody would care. My Swiss Army knife also passed on the train X-ray from Madrid to Ourense and back, and from Madrid to Toledo and back.

My son also bought a nice knife in Toledo after our Camino. It was his main purchase on his trip to Spain. When we went to get on the train from Valencia to Madrid the evening before our flight home, they confiscated it. There was no way they were letting him on the train with it, and no option to check it with staff in any way. The alternative was to write off our train tickets (and miss our flight home) if we went to try and post it because we weren't told this until boarding time.

They said that if we had kept the original receipt it would have been okay. But who thinks to keep receipts from all of your purchases. It's not like having a receipt makes it less deadly or as if terrorists are incapable of keeping receipts.

It was a very disappointing way for my teenage son to end his trip to Spain.

(They said that it was going to a particular police station and I wrote it down to follow up when we got home, but it was a dead end. That police station was unconnected with station security and had no record of ever receiving the knife.)

 

[JACS]

Took the train Santiago to Madrid; no security check.

I think I read that the train systems in Spain require passengers to go through security check points before boarding a train. Correct? And I think I also read somewhere that you may bring a folding knife on board a train as long as you declare it before your bags are scanned/checked. Otherwise it can be confiscated. Is this correct?

Can anyone tell me if there are restrictions on the length of blades that are allowed on trains or other locations. I’m not planning to bring a Crocodile Dundee version nor one with a locking blade but I was given a small Swiss knife and would rather not lose it. I just want to be able to slice an apple or cut some cheese.

PLEASE READ THIS.... I declared my expensive Swiss Army Knife with 5.5cm blade to the security officer at Gerona Station in Spain and it was confiscated. Apparently if I’d shut my mouth and left it in my hand luggage this would have been OK. Don’t ask . There was no persuasion possible and I lost it. The RENFE staff in the office next to the security x-Ray scanner rolled their eyes and said this was a common issue and said there was nothing they could do to help. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

 

[Kathor1]

YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

And welcome to the forum, @JACS! I see that you joined the forum today and this is your first post. Well, this should rekindle the knives in Spanish trains discussion. And are you planning a camino in 2119 or is this a typo? ☺

Yes, it hurts to part with one's Swiss Army knife, especially when it's one that has been a good companion on many hikes. But such is life. I now always count two Swiss Army knives among my worldly possessions, one with a 5.0 cm blade and one with an even smaller blade ... just in case ... oh, there's also a small Opinel somewhere but they are just not the same, are they? And about 8 small scissors, all of them purchased at various times in a French airport after arrival or in a pharmacy nearby during a time in the past when I used to travel knife-free to the start of a walk somewhere.

 

[Theo59]

Security took my little Opinel knife off me before boarding the Channel tunnel train in London.
They kindly offered to post it to me in Paris at cost of €18.
Very generous of them as it had only cost €6 in St Jean the previous year.
I left it with them and bought another in Paris.
Regards
Gerard

According my experience confiscation depends a lot from percon that is checking you. Appearance/attitude/length matters, yes.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I might have recounted this before: taking daughters off on holiday and, just as we're leaving the car at the airport car park, Daughter No2 cuts her finger. Grabbed first aid kit and tended to her mortal wound (scratch) on the bus on the way to the terminal. Going through the scanner: "Is there anything sharp in your bag sir?" "No . . . oh damn! Scissors!"
In the bin they went.
There were big posters up around Gatwick saying "250,000 prohibited items have been confiscated so far"
"250,001 and one now Daddy!" said Daughter No1 with glee.

What does happen to it all? In the early days I saw transparent bins full of SAKs, multi-tools, dive-knives . . . Do they sell it all off or do the families of the security staff get them as presents . . "Dear Santa, thank you so much for yet another Swiss Army Knife - it will look good on display along with the other 6 in my collection!"

 

[Tincatinker]

What does happen to it all? In the early days I saw transparent bins full of SAKs, multi-tools, dive-knives . . . Do they sell it all off or do the families of the security staff get them as presents . .

