Upcoming Transportation Strikes in France 2024: Info & Best Tips

The strikes shown in this article are officially confirmed — no rumors, no guessing, only planned strikes. Unfortunately, some strikes in France are confirmed at the very last moment (only 24 hours in advance) when negotiations with the French State fail. This is why it is important to check this article from time to time if you plan to visit France soon.

If you are traveling to France, we recommend checking this post (especially chapter #3) a few days before your trip and the day before your departure for any updates.

SNCF STRIKE DESCRIPTION:

» Strike by SNCF train controllers from Tuesday, 30 April 2024, to Friday, 31 May 2024. The reasons for the strike include demands for salary increases and better consideration of the end of career. During their strike of February 2024, there were significant disruptions, with many TGV train cancellations.

This new strike by train controllers is a pressure point before a round table scheduled for mid-April, which will address the subject of the end of career. Depending on the outcome of this meeting, the strike notice will be lifted or not.

Update 21 April 2024: During the last few days, SNCF management and the unions have held a meeting. The object of this meeting was the end of railway workers’ careers, one of the unions’ priority issues. The outcome of this meeting was “positive,” and three of the four representative unions, including the CGT, are preparing to sign it. Only the SUD-Rail union, which issued the strike notice, is still in doubt.

Update 22 April 2024: The four main SNCF unions, the CGT, CFDT, UNSA, and Sud Rail, are expected to sign the agreement negotiated with management on end-of-career and phase-out schemes. Without jeopardizing the pension reform, this agreement will allow railway workers to retire under better conditions. This outcome, scheduled for June, was brought forward to prevent a new strike by controllers announced by Sud Rail in May.

Update 22 April 2024 6:10 p.m.: The agreement is signed. As a result, Sud-Rail has decided not to call a strike in May.

Generally, SNCF informs about the trains or train lines impacted 1-2 days before the strike date. Passengers on TGV or Intercités trains impacted by the strike are usually contacted by SMS or email (if they have provided their contact details). Passengers of regional trains (TER) can check traffic forecasts on the regional sites dedicated to TER trains.

CLARIFICATION: When we write, for example, “2 trains out of 3 on average,” it means that 2/3 of the usual trains for that day will be working.

• National TGV and INOUI trains: nothing to report. Passengers on canceled trains are usually warned by email or SMS.
  • Axe Nord TGV:
  • Axe Est TGV:
  • Axe Atlantique TGV:
  • Axe Sud Est TGV:
  • TGV InOUI:
  • Province to province:
  • Classic Ouigo trains:

• International Trains: nothing to report. SNCF strikes could impact international lines.
  • Eurostar:
  • Thalys:
  • Lyria trains:
  • Connections with Germany:
  • Connections with Italy:
  • France – Spain:
• TER trains: nothing to report. For more details, please check directly on the regional site (“info traffic,” then “grève”):
  • Hauts de France
  • Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
  • Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
  • Bretagne
  • Centre-Val de Loire
  • Grand Est
  • Normandie
  • Occitanie
  • Nouvelle Aquitaine
  • Provence-Alpes-Côte-d’Azur
  • Pays de la Loire
• Intercities: nothing to report. Passengers on canceled trains are usually warned by email or SMS
• Transilien: nothing to report. For more details, please check Transilien’s website
• RER Trains (part of the line managed by SNCF): nothing to report. The connection SNCF /RATP at Gare du Nord is maintained.
• Night Trains: nothing to report
• Tramway lines: nothing to report.

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4b. What to Do During a Train Strike in France

Are you traveling to/ from Paris by train during an SNCF strike? Here are our recommendations:

» If your train is not canceled, don’t worry! There may be some disruptions or delays, but you should be ok.

» If your train is canceled, SNCF usually proposes different solutions:

• a free exchange on all TGVs where there is space.
• OR a 100% refund of the ticket price if you cancel your trip scheduled between the strike dates

If, for any reason, your ticket is stated as “non-refundable” or the website does not propose a total refund (please verify this before the last click), contact them directly with your ticket reference number.

If you booked your train with Ouigo trains, contact them directly for an exchange or refund.

» If your TGV, Intercité, or OuiGO train is delayed because of a train strike, you are entitled to compensation ranging from 25% to 75% of the ticket price, depending on the length of the delay (the minimum delay to request compensation is 30 minutes).

The requests for compensation for delayed TGV and Intercité trains are treated on this site: https://garantie30minutes.sncf.com/s/?language=en_US

FRENCH AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL STRIKE DESCRIPTION:

Strike by air controllers in France on 25 April 2024. The main air traffic controllers’ union, the SNCTA, has filed a strike notice for Thursday, April 25, to denounce a new version, according to them, “unacceptable” of a protocol currently being negotiated aimed at restructuring air navigation services. This strike by SNCTA is supported by the UNSA-UTCAC.

