Transport strikes in Europe in November 2026

In November 2026, travelers should check transportation schedules in France, Spain, and Italy. An SNCF railway strike is scheduled for November 5, and a general strike in Spain is scheduled for November 11. In Italy, several strikes are scheduled for November 20–22 and may affect trains and flights. Carriers will provide a final list of canceled flights and available connections closer to those dates. Below, we break down the announced strikes and their potential impact on passengers.

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Strikes in Italy in November 2026

Strikes by railway workers, aviation employees, and public transit workers are planned in Italy. Most of the strikes are scheduled for November 20–22, so it’s especially important to carefully check connections between trains and flights on those days. The dates have been published in the official calendar of the Italian Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport.

When flight delays and cancellations are possible

The following strikes by aviation sector workers have been announced for November:

- November 6, 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. – Bari Airport. A strike by ENAV staff, who manage air traffic control.

- November 21, 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. – a nationwide strike by ENAV staff. Flight delays and cancellations are possible at various airports in Italy.

- November 22 – Milan-Malpensa and Venice-Marco Polo. A 24-hour strike by ENAV staff is scheduled at Malpensa, and a strike by Sicuritalia IVRI security personnel is scheduled in Venice.

These actions do not mean the airports will be completely closed. The impact on a specific flight will depend on employee participation and the airline’s adjusted schedule.

Train strike on November 20–21

The train strike will last 23 hours—from 9:00 p.m. on November 20 to 8:00 p.m. on November 21. It was called by CUB Trasporti and SGB Ferrovie. The strike involves employees of railway companies, and on November 21, it will also include staff of certain local transportation companies, specifically GTT in Turin and EAV in Campania. Separately, on November 20, CGIL announced a general strike in both the public and private sectors.

Passengers should check their train status via Trenitalia or Italo updates and compare it with the list of guaranteed services. Routes with short layovers for connecting flights are particularly vulnerable: on November 21, the rail strike coincides with a strike by air traffic controllers.

Public transportation in Milan, Venice, Bari, and Naples

Isolated protests may make it difficult to get around these cities and reach train stations:

- November 13 – Milan: A 24-hour strike by ATM Group staff, who operate the metro, trams, and buses.

- November 13 – Venice area: A 24-hour strike by employees of the bus operator ATVO. This may also affect travel to the airport.

- November 14 – Bari: a 24-hour strike by AMTAB employees.

- November 16, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. – Naples: a strike by ANM staff.

Check the respective operator’s announcements for exact route schedules and guaranteed service intervals. A 24-hour strike does not necessarily mean that public transportation will be suspended for the entire 24 hours.

In our previous article, we reported on protests in Europe in October 2026 and new dates for mass demonstrations.

Strike in France on November 5

On Thursday, November 5, 2026, a nationwide railway workers’ strike is planned in France. Four major SNCF unions—CGT-Cheminots, UNSA-Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail, and CFDT-Cheminots—are calling for the strike. Their demands include higher wages, job security, and improved working conditions. A joint call to strike has been published on the unions’ websites.

Possible delays, cancellations, and schedule changes on the following services:

- TGV – high-speed trains between major cities

- Intercités – intercity trains

- TER – regional routes

- SNCF commuter lines – depending on staff participation and the local schedule

As of October 26, there is no final list of canceled trains. You should check the specific route in the app or on the SNCF Connect website. Having a ticket does not guarantee that the train will run according to the original schedule.

If your route includes a connection to a flight or an international train, you should check in advance for alternative transportation to the airport or train station. The operation of the Paris Metro and buses should be checked separately on the RATP website: an SNCF strike announcement does not automatically mean that all public transportation will be suspended.

We previously reported on mass protests in Europe in 2026: which countries were affected by the unrest.

Transportation strikes in Spain in November 2026

In Spain, travelers should be aware of the general strike on November 11 and separate actions by OUIGO España train drivers. These vary in scale: the general strike may affect several modes of transportation, while the OUIGO protests concern a specific rail operator.

General Strike on November 11

On Wednesday, November 11, a nationwide strike is scheduled from 12:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. The UGT, CCOO, and other organizations have issued a call for the strike. The main demands concern wages, housing affordability, and the rising cost of living.

The strike may affect rail service, public transit, and airport operations. However, as of October 26, the final minimum service levels have not yet been determined. CCOO reports that the unions have submitted their proposals and are awaiting negotiations with the Ministry of Transportation. Therefore, it is too early to predict the number of canceled trains or flights.

Passengers should check announcements from their carrier. For air travel, the Aena website is an additional resource; for city travel, check the websites of local metro and bus operators.

OUIGO Train Conductors’ Strikes on November 2, 6, and 9

The SEMAF union has announced a series of protests at OUIGO España due to alleged labor rights violations. The company denies breaching the collective bargaining agreement and states it is ready to continue negotiations. The November dates coincide with travel periods around All Saints’ Day and the Almudena Festival in Madrid.

Announced strike schedule:

- November 2 – 24 hours

- November 6 – from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

- November 9 – from 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Times are listed in local time for mainland Spain. Changes are possible on OUIGO routes, particularly between Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Alicante, and Seville.

These actions do not automatically apply to Renfe or iryo. If you have purchased an OUIGO ticket for one of the dates listed, check the train status and booking notifications on the operator’s website. Final changes will depend on the outcome of negotiations and the approved schedule.

In a previous article, we reported that a large-scale strike will take place in Spain on November 11, 2026.

How can you prepare for travel during strikes?

Check the specific route or train, not just the strike date. Some services may run according to the regular schedule, while others may be subject to changes. Review your booking status the day before and again before departure.

To minimize the risk of your trip being disrupted:

- Turn on notifications from the carrier. Make sure your email address and phone number are listed correctly in your booking.

- Check how to get to the airport or train station. Buses, subways, or commuter trains may be on strike even if your flight is operating.

- Avoid tight connections. Especially if you purchased separate tickets for the train and the flight.

- Save cancellation notices and receipts. You may need them when contacting the carrier or your insurance provider.

- Don’t rush to cancel your ticket. Voluntarily canceling your trip may involve different refund terms than a cancellation initiated by the company.

If a flight is canceled, EU regulations require that passengers be offered a choice between a refund and alternative transportation. The right to additional monetary compensation depends on the circumstances.

A strike by air traffic controllers or third-party airport staff may be considered an extraordinary circumstance, whereas an internal strike by airline employees does not, in and of itself, exempt the airline from paying compensation.

If a train has been canceled and the expected delay to the final destination is at least 60 minutes, EU rules generally provide a choice between a refund and continuing the journey via an alternative route. The application of these rights depends on the type of service and any possible exceptions.

No matter how well thought-out your itinerary is, there is always room for force majeure when traveling. Unexpected medical expenses, transportation delays, or luggage problems can ruin your plans and budget. Travel insurance helps you avoid unnecessary worries in such situations. You can apply for a travel insurance policy for a specific trip online at Visit World - quickly and without unnecessary bureaucracy!

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