Jeff, https://ec.europa.eu/transport/modes/air/security/legislation_en will lead you to the relevant legislation on what may and may not be taken into the flight-cabin of an aircraft. Thorough reading of the legislation may well lead you to the conclusion that while there is very clear legislation as to what may or may not be taken into the flight-cabin of an aircraft the legislation fails utterly to provide for what should happen to items confiscated by the authorities properly designated to enact and enforce the very clear legislation on what may and may not be taken into the flight-cabin of an aircraft.

This lacuna: There being no provision in the legislation for the permanent seizure and destruction of any item that is not permitted etc etc.... suggests that if you have a few weeks to devote to a thankless and fruitless pursuit of the unobtainable that you simply ask UK Border Force for the return of your scissors as you are now returned to the UK and are entitled to the return of your property.

 

[henrythedog]

I frequently travel with a Swiss Army knife with a 5 cm blade which are also allowed in cabin luggage on planes in Europe.

I’m not doubting that you have done that, but I think you've been lucky to get away with it.

 

[henrythedog]

2 Answers. Carriage Prohibited: Flick knives/gravity knives, lock knives and daggers, any kniveswith a blade over 3 inches/75mm in length (note that standard folding knives with a blade no greater than 3 inches/75mm long are permitted to be carried).29 May 2014
uk - Eurostar security control: Taking pocket knife for camping ...

That’s pretty much the UK ‘legal carry’ legislation, which makes sense really. No point in allowing something on Eurostar which would become illegal (unless you had a lawful excuse) as soon as you set foot off the train at St Pancras.

 

[Kathor1]

I’m not doubting that you have done that, but I think you've been lucky to get away with it.

Sigh. No, I've not been ""lucky to get away with it"". And I'm starting to admire my own patient reaction when this insinuation is made again and again on the forum.

Luckily, security staff and I know better than forum posters: sometimes - but not often - my backpack gets checked; in my home airport it's a random thing. In my home airport, they test for traces of bomb material (no idea what exactly) and they measure the length of the blade of my Swiss Army pocket knife which is below but near the permitted limit. I've had two such checks in Spain - once in Madrid and once in Santiago - over the years but there they just measured the blade.

Then they give it back to me and I put it back in my backpack and proceed to the gate. This is for inter-Schengen flights. Nothing more and nothing less.

 

[JLWV]

I two occasions I had my Opinel confiscated in Spanish train stations, Valencia and Madrid.
This was at luggage check. In two other cases the knife was in my pocket and as I was not scanned the knife travelled with me. Now, at least in Valencia, persons are also scanned with hand-scanners; I do not know in other stations. Posters near the checking machine clearly state today that knifes are prohibited.

 

[Delphinoula]

The freedom on the Camino is not to have to worry about knife lengths or any material things. I had a little Swiss Army knife , blade cork screws screw driver hanging from my back bag openly always offered to remove it to the security guards no issues here. So I loose it or it gets in a bin on me. Get one in Spain I saw a little kitchen knife for1 Euro. So take heart.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Is this new?

I’ve never had a problem with a small Swiss Army knife

Small folding pocket knives with blades under 75mm without a locking mechanism are the exception and are permitted.

Safe travels, Peter .

 

[spursfan]

The security scanning at larger Spanish stations is atypical of national European rail services and follows on from the Madrid train bombings in 2004 when some 190 people were killed - for those of you struggling to survive without your pocket knives, I can confirm that your teeth will do a perfectly good job when eating an apple

 

[henrythedog]

Sigh. No, I've not been ""lucky to get away with it"". And I'm starting to admire my own patient reaction when this insinuation is made again and again on the forum.