“The version published (by the General Directorate of Civil Aviation, DGAC) is in no way signable for the SNCTA, which considers it a provocation if not an insult,” indicates the union on its website. The organization, which represents 60% of the votes among the controllers, also indicates in a press release that it has refused to participate in a meeting called “urgently” by the DGAC on Wednesday afternoon.

Update 22 April 2024: According to an initial estimate provided to airlines, up to 70% of the day’s flights could be canceled at major airports. The Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) will communicate more precise figures on Tuesday, as strikers have until that date to send their individual declarations.

Update 23 April 2024: While a massive strike has been announced for Thursday, 25 April 2025 (the details have not been published yet), the majority union of air traffic controllers has filed a new strike notice today for the Ascension weekend (9, 10, and 11 May 2024). The National Union of Air Traffic Controllers (SNCTA) contests the overhaul of air traffic control in France and asks for compensation measures and wage increases.

Update 23 April 2024, 10:20 p.m: here’s the impact of the air controllers’ strike on 25 April 2024:

• 75% of flights to /from Paris Orly Airport (ORY) will be canceled
• 65% of flights to /from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) will be canceled
• 65% of flights to /from Marseille Airport (MRS) will be canceled
• 70% of flights to /from Nice Airport (NCE) will be canceled
• 60% of flights to /from Toulouse Airport (TLS) will be canceled
• On average, 60% of flights to /from the rest of French airports will be canceled.

Update 24 April 2024, 5:40 p.m: The majority union of French air traffic controllers announced on Wednesday, 24 April, the lifting of its strike notice for Thursday. The SNCTA organization found a last-minute agreement with the Direction Générale d’Aviation Civile (DGAC). Despite this last-minute agreement, the flight schedule in the French airports will be reduced on 25 April 2024:

• 75% of flights to /from Paris Orly Airport (ORY) will be canceled
• 65% 55% of flights to /from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG) will be canceled
• 65% of flights to /from Marseille Airport (MRS) will be canceled
• 70% 45% of flights to /from Nice Airport (NCE) will be canceled
• 60% 45% of flights to /from Toulouse Airport (TLS) will be canceled
• On average, 60% 45% of flights to /from the rest of French airports will be canceled.

Update 25 April 2025: One of the three unions representing air traffic controllers, UNSA-ICNA, maintains its strike notice for today, 25 April 2024. In a statement issued last night, the union said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) had “sidelined” it from the negotiations that led to an agreement with the main union, SNCTA, which lifted its strike notice. The UNSA-ICNA has also filed a strike notice “for a period of one month, from 1 to 30 June 2024, potentially renewable.”

A strike by air traffic controllers is the worst kind of transportation strike in France. A kind reminder that the last strikes by air traffic controllers in France on 31 January 2023, 7 February 2023, and 16 February 2023 meant the cancellation of 20% of flights at Orly Airport and other French airports.

Please note that Air Controllers’ strikes in France also affect flights crossing French airspace even if they are not flying from /to France. Due to the reduced number of planes that could be handled by the limited number of French air traffic controllers, any flight crossing French airspace might be delayed or re-routed.

FRENCH AIRLINES STRIKE DESCRIPTION:

Commercial cabin crew (PNC – flight attendants and stewards) in France, represented by the Syndicat National du Personnel Navigant Commercial (SNPNC-FO), will be on strike on 15 and 16 April 2024.  

The SNPNC-FO opposes a bill aimed at restricting the right to strike in the airline sector to periods fixed by decree and to a total of 60 days per year.

Flights by French airlines may be impacted during the strike (delays, cancellations). Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight with their airline or on the airport website. Source: airjournal.fr

For more information on flight delays or cancellations, check out Chapter 5d here below.

Update: this strike has been canceled.

GOOD TO KNOW: Usually, all airlines flying to /from France or flying over French airspace are impacted by the Air Controllers’ strikes. Additional disruptions can be expected depending on the mobilization of pilots, stewards, and hostesses, within the various airlines.

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5a. What to Do during Air France Strikes

GOOD TO KNOW: Many Air France flights operate on share code with other air companies (KLM, Delta…). Air France flights operated by an aircraft and a crew other than that of Air France might not be affected by this Air France strike.

On the other hand, if one of these other companies (KLM, Delta…) is operating on a share code with Air France and using Air France crew or Air France aircraft, these flights could be impacted.

Check your e-ticket to understand what air company is operating your flight. Is it Air France? Perhaps another air company on shared code with Air France? Check their website, and if your flight is affected, see what re-booking  /cancellation options they offer.

YOU HAVE NOT BOOKED YOUR FLIGHT TO PARIS WITH AIR FRANCE YET

» Be flexible with your travel dates. If you were thinking about flying to Paris with Air France but have not booked your flights yet, avoid traveling to Paris during Air France strike dates.

» Consider other air companies to avoid eventual delays or cancellations.

During Air France strikes, you can anticipate, postpone, and cancel your trip easily online. With Air France, you can even change your origin or destination, and if you decide to do this, you will get a voucher valid for 1 year that can be used on AIR FRANCE, KLM, or HOP! flights.

