Stressed about a train strike in Europe? That’s totally warranted.
No one wants their vacation to go off the rails. While airport strikes might leave you stranded in a terminal, train strikes aren’t nearly as disruptive as far as getting to your destination is concerned.
Sometimes a strike will be scheduled and not even occur. Occasionally a strike will occur but it won’t delay you to your destination by more than a few hours. Thankfully, train operators in most countries have at least a minimum service available during strikes, so it’s extremely unlikely that zero trains will run.
By learning what to do during a European train strike, you’ll be better prepared to navigate whatever delays or cancellations you encounter.
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What to Know About Train Strikes in Europe
Why do train strikes happen?
Train strikes occur when there are disputes between unions representing rail system employees and the rail companies, or disputes between employees and the unions themselves.
When do train strikes occur?
Train strikes are usually announced weeks prior to the scheduled strike. However, just because a train strike is announced does not mean it will actually happen. That’s why, even if a train strike is scheduled, you’ll often still be able to purchase tickets for those times and dates.
How long do train strikes last?
Train strikes can last from a few hours to several days at a time. In some cases, a strike may be announced for multiple days within a set number of weeks or months.
Do train stations shut down during a train strike?
Depending on the strike, some limited train services may still be available. Staff at the station (as well as in airports and other transportation hubs) are often knowledgeable about these strikes and can help you assess what options are available. Plus, Trainline also shows which bus options are available for the same route if you want to avoid the rails altogether.
Generally speaking, your ticket would still be valid on the train departing before or after your booked journey if a strike or any other delay/disruption occurs. If you booked a trip in the UK in advance through Trainline, you can request a fee-free refund online for any train that’s canceled or rescheduled.
For routes throughout the EU most operators allow you to make fee-free changes to your ticket until 6PM prior to your day of departure; for instance, if you suddenly realize that there’s a strike tomorrow, you can take action today.
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Train Strikes in European Countries
Train Strikes in France and Getting Through a Grève
SNCF is France’s national railway system and operates Transilien, TER, TGV, and Intercités trains. During a strike, the SNCF will release updates for the following day at 5PM via their app. Trainline’s got your back during train strikes in France by offering live data tracking the next 6 hours of delays and cancellations directly from SNCF.
Train Strikes in Germany...Streik Happens
Deutsche Bahn is Germany’s largest railway company. If your DB train is impacted due to train strikes in Germany, you’re entitled to certain options like changing your ticket for free, requesting a full refund, and having the validity of your long-distance transport ticket extended.
Italy Train Strikes
Trenitalia is the main train operator in Italy. Even during a strike, there is a minimum transport service guarantee for both local and long-distance trains. However, if a train set to strike is in motion during a strike time, they may stop at the nearest station and not continue onto the final destination.
Train Strikes in the UK and How to Best Navigate Them
Because Great Britain has multiple large railway operators instead of a single national operator, train strikes in the UK are a bit different than on mainland Europe. Trainline helps you keep track of delays and changes by continuously updating this page with the latest information announced by various operators like Eurostar, ScotRail, LNER, and Heathrow Express.
So if there are train strikes in London impacting lines like the London Overground or Gatwick Express we’ll get you the info as swiftly as possible.
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Advice for Traveling During Train Strikes
- Download the Trainline app so you can check train times and change your ticket if needed.
- Consider traveling by bus if it will get you to your destination quicker.
- Research each strike to see if other transportation services, like airlines or bus companies, are striking, too.
- Know which rideshare and taxi companies operate within a given country, so you can get to another train or bus station quickly to catch a different ride.
- Don’t be afraid to ask for help; train strikes are an occasional occurrence and there are multiple resources available to help you navigate these travel woes.
Header Image Credit: Getty Images, mrdoomits