AVE train - check-in? security?

Consider renting a car or flying

Sorry, there are also pickpockets in airports and scams to target tourists in their cars.

I have seen a group of thives surrounding two tourists in another country - they did not havea chance

If you saw this, those two weren't the only tourists in the area. They were targeted as the weak animals in the herd and you, along with every other tourist in the area, weren't.

If you keep valuables zipped up, buttoned up and stashed away, you'll continue to be one of the fitter animals in the herd.

No need to avoid just be vigilant, thieves keep a low profile, this non violent crime they are watching for people who are careless. Barcelona itself is infamous for pickpockets and scammers but keep things to hand and you have no problems.

Consider renting a car or flying.

There´s really no need to be that paranoid, thousands of people pass through Sants every day and nothing ever happens to them, you simply need to be cautious, that´s all. Of course there is police presence in the station, that´s why pickpockets go after easy targets who won´t even notice they´re being robbed because they don´t want to attract the attention of the police. I´ve been to Barcelona many many times, with and without travel luggage and photo equipment and nothing has ever been stolen from me.

@Clementis
I have in most of my long life passed maybe 20 airports every year incl Madrid and Barcelona many times and never had anything stolen except from checked luggage and from customs control ( "gift for me? as they call it). I have driven rented cars in all continents except SAmerica and never been troubled ( although there have been ppl trying)
The incident I refer to was in Bruxelles Central ( I know it is a "bad" place) and I were there without luggage and not looking "tourist like", and the gang could have picked out anyone or any couple and done the same - they were many, 8 maybe and VERY VERY fast taking every bag, snapping neckpurse and beltpurse. There were even locals trying to help, but they were simply pushed away by the outer ring.
Normally I am not scared, but this was really scary - and not in some third World country

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