This chapter is dedicated to French air companies (other than Air France) flying from /to France.

Each flight company manages airstrikes differently, but the process to follow in case of strikes is always the same: visit its website, check if your flight is affected, and if so, follow its instructions for a change or refund.

In other words: French Air Traffic Control Strikes mean chaos!

What to do during a French Air Traffic Control Strike in France? We recommend following the France strike news, monitoring your flight on the air company’s website, and considering their proposed options to change /refund your tickets.

Airlines are not always obligated to offer compensation following a strike because strikes are usually considered ‘extraordinary circumstances.’ These are situations beyond the airline’s control and can include adverse weather conditions and certain strike actions.

But when a flight is delayed or canceled due to strike action taking place by the airline’s own employees (e.g., pilots, airline staff), the airline must pay compensation to passengers.

In addition to flight delays, here’s the list of all the airplane passengers’ rights to compensation, according to the European Union. https://www.europe-consommateurs.eu/en/travelling-motor-vehicles/air-travel/air-passenger-rights.html

RATP RER Trains: waiting for information. The interconnections with SNCF are working normally.

The RER B train is the train that travels to Paris Charles de Gaulle and Paris Orly –> see chapters 6 and 6a of this post to understand how strikes on this line work.

• RER A: The interconnection RATP /SNCF at Nanterre-Préfecture is [TBD] kept
• RER B: The interconnection RATP /SNCF at Gare du Nord (to go to the airport) is [TBD] kept (there’s no need to change trains at Gare du Nord on the surface to continue the journey ) –> Check out Chapter 6a
• RER C, RER D, and RER E:
• OrlyVal:

Bus: waiting for information.

Tramway: waiting for information.

• Line T1: 
• Line T2:
• Line T3a:
• Line T3b: 
• Line T5: 
• Line T6: 
• Line T7: 
• Line T8: 

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ALLOW EXTRA TIME TO TRAVEL FROM PARIS TO THE AIRPORT

During a transportation strike, Paris will be served by fewer trains, tramways, and buses running. Also, the train interconnection (RATP – SNCF) at Gare du Nord might be suspended.

In any case, expect the working trains or buses to be cramped to the point of letting them go and wait for the next one.

Check RER B’s schedule and the specific metro line or bus line schedules during the strike before leaving your hotel and allow extra time to reach the airport.

CONSIDER PRIVATE /SHARED AIRPORT TRANSFERS

During the last Paris transport strikes, taxis were working just fine, but the taxi request was much higher than the offer, and it was necessary to book their services well in advance.

Get ready for higher prices on services like Uber. During the transportation strike of 13 September 2021, the prices for both Kapten and Uber were reported as 2-2.5 times the normal rate when people could secure rides.

Sleeping in hotels near the airport eliminates the stress of waking up early in the morning and the transportation hassle during a strike day in Paris.

Another advantage of hotels close to Paris airports is that they usually offer very competitive prices because most tourists opt for a hotel located in the city.

Finally, most of these hotels also provide a free airport pickup /drop-off if you book it in advance.

Here’s the list of our favorite hotels near the Paris Airports, all with FREE airport shuttle service.

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» Is the interconnection SNCF – RATP suspended? You will find this information at the beginning of chapter 6. When the interconnection is suspended at Gare du Nord, there is always SNCF or RATP staff wearing yellow vests (but these are kind people!) to tell travelers where to go to proceed with their journey. Sounds complicated? Not really, but it isn’t very pleasant to go upstairs or downstairs, especially if you are carrying big suitcases or backpacks.

» Is the closest metro station to your hotel open? During transportation strikes, some metro stations may be closed, so make sure you know where to stop to reach your hotel before taking the metro.

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BE FLEXIBLE

Fewer trains will run during a Paris Metro strike, so the waiting time between trains will be longer, and the metro platforms will be more crowded.

If you are traveling around Paris during Paris Metro strikes, be flexible AND patient. Avoid transportation peak hours (from 8.30 am to 9.30 am and from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm) and open your mind to other transportation options or change your sightseeing plans.

CONSIDER A GUIDED TOUR OUT OF PARIS WITH PRIVATE TRANSPORTATION

What to do in Paris if you cannot move around? If you were considering seeing something other than Paris, a guided day tour with transportation could be a great idea during a day of transportation strike in Paris.

All the city tour companies cover the most popular day trips from Paris, so prices are usually very competitive. Also, some guided tours include pick-up and drop-off at your hotel.

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There are no transportation strikes in France or Paris directly linked to Gilets Jaunes, but some streets of Paris or roads around Paris might be blocked to transit because of the Gilets Jaunes. What does it mean?

» It means that the Paris bus services and especially the bus services to the airport might be disrupted and the itinerary slightly modified to avoid the blocked streets or roads.

» It means that some central metro stations in Paris (e.g., Concorde, Champs Elysées) might be closed during these demonstrations in Paris.

TIP: Allow more time for your travels inside Paris but especially on the way to the airport

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