Luckily, security staff and I know better than forum posters: sometimes - but not often - my backpack gets checked; in my home airport it's a random thing. In my home airport, they test for traces of bomb material (no idea what exactly) and they measure the length of the blade of my Swiss Army pocket knife which is below but near the permitted limit. I've had two such checks in Spain - once in Madrid and once in Santiago - over the years but there they just measured the blade.

Then they give it back to me and I put it back in my backpack and proceed to the gate. This is for inter-Schengen flights. Nothing more and nothing less.

OK, I've bitten, what with you being 'better than a forum poster' and admiring 'your own patient reaction' and all .

I'll confess that I missed the point where you referred to flights 'within Europe', which you later described as 'inter Schengen' (I think you mean 'intra Schengen'.) Regardless of the political mess currently ongoing, the UK will remain geographically 'within Europe' and that is my frame of reference.

The UK.Gov advice does support your contention that a knife of 60mm or less should be permitted in carry-on - but adds the proviso that it should not have either a point or a sharp edge. I'm not sure how you would define 'a knife', but the absence of both a cutting edge and point makes it of debatable use as a knife as I would know it, and rather more like a spatula or spreading tool.

Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports

Hand luggage restrictions at UK airports - carry-on luggage, checked-in baggage, restricted items and liquids, electronic devices carried from Turkey, Lebanon, Egypt and Saudi Arabia

www.gov.uk

Nonetheless, I'll freely concede that you could take a knife of under 60mm, providing that it had neither a sharp point or cutting edge as carry on without relying on luck, and for that statement (it was not an insinuation - I'm not that subtle), then I apologise.

(I deleted my reference here to the even more restrictive TSA restrictions on flights ex the US as it was even less relevant than the rest of my post)

I don't offer advice, because I don't set myself out to be an expert in very much, other than to say - do your own research; or 'be lucky' of course!

Thank you for your 'angry' feedback - I think I've got the full set now.

 

[Kathor1]

UK.Gov advice
If you have the great good fortune to be American (cough!) you're not allowed so much as a pointy stick.

I know that knives are not allowed in cabin baggage on flights within the USA or to the USA and I have every intention to comply. At my home airport, the area for security control of passengers booked on flights to airports in other Schengen countries are strictly separated from the security area for flights to the USA and the UK. I assume that the security staff is aware of the difference between the applicable rules.

I occasionally take my backpack and my pocket knife to the UK. In my car and on a ferry.

And I am aware of my many shortcomings, among them an insufficient command of the English language and language interference.

 

[chinacat]

I never cease to be amazed by the sheer variety of threads which seem to engender unpleasantness in some replies/posts.

 

[chinacat]

my many shortcomings, among them an insufficient command of the English language

Err ... not sure I agree with this
Imho you are to be admired for your articulacy in the English language!

 

[henrythedog]

I know that knives are not allowed in cabin baggage on flights within the USA or to the USA and I have every intention to comply. At my home airport, the area for security control of passengers booked on flights to airports in other Schengen countries are strictly separated from the security area for flights to the USA and the UK. I assume that the security staff is aware of the difference between the applicable rules.

I occasionally take my backpack and my pocket knife to the UK. In my car and on a ferry.

And I am aware of my many shortcomings, among them an insufficient command of the English language and language interference.

Touché

Best wishes.

 

[chinacat]

The security scanning at larger Spanish stations is atypical of national European rail services and follows on from the Madrid train bombings in 2004 when some 190 people were killed - for those of you struggling to survive without your pocket knives, I can confirm that your teeth will do a perfectly good job when eating an apple

Oh, you lucky wo/man .... you still have all your own teeth!!

 

[Kathor1]

I can confirm that your teeth will do a perfectly good job when eating an apple

Oh, you lucky wo/man .... you still have all your own teeth!!

My first thought was: @spursfan is not a dentist.

 

[David Tallan]

PLEASE READ THIS.... I declared my expensive Swiss Army Knife with 5.5cm blade to the security officer at Gerona Station in Spain and it was confiscated. Apparently if I’d shut my mouth and left it in my hand luggage this would have been OK. Don’t ask . There was no persuasion possible and I lost it. The RENFE staff in the office next to the security x-Ray scanner rolled their eyes and said this was a common issue and said there was nothing they could do to help. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!

