AVE train - check-in? security?

I am going to Spain later this year. Will take the AVE train Barcelona-Madrid. Havn't been on a high speed train for years and never in Spain.
Used to be like any other train: "If you have ticket thn come to the station minutes before departure" - just wondering if things have changed - I mean a check-in procedure or security checks? or will we be ok if cab arrives 15 min before departure?
Also - and I hate to ask this "stupid tourist" question - are the two stations safe for foreigners carrying luggage (in daytime) or are pickpocketes etc a problem (like on main stations in some other countries here in Europe). We wille be there in daytime.

While I am asking: Anyone knows if they sell eadible food (fresh sandwiches or the like) in the train?

Hmm: Just saw at http://www.seat61.com that there seems to be a check of luggage (but not of persons). Guess it is relatively fast.

15 mins before departure might be a bit tight, you have to go through a baggage security check. It is fairly quick but I would not want to risk less than 30mins. The stations are fairly safe but a haven for pickpockets.

Yeah, the last time I've been there, they had a security check, it was preety fast, but better be save then sorry and
be there 30 min before departure...pickpockets are everywhere even in such a save haven like Switzerland.

As above, I´d schedule arriving at the station some 30 min before, just to be on the safe side – passengers are admitted on the train up to 2 minutes before departure but you have to go through luggage security check, also Sants train station is quite big so if you´re there for the first time it might take you a few minutes to understand where you have to go.

There is usually a cafeteria in long distance trains, though I´ve never tried the food they sell so can´t comment on the variety & quality.

Barcelona is notoriously known for pickpockets, just use common sense – don´t leave your luggage unattended or wallets/passports in the outer pockets of your bags..

The Sants train station where your AVE departs in Barcelona is full of pickpockets. My parents got their stuff stolen while I, at their side, even fell for the diversion.... Watch your belongings carefully.

Yes arrive at least 30 minutes before train - food on Spanish trains very good, mainly light snack type food but I've found it to be good quality plus you can get beer and wine. I've found Spanish AVE trains to be one of best in world.

There will almost certainly be some food on any high-speed train, but it will always be cheaper to pick up something at the station or elsewhere to take onto the train for a picnic.

Do make sure all your valuables are completely hidden and unreachable.

Thanks for all the replies.
Seems that the stations are pretty lawless. Thinking that two persons with luggage, photo equipment and having passport, money, cards etc somewhere in the clothes or bags are VERY vulnerabel if the police do not "clean" the main stations. I mean I have seen a group of thives surrounding two tourists in another country - they did not havea chance, they were ripped in less than 30 sec.

Consider renting a car or flying.

I may have exaggerated a bit. It is not the wild west - there is police. But also loads of people. If you are careless, you stand a good chance of getting something stolen. If you take care, you won´t. Thieves go for easy targets.

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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