Ice Axes and Eurostar

This seems a perennial subject but many will be aware of a seeming reversal of Eurostar policy in 2021 resulting in the prohibition of carriage of climbing and mountaineering equipment classified as “dangerous.”

In response the ESC has formally written to Eurostar and prompted a joint letter from Mountaineering Scotland, BMC and Mountaineering Ireland on the matter.

In response, Eurostar have replied today that:

" ... the luggage policy concerning the carrying of mountaineering equipment on Eurostar has not changed.  A passenger is able to bring mountaineering equipment on board – we ask only that any passenger carrying this kind of equipment makes themselves known to a member of the Eurostar team in the station on arrival so that they can ensure the smooth passage through the security/baggage check.

Our website team have been briefed to remove the reference to ice axe, climbing and mountaineering equipment from the dangerous sports equipment section".

These website changes may take a week, but in the interim I wanted to post this clarification as members may be travelling by Eurostar in the coming days.

Declan, thank you for your work on this.  Great result! Let's hope it's the last time that the issue has to be addressed!

Brilliant result on this perennial issue - congratulations to all involved. It will make it much easier to promote carbon-friendly train travel to the Alps, thus supporting the club's climate care policies. As of today (12 Mar 2022) the Eurostar website doesn't seem to have been updated. Would it be an idea to make an image of the letter recieved from Eurostar available to wave at any over-officious security people?

In answer to John, I travelled Eurostar last week, declared my axe etc, and the frontline staff knew all about it, and waved me through. I had a copy of the Eurostar email ready, but didn:t need to call on it. 

Has anyone got recent experience of this?

 

Does anyone know if there are any restrictions on taking avalanche airbags on eurostar, the ones with a gas canister. Anyone taken one recently?

Never had an issue taking a snow pulse on Eurostar. Haven’t tried anything more pointy and my last trip was a couple of years ago so not recent experience sadly. 

Thanks Rob. I sent a question into Eurostar too. I’ll post their response.

Hi all,

I travelled with ice axe and crampons by Eurostar in March 2022 and had no problem.

PaulRobbins - I travelled on Eurostar with a Mammut airbag (with filled canister) on 30 Dec 22. At St Pancras they identified it in my luggage and had me show it to them. They discussed among themselves and then accepted it - I didn’t have to show any paperwork (Mammut provide some supporting paperwork on their website, aimed at airlines). I hadn’t declared it as I was not aware of a problem. On the way back through Paris there was nothing said. 

Thanks Magda and Freddy, very reassuring. Freddy, your experience reflects mine when travelling through airports with the airbag. Often lots of head scratching and whistling through teeth in the UK and even in one case an extended bag search. Whilst in Europe just waved through. 

Quick update. I have just been through security and passport control at St Pancreas for the Eurostar. Ice axe, crampons and airbag in same bag. Straight through. 

One final comment from me on this. A week after travelling I received a reply from Eurostar to my question about avalanche backpacks and ice axes. For avalanche back packs they referred me to the information on the website (therefore no help). For the ice axe they said it is a prohibited item and would not be allowed on board. 

From Paul Robbins' comment, it looks as if not all Eurostar staff are aware of the official policy. Despite Declan's comment at the top of this thread, there also still doesn't seem to be an unambiguous statement on the Eurostar website (perhaps they need a nudge!). It might be wise for anyone travelling with an ice axe securely packed in their luggage to take a printout of Declan's post (or the equivalent statement on the Alpine Club website at http://www.alpine-club.org.uk/news/sustainability-news/943-eurostar-clarifies-position-on-mountaineering-equipment)

Just heard from son Ian, tarvelling back from Argentiere meet and his ice axe was taken off him on Euriostar, was told that company policy is that they are not allowed. seems like he persuaded the conductor to return it after the joiurney, but this was not neccessarily going to happen. Beware!

 

Problems with Eurostar and ice axes continue. We were fine going from London to Paris. We were stopped by the French customs and security checks. They are independent of Eurostar and so were not familiar with Eurostar policy. Fortunately I had the letter from Stuart Younie printed out ready to hand to them. A manager from Eurostar was called who said eventually that it was ok  but only after consulting the letter. For anyone travelling on Eurostar  I recommend taking that letter and be prepared for delays of 30 minutes for extra checks. 

Thans Ian Cooper and Anne Winther for your feedback to me. In response, I have once again written to Eurostar:

"You may remember that in February 2022, (at our instigation) the British Mountaineering Council, Mountaineering Scotland and Mountaineering Ireland wrote to ask for clarification of Eurostar policy regarding the carriage of ice axes and mountaineering equipment. In your reply, of 10/03/22 to Stuart Younie of Mountaineering Scotland, you wrote:

To be clear, you are able to bring mountaineering equipment with you when you travel by Eurostar. We ask only that any passenger carrying this kind of equipment makes themselves known to a member of the Eurostar team in the station on arrival so that they can ensure the smooth passage through the security/baggage check. 

Our website team have been briefed to remove the reference to ice axe, climbing and mountaineering equipment from the dangerous sports equipment section

Unfortunately, our members report that there are still problems in Eurostar travel, with Eurostar staff and Security staff (especially in Paris) being unaware of this ruling leading to refusal to carry mountaineering equipment, at significant cost and inconvenience to our members.

Clearly there may be issues of training and information dissemination here, but it would help if there was a positive statement from Eurostar on the website confirming that ice axes and mountaineering equipment are allowed for travel. Failing that, would you be happy for the copy of your e mail of 10/03/22 to be made available for our members so that they have some evidence of policy to show to Eurostar and security staff?"

In the interim, whilst awaiting a reply, I am happy to individually share a copy of the Eurostar e mail of 10/03/22 comnfirming that ice axes can be carried. It is slightly privileged information which is why I am awaiting permission from Eurostar to share publicly.

Feel free to e mail me on president@eagleskiclub.org.uk

Just returned from a trip to Arolla.  No issues with an ice axe and boot crampons on Eurostar in my big bag.  Ice axe well buried, and packaged with duct tape and cardboard.

Just to Update: - Eurostar have got back to me following my e mail of 22/02/23 to say that in response to our concerns they have issued an update to the Paris Nord team and the "Douane" manager has briefed the security team re permitted carriage of Ice axes.

I also have gained permission from Eurostar to publicly share the e mail clarification 10.03.22 on this issue and have uploaded it on the "Train Travel and Tips" page in case members wished to show a positive statement from Eurostar confirming that ice axes and mountaineering equipment are allowed for travel.

Thank you Declan for all your efforts with this. The next challenge is UK train companies and in particular ScotRail. Fingers crossed that UK train companies see the light.