If you shut your mouth and leave it in your hand luggage it doesn't always help, as my son found to his great disappointment (see my post immediately above yours).

 

[David Tallan]

I might have recounted this before: taking daughters off on holiday and, just as we're leaving the car at the airport car park, Daughter No2 cuts her finger. Grabbed first aid kit and tended to her mortal wound (scratch) on the bus on the way to the terminal. Going through the scanner: "Is there anything sharp in your bag sir?" "No . . . oh damn! Scissors!"
In the bin they went.
There were big posters up around Gatwick saying "250,000 prohibited items have been confiscated so far"
"250,001 and one now Daddy!" said Daughter No1 with glee.

What does happen to it all? In the early days I saw transparent bins full of SAKs, multi-tools, dive-knives . . . Do they sell it all off or do the families of the security staff get them as presents . . "Dear Santa, thank you so much for yet another Swiss Army Knife - it will look good on display along with the other 6 in my collection!"

At least on a plane there is an option to check these things. Not so on a train.

 

[Karma_m]

Have just had a small Swiss Army knife confiscated at Cardoba train station, AVE train to Barcelona we have travelled all thru Spain, Portugal, Holland, France, Germany on trains & buses for the past 3 months, before and after Camino and yet 3 days before flying home it ended up in the bin ... pleading fell on very deaf ears!! grrrrrr... ps it was in the backpack with a camino shell so no allowances for being a pilgrim

 

[Canuck]

Have just had a small Swiss Army knife confiscated at Cardoba train station, AVE train to Barcelona we have travelled all thru Spain, Portugal, Holland, France, Germany on trains & buses for the past 3 months, before and after Camino and yet 3 days before flying home it ended up in the bin ... pleading fell on very deaf ears!! grrrrrr... ps it was in the backpack with a camino shell so no allowances for being a pilgrim

I had the axact same experience in Malaga last spring. No consideration whatsoever for a pilgrim at the start of his long peregrination. The AVE is a killer for security.

 

[ginniek]

Since I fly a fair amount in my home country, the US (not bragging or complaining, just stating), I've had the small Swiss knives I used to carry on my key ring and the nail scissors I used to carry in my purse, confiscated more than once. Now I take the line of least resistance and don't carry anything with me anywhere that might get taken from me. Again, not bragging or complaining. And I love the AVE.

 

[spursfan]

I had the axact same experience in Malaga last spring. No consideration whatsoever for a pilgrim at the start of his long peregrination. The AVE is a killer for security.

Those of us in Europe remember the Marid train station bombing that killed over 190 people and injured some 2000 more - that's why the Spanish have such security on their longer-distance trains

 

[David Tallan]

Those of us in Europe remember the Marid train station bombing that killed over 190 people and injured some 2000 more - that's why the Spanish have such security on their longer-distance trains

Absolutely, security is important. There is a difference, however, between security and security theater.

 

[Canuck]

Those of us in Europe remember the Marid train station bombing that killed over 190 people and injured some 2000 more - that's why the Spanish have such security on their longer-distance trains

Those of us in America remember as well and I in particular for having lived in Spain. By no means was I trying to diminish the importance of the security measures put in place as a result of that bombing. I was just stating a fact.

 

[henrythedog]

Setting the rules to one side for a moment, it is clear that there is inconsistency of application. Time is rarely on your side when you are a passenger and any assertive insistence of your ‘rights’ will usually end in ‘denied boarding’ or the railway equivalent.

I admire Katarina (posts passim) for insisting on her correct understanding of the rules where she travels.

I have used RENFE many times with a Leatherman multi-tool which has passed through x-ray and never been challenged.

I recently ventured into the UK embassy in Madrid in pursuit of a sello. That has the most effective and diligent x-ray screening I’ve ever experienced. My leatherman had to stay with security when I finally got in.

 

[NYSE]

I think I read that the train systems in Spain require passengers to go through security check points before boarding a train. Correct? And I think I also read somewhere that you may bring a folding knife on board a train as long as you declare it before your bags are scanned/checked. Otherwise it can be confiscated. Is this correct?

Can anyone tell me if there are restrictions on the length of blades that are allowed on trains or other locations. I’m not planning to bring a Crocodile Dundee version nor one with a locking blade but I was given a small Swiss knife and would rather not lose it. I just want to be able to slice an apple or cut some cheese.

I had my pocket knife with me on a number of trains and was never stopped. I don't recall ever going through a scanner.

 

[cbacino]

I think I read that the train systems in Spain require passengers to go through security check points before boarding a train. Correct? And I think I also read somewhere that you may bring a folding knife on board a train as long as you declare it before your bags are scanned/checked. Otherwise it can be confiscated. Is this correct?

Can anyone tell me if there are restrictions on the length of blades that are allowed on trains or other locations. I’m not planning to bring a Crocodile Dundee version nor one with a locking blade but I was given a small Swiss knife and would rather not lose it. I just want to be able to slice an apple or cut some cheese.

Why bring a valuable or valued pocketknife? Just bring a cheap box cutter (cost 50 cents US). Served all my needs on the Appalachian Trail, Via Francigena, and last year the Norte/Primitivo. Lightweight, cheap, versatile, and no biggie if lost or confiscated.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

Absolutely, security is important. There is a difference, however, between security and security theater.

Agreed. Catching the train from SdC to Ferrol last May there was no security about so perhaps 12 passengers wandered onto the platform. 15 minutes before the train was due we were herded off the platform and bags were passed through the scanner.
I'd suggest that anybody wishing to cause trouble could have hidden their device on the platform and then gone through security.
My maxim has always been "if something is so precious you're afraid to lose it don't take it on the Camino with you"

 

[henrythedog]

"if something is so precious you're afraid to lose it don't take it on the Camino with you"

I agree 100%. My passport, ‘phone and sufficient cash or credit are always ‘touching skin’ whenever I’m out of the country.

Everything else I would just walk away from or be prepared to abandon should I need to.

 

[David Tallan]

My maxim has always been "if something is so precious you're afraid to lose it don't take it on the Camino with you"

I agree in general, but I certainly don't regret taking my relationship with my son on the Camino with me that year.

 

[Sidknee]

Took the train Santiago to Madrid; no security check.

This is an old thread, but thought I’d update with current experience for those scanning through.

Things have changed in our World. Security has been ramped up, particularly around knives and scissors carried on trains in Spain from certain places.

Recently caught the train from Santiago to Madrid (September 2023). They had scanners and were confiscating knives and scissors where the blade was longer than 6cm.

The guy doing the scanning was very polite, but firm. He wouldn’t allow me to carry my Opinel knife with corkscrew. I broke the blade off (as he suggested) and threw it in the big wheelie bin. You don’t have to break the blade off. He just suggested I do it.

Interestingly when I flew into Madrid in July and caught the train to Santiago there was no scanning of my back pack. Buses I caught had no security checks, guess that reflects backpacks and bags being underneath.

My personal opinion, I’ll probably not take a knife, the very few times I’ve used one doesn’t support the the need to carry one. Just more stuff. If I think I’ll need a corkscrew, I’ll grab one at the Supermercado for €1 or €2.

Buen Camino

 

[kiwi-couple]

I had to show my pocket knife at the rail station when leaving Santiago in October this year but as the blade is slightly less than 75mm in length it was ok. My husband, who has an identical one, wasn't stopped. He was stopped as few weeks later at the station in Segovia though as something was detected in his backpack. It turned out it was the metal Cruz de Santiago stencil which had bought at the market in Santiago - we were waved through after I explained what it was. We'll be using it when we next make a tarta de Santiago.

 

[Luka]

Before boarding high speed/long distance trains your always have to put your luggage in a scanner. Most other trains don't have one, but there may be exceptions.

I lost my opinel knife twice, but I also winged it a couple of times successfully by keeping the knife in my pocket. Most of the times only your bag goes through a scanner. But this might be risky, as I can imagine the last place security wants a knife to be is in an easy to reach pocket.

It is always a bit of a dilemma. I love my opinel knife and use it on a daily basis on the Camino. It is not always easy to buy one at the starting point and apart from that I would prefer not to buy a new one on every Camino. But if they would search me and find the knife in a pocket I am not sure how easy I would get away with it.

The last couple of times I took a peak view at the security check before I decided to leave my knife in mijn backpack (with a 80-100% risk to lose it) or to wing it and put it in the pocket of my jacket or pants.

 

[Juno]

I think I read that the train systems in Spain require passengers to go through security check points before boarding a train. Correct? And I think I also read somewhere that you may bring a folding knife on board a train as long as you declare it before your bags are scanned/checked. Otherwise it can be confiscated. Is this correct?

Can anyone tell me if there are restrictions on the length of blades that are allowed on trains or other locations. I’m not planning to bring a Crocodile Dundee version nor one with a locking blade but I was given a small Swiss knife and would rather not lose it. I just want to be able to slice an apple or cut some cheese.

I was on the train from Zamora to Santiago and I had my bag go through the scanner. They saw my knife, a Swiss Army knife and measured it. It was too long so I had to throw it away in their bin. Had I had it in my trouser pocket I would have got away with it as only the bags were scanned. Sadly it was my husband’s so I bought him another in Santiago and it had the Santiago emblem which pleased him when he met me.

 

[Pilgrim9]

But who thinks to keep receipts from all of your purchases [of items to be taken home]?

Previous learning opportunities with the Customs officials of my country have convinced me that being prepared for their questions is the most prudent and efficient course of action.

I keep the receipts for each and every item that I plan to take back into my country. During my travels I just shove them into a dedicated dry pocket of my pack and then immediately forget about them.

The night before returning home I organize them and make an itemized list with prices paid of the to-be-imported items, with a dollar total at the bottom. It only takes a few minutes. I keep the list and the supporting receipts tucked into my passport pouch, ready for action at my country's point of entry.

When the Customs officer asks me what I have to declare, I answer his question by stating that I do not have any alcohol, tobacco, firearms, meats, fruits, soft cheeses, illegal drugs, etc. but that I wish to import the following items - then I start to read my detailed and usually lengthy list of items, most of which are low value (postcards, memorabilia, etc.). This always catches them off-guard. Usually, after about the third item, the Customs officer brusquely interrupts me and asks to know the total dollar amount and whether or not everything for my own personal use. On very rare occasions, they take the list and look it over themselves, and then pass it back to me. It is all over very quickly.

This system works for me.

 

[JDM]

My pack was scanned in Santiago in June and my small pocket knife was picked up. On locating it in my pack the blade length was measured and it was given back to me as it was below the specified length for carrying on the train. The blade is 50mm long.

 

[Juno]

Thanks John, useful to know as I’ve had two taken off me so far. They did tell me the size but I had forgotten as I was disappointed to have each taken. One because it was a Swiss Army knife which I’d borrowed from my husband and the other because it was a replacement with Santiago on it! Will I ever learn! I will buy one that size if I’m ever back in Santiago. Having finished the VDLP in July, I couldn’t face buying another right then.

 

[Lindsay53]

My pack was scanned in Santiago in June and my small pocket knife was picked up. On locating it in my pack the blade length was measured and it was given back to me as it was below the specified length for carrying on the train. The blade is 50mm long.

What is the specified length?

 

[Pafayac]

What is the specified length?

6 cm